March: The Dental Connection!

March has arrived, and that can only mean one thing: it's National Nutrition Month.  Every March, thousands of dentists and hygienists celebrate this occasion, and this year is no different. This March, our team encourages your family to think about diabetes, obesity and periodontal disease, and how healthy eating and physical activity may improve periodontal health.

Small changes can really make a big difference, and the American Diabetic Association (ADA) has some advice on ways to start improving your diet this March:

• Focus on fruits and vegetables:  Add a serving each day to one meal and increase it every few weeks.  Adding more of these foods into your diet is important whether you buy frozen, fresh, or organic.

• Think fresh, think local:  From farmer's markets to community-supported agriculture, you have may options to find new, fresh foods in Tulsa.

• Make each and every calorie count:  When you are choosing between options, focus on the one with more of the vitamins and nutrients that you need.  Sometimes, foods with fewer calories aren't always the healthiest options.

• It's tempting, but...:  If you have a sweet tooth, have fruit and yogurt for dessert.  If you crave a snack in the afternoon, enjoy some trail mix or nuts.

• Expand your horizons:  Try a fish you've never eaten before or find a new vegetable recipe.  By testing yourself, you might find new healthy favorites to add to your regular grocery list.

  
If you have additional questions about periodontal disease or keeping yourself and your mouth healthy, please give our office a call at 918-455-0123.  Have a great March!

God Bless,
DRT

Gum Health And Your Heart: The Dental Connection!

The effects of gum disease on the body are mostly seen affecting the heart and cardiovascular system.  With gum disease present, the oral bacteria can attach themselves to the plaque that line the coronary arteries and then increase the plaque build-up in these arteries, which are critical to heart function.  They can also cause blood clots to form in the coronary arteries.  That is why it is important to visit your dentist at least every six months in order to check your overall gum health.

Call our office at 918-455-0123 to make your next cleaning and check-up appointment!

God Bless,
DRT

The Cutting Edge: The Dental Connection!

Recently, our team at Thomas Family Dentistry was asked, "With so many changes that are always occurring in the field of dentistry, how do you stay so up-to-date on new technology?"  And our answer...

      
Keeping up-to-date on the newest dental technology is a high priority to our entire staff at Thomas Family Dentistry.  Reviewing Dental Scientific journals, attending study club meetings that are held in the Tulsa area, as well as attending regional and national dental meetings across the country are just a few common means of receiving the current information.  Recently I was in Dallas participating in a dental course by Denmat, the cutting edge California based company that introduced the world to Lumineers, the painless, no prep veneers that have revolutionized the world of cosmetic dentistry. And now, Denmat has introduced Snap On Smiles and Snap It! - the cosmetic alternative to conventional removable partials and flipper appliances.

Contact our office at 918-455-0123 if you have any questions concerning the cosmetic advances in dentistry! With so many recent advances in cosmetic dentistry, anyone can have a bright, beautiful smile!

God Bless,
DRT

Gum & Heart Disease: The Dental Connection!

Did you know that February is American Heart Month? Dr. Thomas and the entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry think that it's a great time to take notice of the health of your heart.  Cardiovascular disease remains America's number one killer, according to the American Heart Association.  Studies have shown a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.

Visiting Thomas Family Dentistry on a regular basis can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages.  In observance of Heart Month, Dr. Thomas wants to remind everyone of the importance of "knowing your numbers"

• Blood Pressure (less than 120/80)
• Cholesterol (less than 200)
• BMI (less than 25)

If you have any questions, please call us at 918-455-0123.  Remember that a Healthy Mouth begins with a visit to Thomas Family Dentistry.


God Bless,
DRT

Keeping Clean: The Dental Connection!

Today, Thomas Family Dentistry would like to pass along some useful information about pediatric dental health in celebration of National Children's Dental Health Month!

Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day are important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.  Specific hygiene recommendations vary by your child's age:

• For children under the age of two, brush the teeth with water unless your child's dentist recommends otherwise.

• For children over age two, a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is all that a child needs.  Be sure your child spits out and does not swallow the toothpaste.

• By age seven, children may be able to brush their own teeth, but may require supervision until age 10 or 11.

• Choose a child-sized toothbrush for ease of use and replace it every 3 to 4 months or when it becomes worn.

These tips can help give your child a jump start towards a life of great dental health. Remember that with proper oral care at home and regular dental visits, your child can reach adulthood without experiencing tooth decay and other oral health problems.  If you have any questions or need to make your child an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123.  Have a great day and weekend!

God Bless,

DRT

Happiness: The Dental Connection!

There's nothing quite as beautiful as a child's smile!  With proper oral care at home and regular dental visits, children can reach adulthood without experiencing tooth decay or other health problems.

Your child's diet does impact their teeth!  Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth.  When combined with sugar from food and drinks, plaque bacteria produce acids that attack tooth enamel.  Repeated acid attacks can break down enamel and eventually result in tooth decay.

Frequent snacks in between meals expose teeth to repeated acid attacks.  For good dental health and overall health, be sure your child eats a balanced diet with foods from the major food groups.

Be mindful of the effects of frequent consumption of sugary beverages including juices, sodas and sports drinks and non-nutritious snack foods.  If your child needs a between-meal snack, choose nutritious foods and save sweets for mealtime.



Remember that February is National Children's Dental Health Month!  By consistently making healthy choices for nutrition, home care and regular dental visits, all children can grow up to enjoy that wonderful healthy smile that everyone enjoys seeing!

God Bless,
DRT

Debunking The Rumors: The Dental Connection!

At Thomas Family Dentistry, in honor of National Children's Dental Health Month, we thought that we would help debunk a most common rumor that seems to being going around mostly among young people.  That rumor is that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum that it will stake claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all of the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years!  So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

That being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it's not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid routinely swallowing it.  If you are a gum-chewer, make sure that you are chewing sugarless gum, because the sugar can lead to cavities.  Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients.  You see, when the bacteria in your mouth breaks down sugar, what's left behind is acid.  This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities.  Cavities can lead to long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing!

God Bless,
DRT