Not Just Kids' Stuff: The Dental Connection!

Cavities occur as a result of the destruction of tooth structure, called tooth decay. Tooth decay can affect both the enamel (the outer coating of the tooth) and the dentin (the inner layer of the tooth).  While it is very important to brush and floss daily to remove food particles and plaque, regular cleanings and check-ups at Thomas Family Dentistry are the best way to help avoid cavities!

Our team can discover cavities during your regular dental check-up.  When a cavity develops, the tooth surface feels soft when checked by a dental instrument called an explorer.  X-rays can also show cavities before they become visible to the eye.  In advanced stages of tooth decay, you might experience a toothache, especially after consuming sweets, hot, or cold foods or drinks. Other signs of tooth decay are visible pits or holes in the teeth.

Don't wait for a toothache!

Remember, the longer that you wait to treat a cavity, the more extensive your treatment will be.  A small cavity can be treated with a filling, while a larger cavity that weakens more of the structure of your tooth, may require a crown.  If the decay is too deep, it can affect the nerve or pulp of the tooth and cause it to die, which could result in the need for a root canal or an extraction.

If you think that you may have a cavity, contact us at 918-455-0123 to schedule an appointment.

God Bless,
DRT

Veneers: The Dental Connection!

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells made from tooth-colored material, like porcelain, designed to cover the front side of your teeth. To prepare for veneers, a unique model of your teeth will be created.  This model is sent to the cosmetic dental lab artist to create the veneers.  Before placing your new veneer, I may need to conservatively prepare your tooth to achieve the desired esthetic result.

When placed, you'll be pleased to see that veneers look like natural teeth.  While veneers are stain resistant, it is recommended that you avoid or limit coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco to maintain the beauty of your new smile.

You no longer need to hide your smile because of gaps, chips, stains, or misshapen teeth.  With veneers, you can easily correct your teeth's imperfections to help you have a more confident, beautiful smile.  Veneers are natural in appearance, and are a perfect alternative for patients wanting to make minor adjustments to the look of their smile.  To learn more about veneers, give our office a call at 918-455-0123 and schedule an appointment.

God Bless,
DRT

Back To School Checklist: The Dental Connection!

Now that school is back in session, we at Thomas Family Dentistry would like to remind all of our valued patients about the importance of scheduling regular check-ups in advance.  With school, clubs, sports and family duties to consider, it can be very challenging to find time this Fall.

Here are some tips to consider as the new school year progresses:

• Brush your teeth for two minutes twice daily.
• Floss at least once a day.
• Limit sugary snacks that can lead to tooth decay

In order to accommodate all of out patients' busy schedules, it is important to plan ahead for your dental appointments so that we are able to find a time that is convenient for you.  If it's time for a check-up, call us today at 918-455-0123 for an appointment.

God Bless,

DRT

Snack & Sip: The Dental Connection!

Eating habits and food choices can lead to tooth decay. Although a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks, including sports drinks, can damage teeth, even snacking throughout the day or "grazing" on healthy foods can also lead to tooth decay!

Check out the following list to reduce your risk of tooth decay.

• If you have sugary foods and drinks, have them with meals.
• Limit sugary drinks and snacks between meals.
• Chew sugarless gum that has the American Dental Association Seal.
• Drink water.
• Brush your teeth two times a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• See your dentist regularly.

Although almost all foods have some type of sugar, eating a balanced diet can help keep you from feeling tired, getting sick, being overweight, and having other health problems, like tooth decay.  If you have any questions concerning nutrition and tooth decay, feel free to call our dental office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Summer Adventures of 2012!

Although it has been another one of the Hottest Summers of recent memories, it has been a season full of vacations, adventures and great memories.  Whether you headed to a barbecue, a camping trip, hit America's open roads or just had fun in the backyard, our team at Thomas Family Dentistry would love to hear all about your favorite summertime activities.

As the summer vacation "officially" wraps up this Labor Day Weekend and everyone's focus shifts to yet another school year, we encourage you to post any stories or photos from your Summer Adventures on our Facebook wall!

Thanks for staying connected with us,

God Bless,

DRT

Sleep Apnea And Depression: The Dental Connection!

Recently, an article was published citing a link between patients that suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and depression.  The CDC, as part of an ongoing study, surveyed about 10,000 men and women and found that 6% of men and 3% of women reported having been diagnosed with some form of sleep apnea. Although the other participants in the study had not been officially diagnosed with sleep apnea, they reported symptoms of snoring, gasping for air and snorting during sleep.

An interesting link was found that suggests that while men are at a higher risk for sleep apnea than women, women were found to have reported symptoms of depression twice as frequently as men.  However, researchers found that depression was not linked just to patients with a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.  People whose partners reported that they snored or stopped breathing occasionally were also more likely to show symptoms of depression.

Although the new research has not yet established a cause-and-effect relationship between sleep apnea and depression, this evidence may be the new information that can lead to a better understanding of a possible link between the two common health related issues.  There are many things that we all deal with regularly that could have roots in something else.  For more information, call our office at 918-455-0123 for an appointment.

God Bless,
DRT

Dietary Choices For A Healthy Mouth: The Dental Connection!

Most people know that visiting the dentist is an essential part of caring for their teeth. Regular checkups and cleanings are, of course, very important.  But what some people don't realize is that good dental health starts long before you get to the dentist's office.  You may be saying, "I know, it starts with my toothbrush and floss."  But actually, oral health starts at your grocery store.

Dental checkups can detect problems early on and address them, but only good nutrition can give your teeth and gums the healthy foundation that they need. If your diet is rich in tooth-friendly nutrients, you will be less prone to gum disease, tooth decay, and even jawbone loss.

So, which nutrients are the most important?  Here are a few tooth-building superstars.

• Calcium  Good sources are yogurt, cheese, milk and leafy green vegetables.
• Vitamin D  Not only is it called the "sunshine" vitamin, but also the "healthy smile" vitamin.
• Vitamin C  Not only found in oranges, but also in red and yellow peppers, and tomatoes.

Never put off regular checkups and cleanings, but in between appointments, watch your diet. Making sure these essential nutrients are a part of your daily intake will ensure that your teeth and gums are as healthy as they can be.  If you have any questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT