Cavities Can Occur At Any Age!

Although most people think that they "outgrow" cavities after they make it through the cavity prone years, in reality, cavities can occur at any time of a person's life!  Cavities, also known as tooth decay, occur as a result of the destruction of tooth structure, which 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 every day to remove food debris and plaque, regular cleanings and checkups with Dr. Thomas at Thomas Family Dentistry is the best way to help prevent cavities.

Don't wait for a toothache!  If you think that you may have a cavity, call our Broken Arrow office at 918-455-0123 for an appointment.

God Bless,

DRT  

Heart Disease And Your Dental Health

Brushing your teeth every day keeps them cleaner, improves your breath and reduces plaque buildup.  But did you know that there may be a connection between your overall dental health and chronic illness?  Recent scientific evidence suggests that poor dental health may be linked to heart disease! Yet another good reason to brush your teeth twice per day, floss daily and visit Thomas Family Dentistry for regular check-ups.

Did you know...

• 2400 people die from heart disease every day.
• Gum disease affects 75% of the U.S. population.
• Gum disease may cause systemic inflammation, which may affect your circulatory system.

Scientists have known for years that gum disease and heart disease share several common risk factors.  Increasing age, cigarette smoking and type 2 diabetes increase your risk of developing both gum disease and heart disease.  Although there has been no conclusive evidence that one condition directly causes the other, eliminating gum disease is very important to improving your health and decreasing inflammatory risk factors associated with heart disease.

If you have any questions about gum disease or are in need of an appointment with our office, call us at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,

DRT

Mouth & Body: The Dental Connection!

Taking good care of your teeth and gums isn't just about preventing cavities or bad breath. The mouth is a window into the overall health of the body!  Diseases that affect the entire body, like diabetes, may first be noticed because of mouth sores or other oral problems.

The mouth is filled with countless bacteria, some linked to tooth decay and gum disease, which may be connected with diabetes and cardiovascular disease (heart disease and strokes).

Because gum disease and other health problems may be linked, keeping your teeth and gums healthy is very important.  Check out the following list on what you can do.

• Brush your teeth well twice daily.
• Schedule regular dental checkups.
• Tell your dentist about changes in your overall health.
• If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, pay close attention to your teeth and gums.

Remember that diseases like diabetes, blood cell disorders, HIV infections and AIDS lower the body's resistance to infection, which can make gum disease more severe.  Several studies link ongoing inflammation from gum disease with heart disease, artery blockages and stroke.  If you think that you may have gum disease or are in need of a cleaning and checkup, call our office at 918-455-0123 for an appointment.

God Bless,

DRT

Summer 2013!

Summer seems to be quickly passing by and soon everyone's attention will be shifting back to the start of another school year! Whether you visited a national park, traveled to an amusement park or just hung out around Tulsa, we want to know what you've been doing this summer.

As Summer marches forward, don't forget to take care of your dental health! If you are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

What's The Best Children's Toothbrush?

Brushing your teeth is one of the easiest methods of cavity prevention.  But which type of toothbrush should your child use?  When choosing a toothbrush, look for round-ended (polished) bristles that clean while being gentle on the gums.  Choose one that is specifically designed for children's smaller mouths and hands.  Also, look for large handles that can help children control the toothbrush more easily.  Lastly, throw out a toothbrush after three months or sooner if the bristles are fraying.  Frayed bristles can harm your gums, and are not as effective in cleaning teeth.

As far as which toothpaste is best, it doesn't matter as long as it has fluoride in it.  However, for small children who tend to swallow toothpaste, it is best to not use a fluoridated toothpaste until the child can consistently and effectively rinse and spit.  Make sure to touch each tooth and every side of that tooth while brushing.

To learn more about choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your child, we encourage you to check out some related articles from Parenthood.com.  Or, give us a call at 918-455-0123 and we'll answer any questions that you may have about keeping your child's mouth as healthy as possible!

God Bless,
DRT

Asthma & Tooth Decay: The Dental Connection!

A recent university study came to the conclusion that childhood asthma can also lead to an increase in the incidence of tooth decay!  The reasoning behind this was that children with asthma are more challenged during sleep and tend to breathe more through their mouths.  Chronic mouth breathers tend to have drier teeth, which allows bacteria to stick more easily to the tooth and root surfaces.  As bacteria adhere and produce acid, tooth decay can develop.

Possible solutions to decrease this risk of tooth decay include:

• Increase water consumption.
• Limit or eliminate all acidic liquids like pop.
• Chew sugar-free gum to promote more saliva.
• Brush two minutes twice daily and floss to decrease the amount of bacteria.
• Maintain regular dental check-ups and cleanings.

If you have any questions concerning asthma and tooth decay, or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Say Cheese...The Dental Connection!

Did you know that cheese is crucial to your oral health? Cheese is one of the healthiest snacks for your teeth.  In addition to providing large amounts of much-needed calcium, cheese also helps fight cavities. Cheese helps stimulate the body's salivary glands to clear the mouth of debris and dilute the acids that weaken the teeth.  This means that cheese disrupts the development of cavities, especially when eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. Calcium and phosphorous found in cheese reduce or prevent decreases in the plaque's pH level and work to re-mineralize the enamel of the teeth.

If you have any questions about cheese or calcium, or are in need of an appointment, feel free to call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT