Your Overall Health: The Dental Connection!

There are many ways in which your oral health has an impact on your overall general health.  There are naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth.  Some of those bacteria, including strep and staph, are harmful, while other bacteria are essential for the balance of intestinal flora. The healthier that your mouth is, the less likely it is that the harmful bacteria will travel to other parts of your body to infect it and potentially make you sick.  There is much more to good dental hygiene than brushing and flossing.

Did you know that ancient civilizations relied on natural remedies for maintaining oral health?  While certain Egyptians used myrrh and other herbs as antiseptics for treating infected gums, others who lived in the Nile River Valley, drank beer to ease the pain of infected teeth!  At first thought, I figured that the alcohol content must have numbed their pain.  However, their beer was effective because they used grains that were contaminated with the same bacteria that produce the antibiotic tetracycline!

In the past due to a lack of routine dental care and products that strengthen enamel, tooth decay was more of an issue.  However today, gum disease has replaced tooth decay as the most serious dental problem currently facing people.  According to the American Dental Association, a staggering 80 percent of Americans over the age of 65 suffer from some sort of periodontal disease. Researchers now know that gum disease causes a chronic inflammation, which is a driving force for multiple chronic illnesses, including clogged arteries, heart attacks, arthritis, and even cancer. Bacterial overgrowth in the inflamed gum tissue can even enter your bloodstream while you are eating.

If you have any questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Sensitivity: The Dental Connection!

If a sip of ice water, a spoonful of ice cream, or a piping hot latte is enough to send shivers up your spine from tooth sensitivity, be assured that you're not alone.  It's estimated that as many as one in eight adults suffers from tooth sensitivity.

Some of the common causes of sensitivity include brushing too hard, a cracked tooth, receding gums, periodontal disease, tooth bleaching, or other conditions that expose the sensitive roots of your teeth. For example, brushing too aggressively can injure your gums, and lead to exposed roots and tooth sensitivity.

When the enamel on the outside of the tooth or tissue located between the teeth breaks down or wears away, nerves inside the tooth are triggered, which are particularly noticeable when you drink or eat anything hot or cold.

Fortunately, there are a number of things that you can do, both at home and at our office, to reduce the discomfort of sensitive teeth.  Check out the following list of current recommendations to reduce sensitivity.

• BRUSH WITH SENSITIVITY TOOTHPASTE
• BRUSH WITH A SOFT BRISTLED TOOTHBRUSH
• AVOID BRUSHING AFTER CONSUMING ACIDIC FOODS OR BEVERAGES
• DRINK WATER OR MILK AFTER CONSUMING ACIDIC ITEMS
• USE A STRAW WHEN DRINKING ACIDIC BEVERAGES
• WEAR A NIGHT GUARD TO PREVENT ENAMEL THINNING
• OBTAIN PROFESSIONALLY APPLIED DESENSITIZERS

If you have any questions about tooth sensitivity or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Dentistry Around The World!

From the clinical perspective, dentistry is similar around the world.  All dentists go to school, obtain a license, and work hard to prevent and treat tooth decay, gum disease, oral infections, throat and oral cancer, tooth loss, and other conditions that might limit a person's ability to smile, bite, chew, or speak.  However, the quality of dental care and the payment method for dental services varies between nations.

Although developed countries like the United States have about one dentist for every 2,000 citizens, there is only one dentist for every 150,000 people living in developing nations like those in Africa.  The lack of dentists in these underserved countries means that dental care is restricted to pain management and emergency care only.

The requirements for obtaining a dental license and the standard of dental care is set by each country. Although European schools and standards are very similar to the United States, many other countries are not able to provide the same level of education and care due to the lack of access to much needed resources such as modern equipment, supplies and facilities.

While the role of every dentist is nearly the same in every county - to ensure the oral health of the citizens - dental care can be different in each nation.  Regardless, rest assured that our country is blessed to have the highest standard of dental care available in the entire world!

If you have any questions about the dental care that is available in the United States, or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Ending The Year With A Smile!

Although people have been ushering in the New Year for centuries, it did not become an official holiday until 1582 by Pope George XIII.  At midnight, people were instructed to yell, holler, and blow horns to scare away the evil spirits of the previous year so that the New Year would be joyous and filled with opportunity.  Nearly 500 years later, the New Year is still greeted by whooping and hollering but in a celebratory manner instead.

Whether you intend to ring in the New Year quietly at home or have plans to join the countdown at a gala extravaganza, reflect on the year that's coming to an end, and look forward to the new one with anticipation.  Enjoy this transitional holiday in a way that's safe, healthy, and fun.  After all, counting down until the clock strikes 12, marks the beginning of a full year of opportunity ahead.  Happy New Year!


God Bless,
DRT

A Healthy Smile: The Holiday Dental Connection!

When it comes to keeping your smile looking its best during this hectic Holiday Season, good oral health is a must! Even though the Holidays can be a very busy time and many people put their dental health on the "back burner," check out the following habits that are worth maintaining this Holiday Season to keep your teeth healthy.

• BRUSH AND FLOSS REGULARLY
• KEEP REGULAR EXAMS & CLEANINGS
• DON'T SMOKE
• LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE
• EAT HEALTHY

To learn more about the habits that can help you have a healthy, Holiday smile, or if you are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Holiday Stress: The Dental Connection!

With the Holiday Season in full swing, many people feel an increase in the level of stress. Although excess stress can cause headaches, stomach aches or even cause a feeling of being on "edge," too much stress can also contribute to many dental problems as well.

Many of the possible problems related to oral health include:

• Mouth Sores
• Clenching
• Poor Oral Hygiene
• Gum Disease

Don't let this year's holidays stress you out, instead, remember to pause and reflect on the true meaning and spirit of the holiday season! If you have any additional questions related to stress and your oral health or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123. 

God Bless,

DRT

Say Cheese: The Dental Connection!

You've heard people tell you to say "cheese" when you are having a picture made, probably more times than you can count.  However, there is another reason you should be saying "cheese"...or "YES" to eating cheese.  A recent study showed that cheese increases dental plaque pH, but in this cause, the plaque increase isn't a bad thing. When you eat cheese, you increase the pH of the plaque on your teeth, and this creates a protective coating that may lower your risk of getting dental decay!

The study concluded that cheese has anti-cavity properties.  That isn't the only benefit, however. Another study found that cheese may give your teeth a protective coating that helps lessen enamel erosion caused by acidic foods, particularly from sugar-sweetened soft drinks! So although we encourage our patients to brush their teeth after eating, the one time that you don't want to do that, at least not immediately, is after eating cheese.

So don't just say cheese for pictures.  If you want to have a happy, healthy and long-lasting smile, go for cheese.  It's good for your bones, too! If you have any other dental questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT