Thanksgiving 2015!

With Thanksgiving 2015 on Thursday, a look at the history of the holiday is in order. When Americans sit down to dinner on the last Thursday of November, the day that Abraham Lincoln designated as the day on which Thanksgiving would be celebrated, they do so thinking that the first Thanksgiving feast was held in Plymouth in 1621.  But did you know, according to the National Geographic, the Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez Coronado and his men celebrated a feast of Thanksgiving in Texas in 1541, giving Texas the distinction of being the first place where Thanksgiving was celebrated.

Did you also know, the Pilgrims at the Plymouth Plantation, celebrated an entirely different day of Thanksgiving in 1623. Plagued by a crop-destroying drought, the settlers prayed for relief.  They even fasted.  A few days later, they received rain that they so desperately needed.  Soon thereafter, they received another blessing when Captain Miles Standish came with staples that they could not otherwise obtain.  He also advised them that a Dutch supply ship was en route.  In gratitude for the abundance of these blessings, the Plymouth settlers celebrated a day of prayer and Thanksgiving on June 30, 1623.

Surviving journals of Edward Winslow that are housed at Plymouth Plantation also indicate that the first Thanksgiving feast was nothing like what Americans eat today.  The meal consisted of venison, various types of wild fowl (including wild turkey,) and Indian corn.  There were no cranberries, stuffing, pumpkin pie, potatoes, or any of the other "traditional" foods that appear on modern menus.

Today, Thanksgiving is still a day of feasting, and for some, a day of prayer and thanksgiving.  For others, it is a celebration of gathering, especially for families.  Still others may celebrate in entirely different ways, including watching college football games, or by playing family games.

No matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving, may we never forget the true blessings that God has given to each one of us! 

God Bless,

DRT

Women's Medications: The Dental Connection!

Women using medication to treat a variety of medical conditions are often unaware of the potential side effects.  One common side effect of the medications such as blood pressure medication, birth control pills, antidepressants, and cancer treatments is a dry mouth.

A dry mouth can lead to many undesirable side effects in the oral cavity including periodontal disease and a high rate of decay.  Many women who have not had a cavity in years will return for their routine exam and suddenly be plagued with a multitude of cavities around crowns and at the gum line, or suddenly have active periodontal disease.  And, the only thing that the patient may have changed in the past six months is a new medication.

Saliva washes away bacteria and cleans the oral cavity, and when salivary flow is diminished, harmful bacteria can flourish in the mouth leading to decay and gum disease.  Many medications can reduce the flow of saliva without the patient even realizing the side effect.  Birth control pills can also lead to a higher risk of inflammation and bleeding gums.  Patients undergoing cancer treatments, especially radiation to the head and neck region, can experience a greatly heightened risk of oral complications due to the possibility of damage to the salivary glands.

Although the benefits of these medications outweigh the risks associated with a dry mouth, it is very important to be aware of the potential unintended side effects.  There are many different treatments and approaches for a dry mouth ranging from over the counter remedies to prescription alternatives.

If you suffer from a dry mouth, have other dental questions, or are simply in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Erosion: The Dental Connection!

Many people consume carbonated or sugary drinks and acidic foods every day, but have no idea that those beverages may be harming their teeth, making them vulnerable to tooth erosion.   The acid in the foods that we eat and drink can cause tooth enamel to wear away, making your teeth sensitive and discolored.  And, in many cases, what's important is not what you eat and drink, but rather how you consume it.

Tooth erosion is the loss of tooth structure caused by the weakening of dental enamel, which is the strongest substance in the human body.  Enamel is the thin, outer layer of hard tissue that helps maintain the tooth's structure and shape. When the enamel is weakened, it exposes the underlying dentin, which can cause the teeth to appear yellow.

Tooth erosion may occur when the acids in the foods and beverages that you eat and drink, as well as other factors, weaken the enamel.  Acid can come from many sources like carbonated drinks, fruit juices, sour foods and candies, low salivary volume, acid reflux disease, bulimia, binge drinking, or simple wear and tear.

Acid wear may lead to serious dental problems.  When the tooth enamel erodes, your teeth become more vulnerable to cavities and decay.  Dental erosion symptoms include severe sensitivity, tooth discoloration, rounded teeth, transparent teeth, visible cracks in teeth, or cupping, or dents, that show up on the biting or chewing surfaces of the teeth.

There are many dental recommendations to prevent tooth erosion that include replacing carbonated drinks with water, consuming all acidic drinks quickly, consuming acidic foods with a meal, rinsing with water after consuming acidic foods, chewing sugar-free gum to produce more saliva, and brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste.

It is important to know that the majority of dental problems, such as tooth erosion, do not become visible or painful until they are advanced.  And, unfortunately, serious oral issues are painful and expensive to treat.  A professional cleaning and exam twice a year is the best way to detect and or treat any dental problems like erosion.

If you have any questions about tooth erosion or are in need of a dental appointment, feel free to call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Tricked By Treats! The Dental Connection!

As the uptick in candy starts tonight, it's important to remember that every sugary treat that you consume, elevates your risk of developing tooth decay, which can break down your teeth.

While not all bad in moderation, when eaten in excess, candy can lead to big problems, especially if good oral hygiene habits are not followed.  Check out these helpful tips if you just can't stay away from all of those treats:

     1. Consume candy and other sweets during meals when your saliva can help neutralize the
         acids that are found in some candies, especially the sour variety.

     2. Avoid sticky or hard candies, which can stay in your mouth longer than you think, resulting in
         acids being constantly exposed to your teeth.  That acid can lead to cavities and tooth decay.

     3. Make sure the water you drink is fluoridated.  Water that is fluoridated has been shown to help
         prevent cavities.

     4. Make sure to maintain your daily oral hygiene habits.  This includes brushing twice daily for a
         two minute duration each time and flossing at least once.

     5. Regular dental checkups and cleanings twice a year are very important to identify problems
         early in order to reduce the effects that decay can have on your teeth.

With Halloween the start of the holiday candy season, don't allow your teeth to be tricked with all of the treats! If you want to learn more about cavity prevention or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Veneers: The Dental Connection!

Dental Veneers are a way to correct and transform your smile by using "contact lens" for your teeth. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or ceramic material that are bonded to the front of the teeth.   They are strong and durable, look and feel like natural teeth, and improve your smile.

Dental veneers can help with cosmetic and dental health issues, and treat multiple problems at once.  Some of the common reasons that individuals choose veneers are to to close gaps and spaces between the teeth, fix minor alignment issues, change the overall shape and appearance of a tooth, whiten a smile by covering stained or discolored teeth, and cover chipped or cracked teeth.  If you have teeth that are already worn down and weakened, veneers can also help prevent further damage by covering them with a thin tooth-colored shell.

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

God Bless,
DRT

Colas: The Dental Connection!

On the east coast, carbonated beverages or colas are generally called sodas, in Arkansas they were usually called "Coke" and here in Oklahoma we refer to them as pop, but no matter what the label, these popular drinks can be the enemy of a healthy smile! While one glass might not hurt your teeth, drinking colas on a regular basis can do some real damage to your teeth.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry reports that about half of the population in our country drink soda regularly, averaging 2.6 glasses each day.  That's a lot of soda considering the drinks are acidic, full of sugar, and have little or no nutritional value.  Although many people drink diet pop to avoid the sugar, it may surprise you to learn that it's actually the acidity of cola, NOT the sugar, which poses the biggest threat to your teeth.  Unfortunately, all pop has citric acid, which over time, repeated exposure to this acid in soda wears down tooth enamel, leaving teeth stained and less able to prevent cavities.

As enamel wears away, teeth can be discolored, take on a rough texture, and become highly sensitive to hot or cold.  Your teeth may start to tingle, and brushing and flossing can cause pain.  If not checked by dental care, teeth may start to erode, becoming thinner and more likely to crack. It's a pretty high price to pay for a glass of cola.

So other than completely avoiding colas all together, check out these tips on ways to lessen the acid impact on your teeth.

• Cut back on all acidic drinks
• Add more water to replace colas
• Use a straw when you drink
• Remember that diet colas are highly acidic
• Rinse your mouth with water after drinking a cola
• Do not brush your teeth immediately after drinking a cola
• Brushing too hard can weaken enamel that is already soaked in acid

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

God Bless,

DRT

October & Dental Hygiene: The Dental Connection!

Adults are no strangers to feeling like there is never enough time in the day to get everything done.  The alarm clock rings and within minutes the busyness of life starts for the day!  From preparing the kids lunches for school, returning text messages, removing the dog hair from your clothing, to making sure that your child has completed their science project, the simply routine of brushing your teeth for the recommended two minutes can easily fall to the wayside.

To simplify the dental routine to better dental health, the American Dental Hygienists' Association and the Wrigley Jr. Company have joined in partnership to celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month this October and to encourage everyone to "Brush. Floss. Rinse. Chew...Keep It Clean, Keep It Healthy!"  Check out their tips for a quick and effective home oral health routine.

ORAL HEALTH ROUTINE AT HOME

     Brushing your teeth twice daily is the most important thing that you can do to diminish the
     accumulation of plaque and the potential for other oral problems such as cavities and gingivitis.

     Flossing once daily removes the plaque and food debris from beneath the gums and between
     the teeth that brushing alone cannot remove.  Tooth decay and gum disease often begin in
     these areas.

     Rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial, non-alcohol based mouthwash kills plaque and
     gingivitis germs.

     Chewing sugar-free gum helps produce saliva, which also battles cavities.  The gum also
     neutralizes plaque, strengthens enamel, and removes remaining food.  It is especially important
     to chew gum after eating or drinking.

It's easy to put the toothbrush down in order to take care of matters you feel are more urgent, but remember, a good oral health routine at home is the best way to prevent periodontal disease.  75 percent of Americans have some form of periodontal disease, which is linked to more serious illnesses such as diabetes and stroke.  Maintaining regular cleanings and exams during the busyness of everyday life can also help reduce the incidence of dental disease as well.

Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month not only this October, but all year long! If you are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT