History: The Dental Connection!

Although seeing your local dentist for your regular cleanings and exams may yet be just another routine to fit into your hectic life, there are many historical figures, past and present, that have achieved acclaim and celebrity coming from a profession that is not typically associated with such regard! Take a look...

Doc Holliday

Perhaps most famous for his gun at the O.K. Coral alongside his buddy, Wyatt Earp, but "Doc" also had a day job as a dentist.  He was trained in Pennsylvania and later opened a thriving dental practice near Atlanta.  He had to close his dental practice and move west due to an illness, and we all know the rest of the story!

Mark Spitz

Known around the world as a champion swimmer, Spitz was actually accepted into dental school before he became an Olympic gold medalist.  While he ultimately decided not to attend school in favor of pursuing his swimming career, he successfully amassed seven gold medals!

Paul Revere

The most famous dentist to come out of the American Revolution.  Besides being known for warning the colonies of the impending British troops attack, he was also a silversmith and a dentist. More specifically, he specialized in making false teeth for people in need!

Doc Severinsen

The most famous band leader of Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show Band, was nicknamed "Doc" because his father was a dentist. Although "Carl" was not a dentist, his father, Dr. Severinsen, DDS, was credited for allowing his son to become the accomplished trumpet player that he became.  For the younger generation that may not know, The Tonight Show, is the same show that is currently hosted by Jimmy Fallen!

Miles Davis, Jr.

Yet another famous musician that had a dentist for a father.  Dr. Davis, Sr. had a thriving dental practice that financially supported his son's musical aspirations, allowing Miles Davis, Jr. to become one of the most acclaimed and influential jazz musicians of all times!

Although our team may not have any celebrity connections, our desire is to treat each patient in a caring manner that provides you excellent care!

God Bless,
DRT

Valentine Chocolates: The Dental Connection!

From a student handing out sweets for her classmates to an older married couple exchanging boxes of candy, Valentine's Day is the time of year when people like to show affection by gifting sugary treats to their loved ones.  Whether you are on the giving or receiving end of Valentine's Day candy, you can celebrate the holiday in a healthier way by making dark chocolate your confection of choice.

According to clinical studies, cocoa beans used to make chocolate contain flavonoids, which can help protect the body against damage from various toxins.  Flavonoids may also help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart and the brain.  Dark chocolates typically contain a higher amount of flavonoids than other types, making them a great choice for chocolate lovers.

Although candy can contribute to the formation of tooth decay,  one study has shown that chocolate could actually benefit your teeth.  The tannins that are present in cocoa beans may actually help prevent cavities by interfering with the bacteria's harmful interaction with teeth.  Just like flavonoids, tannins have been found to be present more often in dark chocolates, rather then milk chocolates, giving you another great reason to choose the richer, sweet varieties.

One more benefit of choosing chocolate over other candies is that it is less likely to get stuck in the crevices and spaces between teeth.  Gooey sweets like taffy can stay lodged in the mouth for longer periods of time, increasing the risk for tooth decay.  When choosing chocolate, be sure to avoid types that also contain sticky ingredients like caramel or marshmallow, instead opt for the plain varieties.

Finally, remember that the health benefits that you can receive from dark chocolate are largely based on eating the candy in moderation.  With that being said, it is easy to make this delicious and health conscious switch when you are out shopping for your sweetheart, friends, loved ones, and yourself! Happy Valentine's Day!

God Bless,
DRT

Kids & Canker Sores: The Dental Connection!

According to the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, roughly one in five children suffers from canker sores. Canker sores are small sores that appear inside the cheeks, on the lips, on the surface of the gums and under the tongue.

Even though canker sores are NOT contagious, they do tend to run in families. There are several reasons a child may suffer from canker sores.

RISK FACTORS

• Vitamin B12, iron, or folic acid deficiencies
• Food allergies
• Lip of cheek biting
• Any injury to the mouth
• Brushing too hard
• Toothpaste ingredients
• Emotional stress

TREATMENT OPTIONS:

• Avoid Acidic Foods
• Use a soft bristled toothbrush
• Avoid mouthwash and toothpaste that contain SLS
• Avoid known food allergy items

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

God Bless,

DRT

Timing: The Dental Connection!

It's all about "Timing" the saying goes, but when it comes to brushing your teeth, it has now been determined by research that there are times when it is better to rinse and wait, than to brush! That colleague who always brushes his teeth immediately after lunch may be doing more harm than good. A recent study suggests that scrubbing immediately after eating may have the opposite effect upon enamel.

Cavity Culprits

Sugary foods, especially those that are sticky or liquid, are bad for your teeth because the bacteria or plaque on the enamel metabolizes sugars, producing acids that can lead to gum disease, inflammation and cavities.  Conventional wisdom taught that immediately removing those food particles would reduce the incidence of decay.  However, research has now concluded that cavity producing foods are also very acidic in and of themselves.

Too Much Acid

When consuming something acidic, the pH in the mouth lowers for an extended periodic of time, causing the oral environment to become very acidic as well.  The ideal pH of a mouth is about 7, while a soft drink -even a diet one- can be as low as 2.5 or about the same as household vinegar! Acid demineralizes and weakens tooth structure, making it more more prone to decay.

The scrubbing action of a toothbrush in an acidic state can actually encourage the process, much like the same process that is used to etch glass with acid.  Immediately brushing after drinking a sports drink, soft drinks or wine can etch the enamel.  However, waiting for about 30 minutes before brushing, will allow the saliva to naturally return to a more neutral pH and decrease the possibility of rubbing acid into the tooth structure.

Rinse, Repeat

Rinsing with water has actually been shown to balance the mouth's pH after ingesting acidic foods and beverages.  It's much better than brushing within the first 30 minutes.  An antibacterial mouthwash can also help prevent plaque from producing more acids.

Cheese Whiz

Studies have shown that chewing two specific things can reduce tooth decay.  First, chewing string cheese will reduce the pH of bacterial plaque by elevating the production of saliva.  The proteins in the saliva buffer the acids.  Second, chewing sugarless gum, which also increases the production of saliva, can be a good option if a toothbrush is unavailable.  Studies have also suggested that xylitol, which is the sweetening agent in gum, actually has anticariogenic characteristics.

Finally, it is best to brush for two minutes twice daily.  However, if you are unable to brush twice a day and you must choose the most important "time" to brush, the bedtime is the best, since that is when your mouth salivates less, allowing cavity-causing substances to take hold.  If you have any other questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Gum Disease: The Health Connection!

Many people can be very confused by the diagnosis of periodontal disease, but the good news is that it is treatable and manageable with a little work on the part of the patient!  Periodontal disease is also known as gum disease, which is an infection of the gum tissue, bone, and supporting structures for the teeth.  Diagnosis is commonly made through a combination of dental X-rays, periodontal readings (called probe depths), and visual clinical findings.

The mouth is a gateway to the rest of the body and can provide clues to the patient's overall health.  In fact, the first signs of some chronic diseases appear in the oral cavity;  they can be a hint for the dentist to refer the patient to a medical doctor for a thorough exam.

There are two major types of gum disease, gingivitis and periodontitis.  The first is very common and is usually caused by a lack of adequate home care (brushing and flossing) and infrequent professional cleanings every 6 months.  The second is usually a progression of gingivitis.  Like bronchitis that can progress to pneumonia, so gingivitis can progress into periodontitis.  Although the symptoms are very similar, if left untreated, periodontitis can lead to premature tooth loss, sensitivity, and chronic or acute mouth pain.  If you have diabetes, you are more prone to periodontal disease and can experience greater difficulty controlling your blood glucose levels.  The body ends up spending so much energy fighting the low grade infection in the mouth that it cannot achieve balance elsewhere.  Studies have shown that once periodontal disease is treated, the glucose levels become more responsive to control as well.

Although periodontal disease is considered to be "silent," which means that you may not always experience pain as a signal of infection, when caught early and subjected to proper daily oral hygiene care, treatments are usually successful.  If you have any questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

The Economy: The Dental Connection!

With the continued unpredictable nature of the U.S. and global economy, many patients, justifiably so, continue to be conservative with their finances.  Our team has noticed that most patients respond to the economy in one of two ways: completing only the treatment that is medically necessary, or by pursuing cosmetic work they've been saving for and are ready to get done now. Despite the economy, our practice has been very blessed to continue to slowly grow over the past few years!

The growth of our practice first and foremost must be attributed to God!  With His help, we have assembled a great dental team that are highly trained and ready to meet our patient's dental needs. Our team enjoys listening and talking to our patients, and providing treatment plans that address their concerns.  And in spite of the economy, we have even completed some really beautiful smile designs with Lumineers over the past few years!


If you are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123 and begin the journey to a healthier, happier you!

God Bless,
DRT

New Year: The Dental Connection!

With the start of the new year, we get asked a lot of questions from our patients.  The ones that we hear most frequently are "How long is this procedure going to take?" "Will it hurt?" "What are we doing today?" What types of materials will you be using?" "Does my insurance cover this procedure?"

We enjoy answering any questions that you may have, but there are also some questions that you should ask our dental team that we don't hear as often, yet we believe are very important for maintaining your oral health, such as:

• How can I prevent this from happening again?
• How can I keep my teeth for a lifetime?
• What are the benefits of a regular dental cleaning schedule?
• How are my teeth and how well am I taking care of them?

These questions, or any other dental questions that you can think of, our entire team are here to answer!  You can ask us at your next appointment or by calling us at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,
DRT