Teens: The Dental Connection!

You have a lot more freedom as a teenager than you did as a young child. You also have a lot more responsibilities, and one of your jobs is to take care of your teeth.  Developing and maintaining good oral health habits now can provide you with a lifetime of great dental health!

As a teenager, the risk for tooth decay can increase. In fact, 59% of all patients aged 12-19 develop at least one cavity.  Keeping your teeth brushed two minutes twice daily and flossing can reduce the risk for decay. If you do suspect a cavity, most times, early treatment can prevent the area from becoming a much more serious dental problem.  Delaying treatment usually results in a severely damaged tooth, which may need to be treated with a root canal or an extraction.

Other steps can be taken to prevent tooth decay when you are at school or just hanging out with your friends, such as carrying a bottle of water around with you so you can take a sip after you eat any kind of food, or you can choose water instead of pop or sports drinks.

Finally, although many teens are very aware of the health risks associated with the use of any form of tobacco, most young adults do not know that tobacco causes bad breath, gum disease, cavities, teeth staining and can even slow the healing from injuries.

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

God Bless,
DRT

Diabetes: The Dental Connection!

People who have diabetes are usually familiar with many of the other health risks that they face, including damage to nerves, eyes, heart, and kidneys.  But did you know that if you have diabetes, you also have a much greater chance of developing gum disease?  It's true, and like other diseases related to diabetes, the risk potential and the severity of gum disease is directly related to how well blood sugar is controlled.

The Causes

In diabetics, there are two primary mechanisms that increase the risk of developing gum disease, also called periodontal disease:

• Bacterial growth: Bacteria love sugar including the glucose found in blood and bodily fluids.  Elevated levels of sugar in saliva can provide a very hospitable environment for bacterial growth.  The risk may be elevated if your gums bleed.
• Circulatory changes: In diabetes, the blood vessels become thick, making it more difficult for blood to carry oxygen to the gums and to carry away harmful waste products. This decrease in circulation can weaken the mouth's resistance to decay.  If you smoke, circulation can become even more compromised, significantly increasing your risk of periodontal disease.

Preventing Gum Disease

If you're diabetic, the number-one key to preventing gum disease is to make sure that you can do all that you can do to keep your blood sugar under control.  In fact, studies show that diabetics who have excellent control of their blood sugar levels, have no more risk for gum disease than those who don't have diabetes.  Here are some other tips to keep your gums healthy:

• Floss your teeth gently, curving the floss so it can reach just below your gum line to remove plaque and food particles.  
• Brush two minutes twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush, using small circular motions.
• Brush your tongue to remove germs that can hide there.
• Use an anti-bacterial mouthwash to kill germs that are hard to reach.

Finally and most importantly for your dental health, maintain your regular dental check-ups to monitor the impact of diabetes on your oral health!  If you have any questions, or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Old Toothbrushes: The Dental Connection!

Although it is recommended to replace your worn-out, germy toothbrush with a new one every three months, most people either forget or resist getting rid of something that is still "working."  Maybe if they had a few ideas for putting that old toothbrush to good use, more people would follow the recommended replacement sequence.   To encourage good oral practices, take a look at these 10 fun things that you can do with your used toothbrush.

1.  Let your five-year-old budding Da Vinci create a masterpiece with some paint and your old toothbrush.

2.  Scrub oily areas on your face with your toothbrush.  The bristles are perfect for removing embedded dirt and oil that clogs pores.

3.  Pamper your hamster by brushing his fur with an old toothbrush.

4.  Dab a bit of Vaseline on the bristles and comb your eyelashes; instant glamour!  Got dry, flaky lips? Slough away by using a toothbrush on your lips.

5.  Remove the bristles: instant small plant stakes!

6.  Old toothbrushes are great for spot-cleaning just about anything.

7.  When nobody is around to scratch an unreachable itch on your back, turn that old toothbrush into your personal backscratcher.

8.  Is your dog's breath so bad that all of the houseplants have died?  Try brushing his teeth with your old toothbrush so that his kisses and breath are more tolerable.

9.  Give your fish the cleanest tank in the neighborhood by scrubbing it with your old tooth brush.

10.  Did you notice a few gray hair sprouting from the hairline?  Old toothbrushes were made for touch-up dye jobs; works for dyeing your eyebrows, too!

If you have any other suggestions for the use of an old toothbrush or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Summer Smiles: The Dental Connection!

Summer brings sunshine and warm weather, and many patients start thinking about brightening their smiles this time of year.  A whiter smile is only one visit away!

Teeth whitening is safe, quick, and inexpensive.  It can be used to correct many tooth discolorations, which may have been caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth.  Using the latest in whitening technology, a safe method for creating the beautiful smile that you have always wanted can be achieved.

If you have any questions about which teeth whitening option is best for your case of if you are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Summer Sports: The Dental Connection!

With the warmer and longer days here, many people become more active during the summer.  Although most summertime athletes have already hit the field for fun, take a look at the following precautions to take when it comes to keeping your teeth safe as you enjoy playing your favorite sports.

USE A MOUTHGUARD

If your kids participate in contact sports this summer, make sure that that they wear a properly fitted mouthguard.  Athletes can avoid serious mouth and jaw injuries by using a mouthguard.

BE MINDFUL OF SPORTS DRINKS

While sports drinks can be refreshing after a game, they unfortunately contain high levels of sugar and citric acid, which are known to erode or dissolve the teeth and reduce the minerals in the outer tooth enamel.  The simplest way to prevent sports drinks from damaging your teeth is to avoid them completely and drink water instead.  Water is a great option to keep you hydrated before, during, or after the game.

If you have any questions about keeping your mouth healthy while participating in summer sports, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Hydration: The Dental Connection!

With summertime temperatures already nearing or achieving record levels here in Oklahoma, the importance of staying well hydrated is nevermore important than at this present time. Although the importance of staying hydrated is well known, many people find it difficult to drink enough fluids throughout the day to maintain adequate levels of hydration.  Adding in the higher temperatures of summer and a hectic schedule, many people have an increased level of thirst, which is a signal that your body needs water.  Furthermore, ignoring thirst, a signal of the body's dehydration, can also put your teeth at risk. Inadequate levels of hydration leads to a dry mouth, which increases the risk for tooth decay.

Since the body is approximately 60% water on average, water can be the best fuel to quench thirst. Check out these tips that can help to achieve increasing your water intake throughout the day.

>HAVE A GLASS OF WATER WITH EVERY MEAL
>USE A TIMER TO REMIND YOU TO DRINK WATER BEFORE YOU FEEL THIRSTY
>DRINK A GLASS OF WATER FIRST WHEN YOU FEEL HUNGRY
>CARRY A WATER BOTTLE WITH YOU
>DRINK A GLASS OF WATER AS SOON AS YOU WAKE UP
>EAT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WITH HIGH WATER CONTENT

With a conscience effort, it is possible to stay hydrated during the summertime heat and avoid many of the side effects of dehydration like dizziness, confusion and even a dry mouth! If you have any questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Hidden Addiction: The Dental Connection!

Everyone knows that it is best to cut down on the sugar that is consumed, but for many people that is easier said then done, especially since your body can develop a dependency on the substance!  Sugar is hard to avoid, even for people who don't really have a "sweet tooth."  Even if you ignore the abundant amount present where you would expect to find it, like in a pop, sugar can be hiding in many of our foods-even those that are not especially sweet. For instance, many people associate low fat salad dressings with healthy eating, but many of these items contain 10 grams of sugar per serving.

Complicating matters, not all sugars are created equal. Natural sugars that are found in foods like fruit and milk, which are in the form of fructose and lactose, have been shown to have no evidence of any adverse effects on the body from consuming these "good" sugars since they also contain vitamins, minerals and fiber.  However, added sugars are those that are included during processing and preparation of food and drinks.  These provide no nutritional benefits and can contribute to weight gain, obesity and even tooth decay! In fact, studies now show that there is an increase in the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, simply by consuming just one to two sugar-sweetened beverages per day.

So why is "kicking the sugar habit" so difficult? While it is still not fully known if sugar is actually addictive, some research has shown that sugar fires off the same reward center in the brain as cocaine!  Sugar can induce cravings and hunger that are comparable in magnitude to certain additive drugs.  Managing sugar also means managing other aspects of your diet, including portion sizes.  Gradually decreasing sugar consumption and including some protein and fiber while consuming a sugar-containing food can also help satisfy that sugar craving and help to reduce the overall sugar intake as well.

Finally, while cutting down on sugar is not impossible, it does require a conscious effort to manage. If you have any questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT