Cavities: The Adult Dental Connection!

Sure, you brush your teeth and floss regularly, so you might think you're off the hook when it comes to the dental chair. However, it's just as important for adults to get regular dental exams as it it for kids. Cavities are common among adults, with 92% of people aged 18 to 64 having had cavities in their permanent teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Our mouths are teaming with hundreds of types of bacteria. Some are helpful and maintain good health, while others are harmful.  Certain types of bacteria process the sugars in food and release acid in return.  Although minor decay can be naturally reversed by the body, if the decay progresses beyond the body's ability to reverse it, the acid will continue to wear away the enamel and create small holes in the surface of the teeth.

While some people are naturally more prone to cavities than others, making a few lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce your likelihood of developing cavities, including the following.

• Food Choices
• Eating fresh fruits and vegetables increases saliva production, which reduces the cavity risk.
• Beverages
• Replace all sugary drinks with unsweetened tea or fresh, unflavored water, which rinses your mouth and helps to prevent decay.
• Fluoridated Water
• Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical that facilitates enamel growth and strength.
• Home Care
• Brushing and flossing removes harmful bacteria that cause cavities to develop.

One of the most important steps in cavity prevention is visiting the dentist at least twice a year. Consistent dental exams ensure that cavities are caught early, before they cause major damage to your teeth.

For more information about avoiding cavities, or to schedule a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Kid's Motivation: The Dental Connection!

Before long, February will be history and National Children's Dental Health Month will be over for yet another year.  As the national dental focus shifts away from children, many parents find it difficult to keep their children interested in their dental health for the rest of the year!  Looking for ways to motivate your child to brush his or her teeth?  Using fun facts about different kinds of teeth can spark your children's interest in their own oral health.  Check out these facts from the American Dental Association!

• Humans have two sets of teeth.
• Humans have 32 teeth.
• A Hippo actually has 40 teeth, even though you usually only see four.
• Dogs rarely get cavities because their saliva has a very high pH.
• An elephant's molars can weigh up to 10 lbs!
• The teeth of a pocket gopher grow up to 15 inches a year!
• Although a blue whale is the largest mammal, it has no teeth!
• Armadillos have 104 teeth!
• Snails can have 25,000 teeth, which are located on their tongue!
• Dolphins have only one set of teeth for their lifetime.

Comparing your kid's teeth to their own favorite animals can help keep them focused on maintaining their own!  If you have any questions concerning your children's dental health, or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

February: National Children's Dental Health Month!

February marks another National Children's Dental Health Month, which has been sponsored by the American Dental Association for the past 67 years in order to raise awareness about the importance of children's oral health. During the month of February, the ADA encourages all parents and caregivers to help children develop good dental habits at an early age.  Regular dental visits can help children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.


If you have questions about your children's dental health or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,
DRT

College Years: The Dental Connection!

Many recent high school graduates find themselves in their first year in college, and for many, it will be their first time living away from home. But with the excitement of new freedom, there is also the opportunity to make poor choices that could impact long-term health, especially their teeth and gums.

Check out the following tips for keeping your teeth and gums healthy during those important college years.

• WATCH WHAT YOU EAT AND DRINK
• DON'T ABUSE ALCOHOL OR USE TOBACCO
• AVOID ORAL PIERCINGS
• KEEP UP YOUR ORAL HYGIENE CARE

If you would like more information on oral health or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Bad Breath: The Dental Connection!

Nobody likes bad breath, and although it can sometimes be difficult to tell if you have it, it is always better to practice good oral health than risk a smelly mouth.  There are many ways to reduce or eliminate bad breath, some are definitely more effective and longer lasting than others.  Check out ways to do so below.

• FLOSS REGULARLY
• In spite of recent Federal news related to the ineffectiveness of flossing and as difficult as it can be to remember to floss regularly, when it comes to bad breath, flossing is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to freshen up your mouth.
• MOUTHWASH
• Using some sort of mouthwash can really freshen up your breath, especially if you find that it still smells after brushing and flossing.
• SLEEP
• Whether after taking a nap, or having a full night's rest, brushing your teeth upon waking will reduce bad breath by decreasing the bacteria that accumulates in your mouth during sleep.

There are many ways to freshen your breath beyond just using gum and mints, the above mentioned ways are just a few that you can try.  Test them out and you will likely find that your bad breath problem is solved, or at least considerably reduced.  

If you have any questions about the dental connection related to bad breath or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Smokeless Tobacco: The Dental Connection!

Many smokers believe that chewing tobacco is a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes.  This simply isn't the case!  In fact, smokeless tobacco can cause serious health concerns.

Smokeless tobacco comes in many forms and goes by many names: dip, snuff, snus, or simply chewing tobacco.  Use of these products usually involves sucking or chewing on shredded or loose tobacco leaves, sometimes flavored, for a prolonged period.  There are even products that emulate a dissolvable candy-like consistency which are made of compressed tobacco powder.

SMOKELESS TOBACCO RISKS

Whichever form a tobacco product takes, the dangers of using or consuming them is very real. According to a 2007 study by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer, there are upwards of 28 cancer-causing chemicals in smokeless tobacco that are known to cause cancer.  And these products are habit-forming just like any other tobacco product that contains nicotine.  Using them will increase your risk for many serious diseases including but not limited to: cancer (especially oral and esophageal), gum and heart disease, cavities, and pre-cancerous mouth lesions.

At the end of the day, long-term use of smokeless tobacco can cause serious health issues.  These products really take a toll on both your oral and overall health.  They put a strain on your immune system and make it less capable of warding off infection and disease.

CESSATION

There are many resources that are available today for those that desire to quit.  The National Cancer Institute offers information, support (local and online), and tools to help smokers and smokeless tobacco users.  They offer live online chat with cessation counselors Monday through Friday and even have a smartphone application available to help people who are serious about quitting.  Taking a look at the website smoker.gov or calling the toll-free line at 1-877-44U-QUIT for additional tools can provide further assistance in your pursuit of breaking the hold of tobacco.

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

God Bless,
DRT

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Dieting: The Dental Connection!

Especially with the start of each new year, dieting seems to top the resolutions list. Cutting carbs and sugar are the first dietary items that join the forbidden list.  And, it goes without saying that everyone realizes that pop and sugary drinks like the popular coffee shop fraps would not make the top recommended drinks to prevent tooth decay.  However, there doesn't seem to be much thought taken to the effects of dieting or even just your regular diet has on your teeth.  While most people focus on healthy eating habits in order to reduce their waistline, the same dietary choices can also help to ensure that your teeth stay strong and cavity-free as well.

Without a detailed and complicated lesson in microbiology, let's first consider the basics of how your mouth functions.  Harmful bacteria form a plaque, an invisible film coating on your teeth, which converts foods, especially sugary ones, into acid that dissolves your enamel.  On the other hand, your God-given saliva helps to dilute the bacterial acids.  The minerals contained in your saliva also help to repair the surface damage.  Your diet can play a very important role in managing this delicate balance of bacterial damage and remineralization of the enamel.

Check out the following information on dietary choices and dental health:

FOODS TO EAT

• Calcium and Phosphorus Rich Foods
• Milk, Cheese, Nuts, Chicken
• Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
• Apples, Carrots, Celery, Pears, Lettuce
• Sugar Substitutes
• Stevia, Equal

FOODS TO AVOID

• Sugary Snacks
• Cookies, cakes, candies
• Sugary or Acidic Beverages
• Any pop, including diet, Sports Drinks, Lemon Containing Drinks
• Acidic Foods and Vegetables
• Tomatoes, Citrus Fruits, Certain Berries, Peaches, Lemons

Making wise dietary choices can keep your teeth healthy and strong! If you do occasionally choose food items that can potentially weaken your enamel, it is now recommended to immediately, and vigorously, rinse your mouth with plain water after consuming these items in order to dilute the acid concentration that is in contact with the enamel surfaces.  Waiting to brush for about 20 minutes will allow the pH of your mouth to rebound back to its normal level.

If you have any further questions about the important Dental Connection of your diet and decay, or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT 

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