X-ray Safety: The Dental Connection!

It is not uncommon to be concerned about your safety when you have dental x-rays performed.  Putting on a heavy lead vest may make you apprehensive.  The benefits of dental X-rays far out weigh the risks when safety procedures are followed and the number of X-rays is limited to the required number.

Intra-oral X-rays are the most common pictures of the teeth used in dentistry. These allow for the detection of cavities as well as to check the health of the bone and root structure.  Extra-oral X-rays provide the information that is needed to monitor your jaw and TMJ, as well as look for impacted teeth and tooth development.

Guidelines from the American Dental Association have been established in order to achieve the most detection for disease in the safest manner.  Digital radiography (X-rays), which is utilized by our office, is one of the most important new advances that the dental profession has seen in quite some time.  The capability to even further reduce the exposure to radiation to the patient while increasing the diagnostic proficiency has been astounding.  Digital radiography has reduced radiation exposure to patients by up to 80 percent as compared to conventional methods.  The reduction in the need for harsh chemicals and other waste materials associated with traditional radiography is also an added benefit to our environment that digital X-rays provide.

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

God Bless,
DRT

Top Five: The Dental Connection!

Some foods like cookies and candy bars are obviously considered to be enemy number 1 for promoting tooth decay! However, there are certain foods that are beneficial to your oral health! Check out the Top Five foods that can increase the health of your teeth and gums.

• Crispy, low-acid fruits and vegetables:  Fruits like apples and vegetables such as carrots and celery act like "natural toothbrushes," helping to clear plaque from your teeth and freshen your breath.
• Kiwis:  These little green superstars are packed with Vitamin C, which is essential for gum health.  The collagen in your gums is strengthened when you consume foods that are high in Vitamin C, like kiwis, thus helping to prevent periodontal problems.
• Raw onions: Onions have long been studied for their antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.  Proliferation of bacteria is what leads to tooth decay and cavities. By including raw onions in your diet, you will be doing your part to wipe out those little microbes before they can multiply!
• Shiitake Mushrooms: A specific compound in shiitake mushrooms called lentinan has been shown to have antibacterial properties that target the microbes that cause cavities while leaving other beneficial bacteria alone.  It may also help to prevent gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums.
• Green Tea: Often praised for its antioxidant content and many health benefits, it turns out that green tea also benefits your oral health!  A Japanese study found that men who drank green tea on a regular basis had a lower occurrence of periodontal disease compared to men who drank green tea infrequently.  It is believed that this is due to catechins in green tea, a type of flavonoid that may protect you from free radical damage, but more research is needed.  Either way, drink up for your overall health, as well as your teeth!

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

God Bless,

DRT

2018 New Year Tips: The Dental Connection!

As we begin yet another year, we at Thomas Family Dentistry thought that we would like to remind our patients to practice good oral hygiene to keep your smile looking its best!  Of course, this includes brushing and flossing on a regular basis, brushing after consuming foods that can stain your teeth and visiting our office every six months or as recommended.

The American Dental Association also recommends the following for ideal oral hygiene:

• Brush two minutes twice daily with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
• Replace your toothbrush every three or four months.
• Clean between your teeth with floss in areas where bristles don't reach.
• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Visit our office on a regular basis for professional cleanings and exams.

Finally, a great reason to smile is this: recent studies have shown that smiling can actually help you live longer!  If you need an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Holiday Cheer: The Dental Connection!

Spreading Holiday cheer begins with Fresh Breath! Not only during the Holidays, but everyday of the year, keeping your teeth clean and your breath minty fresh, can be a struggle for many people! Although good oral hygiene is the first step, there are many other factors that can contribute to bad breath such as tobacco, a dry mouth, medications, sinus issues, foods and gum disease.

So if Buddy the Elf's famous quote about Santa, your breath smells like "beef and cheese," is hindering you from spreading Christmas cheer, then remember that visiting our office for regular cleanings and exams can keep your Holidays fresh and bright!

God Bless,
DRT

Wisdom Teeth: The Dental Connection!

The wisdom teeth are the last permanent molars to emerge from the gums.  This can occur as early as age 17 or as late as 21. Though some teens and young adults experience a completely normal tooth eruption with ideally aligned molars that pose no health threat, this is not the case for everyone.

According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, wisdom teeth must meet specific criteria to avoid a required extraction.  Theses guidelines include:

> Completely erupted and non-impacted
> Completely functional
> Painless
> Free of decay
> Disease-free
> Capable of being properly cleaned

If one or more of your child's wisdom teeth do not meet these conditions, it is recommended that you call our office at 918-455-0123 for an evaluation.

God Bless,
DRT

Your Thoughts: The Dental Connection!

We strive each week to provide our fellow BLOG followers with information about important dental topics, treatments that we offer, and other technologies that could benefit your over all well-being!

This week, though, we want to know if there are specific topics that you would like to know about in the ever-changing and exciting field of dentistry!  What would you like us to focus on our BLOG?  Perhaps there's something you have wanted to see us address.  Feel free to leave us a comment here or on our Facebook page and we will do our best to incorporate your topic on our BLOG!

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

God Bless,
DRT

Sofia Vergara: The Dental Connection!

So many people would think that a woman as attractive and funny as Sofia Vergara surely planned to be a model and actress from the get-go.  However, Sofia's first career choice actually was to be a dentist! The famous TV star was only two semesters shy of finishing a dental degree in her native Columbia when she decided to trade dental school for a career in television.

In a recent article in People magazine, Sofia stated that she is "obsessed" with dental hygiene. She also said that that she even makes her son have his teeth cleaned every three months!  Although a professional cleaning every three months may not be necessary for everyone, some people, especially those who are particularly susceptible to gum disease, may benefit from the three month frequency.  In fact, although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to having professional teeth cleaning, everyone needs this beneficial procedure on a regular basis.  Even if you are meticulous about your daily oral hygiene routine at home, there are great reasons to obtain regal checkups! They include:

• A DENTAL EXAM. Oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease are much easier and less expensive to treat in the early stages.
• AN ORAL CANCER SCREENING. Oral cancer is not just a concern of the middle aged, elderly and smokers.  The survival rate for this deadly disease improves dramatically if it is detected early.
• A PROFESSIONAL CLEANING. Even if you floss daily, calcified dental tartar can build up near the gum line over time. These deposits can irritate your gums and create favorable conditions for tooth decay. Furthermore, tartar cannot be removed by flossing and brushing alone.

So take a tip from Sofia, and don't skimp on your professional cleanings and exams.  If you are in need of an appointment or have any further questions, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT