Common Things: The Dental Connection!

At Thomas Family Dentistry, we know that your smile is important.  Although we know that you want to keep your smile sparkling and looking its very best, there are several common things that can directly affect your smile.

These include:

• Sports Drinks
• Tobacco
• Coffee
• Tea 
• All Soft Drinks
• Citrus And Acidic Foods
• Blueberries

For more tips on improving your smile and keeping it looking its very best, call us at 918-455-0123, visit us on Facebook, or make an appointment.

God Bless,

DRT

Sugar-filled Gum: The Dental Connection!

I ran across this story about the effects of chewing sugar-filled gum and wanted to pass it along.  A hygienist that had been in practice for over 35 years encountered the worst dental decay situation in her career that was related to simply chewing gum!  Apparently, a mom brought her kids in for their regular cleanings and check-ups. She was unaware as to how destructive chewing bubble gum could be.  Unfortunately, her two children had been chewing sugar-filled bubble gum and had developed deep decay in all of their permanent molars, which had to be treated with root canals and crowns!

Chewing sugar free gum sweetened with Xylitol can help retard decay.  But gum sweetened with sugar, can destroy the top half of a tooth in a short amount of time.  We encourage our patients not to accept gum from others unless they know that it is sugar free.  Be sure to read the labels on the gum package.

As preventive specialists, we want to see our patients avoid the pain and expense of a situation like the one described above.  We at Thomas Family Dentistry recommend frequent dental visits where we can clean your teeth, review dental prevention and discuss bad dental habits that can lead to tooth decay.

If you have any questions, give us a call at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,
DRT

Wisdom Teeth: The Dental Connection!

Wisdom teeth are a type of molar that is found in the very back of your mouth and are the last molars to develop.  There are four wisdom teeth: upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right.  These usually appear in the late teens or early twenties but may become impacted (fail to erupt) due to the lack of room in the jaw or angle of entry.  The removal of wisdom teeth has become so commonplace that it is almost a rite of passage for young adults.

Depending upon the unerupted tooth's position,  many oral surgeons believe that an impacted tooth may need to be removed.  If it is not removed, you may develop gum tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain.  Impacted wisdom teeth that are partially or fully erupted tend to be quite difficult to clean and are susceptible to tooth decay, recurring infections, and yes, even gum disease.

Our friends at WebMD have developed a helpful explanation about wisdom teeth and how they impact your health.  Also, if you have any additional questions about wisdom teeth or your dental health, give our office a call at 918-455-0123 or ask us on Facebook!

God Bless,
DRT

Summer Pool Safety Tips!

Summer is definitely here, and with summer comes lots of swimming! Our team at Thomas Family Dentistry found an article on some helpful pool safety tips that we wanted to pass along to you, our valued patients.

• Pools need to be enclosed on all sides with a four-feet high fence.
• Pool gates need to open out, self-close and self-latch.
• Children should never be left alone at the pool, even for a moment.
• Pool rescue equipment include: a shepherd's hook, a life preserver, and a portable phone.
• "Floaties" are NOT approved life vests.
• Infants and toddlers should always be within arm's length when on or around the pool.

Hopefully, these pool safety tips can remind all of us how to have a safe and fun summer at the pool while surviving the Oklahoma heat!  If you have any questions for our team, call our dental office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,

DRT

Patriotic Fun Facts!

With Independence Day right around the corner, we thought that we would provide some facts about our great country!

Did you know...

• An estimated 2.5 million people lived in America in 1776. Today-309 million!
• In 1941, Congress declared July 4th a federal holiday!
• The stars on the original American Flag were arranged in a circle to ensure that all colonies were equal!
• America's mascot, the bald eagle, can achieve speeds of up to 200 miles per hour when making a predatory dive!
• The American flag patch is backwards on the U.S. Army Uniforms.  The reason? The blue field on the flag (the part with the stars) faces forward to symbolize carrying the American flag into battle!
• Someone who specialized in the history of flags is called a vexillologist!
• The word "patriotism" comes from a Latin word, which means "homeland"!

Throughout the year, may we always count our blessings to be able to live in the best country on our planet! May God Bless America!

God Bless,

DRT

June Smiles: The Dental Connection!

Can you believe that June is already drawing to a close?  Today, our team thought that we would like to remind you that the entire month of June is National Smile Month!  It's also a good time to remind all of our valued patients to practice good oral hygiene between your visits to our office.

Not only during the month of June, but all year long, it is important to take the right steps to keep your smile looking its best!  Here are a few tips that can help you celebrate your smile for many, many years to come:

• Brush two minutes twice daily.
• Floss every day.
• Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks.
• Visit us regularly!

If you have any questions about any of these tips, give us a call a 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

A Longer Life: The Dental Connection!

We at Thomas Family Dentistry are committed to helping our patients look and feel great.  Although our BLOG has previously discussed the connection between oral health and heart health, we recently ran across an article concerning others ways to improve your health between visits.

• Exercise--studies show that daily exercise can add three years to your life
• Eat A Healthy Breakfast--studies show the importance of starting off your day with a healthy breakfast can improve health
• Get Adequate Rest--studies show that sleeping less than seven hours a night can lead to major health issues
• Brush And Floss Daily--a critical part of your overall health
• Stay Social--quality time spent with friends can contribute to a healthy outlook on life
• Drink Enough Water--proper hydration is extremely important to flush out toxins

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

God Bless,

DRT