Sealing In Your Child's Health: The Dental Connection!

School will be starting soon and keeping your child's teeth in their best possible condition will help them maintain optimum oral health for the rest of their lives.  When brushing and flossing isn't enough, we may suggest placing a dental sealant on your child's teeth. Children who have dental sealants can decrease their chance of tooth decay by 60%!  Sealants are a safe, painless, and effective way to ensure your child's dental health for years to come.

Dental sealants work by providing a protective shield over the tiny grooves and depressions that are found on the chewing surfaces of teeth.  While brushing and flossing are still essential even if a tooth has received a dental sealant, this coating will help the vulnerable areas be less likely to develop decay by "sealing out" plaque and food debris.

If we think that a sealant would be a good option for your child, a simple office visit is all that it takes.  One of our friendly clinical staff members will thoroughly clean your child's teeth before applying the white liquid-plastic material to the tooth's surface.  While sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to ten years, they will be checked for chipping or wear at each regular dental check-up at Thomas Family Dentistry!

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

God Bless,
DRT

American Heart Month: The Dental Connection!

February is not only National Children's Dental Health Month, a time to consider the benefits of improving the dental health of children of all ages, but February also marks American Heart Month. This time each year, the American Heart Association wants everyone to take note of the health of your heart since cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the entire world.

Studies continue to show a correlation between gum disease and heart disease, underscoring the importance of good oral health care.  Visiting our office on a regular basis can help prevent gum disease or at least catch it in its early stages, which improves the treatment outcome.  In observance of Heart Month, know you numbers:

• Blood Pressure
• Less than 120/80
• Cholesterol
• Less than 200
• BMI
• Less than 25

A healthy mouth begins with a visit to our office.  If you have any questions about your heart health or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,
DRT

Gum Disease & Kids: The Dental Connection!

At Thomas Family Dentistry, we know that it's fairly easy to tell when you may have a cavity; but unfortunately, gum disease can exist in your child's mouth without you even knowing.  In fact, your child can have the beginning of gum disease without noticing any pain or discomfort.  Since gum disease can be undetectable, it's important to watch for warning signs in order to prevent the disease from worsening!

Signs to watch for:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that beed easily after brushing or flossing
• Gums that recede or pull away from the teeth
• Persistent halitosis, or bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Any change in the way the teeth come together in the biting position

If you child is having these symptoms, call us at 918-455-0123 and schedule an appointment.  We can diagnose the problem and begin treatment to save your teeth and give your child back a healthy mouth!  We look forward to seeing you!

God Bless,

DRT

Motivating Your Children: The Dental Connection!

It's National Children's Dental Month and many parents find it difficult to keep their children interested in their dental health!  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 Hippopotamus 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 the 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, call our dental office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

To Do List: The Dental Connection!

TO DO LIST:

• Oil Change Every 3,000 Miles
• Replace Smoke Detector Batteries Yearly
• Water Garden Three Times A Week
• Exercise Five Times A Week

There are many things in life that are on our regular to-do list.  Although many people would never neglect their routine car maintenance, one of the most important regular routines that is commonly overlooked is their dental health!  Your teeth need to see the dentist on a regular schedule, too.

While daily oral hygiene habits are essential to good dental health, professional dental cleanings at our office ensure that your teeth receive a more detailed removal of plaque and tartar.  It is recommended that the average patient have a dental check up every six months.  In addition to a thorough cleaning and polishing of your teeth, these regular visits help detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and gum disease.  During your visit, we check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue.  We also check old fillings and restorations, as these can wear away over time from constant chewing, grinding or clenching.

If you are predisposed to oral diseases, you may need to visit our office more often than every six months.  Factors include age, pregnancy, tobacco use, medical conditions like diabetes as well as simply how well you are able to take care of your teeth on a daily basis.

If a dental visit has not been on your regular TO-DO LIST, call our office for an appointment at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Implants: The Dental Connection!

Nothing can take the place of a healthy set of natural teeth.  But when disease or an accident ends in tooth loss, it's good to know that there are options for restoring your smile.  Many patients choose implants to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or to support a full set of dentures.  When surgically placed, implants fuse with the jawbone, offering firm support to man-made teeth.

Implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth.  The development and use of implants has been one of the biggest advances in dentistry in the past 40 years.  U.S. dentists place more than 5.5 million implants annually.

To determine if an implant is your best tooth replacement option, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Advancements: The Dental Connection!

The world around us is always changing and evolving, whether it's the latest gadget that you ordered online or the high-tech braces on your teeth!  A recent article in The New York Times about dental implants reported that they are becoming increasingly favored over bridges to replace lost teeth.  One thing to remember about dental implants is that they need to be cared for just like your regular teeth; daily brushing and flossing are a must!

Call us today at 918-455-0123 to schedule an appointment with our office to discuss your implant options.

God Bless,
DRT