Freshen Your Breath: The Dental Connection!

Whether you just "rolled out of bed" or just ate something you enjoyed with garlic or onions, everyone experiences an occasional bad breath.  Thankfully you can keep your breath fresh by familiarizing yourself with the most common things that contribute to halitosis. Take a look at the following things that can affect your breath.

• Dental Home Care. Brushing less than two minutes twice daily and infrequent flossing allow bacteria and food particles to buildup in the mouth.
• Diet.  Foods like pastrami, onions and garlic have strong lingering breath smells.
• Dieting.  Infrequent eating or skipping meals lowers salivary production, which allows bacteria to buildup in the mouth.
• Dry Mouth.  Certain medications and increased mouth breathing related to seasonal allergies can dry the mouth, which causes a buildup of odor-causing particles in the mouth.
• Tobacco.  All tobacco products contribute to decay and gum disease, which increases the amount of bacteria in the mouth.
• Medical Conditions.  Certain medical conditions like a respiratory infection, diabetes, GI disorders, or liver and kidney issues can affect your breath.

Scheduling regular dental checkups and cleanings will help reduce the bacterial plaque buildup in the mouth, which will lead to a fresher breath!  If you have any questions or are in need a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,

DRT

Memorial Day: The Official Beginning Of Summer!

Did you know that Memorial Day didn't become an official holiday until 1971, but Americans started gathering annually in the Spring to remember those who lost their lives in war during the 1860's, right after the Civil War.  Celebrated on the last Monday of May, people still decorate the grave sites of war veterans and hold memorial services, but Memorial Day has evolved into a day that signifies the "beginning of Summer."

During the Summer months, many people take road trips to visit family members.  Some head off to the airport to enjoy a long-awaited vacation far away, while others look forward to spending time with friends and family at home.

However you spend Memorial Day and the days of Summer vacation, have a great time!

God Bless,
DRT

The Key: The Dental Connection!

Although many people think that only children can develop tooth decay, all of us are at risk our whole lives!  Tooth decay is a disease that damages and breaks down teeth.  Bacteria in the mouth combine with sugars found in foods and drinks like soda pop, sports drinks, flavored waters, fruit juice and even milk to produce acid, which dissolves the tooth structure.

Prevention is the key!  Check out the following list to help prevent tooth decay.

• Brush for two minutes, twice daily.
• Floss once a day to remove bacteria between the teeth and from below the gums.
• Avoid frequent sipping and snacking on sugary foods and drinks.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Visit your dentist regularly.

If you have any questions about your dental health, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

May & Teen Self-Esteem: The Dental Connection!

The month of May is National Teen Self-Esteem Month! During this time, parents are encouraged to act as positive role models, help stop negative self-images and improve confidence and security among teenagers.

One of the best ways to boost confidence is to improve your smile,  which can begin with a visit to our dental office.  There are many easy ways to improve your smile!  Have you or your teen visited our office in the past six months for a regular exam and cleaning?  If not, call our office at 918-455-0123 for an appointment!

God Bless,
DRT

May & Physical Fitness & Sports: The Dental Connection!

Did you know that the month of May is designated as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month?  After all, there isn't a better time to celebrate physical activity as the warmer weather and sunshine make their way back into our lives!

As the flowers are blooming and the weather warming, it's easier to get outside and go hiking, jogging, biking, or simply take a stroll in the park to enjoy the smell of the grass or take in the rays and the blue sky!  If jogging or biking isn't your cup of tea, then trying other sports activities can provide you some amazing health benefits that are often overlooked.  Team sports like baseball and soccer, and individual sports like golf or tennis, can improve your coordination and agility, as well as build determination, confidence, hard-work, leadership, and time management.

At Thomas Family Dentistry, we always encourage our patients to stay fit by exercising or participating in sports.  However, we want to remind you to always wear a mouthguard or some other form of facial protection when playing sports.  To learn more about the benefits of a custom mouthguard or if you are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Improvements: The Dental Connection!

Because looking good and feeling good are important to us all, it is wise to maintain a healthy and attractive smile throughout your entire life!  Adults of all ages can benefit from smile-improving dental options.

If you are missing one or more teeth, you may be particularly aware of their importance to your appearance and dental health.  All your teeth work together to help you chew, speak and smile.  When teeth are missing, it is difficult to do these things.  Even the loss of a back tooth may cause your mouth to shift and your face to look older.  Thankfully, missing teeth can be replaced, and it is in your best dental interest to do so.

Choosing the correct treatment option is very important.  Below are the following three options to consider when replacing teeth.

• Implants
• Fixed Bridges
• Removable Bridges

Call our office at 918-455-0123 to set up a consultation to determine which option is best for you!

God Bless,

DRT

Reducing Your Risks: The Dental Connection!

Since April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month, our office felt that it was important to discuss some ways that each one of our valued patients can reduce their risk for oral cancer!

Nearly 40,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, and more than 8,000 die every year from this disease.  While there is no way to predict exactly which individuals will get oral cancer, there are some potential causes you should know about--because in some cases, you can minimize these risk factors!

• AGE (most patients diagnosed are over the age of 40)
• TOBACCO USE (either from cigarettes or smokeless chewing tobacco)
• EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION (especially in combination with tobacco use)
• PERSISTENT VIRAL INFECTIONS (such as HPV 16)
• DIET (especially one low in fruits and vegetables)

Although no one can change their age, genetics, or ethnicity, many of the factors listed above can be modified, which can reduce the risk of developing oral cancer!

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

God Bless,

DRT