Halloween: The Adult Dental Connection!

Halloween is fast approaching and we always see an increase of patients after Halloween, but not for the reason that you might expect!  Cavities don't form overnight; it's the parents that we see with broken molars from biting down on hard candy, claiming that they are saving their kids from the threat in the Halloween bag!

The problem with Halloween isn't the $1000 per tooth it costs to rebuild these adult teeth with crowns.  It's that these adults grew up with a tradition that perpetuates an unhealthy relationship with food and continue that tradition right to the door of the dentist.  $2 to $4 million dollars are spend on Halloween candy every year. Amassing that insane amount of candy on a single day can promote a very confusing message to a child, all in the name of tradition!

To break the stereotypical day of "candy worship" seen in children on Halloween, only allow your children to consume the candy on the holiday.  Then, encourage them to exchange the remainder of their treats with you for a far greater reward like a book, a CD, movie tickets, a new electronic game, some athletic equipment or even a bike!  And remember, to minimize the temptation that can lead to a future dental hazard, although it may be difficult, send the rest of the candy to your curb to be picked up by the "Great Pumpkin."

Moderation is the key.  If your children eat candy, make sure it's under a controlled environment. Have drinking water available to buffer the huge hit of acids that ensue within minutes of candy consumption. And, of course, make sure that they brush within 20 minutes after consuming any candy. For adults, the stickier and harder the treat, the worst the dental "trick" on your teeth!   If you do experience a "scary" Halloween dental trick this year, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Mouth Healthy: Your New Connection For Dental Health!

The American Dental Association has launched a new website called MouthHealthy!  This new interactive website from the ADA is dedicated to helping all of our patients take better care of their oral health, with most content also available in Spanish.

MouthHealthy is a consumer based website that allows you to:

• Visit your life stage and find healthy habits, top concerns, nutrition and fact or fiction.
• Explore ADA Seal of Acceptance Products to help you decide which dental products are right for you and your family.
• Search A-Z topics to learn about different dental issues and discover how you can prevent and/or treat these issues.
• FOR KIDS! has activities and games to help kids learn the importance of good oral health care--all while having fun!

So check out MouthHealthy for valuable dental information to help you take better care of your mouth today so that it will take care of you for life!

God Bless,

DRT

Year-End Insurance Reminder!

Before long, 2013 will be racing to a close! As the Holiday season is quickly approaching and everyone's attention will shift to the festive nature of the year, our entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry would like to give all of our valued patients with flex spend, health savings, or insurance benefits, a friendly end of the year reminder that it's time to consider scheduling your dental visits so that you can optimize your benefits!

Now is the time to reserve your appointment with us. Space is limited and we tend to get busy during the holidays! If you are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

October & Dental Hygiene: The Dental Connection!

Adults are no strangers to feeling like there is never enough time in the day to get everything done.  The alarm clock rings and within minutes you bounce around trying to get school lunches ready for the day, answer your cell phone, remove the dog hair from your clothes, and make sure that your child has completed the science fair project!  With all of the busyness of life's everyday routine, brushing your teeth can easily fall to the wayside.  That is why our office promotes a simple, daily oral health regimen that you can easily incorporate into you hectic lifestyle,

The American Dental Hygienists' Association, in partnership with the Wrigley Jr. Company, is celebrating National Dental Hygiene Month during October.  The ADHA encourage patients to "Brush, Floss, Rinse, Chew...Keep It Clean, Keep It Healthy!" and offers some other tips for a quick and effective oral health routine:

Home Oral Health Routine

• Brushing
• Two Minutes Twice Daily.
• Flossing
• Once Daily to remove bacteria between teeth and below the gums.
• Rinsing
• Use a non-alcohol based, antibacterial mouthwash that kills plaque and gingivitis germs.
• Chewing
• Unless you have jaw related problems, sugar-free gum helps promote saliva, which battles cavities.

It's easy to put the toothbrush down in order to take care of matters that you feel are more urgent, but remember, a good oral health care routine at home is the best way to prevent periodontal disease.  During your regular visits at our office every six months or as scheduled, we can remove tartar and plaque, detect gum disease early, and help you learn more about proper care for your teeth and gums.  If you have any questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Autumn & Your Best Smile: The Dental Connection!

With a major weather change bringing much cooler weather here to Tulsa over the weekend,  it won't be long until the leaves start to fall.  Why not "Fall" into a healthier and more beautiful smile with us here at Thomas Family Dentistry!  With cooler weather comes an increase in coffee consumption to take the edge off the chill and more sugary candies associated with the seasonal holidays, which increases the risks for cavities!  We offer a wide range of whitening solutions for all budgets and time constraints! We also provide filling and restorations that are conservative and many can be completed in one visit.  Before long, the year will be ending, so now is the time to jump on your remaining dental insurance benefits, as well as your flexible spending accounts! Remember, if you don't use it, you lose it!  Call our office at 918-455-0123 for an appointment and come see what makes Thomas Family Dentistry different!

God Bless,
DRT

Dental Insurance: A Quick Look!

Unless you work for a dental insurance company, understanding the terms and conditions of your plan can be quite confusing.  To help you navigate the complex world of insurance, here are some commonly used dental insurance terms and their meanings.

A Basic Glossary

• Annual Maximum:  The maximum amount your policy will pay per year for dental care at Thomas Family Dentistry.  It is usually divided into costs per individual or per family if you are on a family plan.
• Co-payment:  An amount the patient pays at the time of service before receiving care. This amount is a required payment by the patient prior to the insurance paying for any portion of care.
• Covered Services:  A list of all treatments, services, and procedures that the insurance policy will cover under your contract.
• Deductible:  The dollar amount that you must pay out of pocket each year before the insurance company will pay for any treatments or procedures.
• Diagnostic/Preventive Services:  A category of treatments or procedures that most insurances will cover before the deductible payment is required.  These services may include regular checkups, cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments and evaluations at our office.
• In-Network & Out-Of-Network:  The "network" is a list of providers that are a part of your insurance company's group of doctors that have agreed to accept your insurance company's set fees for treatment and therefore usually requires you to have lower out of pocket cost.  Any provider that is not in the network will require you to usually pay a higher co-payment.
• Lifetime Maximum:  The maximum amount that your plan will allow to paid for a lifetime.  An example may be a lifetime amount that will be paid for braces. 
• Limitations/Exclusions:  A list of procedures that your insurance will NOT cover.
• Member/Insured/Covered Person/Beneficiary/Enrollee:  Someone who is eligible to receive benefits under the dental insurance plan.
• Provider:  Dr. Thomas or other oral health specialist who provides treatment.
• Waiting Period:  A specified amount of time that the patient must be enrolled with your plan before it will pay for certain procedures.

There are many different insurance options and it is very important for you to find out exactly what your insurance policy covers.  If you have any questions, you are encouraged to review your plan with your company's qualified insurance specialist, which can be provided to you by the employee's HR department. Don't be afraid to ask your employer or your insurance company's representative questions about your policy so that you can understand your coverage and be confident that you know everything  that your policy covers the next time that you come in for treatment at our office.

God Bless,

DRT

Our Office: A Caring Place For You!

From your very first visit to our office, we strive to provide excellent dental care in a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. We are always updating our office with the most advanced and up-to-date dental technologies in order to provide a caring place for each one of our valued patients to receive their dental treatment!

Because you are important to us, we also strive to develop a personal relationship with each one of our patient family! In order to improve our dental relationship with you, your feedback is very important to us!  Whether you've just come in for one appointment or your family has been visiting our office for years, your comments matter! Feel free to leave a few words here or on our Facebook page about your dental experience!

If you are in need of an appointment, call us at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT