Dry Mouth: The Dental Connection!

Medications often have frustrating side effects such as nausea or headaches.  But did you know that dry mouth is also a common side effect of prescription drugs? There are over 400 medications that can affect your salivary glands.  These medications include those used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, allergies, diarrhea, urinary incontinence, Parkinson's disease, and many other conditions.

Our salivary glands are extremely important because they produce saliva. Saliva keeps our mouths moist and breaks down the foods that we eat.  It also helps keep the bacteria in our mouths under control.

Dry Mouth Implications

• A higher risk of gum disease
• An increase in cavities
• Discomfort and difficulty eating, swallowing and talking

7 Simple Solutions To Help Fight Dry Mouth

• Drink more water
• Chew sugar-free gum
• Eat frozen fruit
• Limit caffeine and alcohol intake
• Use a humidifier while sleeping
• Maintain regular oral care habits
• Maintain regular dental cleanings
• Use saliva replacement products

If you are having a lot of trouble with dry mouth or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

St. Patrick's Day!

On March 17, everyone has a little Irish in them.  St. Patrick's Day is a joyous celebration of Irish heritage.  The holiday originated as a commemoration of Saint Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland. The saint arrived in Ireland in 432 and earned the reputation of a champion of Irish Christianity.  March 17th, the day of St. Patrick's death, has been commemorated by the Irish for over 1,000 years. St. Patrick's Day is still observed as a religious feast day by several Christian denominations, but it is better known in the public imagination as a rich celebration of Irish culture.

Many people, Irish and non-Irish alike, take part in the "wearing of the green" on St. Patrick's Day. In fact, the color originally associated with Saint Patrick was blue.  His use of shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish made the green clover emblematic of the holiday, leading to the traditional green attire worn by thousands on St. Patrick's Day.

No matter your cultural heritage, St. Patrick's Day is a great time to celebrate your inner Irish-ness! Don your greenest attire and exclaim "Erin go Bragh!" (Ireland forever!) to everyone you meet.   Have a great St. Paddy's Day!

God Bless,
DRT

Osteoporosis: The Dental Connection!

Today we examine the relationship between osteoporosis and oral health.  40 million Americans have osteoporosis or are at a high risk for developing the condition. This common condition affects the density in bones, so that they can become easier to fracture.  Research suggests that there is a link between osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw, which supports and anchors the teeth.  Tooth loss affects one third of adults 65 and older!

Bone Density And Dental Concerns

• Women with osteoporosis are three times more likely to experience tooth loss.
• Low bone density can result in other dental issues.
• Osteoporosis is linked to less positive outcomes from oral surgery.

For more information about the connection between osteoporosis and your dental health, or if you are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Headaches: The Dental Connection!

That ache in your head may stem from your jaw.  If your jaw falls out of alignment, you could have temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD.

It's not clear what causes TMD. However, there are several factors which include obesity, stress and pressure on the jaw, or a misaligned bite, where the upper and lower teeth don't fit together when you close your mouth.

TMD can affect your life and your health by making it painful to eat and hard to sleep.  Some people even find the nagging pain difficult to bear.

TMD SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE:

• Recurring headaches with no other cause
• Pain along and behind the ears
• Pain in your cheeks or lower face
• Clicking noises when you talk or chew
• Tired or sore jaw muscles after eating
• Limited jaw movement

TMD TREATMENTS MAY INCLUDE:

• Relaxation and stress reduction techniques
• Pain reduction recommendations, which may involve medication
• Jaw joint exercises that can help reduce stress
• Dental guards

Left untreated, TMD headaches and other symptoms can become quite severe.  If you suffer the symptoms of TMD, you do not have to live in pain.  Call our dental office at 918-455-0123 for an appointment to learn more about how to reduce the pain of TMD and restore comfort to your life!

God Bless,

DRT

Pediatrics: The Dental Connection!

In recognition of National Children's Dental Health Month, this week's BLOG addresses an all too common parental problem. For many parents, getting your children to brush, brush well, and brush often can be a significant challenge! Here are some tips that can help you keep those beautiful little teeth healthy.

• Set a good example
• Brush your teeth with your children and make it fun! Pick a song to play while brushing.
• Make Brushing & Flossing a game
• See who can be ready the fastest to brush and floss.  Just make sure it's NOT a race to the finish! It takes a full two minutes to remove all of the bacteria.
• Use a sticker sheet
• Every time your children brush well, give them a sticker.  Be sure to check their work!  After a certain number of stickers, they can earn a reward.
• Special Tip:  
• Let them check your brush work as well! This will help to instill the importance of "doing it right."

As parents, we should always help our children make health and wellness an important part of their entire lives!  Be encouraging if they make a mistake, whether forgetting to brush or even if they develop a cavity! 

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

God Bless,

DRT

Your Heart: The Dental Connection!

Your dental health is closely connected to your overall health.  The mouth can oftentimes be the first place to show signs of other bodily health issues.

Studies have shown possible links between gum disease and heart disease, and researchers have found that people with gum disease have an elevated risk of suffering from a stroke or developing coronary artery disease.  Hard to believe, but an estimated 70-80 percent of North American adults currently have some form of gum disease!

Gum disease, which affects the tissues that support the teeth, is an infection caused by a sticky film of bacteria called plaque that forms daily on the teeth, mainly along the gum line.  In its early stages, called gingivitis, gum disease can be treated and often reversed.

To help keep your mouth and heart healthy, check out these tips to help prevent problems before they arise.

• Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice daily.
• Effectively floss once a day to remove the bacteria that forms between the teeth and below the gum line.
• Maintain regular 6 month cleanings and exams, or sooner if recommended.
• Eat a healthy diet.  This includes avoiding foods with a high concentration of sugars or starches, instead, consume more fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid tobacco and copious levels of alcohol.  If you smoke, QUIT! And remember, heavy drinking dramatically increases the risk of developing mouth and throat cancer.

Don't put off your next dental visit any longer! If it has been a while since your last cleaning and exam, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,

DRT

Valentine's Day 2015!

Valentine's Day is best known as a celebration of love in all its forms.  Pink hearts, red roses, and cute greeting cards adorn every surface that you see.  What many people don't realize is that the modern Valentine's Day celebration actually arose from a religious holiday!

St. Valentine's Day was originally celebrated as a religious feast day in honor of early Christian martyrs.  The martyrs named Valentine were honored: a priest in Rome, the persecuted bishop of Interamna, which is a town in central Italy, and a saint martyred in Africa.

The origin of Valentine's Day as a holiday for sweethearts actually began with Geoffrey Chaucer in his 1382 poem.  As the poet wrote, "For this was on Saint Valentine's Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate," and the modern day romantic holiday was born.  Shakespeare and many other writers have also mentioned Valentine's Day as a day of love.

Today, over $1 billion chocolates are sold in our country alone, with heart-shaped boxes accounting for 35 million of those purchased. And, on Valentine's Day itself, florists sell nearly 200 million stems of roses!

Although many people dismiss Valentine's Day as a commercialized "Hallmark holiday," it is beloved to couples and romantics across the United States and other countries.  No matter what your celebratory plans may be this February 14th, may it truly be a wonderful day to celebrate the loved ones in your life! Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Thomas Family Dentistry!

God Bless,
DRT