Summer Break: The Dental Connection!

After your son or daughter departs for college this Fall, the last thing that you want to receive is a call or text only to learn that he or she is in pain.  Although there aren't many emergency situations that can be avoided, when it comes to dental health, one crisis that can easily be prevented before your teen heads hundreds of miles away for college is wisdom tooth extraction.

Many college bound students are affected by the problems that arise from wisdom teeth because the third molars usually erupt in the late teens to early 20s.  Most young adults experience spacing and crowding problems that can cause impaction and infections, which is why most oral surgeons are strongly recommending that they be electively removed during this time period.  Unfortunately, wisdom teeth can go from barely noticeable to extremely painful in a brief period of time.

Summer break is the perfect time to remove wisdom teeth so that your child can avoid the scenario of experiencing this medical emergency while they are far away from home.  If you have any questions are are in need of an appointment to have your child's wisdom teeth removed, please call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Toothpaste: The Dental Connection!

Everyone knows that it is recommended to brush your teeth for two minutes twice daily.  But have you ever wondered what's in toothpaste and how it actually works? The mouth is home to more than 500 types of microorganisms that feed on the leftover food that gets stuck on and around the teeth.  Toothpaste is the best line of defense against all of those pesky germs. Take a look at how it works.

ABRASIVES

Toothpaste contains mild abrasive additives that combat microorganisms and fight plaque.  When you brush, the abrasives in toothpaste dislodge food particles and microorganisms more effectively than if you simply brush with water.  The abrasives also work to remove food stains and polish the surface of the tooth.  Some toothpastes include ingredients like triclosan and Xylitol. These chemicals prevent the growth of bacteria that produce plaque.  The bacteria in plaque not only causes cavities, but it can also lead to more dangerous issues like periodontal disease.

FLUORIDE

Fluoride is the key ingredient in toothpaste.  As the germs in your mouth feed off of the leftover food particles, they leave behind acid and sulfur byproducts that wear away the enamel of the teeth. This is the technical way that the acid forming on your teeth causes cavities.  And it's the sulfur byproduct that causes bad breath.  Fluoride works to fight the acid and help to protect teeth.  By brushing, the fluoride is incorporated into the tooth enamel, which in turn makes the tooth more resistant to acid and plaque.

FLAVORING AGENTS

Not all toothpastes are the same.  The flavoring agents added to the toothpaste don't have anything to do with fighting microorganisms and plaque, but taste is one of the most important selling points in finding a brand that you like and more importantly, will consistently use.  Flavoring agents mask the taste of some of the other ingredients in toothpaste as well, and without those agents, chances are that nobody would be brushing their teeth for the recommended two minutes twice daily!

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

God Bless,
DRT

Summer Foods: The Dental Connection!

Summer--that wonderful time of year when fresh and delicious produce abounds. Your teeth, gums, and tissues all rely on an appropriate mix of vitamins and minerals to maintain good oral health no matter what time of year.  In previous studies, nutrients in fruits and vegetables such as dietary fiber, potassium, and antioxidants have all been associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and cancers, including oral cancer.

Check out these summertime foods that can improve your oral health:

Watermelons and Strawberries

     Watermelons have a high water content, which dilutes the affects of the sugars they contain and
     stimulates the flow of saliva.

Apples

     Consuming apples can help you attain whiter, healthier teeth.  Biting and chewing an apple
     stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, and in the process, lowers the levels of  
     bacteria and other harmful acids, leading to a lower incidence of tooth decay.

Tomatoes

     Tomatoes are a delicious and healthy snack that can help ward off cancer.  The yummy red fruit
     contains lycopene, which helps to protect your skin from sunburn. They can also help fight heart
     disease due to the niacin, folate, and vitamin B6 nutrients that they contain.  Tomatoes are high
     in crucial antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin A, which work to prevent DNA damage.

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

God Bless,
DRT


      

Life's Routine: The Dental Connection!

Whether it's watering the garden, changing the oil, or replacing the smoke detector's batteries, life has many important routines. While daily oral hygiene habits are essential to good oral health, professional dental cleanings at our office ensure that your teeth are treated to a more thorough level of cleaning.  Current recommendations encourage the average patient to have a routine checkup every 6 months.  In addition to a cleaning and polishing of your teeth, these regular visits help to detect and prevent the onset of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease.  If you are pregnant, use tobacco, or have certain medical conditions like diabetes or a dry mouth, more frequent visits may be needed.

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

God Bless,
DRT

Memorial Day 2015!

While fire trucks, baton twirlers, marching bands covering patriotic tunes, colorful floats, costumes, and millions of red, white, and blue American flags being waved in the air on a beautiful day in late May seem to represent this federal holiday, Memorial Day truly represents the time when America observes a day and takes the time to remember and celebrate the men and women who have lost their lives while serving our country in the Armed Services.  The holiday originated after the Civil War; at that time it was known as Decoration Day.  Unlike other holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, Memorial Day has changed over time, and in the 21st century we observe a far different holiday than what Americans did after the Civil War, or even the World Wars.

While many people place flags at cemeteries and visit national memorials in order to honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom, Memorial Day is also a time for family barbecues, pool parties, trips to the beach, blockbuster movies, long weekend getaways, and fireworks.  In America, Memorial Day has also come to represent the unofficial start of the summer - a long, hopefully sunny, warm, weekend devoted to family togetherness, outdoor events, and community.

So whatever you're weekend encompasses, our entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry wish you a happy and safe Memorial Day Holiday!

God Bless,
DRT 

The Working Lunch: The Dental Connection!

Many working adults find that the demands of their job require eating lunch while continuing to work. Although a recent survey revealed that despite knowing that a healthy, good-looking smile affects not only their personal health, but their professional image as well, with the time constraints placed on them by their work environment, very few people have the time to brush and floss at the office regularly, which allows harmful food debris to have an impact upon their teeth and gums.

Although time is a premium at work, it only takes two minutes to improve your oral hygiene. With this in mind, consider these brushing tips while at work.

• Leave a toothbrush at work to increase the likelihood of brushing.
• Brush your teeth at least two minutes, twice daily.
• Replace your toothbrush every 3 months.
• Clean between your teeth with floss daily.

Brushing after breakfast and lunch will eliminate any remaining food particles and odors.  Removing plaque and debris after each meal, even after that working lunch, can decrease the risk of decay and gum disease.

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

God Bless,

DRT

Secrets: The Dental Connection!

Life is full of secrets, but the secret to keeping your teeth for life is... that there is no "real" secret; and in fact, there is no difficulty involved.  Following this simple basic four-step process can help insure that you will have healthy teeth for life!

BRUSH

             At least, you should brush your teeth for two minutes twice daily, preferably once in the

             morning and once at night.  Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and light pressure; you do not 

             want to scrub away your gums.  Keep your toothbrush clean and replace it about every 

             three months.

FLOSS

            Make flossing part of your daily routine, at least once a day.  Flossing is important for more 

            than just removing food particles between your teeth.  The process also help to remove 

            bacteria that you cannot see.  Bacterial build-up turns into plaque, or tartar: a cement-like 

            substance that cannot be removed by brushing alone.  Effectively flossing not only removes 

            the bacterial from below the gum line, but also at the contact point between the teeth, 

            where the toothbrush cannot reach.

RINSE

            Mouthwash does more than freshen breath.  Rinses help kill the bacteria that lead to plaque

            formation and gum disease.  This extra step can go a long way toward having healthy teeth 

            for life.

APPTS

            Not a misspelling for the word  "app" in the electronic world, but it stands for 

           "Appointments."  Although dental appointments seem to get pushed aside in our everyday

            hectic lives, for the average patient, committing to a professional cleaning twice a year is 

            essential to maintaining optimal dental health.  Our hygienists will remove any plaque 

            build-up to prevent gingivitis, which if left untreated, can become full-blown gum disease

            called periodontitis, which is the leading cause of tooth loss in the adult population.  Equally 

            important, at each regular cleaning appointment, your teeth are checked for cavities and an 

            oral cancer examination is completed.  Early detection and treatment of any dental 

            problem is much easier to remedy than waiting until the situation becomes more critical.

If you have any questions about the "dental secrets" of maintaining your teeth for life or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT