Tricked By Treats! The Dental Connection!

As the uptick in candy starts tonight, it's important to remember that every sugary treat that you consume, elevates your risk of developing tooth decay, which can break down your teeth.

While not all bad in moderation, when eaten in excess, candy can lead to big problems, especially if good oral hygiene habits are not followed.  Check out these helpful tips if you just can't stay away from all of those treats:

     1. Consume candy and other sweets during meals when your saliva can help neutralize the
         acids that are found in some candies, especially the sour variety.

     2. Avoid sticky or hard candies, which can stay in your mouth longer than you think, resulting in
         acids being constantly exposed to your teeth.  That acid can lead to cavities and tooth decay.

     3. Make sure the water you drink is fluoridated.  Water that is fluoridated has been shown to help
         prevent cavities.

     4. Make sure to maintain your daily oral hygiene habits.  This includes brushing twice daily for a
         two minute duration each time and flossing at least once.

     5. Regular dental checkups and cleanings twice a year are very important to identify problems
         early in order to reduce the effects that decay can have on your teeth.

With Halloween the start of the holiday candy season, don't allow your teeth to be tricked with all of the treats! If you want to learn more about cavity prevention or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Veneers: The Dental Connection!

Dental Veneers are a way to correct and transform your smile by using "contact lens" for your teeth. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or ceramic material that are bonded to the front of the teeth.   They are strong and durable, look and feel like natural teeth, and improve your smile.

Dental veneers can help with cosmetic and dental health issues, and treat multiple problems at once.  Some of the common reasons that individuals choose veneers are to to close gaps and spaces between the teeth, fix minor alignment issues, change the overall shape and appearance of a tooth, whiten a smile by covering stained or discolored teeth, and cover chipped or cracked teeth.  If you have teeth that are already worn down and weakened, veneers can also help prevent further damage by covering them with a thin tooth-colored shell.

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

God Bless,
DRT

Colas: The Dental Connection!

On the east coast, carbonated beverages or colas are generally called sodas, in Arkansas they were usually called "Coke" and here in Oklahoma we refer to them as pop, but no matter what the label, these popular drinks can be the enemy of a healthy smile! While one glass might not hurt your teeth, drinking colas on a regular basis can do some real damage to your teeth.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry reports that about half of the population in our country drink soda regularly, averaging 2.6 glasses each day.  That's a lot of soda considering the drinks are acidic, full of sugar, and have little or no nutritional value.  Although many people drink diet pop to avoid the sugar, it may surprise you to learn that it's actually the acidity of cola, NOT the sugar, which poses the biggest threat to your teeth.  Unfortunately, all pop has citric acid, which over time, repeated exposure to this acid in soda wears down tooth enamel, leaving teeth stained and less able to prevent cavities.

As enamel wears away, teeth can be discolored, take on a rough texture, and become highly sensitive to hot or cold.  Your teeth may start to tingle, and brushing and flossing can cause pain.  If not checked by dental care, teeth may start to erode, becoming thinner and more likely to crack. It's a pretty high price to pay for a glass of cola.

So other than completely avoiding colas all together, check out these tips on ways to lessen the acid impact on your teeth.

• Cut back on all acidic drinks
• Add more water to replace colas
• Use a straw when you drink
• Remember that diet colas are highly acidic
• Rinse your mouth with water after drinking a cola
• Do not brush your teeth immediately after drinking a cola
• Brushing too hard can weaken enamel that is already soaked in acid

If you have any questions or 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 the busyness of life starts for the day!  From preparing the kids lunches for school, returning text messages, removing the dog hair from your clothing, to making sure that your child has completed their science project, the simply routine of brushing your teeth for the recommended two minutes can easily fall to the wayside.

To simplify the dental routine to better dental health, the American Dental Hygienists' Association and the Wrigley Jr. Company have joined in partnership to celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month this October and to encourage everyone to "Brush. Floss. Rinse. Chew...Keep It Clean, Keep It Healthy!"  Check out their tips for a quick and effective home oral health routine.

ORAL HEALTH ROUTINE AT HOME

     Brushing your teeth twice daily is the most important thing that you can do to diminish the
     accumulation of plaque and the potential for other oral problems such as cavities and gingivitis.

     Flossing once daily removes the plaque and food debris from beneath the gums and between
     the teeth that brushing alone cannot remove.  Tooth decay and gum disease often begin in
     these areas.

     Rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial, non-alcohol based mouthwash kills plaque and
     gingivitis germs.

     Chewing sugar-free gum helps produce saliva, which also battles cavities.  The gum also
     neutralizes plaque, strengthens enamel, and removes remaining food.  It is especially important
     to chew gum after eating or drinking.

It's easy to put the toothbrush down in order to take care of matters you feel are more urgent, but remember, a good oral health routine at home is the best way to prevent periodontal disease.  75 percent of Americans have some form of periodontal disease, which is linked to more serious illnesses such as diabetes and stroke.  Maintaining regular cleanings and exams during the busyness of everyday life can also help reduce the incidence of dental disease as well.

Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month not only this October, but all year long! If you are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

THREE: The Dental Connection!

Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is an early stage of gum disease.  If you have gingivitis, it's very important to have professional dental treatment, since home care isn't enough to get rid of the plaque that leads to tartar and eventually to gum disease.  Check out the "BIG THREE" to see if you have these signs of gingivitis, and get help as soon as you can to prevent the progression to periodontitis. Your vigilance could save your teeth!

1. RISK FACTORS

• Common factors include:
• Tobacco use
• Females going through puberty, pregnancy, or menopause
• Diabetes
• A compromised immune system
• A family history of gum disease

2. GUM INFLAMMATION

• Symptoms include: 
• Pain in the gum tissue
• Redness in the gum tissue
• Swelling in the gum tissue

3. LOOSE TEETH

• Symptoms include:
• Development of unusual tooth spacing
• Partials no longer fit

If you have any questions about any of the common "THREE" things associated with gingivitis or periodontal disease, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,

DRT

Must Haves: The Dental Connections!

At our office, we customize treatment for every patient.  Amid all of the fillings, crowns and cleanings, we find that there are three dental treatments that are most valuable when offering our patients options: dental implants, bite guards, and teeth whitening.

Dental implants are a great tool for those who have lost teeth from trauma, genetics, decay, or fracture.  They are a great investment when maintaining bone structure, chewing function and smile presentation.

In our faced-paced lives, people can take their stress and tension out on their teeth.  Clenching and grinding, called bruxism, are on the rise.  This can cause chipping to crowns, fillings and natural teeth.  Headaches, earaches and tender teeth can also be symptoms of untreated bruxism.  Although most people are unaware that they may be clenching while they are asleep, bite guards can be used to prevent the potential damage that can occur.

Finally, tooth whitening is safe and effective.  From professional in-office applications, take home custom trays, to over-the-counter strips, each is effective, though at different levels.  An easy dental consultation can determine which option is best for you!

Although each of these beneficial dental treatments can have risks, we can discuss the ways to consider your needs, and yet customize your wants to fit into the equation.  A little stability from implants, protection from a bite guard, and a brilliant smile may be just what you need to achieve your dental goals. If you have any questions, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

An Insurance Overview: The Dental Connection!

Unless you work for an insurance company, you probably do not spend a lot of your time studying all of the terminology that dental insurance companies use to describe the treatments and services that they cover.  If it seems pretty confusing, here are some of the most commonly used dental insurance terms and what they mean.

A Basic Glossary

• Annual Maximum.  The maximum yearly amount your policy will pay for your care.
• Co-payment.  The amount the patient pays at the time of service before insurance pays.
• Covered Services.  A list of all covered treatments, services and procedures.
• Deductible.  The yearly out of pocket dollar amount you must pay.
• Diagnostic/Preventive Services.  Covered treatments before the deductible.
• In-Network.  Services covered at a larger portion by contracted providers.
• Lifetime Maximum.  The maximum covered amount that will be paid out.
• Limitations/Exclusions.  Procedures not covered by your policy.
• Member/Insured/Covered Person/Beneficiary/Enrollee.  Eligible person for benefits.
• Provider.  Health care person that provides treatment.
• Waiting Period.  Specified time the patient must wait before coverage begins.

There are many different insurance options available, so you need to find out exactly what your insurance covers.  It's important to review your plan with a qualified insurance specialist.  Don't be afraid to ask questions about the policy so that you can understand it fully and be confident that you know everything that your policy covers the next time that you come in for treatment.  If you have additional questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT