Old Toothbrushes: The Dental Connection!

Although it is recommended to replace your worn-out, germy toothbrush with a new one every three months, most people either forget or resist getting rid of something that is still "working."  Maybe if they had a few ideas for putting that old toothbrush to good use, more people would follow the recommended replacement sequence.   To encourage good oral practices, take a look at these 10 fun things that you can do with your used toothbrush.

1.  Let your five-year-old budding Da Vinci create a masterpiece with some paint and your old toothbrush.

2.  Scrub oily areas on your face with your toothbrush.  The bristles are perfect for removing embedded dirt and oil that clogs pores.

3.  Pamper your hamster by brushing his fur with an old toothbrush.

4.  Dab a bit of Vaseline on the bristles and comb your eyelashes; instant glamour!  Got dry, flaky lips? Slough away by using a toothbrush on your lips.

5.  Remove the bristles: instant small plant stakes!

6.  Old toothbrushes are great for spot-cleaning just about anything.

7.  When nobody is around to scratch an unreachable itch on your back, turn that old toothbrush into your personal backscratcher.

8.  Is your dog's breath so bad that all of the houseplants have died?  Try brushing his teeth with your old toothbrush so that his kisses and breath are more tolerable.

9.  Give your fish the cleanest tank in the neighborhood by scrubbing it with your old tooth brush.

10.  Did you notice a few gray hair sprouting from the hairline?  Old toothbrushes were made for touch-up dye jobs; works for dyeing your eyebrows, too!

If you have any other suggestions for the use of an old toothbrush or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Summer Smiles: The Dental Connection!

Summer brings sunshine and warm weather, and many patients start thinking about brightening their smiles this time of year.  A whiter smile is only one visit away!

Teeth whitening is safe, quick, and inexpensive.  It can be used to correct many tooth discolorations, which may have been caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth.  Using the latest in whitening technology, a safe method for creating the beautiful smile that you have always wanted can be achieved.

If you have any questions about which teeth whitening option is best for your case of if you are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Summer Sports: The Dental Connection!

With the warmer and longer days here, many people become more active during the summer.  Although most summertime athletes have already hit the field for fun, take a look at the following precautions to take when it comes to keeping your teeth safe as you enjoy playing your favorite sports.

USE A MOUTHGUARD

If your kids participate in contact sports this summer, make sure that that they wear a properly fitted mouthguard.  Athletes can avoid serious mouth and jaw injuries by using a mouthguard.

BE MINDFUL OF SPORTS DRINKS

While sports drinks can be refreshing after a game, they unfortunately contain high levels of sugar and citric acid, which are known to erode or dissolve the teeth and reduce the minerals in the outer tooth enamel.  The simplest way to prevent sports drinks from damaging your teeth is to avoid them completely and drink water instead.  Water is a great option to keep you hydrated before, during, or after the game.

If you have any questions about keeping your mouth healthy while participating in summer sports, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Hydration: The Dental Connection!

With summertime temperatures already nearing or achieving record levels here in Oklahoma, the importance of staying well hydrated is nevermore important than at this present time. Although the importance of staying hydrated is well known, many people find it difficult to drink enough fluids throughout the day to maintain adequate levels of hydration.  Adding in the higher temperatures of summer and a hectic schedule, many people have an increased level of thirst, which is a signal that your body needs water.  Furthermore, ignoring thirst, a signal of the body's dehydration, can also put your teeth at risk. Inadequate levels of hydration leads to a dry mouth, which increases the risk for tooth decay.

Since the body is approximately 60% water on average, water can be the best fuel to quench thirst. Check out these tips that can help to achieve increasing your water intake throughout the day.

>HAVE A GLASS OF WATER WITH EVERY MEAL
>USE A TIMER TO REMIND YOU TO DRINK WATER BEFORE YOU FEEL THIRSTY
>DRINK A GLASS OF WATER FIRST WHEN YOU FEEL HUNGRY
>CARRY A WATER BOTTLE WITH YOU
>DRINK A GLASS OF WATER AS SOON AS YOU WAKE UP
>EAT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WITH HIGH WATER CONTENT

With a conscience effort, it is possible to stay hydrated during the summertime heat and avoid many of the side effects of dehydration like dizziness, confusion and even a dry mouth! If you have any questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Hidden Addiction: The Dental Connection!

Everyone knows that it is best to cut down on the sugar that is consumed, but for many people that is easier said then done, especially since your body can develop a dependency on the substance!  Sugar is hard to avoid, even for people who don't really have a "sweet tooth."  Even if you ignore the abundant amount present where you would expect to find it, like in a pop, sugar can be hiding in many of our foods-even those that are not especially sweet. For instance, many people associate low fat salad dressings with healthy eating, but many of these items contain 10 grams of sugar per serving.

Complicating matters, not all sugars are created equal. Natural sugars that are found in foods like fruit and milk, which are in the form of fructose and lactose, have been shown to have no evidence of any adverse effects on the body from consuming these "good" sugars since they also contain vitamins, minerals and fiber.  However, added sugars are those that are included during processing and preparation of food and drinks.  These provide no nutritional benefits and can contribute to weight gain, obesity and even tooth decay! In fact, studies now show that there is an increase in the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, simply by consuming just one to two sugar-sweetened beverages per day.

So why is "kicking the sugar habit" so difficult? While it is still not fully known if sugar is actually addictive, some research has shown that sugar fires off the same reward center in the brain as cocaine!  Sugar can induce cravings and hunger that are comparable in magnitude to certain additive drugs.  Managing sugar also means managing other aspects of your diet, including portion sizes.  Gradually decreasing sugar consumption and including some protein and fiber while consuming a sugar-containing food can also help satisfy that sugar craving and help to reduce the overall sugar intake as well.

Finally, while cutting down on sugar is not impossible, it does require a conscious effort to manage. If you have any questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Happy Heart: The Dental Connection!

Medical doctors and dental health professionals have debated over the connection between gum disease and heart disease.  While there may not be a unanimous consensus on whether there is a direct link - or the extent to any link there may be - several studies offer some interesting insights into possible correlations that may prove that there are some common factors that point to a likely correlation between the two.

THE LINK

Dr. Simone Ricketts reported on the findings of an Australian study that showed that 70% of the patients that participated in the study who needed heart transplants also had gum disease. A similar study also noted that patients that needed cardiac surgery procedures, were more likely to have dental problems.

Gum disease has been shown to increase the risk factor for blood vessel and artery diseases when those arteries supply blood to the brain.  This is especially important for strokes because they are a common cause of inadequate blood flow to the brain.  Interesting to note is that the gums of people
with gum disease and the blood vessels of people who had atherosclerosis tested positive for similar types of bacteria.  Also, both patients with atherosclerosis and those with gum disease showed the presence of inflammation in their bodies.

While there may be no guarantee that the absence of gum disease will prevent all heart related disease, patients need to understand the importance of taking care of their mouths and doing whatever is necessary to ensure or support heart health!

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

God Bless,
DRT

Memorial Day 2016!

Memorial Day is not only a federal holiday in the United States, but it is a day of observance and remembrance of those who died in service to our country. Originally known as Decoration Day, this solemn day has been marked on calendars since the end of the American Civil War as a day to commemorate both the Confederate and Union soldiers who fought and died in the war.

Today, while there is certainly an air of remembrance on Memorial Day, it has become more of a day to spend time with family, friends and loved ones. And, of course, the day is also heralded as the unofficial start of summer, with many schools finishing for the year around this time!

From community parades, backyard cook-outs, fireworks to formal ceremonies, Memorial Day is truly commemorated in many different ways.  No matter how you choose to spend this day, take a moment to remember all of those who have lost their lives in an effort to preserve our precious freedom!

God Bless,
DRT