Christmas Cheer: The Dental Connection!

Spreading Holiday cheer begins with Fresh Breath! Not only during the Holidays, but every day of the year, keeping your teeth clean and your breath minty fresh, can be a struggle for many people.  Although good oral hygiene is the first step, there are many other factors that can contribute to bad breath such as tobacco, a dry mouth, medications, sinus issues, foods and gum disease.

So if Buddy the Elf's famous quote about the fake Santa, "your breath smells like beef and cheese." is hindering you from spreading Christmas cheer, then remember that visiting our office for regular cleanings and exams can keep your holidays fresh and bright!

If you are in need of an appointment to freshen up your breath this holiday season, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Holiday Smiles: The Dental Connection!

When it comes to keeping your smile looking its best during this hectic Holiday Season, good oral health is a must! Although many patients feel that good oral health habits are the most important during the childhood "cavity prone years," these good habits should start early and continue throughout your lifetime.  Even though the Holidays can be a very busy time and many people put their dental health on the "back burner," check out the following habits that are worth maintaining this Holiday Season to keep your teeth healthy.

• Brush and Floss Regularly
• Two minutes twice daily & flossing reduce your bacterial count
• Regularly Visit Our Office
• Bi-annual exams and cleanings can reduce your risk for decay and gum disease
• Stop Smoking
• Tobacco users are four-times greater to develop gum disease
• Limit Your Alcohol Intake
• Alcohol can increase the risk for mouth and throat cancer
• Eat Healthy
• Fruits and vegetables stimulate saliva, which allow tooth re-mineralization

To learn more about the habits that can help keep your smile healthy during this Holiday Season, or if you are are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Diabetes: The Dental Connection!

November is National Diabetes Month! Today's BLOG takes a closer look at Diabetes and the Dental Connection!  For nearly 30 million Americans who have diabetes, many may be surprised to learn about an unexpected complication associated with this condition.  Research shows that there is an increased prevalence of gum disease among those patients with diabetes. Serious gum disease (periodontitis) has now been added to the list of other complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease, stroke and kidney disease.

Recent research also suggests that there is a two-way street between gum disease and diabetes. Not only are people with diabetes more susceptible to periodontitis, but this painless, yet serious type of gum disease, may also have the potential to affect blood glucose control and contribute to the progression of diabetes.  Further research now suggests that people with diabetes are at a higher risk not only for periodontitis but also for oral health problems, such as gingivitis, fungal infections called thrush, mouth ulcers and cavities.  Patients with diabetes are at an increased risk for gum disease and these other dental problems because they are generally more susceptible to bacterial infections, and they have a decreased ability to fight the oral bacteria that invade the gums and tooth structures!

Controlling blood glucose is the first and foremost important aspect of preventing the dental problems that are associated with diabetes.  Good blood glucose control can also help prevent or relieve diabetic dry mouth, which elevates the risk for tooth decay.  Taking good care of your teeth and gums, along with regular dental checkups every six months are other important steps in preventing the common dental problems associated with the disease.

As November focuses on Diabetes, don't allow this disease to negatively impact your oral health. If you are in need of a dental appointment, or have any questions concerning the dental connection and diabetes, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Surprising Methods of Prevention: The Dental Connection!

There are numerous ways to prevent cavities. Some, like brushing your teeth regularly and visiting our office, are more obvious than others.  Beyond the standard methods of preventing cavities, check out the following number of different ways to keep your mouth healthy, some of which you might also find surprising.

> Reduce the consumption of carbs and sugar
> Rinse your mouth with food-grade hydrogen peroxide
> Use a straw
> Chew gum
> Eat cheese

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

God Bless,
DRT

Halloween Safety Tips!

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Though the night is full of fun and festivity, children can be particularly vulnerable to lurking dangers on Halloween. The Tulsa Police Department would like to offer several tips to ensure that everyone has a safe celebration. 

• Children should trick-or-treat with an adult
• Trick-or-treat in areas that are well lit
• Cross streets at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks where available
• Look left, right and left again when crossing
• Walk on sidewalks or paths; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible
• Wear light-colored costumes decorated with reflective tape or stickers
• Carry a flashlight or glow stick to increase visibility to drivers
• Only eat treats and candy that are properly wrapped in their original packaging after being checked by an adult
• It's also a good idea to carry a cell phone while trick-or-treating in case of an emergency
• When possible trick-or-treat in groups

It is also important that drivers do their part to keep trick-or-treaters safe. 

• Be alert in residential neighborhoods
• Drive more slowly and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic
• Remember that costumes can limit children's visibility and they may not be able to see a moving vehicle
• Enter and exit driveways slowly and carefully

If you participate in the holiday, stay safe!

God Bless,

DRT

October: National Dental Hygiene Month!

October is the time to celebrate National Dental Health Month!  Once again, the American Dental Association and the Wrigley Company have partnered to help raise public awareness about good oral health.  The National Campaign focuses on Brush, Floss, Rinse, Chew!

• BRUSH: 
• Always brush two minutes, twice daily
• FLOSS
• Make flossing a daily habit
• RINSE
• Use Mouthwash to freshen breath
• CHEW
• After eating, chew sugar-free gum to fight tooth decay

More evidence continues to surface related to the important connection between good oral hygiene and the elevated risk for heart disease and stroke. Simply remembering to regularly brush, effectively floss and maintain regular dental cleanings, can significantly reduce the oral bacteria that has been associated with your heart health!

If you have any questions or are in need of an appointment for a cleaning with one of our great hygienists, Karla, Deidra, or Janae, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Your Health: The Dental Connection!

If you are like many people, you might think of your dental health as separate from your overall health. After all, most dental coverage plans are separate from your medical health coverage.  However, your oral health goes far beyond being able to chew nutritious and enjoyable foods.  Oral health problems may be an indicator of a variety of other health problems.

Links between Oral Health and Your Overall Health

In the late 1980s, researchers noticed a trend among patients who had recently suffered from heart attacks.  As the Journal of the American Dental Association reported, they observed that these patients were more likely to have dental cavities, inflammation around their teeth, and other forms of gum disease.  Later studies found similar results. Dentists and medical doctors now recognize poor oral health as a risk factor for a variety of heart conditions, such as heart attacks, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Disease Prevention

Keeping your teeth healthy remains important, especially as you grow older.  Older adults are more prone to dental caries and other oral health problems, as well as to chronic diseases.  While taking care of your oral health might not prevent a specific disease, a healthy mouth is significant factor in your overall health.

If you have any questions about the dental connection to your overall health or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

SaveSave