Royalty: The Dental Connection!

According the the British tabloid The Daily Mail, Prince William had to pay a late-night visit to a discreet dentist and have a chipped front tooth repaired after part of it was fractured while attending a friend's wedding.  While these types of dental problems are quite common, thankfully, many do not result in significant pain or discomfort.  And the first thing to always remember is to stay calm!

If the broken part is relatively small, chances are that the tooth can be repaired by using a tooth colored composite resin called bonding.  In this procedure, the bonded material is used to replace the damaged, chipped or discolored region.  Composite resin is a very strong mixture of plastic and glass components that not only looks quite natural, but bonds tightly to the natural tooth structure. This procedure can be completed in one visit and while no dental repair will last forever, a bonded tooth can hold up well for years with only routine dental care.

The other common method of repair to restore a larger, painless fracture, is with a crown, commonly known as a "cap."  After a preparation, a 3-D model of the damaged tooth and its neighbors is made.  From this model, the dental lab will fabricate a replica of the tooth and return the crown back to the office for adherence.  Crowns are not only much stronger than bonded material, they are life-like and can last for many years.

Whether the future king was "crowned" or simply received some bonding for his required dental repair, one may never know, but it's great to know that you don't have to be royalty to receive quality dental care!

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

God Bless,
DRT

Cancer Screenings: The Dental Connection!

In our continuing efforts to provide the highest quality of dental health care available to our patients, we regularly screen our patients for oral cancer.  The fact is, every hour of every day in North America, someone dies of oral cancer, which is the sixth most commonly diagnosed form of the disease.  Although the five-year survival rate is only 50 percent, and oral cancer is one of the few cancers whose survival rate has not improved, early detection is the key!

Oral cancer can occur on the lips, gums, tongue, inside lining of the cheeks, roof of the mouth, and the floor of the mouth.  Symptoms of oral cancer may include a sore in the throat or mouth that bleeds easily and does not heal, a red or white patch that persists, a lump or thickening, ear pain, a neck mass, or coughing up blood.  Difficulties in swallowing, chewing, or moving the tongue or jaws are often late symptoms.

While there is no way to predict exactly which individuals will get oral cancer, there are potential causes like age, tobacco uses, excessive alcohol, persistent viral infections like HPV16 and a diet that is lacking or low in fruits and vegetables.

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

God Bless,

DRT

Cavities: The Adult Dental Connection!

Sure, you brush your teeth and floss regularly, so you might think you're off the hook when it comes to the dental chair. However, it's just as important for adults to get regular dental exams as it it for kids. Cavities are common among adults, with 92% of people aged 18 to 64 having had cavities in their permanent teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

Our mouths are teaming with hundreds of types of bacteria. Some are helpful and maintain good health, while others are harmful.  Certain types of bacteria process the sugars in food and release acid in return.  Although minor decay can be naturally reversed by the body, if the decay progresses beyond the body's ability to reverse it, the acid will continue to wear away the enamel and create small holes in the surface of the teeth.

While some people are naturally more prone to cavities than others, making a few lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce your likelihood of developing cavities, including the following.

• Food Choices
• Eating fresh fruits and vegetables increases saliva production, which reduces the cavity risk.
• Beverages
• Replace all sugary drinks with unsweetened tea or fresh, unflavored water, which rinses your mouth and helps to prevent decay.
• Fluoridated Water
• Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical that facilitates enamel growth and strength.
• Home Care
• Brushing and flossing removes harmful bacteria that cause cavities to develop.

One of the most important steps in cavity prevention is visiting the dentist at least twice a year. Consistent dental exams ensure that cavities are caught early, before they cause major damage to your teeth.

For more information about avoiding cavities, or to schedule a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Kid's Motivation: The Dental Connection!

Before long, February will be history and National Children's Dental Health Month will be over for yet another year.  As the national dental focus shifts away from children, many parents find it difficult to keep their children interested in their dental health for the rest of the year!  Looking for ways to motivate your child to brush his or her teeth?  Using fun facts about different kinds of teeth can spark your children's interest in their own oral health.  Check out these facts from the American Dental Association!

• Humans have two sets of teeth.
• Humans have 32 teeth.
• A Hippo actually has 40 teeth, even though you usually only see four.
• Dogs rarely get cavities because their saliva has a very high pH.
• An elephant's molars can weigh up to 10 lbs!
• The teeth of a pocket gopher grow up to 15 inches a year!
• Although a blue whale is the largest mammal, it has no teeth!
• Armadillos have 104 teeth!
• Snails can have 25,000 teeth, which are located on their tongue!
• Dolphins have only one set of teeth for their lifetime.

Comparing your kid's teeth to their own favorite animals can help keep them focused on maintaining their own!  If you have any questions concerning your children's dental health, or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

February: National Children's Dental Health Month!

February marks another National Children's Dental Health Month, which has been sponsored by the American Dental Association for the past 67 years in order to raise awareness about the importance of children's oral health. During the month of February, the ADA encourages all parents and caregivers to help children develop good dental habits at an early age.  Regular dental visits can help children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.


If you have questions about your children's dental health or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,
DRT

College Years: The Dental Connection!

Many recent high school graduates find themselves in their first year in college, and for many, it will be their first time living away from home. But with the excitement of new freedom, there is also the opportunity to make poor choices that could impact long-term health, especially their teeth and gums.

Check out the following tips for keeping your teeth and gums healthy during those important college years.

• WATCH WHAT YOU EAT AND DRINK
• DON'T ABUSE ALCOHOL OR USE TOBACCO
• AVOID ORAL PIERCINGS
• KEEP UP YOUR ORAL HYGIENE CARE

If you would like more information on oral health or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Bad Breath: The Dental Connection!

Nobody likes bad breath, and although it can sometimes be difficult to tell if you have it, it is always better to practice good oral health than risk a smelly mouth.  There are many ways to reduce or eliminate bad breath, some are definitely more effective and longer lasting than others.  Check out ways to do so below.

• FLOSS REGULARLY
• In spite of recent Federal news related to the ineffectiveness of flossing and as difficult as it can be to remember to floss regularly, when it comes to bad breath, flossing is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to freshen up your mouth.
• MOUTHWASH
• Using some sort of mouthwash can really freshen up your breath, especially if you find that it still smells after brushing and flossing.
• SLEEP
• Whether after taking a nap, or having a full night's rest, brushing your teeth upon waking will reduce bad breath by decreasing the bacteria that accumulates in your mouth during sleep.

There are many ways to freshen your breath beyond just using gum and mints, the above mentioned ways are just a few that you can try.  Test them out and you will likely find that your bad breath problem is solved, or at least considerably reduced.  

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

God Bless,

DRT