Access Dental: August 2017

Thursday, August 31, 2017

How to Get Your Kids Pumped About A Dental Appointment

Many parents know how tough it can be to get kids excited about visiting the dentist. While there is a common misconception about the dentist being painful and many children will pick up on this, that doesn't have to be the case. Dental health is imperative to a happy and healthy smile for your kids. It's best to create a positive light about going to the dentist near Springfield, MO. Try to implement one or all of the tips below next time you get ready to take your kids to their dental appointment.

Open Communication

It's best to have an open and honest conversation about visiting the dentist. Don't spring a surprise dental visit on your child, especially if they have a fear of the dentist. Prepare your child with a positive conversation filled with information centered around what will happen at the visit. It's best for your kids to know what is going to take place before throwing them into a new environment.

Encourage Proper Oral Care Techniques

It's best to make sure your kids practice the right oral care techniques. From brushing twice each day to flossing at least once, be sure your kids stay on top of their oral health routines. This can help promote a positive experience at the dentist AND helps to keep their teeth cared for properly. Don't forget that eating a well-balanced diet can help keep your teeth healthy too!

Set a Good Example

Even if you have your own preconceptions about the dentist, try to set those aside when discussing your child's dental visit. Lead by example by shedding a positive light on going to the dentist. Even if it is not your favorite place to be, try to have a positive conversation about your child's dentist appointment. This can help ease an unnecessary fear or anxiety they may have about going to the dentist.

Find the Right Dental Environment

It's important to find the right dentist for you and your family. Friendly staff and professional dentists help to create the right dental environment. Here at Access Dental And Dentures, we pride ourselves on being a fun and friendly place for children to visit. With an entertaining waiting room and thoughtful staff, we can help your child have a great dental experience!

Now that you know some of the easy ways to change the conversation that surrounds the dentist, you're ready to help create an overall positive experience for your kids. As your trusted dentist in southern Missouri, we want to make you and your child's dental experience a great one! To schedule a dental appointment, contact our office at 877-DENTIST today. We look forward to helping you and your family have a great experience with Access Dental And Dentures.

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

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Springfield Office Rolla Office Osage Beach Office Mountain Grove Office
(417) 501-1048 (573) 426-5447 (573) 348-1466 (417) 926-1160
1701 West Sunshine 416 S. Bishop Ave. 4320 Osage Beach Pkwy 921 N. Main St.

Springfield, MO 65807 Rolla, MO 65401 Osage Beach, MO. 65065 Mountain Grove

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Bad Habits to Break for Healthier Teeth

While we focus on good oral care habits most of the time, it's also important to know the damaging effects bad habits can have on your teeth. If you are looking for ways to improve the overall health of your teeth, this is a great blog for you to read! You may know some of these habits can cause damage to your teeth, but others may be news to you. As your trusted dentist near Springfield, MO, we've dedicated this week's blog to focus on bad habits you should work on breaking right away.

Nail Biting

Biting nails is an easy way to invite bacteria into your mouth. Aside from unnecessary amounts of bacteria, biting your nails can also damage your tooth. Chipping teeth and negative impacts on your jaw muscles and bones are caused by this bad habit. To avoid further tooth damage, work to find a way to relieve the urge to bite your nails.

Chewing Ice

Any hard substance chewed between your teeth can cause damage, ice included. It can put pressure and end up chipping the tooth surface or fillings you may have. To avoid this habit, consider drinking chilled drinks without ice or use a straw when drinking a glass filled with ice.

Consuming Sugary Drinks

Soda and other sugar-filled drinks can cause unnecessary damage to your tooth's surface. Bacteria thrives when sugar is found in the mouth. This can lead to the decay of your tooth's protective layer, enamel. Cavities come along after the enamel covering has been damaged and this can cause tooth decay and other oral issues. Swap out your sugar-filled drinks for a refreshing glass of water.

Grinding Teeth

Many people will grind their teeth as a nervous habit or while they sleep. If you do this. it's can cause surface damage to your teeth. Chipping or cracking of your tooth surface is another side effect of teeth grinding. Try to relax in other ways to avoid tooth grinding.

Use Teeth as a Tool

Teeth are made for eating, not a tool. Avoid opening items with your teeth. Whether you're ripping open a package or bending something, your teeth are not to be used. A tooth breaking or chipping is often a side effect of using your teeth for an unintended purpose. To avoid this bad habit, make it a point to not use your teeth as a tool and take the time to find the proper item to accomplish your task.

Now that you know more about these habits that are bad for your teeth, you can work to improve your oral health. While we've talked about bad habits above, it's important to replace these kinds of habits with ones that are good for your mouth. Strive to brush your teeth twice every day and floss once a day. It can also be helpful to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Eating a well-balanced diet is another way to improve your oral health. Lastly, a regular dental check up is important to regulate your mouth. Give Access Dental and Dentures a call today to schedule your next appointment!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

Springfield, MO 65807 Rolla, MO 65401 Osage Beach, MO. 65065 Mountain Grove

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Tips to Care for Baby Teeth

If you have a baby on the way or a little one already here, you may be wondering about oral care for your infant. While there are likely no teeth present in your child's mouth, it's not too early to start an oral care routine. The best dentist near Springfield, MO is here to help guide you through proper oral care for your little one. Take a look below for some tips to care for your baby's teeth.

Get Started Early

Even before your child's teeth come in, it's important to clean his or her mouth. Wipe off the gums with a warm washcloth or gauze after each feeding. There are also small soft rubbery devices that fit over the parent's finger to help cleanse your baby's gums. It's never too early to get started cleaning your child's gums and teeth!

Ideas to Soothe When Teething

A child who has teeth emerging through the gum surface may be fussier than normal, due to the pain. Having a teething toy or teething ring handy can help alleviate this pain for your child. There are also numbing ointments available for teething children. It's best to help your child reach a comfortable level when his or her teeth are popping through the surface.

Start Caring For Teeth as they Emerge

After your child's teeth come in, start taking care of them with an oral care routine right away. Many times parents think baby teeth aren't important because they will just fall out... but it's a great way to start promoting proper oral care at a young age and help to prevent gingivitis. These teeth actually are important because improve spacing for the permanent teeth to come through.

Ways to Avoid Cavities

Cavities can form on baby teeth early on, especially if they are not properly cared for. Discoloration and minor pitting are warning signs that your child may have a cavity. Overly sugar filled foods like fruit and juice can lead to cavities in your young child. It's also important to avoid leaving an infant with a bottle for long periods of time.

Add Toothpaste into the Routine

After the baby teeth have started growing in, it's time to brush with toothpaste twice a day. A small amount of fluoride toothpaste can be placed on a brush and scrubbed across your child's tooth surface. Remember to hit each side of every tooth, when brushing. This can help keep all of your child's teeth clean.

Visit Access Dental & Dentures

Your child should visit a dentist within the first year of life. The American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend a baby get his or her first dental exam within six months of the first tooth emerging. This is a great opportunity for your child to get used to the dentist and helps promote proper oral care, even at a young age.

Now that you've seen these tips, you're ready to put them to work. From starting early to noticing changes in your child's mouth - it's important to be on top of oral care for your infant. Your trusted dentist in southern Missouri is here for all of your dental needs, no matter what your age. We look forward to helping your entire family reach optimum dental care!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

Springfield, MO 65807 Rolla, MO 65401 Osage Beach, MO. 65065 Mountain Grove

Friday, August 11, 2017

Tips for Back to School Oral Care Routines

It's that time of year again....the school year is gearing up for many students across southern Missouri. With new morning routines for your family, it's important to make time for oral care. Especially at the beginning of the year, it can be easier to incorporate proper oral care as you start to create a new routine for your family. The best dentist in Springfield, MO is here to help with pointers for successfully getting a new routine started.

Wake Up With Plenty of Time

In order to fit your new morning routine in, be sure to wake up on time. Hitting snooze can start your day off on the wrong foot and lead you to rush through your routine. Allowing your family extra time to relax and take their time when brushing and flossing is a great idea.

Brush, Brush, Brush

While it can be easy to loose track during a rushed morning, ensure all of your kids brush their teeth. Some evenings can be just as hectic as a morning and it's also important to make sure they stick to your brushing routine. A fun way to get kids excited about brushing is to buy a new toothbrush for the start of school. It's a great way to gear up for a great school year!

Add a Fun Timer

Although brushing is an important step in the oral care process for your family, don't forget the length of time spent brushing is just as vital. If your children need a little extra encouragement, a fun timer can help lengthen the amount of time spent brushing. Remind your kids to brush their teeth until the timer runs out to ensure they get every tooth scrubbed.

Floss Each Day

Just like brushing, flossing is a huge piece of the oral care puzzle. When you and your kids don't floss, 40% of the tooth surface goes untouched. Remove any food particles and bacteria from in between your teeth by flossing.

Start The Day Right

In addition to a good oral care routine, it's also important to get a good breakfast. Especially before school, a well-balanced and filling meal can make a big difference in your child's morning. Get this school year started off right by having a good breakfast to start each day!

Now that you've seen the tips for incorporating a new oral care routine, you're ready to start implementing. In order to make your families' morning routine easier, it's a good idea to practice BEFORE the first day of school. This can help start getting the kids used to the way things will go, as well as give you a good idea of how long it will take to get everyone ready and out the door. If you haven't scheduled your child's dental check up yet this summer, spots are filling up quickly. Be sure to contact Access Dental & Dentures today to get in!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

Springfield, MO 65807 Rolla, MO 65401 Osage Beach, MO. 65065 Mountain Grove

Thursday, August 3, 2017

Surprising Foods That Are Good For Your Teeth

The health of your teeth can be affected by a number of factors. From proper oral care to thinking about what you eat, there are many ways to care for your teeth. The food you eat is has a big impact on the health of your mouth. The best dentist in southern Missouri has provided some helpful insight as to what foods are actually good for your teeth. Take a look at this week's blog below to learn more!

Leafy Greens

Vitamins and minerals are packed into leafy greens, as well as calcium. These benefits of the greens can help to create a healthy environment in your mouth. Spinach can easily be added into a fruit smoothie, if you struggle to get enough leafy greens into your diet.

Cheese

Eating cheese actually raises the pH levels in the mouth which helps to reduce the chance of tooth decay. Not only does cheese benefit the pH levels, it adds calcium into your diet too. This can help to gain strong teeth and bones.

Apples

High in fiber and water, apples are another great item to add to your diet. The texture of the fruit can help to stimulate gums as you bite and chew it up. It can also help to wash away food particles from your mouth.

Celery

While many people attribute celery to be bland and stringy, it can actually help to scrape the surface of your teeth. Filled with water, celery is great for your overall health, which has a huge impact on your oral health.

Carrots

To increase saliva production in the mouth, carrots can help to rinse the mouth of food particles and other bacteria that builds up. Gum stimulation is good for your teeth as well. This crunchy food can help to scrape excess food particles from your teeth too.

Yogurt

Since yogurt is high in calcium, it makes for healthy teeth. Along with the calcium, yogurt is filled with probiotics, which are good bacteria. These good bacteria can help to crowd out the bad bacteria found in your mouth.

Now that you've learned more about the foods that are good for your teeth, it's time to start making better selections. If you are looking for ways to increase the health of your entire mouth, consider adding some of these beneficial foods into your diet. Here at Access Dental and Dentures, we want to help you have the best opportunity for healthy teeth. While adding these foods into your diet can help, we also encourage you to focus on your oral care routine. From brushing twice each day to flossing every day, it's important to keep up with your routine as well!

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

Springfield, MO 65807 Rolla, MO 65401 Osage Beach, MO. 65065 Mountain Grove