Access Dental: September 2017

Friday, September 29, 2017

Get Your Oral Care Back On Track This Fall

Have you been slacking in the oral care department? Not remembering to floss every day? Skipping a brushing? Letting your diet slip? Now's the time to get back on track! With the change of the season, you can set new goals for your oral care routine. With fall upon us, you may have a little more time to hone in on taking care of your teeth. The best dentist in Springfield, MO is here to point out some oral care tips you can strive for, with your new and improved routine! Take a look below.

Brush Twice Each Day

It's important to set the base for your oral care routine by brushing twice each day. To help you stay on track, try to brush first thing in the morning when you wake up and right before bed at night. It's a great way to start and end each day. Remember to brush for at least two minutes each time you brush.

Floss Between Teeth

At least once every day be sure to floss between your teeth. Thread a piece of floss back and forth in between each tooth. This can help you clean out food particles and bacteria that tends to hide in these hard to reach spaces. If you skip flossing during your oral care practice, you are missing 40% of your tooth's surface!

Increase Water Intake

Staying hydrated is good for your entire body - mouth included. Water helps to wash down extra food particles that get left in the mouth after eating. It can also help ride your mouth of extra bacteria that may build up on your tooth, gum, and tongue surface. It's best for you and your oral care to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.

Watch What You Consume

Your diet has a direct impact on your oral health. Try to consume foods that are healthy and avoid sugary filled food items. While a treat every now and then is fine, it's all about balance. Sugar can mix with the bacteria found in your mouth and lead to faster tooth decay. If you do consume sugary foods, try to drink plenty of water to help wash it out of your mouth.

Visit the Dentist

It's important to visit a dental professional at least once every six months. This routine check up can help to monitor your oral health and ensure no major changes are taking place. If you don't have your next appointment scheduled, contact our dental office today!

Now that you known what oral care items you should be doing on a daily basis, you're ready to improve your routine. If you have any questions about your oral care routine or concerns about the health of your mouth, contact our southern Missouri dentist office today. Give Access Dental And Dentures a call at 877-DENTIST to reach any of our four locations. We look forward to helping you and your family achieve a happy, healthy smile this fall!

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

Friday, September 22, 2017

Top Perks of Chewing Gum

Did you know that chewing gum can actually be GOOD for your teeth? A common misconception is that gum is bad, but there are quite a few benefits of this activity. As your trusted dentist near Springfield, MO, we want to share some of these perks with you. Take a look below for a few of the reasons why chewing gum is actually good for your mouth, provided by Access Dental & Dentures.

Increase Saliva

Chewing gum can help increase the flow of saliva in your mouth. This has a number of benefits including washing away acid that can potentially harm your teeth. It is recommended to chew gum for 20 minutes after eating a meal, this will help your saliva build up to rinse off the teeth and cleanse your entire mouth.

Help Harden Enamel

Xylitol if often times found in chewing gum and offers the benefit of reducing the amount of cavity-causing bacteria found in your mouth. Some types of gum help to harden the protective exterior of your teeth, the enamel.

Clean Teeth

While gum does not replace brushing and flossing your teeth, it does offer the benefit of cleaning teeth. Especially after eating a meal, any food particles that remain in the mouth or on teeth can be removed by chewing gum. If these particles are left on your teeth for an extended period of time, they can eventually start to decay the enamel that protects your teeth.

Curb Cravings

While eating healthy is important for your overall health, it can have an impact on your oral heath as well. To help kick those junk food cravings, chew a piece of gum instead. Chewing gum instead of eating unhealthy food can help your oral health in a number of ways. Sugar free gum is the best option for your teeth, since it has as less sticky quality.

While it is not commonly known, chewing gum is actually good for your teeth! Your trusted dentist in southern Missouri wants to help you keep your oral care in check. Chewing gum can do just that! If you are concerned about which type of gum is best for your teeth, ask Access Dental & Dentures at your upcoming appointment with us. Next time you are at the register and looking at all those candy and sweet treats, grab a pack of chewing gum instead – your mouth will thank you!

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, September 15, 2017

The Importance of the pH Level in Your Mouth

The pH level of your mouth can affect your dental health in a major way. You may be familiar that pH levels can have an impact on your entire body like cognition, pain reduction, high blood pressure, and heart disease, to name a few. The right pH level in your mouth can help regulate bacteria levels and improves the health of our teeth and gums. The foods we eat have a major impact on the level of pH found in the mouth. Access Dental & Dentures have provided further information about the importance of a pH balance in the mouth below.

The Importance of pH Balance:

A good level of pH can help to balance out bacteria found in the mouth. A major issue with an off-balance pH is tooth decay. This can occur when the level in the mouth is 5.5 or under. Acidic foods and drinks can decrease the level of pH found in our mouths. Cavity causing bacteria can thrive in long periods or dramatic periods of low pH levels. Excess sugar sends the level of pH to a dangerous low, as well. It's important to think about what you put into your mouth and try to maintain a healthy level of pH. There are many people who don't take care of their teeth as they should, but their pH level is good, therefore they are at less risk of getting cavities or having tooth decay.

Tips to Boost Alkalinity:

Consume more Vegetables
Reduce the Amount of Breads Consumed
Add Beans & Seeds into your Diet
Artificial Sweeteners are a No-No
Limit Alcohol Intake
Keep Condiment Use in Check

Schedule a Check Up Today

While you can help to regulate your pH levels, it's always important to take care of your teeth. Remember to brush two times each and every day. It's a good habit to complete this task first thing in the morning and right before bed. Don't skip the flossing - you miss about 40% of your tooth's surface if you don't floss. Bacteria and food particles can hide away in these hard to reach sports and cause decay. Lastly, visit your trusted dentists near Springfield, MO on a regular basis. It's recommended to schedule a dental appointment every six months to maintain good oral health. In combination with proper oral care, you can work to balance the pH level in your mouth for a happy, healthy smile!

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, September 8, 2017

Fun Facts About Baby Teeth

Whether you are expecting your first child or are interested in learning more about baby teeth, Access Dental And Dentures is your resource for all things dental! From tooth care to interesting facts, we can help you increase your knowledge of baby teeth. The best dentist in Springfield, MO is here for all of your oral care needs - babies included! Take a look below for some fun facts about those little teeth!

FUN FACT #1:

1 out of 3,000 babies are born with one or more tooth already through the gum surface.

FUN FACT #2:

Every child has 4 types of teeth - incisors for biting, canines for tearing, premolars for chewing and grinding, and molars for chewing and grinding, as well.

FUN FACT #3:

Most children have all 20 of their baby teeth by the age of two or two and one half.

FUN FACT #4:

The average age for an adult or permanent tooth to grow through is around the age of six.

FUN FACT #5:

While it may appear your child is born with no teeth, all 20 baby teeth are found under the gum surface.

FUN FACT #6:

Baby teeth should be brushed as soon as they appear.

FUN FACT #7:

Tooth decay is linked to extended bottle feedings.

FUN FACT #8:

2 out of every 10 kids grind their teeth and most outgrow this habit by the time they reach adolescence.

FUN FACT #9:

Contrary to popular believe, baby teeth are very important for chewing and speaking in young children.

FUN FACT #10:

Around 15% of kids suck their thumbs past the age of five. This can cause damage to their permanent adult teeth.

Now that you've learned some interesting facts about baby teeth, you're ready to start improving the oral care of your little ones. Remember to wipe your baby's gums with a soft cloth to keep them clean. After the first tooth erupts, be sure to use a soft bristled toothbrush to start keeping it clean. As your child grows older, a small amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used to clean and treat your child's teeth. It's also important to visit the dentist within six months of your child's first tooth coming through the surface. Our southern Missouri dentist is here for your entire families' dental needs!

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