Access Dental: November 2017

Thursday, November 30, 2017

FAQ About Our Denture Services

Dentures are a large part of our dental office, which leads to a lot of questions from our patients. Here at Access Dental & Dentures, we pride ourselves on offering custom dentures to help you achieve a natural smile. From a good fit to a confident smile, we want to ensure you are proud and comfortable with your dentures. Whether you are in need of dentures or know someone who is, you may be able to learn a little more about our denture services by checking out a list of frequently asked questions below.

What is a partial denture?

Partial dentures are removable dental appliances for patients who need to replace just a few missing teeth. (Full dentures replace all of your teeth, either upper, lower or both.) Arches are made consisting of replacement teeth and are attached with clasps to the remaining natural teeth for support and retention. Partial dentures can be used on the upper or lower arches.

Will people know I wear dentures?

Our dentures are custom-crafted by hand to ensure a natural, life-like appearance. The acrylic has fibers throughout so it looks like real gum tissue. Plus, we provide our patients the choice of teeth in different shapes and sizes with shading and blending that mimics natural tooth enamel. We also work hard to provide you with the best possible fit to avoid slipping, clicking and slurred speech. The only thing people will notice is your beautiful, natural looking smile.

How quickly will I adjust to dentures?

Your tongue, lips and cheeks will quickly and naturally adapt to the new shape of your mouth. Most people adjust to their new dentures in about a week.

How will dentures affect my speech?

The ability to speak clearly depends on subtle interactions involving your tongue, teeth, lips, cheeks and the roof of your mouth. A denture that's properly fitted allows all five components to work together naturally. With a new denture, you may initially notice some minor differences in speech. Most patients find they adapt and speech becomes natural very quickly. Ill-fitting dentures may slip which can cause clicking and whistling sounds and/or slightly slurred speech. Your dentist may be able to adjust the fit by relining or repairing the denture.

How will dentures affect my eating?

Properly fitted dentures enhance your chewing ability, helping your body properly digest food and obtain the nutrition it needs. You can enjoy the foods you love.

How will dentures affect my appearance?

A new, properly fitted denture will help you look better by providing the support your lips need, and by giving your face and smile a more natural appearance. Having good-looking teeth also gives you the confidence and freedom to smile and live life to the fullest. A tell-tale sign that it's time to replace your dentures- when you notice sagging facial muscles, excessive wrinkling and protruding lower jaw.

Should I remove my dentures at night?

Your dentist will provide instructions about how long dentures should be kept in place. If you are an immediate denture patient, you may be advised to wear them most of the time, including while you sleep to help promote healing. After the initial adjustment period, you may be instructed to remove the dentures before going to bed. This allows gum tissues to rest and promotes oral health. According to the American Dental Association, as a general rule, it is not a good idea for tissues to be constantly covered by denture material.

Do I need to visit a dentist regularly if I don't have any teeth?

We recommend annual visits to check the fit of your dentures and overall health of your mouth. Ill-fitting dentures can cause a variety of problems such as irritation and rubbing, speech and digestion problems. We also need to check for signs of oral cancer and other diseases, and examine your gum ridges, tongue and jaw joints.

Do I need any special care for my mouth if I wear full dentures?

Even with full dentures, you still need to take good care of your mouth. Every morning, brush your gums, tongue and palate with a standard soft-bristled toothbrush before you put in your dentures. This removes plaque and stimulates circulation in the mouth.

Is it natural to have sore spots on my gums?

No. Sore spots are an indication that your denture does not fit properly and is rubbing on your tissue. Your dentist needs to assess what is causing the irritation.

How long will dentures last?

With normal wear and care most dentures should last 5 to 7 years. The American Dental Association recommends replacement after that time due to the wearing down of the acrylic and tooth materials. Plus, the bone and tissue in your mouth change as you age, so your denture won't fit your mouth as well as it should. When a denture is not fitting properly, health problems often result.

If you are interested in a set of dentures or a partial service, contact our Springfield, MO dentist today. We offer professional and custom made dentures in southern Missouri. Give us a call at 877-DENTIST to schedule your denture consultation today! We look forward to helping you achieve a natural and healthy smile!

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

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Foods to Limit at Your Holiday Gathering

The holidays are just around the corner, and along with it comes a variety of foods that should be limited if you want to keep your teeth clean, strong and healthy. While we want you to enjoy your holiday feast, we also want to warn you about some of the foods that can really affect your teeth. Keep reading to learn which foods your Southern Missouri dentist recommends avoiding, or at least limiting. In moderation, these foods will be fine, just don’t overindulge in them just because it’s the holiday season.

1. Sugary Foods.

The number one thing to watch out for during the holiday season is too much sugar. From the pies and the cakes to the fudge and candies, sugar is everywhere during the holidays. Candy canes are one of the worst things you can eat, as they are pure sugar and take a while to finish; during that time, the sugar is sitting there coating your teeth. Sugary drinks are something else to watch out for. While you don’t want to deprive yourself completely, it’s important to keep in mind how sugar can damage the enamel on your teeth. The sugar reacts with bacteria on the teeth, damaging the enamel by forming plaque. When you do eat sugary foods, be sure to brush your teeth as soon as possible afterward. The longer sugar stays on your teeth, the more time bacteria has to cause tooth decay.

2. Potatoes and Starchy Foods.

Potatoes, breads, crackers and other starchy foods easily get stuck between your teeth. These foods, crackers particularly, break down in your mouth, creating a mush that easily sticks to your teeth. Like sugar, starch also sticks to your teeth. Be sure to rinse your mouth well with water when eating these types of foods, as well as brush your teeth afterward. While it’s not bad to eat these sides occasionally, you should avoid eating too many helpings.

3. Acidic Drinks and Foods.

Punch is a very popular drink at holiday parties. Not only is it loaded with sugar, but it includes lemon juice and other acidic juices. Of all the acidic juices, lemon juice is the worst when it comes to caring for your teeth. Be sure to check the punch ingredients before downing cup after cup all night long. While it’s quite impossible to avoid acidic foods and drinks altogether, try to limit them. Citric acids can cause gum erosion. Consume grapefruit, lemon and other acidic drinks in moderation during the holiday season.

While you want to enjoy some holiday treats, just be sure not to over indulge. When you do eat sugary, acidic or salty treats, brush and floss afterward to prevent the sugars from sticking around. In addition, be sure to visit your dentist in Springfield, MO after the holiday season for your routine cleaning. Call Access Dental and Dentures at 877-DENTIST to schedule an appointment today!

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

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Tips to Protect Your Teeth During Holiday Travels

As the hustle and bustle of the holiday seasons approaches, it's important to focus on your oral care routine and let it slip. We know it can be hard to stick with your regimen, especially if you are traveling this holiday season, but your teeth still need the attention they deserve. As your Springfield, MO dentist, we want to help five you some ideas of ways to protect your teeth, even when the holidays have you traveling out of town. Take a look below to learn some easy ways to stick with your oral care routine while traveling.

Invest in a Travel Oral Care Kit

To help remember all the oral care items you need, consider buying a travel size version of all your needed items. This can help ensure you have everything all in one place when you pack your bags. Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash should all be included in your travel bag. These items can help you stay on top of your oral care routine and ensure your teeth and mouth are properly cleaned each morning and night.

Stick to a Routine

While traveling can throw off every routine you may have, it's important to stick with your oral care regimen. Remember to take a little time to focus on your oral care first thing in the morning and right before you head to bed at night. This can help to keep your teeth and entire mouth clean, as you travel.

Stay Hydrated

Whether your driving or flying to your destination, it can be easy to forget to drink enough water. Water helps to keep your entire body hydrated - mouth included. Drinking plenty of water can help keep your mouth rinsed out and healthy. It can also help to keep food particles and bacteria from building up in your mouth.

Chew Gum

Gum gets a bad reputation, but sugar-free gum can actually be good for your entire mouth. Aside from adding a fresh burst to your breath, gum can help to stimulate saliva production which helps to keep your mouth flushed out. Also chewing gum after a meal can help to remove any food particles that may build up in your mouth.

Now that you've seen some of the easy ways to take care of your teeth on the go, it's time to pack your bags! Don't forget to double check that you have all of your oral care supplies needed to property take care of your teeth over the holiday seasons. Before you head out of town, be sure your teeth are healthy by visiting Access Dental & Dentures for a teeth cleaning. It's important to get your teeth looked at on a regular basis to ensure no changes have occurred and that your mouth is still happy and healthy!

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

Monday, November 6, 2017

Common Foods that Can Damage Your Teeth

You are what you eat. While your doctor may tell you this, you normally wouldn’t expect to hear it from your dentist. While we may prefer not to believe it, it’s most certainly true. Especially when it comes down to the food particles that are left on your teeth once you are finished eating. At Access Dental and Dentures, your dental expert in Central Missouri, we believe our patients deserve to have the most information and newest technology available to make the right choices with their dental health. Here are some common foods that cause damage to your teeth and could increase visits to your dentist:

1. Acidic Foods

While avoiding acidic foods may seem like common sense, there are many foods that we eat daily that are high in acid. Here are a few foods that you should avoid eating or highly limit:

- Citrus foods – including but not limited to: lemons, limes, oranges, and cranberries.

- Pickles

- Tomatoes and tomato products (ketchup, tomato pasta sauces, salsa, etc.)

- Coffee
Eating high acidic foods daily erodes the tooth enamel which causes your teeth to decay faster. Acidic foods also irritate mouth sores. Avoiding high acidic foods helps the overall health of your mouth.

2. Sugar

I know, I know. Sugar is in so many food and drink items we consume daily and it’s delicious. Sugary foods and drinks can even become quite addictive. However, sugar causes plaque bacteria to attack the tooth’s enamel which weakens the enamel. These are some of the top sugary foods and beverages to avoid:

- Soda – while it’s easy to reach for your favorite soda when you need to get through that afternoon lull, water would be the preferred choice for the health of your teeth.

- Sports drinks (Gatorade, Powerade, etc.) – these drinks are mainly made up of sugar. While they may seem like a healthy option, sugar is one of their main ingredients. They are great for athletes who need to replenish their electrolytes, but they should be consumed sparingly.

- Energy drinks and fruit juices – while both are highly acidic, both are also full of sugar. While energy drinks may give you energy, they may also give you plenty of dental problems including cavities.

- Candy – this includes both hard candies and soft candies. Hard candies are something to avoid, not only because of the sugar content but also because they can cause chipped or even broken teeth.

3. Sticky Foods

While you might think that dried fruit is a great healthy snack to reach for, your teeth and dentist think otherwise. Sticky foods stay on your teeth longer and get trapped into small areas in your gums and surrounding areas. Daily brushing and flossing might not be enough to save your teeth from the harmful effect of sticky foods.

Helpful hint: Sour gummy candy is the worst of the worst. While they are a type of sticky food, they are also packed full of sugar and are highly acidic. You might think that brushing your teeth right after eating sour gummy candy negates any of the harmful side effects. That, unfortunately, isn’t true and it has the reverse effect on your teeth. Brushing right after eating sour gummy candy causes more harm than good.

4. Alcohol and Wine

For some people, this could be the hardest to limit. Social drinking and happy hour are enjoyed by many. But drinking too much alcohol leads to dry mouth which decreases the production of saliva. While this may not seem like such a big issue, decreased amounts of saliva can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. You don’t have to completely cut out alcohol and wine, but it is best to limit your intake.

Knowing what foods to limit and avoid leads to overall better dental health. With knowledge and prevention with regular visits to your Lake of the Ozarks, Rolla, and Springfield dentist, you don’t have to completely give up the foods that can cause damage to your teeth. Contact the best dentist in southern Missouri if you’re ready to get your oral health on track.

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

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

All About Dentures

Deciding to get dentures can be a complicated process, but Access Dental and Dentures is here to provide tips for achieving the perfect dentures for the perfect smile. Getting dentures can be intimidating, but there are ways to finance and select the dentures that will work best for you.

What are dentures?

A denture is a set of replacement teeth for missing teeth and attaches to the surrounding teeth and gum tissue. Complete dentures and partial dentures are the only kinds of dentures made. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing from the top or bottom, while partial dentures are used if you still have some natural teeth.

How do dentures work and what are they made of?

With complete dentures, a pink flesh-colored acrylic fits over your gums and holds fake teeth made of porcelain in place to look natural. Adhesive glue is used to stick and hold the cap in place so that you can eat and drink without your dentures moving around in your mouth. We recommend using an adhesive glue that is zinc free, protects against gum irritation, and comes in a mint flavor for fresh breath.

A removable partial denture, often called a bridge, consists of replacement teeth which are connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in your mouth. Partial dentures are used when natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw.

What is the shape of dentures and why?

The upper denture covers the roof of your mouth while the lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for your tongue to move. Dentures are supposed to look as natural as possible and blend in with the rest of your teeth. Dentures are custom-made in a dental laboratory from molded impressions taken of your mouth.

How easy is it to eat or drink with dentures?

Eating and drinking will be difficult at first, but shortly after you get your dentures they will begin to feel natural. Start out by eating soft foods and chew on both sides of your mouth.

How do I care for my dentures?

Sanitizing your false denture teeth is imperative and brushing, soaking, and flossed regularly will help make them last longer. Dentures need to be kept moist when not being worn so they do not dry out or lose their shape. To sanitize them, place your dentures in a denture cleanser soaking solution such as a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide along with some water.

How much does it cost to get dentures?

A complete set of dentures can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Most dental insurance plans will help you cover the cost.

How long does it take for the dentures to be made?

Normally the process to make your dentures in Springfield, MO takes about 2-3 weeks. After the teeth are extracted and a mold is taken, a temporary denture will be made. This temporary denture will last until the dental lab is finished with your permanent dentures and once they come in, you will be fitted for your permanent dentures.

What kind of dentist should I go to for dentures?

Your general dentists may refer you to a prosthodontist if you need tooth replacement implants, dentures, crowns, or bridges. Prosthodontists are trained to design, construct, and fit replacement teeth.

We at Access Dental and Dentures hope that these tips for dentures will help you with your denture process. For good denture care, make sure to remove and rinse dentures after eating, brush your dentures at least once a day, and soak them overnight. If you need dentures in the mid-Missouri area, visit one of our locations to get your denture process started! We can’t wait to help your smile look great!

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