Access Dental: February 2018

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Fun Facts About the Tooth Fairy

Did you know February 28th is National Tooth Fairy Day? In honor of this exciting time, Access Dental & Dentures wants to feature some fun facts about the Tooth Fairy. As your trusted dentist in Springfield, MO, we want to encourage your kids to take good care of their teeth. It's important to brush your pearly whites twice each day and floss at least once in order to keep your smile happy and healthy. The Tooth Fairy prefers nice clean teeth when she makes her rounds!

The Tooth Fairy is the "New Kid".

Much younger than her friends, Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy has been traced back to 1908, while the others originated further back in time. The story of the Tooth Fairy was originally in a newspaper article and later made more popular as a child's play. Since then a number of stories and books have been written about the Tooth Fairy.

Celebrating Teeth has been around awhile.

Many cultures around the world have been celebrating a child losing a tooth for many, many years. Throwing a baby tooth into the sky is a long-standing practice in Middle Eastern cultures. In Turkey, Mexica, & Greece, children are taught to throw their teeth over the roof of their home. Other parents in Norway and Finland teach their kids.

What is a tooth worth?

The average tooth in the United States is worth $3.19. Thirty-two percent of children receive one dollar in exchange for their tooth. Only five percent of kids receive $20 or more per tooth! According to Delta Dental, the Tooth Fair dished out a total of $256 million dollars in 2015! WOW - that's a lot of teeth!

The Tooth Fairy's appearance.

While Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny have a distinct look, there is no set look for the Tooth Fairy. This creature is typically a female fairy with a wand and sparkles from head to toe, much like Tinkerbell. 74% of Americans imagine the Tooth Fairy as a female, while another 12% envision the Fairy as a non-gender specific character.

The Tooth Fairy has TWO days!

National Tooth Fairy Day is on February 28th... and August 22nd. This special fairy is celebrated on TWO separate days. Take advantage of these days to help promote proper oral care to your children!

Now that you know some of these fun facts about the Tooth Fairy, you can share them with your little ones. As you talk about this, it's a great opportunity to discuss proper oral care and it's importance. As the best dentist in southern Missouri, we look forward to helping you and your kids have good dental hygiene. Call today to schedule an appointment with our dentist in Springfield, MO!

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, February 22, 2018

Oral Care Tips for National Children's Dental Health Month

Did you know February is National Children's Dental Health Month? This is a great time to focus on your child's oral care habits. As your trusted dentist in Springfield, MO, we know how important it is to establish proper oral care with your little ones. If your child starts a good dental care routine, it is more likely to stick throughout their life. For a great start for your child's oral care, take a look below for habits to incorporate into your child's daily routine.

Brush, Brush, Brush

It's recommended to brush your teeth twice each day. To stick to this schedule, try to encourage your kids to brush first thing in the morning to start the day off right and again in the evening before bed. It's a great way to keep your child's teeth clean and help to prevent cavities and other oral health issues.

Floss Between Teeth

Flossing helps to clean those hard to reach places between your teeth. If you skip flossing, you miss 40% if the tooth surface in your mouth. Flossing can help to remove plaque that builds up throughout the day. Food particles that get trapped between teeth can also be removed by flossing.

Drink Plenty of Water

Water is good for your overall health and oral health, alike. It can help to rinse your mouth out and remove food particles and plaque that may start to build up throughout the day. It also helps to stimulate your gums for overall mouth health. Drinking plenty of water can help to keep your child hydrated too.

Reduce Sugar Intake

As a parent, it's important to monitor the amount of sugar your child consumes. Sugar can build up on your kids teeth and wear down the tooth surface. Once the enamel is worn down, sugar can penetrate the tooth and cause a cavity to form. Sugar reacts with bacteria naturally found in the mouth and sticks to the tooth's surface.

Now that you know more about the ways you can help improve your child's oral care habits, you're ready to take action. In addition to these important dental practices, it's important to visit a dental professional at least once every six months. A dentist near Springfield, MO can help to evaluate your child's mouth to ensure it is on the right track. From new teeth growing into monitoring changes to regular cleanings, there are a TON of benefits of visiting a dentist. Contact Access Dental & Dentures by calling 877-DENTIST today to schedule your child's dental checkup. We look forward to helping your kids promote proper oral care because your entire family - kids included - deserve 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

Thursday, February 15, 2018

How to Combat Sensitive Teeth

Do you suffer from sensitive teeth? This uncomfortable condition can impact your life on a daily basis. Whether eating cold food or drinking a hot drink, it can cause pain or discomfort in your teeth. If you experience a sensitive sensation on a regular basis, it's important to mention this to your dentist in southern Missouri. Next time you visit Access Dental & Dentures, we can help navigate your tooth sensitivity to help you find relief.

One in five adults suffers from sensitive teeth - about 45 million Americans. If eating ice cream or sipping a hot tea gives you a zing, it's important to address this issue right away. Do you feel discomfort when brushing or flossing your teeth? Feel tingles after a whitening treatment? There are a number of causes to teeth sensitivity.

Causes of Tooth Sensitivity:

Wrong Toothbrush - A hard-bristled toothbrush can cause damage to your enamel. To avoid long-term damage to your teeth, consider using a softer option for brushing.

Whitening Agent - The agent used to whiten teeth a can easily penetrate the protective enamel coating your teeth. This can cause damage to the nerves if your teeth are sensitive.

Missed Flossing - Flossing is a vital part of your oral care routine. Plaque can build up on your tooth surface and cause damage. This can lead to decay and sensitivity issues.

Tooth Decay - Decay of your tooth enamel can invite painful sensations to penetrate your tooth. Try to keep up a good oral care routine to avoid this.

Gum Disease - Sensitive teeth can be caused by inflamed tissue surrounding your tooth.

Acidic Food - acid can wear down the protective enamel on your teeth. This allows the acidic foods to get into your tooth and potentially cause pain.

Grinding Teeth - If you grind your teeth, the outer layer of your tooth is often worn down. This allows your inner tooth to be exposed and more susceptible to sensitivity, as well as decay.

Home Remedies to Try:

Consider buying a toothpaste that is formulated for sensitive teeth. This can help to protect your teeth from feeling the zing sensation. There is also floss specifically made for sensitive teeth. A soft bristled toothbrush may also help to relieve some of the pain you are feeling, especially if you experience it while brushing.

Now that you know a little more about tooth sensitivity and how to improve the discomfort you may experience, you're ready to get started. Make changes to your oral care routine to help ease the sensitive sensation you experience. In addition to trying these at-home remedies, be sure to mention your discomfort to the best dentist in mid-Missouri. We want to help you be comfortable because you deserve a great (pain-free) 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

Thursday, February 8, 2018

What Our Patients Are Saying About Us!

It's important to find a dental professional to trust with you and your families' oral care. Oral health is an important factor in your overall well-being. As your experienced dentist in southern Missouri, we want to help your family achieve great dental health. While brushing and flossing is an important piece of the oral care process, regular dental check-ups are critical, as well. Finding a dentist you trust can sometimes be a tricky process. That's why we've showcased what some of our clients have said about Access Dental And Dentures below!

“I am happy to report on the excellent staff, dental assistant and my dentist, Mr. Smith. I came in with an emergency situation and was promptly taken care of with kindness and courtesy! I will be going back for additional treatment and would encourage anyone searching for a kind and comforting dentist and assistant to see Access Dental and Dentures! You will be glad you did! Thank you.”– Paula H.

"First off...YES they take children's Medicaid. :D I've taken my toddlers here a few times and they are fantastic with my kids! The receptionists are very nice and pleasant and professional. They have children books and tables in the waiting area. They explain everything to me and recommended what would be best for my children's teeth, and really seem to care. My 2 year old screamed and squirmed and the dentist calmly showed me how to best hold him and checked him out quickly and easily. My 4 year old ended up having a few cavities. We've been in twice to get them filled (one of which required a shot in his mouth) and they treated him very well. Kept him calm, constantly reassured him, was very kind and even let him pick a little toy out of their "treasure chest" which he loves. After the appointment where he got a shot he told me "I'm not afraid of the dentist anymore". This place is all the way across town from where we live but I am so pleased with them I won't use anyone else :)" - S. Petzold

"I have grown up in dentists offices my entire life. That being said I've had my fair share of good and bad dental experiences. Every single time I walk in the front door of Access Dental I am greeted by my first name! Who does that anymore?! Both of the DDS are super helpful and gave me all of the options that I needed to proceed with my dental choices. way to go guys!!! And to the lady that does the good novacain shots....thank you thank you!" - A. Walentiny

"Good people, great staff. Excellent prices. Dr. Ahmandia is a total professional. I recommend this place highly." - D. Cannon

"The staff and Dr's. at Access Dental are very professional, take pride in their practice and truly to care about their patients! I recommend them for a beautiful, healthy mouth and smile!!" - M. Jamerson-Georges

Now that you've read what some of our clients have to say, you can feel confident when you choose us for your family dental needs. Your family deserves a great smile - that's why we want to be your dentist! Contact us at 877-DENTIST to make an appointment at an office nearest you today! We have four locations - Springfield, Rolla, Osage Beach, & Mountain Grove - in southern Missouri to best serve you. We look forward to helping you and your family achieve your oral care goals!

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, February 2, 2018

Prenatal Care for Your Teeth

Are you or someone you know expecting? There are a number of prenatal appointments with your doctor, but you should also schedule one with your dentist! This may seem a little strange, but your oral health has a major impact on the rest of your body. As your body takes on the role of growing your sweet bundle of joy, you may start to notice a change in your mouth. Take a look at the points below to learn some of the oral signs you may expect to see while you are pregnant.

Stick to a strict oral regimen.

It's important to keep your oral routine in check, especially while pregnant. Remember to brush your teeth each morning and each night before bed. This can help to keep your teeth clean and remove unwanted bacteria and plaque that may build up throughout the day. Flossing between your teeth should be completed at least once each day, as well. If you skip flossing in your routine, you are missing 40% of your tooth's surface that brushing alone can't clean.

Schedule a dental appointment.

A dental checkup while pregnant is an important part of your prenatal care. At this appointment, your hygienist can clean plaque buildup off of your teeth. This cleaning can help to reduce the chance of a bacterial infection in your mouth. It's also important to ensure your entire mouth is healthy at this appointment.

Treat any concerns right away.

If you notice a change in your mouth, it's important to get it looked at right away. If a serious condition goes untreated, it can lead to a painful situation. Oral pain is nothing to mess around with, especially if you are pregnant. Don't suffer through the pain - simply give us a call and we will try to get you in as soon as possible.

What to Expect while Pregnant:

-Gum inflammation is a common symptom of pregnancy. More likely during the second trimester, you may notice your gums being swollen, tender, or bleed more than normal.

-Tooth decay and/or gingivitis is more common in pregnant women. Your body may not be able to fight off plaque like it once did.

-Growths under the skin in the mouth, known as pregnancy tumors, are caused by excess plaque in the mouth.

-Oral infection is more common when pregnant due to your body being more susceptible to bacteria and plaque buildup.

Now that you've learned a little more about prenatal care for your teeth, you are prepared to take on your pregnancy with confidence! Give Access Dental & Dentures a call today to learn how we can help with your prenatal dental care. Simply schedule an appointment with your trusted dentist in southern Missouri. Be sure to tell your hygienist that you are expecting when you first visit. We would be honored to be a part of your prenatal 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