Access Dental: March 2018

Friday, March 30, 2018

Damaging Effects of Easter Candy

With the Easter holiday quickly approaching, a large amount of candy may be consumed this weekend. While candy is a staple for Easter, it's important to regulate the amount of sugar you and your kids consume. As your trusted dentist in southern Missouri, we know how important it is to take care of your teeth. From decay to cavities, there are a number of ways sugar can damage your teeth. Take a look below to learn exactly how sugar-filled treats can be dangerous to your smile.

How Sugar Damages Teeth:

The Battle on Bacteria

When sugar is consumed, it can react with the bacteria naturally found in your mouth. Sticky candy tends to stick to your teeth when it is consumed. This will mix with the bacteria in your mouth and stick on your teeth. If you or your child do eat some Easter candy, try to reduce the amount of time the sugar is in contact with your teeth. This can be done by brushing after indulging in candy and washing the sugar away by drinking plenty of water.

Enamel Wear Down

Once the sugar sticks the outside of your tooth, it reacts with bacteria and starts to wear down the protective layer on your teeth - your tooth enamel. This protective layer helps to keep germs and bacteria from penetrating deeper into your tooth and causing damage. Once bacteria starts to get under your tooth surface, it can start to eat away at your tooth itself.

Cavities Form

After the bacteria has made its way under your tooth enamel, it will start eating away at your tooth. This is how a cavity is formed. It is essentially a hole in your tooth. Many times a cavity is painful as bacteria eats away at your tooth. If a cavity goes untreated, it can continue to cause pain and other issues.

How to Reduce Sugar Damage:

Brush

It's important to brush your teeth at least two times a day. Try to brush once in the morning and once at night can help keep your oral care routine on track. If you indulge in sugary treats this holiday weekend, consider brushing your teeth another time. It's best to wash sugar off of your teeth as soon as possible to avoid damage.

Floss

Flossing between your teeth can help to clean 40% more of your tooth's surface than brushing alone. It's recommended to floss your teeth at least once a day. Ensure you and your family flosses daily to help improve your oral care routine and avoid damage from the bacteria in your mouth after eating candy.

Monitor Intake

The best way to avoid tooth decay due to sugar is to avoid it all together. We know that may not be as easy as it sounds. Try to monitor the amount of candy consumed this Easter. It can help to keep your sugar intake in check.

Now that you know how sugar can damage your teeth, you can take precautions to avoid tooth decay. As the candy-focused holiday comes around, try to encourage your kids to take it easy on the candy. Consider filling their Easter baskets with goodies that don't damage their teeth. Fruits, nuts, a toy and a favorite movie are just a few ideas of items that won't damage your kids' pearly whites. If you notice a cavity forming, be sure to visit Access Dental and Dentures. We can help fill your cavity to prevent further tooth decay and oral discomfort.

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

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Protect Your Child's Smile This Spring

Springtime brings about more and more outdoor activities. Whether your kids are running around outside or playing organized sports, there are a number of ways they can damage their teeth. Protecting your kid's teeth is important. A damaged tooth can cause pain and cosmetic issues for your child. There are a number of ways to combat potential damage to your child's teeth. Your trusted dentist in Springfield, MO has featured just a few of these in this week's blog. Learn more below.

Use Caution During Activities

Discuss the dangers of oral damage with your kids. When they are out riding bikes and running around with friends, try to encourage them to use caution. While injuries do happen, try to explain the consequences of oral injuries to help them use caution when playing.

Wear a Mouth Guard

Springtime means playing outside and the start of many summer sports. A mouth guard should be worn when playing contact sports this spring. Encourage your child to wear a mouth guard to help protect their teeth. Even if they don't have their permanent teeth yet, an oral injury can damage the teeth that will be growing in before you know it.

Eat Healthy Treats

A wider range of fruits and vegetables are in season, now that spring is here. Try to encourage your kids to indulge in these healthier treat options. These less-sugary filled foods can do wonders for their oral health, as well as overall health. A balanced diet is important for youngsters as they are growing. Fuel their bodies with the right kinds of foods!

Place Importance on Oral Care Routine

Your child's oral care routine is important. It's vital to their oral health to take good care of their teeth. Remember to brush for at least two minutes, twice each day. Preferably once in the morning and again before bed. You may also consider brushing after a mid-day meal. Also, have your child floss one time each day to help clean debris and germs from between the teeth.

Visit us for a Check-Up

Now that spring is here, it's a great time to schedule your next dental appointment. A check-up should take place at least once every six months. At this appointment, your child's teeth will be professionally cleaned and checked for any pending issues.

Don't let your child's oral protection slip this spring as their schedule starts to fill up with activities. Focus on proper oral care and protection to help ensure a happy, healthy smile this year. The best dentist in southern Missouri is here for all of your oral care needs. From injuries to pain to regular check-ups, we can help you care for your child's teeth this spring. To schedule an appointment with Access Dental And Dentures, give us a call at 877-DENTIST.

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, March 15, 2018

Top Tips to Improve Bad Breath

Did you about 25% to 30% of the population suffers from bad breath? A foul odor that emanates from the mouth can cause embarrassment and even frustration for many. Here at Access Dental and Dentures, we get asked if there are any solutions for bad breath. If you are one of these people who has noticed frequent bad breath, it's time to take action. Take a look at the points provided below, by the best dentist in southern MO, to learn how you can combat this issue.

1) Brush at Least Twice a Day

It's important for your overall oral health to brush your teeth twice a day. If you notice the appearance of bad breath, you may consider brushing after every meal. This can help remove any food particles and germs that may gather in your mouth, between meals. If twice a day isn't cutting it, consider increasing the frequency of your daily brushing.

2) Replace Your Toothbrush

If you suffer from bad breath, it may help to replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every few months. While a toothbrush is helpful to clean your tooth surface, it can also fill up with germs and bacteria. To reduce the chance of this bacteria from entering back into your mouth, change your toothbrush on a regular basis.

3) Floss Once a Day

Flossing each day is vital to cleaning hard to reach spaces in your mouth. It can also help to remove food particles and bacteria that hide in your mouth. This bacteria and food can sit in your mouth and react with your saliva, to create a foul odor. To reduce the chance of this, floss at least once a day!

4) Drink Plenty of Water

Along with helping with a number of health conditions, bad breath can be improved by drinking the right amount of water. Swish cool water around in your mouth in order to help freshen morning time bad breath. Keeping your mouth hydrated can help the oral functions to work properly.

5) Add Mouthwash to Your Routine

Mouthwash is a quick and effective way to freshen your breath. While brushing and flossing can clean your tooth surface and in between, mouthwash can help to clean your entire mouth. For a fresh feel to start the day (or anytime throughout), consider adding mouthwash to your daily oral care routine.

6) Scrape Your Tongue

Many times bad breath can be worse in the mornings. Each morning try to scrape your tongue to free any bacteria and other particles from the surface. This can help decrease the bacteria, fungi, and dead cells that cause bad odor in the mouth. Try to scrape off the entire surface of your tongue, for best results.

Now that you've hopefully learned a new technique to reduce the occurrence of bad breath, you're ready to make improvements. If you've tried a number of ways to cure your bad breath, it's time to ask for help. During your next dental visit in southern MO, ask our friendly staff for suggestions. We can help you find the right solution for your bad breath issue. Gain confidence in social situations with fresh breath!

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, March 8, 2018

How a Root Canal Can Help Oral Pain

Do you suffer from oral pain? A pain in your mouth can greatly impact your life. It can be hard to focus on everyday tasks with a distracting pain. A root canal may be the right treatment method to help relieve your pain. Here at Access Dental & Dentures, we know how bad oral pain can hurt and we want to help you. We have a wide range of experience with treating oral pain and with performing root canals. To learn more, take a look below to learn all about our root canal service.

Endodontic treatment (root canal) treats the inside of the tooth. Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, faulty crowns, or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, trauma to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.

The modern root canal treatment is very similar to having a routine filling and usually can be completed in one or two appointments, depending on the condition of your tooth and your personal circumstances. You can expect a comfortable experience during and after your appointment. Saving the natural tooth with root canal treatment has many advantages:

-Efficient chewing
-Normal biting force and sensation
-Natural appearance
-Protects other teeth from excessive wear or strain

A root canal treatment helps you maintain your natural smile, continue eating the foods you love and limits the need for ongoing dental work. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last as long as other natural teeth and often for a lifetime.

If you think a root canal can help to treat the pain you are in, we would like to see you for an evaluation. We can check out what is going on with your teeth and gums, and make suggestions for treatment options. For a more natural solution for your oral pain, a root canal may be exactly what you need!

Now that you've read about our root canal service option, you're ready to call and schedule an appointment at our Springfield, MO dentist. We want to help you find relief from your oral pain. Give Access Dental & Dentures a call today at 877-DENTIST. We pride ourselves on the ability to get you in as soon as possible when you are in pain. We look forward to helping to relieve your oral pain!

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