What to Expect at a Routine Dental Checkup

You should visit your trusted dentist in Southern Missouri every 6 months for a routine dental checkup. Along with regular brushing and flossing, this is the best way to keep your teeth healthy, clean, and strong. 

A dental exam is a good way to find the possibility of oral health problems early and have a better chance of avoiding them altogether. When you come in for your regular dental checkup at Access Dental, here is what you can expect to happen. 

Teeth Cleaning
There are two parts to every dental checkup - cleaning and examination. Even with regular daily brushing and flossing, it is always possible to miss something. We can spot and get rid of the stuff you have missed.

Plaque is a clear, sticky layer of bacteria that you may be able to brush off, but when it is not removed right away, it can harden and become tartar. Tartar will not come off with just a toothbrush. Our office has special tools that can remove that tartar. Once it's all gone, your teeth will be polished to remove surface stains that have formed since your last visit. Lastly, we will floss the teeth to make sure your mouth is completely clean.

Examination
If needed, x-rays may be taken. This allows the dentist to see any underlying problems inside or between teeth. Next, your teeth will be closely examined for any visible problems. Your gums will also be checked. The spaces between healthy gums and teeth are shallow. If they are deepening, that could be a sign of gum disease.

Expect the dentist to also look at the rest of your head, including the face, throat, and tongue, for signs of trouble. If there is any swelling or redness, this could be a clue that there is a problem somewhere in your mouth that needs to be treated.

Before & Between Checkups
During your visit to our dental clinic in Springfield, Missouri or one of our other offices closer to you, suggestions will be made for any improvements to your dental health routine between regular checkups. It's a very good idea to prepare for your checkup by making a list of questions that you would like to ask the dentist. That way you won't forget while you are here. You may also want to make a list of any changes you've noticed since your last visit, new health problems you have been diagnosed with, and medications you are taking regularly. All of these things will aid the dentist in diagnosing possible problems in your teeth and gums. 

You can make your regular checkups go a lot faster and much smoother if you adopt a good dental hygiene routine. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and be sure to floss daily. Using mouthwash also helps to control plaque bacteria.

If you did not schedule your next routine checkup after your last visit to Access Dental & Dentures, give us a call at 1-877-DENTIST and we'll help you get it on the calendar. Together, we will make sure that you have a healthy, beautiful smile for years and years to come!

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Springfield Office          Rolla Office             Osage Beach Office

(417) 501-1048              (573) 426-5447          (573) 348-1466         

1701 West Sunshine        416 S. Bishop Ave.   4320 Osage Beach Pkwy

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

Mountain Grove Office              Aurora Office

(417) 926-1160                             (417) 308-3534

921-A N. Main                             1402 S. Elliott

Mountain Grove, MO 65711       Aurora, MO 65605

The Truth About Wisdom Teeth

The majority of your permanent teeth will be in by the teenage years, but there is a very good chance that your third molars, aka wisdom teeth, will come in during your late teens or early 20s. They really aren't necessary for this day and age and could cause problems for you later in life. Access Dental & Dentures has compiled a few facts about wisdom teeth that will help you better understand just what they are and why you should get rid of them. 

What Are Wisdom Teeth?
The third row of molars in your mouth is commonly called "wisdom teeth" because they generally show up between the ages of 17-25 when you are older and a bit wiser. Nearly everyone has to deal with them at some point, but there are a few people that won't ever have them come in. This is mostly due to genetic reasons.

Originally, wisdom teeth were needed for early humans to chew and eat. Their diets were a lot tougher than the foods we eat today. Teeth were worn down a lot faster back then and the third set of molars came in handy. Once your wisdom teeth come in, it is extremely likely that they will cause problems for you, if not right away then at some point down the road. Since they really aren't needed, it's best to have them removed before they become troublesome. 

Signs They NEED To Come Out
Evolution has caused people to develop smaller jaws than our ancestors had, so a third set of molars often will not fit. When they come in, the other teeth can be crowded and pushed out of place enough to appear crooked. Once wisdom teeth break through the gums, it can be difficult to keep them clean that far back in your mouth. That leaves bacteria free to gather and grow which can lead to pain, swelling, and infection.

When wisdom teeth don't break through the gums, these are considered impacted. This can happen when there is not enough room for the wisdom teeth to come in. Getting an x-ray at our dental offices in Southern Missouri is the easiest way to catch this early. Signs that you may have an impacted tooth include throbbing pain, swollen glands, tender gums, jaw swelling, and a painful headache. Any time that wisdom teeth cause pain, discomfort, or damage to your other teeth, that's a sure sign that you should have them removed. Your dentist will be able to talk over your options and the next steps if this is the case.   

The best way to stay on top of your wisdom teeth before they have a chance to cause trouble is to maintain regular checkups with one of our trusted dentists in Southern Missouri. We will be able to advise you on the best practice for your particular situation. Our goal at Access Dental & Dentures is to make sure that you have the best chance possible at a happy, healthy smile. No matter what that entails, we are always here to help in any way that we can.

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

1-877-DENTIST

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn

Springfield Office          Rolla Office             Osage Beach Office

(417) 501-1048              (573) 426-5447          (573) 348-1466         

1701 West Sunshine        416 S. Bishop Ave.   4320 Osage Beach Pkwy

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

Mountain Grove Office              Aurora Office

(417) 926-1160                             (417) 308-3534

921-A N. Main                             1402 S. Elliott

Mountain Grove, MO 65711       Aurora, MO 65605

The Best Ways to Keep Teeth With Braces Clean

A lot of kids in this country, and adults for that matter, end up needing to wear braces. This can make brushing teeth more difficult, but if you take your time and learn the proper techniques, you'll soon get used to it. As your trusted dentists in Southern Missouri, we've got a few tips to help you keep your mouth clean and healthy while the braces do their work.

When your teeth are not properly taken care of under those braces, many problems can arise. These include cavities, swollen and infected gum tissue, tooth discoloration, and possibly even decalcification. Access Dental and Dentures can help you do your best to keep that from happening.

Brush Thoroughly
Food easily gets trapped underneath braces, but taking the time to thoroughly brush on and around each surface can help to get rid of it. First, rinse with water to loosen some of the food particles.

Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Angle it down to brush the top of the brackets and then angle it up to reach the bottoms. Brush for 2-3 minutes at least twice a day, and don't forget to also brush your tongue to remove additional bacteria. You might want to use an interdental brush, which kind of looks like a toothpick with a pipe cleaner on the end, to get to the hardest to reach places. 

Floss Between Brackets
Flossing should be done at least once a day and you will need to be more careful than before you had braces. The floss must be threaded under the main wire before going between your teeth. A floss threader can help with this. Waxed floss is best to avoid it getting shredded and caught in the braces. You may also want to invest in a water pick. These are wonderful for getting to the hardest places to reach.

Rinse After Eating
For those times when you cannot immediately brush your teeth after eating, rinsing your mouth out with water can be very helpful. This can dislodge food particles and also rinse away some of the food and sugar left behind on your teeth.

Don't Miss Checkups 
Regular dental and orthodontic checkups are even more important when you have braces. In addition to the deep cleaning, you want to have a professional take a look to make sure that the braces are doing their job.

At all of our dental offices in Southern Missouri, we are always available to answer any questions you may have about dental hygiene. Now that you have a few tips on how to best keep your teeth clean with braces, carry that knowledge over and keep up those healthy habits after the braces are removed too. After all, wearing braces did a lot to give you the smile you ended up with, and Access Dental wants to make sure that you keep it looking its best for many, many years to come.

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

1-877-DENTIST

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn

Springfield Office          Rolla Office             Osage Beach Office

(417) 501-1048              (573) 426-5447          (573) 348-1466         

1701 West Sunshine        416 S. Bishop Ave.   4320 Osage Beach Pkwy

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

Mountain Grove Office              Aurora Office

(417) 926-1160                             (417) 308-3534

921-A N. Main                             1402 S. Elliott

Mountain Grove, MO 65711       Aurora, MO 65605

5 Ways to Make Brushing Teeth Fun For Kids

February is National Children's Dental Health Month. Learning good dental habits at a young age will set your kids up for a lifetime of positive habits and good oral health. It all starts with a brushing routine that kids enjoy rather than dread. Access Dental in Southern Missouri has 5 tips for you in today's blog that will help to make tooth brushing time fun.

Give Them Choices
Head to the store with your child and let them have a say in the items they will use to keep their teeth clean and healthy. Start by letting them choose a toothbrush in a favorite color or with a favorite character on the handle. To make the choice simpler and ensure that they pick a brush that is right for their mouth size, gather a few from the display for them to choose from.

Next, there are lots of toothpaste flavors to explore, and you can even let them decide what type of floss to buy. The same goes for these items as with the toothbrush. Let them choose from limited options that are right for their age. 

Read Books & Watch Videos
Get your children ready to take great care of their teeth by reading books together about the subject. You can also find some wonderful videos on YouTube that are geared toward kids. Most explain how to brush correctly to a fun tune. If you find one that is about 2 minutes long, this is the recommended length of time for brushing so they can brush until the tune is over.

Have Fun With It
Brushing your teeth is serious business, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun. Approach this "chore" in a fun way and your kids will look forward to it. Let them brush the teeth of a doll or stuffed animal before they brush their own. Put on a fun song and have a dance party while you both brush your teeth together. Play "dentist" after brushing and inspect each other's teeth. When you find a way to turn it into a game, you can both have a good time.

Race the Clock
Buy a timer to keep on the bathroom counter near your toothbrushes. Set it for two minutes, and rather than trying to beat the clock, see if you can brush until the timer dings, or maybe even outlast it! If your child has trouble brushing for a full 2 minutes, start out at one minute and gradually increase the time until lasting for 2 minutes seems easy.

Create a Reward System
Come up with a system of rewards that works for your child. For example, make a chart showing what they need to do each day and let them add a sticker or mark the space off every time a task is completed. Set a goal and once it's reached, have a reward waiting. This could be getting to stay up later than their regular bedtime, reading a story together, letting them pick out a movie, taking them to the park, or some other fun activity that you can do together. You could even start with a small reward at the end of week #1 and build up to bigger rewards for consecutive weeks of accomplishments.

The goal is to get your children into the healthy habit of taking good care of their teeth on a daily basis. If you can make it something they enjoy and actually look forward to, then it's a lot easier on the both of you. A good dental health routine should include:

• Brushing teeth at least 2 times a day.
• Flossing once a day, usually before bedtime. 
• Visiting the dentist every 6 months for an exam and professional cleaning. 

Our Southern Missouri dental clinics specialize in children's dentistry and do our best to make sure a young person's first visit to the dentist is a positive experience. It's easy to find an Access Dental & Dentures clinic near you. Give us a call at 1-877-DENTIST and we'll point you in the right direction. 

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

1-877-DENTIST

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn

Springfield Office          Rolla Office             Osage Beach Office

(417) 501-1048              (573) 426-5447          (573) 348-1466         

1701 West Sunshine        416 S. Bishop Ave.   4320 Osage Beach Pkwy

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

Mountain Grove Office              Aurora Office

(417) 926-1160                             (417) 308-3534

921-A N. Main                             1402 S. Elliott

Mountain Grove, MO 65711       Aurora, MO 65605