Dental Health Tips for Holiday Travels

Planning to travel and see family this holiday season? Breaking your regular routine can disrupt your dental hygiene habits and make it difficult to stay on track and keep taking care of your oral health. The holidays also come with temptations of large amounts of sugary and fattening foods. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dental clinic in Missouri, and we are here to help you stay on track. Keep reading for our best tips and advice on staying healthy this holiday season!

Be Prepared

While no one plans to misplace luggage, it's important to be prepared when traveling over the holidays. Keep a spare tooth brush on you when traveling! That way, you won't be caught off guard and stuck with bad dental health. If your travel plans include a flight, keep a toothbrush in your carry-on bag to ensure you arrive to your destination prepared.

Pack Small

There are a number of miniature oral hygiene items that take up less room when traveling so you don't have to go without the proper hygiene during your vacation. The added convenience of smaller dental hygiene items can make it easier to pack and remember these important things. A foldable toothbrush, miniature tube of toothpaste, and small bottle of mouthwash can easily fit in your suitcase or travel bag. And if the mouthwash is less than 3 fluid ounces, you can even take it on most flights.

Keep Toothbrush Dry

If your travel plans allow, try to let your toothbrush air out between uses. A damp toothbrush in an enclosed space creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. If you do have to keep your toothbrush enclosed, remember to wash your case and brush as soon as you get back home to eliminate bacteria buildup.

Eat Healthy

While it may be difficult to resist during the holidays, try to eat a well-balanced meal when possible. Try to limit your sugar intake this season. The sugar found in snacks and treats promotes bacteria growth, which can lead to tooth decay.

Chew Gum

While it may be hard to brush your teeth throughout the day when traveling, sugar-free gum can help keep your tooth surface free of debris and plaque build up. Drinking plenty of water can also flush away debris and help to protect your teeth throughout the day.

Best Missouri Dentist

Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri, and we are here for you. In fact, we are in lots of places for you! We have several convenient locations including Springfield, Osage Beach, Rolla, Mountain Grove, and Aurora. If you need assistance or information about dental care, don't hesitate to contact us! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Tooth Pain? Check Out These Common Causes!

Tooth pain is not only annoying, but it can feel very invasive as well! Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri, so we know all too well how bad tooth pain can be. Not being able to enjoy cold food, hot drinks, chewing crispy or hard items... If tooth pain feels like it is taking over your life, keep reading to see if one of these causes could be why. And give us a call for an appointment! 

Grinding Teeth

If you grind your teeth, the outer layer of your tooth gets worn down from the pressure. This exposes the dentin inside your teeth, which makes it more susceptible to sensitivity and decay. If you regularly wake up with an aching jaw or tooth pain, then it may be a good idea to talk to your local dentist to get some protective gear while you sleep. 

Too Much Acid Exposure

If you consume a lot of acidic foods and drinks as part of your diet, then you could be on the path to some serious dental issues. Check out these signs and symptoms to see if your enamel may already be experiencing erosion. 

• Tooth Sensitivity - Hot, cold, and overly sweet items will cause tooth pain.
• Discoloration - Teeth will become more and more yellow.
• Rounding - Teeth may start to look rounded as corners wear away.
• Transparent Teeth - Teeth might start looking somewhat see-through, especially at the edges.
• Cracks & Cupping - Small cracks and dents may appear on your teeth.

Too Much Brushing

Tooth pain and sensitivity could simply be caused by bad, or incorrect, brushing techniques. If you tend to brush your teeth very hard with a hard-bristled toothbrush, then it could simply mean that you are being too aggressive and need to pull back a bit. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush in gentle circles to avoid causing damage to your gums while brushing. 

Too Little Flossing

Flossing. We know it’s something we should do daily, but most people aren’t quite sure why. You may think that brushing your teeth twice a day and using Listerine is enough. But what you might not realize is that neither of those methods can reach the bacteria growing in the tight spaces between your teeth. This bacteria can cause inflammation and tooth pain. The benefits of flossing go beyond just keeping your teeth clean and shiny. Flossing regularly can help prevent...

• Bad Breath
• Yellowing Teeth
• Tooth Decay
• Gum Disease
• Serious Health Concerns

Cavities

Your tooth pain and sensitivity could be caused by a more serious issue than the others, though. It could be that your enamel has already worn away and caused a cavity in your tooth. It is important to see a dentist to rule out this possibility!

Missouri Dentist

If none of these causes sound like they could be the reason you are experiencing tooth pain, be sure to schedule an appointment with a professional dentist near you as soon as possible. There could be an underlying issue causing the problem. Access Dental and Dentures is dedicated to your health, and we are here for you. Give us a call to set up an appointment or a regular cleaning: 1-877-DENTIST

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Dentures - What to Expect & How to Care for Them!

Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri! That includes our on-site professional dental lab where we can create custom dentures. In many cases, your dentures could even be ready the next day. If you are curious about what to expect after you receive your dentures and how to take care of them, keep reading!

Adjust Your Diet

In the first 24 hours, your diet should consist of non-carbonated, cold beverages (i.e. ice tea) and soft foods. Progress diet as healing allows. 

Don't Rinse!

DO NOT RINSE YOUR MOUTH in the first 24 hours, as this may dislodge the clots in the tooth socket. The result is a dry socket, which can be very painful. This rarely happens but when it does, it is usually the result of smoking. If you feel the need to remove the dentures, remember to rinse them quickly with cold water and reinsert immediately. If you cannot insert the denture, wait for your dentist to help you. Place a towel on your pillow, because it is normal to have some oozing of blood. 

Expect Some Pain & Swelling

Please leave the immediate dentures in place for 24 hours after your teeth have been removed. The dentures will act as a bandage to protect the extraction sites and to prevent swelling. The dentures will limit the bleeding and swelling with their splinting. Ice packs placed on the face in the extraction areas for 10-15 minute intervals will help minimize the pain. Please follow pain medication instructions as prescribed by your doctor. 

Adjusting to Your Bite & Speech

In the first 24 hours, the dentures may not feel right. You may also experience salivation and gagging for the first few days. Your dentist will adjust your denture over the next couple of appointments. Please be patient as you heal. The doctor and his staff will help you adjust to your new prosthesis. You may notice a lisp or slurring of your speech in the first days of wearing your denture. This is normal and will disappear as you adjust to your denture. 

Denture & Mouth Care

After the initial 24 hours, use a denture brush that is contoured to clean your denture and an ADA approved denture-cleaning solution. Clean dentures twice a day. For the 1st week please only remove the dentures to clean them and then place them back in your mouth. Leaving the dentures out for an extended period may result in increased swelling and inability reinsert the dentures. After 1 week: Please begin removing your denture at night. Exposure to oxygen is best for your gums. When the denture is out of your mouth, place in water to prevent the acrylic from drying out. 

Healing Process

As you are healing, the swelling is reduced, and the extraction sites will begin to close. The dentures may begin to slip or feel big. You may purchase denture adhesive at your local drugstore. Please use as directed. During the initial stages of healing while the extraction sites re open, please do not place denture adhesive over the extraction sites or in the denture area that sits on the extraction sites. Denture adhesive can be irritating to open sockets and may cause infection. You will also need to clean the denture adhesive completely off the denture and your tissue before reapplying. Over the next 3-6 months, you will have many changes in your mouth. Remember the removal of teeth involves bones and bone requires 6 months to completely heal. 

Best Denture Care

If you have any questions about how the process of getting fit for dentures works or want to ask our team more questions about how to prepare, give us a call at 1-877-DENTIST! We are the best Missouri dentists, and we are happy to help get you to the confident, healthy smile of your dreams. Call Access Dental and Dentures today!

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Important Health Benefits of Water!

Just about everyone knows that drinking water is an important health habit. Staying hydrated is important for gut health, skin elasticity, electrolyte balance, and more. But, not a lot of people realize that drinking water is also very important for the health of your teeth. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist office in southern Missouri, and we are here to help advise you on important dental health practices. Keep reading to learn more about how water can benefit your teeth! 

Water Keeps You Hydrated

This benefit may seem obvious for overall health but staying hydrated is also important to your oral health because it helps maintain healthy saliva production. Saliva plays a vital role in keeping your teeth strong and healthy, as it naturally washes away bacteria and debris. It also deposits tooth-strengthening minerals like calcium to keep your teeth resistant to cavities.

Water Flushes Out Contaminants

As you go through the day, your teeth are exposed to things like coffee, office donuts, and your lunch. These can cause bacteria to start developing on and in between your teeth. Drink water regularly and each time you eat or drink something else. This will help flush away staining residue from coffee or pieces of food that may have been left behind. The less time that those items are in contact with your teeth, the better!

Water Replaces Unhealthy Drinks

If you make it a point to drink water throughout the day, it may help you resist reaching for a drink full of sugar. Sugary drinks like sodas and fruit juices can harm your teeth by depositing sugar on and in between them. As this sugar sits on your teeth, it can start damaging the enamel surface that protects your teeth from cavities. Sugar can also promote bacterial growth. Avoiding sugary drinks and replacing them with water can help reduce tooth decay and bacterial growth in your mouth.

Water Strengthens Teeth

Tap water and certain kinds of bottled water contain fluoride. Fluoride is a substance that strengthens your teeth and thereby helps prevent cavities. Drinking your recommended daily allowance of water will provide more exposure to fluoride in addition to brushing your teeth twice a day. While it may not seem like a lot compared to the fluoride in your toothpaste, the additional fluoride in your water could make a big difference in keeping your teeth strong and healthy.

Drinking Water is Dentist-Approved! 

Drinking water is a simple way to benefit your teeth and give your oral health a boost. The simple act of drinking water can…

• Strengthen your teeth with fluoride
• Flush out bacteria-causing contaminants
• Replace unhealthy drinks and reduce sugar
• Keep you and your mouth hydrated

Your dental health is important to us, and we are here to help! Drink water to benefit your teeth and overall oral health. Getting enough water in your diet can strengthen your teeth, flush out bacteria, keep unhealthy drinks out of your diet, and keep you hydrated! Call Access Dental and Dentures to set up a dentist appointment and we can help keep your teeth in great condition. 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Aging & Dental Health

Did you know that your teeth change over time as you age? Children's teeth are more prone to cavities because they are softer. As teeth age, they become stronger and less prone to dental issues until a more advanced age when they can become prone to cavities and dental issues again. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri, and we are here to help you understand how aging can affect your dental health. Keep reading to learn more!

Wear & Tear

Despite how careful you are, teeth usually wear down over time. You can help control the amount of wear and tear by watching what you eat. Chewing on ice can create enamel chips or completely break off teeth. While this may be a hard habit to break, if you want to avoid wear, you’ll want to ditch this habit. Teeth can also be worn down by a poor bite or night-time grinding. Dental appliances from Access Dental and Dentures can help prevent this kind of damage.

Discoloration

Unfortunately, teeth coloring is also common with age. The dentin, which is the core tissue in your teeth, becomes more yellow over time. The outside enamel on teeth then thins with age, causing the coloring of the dentin to show through. Eating and drinking certain things like coffee, wine, sodas, tea, some fruits and vegetables, and tobacco can also yellow teeth. Cutting back on these foods, drinking lots of water, and having a professional whitening can help you maintain a sparkling white smile.

Teeth Shift

Teeth also begin to shift with age. The two front lower teeth are often the first to shift due to the pressure on your teeth that are caused by wear and tear. Teeth shifting causes loss of bone, which causes gums to recede. A lot of stress that comes with aging is taken out on the jaw through grinding and clenching, which can cause wear on the enamel and even chipped teeth. Getting appliances to protect your teeth from clenching and grinding in the night can help prevent teeth shift also.

Dry Mouth

As you age, you may find yourself being prescribed more medications to take by your doctor. With some of these medications comes the side effect of dry mouth. Due to the reduced amount of saliva being produced during dry mouth, foods and bacteria can stay in your mouth longer which leads to an increased chance of a cavity. Make sure to let your dentist know about all the medications you take and about any medical changes you've noticed.

Gum Disease

Gum disease becomes more common with age also. It becomes an issue when the bacteria in plaque causes the gums to become irritated and swollen. Unfortunately, gum disease is often painless until it reaches a certain stage, so it can go undetected for a while. During advanced stages of gum disease, the gums pull away from the teeth, allowing food and other particles to get caught within these pockets. Gum disease can destroy gums, bones, and the ligaments that hold teeth in place. This can eventually cause tooth loss.

Your Local Dentist

If you are concerned about what aging could be doing to your teeth, come visit Access Dental and Dentures. We are the best dentist in southern Missouri, and we are here to help you! Regular dentist visits can help catch issues like cavities and gum disease before they become too advanced. Give us a call to schedule an appointment.

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

1-877-DENTIST

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