Set Your 2021 Intentions!

It's New Year's Eve, and Access Dental and Dentures is so happy to wish you and yours a very happy new year! As we say goodbye to 2020, you may be thinking about setting some New Year's resolutions to help enjoy a healthier, happier year in 2021. Access Dental and Dentures always puts your health first, and we are here to share our tips for creating attainable resolutions that you can stick to well into the new year. Keep reading to get inspired! 

Balanced Diet

More and more, research is showing that maintaining a balanced diet is the best way to lose weight, keep it off, and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. You don't necessarily need to go on a strict cleanse in the new year. Having a healthy diet is more about balance and making more "right" choices than "wrong" choices. Sometimes starting the New Year off with a strict diet can be demoralizing if it doesn't work out. Instead, simply start out by making healthier choices. Trade your breakfast doughnut for a bowl of frozen berries and plain Greek yogurt. As the frozen berries thaw, their juices will naturally sweeten the yogurt for less calories! The vitamins and protein could also help improve your health in addition to removing that added sugar from your diet. Lessening added sugar is also good for your dental health.

Drink More Water

Water is incredibly important to your health for many reasons. While there is water-content in many food types, water is clearly the best way to stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is important for your immune system, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing. Drinking more water can also help you maintain a healthier diet by filling up your stomach to feel less hungry.

Drinking water is also very good for your oral health. It can keep your mouth cleaner from bacteria and debris by rinsing away harmful materials that would otherwise build up. Most water is also fortified by fluoride and other minerals that are helpful to your teeth. Fluoride helps strengthen your enamel. So drink up for a healthier and happier smile!

Improve Your Dental Routine

Dental health is important for overall health as well, so keeping a good routine is important! Make sure you are brushing at least twice a day. This helps remove bad breath in the morning and clean your teeth of bacteria and food particles accumulated throughout the day every night.

It is also a good idea to rinse your mouth after each meal to help free pieces of food from in between your teeth so they aren't sitting there all day and causing damage. Carrying a travel-sized mouthwash could also be very helpful in keeping your teeth clean and fresh all day.

Flossing is another daily habit that you should adopt if you haven't already. Flossing removes debris that gets stuck between your teeth and can't be removed with just a simple mouth rinse. This is important because it prevents inflammation and bacteria growth that could damage teeth and make you sick.

Best Missouri Dentist

Stay healthy, happy, and confident in 2021 with attainable goals! As you work to improve your health each and every day, remember that you have an ally - Access Dental and Dentures. We have the best dental clinics in southern Missouri, with several convenient locations and incredible quality and service. Give us a call to schedule your next appointment: 1-877-DENTIST. We can't wait to help you!

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Diets & Dental Health - How are They Connected?

Before you pick a diet for the New Year, make sure to consider all of the factors, including how it will affect your dental health. There are a lot of popular diets out there and each of them can affect your dental health differently. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri and we are here to help you sort through your diet options and how they can affect you. Keep reading to learn more!  

Dairy-Free Diets

A few good examples of popular dairy-free diets are Paleo and Whole30. The Paleo diet encourages participants to eat meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, healthy fats, and oils. People on this diet are also supposed to avoid processed foods, sugar, soft drinks, grains, dairy products, legumes, artificial sweeteners, vegetable oils, margarine, and trans fats. Whole 30 abides by five major rules: No added sugar, no alcohol, no grains, no legumes, and no dairy. Most of these items can be good to avoid, but not always.

Dairy is often considered beneficial for bones and teeth due to its calcium content. Until recently, all dairy was thought to have the same effect on teeth. The Academy of General Dentistry published a study that indicates cheese could actually have anti-cavity properties. It does this by reducing the level of acidity in your mouth and increasing saliva production! Check out the research in Science Daily here: (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130605130118.htm).

Low Carb Diets

One of the most popular diets in recent years has been the Low-Carb Diet. You may have heard of "Keto", which at its core is a low or no-carb diet. The idea of these diets is to optimize your body to burn fat by reducing or eliminating carbs. This diet could also reduce your folic acid and fiber intake, though, if you are not careful to replace grains with a high volume of leafy greens and beans.

These diets can be detrimental to your oral health because of the elimination of fruits. Fruits are considered carbs on these diets because of their natural sugar content, so they are either not allowed or limited on almost all Low-Carb Diets. But fruits can be helpful to your oral health! Particularly fruits like apples, pears, and watermelon. These fruits have higher water content and cause you to salivate more when eating them. Saliva production is incredibly important to keep your mouth hydrated and free of bacteria. If your choice is between a piece of low-carb pie and an apple, the higher-carb apple may be a healthier choice for your teeth.

Liquid Cleanses

Some people like to start the new year off with a power punch to their health journey. Liquid and juice diets can be very effective for rapid weight loss, but their merits are often debated in the medical community. It can be difficult to get the nutrients you need from fluids alone, and the loss of fiber and roughage in your diet could cause stomach issues.

A liquid diet could also be harmful to your dental health. Crunchy health foods like carrots and apples can help reduce the buildup of plaque by literally pushing it off your teeth. Liquid diets can also be acidic and high in sugar because juices and smoothies tend to be what people on this diet grab first.

Ask Your Dentist

Always remember, you should consult with your doctor before making a drastic change in your daily diet. As the best dentist in the Springfield area, Access Dental and Dentures is here to help your dental health be as good as possible. Whether you are looking to start a new diet or just want to boost your oral health in 2021, we are here for you. Give us a call to set up an appointment and learn more about how to lead a healthier life. We are here for you!

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

1-877-DENTIST

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The Professional Whitening Difference

Looking for a solution to yellow, dull teeth? Before you head to the drug store and grab any old whitening product, keep reading and find out how professional teeth whitening can make the biggest difference while also keep your teeth safe and healthy. Access Dental and Dentures has the best dental clinics in southern Missouri, and we are here for you with all the information you need to safely whiten your teeth this season. 

Custom Whitening Tray

This is probably the best perk of getting your teeth professionally whitened! Drug store whiteners have to be painted on or stuck on as a slippery strip of plastic that never seems to stay put. At Access Dental and Dentures, we fit the whitening tray to your teeth specifically. You can come into our office and get a custom impression made of your teeth and we'll design a whitening tray to perfectly fit your unique smile! This can help ensure all of your teeth are getting the proper coverage of the whitening agent when you do whitening sessions.

Complete Coverage

Our whitening treatments create a brighter white on every part of your teeth. The complete coverage of our whitening trays offers the ideal shade of lightener for your entire smile. With drug store brands, you can usually only get your front teeth, which can look strange any time your other teeth are visible. Smile big and laugh freely with a professional whitening from Access Dental!

You Control the Shade

Access Dental has at-home treatment options so that you can perform the whitening session as often as you'd like until you achieve the results you are looking for. Our dentists will advise you on the proper use and frequency of the treatment. This allows you to safely whiten to the shade you're looking for. Drugstore brands could bleach your teeth too white in just one sitting, causing damage to your enamel that results in pain and sensitivity.

Professional Strength

Our whitening agent is a professional grade so that you can achieve fast results. It can help you gain and maintain the shade of white you want. Over-the-counter products can cause damage to your teeth due to the cheaply made ingredients. Or, they can have a hard time getting your teeth white enough because the whitening agent is too weak. Easily whiten your teeth and save time with a professional whitening.

Convenience!

Access Dental and Dentures has several locations throughout Southern Missouri where you can create your own unique whitening tray impressions. Once you have your personal tray, you can perform the whitening treatments in the convenience of your own home! It's the ultimate way to conveniently get your teeth whitened with a professional treatment.

Boost Confidence

When you are more comfortable with a bright white smile, you can feel more confidence overall! Whitening your teeth professionally is a great way to increase your self-esteem. You can also feel more confident in a professional whitening with Access Dental and Dentures because we know teeth better than anyone. We can make sure they stay healthy and strong throughout the whitening process.

Best Professional Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is something that a lot of people want in order to feel more confident in their smile, but a lot of people make the risky choice of trying to do it with drug store strips, paste, trays, etc. Work with Access Dental and Dentures to get the smile of your dreams and to promote your dental health while whitening your teeth. 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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Dental Health & Pregnancy

Are you expecting a new addition to the family? Access Dental and Dentures has the best dental clinics in southern Missouri, and we are here to help you navigate your dental health during your pregnancy. There are a lot of things you should keep in mind and consider about your teeth, gums, and mouth when you are expecting a baby. Keep reading to learn more about how dental health changes during pregnancy and how you can take better care of yourself! 

Avoid Infection 

When you are pregnant, your body can have a harder time fighting off infection. This is true across the board. While you may be focused on not contracting a cold or stomach bug, it is important to also remember your mouth and teeth. Your body could be struggling with fighting off bacteria and plaque buildup while pregnant. This additional buildup is bad news for your teeth and can cause cavities to occur more quickly. Pay close attention to your oral health during pregnancy to help ensure no serious infections or decay occurs.

Mouth Tumors?

There is a strange phenomenon that can occur with pregnancy called pregnancy tumors. These growths occur under the skin of your mouth and are cause by excess plaque. Help prevent these inconvenient tumors by keeping your mouth clean with diligent dental habits.

Gum Inflammation

During pregnancy, it is common for mothers to suffer from gum inflammation. This is most common during the second trimester. Your gums could experience tenderness, swelling, and even bleeding. It is important to take special care when choosing a tooth brush that is soft bristled to prevent further aggravation of your sensitive gums. If it lasts for an extended period of time or hinders your daily life, it might be time to make an appointment with your local dentist to see if something more serious is happening.

When Baby Comes

Infant oral care is very important. Even though your little one won’t have teeth when they first arrive, it is important to keep their mouth clean and help them start getting used to a good oral health routine early. At first, simply use a clean washcloth or baby toothbrush to wipe their gums. This will help remove milk residue that could be lingering in their mouths. 

As soon as teeth appear, start using a toothbrush during their daily routine. Start by simply brushing away food particles with the toothbrush and water. When your child is a little more advanced, you can add toothpaste to the routine. (Start with a child-friendly toothpaste until they get used to not swallowing it.) 

The age of two is about the time your child should start visiting the dentist to make sure all their teeth are coming in well and there are no concerning issues.

Best Dentist Southern Missouri

If you are expecting a baby and want to know more about how to take care of your teeth during your pregnancy, don't hesitate to give us a call! As the best dentist in the Springfield area, our team of dental professionals are here to help you stay healthy and confident. We can't wait to help you!

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Christmas Gifts with Dental Care in Mind

Looking for a unique gift this year for your Christmas lists? Access Dental and Dentures has some great ideas to help inspire you this year. As the best dentists in southern Missouri, we care about people's health and happiness, and we believe that a great dental care routine is an important part of that. Keep reading to hear our gift ideas that can help keep your family and friends healthier this year. 

Re-Usable Straws

While this may not seem related to dental care at first glance, using a straw when drinking certain beverages can help protect your teeth from exposure to damaging chemicals. Sugary, acidic, or staining drinks won't be in contact with your teeth as much if you use a straw. As an added bonus, re-usable straws are helpful to the environment by eliminating waste from disposable straws!

Toothbrush Sanitizer

To help keep your gift recipient's toothbrush clean and free from bacteria, you could buy them a toothbrush sanitizer. These handy tools use ultra-violet light to kill bacteria that could otherwise grow in the bristles of the toothbrush. You can find these devices in large models you keep in your home bathroom or in small portable models that are battery-powered.

Electric Toothbrush

An electric toothbrush could be the perfect gift this season! Electric brushes help take some of the work out of brushing your teeth. While it's not a labor-intensive activity, the automatic brushing from the electric toothbrush helps keep your teeth clean by ensuring your teeth are getting enough cleaning action. Some electric toothbrushes even have timers letting you know when to switch sides.

A great, affordable electric toothbrush on the market right now is Quip. Quip is not just an electric toothbrush, it is also a subscription service that can help keep your teeth cleaner than a standard disposable brush. The service starts with a Quip brush and brush holder and sends replacement heads in the mail so you never have to think about when to buy a new toothbrush. What a great idea!

Water Pick

These are becoming more popular, and for good reason! These devices are like little power washers that are gentle enough for your teeth. Water picks spray pressurized water, allowing you to thoroughly clean around your teeth for a healthy, chemical-free cleaning technique. There are several different kinds on the market, some very high-end! Surprise your gift recipient with a high-quality water pick this season for incredible health benefits they can enjoy for a long time to come.

Dog Flossing Toys

If your Secret Santa is a pet owner, a dog flossing toy could be a great gift! Dogs need dental care to stay healthy, just like we do. If plaque and tartar build up too much on their teeth, it can cause gum disease and possibly a life-threatening, system-wide infection. Realizing this problem, several inventors came up with creative toys to help keep dogs' teeth clean.

These toys are designed with rubber bristles that gently clean dogs' teeth while they simply enjoy playing with the toy. Some of them even have places to add dog-safe toothpaste with flavoring that will make your gift recipient's dog love it even more!

Best Missouri Dentist

Christmas is just three weeks away! Get the special people in your life gifts that they will love using day after day. Or maybe even get a few of these great items for yourself! Taking care of your dental health is important, and our team is here to help you. As the best dentist in the Springfield area, Access Dental and Dentures is here for you! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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