Ditching Sugar in the New Year? Check Out These Tips!

Reducing or completely eliminating added sugar from your diet is a great New Year's Resolution! It can also be really challenging, especially if you currently have a lot of added sugar in your diet. Many people don't realize how many food items have added sugar until they try to eliminate it... Like high fructose corn syrup in crackers!! If you're determined to get healthier in 2022 and want to reduce sugar, Access Dental and Dentures has the tips to help you be successful. Keep reading to learn more! 

Drink Water

Sometimes the body can get confused and cross its signals. If you are craving something sweet, your body could actually just be dehydrated and in need of water. Drink a large glass of water when you experience unhealthy cravings or hunger outside of mealtime. This could help satiate your body enough to curb cravings so you can say “no” to the office candy dish.

Avoid Stress & Triggers

While avoiding stress is sometimes easier said than done, there are other ways to help your body cope other than eating sweets. A few things you can try to help cope with stress are… meditation, yoga, exercise, etc.

Avoid triggers or tempting situations like grocery shopping while hungry, or attending a party on an empty stomach. If you know you will be attending a party where you will be surrounded by a lot of sweets, eat a meal that is high in protein before leaving and make sure you are well hydrated. Chew on a piece of gum during the party to help prevent absent-minded snacking as well.

Eat More Protein

Protein is a necessary nutrient to our diets, and it also helps you feel full for longer. If you feel full throughout the day, you are less likely to feel like snacking on unhealthy treats and sweets. Protein can help diminish your cravings as well, because your body doesn’t feel like it is in need of more nutrients.

Eat Fruit

Fruit contains natural sugars that are significantly better for you than table sugar. Eating a handful of berries or an apple could help satisfy your sweet tooth while also providing good vitamins, minerals, and fiber to your diet.

Avoid Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are typically not actually better for you than traditional sugar. While both are bad for your health, artificial sweeteners can cause the signals that control appetite in your brain to get mixed up or ignored. Some sweeteners that are considered “healthy”, like Stevia, actually taste ten times sweeter than the average sweetener. If your taste buds develop an appetite for this sweeter flavor, it is likely that you will crave more of it in higher quantities.

Best Dentist in Missouri

Get ready for a healthier year with these tips to help you reduce or eliminate sugar! Reducing sugar in your daily life can make a big difference in your overall health and your dental health. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri, and we are here to help you stay healthy and happy in the new year and for years to come. Give us a call to set up an appointment! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Teeth & Smoking - What's Happening Inside Your Mouth?

Thinking about quitting smoking in the New Year? That's a great idea! As the best dentist office in southern Missouri, Access Dental and Dentures knows just how damaging smoking can be to not only your overall health, but also the health of your teeth. Today we're covering the incredible benefits of quitting smoking for your dental health. Keep reading to learn all about it!

Isn't the Damage Already Done? 

While your teeth and gums may have already experienced a lot of damage from years of smoking, it's never too late to quit! In fact, many habitual smokers that quit then have the same lower risk of gum disease as a non-smoker. Your gum and tooth health will also improve greatly if you even reduce the amount you smoke. Again, it's never too late to quite and enjoy a healthier lifestyle, and - as a result - as healthier mouth!

Why Does Smoking Do So Much Harm?

When you smoke, your body's immune system is weakened and has a hard time fighting off infection. That means that all the bacteria in your mouth has a better chance of causing problems for your teeth and gums. Plaque and tartar in between your teeth can grow more quickly, causing inflammation and infection. In fact, a smoker's chance of getting gum disease is twice as much as a non-smoker. 

What Problems Can Smoking Cause? 

Smoking can lead to serious dental problems. Some are just annoying and inconvenient like bad breath and tooth discoloration. But it can also cause very serious issues including inflammation of the salivary glands, increased buildup of plaque and tartar, lose of bone in the jaw, risk of leukoplakia, risk of gum disease, tooth loss, delayed healing, and increased risk of developing oral cancer. 

Are Any Tobacco Products Better for Me? 

In short, no! Cigarettes, pipes, and chewing tobacco are all detrimental to your dental health and increase your risk of gum disease and all the other dental health issues we've talked about. 

What are the Warning Signs of Gum Disease? 

If you're wondering what the signs and symptoms are of gum disease, check out this list: 

• Sensitive teeth
• Gums are red or swollen
• Gums are tender or bleeding
• Pain with chewing
• Loose teeth
• Gums pulling away from the teeth

How Is Gum Disease Treated?

Gum disease is very detrimental to your overall health, so it's important to seek treatment if you think you have an issue. The best way to treat early gum disease is with regular tooth brushing, flossing, and visits to the dentist's office. If you do end up with severe gum disease, there are still ways to treat it. Your dentist may have to clean below the gum line, perform surgery to remove tartar and heal bone or gum loss, or prescribe a prescription mouth rinse. Keep in mind, though, it may be harder for your gums to heal if you are a smoker. 

Dental Health in Missouri

If you are looking for help addressing your dental health issues, Access Dental and Dentures is here for you! Our expert team of dentists and dental hygienists can help find out what is going on and how to fix it. You deserve a healthy, confident smile, and we can help you!

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Caution: Not All Diets are Equal!

With the New Year coming up, you might be thinking about starting a new diet. Before you choose, it's important to know how some of the popular diets can affect your dental health. As the best dentist in southern Missouri, Access Dental and Dentures cares about your teeth and your overall health. Keep reading to learn how these diets might affect your teeth before you get started next year.

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.

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.

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).

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

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Give Happy Smiles for Christmas This Year!

Struggling to find the perfect Christmas present or stocking stuffer this year? Access Dental and Dentures has some great ideas for unique gifts that your recipients will love. Some of these gifts help make people's dental hygiene routine better, and even cleaner. Others are just fun! Keep reading to find the perfect inspiration for your Christmas list 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!

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 Dentist in Missouri

Access Dental and Dentures loves our patients and helping keep you healthy and happy. Try some of our favorite dental-inspired gift ideas this year, and let your loved ones know that Access Dental is a great place to take care of your oral health. With a confident, healthy smile, it truly can be the happiest season of all!  

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Get a Brighter, Whiter Smile Safely with Professional Whitening! ✨

Reveal your true smile with professional teeth whitening! No one loves yellow, dull teeth. Get the confident bright smile you deserve with help from Access Dental and Dentures. While there are technically over the counter options to help whiten your teeth, these are often dangerous. They can permanently damage your enamel, not reach every spot on your teeth, and cause several other issues. Keep reading to find out the incredible benefits of professional teeth whitening services! 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Best Teeth Whitening Services

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

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

3 Tips to Strengthen Your Immune System

T'is the season! ... To get a cold. With the weather changing back and forth from warm to nearly freezing, plus all the stress from prepping for the holidays, your immune system can have a hard time keeping up. At Access Dental, we care about your health and want to make sure you enjoy every season with a healthy and happy body. Today, we're diving into some basic tips on how to help keep your immune system strong in this (and any!) season.

Get Lots of Sleep

When you are sleep deprived, you can't function as well and your immune system could have a difficult time preventing infections. If you lose a couple of hours of sleep here and there, you may think that it doesn't make a difference. But, your body can actually hold onto a sleep deficit for several weeks! Help your immune system keep you healthier in every season by regularly getting seven to eight hours of sleep every night.

Reduce Sugar

Too much sugar and carbs can negatively affect your health in a big way. If you overindulge on these substances regularly, it can cause weight gain and inflammation. The inflammation can make your immune system have to work harder. With all that extra work, your immune system may be too worn out to fight off infection when it encounters a virus. Sugar also sticks to your teeth and gums which can cause bacterial buildup and decay. If your immune system has to consistently fight off germs from sugary food particles in your teeth, then it could be less effective at keeping you healthy.

Drink Plenty of Water

While water doesn't kill viruses or bacteria, it can help improve a lot of areas of your health and behavior that do help fight off infection. When your body is hydrated, you will likely have more energy and focus, better digestion, and improved circulation. All of these things help take the burden off of your immune system so that it can work better when it encounters a sickness.

Schedule Regular Check-Ups

Regular check-ups with your doctor (and your dentist!) are important to make sure you are doing well and staying healthy! Your doctor may find something that you weren't even aware of and can help treat it before it develops into a bigger problem. This is especially true for your dental health. What you might think is just a little tooth pain could actually be a deeper issue like a cavity or developing gum disease. 

The Best Dentist in Near You!

With several convenient locations in southern Missouri, Access Dental and Dentures is here to help you enjoy a healthy smile (and a healthy lifestyle!) all year long. Follow us on social media to keep up with our healthy tips, and be sure to give us a call to schedule your next dental appointment! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Important Dental Health Tips for the Holidays

Halloween has come and gone, Thanksgiving is next week, and Christmas is right around the corner! All of these holidays come with a lot of temptation... Candy, dessert, comfort foods, and more. It can also be hard to keep up your normal routine over the holidays when you're traveling or you have a lot of guests at your house. Access Dental and Dentures is here to help you stay healthy no matter what time of year. Keep reading to learn our tips for the holidays! 

Food & Drink Selections

We tend to make more unhealthy choices over the holidays when it comes to choosing what to eat and drink.  Instead of eating a lightly seasoned fish filet with steamed veggies, we indulge in gravy-smothered dishes high in carbs, fat, and sugar. It can be easy to make excuses for the holidays, especially when you think ahead to January and promise yourself that your resolutions will make up for the bad choices now. Unfortunately, the bad food choices you make over the holidays can do more than just add pounds. Bacteria feed on sugar, so the more sweets you consume over the holidays, the more the bacteria in your mouth can grow. If you choose to indulge this season, try to limit the amount of sugar you consume, and make sure to rinse your mouth and brush your teeth after a particularly sugar-rich meal.

Overindulging

During the holidays, it can be hard to manage your impulse control. After all, how often do you have a full feast of delicious foods and desserts spread out in front of you?! Not only do we tend to eat too much during the holidays, but we also tend to eat too often. As you spend time in the kitchen with your family preparing dishes for dinner, you could fall into a bad habit of snacking all day. It's just a taste test, right? Unfortunately, if you are eating food all day - especially food high in sugar and fat - that means it's in contact with your teeth for a longer amount of time. The longer food is in contact with your teeth, the more opportunity bacteria has to grow and accumulate. Try to avoid snacking throughout the day in order to keep your teeth feeling fresh. If you do choose to snack during the day, be sure to drink plenty of water to flush away food particles.

Neglecting Healthy Habits

Even if you're not traveling far this year, the holidays tend to disrupt our normal habits. With time off work, scheduling zoom calls, visiting nearby family, buying presents, and other holiday activities... It can be hard to keep up with important dental and hygiene habits. Make your health a priority and set reminders to brush and floss your teeth every day, bring a refillable water bottle with you to stay hydrated, and carry floss picks and travel mouthwash with you to stay fresh. 

Your Missouri Dentist 

The holidays are full of temptations, but that doesn't mean you have to throw all your good habits out the window. You can stay healthy throughout the season with these tips, and with help from the best dentist in southern Missouri - Access Dental and Dentures! We have several convenient locations in southern Missouri, and we would love to help you keep your teeth in top condition year after year. Call to schedule an appointment: 1-877-DENTIST

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Crowns vs. Fillings - Do You Know the Difference?

Dental care can seem complicated, and it might be hard to sort through all the information out there. One question we answer a lot is this: What is the difference between a filling and a crown? And why would I need one instead of another? Access Dental and Dentures has the best dental clinics in southern Missouri, and we are here to help answer your questions and take care of all your dental needs. Keep reading to learn more! 

What are Composite Fillings? 

Composite (tooth-colored) fillings are a mixture of glass or quartz filler in a resin medium. All that to say, composite fillings provide good durability and strength for damaged teeth. Composite fillings are also light-cured to match your teeth so it looks natural. 

When Should Composite Fillings be Used? 

This kind of filling should be used in small to mid-sized tooth repairs that need to withstand moderate chewing pressure. Direct dental composites can also be used for filling cavity preparations, filling gaps between teeth using a shell-like veneer, minor reshaping of teeth, and partial crowns on single teeth.

What are Dental Crowns? 

Crowns strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure when there is a lot of decay or damage. They can also improve the appearance of your teeth. Crowns are made from different materials which include the full porcelain crown, the porcelain fused-to-metal crown, and the all-metal crown. You and your dentist will decide which type is appropriate, depending upon the strength requirements and esthetic concerns of the tooth involved.

Fitting a crown requires at least two appointments. During your first visit, the tooth is prepared for the crown, an impression or mold is made of the tooth, and a temporary crown is placed over the prepared tooth. At the subsequent visit, the temporary crown is removed and the final crown is fitted and adjusted and cemented into place.

Why Would I Need a Crown?

The reasons your dentist may suggest restoring your tooth with a crown can vary from case to case. Some of the indications for a using a crown are:

A previously filled tooth where there now exists more filling than tooth. The existing tooth structure becomes weakened and can no longer support the filling.

• Extensive damage by decay.
• Discolorations and compromised esthetics.
• Fractures
• Root canal – After root canal, teeth tend to become brittle and are more apt to fracture. They, therefore, need to be protected by a crown.
• Bridges – When missing teeth are replaced with a bridge, the adjacent teeth require crowns in order to support the replacement teeth.

Best Dental Care in Missouri

If your teeth have experienced damage or decay and you need a repair, Access Dental and Dentures is here to help! We can check your teeth and determine exactly what's needed to get you back to your best and healthiest smile. Give us a call to schedule your next appointment! 1-877-DENTIST

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Fruit - Is It Good or Actually Bad?

Fruit has a mostly great reputation in the health community. But some groups think that fruit can have negative effects on your health. So... Which is true? Is fruit good or bad for your overall health? Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in Missouri and we are here to help answer that question for you! Keep reading to learn the positive and negative effects that fruit can have. 

Sugars & Carbs

Fruit contains natural sugars and contain carbohydrates. Many refined carbohydrates transition into sugars as well, so there can be quite a bit of sugar in most fruits. Some people on low-carb diets (such as Atkins and Keto) will avoid fruit almost entirely because of their carb content. However, when compared with packaged overly-processed foods, fruit is the significantly healthier option overall. Just keep in mind that the sugar content could be feeding bacteria between your teeth, which will wear away at your enamel. Be sure to brush your teeth regularly so the fruit has less contact time with your teeth. 

Vitamins & Minerals

Fruits have several vitamins and minerals that help keep your body healthy. One of the most notable vitamins found in several fruits is Vitamin C. This vitamin is infamous for helping stave off the common cold and giving your immune system a boost. Vitamin C is considered an antioxidant and helps with inflammation and the healing process from injuries or damage. Fruits that contain Vitamin C include oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, tomato, cantaloupe, strawberries, and more!

Acid Content 

Fresh fruit, especially citrus like lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, etc., are high in acid. This acid can erode the enamel on your teeth, causing them to be sensitive and more prone to cavities. To get the health benefits of fruit without causing too much damage to your teeth, try drinking water when you eat them. Drinking water can help to wash away some of the acid so your teeth aren't exposed for as long. If you're drinking fruit juice, try using a straw to reduce the amount of time it's touching your teeth. 

High Fiber & Low Caloric Density 

Another great health benefit of fruits is their high fiber content and relatively low caloric density. The fruits that contain a lot of fiber can help keep you feeling full for longer amount of time. This helps prevent you from craving junk food and over-snacking. Fruit also contains a high volume of water which means the calories are spread out across more volume. (Example: 10 grapes will keep you fuller than 10 raisins.) 

Dental Health & Diet

One of the ways you can help keep your teeth in top condition is by following a balanced diet. Enjoy the benefit of the increased vitamins, minerals, and fiber by including more fruit in your diet. Just make sure to keep up your regular dental habits and rinse your mouth out after eating to prevent too much sugar and acid being in contact with your teeth. Also be sure to set up regular dentist appointments to checkup on your teeth and keep them clean and healthy. Call Access Dental and Dentures to learn more and schedule an appointment! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Low Sugar Holiday Treats That are Still Tasty!

Over the next couple of months, there are going to be a lot of family dinners, gatherings of friends, and TONS of sweet treats and snacks that are full of sugar. That much sugar could not only derail your health goals, but it could also accelerate tooth decay because sugar feeds bacteria and helps it grow in your mouth... yuck! Access Dental and Dentures has the best dental clinics in Missouri and we are here to help you this holiday season. Today we're talking about how you can have a reduced sugar holiday meal without sacrificing taste. Keep reading to learn the best tips and tricks!

Sugar Alternatives

Most holiday food tends to have a lot of added sugar in it. When you think about the most harmful and most impactful kinds of sweetener, these should come to mind: table sugar, high fructose corn syrup, glucose, etc. If you are looking for a somewhat healthier option that still contains natural sugars, you can try using agave syrup, honey, or even natural orange juice to get a sweetened flavor without adding a massive amount of sugar that could be bad for your health. If you want to go completely sugar free, there are sugar substitutes that can still give you a sweet flavor without any of the sugar content. Stevia is one of the most highly regarded options on the market right now. It comes from a plant, so it's more natural than some of the chemical alternatives. Just remember that it takes much less Stevia to achieve the same level of sweetness that sugar gives. 

Low Sugar Snacks

Instead of snacking on candy, cookies, and other items full of sugar, you can choose healthier options that give your body the protein and vitamins & minerals it needs to keep you balanced through the holidays. Try snacking on low-butter popcorn, nut medleys, fruit bowls, veggie trays, and fancy charcuterie boards with high-end cheeses and meats. These snacks are not only delicious and lower in sugar, but they are also more likely to keep you fuller for longer so you don't crave as many sweet-filled snacks.

Have a Plan

One of the biggest reasons people report snacking too much is because they don't have a plan for their main meal and they start snacking while they try to make a decision and end up over eating - or they are simply bored and fill the void with snacks. That is why having a plan for your day is a great way to prevent over-eating on the holidays. Before your guests arrive for the day/week of the holiday, be sure to have a plan for each meal. Know what you plan to serve for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and be sure to have healthy snacks readily available and in the open. This will help people make better choices when they do start feeling snack-y. 

Stay Healthy All Year

The holidays can be one of the most tempting times of year with the abundance of food lying around and sweets seemingly everywhere calling your name. But, that doesn't mean it's impossible to stay healthy through the holiday season. And it's important to remember that whatever choices you make, you are keeping sustainability and your overall lifestyle in mind. Access Dental and Dentures cares about your health and we want to make sure you stay healthy year-round. Set up an appointment with us and we'll check our your teeth, gums, and overall mouth health. We can address any issues we find so you can keep a confident healthy smile. Give us a call! 1-877-DENTIST

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Vitamins Essential for Dental Health

Have you ever wondered what kinds of vitamins and minerals you need to keep your teeth and mouth healthy? Access Dental and Dentures is here to help answer that question and tell you how you can incorporate these important elements into your lifestyle so you can stay healthy and keep your teeth in great condition. Keep reading to learn all about it! 

Calcium

You may already know this one, especially if you've heard that milk is good for your teeth. More than milk, though, cheese can be beneficial for your teeth because the casein that's also in cheese is good for keeping your enamel strong. Calcium can also be found in sardines, beans, leafy greens, and foods that are fortified with calcium. 

Magnesium

A great mineral to pair with Calcium is Magnesium, because Magnesium helps the body absorb Calcium. Add Magnesium to your diet by eating nuts, seeds, dark leafy vegetables, beans, and whole grains. 

Phosphorus

Another mineral that helps your body absorb Calcium is Phosphorus. For that reason, Phosphorus is important in building strong teeth. It also helps create protein to repair your body's cells. Get more Phosphorus by eating fish, meat, whole grains, nuts, beans, lentils, and dairy products. Pro tip: Phosphorus from animal products is easier for your body to absorb and use than Phosphorus in plant products. 

Vitamin C

This vitamin is infamous for helping stave off the common cold and giving your immune system a boost. Vitamin C is considered an antioxidant and helps with inflammation and the healing process from injuries or damage. You can incorporate more vitamin C in your diet by eating oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, red peppers, tomato, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, broccoli, strawberries, brussels sprouts, and more!

Vitamin A

This vitamin is essential for a healthy mouth because it helps promote mucus and saliva production. As gross as this sounds, having enough mucus and saliva in your mouth helps protect your cheeks and gums from infection. Get plenty of Vitamin A from eggs, sweet potatoes, fish, and carrots. 

Vitamin D

Remember Calcium? Vitamin D is another important part of getting the most out of Calcium. Vitamin D essentially tells your intestines to absorb Calcium and get it into your bloodstream. It helps strengthen your teeth to prevent breaks, cracks, and chips. Vitamin D is found in fish, eggs, cheese, fortified milk, and other dairy products. Pro Tip: Spending time in the sun can help your body create its OWN Vitamin D!

Visit Your Doctor and Dentist

If you are concerned that you aren't getting enough vitamins in your diet to stay healthy and strong, it may be time to visit your doctor and a nutritionist to evaluate your diet and what changes you should make. If you haven't already, it's also a good idea to visit your dentist and make sure your teeth are strong and in the best condition they can be in. Call Access Dental and Dentures today! 1-877-DENTIST

Which Halloween Candy is Worse for Your Teeth? 🎃🍬

Halloween is just a little more than two weeks away! There is going to be a LOT of candy around the house soon, and Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri and we are here to help you sort through exactly which kinds of candy are better for your teeth, and which ones can be really damaging. Keep reading to learn all about how candy affects your teeth before the holiday!

The Worst Candy for Teeth

The reason that candy is so bad for your teeth is because of the high sugar content. Sugar feeds bacteria and allows it to grow and flourish in your mouth. Some candy types can also include ingredients that make it adhere even more to your teeth, causing plaque buildup and tooth decay. These are some of the most detrimental types of candy for your dental health... 

Hard Candies

Some people like to savor hard candy for long amounts of time, while other people like to bite into them and crunch through the piece of candy. Both of these options are not good for your teeth. If you like to savor your hard candy, the candy is in contact with your teeth much longer than other types of candy. Biting through hard candy is also bad because the hard candy can damage your teeth, causing chips, cracks, and enamel issues. 

Sour Candy

This kind of candy is highly acidic. The acid content in sour candy is what give it the very sour flavor people love. But, too much acid is really bad for your teeth. Acid can cause enamel erosion, making your teeth more prone to tooth decay and gum inflammation. 

Gummy Candy & Taffy

This kind of candy tends to stick to and in between your teeth. If gummy candy and taffy gets stuck between your teeth, the sugar stays there and continuously causes damage to your teeth and their enamel. Because it's SO sticky, you need to be sure to floss and brush thoroughly after consuming this kind of candy. One important thing to be aware of - if the gummy or taffy candy you're eating has a high acid content, you need to wait a while before brushing your teeth. Otherwise you'll be scrubbing your teeth with the left-behind acid from the candy, causing more serious enamel erosion. 

Candy That Causes Less Damage

If you're going to eat candy (who doesn't want to around Halloween?!), then there are a few kinds that are not as bad for your teeth. When you choose candy, try aiming for these kinds instead...

Sugar-Free Candy

Clearly, sugar is the most damaging part of candy. That's why choosing sugar-free candy is the best option if you're going to enjoy candy. Without the damaging, bacteria-feeding sugar, the candy will be less damaging. 

Dark Chocolate

Chocolate is an American favorite, so this is great news! Dark chocolate has actually been shown to contain antioxidants, which are good for promoting your health and fighting aging. Dark chocolate also doesn't have as much sugar as milk chocolate, so it's even better for your teeth. 

Visit the Dentist

If you tend to have a sweet tooth and like enjoying candy a little more than you should, then you definitely don't want to skip your dental hygiene habits and dentist appointments. Make sure you are brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, drinking plenty of water, and keeping your dental appointments every 6 months as recommended. Give Access Dental and Dentures a call to schedule your next appointment - we can't wait to help you enjoy a healthier life! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Getting Older Can Affect Your Teeth!

Teeth aren't the same over your whole lifetime - the enamel strength, tendency to get cavities, and so much more! Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri, and we are here to help you understand how to take the best care of your teeth as you age. Keep reading and give us a call when you're ready to schedule an appointment! 

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.

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 acidic 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.

Best Dentist in Southern Missouri

Don't let your teeth change so much that you lose your happy, confident smile! if your teeth have started to change and you're not happy, give Access Dental and Dentures a call! We are the best dentist in southern Missouri, and we are here to help you. We can't wait to meet you and help you enjoy a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums. 

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

How to Avoid the Fall Fifteen

Have you heard of the fall fifteen? When the fall season arrives, with all of its sweet and fattening treats, it can be hard to keep your heath top-of-mind. Swim suit season is over, and you might be tempted to use oversized sweaters and big scarves as an excuse to stop minding the amount of calories you're consuming on a daily basis. Access Dental and Dentures cares about your dental health, and beyond! Keep reading to learn how to fight the temptation to consume a lot of sugar and overeat this fall.

Drink Plenty of Water

Sometimes the body can get confused and cross its signals. If you are craving something sweet, your body could actually just be dehydrated and in need of water. Drink a large glass of water when you experience unhealthy cravings or hunger outside of mealtime. This could help satiate your body enough to curb cravings so you can say “no” to the office candy dish.

Prioritize Protein

Protein is a necessary nutrient to our diets, and it also helps you feel full for longer. If you feel full throughout the day, you are less likely to feel like snacking on unhealthy treats and sweets. Protein can help diminish your cravings as well, because your body doesn’t feel like it is in need of more nutrients.

Ditch Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are typically not actually better for you than traditional sugar. While both are bad for your health, artificial sweeteners can cause the signals that control appetite in your brain to get mixed up or ignored. Some sweeteners that are considered “healthy”, like Stevia, actually taste ten times sweeter than the average sweetener. If your taste buds develop an appetite for this sweeter flavor, it is likely that you will crave more of it in higher quantities.

Substitute Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

Substituting yummy berries and melons for dessert is a tasty solution! Just remember to brush and floss your teeth afterward to keep the sugar and acid off your teeth so it doesn't cause enamel wear and tooth decay. 

Vegetables are also a great snack to keep you fuller for longer. Instead of grabbing potato chips, try toasting some kale with a little bit of salt to satisfy your crunchy/salty craving. Not only are vegetables good for your body, but the texture of crunchy vegetables like carrots can also help scrape some bad bacteria off of your teeth.

Avoid Stress & Triggers

While avoiding stress is sometimes easier said than done, there are other ways to help your body cope other than eating sweets. A few things you can try to help cope with stress are… meditation, yoga, exercise, etc.

Avoid triggers or tempting situations like grocery shopping while hungry, or attending a party on an empty stomach. If you know you will be attending a party where you will be surrounded by a lot of sweets, eat a meal that is high in protein before leaving and make sure you are well hydrated. Chew on a piece of gum during the party to help prevent absent-minded snacking as well.

Make Healthy Eating Fun

Presentation is everything! For adults, a platter full of colorful fruits and vegetables is so beautiful it makes you want to dig right in. For kids, make a smiley face or cute little creature out of their fruits and veggies. There are tutorials all over the internet with clever and simple ideas for how to do this.

Hot summer days are on the way and you can easily substitute sugary ice cream bars and popsicles with frozen yogurt bars. If you make them at home, you can even add in some of your favorite chopped up or pureed fruits.

Smoothies are all mixed up into a drinkable liquid form which makes them the perfect healthy snack to sneak in a few leafy greens. You get nutrients from foods you may not necessarily enjoy on their own but the right recipe can mask that flavor with another food you do enjoy.

Schedule a Check-Up

Staying on top of doctor's office visits is important when managing your health. Be sure to schedule annual check-ups to check in with your doctor about how you are feeling and to maintain health blood pressure, weight, and other important health factors. Also schedule your dental check-ups every 6 months to make sure your teeth and mouth are staying healthy and strong. Access Dental and Dentures has the best dental clinics in southern Missouri and we are here to help you! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn