Kids' Dental Habits to BREAK Now!

Kids' teeth are growing and changing a lot when they're young. Some people may think that it's not important to take care of baby teeth - they'll fall our anyway, right? Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist office in southern Missouri and we say, false! Your children's baby teeth are still connected to the gum line and can affect your kids' overall health. Plus, it's a good idea for them to develop healthy habits early so they know what to do when they get their adult teeth. Keep reading to learn about some of the common bad habits kids have related to their teeth. 

Sucking Their Thumb 

While your child is under the age of four, it is not uncommon for him or her to be attached to sucking their thumb. About 90% of children between the ages of 2-4 suck their thumbs. Many children will start doing this as soon as they are born. It is a self-soothing method that develops while still in the womb. It can be a security action and help to reduce any anxiety the child may have. While this is not an unusual habit to pick up, it may be a very hard habit to break the older a child gets. Thumb sucking can start to impact your child's teeth and mouth composition (including the shape of your child's bite and palate) if this habit goes on for too long. Our knowledgeable dentists in Southern Missouri are here to help you understand common thumb sucking tendencies, as well as some ways to help wean your child away from this habit.

Putting Items in Their Mouth

Younger kids are especially curious and tend to explore the world with their mouths. Once babies can crawl, they can find lots of random items on the floor that they will stick into their mouths out of curiosity. This can be incredibly dangerous due to choking hazards, but it is also bad for your kids because it introduces a lot of bacteria into their mouths. You can help prevent this by keeping the floors clean and picking up any items that your baby might put in their mouths. 

Not Brushing Their Back Teeth

Little kids may not realize how important it is to brush every surface of their teeth. Food particles can regularly get stuck in between their back molars that then need to be cleaned out. If they aren't brushing their back teeth well enough, they could be missing important areas and could develop cavities. Make sure you teach them the importance of tooth brushing and use a tooth brushing timer (for 2 minutes) to help them not rush through the activity. 

Fear of Dentists

Some kids are afraid of going to the dentist. It's intimidating to a little one to have a stranger that close to their face and sticking things in their mouths. Access Dental and Dentures is great with kids, and we can help them feel comfortable during their dentist appointments. You can also help by getting them used to the process and what the tools will look like. There are small dental tool kits at local drugstores that you can buy for a very affordable rate. You can show you kids what the little dental mirror and scraper look like so they aren't scared when they see them in the office. Just make sure you don't let them scratch at their own teeth with the tools. Someone who isn't an expert can easily damage the enamel on your teeth. 

Best Pediatric Dentist in Southern Missouri

Access Dental and Dentures specializes in children's dentistry and we always do our best to make sure you little one's visit to the dentist is a positive experience that they aren't afraid of. We also have several locations in the southern part of Missouri so you don't have to have the kids in the car for too long of a drive. Check out our locations and services on our website, and give us a call to schedule your next appointment! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Tips to Cut Sugar!

Cold weather tends to come with cravings for comfort food and sugar. While those things can be fun to enjoy every now and then, having them regularly can be really bad for your health - including your teeth. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in the Springfield area, and we are here to help you create healthier habits, like avoiding sugar. Keep reading for great tips on reducing sugar in 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.

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.

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.

Eat Fruits & Vegetables

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. Vegetables can help keep you fuller for longer so you don't have such intense cravings for sweet items. Plus, they will provide the healthy vitamins and minerals your body needs.

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.

Best Dentist in Southern Missouri

Keep yourself healthy by following a balanced diet, staying active, and keeping up with important checkups and physicals recommended by your doctors. If it's been a while since your last dental appointment, come see Access Dental and Dentures for a professional cleaning and checkup to make sure everything is in good condition. 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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Common Dental Changes During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can change a lot of things about your body - and your dental health is definitely one of those things! With all of the additional doctor's appointments you're going to for the pregnancy, you may not feel like going to yet another medical appointment. But, your dental health is very important and can affect your overall health. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist near you (We have four convenient locations in Southern Missouri!), and we are here to help you navigate your dental health while you're expecting. 

Infection and Decay

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.

Pregnancy 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.

Gums

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 Arrives

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.

Your Missouri Dentist

When you're expecting a little one, a lot of things change. You have to focus more diligently on your health to make sure your developing baby is also healthy. As the best dentist in Southern Missouri, Access Dental and Dentures would love to be your dental health resource. Give us a call and set up an appointment to make sure everything is good with your oral health. We would love to help and be there for you! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Get Wise About Wisdom Teeth!

Have you been wondering if you need to have your wisdom teeth removed? Or wondering what the point is of the wisdom teeth in the first place? Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist of southern Missouri, and we are here to help you understand important facts about dental health and how to take care of yourself. Keep reading to learn more about wisdom teeth and whether or not you should have yours removed. 

Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed? 

As wisdom teeth come in, you will likely feel quite a bit of pain, particularly as they break through your gums. They may also start pushing your teeth together, causing your "bite" to shift. If you are noticing jaw pain and that your teeth don't fit together as well when you bite down, it could be time to remove your wisdom teeth.

Getting an x-ray at our dental offices in Southern Missouri is the easiest way to determine how your wisdom teeth are coming in. Sometimes they can grow at a weird angle and become "impacted". 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, it is time to have them removed. 

What are Wisdom Teeth, Anyway?

These teeth are the very back molars that come in when you are significantly older than when your first teeth came in. They do not replace any baby teeth and, because they come in when you are older, they're given the name "wisdom teeth". Whether or not you have wisdom teeth grow in is determined by genetics. So if both your parents had to have theirs removed, it is likely that you will need to have yours taken out as well.

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are a type of molar. Molars are used to grind down tough foods so that they are easier to consume. Our diets are significantly softer and easier to eat now than they used to be, so wisdom teeth are no longer necessary. There is also not as much room to allow wisdom teeth to grow in. That means that they can start pushing your teeth together, causing cosmetic and in some cases physical issues for your teeth.

Care After Removal

Taking care of yourself after getting your wisdom teeth removed is very important. Your dentist will give you a syringe to help clean the areas where the teeth were removed. Use warm salty water to flush out the area every time you eat. Your dentist may also recommend sticking to a liquid diet for a few days while your stitches heal. Make sure you don't use a straw and don't engage in any physically demanding activities for awhile. The suction and pressure from your elevated heart rate could cause the stitches to burst, which can quickly turn into an infection. 

Visit Access Dental

If you aren't sure whether or not you have wisdom teeth coming in, or if yours need to be removed, Access Dental and Dentures can help make that determination for you! As the best dentist in the Springfield area, we can help you take proper care of your teeth and overall oral health. Give us a call to schedule an appointment or to ask questions about our services and how we can help you! 1-877-DENTIST

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

1-877-DENTIST

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