Gummy, Chewable, or Traditional - Which Vitamins Are Best?

Vitamins can be a great way to supplement a healthy diet to make sure your body is getting everything it needs. The right kind of vitamins can help strengthen your teeth! But, if you're not careful, the kind of vitamin you choose can cause more problems for your teeth than you realize. As your favorite local dentists, Access Dental and Dentures is here to help make sure your teeth are well cared for. Keep reading to learn about the different kinds of vitamins and how they can affect your teeth. 

Gummy Vitamins

Who doesn't love feeling like they're eating candy while making healthy choices? Even though vitamins can help when someone has a deficiency of some kind, the composition of gummy vitamins in particular can be problematic. Gummy vitamins tend to have a lot of added sugar or sugar alcohols, artificial coloring, gelatin, and corn starch.

None of those ingredients are things that health-conscious people want in their daily diet. And while a vitamin-sized amount may not majorly affect the waistline, it could seriously affect your oral health. The additional sugar combined with the sticky nature of a gummy vitamin can cause problems for your teeth. Particles from the vitamin could easily become wedged between your teeth and cause gum irritation, bacterial growth, and more.

Chewable Children's Vitamins

These vitamins have a fun flair with cartoon character shapes, bright colors, and fruity flavors. These attributes can all be very helpful when trying to entice a young child to take their vitamins. However, children can also have difficulty in efficiently and thoroughly brushing their teeth every day. They are just grown up enough to refuse your help when it comes to brushing teeth, but not quite old enough to handle swallowing large vitamin pills. That means the particles and debris from the vitamins remains stuck between their teeth for long amounts of time. This can cause irritation to their gums or allow bacteria to grow between their teeth from the added sugar in the vitamins.

If you are determined to add supplemental vitamins to your child's diet, or if a doctor has recommended it, then there are ways to help prevent harm to their oral health. When they take their vitamins, give them a glass of water also. Teach them to swish water around in their mouth to free up the vitamin particles and flush them away.

Traditional Vitamins

The traditional vitamins that most people are familiar with can be a great way to supplement the vitamins you receive from your diet. Because they do not sit in your mouth for long periods or get stuck between your teeth, they are the optimal form of vitamin for oral health.

Another great way to get vitamins is by maintaining a healthy, balanced diet full of fruits and veggies that naturally deliver the vitamins and minerals you need. Always consult with your physician before making changes in your dietary and supplement habits.

Best Dentist in Missouri 

When you need to take vitamins to supplement your health, make sure you choose the kind that will benefit your whole body, including your teeth! Make sure you aren't leaving chewable particles or gummy pieces in between your teeth if you choose one of these types. Access Dental and Dentures is always here for you! Give us a call to schedule a check up, and follow us on all our platforms to keep learning important dental health tips! 

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

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Healthy Teeth - Healthy Body!

Did you know that your dental health can actually affect your whole body? It's true! That's why it's so important to take care of your teeth - it's not just about a bright smile. It's also about staying healthy and enjoying a long life. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri and we are here to give you the tips and information you need to know. Keep reading to learn what can happen if you don't prioritize your dental health!

 

Why Dental Health is SO Important

Everything you eat or drink, even most of the air you breathe, travels through your mouth. That means a lot of bacteria builds up in your mouth throughout the day. These harmful materials can then actually enter the bloodstream through your gums and saliva. This gives bacteria a direct line into your body! You should brush twice a day, floss daily, and rinse out your mouth to prevent food particles from staying stuck (drink lots of water, use mouth wash, etc.).

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

This is the most basic health issue that happens as a result of not taking care of your dental health. The more that food and bacteria sit between your teeth, the more damage they can do. They weaken tooth enamel and can eventually cause tooth decay, cavities, and even tooth loss!

As your body tries to fight the bacteria in their mouths, it sends additional blood to the affected area. This is what causes gum inflammation and bleeding that we refer to as gingivitis. Gingivitis is considered a minor version of gum disease! As it progresses, the gums get more infected and can start to affect your overall health.

Pneumonia & Respiratory Illness

Lungs get a large amount of the bacteria that has built up in the mouth. This can cause a number of respiratory issues including pneumonia and emphysema. One of the ways oral bacteria can negatively affect your health is by causing lung infections. You can inhale bacteria as a result of the buildup in your mouth. These bacteria travel through your system and lodge in your lungs, causing respiratory issues including pneumonia.

Pregnancy Issues

Oral health issues have been known to cause the risk of preterm birth in pregnant women. Bacteria in the body can increase infection which may lead to an issue with pregnancy.

Heart Problems

Periodontal disease, which is a chronic bacterial infection in the gums, increases the risk of a heart attack or stroke. If it is built up in the mouth, the infection can move through the body via saliva.

Another serious consequence of unattended oral bacteria is heart disease. As the bacterial infection spreads and enters your bloodstream, bacterial plaques can start building up on the valves in your heart. The extra burden on your heart, in addition to the infection, can lead to heart attack and even stroke.

Diabetes

Gum disease can cause diabetic symptoms to worsen by restricting blood flow. People who have diabetes have difficulties keeping glucose levels in check. Improperly managed glucose levels in the mouth can encourage bacteria to grow and will travel throughout the body.

Arthritis

Bacteria in the blood system is thought to lead to the development of arthritis in the joints quicker than it would with good oral health.

Alzheimer's

A study published in Science Advances (1 Jan 2019, https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/1/eaau3333. Accessed 18 June 2021.) found that there may be a correlation between Alzheimer’s and insufficient oral hygiene. In studying Alzheimer patients, researchers discovered that numerous patients had a pathogen in their brains that has been linked to gum disease.

Dental Health & Body Connection

Keep your teeth healthy, and make sure your overall health is in good condition by visiting your local dentist regularly! Taking good care of your teeth is part of a healthy routine to make sure you live a long and healthy life free from complications and serious illness. Access Dental and Dentures is here to make sure your dental health is in great condition. 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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How to Reduce Sugar This Summer!

As the best dentist offices in southern Missouri, Access Dental and Dentures can tell you that too much sugar is very bad for the health of your teeth. Sugar feeds the bacteria on and in between your teeth, allowing them to grow and cause decay in the tooth enamel. As enamel erodes, the rest of the tooth will start to decay and cause a lot of dental issues. Keep reading to learn how to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet this summer for healthier teeth! 

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 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. Even better, a lot of fresh, bright fruits are in season in the summer making them easier to find and more healthy to eat. 

Vegetables can help keep you fuller for longer because of the high amount of fiber in them. Plus, vegetables will provide the healthy vitamins and minerals your body needs. Both these things help reduce intense cravings for sweet items.

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.

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 satisfy your body enough to stop cravings and make it easier to say “no” to the office donuts.

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, crafting, journaling, 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.

Your Local Dentist

Access Dental and Dentures is here for you even when the sugar gets out of control and damages your teeth. We can help professionally clean, repair, and whiten your teeth so you have a smile you are truly proud of! Give us a call to learn more and schedule an appointment. 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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NEED-TO-KNOW Information About Dentures!

Dentures are an incredible benefit when your smile isn't what it used to be. They can give you confidence again when you meet new people or smile for family photos. But, dentures can also have a bad reputation for being uncomfortable or ill-fitting. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri and we are here to address your concerns about dentures and dispel any myths you might have been told! Keep reading to learn the truth about dentures! 

The LOOK of Dentures

A lot of people are scared that it will be obvious they're wearing dentures because they've seen comedy scenes in movies where the dentures are too large, don't fit well, or even fall out. That is not how we do it at Access Dental and Dentures! The color will mimic natural gums and real teeth. Your dentures will look so realistic, no one will know the difference. 

The FEEL of Dentures

The other fear some people have is what the dentures will feel like. Will it affect their speech and cause their mouth to make slurring or clicking noises when they talk? The professional dentures at Access Dental and Dentures won't have those problems. Our onsite experts make sure the fit is perfect so you don't have to deal with changes in your speech, sores on your gums, or pain from the dentures. Your mouth will adjust quickly to the new feeling (usually about a week), and before you know it you won't hardly notice they're there. 

Whole or Partial

Dentures don't have to consist of a full set of teeth. If you are missing a few together in one spot, then a partial denture could be the perfect solution. Partials attach to the teeth on either side of the gap and form a bridge of sorts to fill in the empty space with realistic-looking, comfortable false teeth. 

Sizing & Customization

The sizing of your dentures is extremely important. They are NOT one-size-fits-all. In fact, they should be specifically conformed to your individual mouth shape. At Access Dental and Dentures, we make sure this is the case by custom fitting them to you and adjusting them onsite as necessary for a perfect fit. 

Visiting the Dentist

You may be tempted to think that you don't have to visit the dentist any more once you have dentures - they're fake teeth after all! However, this couldn't be further from the truth. It is still important to regularly visit the dentist to make sure the fit is still good, there isn't rubbing anywhere, and your mouth overall is still healthy and free from oral cancer, gum disease, etc. It's also important to make sure the dentures are holding up so you know when it's time to replace them (typically every 5-7 years). 

Call our offices at Access Dental and Dentures to learn more about our impressive onsite denture fitting and how we can help you enjoy a happier, healthier smile for year to come! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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