The Most Common Dental Problems (And How to Treat Them!)

It is no secret that dental health and hygiene is an important aspect of daily life, as most people strive to have a winning smile and minty-fresh breath. But sometimes these wants can be a lot more difficult to meet than expected! Did you know that over half of the American population feels insecure about their teeth? Although we don’t know why that percentage is so high, it may have something to do with some incredibly common dental issues that even you may be suffering from! The team at Access Dental has come up with a list of some of the most frequent dental issues that impact our patients. Luckily, if you are struggling with any of these, hope is not lost! We are here to provide you with the dental care in Southern Missouri you need to make your smile one you love.

Tooth Decay (Cavities)

Cavities, or tooth decay, is probably the most common dental problem, and you have probably struggled with a cavity at one point in your life. Cavities develops when plaque builds up on the surface of your teeth, leading to your enamel being stripped away of the protection it provides, thus causing tooth decay, cavities, toothaches, and even holes forming on your teeth.

Most may think this issue is strictly related to children, but studies have actually shown that over 90% of adults have tooth decay and cavities. Luckily, there are options to help with the prevention and treatment of cavities!

Prevention and treatment methods include:

-          A consistent brushing schedule (that means two times a day, morning, and evening!)

-          Sticking with water, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a soda every now and again but try to refrain from too much sugar.

-          Flossing! It probably goes without saying but flossing out the food left between your teeth is incredibly helpful in preventing cavities.

-          Regular dental checkups

-          Fillings, crowns, and sometimes root canals

 

Gum Disease

Most people have heard of gingivitis and may have even had to be treated for it, but did you know that gum disease can extend beyond just gingivitis? Periodontitis is a more aggressive form of gum disease in that, although gingivitis leads to irritation and swelling, periodontitis can actually cause bleeding, pain when chewing, receding gums, bad breath, and even tooth loss!

Some common ways to prevent and treat gum disease include:

-Maintaining a consistent brushing and flossing routine

-Antibiotics for the infection (Periodontitis)

-Deep cleaning for your teeth

-Regular dental checkups (This is key to ensuring your dental health is where it needs to be!)

 

Sensitive Teeth

No one likes struggling to eat or drink due to sensitive teeth, but what causes it? Sensitive teeth develop when the enamel that protects the teeth becomes damage, allowing hot or cold substances to travel to the nerve endings in your teeth, resulting in pain from the hot or cold. The enamel can become damaged by gum disease, broken, or cracked teeth, root infections, etc. But sometimes, people just have a naturally thin enamel layer.

Luckily, there are a few methods to help with sensitive teeth, including:

-Special toothpastes and mouthwashes

-Sealants and fillings

-Root Canals

There’s a plethora of different common dental health issues that we didn’t discuss today, like cracked or chipped teeth, teeth grinding, root infection, dry mouth, bad breath, etc. however, it is important to acknowledge that just because your teeth aren’t where you’d like them to be, does not mean that they can’t be. These dental problems impact a large portion of the population, and you shouldn’t be ashamed about suffering from any of these issues. At Access Dental, our goal is to ensure your dental health near Springfield, MO is manageable and you are informed of how to properly treat these ailments when they present themselves. If you are struggling with any dental issues in Southern Missouri, please, reach out to our team that way we can begin the process of getting your teeth back in shape.

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

1-877-DENTIST

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The Best (and Worst) Foods for Your Teeth

We all know how important our dental care is. But let’s be honest: we don’t always prioritize our teeth and gum health over the delicious snacks that tempt even the most structured of individuals. That being said, not all the snacks that we eat are that bad for our dental health- in fact, some of them may actually be pretty beneficial! The team at Access Dental has compiled a list of some of the best (and worst) foods for your teeth. So, sit back and let’s take a look!

The Best of The Best

Let’s start this list off on the right side by looking at some of the best food (and drink) choices that are sure to maintain healthy teeth and gums!

ü  Fruits and Veggies- Let’s clarify, by fruits and vegetables, we are referring to the ones that are high in fiber! Fiber-rich foods are wonderful for your teeth, as they keep your teeth and gums clean. Some good choices include carrots, celery, apples, etc.

 ü  Black and Green Teas- Sorry coffee lovers, but it is officially teatime. You may find it surprising that tea is pretty great for preventing and killing existing plaque bacteria that has built up on your teeth. By preventing the bacteria from building up, the acid that attacks teeth has no way to form, leaving you with a clean, healthy smile.

 ü Dairy Products- You may find yourself asking why exactly dairy products are good for your dental health? And we are so glad you asked! Dairy products are great for teeth health, as they encourage saliva production, which protects your teeth! Dairy products like cheeses, yogurts, and milk help strengthen your teeth and help to replace minerals that you may have lost to other foods you have eaten.

 

The Worst of The Worst

We have looked at a few of the best food options for your teeth, but now, let us look at the absolute WORST choices.

§  Sour Candy- It probably goes without saying that candy is not exactly the healthiest food choice for your mouth or your body, but we have to specify that sour candies are unique in that they contain various acids that are dangerous for your teeth. Like regular candies, they are also chewy which causes them to stick to your teeth, which can lead your teeth to decay. However, a good substitute for a sweet treat is chocolate! It washes away much quicker than the candies we have discussed. But it is still chocolate, so eat so sparingly.

§  Carbonated Drinks- Everyone has probably enjoyed a soda once in their life, but for those of you who enjoy one multiple times a day, including kiddos, we have to tell you that carbonated drinks are one of the worst and leading causes of plaque production and acid build-up. Remember, when acid builds up on your teeth it attacks the tooth enamel that protects the integrity of your teeth. Plus, sodas that are dark in color can also stain your teeth, making your pearly whites lose their shine.

 §  Starch Heavy Foods- Foods containing high amounts of starch, such as breads and potato chips are detrimental to maintaining healthy teeth. The sugars that compose these delicious treats can become stuck between your teeth and feed the plaque that is building up and create cavities- which no one wants. Make sure to floss really well between your teeth to help remove the sugars that linger.

Who knew that maintaining teeth health could be so trying? Having to give up your favorite foods can be difficult, and our dentist in southern Missouri is fully aware that it may be near impossible to do so, but we want to let you in on a secret… If you are cleaning your teeth, making routine dental check-ups in Springfield, MO, and being cognizant of what foods and drinks you are intaking, you are already one step ahead of the game. Be sure to pay close attention to any concerning signs of decay, cavities, or sensitivity, as you may need to be seen to get those teeth back into top shape. We feel that knowledge is power, and now you have the power to ensure your dental health in southern Missouri is a top priority.

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Water: Your Teeth's Best Friend

We've been told over and over throughout our lives that drinking water is an important part of our health. You've probably heard the fact that up to 60% of our bodies are made up of water. Every body system needs water... your brain, heart, skin, lungs, muscles, kidneys. Water is important for our survival. But, did you also know that water helps you keep your teeth healthy and in great condition? Access Dental and Dentures works hard to make sure our patients can enjoy a healthy smile with strong teeth - and part of that is drinking enough water. Keep reading to learn how water helps your teeth.

Less Soda & Juice

If you drink enough water throughout the day, you will be less likely to grab drinks that have more sugar in them. If you get thirsty, you might also crave your favorite juice or want to grab a can of soda. The best way to prevent that is to not let yourself get thirsty! Otherwise, drinking a lot of sugary drinks can harm your teeth by breaking down the enamel and promoting the growth of bacteria and accumulation of plaque and tartar. Avoiding sugary drinks and replacing them with water can help reduce tooth decay and bacterial growth in your mouth.

Flush Away the Bad

As you go through the day, your teeth are exposed to things like coffee, office donuts, your lunch, and other substances that aren't teeth-friendly. These things can cause bacteria to start developing on and in between your teeth. If you drink water every time you eat or drink something else, then you could help flush away materials that cause stains and bacteria growth. The less time that those items are in contact with your teeth, the better!

You Need Spit!

Drinking enough water keeps you hydrated, which is important to your oral health because it helps maintain healthy saliva production. Saliva plays a vital role in keeping your teeth strong and healthy, as it naturally washes away bacteria and debris. It also deposits tooth-strengthening minerals like calcium to keep your teeth resistant to cavities.

Fluoride Content of Water

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

Best Dentist in Southern Missouri! 

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

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

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

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Get a Brighter Smile in Time for Summer!

Even though there is snow covering the ground right now across a lot of Missouri, summer really isn't that far away. In fact, now is the perfect time to start working on getting the smile of your dreams. Access Dental And Dentures has the best dental clinics in Missouri and we are ready to help you get the bright smile you've always dreamed of having. Keep reading and learn how to get a beautiful white smile in time for summer. 

Teeth Whitening

A lot of people try to whiten their teeth on their own by using harsh whitening strips, mouth washes, and even a combination of painted-on chemicals and light trays. However, these methods can often strip the healthy enamel off of your teeth, weakening them and actually making them more prone to yellowing over time. A professional whitening service could be the perfect solution instead! Access Dental provides custom trays that you take home with you to use until you reach your ideal shade of white. That way you get to control the whiteness while being able to safely use professional-grade whitener that doesn't damage your enamel. Give us a call to learn all about it! 1-877-DENTIST

Staining Foods & Drinks

There are some foods and beverages that have a naturally higher ability to stain teeth. If it's going to stain the carpet when you spill, it will probably also stain your teeth. Red wine, coffee, some teas, dark fruit, soda, candy, and others can all cause discoloration on your teeth. As your teeth are exposed to these substances over and over again, they become more dull and yellow over time. That's why it's best to either avoid these foods and drinks or to be sure and rinse them off of your teeth with plenty of water after consuming them. It can also be a good idea to brush your teeth after eating or drinking them. But be careful! If you brush your teeth right after consuming something acidic, you could be harming your teeth even more. Instead, rinse with water and brush your teeth 30 minutes to an hour afterward. 

Good Dental Habits

You can't really expect to have healthy, white teeth if you don't properly take care of them. That's one of the reasons it is so important to brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, drink plenty of water, and visit the dentist for your regular checkups. If you aren't following these key health habits, then your teeth could suffer. Food particles may sit on your teeth for too long causing bacteria to grow, plaque to build up, and tartar to form. This is all very damaging to the structure of your teeth and can cause decay, infection, and disease.

Best Dentist in Southern Missouri

Access Dental and Dentures offers the best dental care in southern Missouri! If you are looking to improve your smile for the summer, give us a call and we can help. Schedule a regular checkup with us or ask for a consultation about getting your teeth professionally whitened. 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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Straws: Good or Bad?

There is a lot of information out there about straws and whether or not they're good for the environment, your dental health, and even your looks. So, what is the official verdict? Are straws good or bad - friend or foe? Today in our blog, Access Dental and Dentures is diving into some of the facts about straws to help you decide! Keep reading to learn more and find out if you should incorporate straws or ditch them permanently...

The Environment

Plastic is known to be bad for the environment in general. It takes forever to decompose, which means it clutters up the landscape and can even end up getting tangled around animals feet and wings or stuck in their throats. There is a major effort in today's society to limit use of disposable (or single-use) plastics to help keep animals and our natural surroundings preserved and healthy. This includes straws! A great solution for the disposable straw issue is to use reusable straws instead. There are several great options - metal, reusable plastic, bamboo - that are easy to hand wash or even throw into the dishwasher. In fact, there are even some kinds of reusable straws that fold up and can be carried in a little case to use at restaurants. Just keep in mind that you should be careful when using metal straws so you don't chip your teeth on accident. 

Your Looks

Believe it or not, straws can actually affect your appearance. How? When you use a straw, you have to purse your lips to get enough suction to drink what's in your cup, glass, or bottle. The action of pursing your lips over and over again can cause wrinkles around your mouth to form prematurely. These are the same wrinkles that smokers get around their lips from performing the same action repeatedly. If you use a straw all the time, it might be a good idea to invest in an anti-wrinkle cream for around your mouth. When you drink water, try NOT using a straw and sip from the cup instead to reduce the amount of time you spend pursing your lips.  

Dental Health

Straws can actually be really helpful to your dental health. If you are drinking anything acidic, high in sugar, or that causes stains, then using a straw can help protect your teeth. Drinking these things through a straw makes the drink bypass your teeth so it's not in contact with your teeth for as long.

Your Best Health at Access Dental

When it comes to using straws, the best habit might be to use reusable straws when you're drinking something that can damage your teeth, and don't use a straw at all when you're drinking water or other drinks that aren't bad for your teeth. Whatever your straw preference, make sure you are taking care of your teeth and overall wellbeing with balanced, healthy habits! Access Dental and Dentures has the best dental clinics in southern Missouri, and we are here to help you. Give us a call to schedule a dental appointment and we can give you a thorough cleaning and check to make sure you aren't developing any issues that could cause bigger problems. 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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