Do Straws Help or Hurt Your Teeth?

If you have drank a beverage, there's a solid chance you have used a straw, although, there is some debate as to whether or not straws are helpful or hurtful- especially for your dental care! In this blog we are going to be discussing some of the pros and cons of using straws, and let you decide for yourself- do straws help or hurt your teeth?

Read more below and make the decision for yourself and find out what the best dental office in Missouri thinks!  

Pro: Straws Prevent Stains

Straws can prevent staining on the front of your teeth, as what you are drinking isn't hitting directly onto your teeth. Drinks such as soda, coffee, and tea can cause teeth discoloration, which no one wants! Straws are an easy way to help prevent the discoloration, protecting your smile! 

Con: Lip Wrinkles

A con of using straws are that they can inadvertently cause wrinkles to form around your mouth, given the face shape you have to make in order to drink your beverage. Granted, this con isn't something that will happen from using a straw just a handful of times, but rather if made a habit of using straws on a consistent basis. 

Pro: Accessible For Everyone

The good thing about straws are that they are accessible to most people, including those who may have swallowing or motor disorders, which can limit the ease of drinking a beverage. Straws can be useful during these instances as a tool to help when grabbing a glass and drinking just isn't an option. 

Con: Straws Can Stain the Back of Your Teeth

So, we know this contradicts our first pro of using straws, but it is an unfortunate truth that no matter what you drink, there is always a chance it will discolor your teeth, it is just in this case you may end up with the back portion of your teeth stained instead of the front. The best way to avoid staining is to keep your straw towards the back of your mouth to help prevent any contact with your teeth, and making sure you have a consistent brushing schedule. 

There are quite a few pros and cons when it comes to drinking with a straw, but realistically, these cons don't have to be a reason to entirely stop drinking with a straw. Ultimately, if you stick to moderation, schedule routine dental appointments, and develop a healthy dental routine, your smile should be safe, regardless of straw usage. 

To schedule your next dental visit, go to our website at www.accessdentalanddentures.com!

Whitening Hacks That Can Hurt Your Teeth

It's safe to say that people will do some crazy things when it comes to getting brighter, whiter teeth. Some of the methods people have used can help with whitening one's teeth, but there are various methods that can actually be quite harmful to the integrity of your teeth! We aren't just talking about obscure methods either, but rather popular "remedies" that are used for a quick and cheap way to get whiter teeth. 

At Access Dental, we want to inform you of methods that will help you get whiter teeth without the risk of ruining them. In this week's blog, we are going to go over a few different methods that you may be using to obtain whiter teeth that may actually be causing more damage than good. Keep reading below to find out more!

1. Charcoal Toothpaste

Charcoal toothpaste took over the world by storm as a cheap, yet effective solution to clearing up yellowing teeth. However, what you may not have known is that charcoal toothpaste is incredibly abrasive, which essentially means that the more you use it the more your enamel can be worn away, which can lead to a whole heap of side effects, such as gum irritation and inflammation. 

2. Aggressive Brushing

This may seem like an easy way to remove stains, as the harder you brush the better off your teeth will be...right? Well, no. Scrubbing too hard can really damage your teeth, more specifically your enamel, as getting dental stains out is not just as simple as brush your teeth harder. Being too aggressive can leave you with damaged teeth, sensitivity issues, and much more. 

3. Over-the-Counter Methods

Possibly the most popular method of DIY teeth whitening- over the counter products. From whitening strips to trays, even paint-on whiteners, these products are used by the masses. These products may have the appeal of being a convenient, cost-efficient solution to yellow teeth, but in reality these whitening products can be tough on your enamel and can even cause fluorosis, or white speckles that appear on the surface of your teeth from too much fluoride. 

Although these dental "hacks" may seem like a solid solution in the short-term, it is important to ensure you have all of the details that way you keep your teeth looking nice and shiny, without causing damage. 

We want to be your Missouri family dental practice! Visit our website and schedule your next appointment with Access Dental! 

3 Reasons Why You Need to Schedule Your Child a Dental Appointment Before School

School will be here before you know it! With all the hustle and bustle that the new school year brings, it can be hard to find the right time to schedule your kiddo's next dental visit, which is why we are here to help you get everything you need sorted before the busy school year begins!

In this blog, we are going to give you our top 3 reasons as to why you need to schedule your child a dental appointment before the new school year begins! The best dental office in Missouri is here to help with all of the dental needs for you and your family, so keep reading to find out our top picks! 

Reason #1: Helps Your Kids Maximize Their Time in Class! 

Realistically, taking time away from your children's education is something that no parent wants to do, but can be unavoidable in all of the daily tasks that can arise throughout the school year. One way to eliminate the need for signing your kiddo out from school for the day is by scheduling their next dental appointment before the start of the new year! 

Plus, if you are able to schedule in the months that your children aren't in school, there's a very likely chance that their six-month follow up visit can occur during winter break or on one of the holidays throughout the earlier months, meaning they won't have to miss any crucial school time! 

Reason #2: Regular Check-Ups Are Vital! 

Of course, as with anyone, regular dental visits are essential for maintaining a healthy smile! But, with children, regular dental check-ups are really crucial for developing healthy dental routines and teaching about proper dental care! 

Reason #3: Helps to Prevent Absences

Another reason to schedule your child's dental appointment in the summer is due to absences policies that are typically mandated around most schools. One dental appointment won't hurt, but if you are a busy parent and have a lot going on that requires your child to miss school, you definitely want to try and alleviate any additional absences to avoid any repercussions! 

Granted, most schools are pretty understanding about the needs of your children throughout the year, but you definitely don't want to fall into a habit and have that impact your child's academic progress, grades, or anything else! 

Scheduling your child's next dental visit before school is simple and easy with Access Dental! We want to make the most of your visit and help teach your child the importance of proper dental care! For all of your dental care needs, reach out to our team at Access Dental- we would love to be your go-to Missouri dental office! 

STELLAR Access Dental Reviews!

 At Access Dental we take the quality of our care seriously! We want to ensure that you are having a pleasant and informative experience when you work with one of our teams, which is why we put so much effort into providing you with the best dental care in Missouri! 

We are so pleased to have so many wonderful clients who see the effort and time we put in to making sure you are getting the smile you deserve! So, in this blog, we will be showing off some of the stellar reviews that our amazing clients have given us! 

Keep reading below to read them all! 

Reviews

"Amazing staff! I love how detailed they were about making sure my dentures were to my liking in look and fit. I highly recommend them to anyone with dental needs!!"

-Angel

 "I had my dentures re-lined, great service & an excellent job on my dentures!"

-Debi K. 

"We were very please with our first visit to Access Dental in Springfield, MO. An emergency extraction was needed. The entire staff was welcoming, warm, friendly, and professional. Dr. Rhodes was understanding and skilled. We recommend this practice to all!"

-Jill M. 

"Everyone I came in contact with from the receptionist to the doctor was exceptional. Everyone was friendly and explained everything to me. I hadn't been to the dentist for many years and this was a very pleasant experience."

-Nancy A. 

"Dr. Rhodes and his assistants did an excellent job of taking care of my dental needs! The support staff is excellent! I had an insurance question and it was explained to me and even though the insurance had denied it, I didn’t owe anything! I have the utmost confidence in all aspects of the practice!"

-Louise M. 

"Dr. Rhodes is a very professional young dentist. He thoroughly explained everything that I needed done. He extracted a tooth quickly, pain free. Day later no problems or lingering pain. I highly recommend this dental office."

Wendy B. 

"Everyone was nice, understanding, and completely nonjudgmental!"

-Heather M. 

"Got in, filled paperwork out, checked what I needed done in a half hour, and I was out and fixed. Very polite, very accurate. I was from out of town and they got me in immediately. Couldn't have ask for a better place. Five plus star."

Bruce B. 

So many amazing clients have walked through our doors and with each and everyone we hope to leave an everlasting impression of quality, care, and knowledge. Our goals are to keep your dental care where it needs to be, and do so in the most efficient way that we can.

For all of your dental care needs in Missouri, check out Access Dental and let us help you get your teeth where they need to be!