Is a Water Flosser Better Than String Floss?

Have you thought about buying a water flosser, but wonder if it's actually worth it? Access Dental and Dentures is here to help answer that question for you! In the rest of today's blog, we're comparing regular flossing and "flossing" with a water flosser. What are the pros and cons of each? Keep reading to find out if buying one is right for you.

What is a Water Flosser Anyway? 

If this is the first time you're hearing the term "water flosser", you might be confused. How do you floss your teeth with water?? A water flosser is a device that pressurizes water and sprays it in a concentrated stream that lets you blast away food particles between your teeth. An over-simplified way of explaining it would be that it's like a tiny pressure washer for your teeth. 

Water Flosser Pros

• The ADA (American Dental Association) says water flossers CAN remove plaque from your teeth (the sticky stuff that eventually turns into hard tartar).
• It's easier to use than string dental floss.
• You can use it on the full surface of your tooth for better cleaning than string floss.
• Works great for people with braces, dental bridges, dental implants, and crowns.

Water Flosser Cons

• It may have a hard time removing really stuck pieces of food between teeth. 
• It is messy (spraying water can be hard to contain).
• They can be expensive. 
• They require maintenance and cleaning to prevent mold and mildew growth. 

String Floss Pros

• Easy to control.
• Removes all food particles stuck between teeth. 
• More reliable at removing all plaque in between each tooth.
• Disposable - no maintenance.

String Floss Cons

• It can be hard to reach your back teeth. 
• String floss is more likely to cause your gums to bleed. 
• String floss can't be used to clean every surface of your teeth.
• Wrapping floss around your fingers can be uncomfortable and awkward. 

"Which Should I Use?"

As long as you are flossing daily, it is ultimately up to you and your dentist whether you use string floss or a water flosser. One of the most important things to consider is which method you enjoy more. If you enjoy the process of flossing, then you'll be more likely to do it every day! The reason flossing is so important in the first place is because toothbrush bristles are not good enough to reach between your teeth and remove stuck food particles and plaque. 

Settle a Debate: Floss or Brush First? 

You may be wondering - or you may have even argued with others - are you supposed to floss first or brush first? Technically, as long as you are flossing, the order is not extremely important. However, if you are looking for THE most efficient and effective way to care for your teeth, we have the answer. The Journal of Periodontology has shown that flossing first removes more plaque from your teeth than starting with brushing. 

Whatever method or order you use, Access Dental and Dentures is here to help you with the best dental care in southern Missouri. Give us a call to schedule an appointment at one of our four convenient locations!

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Smile for Health!

Did you know that smiling can actually be good for your health? Access Dental and Dentures is the expert on dental health and what a strong, healthy smile can do for you! Today we are talking about what your smile could do for you. Keep reading to learn more!

Make a Good Impression

When you first meet someone - whether it is a new friend, a potential employer, or a customer - you want to make a good first impression. First impressions can last for a long time and are usually formed within the first few seconds of meeting someone. Smiling can help make you seem more approachable, friendly, and open. Keep your smile healthy with regular dentist visits to Access Dental, and let your smile work for you!

It's Healthy!

Believe it or not, the physical act of smiling can help banish feelings of stress by releasing endorphins in your body. When you smile, your brain associates the act with being happy and can sometimes be tricked into thinking you ARE actually happier when you smile. Smiling has even been studied to release serotonin, which is a natural painkiller. If you have noticed that your day isn't going well or that you can't shake the fog of a bad mood, try smiling for a minute or two and see what happens!

Smiling is Easy!

It may not always feel like it when you're having a bad day, but smiling actually takes less muscular effort than a frown does. Smiling is easier on your face, allowing more muscles to rest instead of straining in a frown. Keep your face looking young with fewer frown lines.

Dental Health

Smiling can help boost your confidence and even improve health as we've discussed. But it can be hard to smile confidently when you aren't proud of your smile. Take care of your teeth and oral health by scheduling a dental appointment with the best dentist in southern Missouri - Access Dental and Dentures! We can help you get to the smile you've always imagined for a healthier and happier lifestyle.

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Important Facts About Wisdom Teeth!

Wisdom teeth are the typically the latest teeth to come in, which is why they have their name. Most commonly, they arrive when you are in your early twenties, but sometimes they don't come in until you are much older, if at all. Because they are unnecessary and often don't fit well in your mouth, they typically have to be removed at some point. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri, and we have put together a few facts about wisdom teeth that will help you better understand what they are and why you should have them removed. read on to learn more! 

What are Wisdom Teeth?

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 and wiser, 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 them taken out as well.

Wisdom teeth are a type of molar, which is 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.

Signs It's Time to Remove Them

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. 

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. Used warm salty water to flush out the area after 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.

See Your Local Dentist 

The best way to stay on top of issues with your wisdom teeth is to regularly go to checkups with one of our trusted dentists in Southern Missouri. We will be able to advise you on the best practice for your specific situation. Our goal at Access Dental and Dentures is to ensure that you are healthy and that you feel confident in your one-of-a-kind smile!

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Everything in Moderation - Balancing Good & Bad-For-You Foods

The month of June is designated as both National Candy Month and National Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Month. One of these "celebrations" can be great for your dental care routine and the other, well, not so much. Today Access Dental & Dentures has a few tips that will allow you to enjoy the best of both worlds with a little self-control, moderation, and the help of our knowledgable dentists in Southern Missouri.

How Sugar Reacts Inside a Mouth
Eating too many foods with a high level of sugar, like candy, can have a very negative effect on your dental health. The bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar that you eat. Once this bacteria feeds off sugar, it breaks down into acids that eat away at the enamel protecting your teeth. The longer sugar is in the mouth, the more the bacteria break down and eat away at the tooth enamel. Crevices in teeth where sticky, sugary candy can hide are usually the most prone to having an issue caused by the bacteria eroding the protective layer on the teeth.

How to Avoid Cavities From Sugar

When the process explained above begins, cavities are inevitable if you don't make every effort to clean that sugar out of your mouth as soon as possible. First and foremost, regulate your sugar intake. Not only is too much sugar bad for your mouth but it's bad for the rest of your body too. 

Next, always brush at least twice a day and floss at least once daily. If you can brush your teeth after every meal, especially after eating candy, even better. When you are not able to brush right away, rinsing your mouth out with water and drinking lots of water while you eat can help rinse off some of the bacteria left behind. 

Finally, don't miss your regular dental checkups so that the professionals at our dentist offices in Southern Missouri can deep-clean your teeth and check for any cavities that may have already formed. The quicker you get those fixed, the easier and much less painful they will be.  

Substitute Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

Substituting yummy berries and melons for dessert is a tasty solution a lot of the time but remember that some of these can have a high amount of natural sugars. Those can harm your teeth much like candy. You will still need to brush and floss as usual to protect your mouth but the vitamins and minerals your body will receive make fruit a much better alternative to candy. 

Vegetables can be harder to sell as a snack than fruit, especially to children. Not only are these good-for-your-body foods full of nutrients but the texture of crunchy vegetables can even help to scrape some bad bacteria off of your teeth.  

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. 

You don't have to avoid candy completely for a cavity-free life. Just make sure to limit your intake of sugary foods and always practice a good oral hygiene routine to limit the bad effects that candy may have on your teeth. Work as many fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet as you can to curve those candy cravings. Also, don't miss your dental checkups in Southern Missouri. If any problems do arise with your teeth, this is when the experts at Access Dental & Dentures will find them and do what is necessary to get your mouth back to its healthy best. 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Springfield Office          Rolla Office             Osage Beach Office

(417) 501-1048              (573) 426-5447          (573) 348-1466         

1701 West Sunshine        416 S. Bishop Ave.   4320 Osage Beach Pkwy

Springfield, MO 65807   Rolla, MO 65401      Osage Beach, MO. 65065

Mountain Grove Office              Aurora Office

(417) 926-1160                             (417) 308-3534

921-A N. Main                             1402 S. Elliott

Mountain Grove, MO 65711       Aurora, MO 65605

Damaging Effects of Holiday Treats

As the holiday season approaches, there are a number of dangers lurking right on the dessert table! While all of these goodies taste so great, there are many ways they can cause damage to your teeth. Whether you're traveling to spend time with friends and family or hosting a holiday get together yourself, try to regulate your sugar intake this holiday. As the best dentist in southern Missouri, we know how important it is to care for your teeth, especially when you are more likely to indulge in those tasty treats. Take a look below to find some of the ways these sugary-filled goodies can cause damage to your pearly whites.

Bacteria Battle

When you eat sugary-filled foods (like a sampling from the entire desert table), the sugar mixes with the bacteria naturally found in your mouth. The sugars stick to your teeth and then the bacteria works with this sugar, forming a film over your teeth. It's important to wash this sugar off of your teeth, as soon as possible. Whether you do that by drinking plenty of water or brushing your teeth after you hit the dessert table, it's important to keep this bacteria battle from taking place on your tooth surface.

Wear Down of Enamel

When the sugar and bacteria mix on your tooth's surface, it starts to pull minerals out of your tooth's protective barrier - the enamel. This coating helps to protect your teeth and once the bacteria has penetrated, damage can start. Don't forget to think about your enamel as you get ready for your holiday feasts. Be sure to take proper care of your teeth and clean them in a timely manner after eating sugar-filled foods.

Cause Cavities

A cavity is when bacteria penetrates your tooth's surface and starts to eat away at your tooth. As your tooth enamel wears down, there is no protective layer between bacteria and your tooth. At this point, cavities may start to form. Remember to keep your teeth healthy and clean to help prevent cavities from forming after chowing down on holiday treats.

It's best to avoid holiday candies and treats that put sugar in your mouth. Sticky or hard candies are also harmful to your teeth. Keep your oral care in mind as you select your treats this holiday season.

Now that you've seen some of the damaging effects of sweet treats, you know how important it is to not over-do it at the dessert table at your upcoming holiday gatherings. After your holiday get together, it can be beneficial to schedule a check-up for your teeth. From our cleaning service to ensure your teeth are properly cleaned to our inspection of your mouth to make sure no new cavities have formed, you can catch and issues right away. Contact our Springfield, Missouri dental office to schedule your next appointment. Until then, our staff at Access Dental & Dentures wishes you a happy holiday season!

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

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Springfield Office          Rolla Office          Osage Beach Office      Mountain Grove Office
(417) 501-1048              (573) 426-5447        (573) 348-1466                       (417) 926-1160
1701 West Sunshine      416 S. Bishop Ave.  4320 Osage Beach Pkwy       921 N. Main St.

Springfield, MO 65807   Rolla, MO 65401     Osage Beach, MO. 65065       Mountain Grove

Common Foods that Can Damage Your Teeth

You are what you eat. While your doctor may tell you this, you normally wouldn’t expect to hear it from your dentist. While we may prefer not to believe it, it’s most certainly true. Especially when it comes down to the food particles that are left on your teeth once you are finished eating. At Access Dental and Dentures, your dental expert in Central Missouri, we believe our patients deserve to have the most information and newest technology available to make the right choices with their dental health. Here are some common foods that cause damage to your teeth and could increase visits to your dentist:

1. Acidic Foods 

While avoiding acidic foods may seem like common sense, there are many foods that we eat daily that are high in acid. Here are a few foods that you should avoid eating or highly limit:

- Citrus foods – including but not limited to: lemons, limes, oranges, and cranberries.

- Pickles

- Tomatoes and tomato products (ketchup, tomato pasta sauces, salsa, etc.)

- Coffee
Eating high acidic foods daily erodes the tooth enamel which causes your teeth to decay faster. Acidic foods also irritate mouth sores. Avoiding high acidic foods helps the overall health of your mouth.

2. Sugar 

I know, I know. Sugar is in so many food and drink items we consume daily and it’s delicious. Sugary foods and drinks can even become quite addictive. However, sugar causes plaque bacteria to attack the tooth’s enamel which weakens the enamel. These are some of the top sugary foods and beverages to avoid:

- Soda – while it’s easy to reach for your favorite soda when you need to get through that afternoon lull, water would be the preferred choice for the health of your teeth.

- Sports drinks (Gatorade, Powerade, etc.) – these drinks are mainly made up of sugar. While they may seem like a healthy option, sugar is one of their main ingredients. They are great for athletes who need to replenish their electrolytes, but they should be consumed sparingly.

- Energy drinks and fruit juices – while both are highly acidic, both are also full of sugar. While energy drinks may give you energy, they may also give you plenty of dental problems including cavities.

- Candy – this includes both hard candies and soft candies. Hard candies are something to avoid, not only because of the sugar content but also because they can cause chipped or even broken teeth.

3. Sticky Foods

While you might think that dried fruit is a great healthy snack to reach for, your teeth and dentist think otherwise. Sticky foods stay on your teeth longer and get trapped into small areas in your gums and surrounding areas. Daily brushing and flossing might not be enough to save your teeth from the harmful effect of sticky foods.

Helpful hint: Sour gummy candy is the worst of the worst. While they are a type of sticky food, they are also packed full of sugar and are highly acidic. You might think that brushing your teeth right after eating sour gummy candy negates any of the harmful side effects. That, unfortunately, isn’t true and it has the reverse effect on your teeth. Brushing right after eating sour gummy candy causes more harm than good.

4. Alcohol and Wine 

For some people, this could be the hardest to limit. Social drinking and happy hour are enjoyed by many. But drinking too much alcohol leads to dry mouth which decreases the production of saliva. While this may not seem like such a big issue, decreased amounts of saliva can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. You don’t have to completely cut out alcohol and wine, but it is best to limit your intake.

Knowing what foods to limit and avoid leads to overall better dental health. With knowledge and prevention with regular visits to your Lake of the Ozarks, Rolla, and Springfield dentist, you don’t have to completely give up the foods that can cause damage to your teeth. Contact the best dentist in southern Missouri if you’re ready to get your oral health on track.

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

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Springfield Office          Rolla Office          Osage Beach Office      Mountain Grove Office
(417) 501-1048              (573) 426-5447        (573) 348-1466                       (417) 926-1160
1701 West Sunshine      416 S. Bishop Ave.  4320 Osage Beach Pkwy       921 N. Main St.

Springfield, MO 65807   Rolla, MO 65401     Osage Beach, MO. 65065       Mountain Grove