Oral Health: Don't Forget the Tongue!

Teeth tend to get the spotlight when it comes to oral health and hygiene, but just focusing on teeth leaves out an important part of a good routine - the tongue! Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist office in southern Missouri, so we know what it takes to keep your mouth in a healthy and happy condition. Today we're diving deeper into oral health and talking about the tongue. Read on to learn more about how to keep your tongue clean and improve your oral hygiene routine.

Bacterial Growth

We all have a certain amount of bacteria in our mouths, some of it good and some of it bad. Good bacteria are there to help protect you from pathogens and illnesses. Bad bacteria are what can cause plaque buildup and tooth decay.

Both kinds of bacteria can grow and build up on your tongue, producing bad smells that are inconvenient and embarrassing. They produce substances that cause malodorous breath, including sulfur. This bad smell can be even worse if there are food particles for the bacteria to feed on. Keep your tongue clean to help limit stinky breath and bad bacterial growth in your mouth.

Healthy Color

When you're brushing your teeth twice a day, it's a good idea to pay attention to the color of your tongue to look for signs of an unhealthy mouth. Your tongue should be a natural, consistent pink color. If there are patches of red, yellow, or white discoloration, then you could have a serious issue that requires medical attention.

If your tongue is a uniform color but has a white film over the top of it, then you may simply need to improve your daily oral hygiene routine. This film is typically a combination of dead cells, food debris, bacteria, and mucus. Cleaning your tongue regularly should help reduce the appearance of this white film and keep your mouth healthier.

Cleaning Your Tongue

Keeping your tongue clean has a lot of important health benefits that include stronger teeth, better breath, less plaque buildup, and more! Make cleaning your tongue a part of your daily routine. Every time you use your toothbrush (which should be at least twice a day), gently brush your tongue with a small amount of toothpaste. This will help break up stuck on bacteria, food debris, etc.

It is also a good idea to take the extra step of using a tongue scraper at the end of your routine. A scraper can help thoroughly remove harmful materials, rather than just loosening them in your mouth. Tongue scrapers are relatively easy to find in most oral hygiene aisles at the drug store. Some are even built-in on the back of toothbrushes.

Visit a Local Missouri Dentist

If you are noticing that your tongue has some discoloration or if your bad breath can't be tamed by any amount of at-home dental care, then it might be time to consult the experts. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist's office in the Springfield area, and we have the knowledge and experience to help keep your mouth healthy. From your teeth and gums to your tongue, we have you covered! Call to set up an appointment: 1-877-DENTIST

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

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Healthy, Achievable New Year's Resolutions for 2020!

Setting New Year's Resolutions can be difficult. You want to choose something that is possible and achievable but that will also challenge you and improve your life or habits in some way. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in the Springfield area and we have the tips to help you choose the resolutions that are right for you! Read on to learn more and choose your favorites.

Stay on Top of Oral Health

Keep your oral health in tip top shape for 2020 and remember your dental care. Make sure you are brushing at least twice a day. This helps remove bad breath in the morning and clean your teeth of bacteria and food particles accumulated throughout the day every night.

It is also a good idea to rinse your mouth after each meal to help free pieces of food from in between your teeth so they aren't sitting there all day and causing damage. Carrying a travel-sized mouthwash could also be very helpful in keeping your teeth clean and fresh all day.

Another really important health habit for your teeth is flossing every day to make sure the hard-to-reach areas between your teeth are clean and stay healthy.

Drink More Water

Water is incredibly important to your health for many reasons. Staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy diet, and keeping your mouth cleaner from bacteria and debris are all health benefits of drinking more water.

Drinking water is fortified by fluoride and other minerals that are helpful to your oral health. Fluoride helps strengthen your enamel. So drink up for a healthier and happier smile!

Choose Healthy Foods

You don't necessarily need to go on a strict cleanse to be a healthy individual. Having a healthy diet is more about balance and making more right choices than wrong choices. Sometimes starting the New Year off with a strict diet can be demoralizing if it doesn't work out. Start out by making healthier choices. Trade the breakfast doughnut for a bowl of fruit and yogurt. The vitamins and protein could help improve your health, and removing that added sugar from your diet makes a big difference for the health of your teeth.

Your Dentist in Southern Missouri

Stay on top of your oral health with simple, achievable New Year's Resolutions and regular checkups at your local dentist's office. Access Dental is the best dentist in southern Missouri and we would love to help you achieve your goals!

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Water and Its Dental Health Superpowers!

Water is an important part of your diet. Much of our bodies are composed of water and we know it’s important to stay hydrated to maintain a healthy weight, optimize brain function, and keep our skin clear. But did you know that water is also important for your oral health? Our Springfield area dentists at Access Dental and Dentures know that your teeth can benefit tremendously from a steady supply of water throughout the day. Read on to learn four of the most important ways water improves your oral health.

Water Strengthens Teeth

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 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.

Water Flushes Out Contaminants

As you go through the day, your teeth are exposed to things like coffee, office donuts, and your lunch. These can cause bacteria to start developing on and in between your teeth. Drink water regularly and each time you eat or drink something else. This will help flush away staining residue from coffee or pieces of food that may have been left behind. The less time that those items are in contact with your teeth, the better!

Water Replaces Unhealthy Drinks

If you make it a point to drink water throughout the day, it may help you resist reaching for a drink full of sugar. Sugary drinks like sodas and fruit juices can harm your teeth by depositing sugar on and in between them. As this sugar sits on your teeth, it can start damaging the enamel surface that protects your teeth from cavities. Sugar can also promote bacterial growth. Avoiding sugary drinks and replacing them with water can help reduce tooth decay and bacterial growth in your mouth.

Water Keeps You Hydrated

This benefit may seem obvious for overall health but staying hydrated is also 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.

Drink Water and Visit Our Office!

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

At Access Dental and Dentures, we are not only the best dentists in the Springfield area, but we are also passionate about your dental health. For more information about how to improve your oral health or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Flossing Could Save Your Life

Flossing. We know it’s something we should do daily, but most people aren’t quite sure why. You may think that brushing your teeth twice a day and using Listerine is enough. But what you might not realize is that neither of those methods can reach the bacteria growing in the tight spaces between your teeth. The benefits of flossing go beyond just keeping your teeth clean and shiny. Our team at Access Dental can remove buildup between your teeth for you, but every six months is not often enough to prevent the bacteria from harming you.

There are several negative side effects, and even very serious health conditions, that can develop from not flossing. Read on to find out what you may be risking by sticking to your current routine. If you have any questions about flossing or your oral health in general, contact our Southern Missouri dentist and we’ll take care of you!

Bad Breath and Yellow Teeth

Have you noticed that, no matter how much you brush your teeth and use mouthwash, your breath still has an unpleasant odor? This could be a result of bacteria stuck between your teeth that a regular toothbrush can’t reach. These bacteria will continue to grow and cause even worse breath. Flossing removes these pesky pathogens and can help prevent bad breath.

You may also have trouble keeping your teeth looking clean and sparkly. The front of your teeth may be perfectly white, but if you aren’t taking care of the edges by flossing, your overall smile will look less bright. Plaque buildup between your teeth makes this effect even worse, and you could end up trying to hide your smile that now seems yellowed and dull.

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

The longer that food and the resulting bacteria sit between your teeth, the more damage they can do. They weaken tooth enamel and can eventually cause the affected tooth to decay, develop cavities, and possibly even fall out!

These same bacteria sitting on your gums makes for a very unhappy mouth. As your body tries to fight the bacteria, it sends additional blood to the 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

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.   

Heart Disease

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.

Alzheimer’s

A recent study published in Science Advances (1 Jan 2019, https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/1/eaau3333. Accessed 9 Sept 2019.) 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.

Floss Daily for Better Health

Thoroughly cleaning your teeth isn’t just about having a bright smile and fresh breath – even though those are great perks! Proper care reduces harmful bacteria and inhibits the spread of infection from your mouth to other areas of your body, including your lungs, heart, and brain. Flossing is an important habit that should be part of your daily routine. If you are unsure how to properly floss, our caring experts at Access Dental would be happy to show you. Give us a call today and schedule an appointment with the best dentist near Springfield Missouri!

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Easy Ways to Improve Your Smile

Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you.  What impression are you giving with your smile?  If you are self-conscious about your grin, it may be time to make changes to your smile, and this means making changes in your oral care routine. As your trusted dentist in Southern Missouri, we believe that oral care is important and shouldn’t be hard.  Our southern Missouri dentist wants to share some tips to EASILY improve your oral care regimen. Here at Access Dental & Dentures we truly care about our patients AND their smiles. Below you can find some helpful tips on how to improve your smile through oral care.

1. Brush Twice a Day

It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least two times a day, once in the morning and again before bed at night.  This can help remove any food particles and bacteria that remain in your mouth throughout the day and overnight.  Getting into the simple habit of brushing twice a day can prevent many of the smaller issues that lead to bigger problems, such as tooth decay, plaque and tartar buildup, or even gum disease.

2. Floss Daily

Flossing removes plaque between teeth and out from under the gumlines, where a toothbrush can’t reach. Daily flossing helps prevent tooth decay and gingivitis.  Floss at least one time a day to remove debris from between your teeth and help keep your tooth surface clear of plaque that builds up throughout the day.

3. Incorporate Mouthwash

Using mouthwash can help clean your entire mouth, even cleansing hard to reach spaces that may have been missed by brushing and flossing alone.  Mouthwash easily cleans between the teeth and all over your mouth for a fresh, clean feel.

4. Scrub Entire Mouth 

Try to brush not only your teeth, but the entire inside of your mouth.  This is one of the best ways to achieve optimum oral hygiene and reduce bacteria build-up in your mouth.

5. Set a Timer

Brushing your teeth twice a day is a good step toward a healthy smile, but do not forget to brush for the correct amount of time.  Two minutes is the recommended length of time to brush your teeth. Until you are used to brushing for this long, consider setting a timer. This can help keep you on track and spend adequate time cleaning your teeth each time you brush.

6. Use a Quality Toothbrush & Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly 

It is recommended that you replace your toothbrush, or electric toothbrush head, every three months at maximum.  Over time, the bristles on your toothbrush will wear down and fray. These used bristles can be less effective at scrubbing the surface of your teeth as you brush. Using a quality toothbrush to begin with, will help maintain the life of your toothbrush, but replacing your toothbrush every three months is important to keep your smile healthy and bright.

7. Be Careful with Staining or Acidic Foods 

You can avoid the cost of getting your teeth professionally whitened by avoiding staining foods like coffee, red wine, and cola as much as possible.  You do not have to stop eating your favorite tomato sauce altogether but be smart about when you consume staining foods and try to brush your teeth following.  The same care should be taken when consuming acidic foods or drinks.  Citrus fruits, soda, and juices can deliver acid to your teeth that over time can be damaging to your smile.  Again, moderation and smart oral hygiene can lessen these damaging effects.

8. Quit Smoking

Smoking not only causes staining to your teeth, but it also damages your gums, causing them to recede and develop large pockets around the teeth.  This creates long dark spaces between the teeth and gums.  Smoking makes it very hard to reverse gum disease and puts you at a greater risk for many different types of cancer.

9. Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year

It's important to visit a dental professional on a regular basis. It is recommended to visit your dentist twice a year for regular cleanings.  Even if you don't notice an issue, a dentist can inspect your mouth to make sure there are no un-noticed issues. They can also do an x-ray to get a visual of what's happening behind the scenes. This is important information to monitor and make sure there are no drastic changes happening that shouldn't be.

You gain many amazing benefits to both your mental and physical health simply by smiling. These go way beyond just making you more attractive (although a good smile does automatically make everyone look better).  Now that you know these EASY ways to improve your smile, you're ready to start making changes to your oral care routine.  You don't always have to get costly surgery to get a great smile. Taking good care of your teeth on a daily basis, eating healthy foods, brushing at least twice a day, and flossing go a long way to make that happen. Scheduling regular checkups at one of our dental clinics in Southern Missouri is a wonderful way to ward off possible problems and fix any that may have started. We believe that everyone deserves a great smile and it's our goal to help as many people as possible have one.

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

1-877-DENTIST

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7 Easy Tips to Improve Bad Breath

At Access Dental & Dentures we are often asked if there are any solutions for bad breath. If you happen to be someone that frequently has bad breath, even after brushing, the tips below from our Southern Missouri dentists may help you fix that problem. A little extra TLC may be all that is needed.

Brush or Scrape Your Tongue
It's important for your overall oral health to brush your teeth at least twice a day, but you should also be using the toothbrush on your tongue. Bacteria and other particles can attach to your tongue and need more than just a drink of water to remove them. You can also find tongue scrapers at the drugstore that are made specifically for this task. If this tip doesn't help, you may need to increase your brushing routine to after every meal. 

Floss Daily
Flossing each day is vital to cleaning hard to reach spaces in your mouth. This will help to remove food particles and bacteria that hide in there. When that stuff sits in your mouth too long it can react with saliva and create a foul odor.

Add Mouthwash to Your Routine
Mouthwash is a quick and effective way to freshen your breath. While brushing and flossing can clean the surfaces of your teeth and in between, mouthwash can help to clean your entire mouth, reaching places those other tools cannot.

Replace Your Toothbrush
It could help to replace your toothbrush every few months. After a period of time, and especially if it does not have the chance to dry properly, a toothbrush may begin to fill up with germs and bacteria. Then the act of brushing isn't helping the way it should.

Drink Plenty of Water
Water is good for every part of your body. Keeping your mouth hydrated can help oral functions work the way they should. Even though swishing with water won't get rid of the bacteria and food particles in your mouth as well as brushing, it will aid the process and help to keep your breath fresh. 

Pay Attention to Foods You Eat
If the bad breath isn't present all of the time, it could be caused by specific foods you eat. Make note of what you've most recently eaten when you have bad breath and see if there is a pattern. Eating crispy, fresh fruits and vegetables can help to scrape other food particles off of your teeth and gums when you chew them. Chewing on sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless candy can stimulate saliva flow and help to wash away bacteria that cause bad breath.

Stop Smoking
Smoking or using other tobacco products could be causing your bad breath. Tobacco dries out your mouth and can leave an unpleasant odor behind, even after you have brushed your teeth. If you have been looking for another excuse to quit, this could be it.


Chronic bad breath could be a sign that there is a bigger problem, such as a cavity or other infection. If the tips above do not help, you should schedule an appointment at one of our dentist offices in Southern Missouri. The skilled and trustworthy team at Access Dental & Dentures will help you to freshen that breath and get your life back to normal.

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

Get Your Oral Care Back On Track This Fall

Have you been slacking in the oral care department? Not remembering to floss every day? Skipping a brushing? Letting your diet slip? Now's the time to get back on track! With the change of the season, you can set new goals for your oral care routine. With fall upon us, you may have a little more time to hone in on taking care of your teeth. The best dentist in Springfield, MO is here to point out some oral care tips you can strive for, with your new and improved routine! Take a look below.

Brush Twice Each Day

It's important to set the base for your oral care routine by brushing twice each day. To help you stay on track, try to brush first thing in the morning when you wake up and right before bed at night. It's a great way to start and end each day. Remember to brush for at least two minutes each time you brush.

Floss Between Teeth

At least once every day be sure to floss between your teeth. Thread a piece of floss back and forth in between each tooth. This can help you clean out food particles and bacteria that tends to hide in these hard to reach spaces. If you skip flossing during your oral care practice, you are missing 40% of your tooth's surface!

Increase Water Intake

Staying hydrated is good for your entire body - mouth included. Water helps to wash down extra food particles that get left in the mouth after eating. It can also help ride your mouth of extra bacteria that may build up on your tooth, gum, and tongue surface. It's best for you and your oral care to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.

Watch What You Consume

Your diet has a direct impact on your oral health. Try to consume foods that are healthy and avoid sugary filled food items. While a treat every now and then is fine, it's all about balance. Sugar can mix with the bacteria found in your mouth and lead to faster tooth decay. If you do consume sugary foods, try to drink plenty of water to help wash it out of your mouth.

Visit the Dentist

It's important to visit a dental professional at least once every six months. This routine check up can help to monitor your oral health and ensure no major changes are taking place. If you don't have your next appointment scheduled, contact our dental office today!

Now that you known what oral care items you should be doing on a daily basis, you're ready to improve your routine. If you have any questions about your oral care routine or concerns about the health of your mouth, contact our southern Missouri dentist office today. Give Access Dental And Dentures a call at 877-DENTIST to reach any of our four locations. We look forward to helping you and your family achieve a happy, healthy smile this fall!

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

How Getting Fit Impacts Your Dental Health

Whether you're already in great shape or are working to get fit, there are a number of dental health benefits that go hand-in-hand with improving your overall health. While exercising and eating right is great for your entire body, your dental health will likely be impacted as well. Your trusted dentist in Springfield, MO knows how important your overall health is to your entire body, mouth included. Provided below, by Access Dental & Dentures, are some of the ways exercise and the right food can improve or maintain your current oral health condition.

Regular Exercise

It's important to stay active on a regular basis. Not only does exercise help to improve blood flow and impact your body in a number of positive ways, it's also beneficial for your oral health. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, people who exercise about 3 times a week are 33% less likely to have periodontists than those who don't participate in any exercise. Improvement in hypertension and diabetes can also contribute to better oral health. Individuals who are active and consume healthy food can help to avoid oral diseases like periodontists and gum disease.

Eating Right

A well-balanced diet offers a number of benefits for your entire body. Eating the right foods give a wide range of nutritional value to your body, mouth included. Along with a balanced diet comes foods with a lower sugar level. It's important to watch your sugar intake because the sugar mixes with bacteria naturally found in your mouth, creating the ideal grounds for damage to your teeth. As well as eating healthy, it's also important to consume the recommended amount of water for your body. Water helps with digestion and keeps your body hydrated, as well as rinses your teeth off every time you take a drink.

Proper Oral Care

Since exercising and eating better leads to self worth and pride, it's a great time to focus on your oral care as well. Ensure you are brushing at least two times each day, once in the morning and again before bed in the evening. It is imperative to the cleanliness of your mouth to floss at least once each day. Mouthwash is another helpful tool that can be used along with these other two oral care routine steps for a fresh and clean mouth.

Are you ready to get up and get active now? Adding regular exercise, as well as eating a well-balanced diet can help to improve your current oral health situation. While what you put into your body is important, you still need to properly take care of your teeth. Remember to always brush twice a day, floss every day, and visit a dentist on a regular basis. If you haven't done that latter lately, contact our office at 877- DENTIST to schedule your dentist appointment in southern Missouri today!

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