Can't Kick the Sugar Cravings? Try This!

We're one week into the new year - How are your new year's resolutions going? If you resolved to remove or reduce sugar from your diet, but now you're having a hard time sticking to it, keep reading! Access Dental and Dentures has the tips to help you fight sugar cravings and improve your dental health through the whole year. 

AVOID These Things...

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, 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.

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.

DO These Things...

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.

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 satiate your body enough to curb cravings so you can say “no” to the office candy dish.

Eat Fruit

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.

Southern Missouri Dentist

If you are having trouble reducing the sugar in your diet, these tips could help you! When you reduce the sugar content in your daily life, it can greatly benefit your dental health in addition to your overall health. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri, and we are here to help you stay healthy and happy. Give us a call to set up an appointment! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Tips on Reducing Sugar This Season

There is a lot of sugary temptation this season. From leftover Halloween candy to hefty cold-weather meals, fall can be a difficult time to eat mindfully and protect your teeth from too much sugar. As the best dentist in southern Missouri, Access Dental and Dentures is here to help you resist temptation and stay healthy during the holidays. Keep reading to learn more! 

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, 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. 

Ditch 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.

Eat More Fruit

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. 

Prioritize 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. 

Drink Plenty of 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 satiate your body enough to curb cravings so you can say “no” to the office candy dish.

Dental Health for the Holidays

Ditching the sweets over the holidays is very difficult, especially with so much stress that can come with the season. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in the Springfield area, so we can help if your sweet tooth gets your actual teeth in trouble. Give us a call to learn more about how we can help improve your dental health!  

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Tricks to Fight Sugar Cravings

Sugar is an unhealthy substance that has been shown to be bad for your health across the board. For teeth specifically, sugar can adhere to teeth and cause bacterial growth, plaque buildup, and decay. As the best dentist office in the Springfield area, Access Dental and Dentures is here to help. Today we are discussing how to beat sugar cravings for a healthier, happier lifestyle. Read on to learn more! 

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 satiate your body enough to curb cravings so you can say “no” to the office candy dish.

Eat Fruit

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.

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.

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.

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, 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 Missouri Dentist

Avoiding sugar can be difficult in this day and age. Sugar is a common additive in spices, condiments, sauces, and so many other food items. While eliminating all added sugar could be hard to do right away, starting to reduce your consumption is a great step in the right direction. Limiting sugar is great for your overall health, and your dental health in particular. If you think sugar has affected your teeth, call the best dentist in southern Missouri - Access Dental and Dentures! We will help check your teeth and make sure your oral health is in good condition.

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

How These Drink Favorites Could be Harmful to Teeth

Drinking soda, enjoying a juice or coffee in the morning, and sipping a glass of wine with dinner are all habits that can be quite common in our culture. While most people know that soda and alcohol aren't particularly good influences on health, they may not realize how many drink favorites could actually be harming their teeth. At Access Dental and Dentures, we care about your health and want to help keep your pearly whites in good condition. Read on to learn more about the common drinks that could be damaging your teeth, and come visit the best Springfield area dentists for your fall check-up!

Soda

Carbonated drinks already have a pretty bad reputation when it comes to health. Because of their acidic and sugary nature, sodas can be incredibly harmful to your teeth. The acidity in soda can actually be the bigger issue. Both diet and regular sodas can do the same amount of damage to the enamel protecting your teeth. For that reason, it is best to avoid drinking soda.

Juice

Some individuals believe that juice has a lot of health benefits. Some "old wives' tales" say that cranberry juice helps with infections, or that orange juice can help stave off a virus. While the vitamins and minerals may be helpful in some respects, the concentrated acidity and sugar content are not doing your teeth any favors. Because fruit juices are concentrated, they are much more acidic than eating a piece of fruit on its own.

Tea and Coffee

While tea and coffee are both somewhat acidic, they aren't particularly detrimental on their own. Green tea can actually be beneficial for your gums, and black coffee may help prevent cavities. The problem with coffee and tea comes in when you add sugar and creamer. Sweet iced tea has a high sugar content that can be very damaging to the enamel on your teeth. Sugary creamers and artificial flavorings in coffee can also be harmful to the health of your teeth.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages can dry out your mouth and cause a lack of sufficient saliva. Saliva is helpful and important in washing away bacteria and preventing tooth decay. If your mouth is too dry, saliva cannot properly do its job. Contrary to popular belief, white wine may actually be worse for your teeth than red wine. While red wine can cause surface stains, white wine is more acidic than red and can cause permanent enamel damage.

Sparkling Water

This being on the list may surprise people! Sparkling water is actually quite acidic and erosive, which could be very bad for your teeth. In fact, the level of acidity in sparkling water matches and sometimes exceeds the acidity in orange juice.

How to Help Minimize Damage

If you do choose to keep these popular drinks as part of your diet, there are a few ways you can try to help limit the damage they do to your teeth.

1. Use a Straw - Drinking through a straw can help minimize the amount of contact the drink has with your teeth, and thereby help reduce potential damage.
2. Don't Sip - If you're drinking something acidic, don't sip on it throughout the day. This lengthens the amount of time your teeth are exposed to harmful materials. 
3. Wait, then Brush - After you have one of these acidic drinks, wait about 30 minutes and then brush your teeth. Brushing immediately could scrub the acidic substances into your teeth, furthering the damage.   
4. Diluting the Drink - For some of these drinks, it could be helpful to dilute them with 50% water. This will reduce the amount of acid and sugar that come in contact with your teeth.  
5. Visit Your Dentist - Regular visits to the dentist's office for checkups can help keep your enamel strong and catch any issues before they get too serious. 

Access Dental is the best Springfield area dentist, and we care about your oral health. We would love to help you take care of your teeth! Call 1-877-DENTIST today to schedule your appointment. 

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

1-877-DENTIST

Visit our Website
Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Connect with us on LinkedIn

Damaging Effects of Easter Candy

With the Easter holiday quickly approaching, a large amount of candy may be consumed this weekend. While candy is a staple for Easter, it's important to regulate the amount of sugar you and your kids consume. As your trusted dentist in southern Missouri, we know how important it is to take care of your teeth. From decay to cavities, there are a number of ways sugar can damage your teeth. Take a look below to learn exactly how sugar-filled treats can be dangerous to your smile.

How Sugar Damages Teeth:

The Battle on Bacteria

When sugar is consumed, it can react with the bacteria naturally found in your mouth. Sticky candy tends to stick to your teeth when it is consumed. This will mix with the bacteria in your mouth and stick on your teeth. If you or your child do eat some Easter candy, try to reduce the amount of time the sugar is in contact with your teeth. This can be done by brushing after indulging in candy and washing the sugar away by drinking plenty of water.

Enamel Wear Down

Once the sugar sticks the outside of your tooth, it reacts with bacteria and starts to wear down the protective layer on your teeth - your tooth enamel. This protective layer helps to keep germs and bacteria from penetrating deeper into your tooth and causing damage. Once bacteria starts to get under your tooth surface, it can start to eat away at your tooth itself.

Cavities Form

After the bacteria has made its way under your tooth enamel, it will start eating away at your tooth. This is how a cavity is formed. It is essentially a hole in your tooth. Many times a cavity is painful as bacteria eats away at your tooth. If a cavity goes untreated, it can continue to cause pain and other issues.

How to Reduce Sugar Damage:

Brush

It's important to brush your teeth at least two times a day. Try to brush once in the morning and once at night can help keep your oral care routine on track. If you indulge in sugary treats this holiday weekend, consider brushing your teeth another time. It's best to wash sugar off of your teeth as soon as possible to avoid damage.

Floss

Flossing between your teeth can help to clean 40% more of your tooth's surface than brushing alone. It's recommended to floss your teeth at least once a day. Ensure you and your family flosses daily to help improve your oral care routine and avoid damage from the bacteria in your mouth after eating candy.

Monitor Intake

The best way to avoid tooth decay due to sugar is to avoid it all together. We know that may not be as easy as it sounds. Try to monitor the amount of candy consumed this Easter. It can help to keep your sugar intake in check.

Now that you know how sugar can damage your teeth, you can take precautions to avoid tooth decay. As the candy-focused holiday comes around, try to encourage your kids to take it easy on the candy. Consider filling their Easter baskets with goodies that don't damage their teeth. Fruits, nuts, a toy and a favorite movie are just a few ideas of items that won't damage your kids' pearly whites. If you notice a cavity forming, be sure to visit Access Dental and Dentures. We can help fill your cavity to prevent further tooth decay and oral discomfort.

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

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Google+





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

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!

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Google+





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 Holiday Treats Affect Your Teeth

With a big holiday weekend approaching, you may be attending a number of festive gatherings in the near future. A large feast and tasty treats usually go hand in hand with these get togethers. As you make your way to your holiday gatherings this holiday weekend, your trusted dentist in Springfield, Missouri wants to remind you of the damaging affects sugar has on teeth. Provided below, by Access Dental and Dentures, is how the holiday treats wreak havoc on your mouth.

How Sugar Damages Teeth:

When sugar is put into the mouth, natural bacteria starts to react. This reaction creates acid inside the mouth, which starts to eat away at the protective covering of the tooth, enamel. Once this acid builds up and wears through the enamel coating, it can then penetrate the tooth. As the bacteria makes its way into the tooth, a cavity is formed. If the cavity is not properly addressed, it can become very painful and cause further damage.

How to Combat Sugar Damage:

Regulate Intake

Try to keep your sugar intake at bay while enjoying meals with friends and families this holiday season. The less sugar you take in, the better chance you have at fighting cavities caused by bacteria build up.

Brush

It is recommended to brush your teeth twice every day. Spend 2 minutes cleaning your teeth, once in the morning and again before bedtime. Over the holidays, it is important to stick to your proper oral care routine to combat any additional treats in which you may indulge.

Floss

Once a day, it is recommended to floss between each of your teeth. Flossing helps remove food particles and plaque that has built up throughout the day. As you partake in more food and treats than normal, flossing becomes even more important. Remember to take the time to floss once a day!

Wash

A mouthwash is a great way to help remove bacteria from your mouth. For an overall fresh feel for your mouth, include a round of mouthwash into your daily oral care routine.

Now that you know a little more about the toll sugar takes on your entire mouth and how you can help protect your teeth, you are ready to make wise choices for your teeth this holiday weekend. We know it can be hard to avoid that desert table altogether, but remember the key to a healthy mouth is moderation of sugar intake, along with your oral cleansing routine. The best dentist in southern Missouri wants to remind you to watch your sugar intake at your upcoming holiday get togethers. The entire staff at Access Dental and Dentures wishes you and your family a happy, healthy Holiday weekend!

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

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Connect with us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Google+




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 Parkway

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