Access Dental

Monday, November 6, 2017

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!

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

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

All About Dentures

Deciding to get dentures can be a complicated process, but Access Dental and Dentures is here to provide tips for achieving the perfect dentures for the perfect smile. Getting dentures can be intimidating, but there are ways to finance and select the dentures that will work best for you.

What are dentures?

A denture is a set of replacement teeth for missing teeth and attaches to the surrounding teeth and gum tissue. Complete dentures and partial dentures are the only kinds of dentures made. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing from the top or bottom, while partial dentures are used if you still have some natural teeth.

How do dentures work and what are they made of?

With complete dentures, a pink flesh-colored acrylic fits over your gums and holds fake teeth made of porcelain in place to look natural. Adhesive glue is used to stick and hold the cap in place so that you can eat and drink without your dentures moving around in your mouth. We recommend using an adhesive glue that is zinc free, protects against gum irritation, and comes in a mint flavor for fresh breath.

A removable partial denture, often called a bridge, consists of replacement teeth which are connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in your mouth. Partial dentures are used when natural teeth remain in the upper or lower jaw.

What is the shape of dentures and why?

The upper denture covers the roof of your mouth while the lower denture is shaped like a horseshoe to leave room for your tongue to move. Dentures are supposed to look as natural as possible and blend in with the rest of your teeth. Dentures are custom-made in a dental laboratory from molded impressions taken of your mouth.

How easy is it to eat or drink with dentures?

Eating and drinking will be difficult at first, but shortly after you get your dentures they will begin to feel natural. Start out by eating soft foods and chew on both sides of your mouth.

How do I care for my dentures?

Sanitizing your false denture teeth is imperative and brushing, soaking, and flossed regularly will help make them last longer. Dentures need to be kept moist when not being worn so they do not dry out or lose their shape. To sanitize them, place your dentures in a denture cleanser soaking solution such as a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide along with some water.

How much does it cost to get dentures?

A complete set of dentures can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Most dental insurance plans will help you cover the cost.

How long does it take for the dentures to be made?

Normally the process to make your dentures in Springfield, MO takes about 2-3 weeks. After the teeth are extracted and a mold is taken, a temporary denture will be made. This temporary denture will last until the dental lab is finished with your permanent dentures and once they come in, you will be fitted for your permanent dentures.

What kind of dentist should I go to for dentures?

Your general dentists may refer you to a prosthodontist if you need tooth replacement implants, dentures, crowns, or bridges. Prosthodontists are trained to design, construct, and fit replacement teeth.

We at Access Dental and Dentures hope that these tips for dentures will help you with your denture process. For good denture care, make sure to remove and rinse dentures after eating, brush your dentures at least once a day, and soak them overnight. If you need dentures in the mid-Missouri area, visit one of our locations to get your denture process started! We can’t wait to help your smile look great!

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

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

Monday, October 23, 2017

Frightening Effects of Halloween Candy on Your Children’s Teeth

The spookiest night of the year is just around the corner, and the ample amount of candy can be your biggest nightmare as a parent. Is Halloween candy and its effects on your children’s teeth enough to give you the chills? Cavities and tooth decay are unnerving enough, but kids on Halloween eat around 4 times the amount of candy eaten by adults. Access Dental & Dentures recommend not eating candy that is too sticky or chewy because it can impact the sealants on children’s teeth which prevent cavities.

1. Not all sugary candies are created equal.

Cavities and tooth decay are caused by prolonged exposure to sugar in the mouth. Not surprisingly, sugar is the leading cause of cavities and tooth decay and the bacteria found in the mouth feeds on the sugar in candy when it turns into acid. This acid attacks tooth enamel causing it to decay.

Some candies are much more erosive than others because of the amount of sugar in them. The main problem with artificial sugar is that our bodies do not know what do to with it. Our bodies are just not equipped to handle artificial foods or sugars. Look for sugar free candy, hard candy, and dark chocolate. Sugar free gum can actually prevent cavities and tooth decay and can increase saliva which works to neutralize the acids in the mouth. Dark chocolate is the healthiest chocolate because its antioxidants are good for your heart and may even lower blood pressure.

Try to avoid sticky, sour, and high sugar content candy. Sugary snacks like candy corn, cookies, and cake can all cause tooth decay from the excessive amounts of sugar they contain, which can lead to increased cavities in your mouth. Sour candies are highly acidic and can break down tooth enamel fast, which will never grow back. But the good news is that saliva slowly helps to restore the natural balance of the acid in the mouth. Our tip: wait 30 minutes to brush your teeth after you eat sweets to allow the acid to harden in your mouth for easy removal once you brush.

2. Candy can weaken bones and teeth.

Eating a whole bowl of candy can have an acidic effect in the blood. Our blood has a healthy pH level and will adjust to stay in that healthy range. If sugar lowers that level too much, making it acidic, it must come back up. To compensate, the blood needs minerals to balance our pH and bring it back to that healthy range. Our cells pull calcium from our bones and teeth in order to protect the blood. Not surprisingly, this leads to weakening in our bones and decay in our teeth.

3. Eat well beforehand.

Candy is a treat, not a source of nutrition. Eating a healthy dinner prior to trick-or-treating will help prevent mindless candy consumption.

4. Keep up good oral hygiene habits.

Halloween isn’t a welcome party for cavities. Stay mindful of you and your child’s candy intake and be sure to follow up with a good brush and floss session. This will help fight tooth decay and will wash away the bacteria that cause bad breath and bleeding gums. Stay committed to your daily oral hygiene habits and make sure you and your child are properly brushing, flossing, and making routine checkups to the dentist.

While we think of mostly kids trick-or-treating, we know that adults will be too. Don’t let the sugar monster stick around, visit the best dentist in Springfield, Osage Beach, and Rolla, Missouri for a cleaning and checkup after your night of frights. From everyone at the Access Dental & Dentures office, we want to wish you a safe and happy Halloween!

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

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

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

BACK TO BASICS: Oral Care Tips for a Healthy Smile

It can be easy to get distracted from proper oral care, especially with all the new tools and features available on the market. From water picks to tongue scrapers, there are many items that can pull your attention away from the basics of oral care. As the best dentist near Springfield, MO, we pride ourselves on keeping our patients informed and up-to-date on proper oral care. Take a look below to learn more about these oral care tips for a happy, healthy smile!

Brush, Brush, Brush

Brushing your teeth is vital to your oral care and overall health. Not brushing can lead to gum disease and cavities in your teeth. It's recommended to brush your teeth twice each day. Try to make this part of your morning and night-time routine that way you don't skip it. Start the day with a clean and fresh mouth and end the day the same way! It's a great way to get into a good habit of brushing twice each day!

Floss Between Teeth

While brushing your tooth surface cleans a big portion of your teeth, you still miss about 40% of your tooth's surface if you skip flossing. Between your teeth lingers food particles and other bacteria that builds up throughout the day. Flossing once a day can help keep your teeth clear of harmful bacteria that may cause damage to your tooth surface.

Drink Plenty of Water

Not only is water good for your entire body, it's important for proper oral care too. Keeping your gums and mouth hydrated is good for circulation and helps to keep all body functions working properly. Water also helps to wash food particles from your mouth after a meal. This can help to keep food from building up on your tooth surface, which attracts bacteria and can cause damage.

Eat a Healthy Diet

A well-balanced diet helps to keep your teeth and mouth in a healthy condition. Sugary filled foods can build up on your teeth and cause damage, when mixed with the bacteria naturally found in your mouth. Try to regulate your food intake and keep a happy balance between sweet treats and healthy foods.

Your family deserves a great smile and Access Dental and Dentures is here to help! Our southern Missouri dental practice is here for all of your oral care needs. From tips to tools to a routine check up, we pride ourselves on providing great dental care for all of our customers. To learn more, be sure to schedule your routine teeth cleaning and check up every six months! Contact us at 877-DENTIST to set up an appointment today!

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

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

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Tooth Fairy Ideas the Won't Break the Bank

The average "going rate" for the tooth fairy is $3.70 per tooth! If you attempt to keep up with your child's friend's tooth fairy, you may be hurting in the financial department. Instead of dishing out cash for every tooth that falls out, there are other creative - and less expensive- ways to handle the situation. Being the tooth fairy is a tough job, especially when you aren't sure how much - or what- to leave under the pillow. As your trusted dentist near Springfield, MO, we are here to help with some clever ideas for tooth fairy gifts in exchange for a tooth falling out.

Add to a Favorite Collection

What does your child love to collect? Consider having the tooth fairy leave an item to add to his or her collection for a thoughtful and custom gift. Whether its marbles or rocks or beads, there are a number of inexpensive ways to help add to your child's collection, instead of leaving cash.

Various Coins

While collector coins can be very pricey, consider giving "smashed pennies" from various locations you have visited. It's a cheaper option for the tooth fairy. As an added bonus, in the morning you and your child can reminisce about what fun you had at the "penny" location. It's a unique way to give your kid a thrill and encourage strong communication.

Stickers

Who doesn't love stickers? Whether it's a favorite cartoon or animal or a simple smiley face - stickers are a fun way to reward a kid for losing a tooth. If you find a good deal on stickers, you can even leave an entire package in exchange for the tooth, without breaking the bank!

Educational Gift

While some of these types of gifts can get pricey, consider finding books or other games at a garage sale or thrift store to have the tooth fairy leave for your child. It's an inexpensive way to give the gift of fun and education - the best of both worlds!

Now that you've seen a few unique tooth fairy ideas, you're ready to start implementing them in your house. Whether you choose a different object altogether or decide to cut back on the amount left for your child, you can start saving right away. As your child's teeth start to fall out and the makeup of their mouth starts to change, it's an important time to keep up with regular dental visits. It's recommended that a child (and adult) have a dental appointment every six months. This helps to regulate any changes and catch any issues that may arise. Contact Access Dental & Dentures at 877-DENTIST to schedule an appointment today!

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

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

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month

October is National Dental Hygiene Month! It's a great time to focus on proper oral care techniques and improving your oral health. As we celebrate the professionals who help teach the right way to care for our mouths, we've dedicated this week's blog to oral care, as well. Here at Access Dental And Dentures, we pride ourselves on providing helpful dental hygiene techniques for our patients. Take a look below to see what we commend for your oral care routine!

Brush Twice a Day

Each and every day your teeth need brushed twice. To help get into a good routine, it's recommended to do this first thing in the morning and right before bed in the evening. It can help rid your teeth of germs and plaque that builds up throughout the day and night. Remember to spend two minutes brushing each time you brush to adequately clean your tooth surface!

Floss Between Teeth

It's recommended to floss between your teeth once a day. This can help remove any plaque or food particles that may be hiding between your teeth. Brushing doesn't reach your entire tooth surface and flossing can help reach where a toothbrush does not. Flossing is also good for your gums and helps to avoid dangerous infections.

Rinse Your Mouth

While brushing and flossing are vital to your oral care routine, there is much more of the mouth the does not get cleaned. That's where mouthwash comes in handy! As you rinse your mouth, every surface is cleansed, leaving your mouth feeling clean and fresh.

Chew Gum

Chewing gum after a meal can actually help prevent tooth decay. With food particles building up in your mouth, the gum can help clean your tooth surface off. This helps to prevent food from sittin on your teeth for long periods of time and causing decay. If you do chew gum, make sure it's sugar free to avoid adding sugar into your mouth and preventing a sticky situation.

Now that you've read about our oral care tips, you're ready to tackle Dental Hygiene Month! Simply add these teqchniques into your daily routine. You only get one set of permanent teeth - it's important to take good care of them! In addition to the daily oral care tips, it's important to have a dental check up every six months. Contact the best dentist near Springfield, MO to schedule your appointment today! We look forward to helping you and your family achieve happy and healthy smiles!

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

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

Friday, September 29, 2017

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!

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