Access Dental

Friday, November 9, 2018

Quick Tips for Infant Oral Care

As a new parent, oral care may be the last thing on your mind. Our dentist near Springfield, MO knows this is a busy time for you and your little but oral care is important for your baby. Even before your child has teeth, you can start a good oral care routine. Placing an importance on cleaning teeth can help promote healthy oral care from the start. Take a look below to learn some quick (because we know you're busy) tips for your child's oral care!

Start Them Young

Even before your child's teeth come in, it's important to clean his or her mouth. Wipe off the gums with a warm washcloth or gauze after each feeding. There are also small soft rubbery devices that fit over the parent's finger to help cleanse your baby's gums. It's never too early to get started cleaning your child's gums and teeth!

Care for Teeth from the Start

After your child's teeth come in, start taking care of them with an oral care routine right away. Many times parents think baby teeth aren't important because they will just fall out... but it's a great way to start promoting proper oral care at a young age and help to prevent gingivitis. These teeth actually are important because improve spacing for the permanent teeth to come through.

Quick Teething Tips

A child who has teeth emerging through the gum surface may be fussier than normal, due to the pain (hang in there parents, this too shall pass). Having a teething toy or teething ring handy can help alleviate this pain for your child. Freezing a wet washrag is another great teething solution if you don't have a teething toy on hand. There are also numbing ointments available for teething children. It's best to help your child reach a comfortable level when his or her teeth are popping through the surface.

Visit Access Dental & Dentures

Your child should visit a dentist within the first year of life. The American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend a baby get his or her first dental exam within six months of the first tooth emerging. This is a great opportunity for your child to get used to the dentist and helps promote proper oral care, even at a young age. Contact our southern Missouri dentist to schedule your child's first appointment today. Here at Access Dental And Dentures, we LOVE kids. Sometimes a dentist gets a bag sigma, but we're here to prove to you and your child that it isn't the case when you visit us! Give us a call at 877-DENTIST to get your child's appointment on the books! We look forward to seeing you and your little one soon!

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

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Tips to Regulate Your Child's Sugar Intake this Halloween

Halloween is a popular holiday for many across the country. It's also one of the most dangerous times for your teeth. Sugar reacts with the bacteria naturally found in your mouth and causes buildup on your teeth. The influx in sugar around Halloween can cause permanent damage to your child's teeth. If you're looking for unique ways to regulate your child's candy intake, take a look below.

How Sugar Reacts Inside Mouth:

As you eat food with a high level of sugar, like candy, the bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar that you intake. Once this bacteria feeds off sugar, it breaks down into acids that eat away at the enamel protecting your tooth. The longer sugar is in the mouth, the more the bacteria break down and can eat away at the tooth enamel. Crevices in the tooth that hold sticky, sugary candy are usually the most prone to having an issue caused by the bacteria eroding the protective layer on the teeth.

Ways to Regulate Child's Sugar Intake:

Donate Candy
There are a number of organizations and/or places to donate candy. You can help spread the joy by offering a portion of your child's candy to a good cause. It will help them feel good about giving back and help their teeth feel good with less candy to consume.

Limit Pieces of Candy

A good way to regulate candy intake is to set a limit of how many pieces can be eaten per day. While it may be tough on Halloween as kids sneak a few pieces in between trick-or-treat spots - days after you can only allow a small amount of candy to be consumed.

Divide Candy
Instead of one child eating a bunch of candy, consider dividing the candy up between your entire household. You can even bring some of the candy to your work to help reduce the amount your child eats.

Now that you know some ways to help keep your child's sugar intake at bay this Halloween, you're ready to start implementing some of these techniques tonight. As your kids are out trick-or-treating, consider which ways you will regulate their sugar intake. No matter what you choose, our southern Missouri dentist encourages you to monitor your child's sugar intake. Here at Access Dental & Dentures, we know this can be a challenging time of year for oral care but we are always here to help offer dental care advice. Contact our dentist office near Springfield, MO today to schedule an appointment to get your child's teeth professionally cleaned and checked over.

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 25, 2018

🍬DANGERS of Halloween Candy🍬

Halloween is right around the corner and it's one of the most popular holidays for kids and adults alike. It's also one of the most dangerous times of year for your child's teeth. While avoiding candy all together can be a difficult feat for many, your trusted dentist in Springfield, Missouri wants you to be aware of the damaging effects candy can have on your teeth. More details on how candy damages your teeth is provided below by Access Dental and Dentures.

How Sugar Reacts Inside Mouth

How to Deal with a Cavity

If you do have an issue arise from the bacteria breaking down your tooth enamel, a cavity, or hole in the tooth may occur. If you do experience a cavity, visit a dental professional as soon as possible. At this point, a professional will be able to fill in the cavity, helping to prevent further damage to the tooth.

How To Prevent Tooth Damage

There are a number of ways to help prevent damage to the tooth. First off, regulate the amount of sugary foods you intake, especially around the Halloween holiday. Along with watching your sugar intake, consider substituting candy for a sugar-free option. Drinking plenty of water can help wash away some of the sugar, and therefore bacteria build up, which causes damage to teeth. Ensure you brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once, to keep your teeth clear of damaging bacteria that can eat away at the protective enamel covering your teeth. A regular dental visit should be scheduled every six months to ensure no new tooth damage has occurred, and if there is an issue, it can quickly be addressed.

Now that you know more about how the sugar in candy effects the teeth, you can better prepare for the sugar overload that you may experience this Halloween. It's best to help regulate the amount of sugar your child takes in. Here at Access Dental & Dentures, we can help! If your child starts to get a toothache after the Halloween sugar overload, they may be getting a cavity. Bring them in to our dentist in southern Missouri for a routine cleaning and check over their teeth for damage.

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 18, 2018

All About Our Free Veteran Dental Care Event

We are honored to offer a FREE Veteran Dental Care Event in Springfield, MO! Those who have served have sacrificed so much for our freedom and we want to give back. If you know of a veteran who could benefit from our dental service event, be sure to share this information with them! Here at Access Dental & Dentures we are excited about our upcoming event and encourage local veterans to register for this event. Don't forget to register by November 8th to secure your appointment.

All About the Event:

Free Veteran Dental Care Event offered by Access Dental & Dentures of Springfield, MO
Event Date: November 12th, 2018 - 8:00AM to 1:00PM

Springfield, MO (October 17th, 2018) - Access Dental and Dentures is excited to announce a Free Veteran Dental Care Event on November 12th, 2018. We will be offering free dental extractions to any Veteran who pre-registers for this event.

Access Dental and Dentures has 4 active locations serving residents throughout Mid-Missouri. We are committed to providing wonderful patient-centered care and look forward to thanking our local Veterans at this event.

Any Veteran needing dental care must call to pre-register at (417) 501-1048. We have 20 plus appointments available.

Sign up deadline is November 8th, 2018.

About Access Dental & Dentures:

Assisting in our patient’s ideal dental health is our passion and we will provide personalized, quality dental services in a gentle and caring atmosphere. To accomplish our mission, we will always strive to provide professional staff, trained in the highest current standards and a genuine appreciation for our patient’s time, concerns and decisions.

Don't miss this FREE Veteran Dental Care Event at our Springfield, MO dentist. We look forward to honoring local veterans and helping care for their teeth - at no charge! Be sure to share this event with your veteran friends and family members - we are here to help and want to give back to those who've served our great country!

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, October 12, 2018

FUN FACTS: Teeth Edition

Proper oral care is vital for all ages. Your teeth can help you better perform an important function - eating and nourishing your body. If you experience oral pain or have an issue with your teeth, it can be very difficult to accomplish simple tasks. Here at Access Dental and Dentures, we take oral health seriously but we like to have a little fun too! Take a look below to learn some wacky facts about those pearly whites!

FUN FACT #1
The average American spends 38.5 total days brushing their teeth over a lifetime.

FUN FACT #2
No two people have the same set of teeth—your teeth are as unique as your fingerprint.

FUN FACT #3
If you don’t floss, you miss cleaning 40% of your tooth surfaces. Be sure to floss at least once a day.

FUN FACT #4
The average person only brushes for 45 to 70 seconds a day, the recommended amount of time is 2-3 minutes.

FUN FACT #5
Dogs have 42 teeth, cats have 30 teeth, pigs have 44 teeth, and an armadillo has 104 teeth.

FUN FACT #6
78% of Americans have had at least 1 cavity by age 17.

FUN FACT #7
Dental floss was first manufactured in the year 1882.

FUN FACT #8
More than 300 types of bacteria make up dental plaque.

FUN FACT #9

A snail's mouth is no larger than the head of a pin, but it can have over 25,000 teeth!

FUN FACT #10
People who drink 3 or more glasses of soda each day have 62% more tooth decay, fillings, and tooth loss than others.

FUN FACT #11
The first toothbrushes were tree twigs. Chewing on the tips of the twigs spread out the fibers, which were then used to clean the teeth.

FUN FACT #12
The enamel on the top surface on your tooth is the hardest part of your entire body.

FUN FACT #13
There are 10-12 teaspoons of sugar in a single can of soda.

FUN FACT #14
Humans use four different types of teeth (incisors, canine, premolars, and molars) to cut, tear and grind their food.

FUN FACT #15
One-third of the tooth underneath the gum surface—that means only two-thirds of a tooth’s length is visible.

Now that you know some fun facts about teeth, you're ready to share your new-found knowledge with your friends and family. When you're sharing this fun information, be sure to let them know who your favorite dentist in Springfield, MO is! Chances are your family member can benefit from visiting Access Dental & Dentures. We look forward to helping you and your family achieve proper oral health!

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 4, 2018

EASY Ways to Improve Your Smile

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.

Floss Every Daily

If you do not floss each day, you are missing 40% of the tooth surface in your mouth. 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.

Brush Two Times a Day

It is recommended to brush your teeth twice every 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.

Incorporate Mouthwash

Using mouthwash can help clean your entire mouth and cleanse any hard to reach spaces. Mouthwash easily cleans between the teeth and all over your mouth for a fresh, clean feel.

Replace Toothbrush

Every three months, replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head. 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.

Set a Timer

Two minutes is the recommended length of time to brush your teeth, twice a day. 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.

Scrub Entire Mouth

Brushing your teeth is important; for optimum oral care, try to brush the inside of your entire mouth. From the roof of your mouth to your tongue, bacteria can build up all over your mouth.

Visit the Dentist

It's important to visit a dental professional on a regular basis. 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.

Now that you know these EASY ways to improve your smile, you're ready to start making changes to your oral care routine. If you noticed, visiting the dentist on a regular basis was on the list of things to focus on. If you haven't been to see a dental professional in Springfield, MO in awhile, it may be time. Contact our dentist in southern Missouri at 877-DENTIST to schedule an appointment at an office nearest you!

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, September 27, 2018

Habits to Break to Protect Your Teeth

How many of these bad habits do you do? Some bad habits can damage your teeth. As your experienced dentist in southern Missouri, we know how dangerous it can be to perform these bad habits on a regular basis. If you're worried about how your habits are affecting your teeth, stop by Access Dental & Dentures today. We can look over your teeth to let you know how your habits may be impacting your oral health. Take a look below to learn how these bad habits can take a toll on your teeth.

Nail Biting

Biting nails is an easy way to invite bacteria into your mouth. Aside from unnecessary amounts of bacteria, biting your nails can also damage your tooth. Chipping teeth and negative impacts on your jaw muscles and bones are caused by this bad habit. To avoid further tooth damage, work to find a way to relieve the urge to bite your nails.

Chewing Ice

Any hard substance chewed between your teeth can cause damage, ice included. It can put pressure and end up chipping the tooth surface or fillings you may have. To avoid this habit, consider drinking chilled drinks without ice or use a straw when drinking a glass filled with ice.

Consuming Sugary Drinks

Soda and other sugar-filled drinks can cause unnecessary damage to your tooth's surface. Bacteria thrives when sugar is found in the mouth. This can lead to the decay of your tooth's protective layer, enamel. Cavities come along after the enamel covering has been damaged and this can cause tooth decay and other oral issues. Swap out your sugar-filled drinks for a refreshing glass of water.

Grinding Teeth

Many people will grind their teeth as a nervous habit or while they sleep. If you do this. it's can cause surface damage to your teeth. Chipping or cracking of your tooth surface is another side effect of teeth grinding. Try to relax in other ways to avoid tooth grinding.

Use Teeth as a Tool

Teeth are made for eating, not a tool. Avoid opening items with your teeth. Whether you're ripping open a package or bending something, your teeth are not to be used. A tooth breaking or chipping is often a side effect of using your teeth for an unintended purpose. To avoid this bad habit, make it a point to not use your teeth as a tool and take the time to find the proper item to accomplish your task.

After reading through this list, have you realized you have a few of these bad habits? Now is the time to try to break any bad habits before they cause even more damage to your teeth. If you're worried about the condition of your teeth, contact our Springfield, Missouri dentist to schedule an appointment. We look forward to checking over your teeth and helping you work toward a healthy, beautiful smile.

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