Why You Should Choose Access Dental!

Selecting a dental office for yourself and your family can be intimidating as there are so many options and it can be hard to narrow down which dental office in Missouri is truly going to be the best for all of the dental needs you have. We are here to proudly say that at Access Dental and Dentures, we believe our patients deserve to have the most information and newest technology available to make the right choices with their dental health. Our doctors and staff take the necessary time to explain all the treatment options available to our patients ensuring that they will receive the best possible outcome. So, keep reading to see some reasons why you and your family should choose Access Dental! 

We Accept Almost All Dental Insurance Plans

Our office is proud to say that we accept almost all dental insurance plans! This includes,  Envolve for Homestate Health, DentaQuest for MissouriCare, MO Healthnet, United Healthcare Community Dental, Care Improvement Plus, Met Life Dental, Delta Dental, Tricare, and others. We will handle your insurance claims for you. We will call to get your benefits, file your claims and keep track of what services for which you are eligible.

We Offer a Variety of Services

We offer a plethora of services to ensure your dental needs are met in their entirety. Some of the services we include are: 

-Dentures/Partials

-Children's Dentistry

-Dental Implants

-Veneers 

-Root Canals

-Teeth Whitening

And so much more! You can explore all of the dental services we offer on our website! 

Plus, when you schedule your appointment, you can expect the initial oral examination, which includes a visual examination, charting, periodontal probing, diagnosis and treatment recommendations. We will also take x-rays, which includes the full mouth x-rays for proper diagnosis of the anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth as well as the bite-wing x-ray series for proper diagnosis of interproximal decay of posterior teeth.

Our Experienced Staff

Our staff are professionals and their goal is to make your visit as easy as possible for you. Working with are doctors are highly trained expanded function dental assistants and basic dental assistants. Expanded function dental assistants receive additional training in the areas of restorative and prosthodontic procedures which, traditionally, had been performed by a dentist. They perform these duties under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.

As you navigate through the process of locating the best dental care in Missouri, we would like to try and ease your mind and let you know that you don't have to worry about the little things. Our team is dedicated to ensuring the dental health of both you and your family. With over 5 different locations spread across Missouri, we should have a dental office near you that can provide for all of the needs you may have. 

To schedule an appointment or to view the services we offer, our website will showcase a wealth of information about dentistry and our current available procedures, as well as the practice and our staff. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Grilled Foods and How They Impact Your Dental Health

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, which means it's time to honor those who we have lost by spending time with great people and eating even better food by grilling out. But, when we think of grilled foods, how they impact your teeth and gums may not be the first topic that comes to mind, but that's why you have the best dental group in Missouri to help you figure out the unknown surrounding your dental health!

So, let's dive in and see which foods help and which foods can hurt your teeth!

Grilled Meat

Grilled meat is typically what you expect at a cookout, and luckily these foods are actually pretty good for your teeth given how rich in protein they are! They help maintain strong and healthy teeth, plus given the amount of chewing that is involved more saliva is produced which helps to wash away the left over foods and acids that can lead to decay. Granted, we will say that typically you should stick to meats that are leaner, especially fish if available!

Flavor Enhancers

The meat you eat may be good for your dental health, but what about the flavor enhancers you use on them? Well, to be frank, most of the sauces and marinades that you use can be high in sugar which can lead to cavities and tooth erosion due to the high amount of acidic ingredients. 

Luckily, not all is lost and dry rubs are a great substitution, as they add in the flavor and remove the acids and sugars that can lead to all of the dental issues you don't want plaguing you this Memorial Day weekend!

Grilled Veggies

We are happy to report that most grilled veggies are great for your teeth and overall health! Of course, you always have your exceptions, such as corn on the cob. Although delicious, corn on the cob can cause dental issues, especially for those wearing braces, as they can damage them. Another issue is that they can get stuck in your teeth, which adds an extra layer of issues. 

That being said, most other popular grilled veggies like onions and carrots are completely fine for you to chow down on!

Being cognizant of the different tasty foods you are snacking on this Memorial Day weekend will help keep your teeth happy and healthy! But, we understand if you sneak a little bit! If you find yourself struggling with dental issues that need to be addressed, be sure to contact the best dental care in Missouri and let us help you get squared away that way you can continue eating the foods you love, without having to worry about what you can or can't eat given the state of your dental health.

Schedule your next visit on our website, www.accessdentalanddentures.com

Tips to Protect Your Child's Smile This Summer

School is out (or almost out) for many students around the region. That means your kiddos are likely going to be much more active in the coming months. Now is the time to start taking precautions for your child's oral care. Our Southern Missouri dentist has some tricks up our sleeve to share with you in order to help better protect your child's smile and oral health this summer!

Use a Sports Mouth Guard

Playing sports is a right of passage for many youngsters. It's a fun way to stay active and get involved with others in the community. If your child is playing a sport this summer, be sure they wear a mouth guard or some sort of protective feature. Whether it's a faceguard on their baseball helmet or a mouthpiece when playing soccer - this is an easy way to help protect teeth from damage.

Follow Pool Rules

The pool is the place to be in the hot summer months... but it also presents a number of dangers for your child's teeth. Most public pools have designated diving areas and recommend walking around the edge of the pool. Ensure your kids are following the rules of the pool. Diving in a shallow body of water has the potential for severe tooth damage and running along the concrete and tripping may have the same result.

Focus on Proper Oral Care

While the summer schedule may get crazy, it's important to keep your kid's oral care habits in check. Make sure they are brushing their teeth twice each day - once in the morning and once in the evening, as well as flossing each day. This can help remove plaque and other particles from building up in the mouth, causing tooth decay and damage. Also, encourage your kids to make healthy snack decisions instead of sugary-filled treats.

Schedule Your Dental Check Up

While the summer months are usually jam packed with fun and adventure, take this opportunity to schedule a dental visit in Springfield, MO while the kids are out of school. It's much easier than having them miss out on educational opportunities during the school year. It's recommended for your child to visit the dentist at least once every six months to regulate any changes and perform professional teeth cleaning for your child in Southern Missouri.

What are you waiting for?! Now's the time to start taking those extra steps to care for your child's teeth. Here at Access Dental & Dentures, we want to help keep your child's smile happy and healthy for years to come!

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Best Practices to Prevent Tooth Loss

Have you ever had that dream where your teeth begin to fall out? Unfortunately, those nightmares can become reality without the proper dental care! At Access Dental our goal is to ensure only the best quality dental care and provide you with the best tips on how to keep your smile healthy and happy. In order to keep your smile happy and healthy, you need your teeth! So, in order to help prevent tooth loss, we have compiled a list of some of the best practices for you to implement into your dental care routine. 

1. Flossing

When we think of dental health and dental care, one of the first things that may pop into mind is brushing our teeth; however, flossing is just as important as brushing as flossing assists in getting out the plaque that may be building up in-between your teeth. Brushing is crucial in maintaining dental health, but when you ignore the important step of flossing, you are denying yourself the extra boost to ensuring your teeth are truly clean and healthy. Developing a routine of flossing alongside brushing will help prevent tooth decay, which will prevent any damages or tooth loss! 

2. Regular Check-Ups

Scheduling regular dental check-ups and routine cleanings are another way that you can prevent any potential tooth loss. When we brush and floss at home, we may notice something that we aren't familiar with going on with our teeth, for example, spotting, inflamed gums, etc. and having a professional take a closer look to determine if anything else is at play is essential for preventing tooth loss. At our dental office in Missouri, we are dedicated to providing you with quality care and thorough examinations. 

3. Address Teeth Grinding

You probably didn't know this, but teeth grinding impacts a whopping 10% of Americans daily! Most aren't even aware that they are doing it, but there are some signs that when you notice, you need to schedule an appointment with your local dentist office. The issue that comes with teeth grinding is that you wear down your teeth to a detrimental point. Luckily, our team at Access Dental offers custom-made mouth guards to help you prevent any further damage to your teeth. 

In making sure you are prioritizing your dental health, you are setting the path for healthy, strong teeth! 

So, if you are looking for the best dental office in Missouri look no further than Access Dental. We are here to ensure you are receiving the highest quality of dental care and dental tips to take home with you to implement into your daily cleaning routine. 

To view all of the services we offer go to our website, www.accessdentalanddentures.com

When Can You Eat After You Have Brushed Your Teeth?

 Every morning and every night you probably have a consistent routine of brushing your teeth. And that is a great habit to have! Brushing your teeth twice a day is so beneficial for your dental health and your teeth and gums would thank you if they could! With establishing a solid brushing routine, that does leave a bigger question, as this next routine is something you do probably three times a day or more:

When can you eat or drink once you have brushed your teeth?

That is a great question, and an important one at that to ensure that you are protecting the enamel of your teeth and keeping your dental health at its peak! Providing you with the best dental health and tips is what we are here for, so, let's look into when the best time is to eat or drink when you have brushed your teeth. 

Eating After Brushing

For starters, it should be noted that you should try to plan your brushing routine around when you plan on eating or drinking, but sometimes that is just not a possibility. So, when is the best time to eat or drink typically after you brush? To keep it simple, 30 minutes is a solid time frame to wait, as you can help prevent enamel decay, which could require even more dental care later on. 

But, when it comes to eating it is actually best to brush after your meal. In the mornings, it is better to wait until you've had breakfast and then brush your teeth, that way you can wait the 30 minutes before your next meal or snack!

Drinking After Eating

As with eating, you should wait at least 30 minutes before making yourself a glass, unless of course you are drinking water. When you brush your teeth, you temporarily make your enamel susceptible to outside factors, as brushing makes your enamel weaken for a short period of time. That is why it is so important to let your teeth build back up before eating or drinking anything can can cause harm to the integrity of your teeth. 

In the morning, avoiding orange juice and anything acidic is best for your teeth, really sticking to water is the best thing you can drink, but if you are in the mood for another beverage, give it some time before grabbing one! 

At night, it is important to only drink water once you have brushed, as the sugars that come with your beverages other than water will rest on your teeth the entire night, and that can lead to a whirlwind of problems, such as, tooth decay, cavities, breaking down of enamel, etc. If you need assistance with any of these issues if they should arise, it is advised to seek out the assistance from your local dental office.

Developing a schedule that works in both your eating habits and brushing habits is important to make sure you are comfortable and healthy. By following the tips of not eating or drinking for 30 minutes, planning around your eating schedule, and only drinking water when possible, you are one step closer to having a successful dental health plan!

Another aspect to keep in mind is regular check-ups and dental cleanings. If you are due for a dental check-up and cleaning, feel free to contact the best dental office in Missouri! We would be more than happy to assist you with all dental services you may need, and would love to help you improve and maintain your dental health. To learn more about the services we offer, visit our website at www.access.dental. 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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How to Get Straighter Teeth as An Adult

As children, the option for getting straighter teeth seemed much more, well, straight-forward. As adults, however, the methods of straightening your teeth can feel as if they are far and few in-between. Fortunately, there are different means of getting straighter teeth as an adult, and the team at Access Dental has put together some of our favorite methods! 

Braces

We know that when most people think of braces, you probably envision a teenager, but adults can benefit just as much from braces! Braces usually come in two forms, metal and ceramic. Metal is what you would commonly think of when you picture braces, they are metal brackets that lay on your teeth, while the elastics secure the brackets to your teeth and the wires provide enough pressure to begin the alignment. 

Ceramic braces are similar to metal braces, but instead of metal, the braces are made of a ceramic-material that is tooth-colored to blend in more. Granted, with both types of braces, there comes a big responsibility in ensuring that you are properly cleaning them, removing plaque, and avoiding foods that can damage your braces. Getting your braces shouldn't be a difficult process, so be sure to contact our dental office to make sure you are getting the best dental care in Missouri. 

Aligners

Dental aligners have become increasingly popular in recent years, and rightfully so! They come with a huge benefit in that they can be removed, unlike braces, but you will have to change them out every 1-3 weeks. With aligners, you will be wearing them practically 24/7. Of course, in relation to braces, aligners may be the preferred choice for a working adult, as they are a bit easier to blend in and may not draw as much attention as, say, metal braces. The process of getting aligners starts by getting a custom-made fit to tightly secure your teeth and bring them together, creating a gorgeous, straight smile! 

Surgery

Although we know this sounds scary outright, teeth straightening surgeries can be beneficial in some cases. Keep in mind, not everyone is a candidate for teeth-straightening surgeries and is typically only called for in circumstances where an individual has a functional problem versus a cosmetic one. 

In the corrective jaw repair, a surgeon will operate to restore the function of the jaw and in the process make one able to wear braces. Once the corrective surgery has been completed, the individual will be in recovery for roughly six weeks and then can work towards getting braces. 

The options we have listed above are just a few ways that an adult can look into straightening their teeth, and although not all of the options may be feasible for everyone, it is definitely a good starting point! Finding a dental office in Missouri that will prioritize your needs is crucial, and at Access Dental we take your dental health seriously. 

For more details on teeth straightening methods, or to schedule a consult with one of our dental experts, contact us at 1-877-DENTIST, or visit our website, www.accessdentalanddentures.com

Remedies to Help With Teeth Grinding

If you are like 1/3rd of the adult population, you may grind your teeth throughout the day. 1 out of 10 will also grind their teeth at night. That being said, grinding your teeth, or bruxism, impacts a multitude of individuals in their day-to-day lives. Bruxism can lead to negative side effects, such as, headaches, jaw pain, and even tooth fractures depending on the intensity of the grinding. Fortunately, teeth grinding can be helped, and your local dentist office in Osage Beach, MO is here to give you the run down of the different remedies that you can utilize to help with teeth grinding, and get back to living a healthier and happier lifestyle. 

Why Does Teeth Grinding Occur?

The cause behind bruxism tends to vary from patient to patient, as there are various reasons for why bruxism may develop. Some common reasons consist of stress, anxiety, genetics, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, etc. But even simple tasks such as concentrating on a project can cause teeth grinding. At night, teeth grinding tends to be more prevalent, and can be caused by sleep apnea, hyperactivity, and can be a side effect of some medications. 

What Issues Can Teeth Grinding Cause?

Aside from general discomfort, teeth grinding can lead to a few different health issues, such as tooth fractures, TMJ, headaches, etc. Additionally, you may notice muscle stiffness and a limited ability to move your jaw. These issues can be uncomfortable to say the least, and could have a lasting damage on your muscle and dental health. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's probably in your best interest to schedule a dentist appointment with a dental office near you. 

How Can Teeth Grinding Be Treated?

Luckily, when it comes to bruxism, there are a few different treatment methods, that way you can get back to living your life as pain-free as possible, without the stresses of dental issues. Probably the most common treatment would be getting fitted for a nightguard- they are similar to a retainer, but they are worn at night to prevent grinding from occurring. Granted, it is important to recognize a pattern to determine what the underlying issue is and why it is happening. Some other common treatments include taking medication and therapy to reduce stress. 

Teeth grinding can make for a troublesome issue that needs to be corrected sooner than later to prevent any further damage to your teeth and overall health. That being said, if you struggle with bruxism, it probably is in your best interest to schedule a dentist appointment, and the team at Access Dental is here to provide the best dental care in Osage Beach, MO. Feel free to contact us by phone or schedule an appointment on our website, www.access.dental

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

1-877-DENTIST

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