Kids' Dental Habits to BREAK Now!

Kids' teeth are growing and changing a lot when they're young. Some people may think that it's not important to take care of baby teeth - they'll fall our anyway, right? Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist office in southern Missouri and we say, false! Your children's baby teeth are still connected to the gum line and can affect your kids' overall health. Plus, it's a good idea for them to develop healthy habits early so they know what to do when they get their adult teeth. Keep reading to learn about some of the common bad habits kids have related to their teeth. 

Sucking Their Thumb 

While your child is under the age of four, it is not uncommon for him or her to be attached to sucking their thumb. About 90% of children between the ages of 2-4 suck their thumbs. Many children will start doing this as soon as they are born. It is a self-soothing method that develops while still in the womb. It can be a security action and help to reduce any anxiety the child may have. While this is not an unusual habit to pick up, it may be a very hard habit to break the older a child gets. Thumb sucking can start to impact your child's teeth and mouth composition (including the shape of your child's bite and palate) if this habit goes on for too long. Our knowledgeable dentists in Southern Missouri are here to help you understand common thumb sucking tendencies, as well as some ways to help wean your child away from this habit.

Putting Items in Their Mouth

Younger kids are especially curious and tend to explore the world with their mouths. Once babies can crawl, they can find lots of random items on the floor that they will stick into their mouths out of curiosity. This can be incredibly dangerous due to choking hazards, but it is also bad for your kids because it introduces a lot of bacteria into their mouths. You can help prevent this by keeping the floors clean and picking up any items that your baby might put in their mouths. 

Not Brushing Their Back Teeth

Little kids may not realize how important it is to brush every surface of their teeth. Food particles can regularly get stuck in between their back molars that then need to be cleaned out. If they aren't brushing their back teeth well enough, they could be missing important areas and could develop cavities. Make sure you teach them the importance of tooth brushing and use a tooth brushing timer (for 2 minutes) to help them not rush through the activity. 

Fear of Dentists

Some kids are afraid of going to the dentist. It's intimidating to a little one to have a stranger that close to their face and sticking things in their mouths. Access Dental and Dentures is great with kids, and we can help them feel comfortable during their dentist appointments. You can also help by getting them used to the process and what the tools will look like. There are small dental tool kits at local drugstores that you can buy for a very affordable rate. You can show you kids what the little dental mirror and scraper look like so they aren't scared when they see them in the office. Just make sure you don't let them scratch at their own teeth with the tools. Someone who isn't an expert can easily damage the enamel on your teeth. 

Best Pediatric Dentist in Southern Missouri

Access Dental and Dentures specializes in children's dentistry and we always do our best to make sure you little one's visit to the dentist is a positive experience that they aren't afraid of. We also have several locations in the southern part of Missouri so you don't have to have the kids in the car for too long of a drive. Check out our locations and services on our website, and give us a call to schedule your next appointment! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Tips to Cut Sugar!

Cold weather tends to come with cravings for comfort food and sugar. While those things can be fun to enjoy every now and then, having them regularly can be really bad for your health - including your teeth. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in the Springfield area, and we are here to help you create healthier habits, like avoiding sugar. Keep reading for great tips on reducing sugar in 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.

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.

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 Fruits & Vegetables

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. Vegetables can help keep you fuller for longer so you don't have such intense cravings for sweet items. Plus, they will provide the healthy vitamins and minerals your body needs.

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.

Best Dentist in Southern Missouri

Keep yourself healthy by following a balanced diet, staying active, and keeping up with important checkups and physicals recommended by your doctors. If it's been a while since your last dental appointment, come see Access Dental and Dentures for a professional cleaning and checkup to make sure everything is in good condition. We are here for you! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Common Dental Changes During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can change a lot of things about your body - and your dental health is definitely one of those things! With all of the additional doctor's appointments you're going to for the pregnancy, you may not feel like going to yet another medical appointment. But, your dental health is very important and can affect your overall health. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist near you (We have four convenient locations in Southern Missouri!), and we are here to help you navigate your dental health while you're expecting. 

Infection and Decay

When you are pregnant, your body can have a harder time fighting off infection. This is true across the board. While you may be focused on not contracting a cold or stomach bug, it is important to also remember your mouth and teeth. Your body could be struggling with fighting off bacteria and plaque buildup while pregnant. This additional buildup is bad news for your teeth and can cause cavities to occur more quickly. Pay close attention to your oral health during pregnancy to help ensure no serious infections or decay occurs.

Pregnancy Tumors

There is a strange phenomenon that can occur with pregnancy called pregnancy tumors. These growths occur under the skin of your mouth and are cause by excess plaque. Help prevent these inconvenient tumors by keeping your mouth clean with diligent dental habits.

Gums

During pregnancy, it is common for mothers to suffer from gum inflammation. This is most common during the second trimester. Your gums could experience tenderness, swelling, and even bleeding. It is important to take special care when choosing a tooth brush that is soft bristled to prevent further aggravation of your sensitive gums. If it lasts for an extended period of time or hinders your daily life, it might be time to make an appointment with your local dentist to see if something more serious is happening.

When Baby Arrives

Infant oral care is very important. Even though your little one won’t have teeth when they first arrive, it is important to keep their mouth clean and help them start getting used to a good oral health routine early. At first, simply use a clean washcloth or baby toothbrush to wipe their gums. This will help remove milk residue that could be lingering in their mouths.

As soon as teeth appear, start using a toothbrush during their daily routine. Start by simply brushing away food particles with the toothbrush and water. When your child is a little more advanced, you can add toothpaste to the routine. (Start with a child-friendly toothpaste until they get used to not swallowing it.)

The age of two is about the time your child should start visiting the dentist to make sure all their teeth are coming in well and there are no concerning issues.

Your Missouri Dentist

When you're expecting a little one, a lot of things change. You have to focus more diligently on your health to make sure your developing baby is also healthy. As the best dentist in Southern Missouri, Access Dental and Dentures would love to be your dental health resource. Give us a call and set up an appointment to make sure everything is good with your oral health. We would love to help and be there for you! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Get Wise About Wisdom Teeth!

Have you been wondering if you need to have your wisdom teeth removed? Or wondering what the point is of the wisdom teeth in the first place? Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist of southern Missouri, and we are here to help you understand important facts about dental health and how to take care of yourself. Keep reading to learn more about wisdom teeth and whether or not you should have yours removed. 

Do I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed? 

As wisdom teeth come in, you will likely feel quite a bit of pain, particularly as they break through your gums. They may also start pushing your teeth together, causing your "bite" to shift. If you are noticing jaw pain and that your teeth don't fit together as well when you bite down, it could be time to remove your wisdom teeth.

Getting an x-ray at our dental offices in Southern Missouri is the easiest way to determine how your wisdom teeth are coming in. Sometimes they can grow at a weird angle and become "impacted". Signs that you may have an impacted tooth include throbbing pain, swollen glands, tender gums, jaw swelling, and a painful headache. Any time that wisdom teeth cause pain, discomfort, or damage to your other teeth, it is time to have them removed. 

What are Wisdom Teeth, Anyway?

These teeth are the very back molars that come in when you are significantly older than when your first teeth came in. They do not replace any baby teeth and, because they come in when you are older, they're given the name "wisdom teeth". Whether or not you have wisdom teeth grow in is determined by genetics. So if both your parents had to have theirs removed, it is likely that you will need to have yours taken out as well.

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are a type of molar. Molars are used to grind down tough foods so that they are easier to consume. Our diets are significantly softer and easier to eat now than they used to be, so wisdom teeth are no longer necessary. There is also not as much room to allow wisdom teeth to grow in. That means that they can start pushing your teeth together, causing cosmetic and in some cases physical issues for your teeth.

Care After Removal

Taking care of yourself after getting your wisdom teeth removed is very important. Your dentist will give you a syringe to help clean the areas where the teeth were removed. Use warm salty water to flush out the area every time you eat. Your dentist may also recommend sticking to a liquid diet for a few days while your stitches heal. Make sure you don't use a straw and don't engage in any physically demanding activities for awhile. The suction and pressure from your elevated heart rate could cause the stitches to burst, which can quickly turn into an infection. 

Visit Access Dental

If you aren't sure whether or not you have wisdom teeth coming in, or if yours need to be removed, Access Dental and Dentures can help make that determination for you! As the best dentist in the Springfield area, we can help you take proper care of your teeth and overall oral health. Give us a call to schedule an appointment or to ask questions about our services and how we can help you! 1-877-DENTIST

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Know What to Expect at Your Check-Up

Most people know that it is recommended that you visit the dentist office every 6 months to have a professional dental checkup. However, not everyone sticks to this schedule. You may have some apprehension or fear of the unknown if you're not used to going to the dentist on a regular basis. As the best dental clinic in the southern Missouri area, Access Dental and Dentures is here to help ease your concerns and let you know what you can expect at a typical dental check-up. Keep reading to learn all about it! 

Before & Between Checkups

One of the first things to know is that regular dental health and hygiene at home can help your dentist appointments go smoother and more quickly. Important dental habits include brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing every day, and maintaining a balanced diet. 

Before your appointment, it's a good idea to come up with a list of any questions you may have for your dentist. You can even write them down if you're worried about forgetting them during the appointment. You may wonder about jaw pain in the mornings, why your gums bleed when you floss, or any number of other general questions about your oral health. Don't hesitate to ask - we are there to help! 

Dental Exam

Part of your appointment with a dentist will include an examination of your teeth and mouth. The dentist is performing this evaluation to see the status of your dental health and if there are any serious issues that need to be addressed. If needed, they may take x-rays of your teeth. This allows the dentist to see any underlying problems inside or between your teeth. Your teeth will be closely examined for any visible issues on the surface. Your dentist will also take a look at your gums to check for wear, separation, and inflammation - all of these could be signs of gum disease. 

Expect the dentist to also look at the rest of your head, including the face, throat, and tongue, for signs of trouble. If there is any swelling or redness, this could be a clue that there is a problem somewhere in your mouth that needs to be treated.

Cleaning Your Teeth

The other important part of your dental check-up is the teeth cleaning. Even with regular daily brushing and flossing, it is always possible that you are missing parts of your teeth. Dental hygienists can spot these areas and get rid of the harmful substances you have missed, like plaque and tartar.

Plaque is a clear, sticky layer of bacteria that you may be able to brush off, but when it is not removed right away, it can harden and become tartar. Tartar will not come off with just a toothbrush. Our office has special tools that can remove that tartar for you to keep your teeth healthy. 

Once the plaque and tartar has been removed, your teeth will be polished to remove surface stains that have formed since your last visit. Last, we will floss your teeth to make sure your mouth is completely fresh and clean!

Make an Appointment with Us!

If it has been awhile since your last dentist's appointment, then it is important for you to give us a call and schedule a check-up. You could be missing spots on your teeth that may be developing into serious dental issues that can turn into health hazards. The longer you wait, the more serious - and expensive - the issues can become. Call today to schedule an appointment with the best dentist in the Springfield area - Access Dental and Dentures! 1-877-DENTIST

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Tooth Sensitivity - Where It's From & How to Help!

You don't deserve to suffer from tooth sensitivity. It can feel like a shock to the jaw when you eat or drink something too cold, too hot, too sour, or too hard. That's a lot of pain! If your teeth are sensitive, then your teeth could have some serious issues that need to be addressed by a professional dentist near you - like Access Dental and Dentures. Even if you don't have a serious dental concern as the cause, dealing with sensitivity isn't comfortable. Keep reading to learn more about how to treat sensitive teeth and how they get that way in the first place 

How to Care for Sensitive Teeth

If you are suffering from sensitive teeth, it can feel like an emergency. Who wants to be in pain every time they take a sip of a drink or a bite of food? There are a few ways you can help alleviate this pain, so don't despair!

Carefully Select Your Toothbrush

Even though a hard-bristled toothbrush may sound like it cleans your teeth better, it can actually be damaging to your teeth. The additional pressure is bad for sensitive teeth and gums. Buy a toothbrush with soft bristles and in a size that fits your mouth well.

Try Using Special Toothpaste

There are some kinds of toothpaste that are specially-formulated for people with sensitive teeth. They still are able to thoroughly clean your teeth, but the ingredients aren't quite as abrasive so the inflammation in your gums can go down and your teeth won't feel as sensitive.

Establish a Regular Routine

Taking care of your teeth and oral health on a regular schedule is important. If you aren't brushing your teeth or flossing as often as you should, then bacteria can build up and cause inflammation, pain, and sensitivity.

Why Do Teeth Get Sensitive in the First Place?

Things in Contact with Your Teeth 

Teeth can become too sensitive for a number of reasons. Sometimes it could be something that you are using or eating that is hurting your teeth. If your toothbrush is hard-bristled, it could be putting too much pressure on your gums and could even damage your enamel if you brush aggressively. Whitening agents that you buy over the counter and apply on your own could penetrate the enamel on your teeth and reach the dentin, which is very sensitive. If used improperly, it could even damage the nerves. If you regularly consume acidic foods and drinks, it could erode your tooth enamel and cause pain.

Oral Health Conditions

If your teeth are experiencing decay, like cavities, then they will cause a lot of pain any time you eat something with extreme temperatures. A good health routine is important to help prevent decay and resulting sensitivity. Gum disease from left-behind food particles and bacteria can also make your teeth more sensitive to temperature and hard foods.

Bad Habits

If you never floss your teeth, food particles and bacteria can build-up between your teeth and on your gum line, causing sensitivity. Plaque and tartar build-up can also make your teeth more sensitive. You could also suffer from jaw and tooth pain if you grind your teeth. Whether it's a bad habit from stress during the day or something you do unconsciously while you sleep, this puts a lot of pressure on your teeth and can result in pain and sensitivity.

Visit the Dentist

Any time your teeth hurt for long periods of time, it may be a good idea to schedule a checkup with your local dentist. Tooth and jaw pain could be caused by cavities, tooth grinding, sensitivity, or other serious issues. If your teeth don't feel like they should, give Access Dental and Dentures a call and schedule a visit at one of our four convenient locations! 

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

1-877-DENTIST

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Charcoal-Based Products: Are They Worth It?

A lot of people try new things to help boost their health in the new year. One of those things may have been new dental health products to get your teeth whiter and healthier. Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri, and we are here to help guide you about those new products and whether or not they are truly safe. Today we are covering the popularity of charcoal products. Keep reading to learn more! 

Charcoal Popularity

A lot of new products have come on the market that are charcoal-based. Charcoal is used in a lot of beauty products, health products, and even food. Sometimes charcoal is used to make desserts look a cool, deep black color. You should use caution when consuming or using charcoal products though. 

How Does it Work? 

When we're talking about charcoal-based products, we don't mean charcoal from a grill. Activated charcoal is made from wood, coconut shells, and other natural materials. It is heated and oxidized into a fine powder, which is then added or incorporated into the products we've mentioned. 

One of the main, important uses for charcoal is in the emergency medicine world. It adsorbs (attaches to) harmful chemicals in your stomach to prevent them from causing toxicity. For this reason, it can also adsorb important medications that you need to take for medical purposes. So always consult with a physician before consuming charcoal products. 

CONS of Charcoal Toothpaste

While charcoal toothpaste is helpful in removing surface stains, it cannot remove internal stains from your teeth like a professional whitening service.

Additionally, the fine grains of carbon in charcoal toothpaste can be highly abrasive to your teeth. This can start to erode your enamel and threaten the health of your teeth. As your enamel erodes, the deeper dentin is exposed and can cause tooth sensitivity and decay.

Charcoal toothpaste typically does not contain the recommended amount of fluoride, so it cannot help strengthen your teeth as well as traditional toothpaste.

Lastly, the charcoal toothpaste may settle in between your teeth and aggravate your gums, causing inflammation.

Charcoal Toothpaste PROS

We’ve talked about the “adsorptive properties” of charcoal toothpaste. You may be wondering, “What does that mean? Don’t you mean absorbing?” The more common word “absorb” is used to describe a substance being dissolved. However, “adsorb” describes what is happening when one material causes another to adhere to its surface. This is what happens with activated charcoal.

Charcoal toothpaste binds to loose organic materials on your teeth – like plaque and surface stains. Then when it is rinsed away, those materials are washed away along with the toothpaste. It can also bind to and remove acidic compounds that could be harming your teeth and causing bad breath.

Best Dentist in Southern Missouri

Access Dental and Dentures is the best dentist in southern Missouri and we can help you get the bright, healthy smile you've always dreamed of without the risk of harming your teeth with popular, over-the-counter products. 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

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