Hanging By a Thread: How Flossing Can Save Your Life

People don't normally pay much mind to flossing, but the health of one's gums is closely related to the health of the rest of one's body. Being that the mouth is the entry point for everything from food to air and water, entering anything into the mouth always runs the risk of introducing new bacteria into the system. There is nothing anyone can do to prevent bacteria from entering the system, but as it collects on the base of the teeth and the gums, plaque forms from the bacteria and can lead to gum infections and disease. The blood that runs through the gums is the same blood that runs all over the body, so an infection introduced into the bloodstream can cause much more serious problems down the line than a little pink in the sink. Gum disease can also be an indicator of other problems that are present in the body, so it is important to meet with dentists at least twice a year to stay on top of your oral health. To prevent gum disease, brush thoroughly twice a day, floss once a day, limit smoking, and the occasional swish with mouthwash doesn't hurt either. Also, making sure children's teeth are clean and gums are healthy is an important means of monitoring a child's overall health over the long term. For more information, log on to check out this segment from CBS News. For a reliable local dentist to check out your teeth and gums to help prevent gum disease, head over to the website of Dr. Larry James D.S.S. and schedule an appoint today!

Never Too Young For Cavities

According to a recent New York Times article, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported an increase in the number of preschool-aged children requiring extensive dental work due to neglect. The article centers around a 2 1/2 year old boy with cavities in 55% of his baby teeth with some of the teeth requiring extraction because of the extent of the tooth decay. The very young boy required a root canal for one of the morals and fillings and crowns for the other damages teeth. The increase in these numbers has been mostly tied to the number of parents who underestimate the need for proper oral hygiene in their very young children. The cases reported show that socioeconomic factors do not play as much of a role. To read more on this lapse in dental hygiene and a reminder to parents to care for their children's teeth from the earliest age, click here to read the New York Times article. From the very youngest of patients to the very oldest, Dr. Larry James DDS reminds everyone to brush and floss regularly and schedule regular visits for cleanings and dental check-ups. For more, visit Dr. Larry James' website.

Why Does It Hurt: Identifying the Causes of Tooth Aches

Tooth aches are not only some of the worst pains anyone can feel, but also some of the most annoying. If someone had a sore knee or ankle, they can simply take some time off said area and let it heal while a tooth ache involves an area that we use in order to survive! But where there's smoke, there's fire and with every ache and pain, there is a reason for it. From a cavity to non-dental sources, there are many different causes for that tooth ache that might wake you up at night or just be a dull pain throughout your day. To discover what is causing this pain, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment with your dentist so that they might not only alleviate the pain, but diagnose the cause and prevent any further damage from taking place. Take a look at About.com's "Why Does My Tooth Hurt?" article to read up on the possible reasons for your tooth ache and be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Larry James, D.D.S., for a comfortable dental experience with speedy results.

Who Needs a Sink?

Who needs a sink? Certainly not these people. In a creatively-quirky new website, the act of brushing one's teeth is taken far from the sink and even further away from the bathroom. From brushing in irish pubs to being caught brushing in a law school class room, dental hygiene seems to have no geographical restrictions! To check out the most interesting places people have been caught brushing their teeth, check out the folks at People Brushing Their Teeth and feel to criticize not only their location, but their brushing form! For the finest in dental hygiene in more typical locations, check out the page of Dr. Larry James D.D.S. for all you dental needs.

Advantages of Electric Tooth Brushes

Time to replace your tooth brush? Well, even if it isn't, you might want to make the move over to an electric toothbrush. Whether you're having issues with gum irritation, not being able to brush properly in different corners of your mouth, or you're just looking for that just-came-from-the-dentist slick feeling, there are a wide variety of toothbrushes on the market to serve your needs. In addition to making brushing easier, electric toothbrushes also help your tooth-brushing technique. Many times, people can actually cause their gums to recede due to improper brushing direction or brushing too hard around the gum line. Electric toothbrushes remedy many of these problems at the push of a button. In addition to the immediate results, electric toothbrushes also have special features, such as timers for brushing, that other the standard tooth brush doesn't have. If you're weary about the initial price of an electric toothbrush, also keep in mind that the replacement toothbrush heads tend to last longer than a standard toothbrush with even less environment impact when discarded. As well as being more green, an investment in an electric toothbrush is an investment towards your own oral health. For more information the benefits of an electric toothbrush, check out this article from the people at Dicovery Fit & Health. For the finest dental care in the Tulsa area, visit the the experts at Dr. Larry James D.S.S. for service with a smile for your smile.

Root Canal Myth Awareness Week

Been putting off having a necessary root canal procedure due to information you've been gathering from assorted sources? The good folks at 1Dental.com have announced this week to be Root Canal Myth Awareness Week to keep you updated on all the false information. Root canal procedures have come a long way from the days of spending long hours in the chair for a pain-filled visit. With new advances in technology, root canals have become a virtually pain-free procedure that only takes a fraction of the time that it once did. In order to bust from of the myths surrounding root canals, check back into 1Dental.com's blog all this week for more root canal myths. For more information about how to see whether or not you need a root canal procedure or how to go about setting up an appointment, visit Dr. Larry James DDS for Tulsa's finest and most professional dental procedures.

Afraid of The Dentist? You Don't Need To Be!

Dreading an upcoming appointment with your dentist or even just setting up an overdue appointment? Dental phobia is fairly common, but it doesn’t have to be. Even just within the past few years, modern dentistry has advanced in the direction of catering to patients with a high level of dental fear. Whether you tremble at the idea of an anesthetic injection or the sound of a dental drill makes you want to run for the door, you should know that you have nothing to fear.  

In earlier generations, needles were thicker instruments that were sterilized between use. Ironically meant to numb pain, they were some of the biggest sources of pain in the entire dentist’s office! These days, most every needle is disposable and much, much small than its bulkier predecessor. Because of the disposable nature of the needles, there is zero likelihood of a dulled needle being used. In addition to this, many times a numbing gel is applied to the gums before the injection, making the injection itself virtually painless.

One of the most feared aspects of visiting the dentist is the sound of the drill. It might not even be the drill itself, but the sound of the drill is enough to leave some in a state of panic. Over the years, the drills have been becoming progressively quieter. With some air-powered models, you may not hear the drill much at all if anything else is happening. To deaden the noise any further, bring in your headphones and an mp3 or cd player with your favorite music to listen to during any procedure that requires a drill. Keep the pause button handy so that the dentist can communicate with you.

The number one aspect of your dental visit to keep in mind is that your dentist is your friend and wants you to be as comfortable as possible. After all, they would have trouble keeping patients if they didn’t! Before the dentist or hygienist starts, take a moment to explain your differing fears or sensitivities to them to ensure they can accommodate you in the chair. Good communication with your dentist or hygienist will insure the most comfortable experience. And always remember; dodging the dentist will only make your appointments that much less pleasant. When you give the dentist an opportunity to catch different problems for they can progress and become much more serious, the less time you’ll ultimately end up spending in the chair.

For superior dental work, head over to Dr. Larry James’ website and see how you can become a patient for the most comfortable dental experience in the Tulsa area. If you’re having trouble dealing with your dental phobia, let the professionals at DentalFearCental.org ease your fears with explanations of how to minimize unfavorable experiences at the dentists’ office. And remember: the dentist is your friend!