Dental Don’ts!

Many people use their teeth everyday for uses other then eating and smiling. We may not think about how we are affecting our dental health. Here are a few dental don’ts and the reason why.

• Don’t open bottles or wrappers using your teeth. Using your teeth as a bottle opener or chewing on hard items, such as ice or pens, can dull or even crack your teeth. Dr. Bill Dorfman, from Extreme Makeover, has once said he made enough money fixing teeth cracked on popcorn kernels to buy a luxury car.
• Don’t suck your thumb. (Yes, even adults do it!) It can damage tooth alignment. Pacifier and bottles past the age of two are just as bad.
• Don’t smoke or chewing. They not only weaken your teeth but can lead to gum disease and oral cancer. Didn’t we just tell you this in the last blog!
• Don’t go to sleep without brush or flossing. The plaque will remain on your teeth for an extended period of time making you more vulnerable to gingivitis. (The last blog contains information about gingivitis, if needed.)
• Don’t use over the counter tooth whitening products without your dentist’s guidance. These products are not regulated by the FDA or the American Dental Association because they are cosmetic, and there’s no guarantee they are safe or effective. Plus, many can only remove stains on the the top surface leaving noticeable stains in between teeth. Our next blog will address this topic with patient pictures to show you.
• Don’t bite your nails. You can dull your teeth and chip off the edges. Plus, do you know what’s underneath your fingernails!?
• Don’t use someone else’s toothbrush. It harbors bacteria that is foreign to your mouth and can harm you.
• Don’t go to a bargain dental center. You get what you pay for and sometimes its cost more to repair what is done wrong then to do it right the first time.
• Don’t get your tongue pierced. Luckily, this trend has slowed done, but if you are considering it, you should change your mind. Tongue piercing can cause excessive drooling, infection, pain and chipped teeth. Do you really think you’ll look cool while you’re constantly drooling and your teeth are all chipped?

These are things to consider throughout the day. If you have any other questions about your dental health, please feel free to call us at (417)886-9094. We will be happy to set up an appointment for you.

Have a great day!

Gingivitis. We all hear this word in every commercial for every toothbrush and mouthwash we see and/or hear. The problem is, no one really explains what gingivitis is and how we can prevent it.

Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease but it doesn’t mean it should be ignored. The symptoms are often so mild, most people aren’t aware they have gingivitis. They include red, swollen gums, bleeding gums, and sore gums to the touch. If not treated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, a severe gum disease that can cause loss of teeth, tooth abscess, and infection of the jaw bone. Most people get gingivitis at some point in their lives, however, the American Dental Association and Dr. McQueary recommend six easy steps to prevent it.

1. Brush your at least twice a day. You’ve heard this before but now you know why!
2. Floss every day. Flossing removes plaque buildup your toothbrush can’t reach. Ask Dr. McQueary or your hygienist how to properly floss, if uncertain. They will be happy to help!
3. Visit your doctor and hygienist regularly. Once tartar develops, only your dentist can remove it. And don’t you want to come in any ways and talk to Lola!
4. Eat a healthy diet and limit sweets and junk food. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars and starches from food. Avoiding them is recommended, but if you can’t resist that candy bar, brush afterwords.
5. If you smoke, quit. Smoking is bad for your heart and lungs, as we all know, but it’s also bad for your teeth and gums.
6. Try an antimicrobial mouth rinse. Studies have shown mouthwashes, such as Breath Rx, help reduce bacteria in the mouth and prevent gingivitis.

If you have any questions about your dental health or gingivitis, feel free to give us a call at (417)886-9094 and we will be happy to set up an appointment with you to see Dr. McQueary and our hygienist.

Have a great day and remember to smile!

When it comes to dental care, some people can be pretty apprehensive. Or maybe they have concerns with insurance billings and payments. Or maybe they just have questions about how things are done here.

Some people prefer just to call and ask. But some people would rather read an FAQ section online, which is why we’ve added an FAQ section. Feel free to stop by our FAQ page for answers to common questions.

Do you have a question that we didn’t address on our FAQ page? Let us know in the comment form below. Thanks!

Welcome to our new website! We hope you like it. Our goal was to make it easier than ever to find us online. Now that you are here, here are maybe a few things you’ll notice:

1. It’s never been easier to make an appointment, ask a question, or leave feedback. All you need to do is fill out our contact form. If you prefer the old fashioned way, our phone number is easy to find on the “Contact Us” page.
2. It’s never been easier to get your questions answered. Prefer not to call us? No problem. Just use the handy “FAQ” page. If you have a question that isn’t answered by our FAQ page, feel free to call us or use the contact form on the “Contact Us” page.
3. We’ve added a blog. We’ll try to keep it interesting for you!
4. It’s never been easier to connect. You can add us on Facebook, comment on a blog post, or just use the contact form.

Thanks for stopping by!