Crossroads Family Dentistry

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Office News

In light of the recent local and national news regarding patient cross contamination and sterility in a Tulsa dental office, I thought it might be appropriate to explain our level of control and expertise on the subject. All surfaces in every operatory are disinfected between patients. Areas that could possibly be touched directly from a patients mouth are covered and changed between patients, such as light handles. No disposable instruments are reused such as suction tips. Distilled positive flow water is self contained in each operatory to prevent cross-contamination. All instruments that can be sterilized in an autoclave are done so. The autoclave is tested on a regular basis with an out side lab assuring sterility. Those items that can not be autoclaved such as plastics, are place in cold sterilization of a gluteraldehyde solution for a minimum of 48 hours. This solution is changed on a regular recommended basis. The instruments are place in dry to prevent dilution of the sterilizing solution. Patient gloves are never reused and changed between every patient. We also use non latex gloves for our patients that are allergic to latex. All instruments that are used in surgery are stored in sterile sealed pouches until they are ready to be used in the patient operatory. This is not a complete list of all of our sterility practices, but I hope this covers the main topics. Also, you may be interested to know that Dr. Underwood in our office, holds bachelors and masters degrees in the field of microbiology. I hope this may alleviate apprehension on this matter. If you have any questions regarding our practices, please contact Dr. Underwood directly. Your safety is always our top concern. Thank you.

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Good To The Bone

When thinking of bone loss, we generally think of osteoporosis. We think about hunched shoulders and broken hips but what about your teeth? Bone loss means weakening teeth and jaw bones which can result in tooth loss. Knowing the signs of bone loss and how to rebuild can help you stay strong for the long run. Bone loss is an erosion of bone density over time. Some of the early signs of bone loss are: Receding gums – As the jaw bone begins to recede, it takes your gum tissue with it. Decreased grip strength – Just like with your gum tissue, bone loss affects muscle strength making your grip weaker. Weak, brittle fingernails – If your nails become more easily broken with seemingly no external cause, this could be a sign of bone loss. If you suspect that you haven’t been taking care of your skeleton as well as you should, add some bone building measures to your diet and fitness routine. To safeguard those bones: Schedule a bone density test – This simple test will assess your risk for osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercise – Weight-bearing exercises like climbing stairs and walking can improve bone density. Eat better – Add calcium-rich foods to your diet like yogurt, leafy greens and sardines. Take your vitamins – Add bone-builders like magnesium and vitamin D to your supplement routine. See your dentist – Stay on your regular checkup schedule and don’t hesitate to address concerns as soon as they occur. ---    
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Pick Perfect

When it comes to restoring crooked, stained or damaged teeth, you have options. The most popular and beautiful solution is veneers. Veneers, usually made from translucent porcelain, can mimic natural teeth remarkably. Think you can’t afford veneers? Consider composite veneers for a strong, durable and less expensive solution to your restoration needs. Composite veneers are made by applying a bonding agent to clean, dry teeth and then slowly layering composite material to the tooth. This process of layering is repeated until the desired density is achieved. Afterward, sculpting and polishing are used to create the final tooth look. Besides cost, a major advantage to choosing composite veneers that it requires less reduction of the natural tooth. This makes them easier to replace than porcelain when they get worn. Also, a chipped composite veneer can be repaired easily without having to replace the entire veneer. While composite veneers don’t mimic natural teeth as well as translucent porcelain veneers, they are a less expensive and easy to maintain option for correcting damaged teeth. This is especially true for teeth that are less visible. Of course, composite veneers are just one available option when it comes to restoring your beautiful smile. Give us a call to further explore all of your options. --      
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Hit Me With Your Best Shot

You might be thinking, “I’m young, in good health and have good habits…I don’t need a flu shot,” but flu shots aren’t just for the at-risk. Anyone can get the flu, and while it may not be life-threatening to everyone, it can mean missed work, missed school, trips to the doctor’s office, trips to the pharmacy and cancelled events. Getting an annual flu shot can help you avoid the flu and keep your life on track. With spring approaching you may be making plans like vacations and picnics and family reunions but no one ever plans to get sick. The financial impact of catching the flu isn’t limited to missed days of work and doctor bills. The flu can also result in wasted concert/theater tickets, postponed dates, non-refundable plane tickets and missed events. Catching the flu can also impact your health in unexpected ways. Being sick may cause you to delay surgery and dental work, change your eating habits and affect your sleeping patterns. Of course there are people that should always get a flu shot including the elderly, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions. For everyone else, getting a flu shot is a pre-emptive strike against the physical, financial and emotional toll of getting the flu. Luckily, flu shots are easier than ever to get. Check with your family doctor, local clinic or pharmacy and make a date to get a flu shot before the current flu season ends and the next flu season strikes. ---      
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The Younger Games

As adults, we understand the importance of regular oral hygiene. We know that the best way to keep your teeth for a lifetime is to follow a good oral routine of brushing and flossing. Doing this helps remove biofilm, food debris and prevent decay, disease and bad breath. We know all of that and more importantly, we understand the implication of that. A five-year-old, on the other hand, may know it but does he really understand what it means? The question is as old as time, how do I get my kids to seriously care for their oral health? One way to help build that foundation with kids is to make brushing fun. At an early age, it’s important to help them build those habits and routines. Help them want to brush with some fun and games. The Sing-along: Challenge your child to sing two verses of ‘Row Your Boat’ or some other simple song while brushing. While offering some silly fun, this also helps your child brush for the appropriate amount of time. Disclosing tablets or liquids: Offer your child some disclosing solution that will color biofilm and then challenge him or her to remove all of the color from their teeth. Seeing is believing. Play dentist: After your child has brushed, play ‘dentist’ and inspect his or her teeth. Reward the child with a small treat like a sticker for going above and beyond. Tooth Chart: Make a monthly chart and place a sticker or draw a star on it each time the child brushes. Offer rewards for goals met like brushing without being reminded or brushing for a correct amount of time. Be Creative: Pretend that the tooth brush is a superhero and teeth are villagers that need to be saved from the evil Dr Plaque. Perhaps the brush is a fighter jet sent to battle alien invaders. Mix and match ideas to better suit your child’s personality. While the best way to teach is the lead by example, playing games can help encourage behaviors that will develop into good oral habits. Once these habits become foundational, older children and teens will just instinctively brush and floss. If you aren’t sure that you are teaching your child the best technique for brushing and flossing, give us a call today for a family consultation.
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