Autistic Children Need Dental Care Too

Posted on February 21, 2012 by admin

Dental hygiene is important for all children to learn and practice. However, when you have a child with Autism, keeping a good dental hygiene routine is not easy. It is often assumed that an Autistic child can endure a high level of pain, including a toothache, when in fact, the Autistic child most likely doesn’t have a good speech process and can’t tell you that he has a toothache. It can be hard to determine exactly what is hurting them and they may be in some considerable amount of pain before you realize that something is wrong.

So just as with any child that is not Autistic, you need to begin a routine of dental hygiene and dentist visits early on. The sooner you can start getting them accustomed, the easier it will be on you, the dentist and most of all, your child.

Begin introducing dental care at home in small steps. First using a fingerstall type toothbrush, brush around the teeth gently. Do this daily, just as you would set a routine with any other child, two to three times a day. By keeping a routine, your Autistic child will become familiar with the process and ease any fears they may have.

Autistic children bite down when things are placed in their mouth, even fingers. When brushing their teeth as described above, place the fingerstall on their fingers and guide them. In this manner if they do bite down, they will learn they shouldn’t do that.

As they get older, you can give the Autistic child a wet toothbrush and allow them to copy you as you brush your teeth. This gives them the example of how to brush their teeth and prepares them for brushing their own teeth.

When selecting a toothpaste for your Autistic child, there is a wide variety of flavors on the market. You may have to try a few before you find one that your child likes. When you begin to use toothpaste with your Autistic child, put very little on their toothbrush. It is a challenge to teach an Autistic child to swish and spit, but it can be done with patience and time.

After your Autistic child is through brushing, use just a tad of mouthwash on a wipe and let the child wipe out their mouth and front of the teeth. This not only gives them fresh breath, but it will help get any excess toothpaste out of their mouth before they swallow it.

Not every Dentist is set up to work with Autistic children. Look for a dentist that specializes in children with with disabilities. Schedule an appointment to let your Autistic child visit with the dentist and the staff before their first actual treatment appointment. This can help your Autistic child get them used to new people and the new setting. There are dentist that are set up and experienced in working with children that have disabilities. Find the one that your Autistic child gets along with and feels comfortable with.

When you have an Autistic child, it can be stressful. Do everything possible to keep yourself calm before your child’s visit and during the visit as well. Your positive attitude and calm being will reflect on your Autistic child and make this new adventure easier on you both

Remember, your teaching them dental hygiene and keeping a routine in place is going to be much easier on every one than if they have to go to the dentist when in pain. Give us a call at Reflections Dental Care and talk to us about your Autistic child as well as the rest of your family. We are here to make sure your family is a smiling family!

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Dental Care Is Crucial For MS Patients

Posted on February 8, 2012 by admin

Maintaining healthy dental hygiene isn’t anything new, we all know how important it is, we have discussed that here before. As any dentist does, Reflections Dental Care tells their patients, daily dental regiment is necessary for everyone to have healthy teeth, whether they are their own or if they partial or full set of dentures. Same is to be said for people with diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis. A good dental hygiene routine is just as important, maybe even more so, than those of us with a full set of our own teeth.

For those suffering Multiple Sclerosis, also known as MS, it is a progressive disorder that affects the central nervous system. Some of the common effects of this disease are paralysis and demyelination, a term for diseases where the substance and causes myelin sheath is damaged. The results are impairment of muscle functions, cognition and sensation.

The MS patient’s loss of muscle control affects many things that rest of us take for granted. It can be hard for the MS patient to brush their teeth or if they can brush their own teeth, the lack of control over the muscles makes it difficult to get a good solid brushing job done. It can become necessary for family members or care givers to assist the MS patient with regular brushing and the staff at Reflections Dental Care is here to show you how you can help them.

Not being able to control the facial muscles, it is recommended that MS patients not wear dentures. They can become dislodged, fall out and be damaged. What family members and care givers should know is that it is difficult for MS patients to sit still and relax. The lack of muscle control may make it even impossible for them to sit in a dental chair for long periods of time. Reflections Dental Care recommends making dental visits limited to help eliminate stress and discomfort for the patient.

Maintaining a healthy oral hygiene is just as important for MS patients as it is for the rest of us. They still have all the typical dental concerns like bad breath, gingivitis, halitosis and even tooth decay. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with MS, let us know at your next appointment with Reflections Dental Care feel free to discuss any concerns or questions you may have.

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Brush That Tongue!

Posted on January 30, 2012 by admin

Just about everyone brushes their teeth on a regular basis, but very few of us brush our tongue. What the team here at Reflections Dental Care would like you to know is that it is just as important to brush your tongue as it is your teeth and gums. Much like washing the dishes you eat from, cleaning your tongue can help you enjoy the foods and beverages you consume each day.

Those tiny bumps on your tongue are called papillae which house your taste buds. Your taste buds are what help you taste the flavors from your favorite salty snack to that wonderful sweet dessert and everything in between. When you don’t clean your tongue, you are allowing unwanted things such as bacteria and dead skin cells take residence on your tongue. When you come in for your next check up at Reflections Dental Care, we can explain the tongue to you and show you why it’s important to take a little extra time to clean your tongue.

There aren’t any special required tools to cleaning your tongue. Your toothbrush and toothpaste are sufficient for brushing your tongue same as when you brush your teeth and gums. We recommend brushing your tongue twice. You don’t need to be aggressive and brush too hard as you can damage your taste buds. Ask us here at Reflections Dental Care to show you the best technique to brushing your tongue.

If you have an easy gag reflex when brushing your tongue, discuss the use of a tongue scrapper with your dentist. A tongue scraper is a great alternative way to clean the tongue for those who gag easily. Getting to the back of the tongue is necessary for a good cleaning since that is where most food debris and bacteria hide. A tongue scraper will make it easier to reach the back and Reflections Dental Care can make recommendations to what kind to purchase.

Just as you keep a check on your teeth and gums, you should also examine your tongue. Should you discover a white coating on your tongue that remains after brushing, make an appointment with us at Reflections Dental Care as soon as possible. If you have been taking antibiotics, you could be experiencing a fugal infection called Oral Thrush. You need to have this looked at and diagnosed as soon as possible. It could be a sign of other health concerns such as diabetes or an immune deficiency problem.

It’s important to make sure to clean your tongue just as you do your teeth and gums. It is just as much a part of good oral hygiene and also can prevent bad breath. Bad breath or the fancy name of halitosis, are caused by bacteria left in the mouth and on the tongue and produce odor. By brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper are helpful in preventing this problem. You should make a habit of cleaning your tongue not only to prevent bad breath but additional tongue problems as well, and keep your appointments with Reflections Dental Care too. With your check up, we will be able to catch any potential problem before it gets too bad.

You not only want bright, shiny teeth when you smile, but you also want to keep your breath pleasant and your entire mouth healthy too! Call us today at Reflections Dental Care and make your appointment to get started!

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OKLAHOMA CITY FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS!

Posted on January 29, 2012 by admin

Chihuly : Northwest
January 1 – April 8
Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Examples of three decades of the artist’s work. Highlighs include the Tabac Baskets Table and recent works that explore the color white. Extensive collection of textiles, including trade blankets.

A Steady Rain
January 13 – February 4
Carpenter Square Theatre

A harrowing journey into a moral gray area where trust & loyalty struggles for survival against a sobering backdrop of pimps, prostitutes and criminal lowlifes.

Illuminations:Rediscovering The Art Of Dale Chihuly
Oklahoma City Museum of Art
January 17 – April 8

A fresh look at the Museum’s popular Chihuly collection. The presentation will allow visitors to explore the large Float Boat and Ikebana Boat installations from all sides as well as includes viewing slots for the Reeds.

Oklahoma and the Day that will Live in Infamy
February 1 – February 29
Oklahoma History Center

December 7 of 2011 was a pivotal anniversary. Although there were not any Japanese planes that attacked the state of Oklahoma, many Oklahomans experienced the devastation those planes unleashed on that part of the world.

The Sun and His Wife
February 1 – February 29
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
From the Museum’s Arthur and Shifra Silberman Collection, this exhibition depicts the ceremonial and domestic life of Southwest Indians as seen in their art. Approximately 50 works represent artists of Navajo, San Ildefonso, Hopi, Cochiti, Taos, Zuni and more.

Envisioning the West
February 1 – February 29
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

This exhibit tells the story of Prix de West artist Wilson Hurley (1924-2008) and his work on the triptych The Wyoming Suite. The exhibit will focus on Hurley’s work on the The Wyoming Suite, which features the lower falls of the Yellowstone.

Pickin’ & Grinnin’: Roy Clark, Hee Haw and Country Humor
February 1 – February 29
Oklahoma History Center

The 3,000-square-foot exhibit features recreations of the “Hee Haw” cornfield, barbershop and porch sets, spotlights the more than 40 Oklahoma stars who performed on the series, and traces the roots of the show’s rural humor back to 1920s tent shows and the early days of radio and television.

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Mouthwash – Dental Hygiene Invented By The Egyptians

Posted on January 24, 2012 by admin

Who doesn’t like that minty taste of mouthwash products! Many people keep a bottle of mouthwash on hand to freshen up at a moment’s notice. Did you know that mouthwash does much more than just give you fresh breath?

This liquid contains assorted ingredients, each having a role it takes in your mouth as you rinse and spit. As such, there are pros and cons associated with mouthwash, and here we offer information to help you not only evaluate the use of this product, but to understand it better too. After all, the reason you have come to Reflections Dental Care is ensure that your oral health remains intact, if not better, right?

One of the main rewards linked with the use of mouth wash is to assist in eliminating cavities. Mouthwash removes plaque and food crumbs that stick to your teeth. This helps to prevent tooth decay and can strengthen the enamel on your teeth. The dental staff here Reflections Dental Care wants to remind you that mouthwash does not replace your toothbrush and toothpaste! However, it can reach parts of your mouth that you miss with your toothbrush and toothpaste and takes only a minute to use.

Mouthwash also helps fight gum disease such as gingivitis. By rinsing with a mouth wash, you get rid of the bacteria left behind by food and drinks, which can accumulate on the gums and tooth sockets causing them to become inflamed or infected. This constitutes where the antibacterial mouthwash products with alcohol or chlorhexidine are effective in preventing periodontal diseases. During your regular visits here at Reflections Dental Care, we may recommend mouthwash to prevent and soothe canker sores as it detoxifies the area and reduces the bacteria in your mouth.

Two different types of mouthwashes are on the market, each having its own way of providing the results you are looking for. There are patients that we may prescribe additional fluoride treatment here in our office. There are also fluoride mouthwashes that we sometimes recommend to strengthen your teeth with additional fluoride. You may be required to use the mouthwash at a different time than that of brushing you will get extra fluoride during the day.

There is also the antiseptic mouthwashes used mainly by people who suffer from bad breath, gum disease or infection of the mouth. If you have had a tooth extracted, we may instruct to use antiseptic mouthwashes for a short period of time afterwards. These mouthwashes normally contain chlorhexidine which prevents the growth of bacteria.

A third mouthwash is available also, a total care mouthwash. This is useful for controlling tooth decay as well as freshening of your breath.

While mouthwash has positives, it also comes with some negatives that require caution when using. Most mouthwashes will mask bad breath while others just aggravate it, making it worse. Such as mouthwash that is alcohol based will only mask bad breath for a short time. Alcohol based mouthwash also causes dry mouth which in turn breeds the bacteria that causes halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath.

Generally, the people who use most often used mouthwash are those who drink and smoke. Studies have shown that of those people who drink and smoke and use an alcohol based mouthwash have a higher increase in oral cancer. This increase takes place in mouthwashes with the ingredient of ethanol. Ethanol in mouthwash helps nicotine and other substances penetrate the lining of the mouth. It also can bring about cetaldehyde, also known as human carcinogen. There have been studies that indicated mouthwash products can irritate canker sores because of the high alcohol content.

Mouthwashes have been around long before Reflections Dental Care, it has been around since the Egyptians who began using mouthwashes to preserve good oral hygiene. The manufacturers of mouthwash typically will state the quantity, frequency and duration of usage of their mouthwash on their labels. It is recommended that you follow these instructions unless we give you other instructions. As always, if you are not sure about its safety, give us a call here at Reflections Dental Care.

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Did You Brush Your Tongue This Morning?

Posted on December 13, 2011 by admin

Just about everyone brushes their teeth on a regular basis, but very few of us brush our tongue. What you may not realize that it is just as important to brush your tongue as it is your teeth and gums. Much like washing the dishes you eat from, cleaning your tongue can help you enjoy the foods and beverages you consume each day. How so you may wonder?

Those tiny bumps on your tongue are called papillae which house your taste buds. Your taste buds are what help you taste the flavors from your favorite salty snack to that wonderful sweet dessert and everything in between. When you don’t clean your tongue, you are allowing unwanted things such as bacteria and dead skin cells take residence on your tongue. That’s why it’s important to take a little extra time to clean your tongue.

There aren’t any special required tools to cleaning your tongue. Simply using your toothbrush and toothpaste as you brush your teeth and gums, going over your tongue twice will suffice. You don’t need to be aggressive and brush too hard as you can damage your taste buds.

If you have an easy gag reflex when brushing your tongue, discuss the use of a tongue scrapper with your dentist. A tongue scraper is a great alternative way to clean the tongue for those who gag easily. Getting to the back of the tongue is necessary for a good cleaning since that is where most food debris and bacteria hide. A tongue scraper will make it easier to reach the back.

Just as you keep a check on your teeth and gums, you should also examine your tongue. Should you discover a white coating on your tongue that remains after brushing, make an appointment with your doctor or dentist. If you have been taking antibiotics, you could be experiencing a fugal infection called Oral Thrush. You need to have this looked at and diagnosed as soon as possible. It could be a sign of other health concerns such as diabetes or an immune deficiency problem.

It’s important to make sure to clean your tongue just as you do your teeth and gums. It is just as much a part of good oral hygiene and also can prevent bad breath. Bad breath or the fancy name of halitosis, are caused by bacteria left in the mouth and on the tongue and produce odor. By brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper are helpful in preventing this problem. You should make a habit of cleaning your tongue not only to prevent bad breath but additional tongue problems as well.

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Bright Holiday Smiles – We Got Them!

Posted on December 8, 2011 by admin

The winter months bring us lots of holiday parties and we all want to look our best. When family and friends you haven’t seen in months comes around, you want to look your best. That includes the most attractive smile in the room. Even though you may have regular regiment of brushing and flossing daily as well as keeping your appointments with us at Reflections Dental Care every six months, it sometimes isn’t enough to keep those pearly whites, well …. pearly white.

As we have discussed before in this blog, the aging process we all go through and can affect the color or our teeth. What our dietary and other habits are such as caffeine and smoking are definitely fighters against white teeth. Fortunately today, we have the wonderful technology that help either lighten up our teeth and in some cases rid the dark stains and all. At Reflections Dental Care, we are well trained in modern cosmetic dentistry techniques using laser teeth whitening.

There are places popping up malls all around that do a quick whitening treatment. This may be very tempting as you are rushing about getting your gifts purchased and ready for the next holiday party. Dr. Lance Schmidt and our staff highly recommend that you avoid those places and make your appointment with a board certified dentist though. While these places are set up for quick whitening jobs, they are lacking in the ability and experience to look at your teeth from a dental prospective, which all about your safety as well as having a beautiful smile.

When you come in your appointment here at Reflections Dental Care, the first step we take in getting you that white smile is a basic cleaning. That will remove any and all food particles, plaque or germs. We then protect your lips and gums are protected by a resin-based barrier to ensure that the soft tissue does not get burned. We then place a gel that is made of high dental grade oxidizing and apply to your teeth. The next step is exposing your teeth to a laser light for up to 15 minutes.

Because of the possible damage from the chemical and/or the light, this is the reason why the treatment should only be done by a qualified and experienced dentist such as the Reflections Dental Care staff. One-time treatment with laser teeth whitening can keep your teeth white up to one year while staying away from foods, beverages and other activities such as smoking, along with good oral hygiene practices.

So as your schedule is no doubt gearing up towards holiday and parties make your appointment to have that pearly smile brightened by us at Reflections Dental Care!

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Dental Care For The Unborn Child

Posted on November 29, 2011 by admin

At Reflections Dental Care, we encourage expecting mothers to receive proper dental care, as it is essential for both the expectant mother and the child she carries. Taking care of her own general health as well as her dental health first is the best way to care for her unborn child’s teeth. It is crucial to brush and floss your teeth after every meal and snack as well as keep her regular appointments with Reflections Dental Care.

The unborn child’s will begin to develop their own teeth before they are born. Their tooth buds begin to appear during the mother’s fifth or sixth week of pregnancy with the crown of the teeth starting to show during the third and sixth month of pregnancy. The child’s has developed his tooth crown by the time he is born, however they won’t be seen until they begin to ‘teeth’ which is when the teeth begin to show through the gums. By the time a baby is born, his jawbone holds the 20 primary or baby teeth.

An expecting mother needs to make sure she is receiving enough nutrition for her and her unborn child. Keeping a balanced diet that includes all the minerals, vitamins and nutrients such as calcium and phosphorous are important. What a mother eats is not only keeping her unborn alive, it is developing their teeth and bones too. This includes avoiding sweets and starchy foods no matter what the cravings are for. However, here at Reflections Dental Care, we also tell expecting mothers that their Medical or OB doctor is the best source of advice during her pregnancy and her specific dietary needs. Every mother is different, every unborn child is different and every pregnancy is different.

An old myth that you will loose a tooth for every pregnancy is totally unfounded. What we want you to know is that poor nutrition and lack of proper dental care during pregnancy are the two reasons why women experience dental issues, including losing a tooth, while pregnant. Gingivitis is higher during pregnancy due to hormone levels increase during pregnancy, however this can be prevented with proper, daily dental hygiene along with regular professional cleanings with your regular appointments at Reflections Dental Care.

When an expectant mother needs dental treatment, our excellent staff at Reflections Dental Care recommend doing this between the fourth and sixth month of gestation. Due to the fact that we find at the beginning of her pregnancy, the expecting mother may be nauseated and become easily anxious and nervous. We also recognize that during the trimester of pregnancy, sitting in the dental chair can be difficult and uncomfortable for the expecting mother. We definitely want you to tell us before having any dental work performed if you are or could be expecting.

X-rays are essential in proper dental check up and evaluations and even though the exposure to radiation from x-rays is brief and the x-ray beam very minimal or narrow, an expectant mother should wear an apron to protect herself and her unborn child. If a woman is planning to become pregnant, having a dental check up prior is the best recommendation. This can possibly eliminate the concerns of x-ray examinations and dental work during pregnancy.

By following a sound dietary program and having a good dental regiment, the expecting mother can expect a good dental health for herself and her child. At Reflections Dental Care, we want to make sure your smile is healthy and that your unborn child starts his life off the same way!

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Quiet and Relaxing December in Oklahoma City

Posted on November 27, 2011 by admin

Something for everyone all month long! Shopping, dining, plays, musicals and holiday flavors are all about!

December 1
Territorial Christmas Celebration
Ham Homestead – 1721 N Lincoln Blvd, OKC

Tour the historic home and buildings adorned with 1880’s holiday decorations. Enjoy treats, crafts and a visit from Santa Claus. Call 405-235-4058 for more information.

December 1 – December 3
“The Christmas Show”
Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker

The Philharmonic’s Christmas gift to the community. The heart-felt offering of the best talents and efforts to share the joy of the holiday season.

December 3
Rodeo Opry
Centennial Rodeo Opry, 2221 Exchange Ave

Declared as “Oklahoma’s Official Country Music Show” offers live music and family entertainment every Saturday night. Call 405-297-9773 for more information.

December 4
Horseshoes and Holly Open House
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd

Shop The Museum Store and enjoy festive holiday touches, including light refreshments, free parking and free gift wrapping!

December 4
Canterbury Christmas

A Holiday tradition fills the Civic Center with sound of Holiday Cheer. This year includes Canterbury Youth Choruses, Oklahoma City University Surry Singers, Bell Ringers from St. Paul’s Luthern Church, Blackwelder Brass and Organ. Enjoy traditional carol sing-a-long and Holiday Reception.

December 9
A Christmas Carol
Lyric at the Plaza, 1725 NW 16th

Make Lyric’s production of the classic Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, your new Holiday Tradition. Capture the magic and joy of Christmas as the ghost of Past, Present and Future lead Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Call 405-524-9312 for more information.

December 9
LIVE on the Plaza
Downtown OKC

Every second Friday is LIVE on the Plaza! Art walk featuring local artists, live music, dead center film screenings and local retail shopping.

December 9
Oklahoma City Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker
Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker

Share the magic of the season with The Nutcracker. Traditional staging and Tchaikovsky’s familiar score played by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.

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Dentists And Diabetes – The Little Known Fight

Posted on November 22, 2011 by admin

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. While it is becoming more and more aware in the public that diabetes is one of the top diseases killing Americans, many people aren’t aware that there is an even stronger need for diabetics to maintain a healthy dental regiment but need to get good dental care too.

For most of us, the twice a year visit to the dentist for check up and cleaning is sufficient. For diabetics though, the frequency is increased to a recommendation of every three months. Since diabetics have an increase of glucose (sugar) in their system, it increases the likelihood of bacteria breeding even more on the teeth and gums and therefore causing tooth decay and leading to gum disease.

Dental studies have shown that gum disease can worsen diabetes, and vice versa. As well, those who are borderline diabetic now, with improper dental care, it is believed that poor oral health can increase the person’s probability to develop a diabetic condition.

For everyone, there are areas of your mouth that you can no clean thoroughly, you just don’t see everything and reach every area that your dentist can. When you have your routine appointments with us at Reflections Dental Care, we check for plaque build-up and detect potential threats that lead to tooth decay or infections early on. This is very important for everyone, but extremely so for diabetic or borderline diabetics.

Even for those who have a strict, daily dental hygiene routine of brushing and flossing, one of the first things we will do for you is a cleaning. Our cleaning removes any plaque that you and your toothbrush might miss. .As we clean and polish your teeth, we are not only removing plaque and stains, but we are applying fluoride as well to protect your teeth and build up a resistance to tooth decay.

After a thorough examination of your teeth and their condition, there may be other dental procedures that we’ll recommend. One of those procedures includes x-rays of your teeth, gums and mouth. This procedure gives us the ability to see the areas of our teeth that are not visible by the naked eye and find any potential problems early on.

At the end of each three month visit, we will give you instructions and advise on how to care for your teeth and maintain a preventive dental hygiene routine. For all of our patients, and even more so for diabetic patients, it is imperative that you follow the recommendations we make as well as maintain your regular check ups.

For diabetics, your regular scheduled consultations will include discussion of your blood sugar levels and your overall medical condition. You should keep us updated with any changes of medications and treatments. By keeping an open line of communication with us and asking questions when you are uncertain of things discussed is crucial in your dental health as well as your general health.

Diabetes can seem like a life sentence, however with the right attitude, proper dieting, staying on your medication and practicing a healthy dental regiment, you can live a long, smiling happy life!

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