Don’t Put Off Regular Dental Checkups

April 6th, 2012 Posted in Preventative Dental Care
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Few people look forward to visiting the dentist, but regular dental cleanings and check-ups can protect your oral health and protect your wallet!  Avoiding the dentist might save a little money and inconvenience in the short run, but in the long run you will spend far more money on expensive dental restorations and you will end up facing exactly what you were trying to avoid in the first place:  a long, uncomfortable session in the dental chair.

The irony to all this is that regular dental check-ups and cleanings are the most important and effective way to avoid expensive and uncomfortable dental procedures.  Most dental issues start out as small problems such as some minor tooth decay that causes a small cavity to form.  Most people will not even notice it, but your dentist will see it during a check-up and can place a filling during a relatively short, comfortable and affordable procedure.

However, if you avoid regular dental check-ups, the decay will go unnoticed until it starts to cause you some pain and discomfort.  By this time, the decay has caused a large cavity and extends all the way to the tooth’s pulp which is why it has become painful.  Repairing this extensive tooth damage will require much more extensive and uncomfortable dental work.

A root canal may be needed and it’s likely that a cap will need to be placed instead of a filling.  You may even need a bridge or an implant.  All of these procedures are far more expensive than a filling and typically require multiple visits to the dentist.

The lesson to be learned here is don’t wait until your teeth hurt to go to the dentist.  Have regular dental check-ups and cleanings and get those cavities filled promptly.

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Affordable Dental Care

April 6th, 2012 Posted in Preventative Dental Care
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Finding affordable dental care can be a challenge, but don’t be one of the millions of Americans who simply don’t get much needed dental care because they think they can’t afford it.  Neglecting your dental health might save some money in the short run, but in the long run you will end up spending much more for extensive dental work.  The most cost-effective solution is to take good care of your teeth and that includes regular dental cleanings and check-ups and taking care of small dental problems before they can become large problems.

Over half of Americans these days do not have dental care insurance.  Dental insurance is expensive, especially if you have to buy your own policy, but having insurance is a great way to manage your dental care costs.  When you have dental insurance, you can be confident that you won’t be hit with large dental bills at a time when you can least afford it.  You will be more likely to get the dental care you need and you will avoid expensive dental work due to neglect.

If you don’t want to buy insurance, there are ways to manage costs.  One option is to enroll in a dental discount plan or prepaid dental plan.  These plans are not insurance, but instead provide members with steep discounts on dental care as long as you go to a dentist who participates in the plan.

If there is a dental school in your area, they usually offer dental care at significantly reduced prices.  You will receive care from a dental student without much experience, but all students are under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

Finally, see if your dentist offers a discount for payment in advance.  Many dentists offer a discount to patients who pay in full up front.  It’s worth it to them to avoid billing hassles and the risk of non-payment and it’s a nice incentive for the patient.

 

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Dental Cleaning and Check Ups

August 25th, 2011 Posted in Preventative Dental Care
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Most experts recommend that you have your teeth cleaned and a dental examination performed every six months to maintain good oral health.  Pregnant women, tobacco users, and people with compromised immune systems may need more frequent dental check-ups .  Your dentist can help you determine a good visitation schedule.

You may be thinking that since your teeth aren’t bothering you that you can wait to go to the dentist.  Waiting until you have a toothache or some other oral health problem is not a good idea.  Much of dentistry is preventative care.  By having your teeth cleaned and examined regularly, you can prevent small problems from becoming big problems. 

Keeping your teeth clean helps prevent gum disease and cavities and reduce plaque and tartar build up on your teeth.  During your examination, your dentist will look for signs of decay, oral cancer, gum disease, and other health issues.  These are much more manageable if they are caught early. 

For example, if your dentist sees signs of tooth decay, he can restore your tooth with a small filling.  However, a cavity can decay completely through your tooth to the nerve in as little as a year and may cause very little discomfort until the nerve is exposed.  If you wait too long between dental visits, instead of a minor filling you will need much more extensive dental work such as a root canal and a cap.

People who get regular dental care keep their real teeth much longer than those who avoid the dentist.   Call your dentist to schedule Buckhead dental cleaning and checkups.  Make sure you are getting those dental cleanings and check-ups and you can look forward to years of great oral health!

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Oral Health

October 25th, 2010 Posted in Preventative Dental Care
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Good oral health starts with healthy teeth.  Having healthy teeth allows you to eat properly and fully, speak more effectively, and gives you a bright smile!  The term ‘oral health’ refers to areas in your mouth, including your teeth.   Poor oral health can lead to other major problems.

Your teeth are composed of four dental tissues.  Enamel, dentin and cementum are hard, calcified areas of the tooth.  The pulp is a soft area that is non-calcified.  The visible part of the tooth is called the crown.  Enamel is the main part of the crown.  Enamel is a cement hard substance.  It is also ‘non-living’…this is important in the fact that if a tooth is damaged, it can not repair itself (like your skin can after a cut, self-repair is not possible).  The only way to correct tooth damage is by seeing a dentist.

Other parts of your teeth include your gingiva.  Gingiva are your gums, that are composed of soft tissue.  They provide the support for the teeth to remain upright.  The neck of your tooth is where the crown joins the tooth root.  Dentin is the part of the tooth beneath the enamel and cementum.  Another important part of tooth structure is the alveolar bone (jawbone).  This is the part of the jaw that surrounds the roots of the teeth.  Severe prolonged tooth decay can actually cause deterioration in the jawbone itself.

Maintaining good tooth structure requires preventative dental care including routine dental cleanings and examinations by a dentist.  A licensed, registered dental hygienist should perform all dental cleanings.  Dental cleanings should be performed twice a year, every six months, to help ensure the healthiest teeth possible.

If you need a dental check up, contact your local professional dentist for an appointment.

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Preventative Dental Care Promotes Good Health

October 20th, 2010 Posted in Preventative Dental Care
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Recent reports have shown increasing links between gum disease and other, more serious problems such as heart disease and stroke.  Research has shown that individuals with gum disease are more than twice as likely to have heart disease or artery disease.

There are a few different reasons why this may exist.  The most commonly held belief is that bacteria from your mouth grow in higher numbers when you have periodontal disease.  As these bacteria numbers increase, the bacteria enter the blood stream.  This bacteria then ‘attaches’ itself to major vessels and arteries, causing build-up.  This build-up is commonly referred to as plaque on the coronary arteries.  This plaque eventually will become so large that blockages will occur, resulting in heart disease, vessel damage and / or stroke.

Another possibility is that any type of inflammation (including the inflammation associated with gum disease) causes overall inflammation.  Prolonged inflammation in the body is known to also cause plaque build-up in the arteries.

Infections from the mouth can also ‘travel’ and cause other major problems.  One recent study has shown that an increased incidence of strokes was noted in individuals who had a severe oral infection in the last 90 days.  It is also known that bacteria from the mouth can travel to heart valves, causing endocarditis.  Certain patients may need to be treated with antibiotics prior to dental work because of this.

Maintaining good overall health also means good oral health.  Regular trips to the dentist for routine examinations and preventative dental care are part of routine oral health, and should be done at least twice a year.

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