Baby Teeth and Keeping your child’s Teeth Healthy. 

By the time your child is one year old, they should have had their first dental appointment. Even babies can have dental decay when parents do not practice good oral health habits with their children. Baby teeth are no different from adult teeth. Brushing and flossing is a daily habit that needs to be maintained for good oral health care. Talk to your pediatric dentist for instructions if you need help with how to brush or floss your child’s teeth.

Parents can spread cavities to their babies. 

Studies have been done regarding the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria from parent to baby and have been published for over 20 years. The main culprit is Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that can pass from person to person through the transfer of saliva, such as sharing utensils, blowing on food, and, yes, even kissing your baby.

The economy is still poor, but dentists are helping patients through tough times. 

As our economy continues downward, the effects have impacted dental practices. According to an ADA survey, 6 out of 10 dentists that responded said their net income in the third quarter was lower than in the second quarter. About three in 10 said it remained the same. Even with the decrease in income, dentists are dealing with patients who are also trying to deal with a lousy economy and have their own financial worries. Many dentists are trying to help their patients with the cost of dental care by offering discounted services and payment plan options through their practice or a third-party financing company and providing extended treatment durations to help patients pay for care.

Dental Insurance plans for any dentist. 

Finding dental insurance can be difficult, but the task may have just gotten harder when you are trying to find and stay with your dentist, which is why we offer more than just one type of dental insurance in most states, dental plans. Giving you the option to choose from dental discount plans to HMO, PPO, and free choice of provider insurance plans. It allows you to choose your dentist or a plan that provides its network of providers. The option is yours to make.

Whitening your teeth and what you may want to know first. 

Many people are striving for the whitest, brightest teeth possible. With the variety and availability of dental whitening methods having bright white teeth is easy. However, before running out and getting that over-the-counter whitening kit or heading to the mall to zoom-whiten your teeth, you should make a dental appointment for basic dental cleaning. Having your teeth cleaned by the dentist will remove surface stains that need to be removed before whitening your teeth for optimum results. Also, this allows you to talk to your dentist about teeth whitening products. You may not know this, but not everyone can whiten their teeth, or they may need to whiten only by a dentist. Talking to your dentist first will help you determine what is best for you. Dental restoration, like veneers, bridges, and crowns, can not be whitened with Hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. As well as teeth that have internal staining, discoloration from developmental conditions, or by a root canal may not be affected by the typical whitening process.

Will my dental insurance premiums be affected if I smoke?

No, generally, concerning standalone dental insurance plans for individuals/families, smoking is not a rating factor. So although your dental insurance rates are typically not affected if you smoke, you may still have a high cost in maintaining your dental health because you smoke. Smokers have increased oral health risks and are more prone to diseases of the gums and teeth. Due to those factors, you may need to see a dentist more often than non-smokers. Having to see a dentist more often due to smoking will cause you to spend more on dental healthcare.

Dental Problems Caused by Smoking. 

Most people know that smoking is terrible for your overall health and can cause many health-related problems. However, smoking is also a significant contributor to many dental problems. Here are some dental issues that are associated with smoking or using tobacco.  

• Gum disease
• Receding gums
• Stained and discolored teeth
• Tooth loss due to gums disease
• Bad breath
• Tartar build-up, which can lead to tooth decay
• Oral cancer. 

One should quit smoking to avoid the oral and dental problems associated with smoking and many health problems. However, if you are a smoker who is not stopping, then make sure to see your dentist at least twice a year and more if advised by your dentist.

Why is Brushing the Tongue Important?

Your tongue is a breeding ground for bacteria. Bacteria live on the tongue and contribute to bad breath. Therefore, if you brush your teeth but neglect the tongue, you only do half the job of removing the bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria can also cause bad breath issues. So remember to brush your whole mouth, teeth, gums, and tongue.

Brushing your Teeth and your Tongue. 

Most people know to brush their teeth at least twice daily for good oral health care habits. Flossing is also an at-home dental health habit that most people know to do. However, remember your tongue. While brushing your teeth, you should gently go over your tongue. This help gets rid of bacteria that are on your tongue. By brushing your tongue, you also help control any lousy breath odor.

Fighting Bad Breath in Teens. 

Although bad breath can affect anyone at any age, for teenagers, it can be challenging to deal with since they are at a time when they rely heavily on how others may perceive them. Poor oral hygiene can be a primary cause of bad breath issues, but it is not the only factor. Many teens need access to regular dental check-ups and must see a dentist at least twice a year. Going beyond oral hygiene habits to address other reasons for bad breath, you want to look at the foods a teen may be eating. Strong and spicy food can cause bad breath, as well as dairy products. Other reasons for bad breath include gum disease, cavities (tooth decay), and health issues such as acid reflux and upset stomach. If you rule out dental problems, check with a doctor to see if the cause of your bad breath is a medical issue.

HIV and Your Dental and Oral Health Care. 

It is imperative to have regular oral health check-ups with your dentist for people that have HIV. Compromised immune systems will generally have the first symptoms in their mouth. In a study by Kevin C Heslin of UCLA in 2001, it was reported that 90% of people living with HIV have at least one dental manifestation of the disease. The study also stated that any HIV Health care entity that does not provide dental care as a part of their program is not meeting the needs of their patients. So the importance of good dental care in managing HIV is evident.

What Are Some of the Services an Endodontic Provides

Endodontic treatments and procedures can include root canal treatment, retreatment of a root canal, Endodontic surgery, traumatic dental injuries, and dental implants.

An Endodontist is a dental specialty concerned with the study and treatment of dental pulp. They perform root canal services. However, your general dentist will be responsible for the accompanying dental crown, so it’s a good idea to work with a General Dentist and an Endodontist for a root canal treatment.

Dry Mouth is a Common Problem Among Seniors. 

Xerostomia, otherwise known as dry mouth, is a common problem among older adults. The Oral Cancer Foundation estimates that 20 percent of older adults suffer from dry mouth. Dry mouth is also a hidden cause of tooth loss and gum disease in 30 percent of adults. There are many reasons you may have a dry mouth, but for older adults, one significant factor is that dry mouth can be a side effect of many medications. Medications such as blood pressure, decongestants, antidepressants, and pain pills other medications may also cause dry mouth, so if you are experiencing dry mouth issues, be sure to discuss treatment options with your dentist.

According to a recent study, a dentist may be able to Fill in the Health Care Gap. 

Almost 20 million Americans see a dentist at least once a year but do not see a doctor or any other general health care provider. This suggests that a dentist could screen these people for systemic health disorders, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, a new study says.

A Dentist Can Creates Healthy, Confident Smiles. 

Many of us do not have the whitest smile or the perfect teeth we may want, which makes it harder for us to smile freely without worrying if our teeth are not making the impression we may like. Receiving the dental care needed to fit our smiles can sometimes be out of reach. However, it does not have to be. Here are a few tips that may help you receive affordable dental care. First, find an affordable dental plan. Many good HMO dental plans are low-cost and offer affordable coverage. Even dental discount plans are low in cost and help lower your dental care cost. Try to find a dentist willing to work out a payment plan if needed. When shopping, dentists check to see if they have a website for their practice. Not only will their website tell you more about the dental practice, but they often offer saving on the website that they do not offer directly.

A Periodontist specializes in the dental prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease (gum-related diseases). If you have advanced gum disease, finding a periodontist to partner with for treatment is a good idea.

Some types of dental services they provide include Gum Graft Surgery, Regenerative Procedures, Dental Crown Lengthening, and Periodontal Pocket Procedures.

An Orthodontic dentist is a specialist who deals with misaligned teeth. They diagnose, prevent, manage, and correct mal-positioned teeth, jaws, and misaligned bite patterns.

If you want to go to a functional dentist, but your insurance does not have an in-network functional dentist, you may still be able to find a dentist with similar ideals.

Even if a dentist is not classified as a “functional” dentist or registered with that academy of dentistry, all dentists should know how diet influences dental health and the mouth-body connection. By asking questions about these issues when choosing an in-network provider, you may be surprised to find a dentist who takes a more functional approach than you may first expect.

Functional Dentist addresses the root cause of disease rather than simply treating symptoms and promoting an all-body approach to dental health, recognizing that the mouth’s health reflects your overall health. A functional dentist aims to use non-toxic, or the least toxic available, materials when treating dental issues. Functional dentistry encompasses holistic, integrative, biological, and natural dentists.