Each time I go see my dentist, he tells me that I need a gum graft.  I have  asked few people, that I know  and they they said that their dentist has also been bothering them to have this larger dental treatment,  however, they do not do it.  Yet my dentist told me one year ago that I have to do it before another  year goes by.  An additional issues is that I am a student I do not have money,  and I do not have dental insurance. So I was wondering if other people were in the same position as me or if you had done a graft before, and is it worth it?

Answer:  Normally a dentist will not suggest to you to have dental work that is not necessary.   If you are really worried about whether or not you need this type of dental care, here is some advise.   If possible buy a low cost HMO dental insurance plan.  Most HMO dental insurance plan run around 10 – 20 dollars a month and they provide free preventive dental treatments. That means you can see a different dentist for a second opinion and get free X-rays, office visit and basic cleaning as well as see if this different dentist advises the same type of dental care as the one you have been currently seeing.  This website offers HMO dental insurance plans in most states so I suggest reviewing our dental insurance options we have available for your review.

Then even if a new dentist  dose suggest the same dental treatment,  you will then have some insurance in force to hopefully help you with the cost if you decide to have the dental care render.    Another option is to get a second dental opinion at a dental clinic or dental school. In many cases dental clinics and school adjust their cost based on what you can afford to pay.  The point is I think that unless the people you asked for their opinions are dentist,  I think getting a second opinion by a dentist would only benefit you and your oral health care.

In office bleaching will whiten discolored teeth.  Professional teeth whitening will lighten and brightens the color of a tooth or teeth. In a very comfortable, professional control the provides protection of the gums during treatment. You will be able to receive more stable results with professional teeth whitening, though it is more costly you can achieve the results you are looking for

I have been on Medicare & Medi-Cal, after my last SS increase I received a Notice of Action saying I no longer qualify for Medi-Cal because my net income is $1016.00 & it needs to be $1001.00 or less so I am a whole $15.00 over.    They said I need to find a Supplemental Insurance plan that is at least $15 or more a month. They suggested that I try AARP, so I called and told them I am 45, but they still signed me up. However when I tried to sign up for a plan I found out that I do not even qualify for the benefits until I am 50. At this point I do not know what to do.

Answer: You do not need to buy a dental plan that is linked to Medi Cal or Medicare. You only need to buy an insurance plan (vision, dental or health) so that you are decreasing your net income. I would suggest reviewing the dental HMO plans that this website has to offer. We provide many good HMO plans within the dollar amount you need to spend. Then please call our office if you have any further questions at 310-534-3444

Over the counter whitening kits have made whiting teeth easier and more affordable for many people. Over the counter whitening kits will help to lighten teeth and make them whiter.  They are convenient and provide an affordable whitening option. However whitening kids are some what limited in the efficiency and can cause some irritation and teeth sensitivity

The relationship between TMJ/TMD (Temporomandibular Joint/Temporomandibular Disorder ) problems and braces has been a topic of debate. There is a considerable body of evidence on this topic, since it is vitally important for dentists, orthodontists, and the public to be aware of any connection between braces and TMJ problems.

The cause of TMD can not be isolated to any one particular cause. It is therefore regarded as multifactorial, since behavior, emotions, bite, and other physical factors may contribute to the disorder. The role that the bite plays in the disorder is controversial. This needs to be emphasized because some patients choose to pursue braces to help with their TMJ problems. The changes that occur with braces in the alignment of the teeth and bite may not in fact “cure” TMD.

However, the role of braces causing TMJ problems has also been studied extensively and there is overwhelming evidence that braces generally do not increase the risk of developing TMJ problems later on. The study cited here was a comprehensive review of many studies done previously. Results of approximately 1300 patients from around the world were represented, and were treated with different plans.

The complexity of the TMJ and the circumstances surrounding the potential causes of TMJ problems may not be entirely clear. That said, numerous studies support the fact that TMJ problems have many causative factors, and the changes occurring during braces are gradual, which generally allows the TMJ to adapt without difficulty.

There are now many over the counter toothpastes with whitening choices to choose from and they all will help to brighten your teeth. Toothpaste with whitening help to remove surface stains which will help to brighten your teeth.  However it is important to understand that whitening toothpaste does not lighten the color of your teeth.

Toothbrush damage also know as toothbrush abrasion is the damage to your teeth and gums as a result from the use of excessive force in brushing.  As important as it is to brush your teeth regularly you do not want to become over-zealous and brush with too much force.  Toothbrush abrasion affects your teeth as well as your gums.

An earliest sign of the problem is what people describe as a ‘little ledge’ in the tooth at the very margin of the gum. Sensitivity to cold is a quite common feature with toothbrush abrasions.   As the damage progresses it becomes more and more noticeable, with the gum tissue receding back causing the tooth to look longer as more of its root surface is exposed. The damage to the tooth eventually manifests as a v-shaped notch at the gum margin which increases over time both in width and depth.

Your child pediatric dentist can identify crowded or crooked teeth and actively intervene to guide the teeth as they come in. Not only will this improve the look of your child’s smile, but early orthodontic treatment may prevent more extensive treatment later on.

Braces and other orthodontic appliances can straighten crooked teeth, guide teeth into proper position as they come in, correct bite problems, as well as even prevent the need for tooth extractions. Having straight teeth not only look better, but they are easier to keep clean and therefore less susceptible to dental decay and gum disease.

However, orthodontic treatment takes place over years as your child’s mouth grows and changes. Therefore a commitment to regular dental visits and good home care is a must. Orthodontic treatment is a significant financial investment as well. Yet, since it offers important health benefits, it may be covered at least in part by dental insurance.

Acid damage or acid erosion is the damage that occurs to teeth as a result of acid being on them.  In order to prevent acid erosion it is important to understand where acid comes from. Acid can come from either of two sources.

1)  Stomach: Your stomach contains acid in order to brake down and help digest your food.  However people who have acid reflux can bring up these acids and have them come in contact with their teeth.  People with acid reflux knows that certain foods or drinks and cause you to have reflux more then others. Therefore trying to avoid foods and drinks that causes you to have acid reflux would be a good idea. If you find that you have chronic acid reflux it is important to speak to your doctor to see what can be done. Acid reflux can cause damage to your health as well as your teeth.

2) Food and Drinks: The second way to get acid on your teeth is by what you eat or drink. Drinks such as frizzy soda, fruit juices and energy drinks can be very corrosive to your teeth.  Even food such as apples, oranges, tomatoes etc can also cause dental erosion and should be limited.  This is not to say you can not have these types of food but try limiting the amount. If you do want a soda drink it do not sip it for hours causing long contact with your teeth.

Microabrasion is a good option for children or teens who want to change the color of certain areas or spots on their teeth, rather than lighten the color of the whole tooth.

With microabrasion the pediatric dentist removes microscopic bits of discolored tooth enamel with an brasive and a mild acid. Treatment usually can be completed in one visit. Microabrasion is a conservative treatment, removing little tooth structure.

The success of microabrasion to remove a spot or stain completely depends upon a number of factors, especially the type and extent of discoloration. Surprisingly, brown or dark stains are removed more readily than white ones. Microabrasion works better on surface discoloration than it does on deeper stains caused by injury or certain medications.

According to a study from the University of California, women who brush their teeth regularly could keep their memory sharp later in life.   The researchers found that elderly women who brushed their teeth less than once a day were up to 65% more likely to develop dementia than those who brushed three times a day.   The study done which was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, tracked the health of almost 5,500 residents at a Californian retirement community from 1992 to 2010.

If you need to have dentures think about getting dental insurance to help cut the cost. Dental insurance will greatly reduce your cost of dental insurance. If you need to replace your current denture or partials dental insurance will also help to reduce the cost, however many dental insurance plan will require that you had your old denture/partials for at least five year before replacing them.

Question: I am wondering if dentures or partials look fake.  I may need to get them since I can not afford implants.

Answer:  The answer to that question is sometimes you get what you pay for.  When you choose to get cheap a cookie cutter denture product you are not only going to get poor aesthetic look but they may also be a poor fitting product.   Talk to your dentist about the options available.  If you are wanting a more aesthetic looking denture think about spending a more if possible for the better choice.  In most cases the dentist will be about to show you photos of each denture option.

Dental crowns can range around $500 – $900 per crown. Therefore when trying to budge for crowns buying a dental PPO plan will normally help you save around 50 – 60 percent off the cost of crowns.

Yet you have to plan ahead when buying dental PPO plan as they tend to have long waiting period for major dental services such as crowns. So therefore you want to buy a dental PPO insurance plan a head of time so when you are ready to have dental crown work you will have the plan waiting periods.

Dry socket can happen after a tooth extraction.  Dry socket occurs when the blood clot that covers the extraction for healing becomes dislodged or does not form.  When that occurs the bone and fine nerve ending are not protected and left exposed to air food and liquids.  Dry socket will delay the healing process and many times can be very painful.

Typically crowns are made of metal covered with a tooth-colored porcelain or plastic resin. When having a crown put on the tooth is prepared by shaping it and removing a part of the outside tooth structure. Then the crown is custom made to precisely fit the prepared tooth.  The crown fits over the tooth and is cemented into place.

Generally the crown is made by a dental laboratory, therefore it may take a few day before your dentist receive it. In many cases your dentist will prepare your tooth and put a temporary metal cap on it until your crown comes in and then you go back to the dental office to have the crown put on.

By having dental insurance crown cost in most cases is cut in half making have a crown much more affordable.

Porcelain crowns are used for both cosmetic and restorative results for discolored, chipped or broken teeth.  Yet, there are two factors to consider: First, porcelain crowns are more costly than other treatments and second, a crown requires the removal of a significant amount of tooth structure. On the other hand, crowns are stronger than the other cosmetic choices and can last for many years with good dental health habits. Porcelain crowns are reserved for permanent teeth that are fully erupted with the gum tissue at its adult position.

A study has found that adding fluoride in water is beneficial for adults as well. It reduces tooth decay in adults of all ages.  The researchers found that those adults who had more than 75 per cent lifetime exposure to water fluoridation experienced close to 30 per cent reduction in tooth decay as compared to those with less than 25 per cent lifetime exposure.

Having gum and tooth pain during pregnancy is not uncommon, however, discomfort is usually a symptom of a more serious underlying dental condition. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, roughly 50 percent of all pregnant women develop gingivitis, or an inflammation of the gums. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to more severe periodontal disease, causing uncomfortable tooth pain and possible tooth loss.  Therefore having proper dental care during pregnancy becomes very important in order to maintain your oral health care.

One main benefit of a dental PPO plan, is being able to either use a dentist that is in the plan network or outside the plan network of providers.  This is key when trying to stay with your own dentist that may not be a provider of any dental HMO insurance plan.

Another benefit is since you have a free choice of choosing your own dentist you can also choose to see a dental specialist when needed. Such as a Pediatric dentist for young children or children with special needs.