Posts Tagged ‘oral health’
Written on January 5th, 2010 by adminno shouts
There’s no doubt about it. When you decide to take care of your oral health, you make a wise decision. The vast majority of doctors and dentists believe there is some relation between oral health and a persons overall physical health.
However, when it comes to finding a quality dental plan to defray the skyrocketing costs of professional oral care, consumers may find themselves short on options.
Like health coverage, dental coverage has not kept up with double-digit cost increases. The average allowance is still around $1000 -$1200 per year per individual. A family with children who need braces would be hard-pressed to make this type of coverage work.
As a result of this situation, consumers are starting to educate themselves on the different alternatives to traditional health care such as health savings accounts.
One of the fastest growing alternatives in health care is the discount dental plan. Because discount dental plans are not insurance products, they’re quite often free of the hassles such as limits or exclusions that are normally associated with traditional dental insurance.
Discount dental plans often have so many benefits it would be nearly impossible to list them all.
However, here are 6 of the most powerful reasons for the discount dental plan’s rapid growth among educated consumers:
1. At the discretion of the dentist, consumers can often reduce out-of-pocket costs by combining a discount dental plan with traditional dental insurance.
2. In an emergency, such as an abscessed tooth, members can see a dentist immediately because there’s almost never a waiting period.
3. Consumers can literally save thousands of dollars on expensive dental treatments, such as orthodontics, because most discount dental plans have no limits.
4. Discount dental plans almost always accept new members regardless of any on-going dental problems.
5. Beyond the initial application, there’s practically no need for paperwork or claims to file.
6. Unlike most traditional insurance policies, cosmetic dentistry such as whitening and braces are almost always included.
For all these reasons and more, the discount dental plan is more than likely to continue gaining acceptance as a very smart alternative to traditional dental care.
Furthermore, dentists are also starting to realize the growing benefits of becoming a discount dental plan provider. Among them, long-term customer retention, no insurance companies to deal with, and free advertising from the discount dental plan company.
As dental care costs continue to escalate, controlling those costs can be a real challenge for the average consumer. However, through education, consumers can take a more active roll in controlling how these costs affect their personal lives.
A discount dental plan can make a lot of sense for consumers looking to take care of their oral health and save money at the same time.
Author: Joe Luna
Source: isnare.com
Written on October 28th, 2009 by adminno shouts
I’ve had a number of patients say to me, “Doctor, my dentist says I should get my heart checked out, what does a dentist know about hearts?” Then after some tests, I have to tell my patients, that, yes, their dentist was right, they have a heart problem. There is definitely a gum-heart connection and that connection is inflammation. Untreated chronic inflammation can lead to severe health complications.
This is how it happens. When you consume anything, residue collects on your teeth, and this residue forms plaque.
Plaque is a sticky deposit of mucus, food particles and bacteria formed at the base of your teeth within hours of eating. If you don’t remove the plaque it can cause gingivitis, the collection of plaque in pockets between swollen gums and the base of your teeth.
Gingivitis is also the source of bad breath. Left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease; also know as gum disease. Your mouth has the highest concentration of bacteria in your body under normal conditions, but if you have gum disease, the bacteria count gets even higher.
Inflamed gums present a good portal for bacteria to enter your bloodstream and move on to your heart. There it can damage your heart walls or values. It might also provoke blood-clotting, leading to stroke or a heart attack.
The Good News is – You Can Stop Gum Disease At Your Bathroom Sink
Sadly, gum disease is one of the easiest preventable diseases out there. Yet some 50 percent of the adult population has gum problems. Good dental hygiene can eliminate or slow gum disease and all it takes is making a conscious effort to brushing your teeth after every meal and flossing before you go to bed.
Here are the steps recommended by the American Dental Association
Brushing Your Teeth
• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• Use the “toe” of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
Flossing Your Teeth
• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite hand. This finger will take up the floss as it becomes dirty. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth.
Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up and down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth. Don’t forget the back side of your last tooth.
Nutrients for a Healthy Smile
Nutrition plays an important role in gum health. Crunchy fruit and vegetables can actually clean your teeth as you are eating, and the acid delays the formation of plaque.
Vitamins A, C, D, E and K and the B vitamins; folic acid; biotin; choline; calcium; zinc; and magnesium have all been found important for your oral health.
According to Aim International, two studies suggest that coenzyme Q10 and aloe are also helpful to gum health:
Two dietary supplements, coenzyme Q10 and aloe vera, are helpful to gum health. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may help with periodontal pocket depth. In early research, Dr. Edward G. Wilkinson, of the U.S. AirForce Medical Center, gave patients 50 mg of CoQ10 a day.
His patients experienced reduced periodontal pocket depth. Wilkinson said, “Treatment of periodontitis with coenzyme Q10 should be considered as an adjunctive treatment with current dental practice.” Later studies have reconfirmed this. Hanioka, et al., say “These results suggest that the topical application of CoQ10 improves adult periodontitis” (Molecular Aspects of Medicine. 1994. 15 Suppl)
Aloe vera is known to kill bacteria.
Dr. Eugene R. Zimmerman and Dr. Ruth A. Sims have (Aloe Vera of America Archives, Stabilized Aloe Vera, Vol. I) noted that aloe does have bactericidal properties. This means it may be useful in periodontal disease, which is a bacterial infection. Simply rub the liquid or gel on the gums.
When you take care of your gums and teeth, you are helping yourself on many levels. Superficially, you will retain your beautiful, white-toothed, smile. Your breath will smell sweet. Moreover, your heart and arteries will have an added protection against the onslaught of bacteria.
Author: Mark Rosenberg, M.D.
Source: ezinearticles.com
Mark Rosenberg, M.D. Institute For Healthy Aging
http://www.vitalmaxvitamins.com http://www.vitalmaxvitamins.com/blog
Written on October 20th, 2009 by adminno shouts
When you think of the term “implant dentistry,” the first thing you might think of is reconstructive surgery. Dental implants might seem to you to be a solution to a harsh and immediate dental problem, such as a car wreck or sports accident. But implant dentistry provides solutions to a broad swath of dental problems, and is often used simply to replace teeth lost to decay or extraction. Usually, they’re used to replace dentures.
Here are just a few of the reasons people who get dental implants prefer them to braces.
Implant dentistry saves you from worrying. Implants won’t fall out of your mouth during a job interview or a date. You won’t have to stand in the drugstore wondering whether you’re buying the right denture soak. You won’t knock them onto the floor and break them. The level of maintenance is as low as with your natural teeth.
Dental implants are more like real teeth than dentures. You’ll never have to take an implant out of your mouth every night to let it soak. They also chew and tear food like natural teeth, since they’re designed to mimic them, and they’re implanted directly into your jaw.
Implant dentistry is better for oral health. Bacteria doesn’t build up as much on dental implants as it does on dentures, since they stay in your mouth at all times (and, ideally, you brush them two or three times daily). As long as you care for your teeth and gums, you’ll be less likely to develop gingivitis or periodontitis than you will with dentures.
Your confidence will increase. Because they’re so worry-free, you’ll find yourself more confident in social settings.
Implants have little effect on your remaining teeth.
Because they support themselves, they won’t put wear and tear on your other teeth. So you won’t have to worry about losing additional teeth.
Implant dentistry will make you look younger. It’ll make you feel younger, too. Losing teeth means losing bone, since the bone mass in your jaw moves to fill in space previously occupied by the missing tooth. The end result is a change in facial bone structure. But implants can fill the empty space, preserving the shape of your face.
Your mouth will be closer to its natural state.
Implant dentistry doesn’t just replace part of a tooth — it replaces the whole thing. That means a tooth with a strong foundation, that’s bolted directly into your jaw. Your mouth will hardly notice the difference.
You can eat what you want. Because implant dentistry creates new, permanent teeth, your bite will be just as strong as it used to be — if not stronger. Once your implants are in, you’ll be able to tackle all your favorites, like popcorn, apples, ribs and hard candy.
Author: D. Michael Kirby
Source: ezinearticles.com
Michael Kirby is a writer living in Los Angeles. He writes about health care, home improvement, travel, technology and lifestyle. One of his clients is Comprehensive Family Dentistry. The dentists at Comprehensive Family Dentistry have been providing high-quality implant dentistry to patients in Newtown, Langhorne, Yardley, Philadelphia and the greater Bucks County area for years. Contact them today for an appointment.
http://www.weglosfamilydental.com/
Written on October 20th, 2009 by adminno shouts
When a dental team has watched primary teeth develop and have kept an eye out for any possible problems, a child’s needs are much more likely to be obvious to them just because of the familiarity with the patient.
At about six years old primary teeth will start to loosen as the adult teeth form and erupt, it’s a very important stage for monitoring dental spacing. Now is the time to make sure the child is able to handle their oral hygiene routine on their own. It is still very important to monitor how well they do with brushing and flossing.
Something that might impress them would be to get some disclosing agent for them to swish periodically after they have finished cleaning their teeth. When they can see the areas that have been missed they can be instructed again on how to reach those specific areas better. This is also a good time to expand the hygiene routine a little with more instruction on gentle gum, palate and tongue brushing.
Regular topical fluoride treatments will be essential to help strengthen the enamel on the adult teeth as they erupt.
A good fluoride tooth paste will help between visits to the office and supplements might be suggested in cases where necessary. While too much fluoride can cause chalky white spots on teeth, these cases are rare and your family dentist can easily determine any related problems with your regular checkups.
This is a time when sugary snacks are very hard to avoid as children are now in school and not under a parents or care taker’s supervision for many hours of the day. It can help to encourage sugar free snacks at home but kids are going to eat candy.
Parents can mitigate some of the damage by reminding a child that if they do have a sugary snack there is a need to clean out their mouth afterward if at all possible. It may surprise some of you that sugars are also found in milk, fruits and vegetables. Some people don’t understand the decay process, however, and don’t realize it is not caused by the sugar alone. Decay is actually encouraged by sugar but the plaque that is formed on the teeth daily is like a bonding agent for the sugar and provides the food for bacteria.
The resulting acids start the demineralization which is the beginning of what is commonly called a cavity. It’s probably best just to remember that the bacteria in our mouths eat when we do.
One thing that is proving immensely helpful as a deterrent to decay is the application tooth sealants. As adult molars appear a simple application of sealant can be done in the office that will reduce the vulnerability of these teeth. Molars are more subject to decay due to the deep crevices in them. The treatment is painless and often covered by insurance as the health insurance industry has learned the efficacy of sealants against cavities thereby lessening the risk for more expensive fillings.
Sealants will need to be checked periodically but tend to last from three to five years and can easily be replaced when worn down or missing. When compared to repairing decay with drilling and filling they are well worth the effort.
Children between the ages of six and twelve are at a higher risk of injuries to the mouth as they get more involved with sports activities. Mouth guards are a must, particularly in any contact sport and are encouraged in any sport where impact of any kind may occur.
If a tooth is knocked out or broken for any reason the damage is visible enough that parents usually do not hesitate to get help or a referral from their family dentist. Unfortunately, sometimes a loosening of a tooth by trauma is ignored to the detriment of the tooth. Prompt appropriate treatment of dental injuries is the key to saving injured teeth. In the case of a loosened tooth sometimes a simple splint can be applied to stabilize the tooth until it has a chance to heal. An initial x-ray will be needed to help determine the depth of damage then further assessments for sensitivity and vitality of the tooth or teeth will be done as the healing takes place.
It is a small inconvenience when compared to a possible root canal later on.
The things your family dentist and dental team can help you with for your child of six to twelve are:
Watching possible problems with adult tooth eruption and counseling on hygiene.
Apply important fluoride treatments to strengthen those important new adult teeth.
Instruct on the connection between diet and decay with a little third party counseling. (Because you know parents are not as influential as a child matures).
Your family dentist may prescribe sealants on adult molars to help with the mitigation of decay of these vulnerable teeth.
We can be there if there are any injuries to mouth or teeth that may need to be assessed.
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have with other matters concerning your families’ dental care and needs. That is what it great about letting us get to know your whole family.
Author: Paul Wagenaar
Source: ezinearticles.com
Paul M. Wagenaar, DDS 7400 E. Arapahoe Rd #203 Centennial, CO 80112 (303)770-5040 http://www.wagenaardentistry.com/
Written on October 19th, 2009 by adminno shouts
Humanitarian touch: A dentist belongs to a blue-blooded profession. He should be acquainted of how the bloom of a association is measured, what factors access and what the accepted bloom cachet is. The convenance of dentistry should not be getting alleviative and alleviation abandoned but attention and preventing also. Bloom is not an article which can be transferred from one alone to addition or from bloom casework to the society. The alone accept to amount bloom and accomplish alive efforts to abide healthy.
Aids for Articulate Care: Articulate bloom forms a allotment of absolute bloom and if agitated out, can assure bigger dental health. The advances fabricated in science and technology will not accept any aftereffect unless the humans are acquainted of what needs to be done to abide healthy. The aim of chargeless dental affliction is to ensure that humans are acceptant and that casework which are all-important are attainable and accessible.
Auditory aids, beheld aids and accumulated audio beheld aid are present for articulate care. Properly organized and publicized bloom exhibitions allure ample amount of people. The advantage is that humans can appear beyond new account in articulate bloom matter. The announced word, the printed chat and the aesthetic presentation are acclimated for establishing acquaintance with the populace. Apprenticeship of the citizenry on dental diseases and their blockage is underway and we can apprehend to see a dentally community and acquainted population, which would aswell beset the rural sector.
Community: the beggared and bound accumulation The albatross of befitting the accessible abreast and gives abstruse abutment for Dental caring affairs to the humans lies on the medical and accurate professionals. The liberalized abridgement in India and commercialization of accumulation media like television admittance advancing business and advertising. What is getting advertised and influencing the accepted man is not necessarily of bloom account to him. Articulate bloom apprenticeship should anatomy important basic of academy bloom education.
Chargeless Dental Affliction should not be banausic or stereotyped. If the aforementioned affairs are again year afterwards year, they become arid and ineffective. Dental affairs accept fabricated accelerated strides in contempo years. When the aspects of dental affairs are about implemented, we would that abundant afterpiece to accomplishing our ambition of “Dental bloom for allâ€.
Author: Chan Vinuto
Source: articlesbase.com
Visit our recommended website Getfreedental.com to know more about free dental care and its associated dental plans.
Written on October 6th, 2009 by adminno shouts
Believe it or not, not taking care of oral health – which includes such basics as brushing your teeth, flossing regularly, and getting regular dental check-ups – can lead to problems as serious as heart disease. While dental health may not seem important to some people, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the USA. So taking care of our teeth and gums is actually not just a good idea for maintaining a healthy mouth, strong teeth, and an attractive smile.
Good dental hygiene might also help to prevent heart problems.
There are two specific heart conditions, coronary artery disease and endocarditis , for example, that are commonly associated with heart disease. Coronary artery disease causes the blood supply to be blocked by congestion in the arteries. The condition is made worse by inflammation. The same is true of endocarditis, which is another kind of heart disease that attacks the major sections of the heart that act as valves to pump blood into the heart and back out into the rest of the body.
The distinct connection or relationship between dental health and heart health intersects because of bacteria. Harmful kinds of bacteria are the source of countless numbers of diseases, including heart diseases, and this kind of toxic bacteria often starts in the mouth. When our teeth and gums are not healthy, in other words, they become a ripe and fertile ground for bacteria growth.
That is why teeth decay and form cavities, and why gums often bleed or get sore and inflamed. Various kinds of bacteria are at work inside the teeth and gums, and if they get too out of control it can cause not just toothaches but serious infection. The infection, in turn, can travel to other parts of the body and spread. In situations where people do not have access to modern antibiotic drugs, for example, a bad tooth can spread into the root of the tooth and then quickly cause a life-threatening infection that spreads into the heart or the brain.
Oral health is serious business. And it goes well beyond the teeth themselves to have an important influence over the health of the whole body.
When oral health is neglected, bacteria collected in the mouth can thrive and it eventually gets into the bloodstream. Healthy teeth fight infection, which is why dentists recommend that everyone get a regular checkup about twice a year. Without vigilant oral health practices, infected teeth and gums can breed bacteria that moves through the bloodstream and automatically travels straight to the heart.
If colonies of harmful bacteria set up camp inside the heart, then all sorts of dangerous heart conditions can develop.
Let’s face it. Most of us dread going to the dentist and do not enjoy it when we have to get cavities filled or be reminded to floss and brush. But by the same token, everyone would agree that a quick trip to the dentist to get our teeth cleaned and our smile looking sparkly again sounds wonderful compared to the prospect of heart disease. Taking good care of our health is our choice, and prudent dental health can help to ensure overall health and even prevent heart disease.
Author: Dr. Daniel Burton, DDS
Source: isnare.com
With an intense passion for optimal care comes Dr. Burton’s emphasis on exceptional service and esthetics. The services available in his Grand Rapids office are extensive and his team is highly trained to help create a healthy, beautiful smile for each patient. http://www.danielburtondds.com
Written on September 26th, 2009 by adminno shouts
Author: Jason Murphy -
Source: articledashboard.com
Oral health receives a lot of of attention these days with the resurgence of modern teeth whitening systems and a new consciousness regarding oral hygiene. However, the development of new technologies in dentistry necessitates the attention of committed dentists and dental work experts. Recent studies indicate that more dental health workers are just in for the money and treat dentistry and its branches as means to make lucrative business. Therefore, choosing a dentist is a crucial move, for the sake of your oral and financial health.Before qualifying as dentists and dental work practitioners, candidates are required to take up a pre-dental degree and dental school courses. Dental school studies are divided in two: pre-clinical studies for two years and a practicum under a licensed faculty for the latter two. Dentistry candidates are then required to pass the state and national dentistry board to qualify as dentists. However, if the candidates plan to specialize in a branch of dentistry such as public health, endodontics, oral maxillofacial pathology, oral maxillofacial surgery, dentofacial orthopedics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics, a couple of years of advanced studies is required. They are also required to pass the specialty board examination to gain their board certification and license. After so much study and money spent on training, it’s no wonder some dentists are more keen to earn big money at the expense of their clients’ teeth. Here are some guidelines to help people choose a proper-minded dentist who actually care for their clients’ teeth and oral health.Being an advocate of prevention rather than expensive one-time treatments is a positive sign that dentists and dental work experts are interested in their patients’ health. They often suggest or recommend doing a full oral study before dispensing treatments and procedures. They require x-ray films or copies of dental records from their clients’ previous dentist. Thorough examinations of overall dental health are to be expected and these include examinations of the following: teeth, gums, lips, tongue, palate, cheek insides, and throat. If the dentist charts, shows, and explains in detail the results of the exam to the client, it is a good sign that the dentist is serious about dental health. Advices and reminders about regular visits are to be expected from good dentists. They are interested in monitoring and assessment of maintenance and dental procedures, if any. Hence, good dentistry requires time and detailed work unlike treatments which promise instant results.Aside from the positive signs to be reckoned with in finding a good dentist, there are also signs which raise the red flag. Flamboyant teasers and advertisements often signify mass production instead of detailed work. Also, lower than average fees are not foolproof ways to save money. Lower fees often require longer, repeated treatments which in time cost more. Dentists who often rely on sedation are also exposing their patients to undue risks. Unscientific processes employed by some dentists should be warning enough. Dentistry is based on science and not “holistic” treatments as some advertise. It is more likely that these “holistic” treatments are bent on consuming a client’s wallet whole.With the risks these situations pose, it is imperative that people know where to find good dentists and dental work experts. Referrals from family members, friends, and impartial local health workers are good sources. There are also agencies that offer assistance in finding quality dental care. It is also important to ensure that the client’s philosophy on health and dental care coincides with that of the dentist. This promotes cooperation, good rapport, and ultimately, outstanding oral health.
