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.

If your dentist is not a provider of your current PPO insurance plan, here is a tip that may save you some money on your dental care cost.

Ask your dental insurance company for the “in-network fee schedule.” That fee schedule normalizes every dental billing code and how much they agree to make from the insurance company for those codes. Many dental offices are willing to accept this, which means you will pay similar prices with your existing dentist as you would by switching to an in-network provider of the plan.

Is your provider in your dental insurance network?

When shopping for dental insurance, one factor to consider would be your current dentist. If you want to stay with your current dental provider, you must confirm that the dental insurance plans you are reviewing will let you choose your dentist. If, however, you have to pick from the plan providers, You need to make sure your dentist is a provider of the plan.

Many people have dental insurance that lets them choose their dentist, but how do you know you are picking the best dentist for you? One way is by getting referrals. Most people have a large referral base but do not use them. Look toward your family and friends, people at work. You can even ask your friends on social media like Facebook or Twitter. Most people have been to the dentist and will be happy to tell you if they feel their dentist is a good choice for you.

Can Wisdom Teeth be the Winning Lotto Ticket in Your Child’s Mouth?

 A study suggests that the early prophylactic removal of developing third molars (wisdom teeth) can avoid future surgical problems and expenses. The developing tooth bud can supply valuable pluripotent stem cells that may be used to treat diabetes and liver disease or for anti-aging or regenerative medicine. The surgical removal of wisdom teeth has risks, including a 6% chance of permanent numbness of the tongue, lip, gums, or teeth. There is also significant discomfort during or following the procedure. However, compared to the removal of the developing tooth germ or tooth bud is a low-risk procedure that is done with minimal trauma or post-op complications. Also, more importantly, this developing tooth bud is an ideal source of powerful multi or pluripotent stem cells.

How Often Should Your Child Visit the Dentist? 

Once your baby’s first teeth erupt, you have taken them for that all-important first dental visit. How often your child should see a dentist can depend on the child. Some children are more prone to tooth decay than others. Those children that quickly get dental decay may need to see the dentist more than the standard check-up twice a year. Talk over your child’s dental needs with your dentist. Have a complete understanding of the suggested dental care and know what you can do from home to keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy.

Steps in Having Orthodontic Treatment. 

Although orthodontic treatment is customized to meet each person’s unique needs, the steps necessary for treatment remain pretty standard. First, there is Diagnostic and Treatment Planning. The diagnostic is where the orthodontic dentist will make a diagnosis to determine the most effective way to treat your bite issue. The next step is Active Treatment. Once treatment is determined, your active treatment will begin, including attaching the appliance or customizing aligner trays for invisible braces. You will return to your orthodontist’s office several times during this step for adjustments or new trays. Then the last step is Retention. Once your teeth have been realigned, you will require a retainer to ensure they do not shift back into their previous position.