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Do Your Dental Visits Include Oral Cancer Screening?

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Oral cancer, in its latter stages, can be quite obvious to anyone. Hopefully, your dentist will be able to detect problems long before they get to that stage. Many dentists (although not all) perform oral cancer screenings as a regular part of their dental exams. Dr. Glennon at Austin Dental Center is one of the Austin dentists who provide oral cancer screenings for patients.

There are several ways a dentist looks for signs of oral cancer, such as:
• Using a special light that he or she shines in your mouth – Use of this type of light will make normal tissue appear dark and any abnormal tissue (such as possible cancerous areas) appear white or light in color.
• Visually inspecting your mouth – All dentists will look closely at your mouth during a routine exam. He or she will be looking for red patches, white patches, lumps, sores or any other tissue that looks unusual or questionable.
• Using a dye – Some dentists ask patients to rinse their mouths with a blue dye prior to a dental exam. This type of dye will make abnormal tissue in your mouth appear blue.

If your dentist suspects that you may have the beginnings of some form of oral cancer, he or she will probably ask for a biopsy to be done on the affected area of your mouth. If you’re not sure whether your dentist is performing an oral cancer screening during your routine dental exam, ask for one. Just as is the case with any other form of cancer, early detection and treatment is always the best way to fight the problem.

Resource: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mouth-cancer/expert-answers/oral-cancer/faq-20058324

Teeth Whitening Methods

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Over the past few years, teeth whitening has become increasingly popular among dental patients of all ages. This is especially true since over-the-counter whitening products have become available at affordable prices. If you decide to whiten your teeth, there are several products to choose from:

• Over-the-counter tray-based products: Tray-based products were among the first over-the-counter teeth whitening methods. These products come with a tray designed to fit anyone’s mouth and a whitening gel. Most will require that you spend at least two hours a day for several weeks before you see results.

• Whitening strips: This popular method for whitening your teeth requires that you apply strips twice a day, usually for a 14-day period.

• Whitening gels: There are several brands of gels available over-the-counter. These are products that you simply apply directly on your teeth. Just as is the case with strips, you’ll usually need to apply the gel twice a day for two weeks to see maximum results.

• Professional whitening: Without a doubt, the most effective way to whiten your teeth is with products that are available only through your dentist. He or she can talk to you about which type of product is best for you. You can choose to either have your teeth whitened in your dentist’s office or to have impressions of your teeth made that are used to create custom-made trays you can take home. If you choose the latter option, your dentist will provide a whitening agent that you can use with your trays at home any time you’d like.

Resource: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/teeth-whitening

Don’t Forget to Floss!

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Most of us understand the importance of brushing our teeth on a regular basis, but what you may not know is that flossing is an extremely important part of any good dental hygiene routine. In fact, flossing may be just as important – if not more so – as brushing.

Although brushing your teeth is effective in removing stains and bacteria from the surface of your teeth, a toothbrush cannot always remove food from between teeth. That’s why flossing is so important. When food gets trapped between teeth, bacteria quickly form. Once bacteria are present, they can harden and become plaque, which eventually turns into tartar. This material can only be removed by a dental hygienist or a dentist. Tartar buildup can make it next to impossible to effectively clean between your teeth, which can lead to gingivitis – a precursor to advanced gum disease. If your gums are swollen, tender and/or bleed easily, you may be experiencing the early signs of gingivitis.

Fortunately, there’s a simple way to avoid the problem altogether: just remember to floss at least once a day. This applies to children as well as adults. Young kids under the age of 10 or so may not be good at flossing on their own, so it’s important that you floss between the teeth of your little ones as soon as they develop teeth that are close together.

There are a variety of different types of floss available – narrow, wide, waxed, unwaxed, flavored, etc. Choose whatever floss you prefer, but just remember: don’t forget to floss!

Resource: http://www.mouthhealthy.org

Why Tooth Extractions Are Necessary

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Even with all the advances in modern dentistry, it is still necessary for a dentist to pull a tooth from time to time.

There may be several reasons why extraction is the way to go:

• The tooth has decayed to the point where the pulp of the tooth has become infected. Although the situation may be resolved by a root canal procedure, if that doesn’t work the only way to solve the problem is to pull the tooth.

• Gum disease can weaken the gum tissue and result in loosened teeth. When this occurs, your dentist may need to pull the affected teeth.

• Your teeth are too big for your mouth, which results in a “crowded mouth.” If there’s not sufficient room in your mouth for all your teeth, your dentist may have to pull one in order to make room. This is particularly common in patients that are being prepared for braces.

• If you have a weakened immune system – for example, from a disease or some other physical condition – your dentist might recommend pulling a tooth if there is a risk of infection. In this instance, an infection could be very serious for the patient, so it would be better to extract a tooth rather than risk the consequences of infection.

 

Although having a tooth pulled is never a particularly pleasant experience, modern dentistry has advanced to the point where the patient usually feels little or no discomfort during the procedure itself. Afterward, patients are typically given painkillers to help during the recovery process. Your dentist will give you instructions on how best to take care of your mouth to ensure the speediest recovery possible.

 

 

 

Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/pulling-a-tooth-tooth-extraction

Whitening Your Teeth

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With the availability of over-the-counter teeth-whitening products, more and more people are taking measures to make their smiles brighter. A variety of different types of products are available in your local drug store, all designed to help whiten your teeth: toothpastes, mouth rinses, whitening gels and strips. Toothpastes and mouth rinses generally take longer to work, but the OTC whitening strips and gels can be effective if you use them repeatedly over a long period of time.

Professional Teeth Whitening Options

 

If your teeth are seriously stained, or if you want to see results in a hurry, talk to your dentist about the following professional whitening options:

• The first is a strong hydrogen peroxide solution combined with custom trays that you can use yourself at home. You’ll need to visit your dentist to have forms of your teeth made, which are then sent to a dental lab where your custom trays are created. After that, you’ll be asked to return to your dentist’s office to pick up the trays and the bleaching solution. Once you’re back home, you can use the whitening solution and trays yourself – anywhere from a few hours at a time to overnight – until you achieve the level of whitening you’re looking for.

• The second type of professional whitening treatment that your dentist can offer involves a whitening solution used in combination with heat, a laser or a special light. This is typically the most expensive option, but also produces the fastest, most obvious results.

 

There are two things to remember when it comes to whitening your teeth:

• Only your natural teeth can be whitened, so crowns and other dental work won’t be affected.

• Whitening is considered to be cosmetic dentistry, so most insurance companies won’t cover the cost.

 

 

Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/teeth-whitening

Another Way to Fight Cavities

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Most of us know the basics involved in good oral hygiene: namely, brushing and flossing twice a day, staying away from sugary snacks and visiting your dentist twice a year for regular professional cleanings. However, there’s new evidence that suggests that there may be another way to fight cavities, and it’s one that many people would never expect – eating cheese!

Medical professionals and scientists have known for many years that dairy products are good for bone health, but until recently there have been few, if any, studies that indicate how your teeth are affected by dairy products. However, in the May/June 2013 issue of “General Dentistry,” a study was published that showed that eating cheese may actually help to prevent cavities.

The pH Connection

It all revolves around a person’s pH level. If you have a high level of pH, you’ll be less likely to form cavities. And, conversely, if your pH level is lower, you’ll be more at risk for tooth decay. In the “General Dentistry” study, three groups of people were asked to consume dairy products. One group was asked to drink milk, another group to eat sugar-free yogurt and yet another group to eat cheese. At the end of the study, the pH levels of all groups were measured. The groups that drank milk and ate sugar-free yogurt experienced no changes in their pH levels, while the group that ate cheese showed a rapid increase in the pH levels in their mouths, indicating that cheese may actually help to prevent tooth decay.

 

 

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130605130118.htm

The Advantages of Dental Veneers

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gumsA dental veneer refers to a thin layer of ceramic or porcelain material that completely covers a tooth. Veneers are a great choice if you want to close up spaces between your teeth, repair a broken tooth, make crooked teeth appear straight or stained teeth look whiter.

The process involved in getting a dental veneer is relatively simple and quick. First, your dentist will remove approximately 0.3 to 1.2 millimeters of enamel from the tooth’s surface. He’ll then create an impression of the tooth. Dental lab technicians will then make a veneer for the tooth based on the impression, and your dentist will apply the veneer using an adhesive and a light beam to quicken the hardening process.

There are several advantages of dental veneers:

• Dental veneers look just like your natural teeth. Because the veneer is made from an impression, the shape matches your original tooth. Lab technicians also make sure that the shade of the veneer is as close as possible to the rest of your teeth.
• Veneers are usually less expensive than other alternatives, such as crowns.
• Dental veneers will typically last for many years.
• Veneers are easy to maintain. You simply use the same oral hygiene techniques that you would for your normal teeth – namely, brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting your dentist on a regular basis for professional cleanings and checkups.

Ask your dentist for more information about dental veneers. He or she can help you decide whether or not you’re a good candidate for this innovative solution to many dental problems.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/america-asks-12/cosmetic-dentistry

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Good News Regarding Dental Implants

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gumsTechnological advances in dentistry are adding up to better oral health for countless people throughout the U.S. and around the world. One of the most popular dental procedures for replacing missing or damaged teeth is the dental implant. Considering the advantages, it’s easy to see why more and more people are choosing dental implants:

• Implants look natural and feel like your regular teeth.
• Implants are durable, often lasting for the entire lifetime of the patient.
• Implants don’t compromise the integrity of other teeth in the same way as a dental bridge, for example, which is anchored to the patient’s other teeth.
• Implants make it easier to speak clearly and chew food. Poor-fitting dentures – and even dentures that fill well – can slip, making it difficult to speak clearly. Dentures can also make chewing food difficult.

Although dental implants are a great choice for several reasons, there were many people who were unable to get dental implants because of poor bone health. Patients suffering from osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes or people who smoke weren’t good candidates for dental implants because their bones weren’t capable of integrating the prostheses that formed the new root of the tooth. Now, thanks to the development of a new biodegradable material used for implants, even people with compromised bone health may be good candidates for dental implants. This same revolutionary material may also increase the success rate of dental implants and decrease the amount of time it takes for a dental implant patient to return to his or her normal life. That’s what we call good news!

Sources: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130429094941.htm

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-implants

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Differences between HMO and PPO Dental Insurance

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gumsThere’s no doubt about it – it’s extremely important to purchase dental insurance for you and your family. Just as you need medical insurance to help cover the costs of routine checkups and catastrophic illness, you need dental insurance to help pay for your exams, cleanings and any other dental procedures that you and your family may need now or in the future. Remember that healthy teeth and gums are related to good overall health, so it’s vital to maintain good oral health for you and your family. When shopping for the right dental plan, make sure know the differences between the two major types of dental insurance: HMO and PPO.
PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations)
Generally speaking, a PPO plan gives the insured person more flexibility with regard to choosing a dentist. Usually, the insurance company provides a list of “preferred providers.” The insured person has the choice of either using a dentist on the preferred provider list or using one that is not included on the list. PPOs are typically a bit more expensive than HMO plans because they offer this flexibility.

HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations)
If you belong to an HMO, you must choose a dentist that has been preapproved by your insurance company and appears on the company’s preferred provider list. In most HMO plans, services provided by a dentist who is not a preferred provider will not be covered by the insurance company. HMO plans are typically somewhat less expensive than PPOs because they’re more restrictive with regard to your choice of dentists.
Source: http://www.ihealthcoalition.org/dental-insurance/ppo-dental-plans/
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What Causes Bleeding Gums?

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gums
If you suffer from swollen, tender or bleeding gums, the cause could be as simple as poor oral hygiene.

However, it’s important not to ignore this problem.

While the cause may be quite simple, it could also be an indication of other more serious problems.

Here are a few possible reasons for bleeding gums:

• Lack of oral hygiene – If you don’t brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis, you may start to collect bacteria inside your mouth. Left untreated, the bacteria can lead to infection, and an infection in your mouth can lead to other more serious infections elsewhere in your body.

• Poor diet – If you overindulge in foods that are starchy or filled with sugar, you’ll be more likely to develop problems with your teeth and gums. If your diet is lacking in vitamins, that can also negatively impact your oral health.

• Diabetes – If you suffer from diabetes, you are more prone to developing problems with your teeth and gums. The cause is usually chronic high blood pressure and lack of proper oral hygiene.

• Pregnancy – When a woman is pregnant, it’s common for her body to look for additional sources of calcium, which are often found in the teeth. For that reason, it’s typical for pregnant women to experience more problems with their teeth and gums.

• Medicines – Some medication, particularly blood thinners, can result in bleeding gums.

If you’re experiencing bleeding gums, it’s important to tell your dentist about the problem. He or she can examine your mouth and have a discussion with you in an effort to determine the root cause of the problem.

Source: http://blog.periosciences.com/what-causes-bleeding-gums/

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