Posted by Meghan Weaver on Mon, Aug 16, 2010 @ 01:02 PM
There are many dentists in the Boston area so finding the right one for you may be a tough decision. Furthermore, once you’ve found your dentist, you still have that first visit ahead of you (which can be a nerve wracking experience, especially if you haven’t been in awhile).
So, if your palms get sweaty at the thought of the dentist, or even if you’re just a little bit apprehensive to go, this blog is for you.
We’ve put together a list of 5 concrete actions to take so you can make the most of your dental visit.
#1) Make sure that you’re well rested by getting a good night sleep (7-8 hours) the night before your appointment
#2) On the day of your appointment, avoid excess consumption of sugar and caffeine (especially if you know that these substances make you extra jittery).
#3) Stay relaxed. Wearing comfortable clothing can help a lot with this.
#4) Bring a list of all medications and vitamin supplements you’re currently taking to the dentist with you. That way, he or she will know not to prescribe anything that’ll give you a bad reaction when taken with your current medicines.
#5) Make sure to tell the dentist about any abnormal symptoms such as pain or sensitivity of the teeth or gums, as they may be warning signs of an impending dental disease.
Now that you’re ready for your dental appointment, here’s a quick overview of the types of dental visits and what to expect.
Comprehensive exam- This includes a thorough examination of the teeth, mouth, head and neck. It’s usually part of a fist time visit to a new dentist.
Standard Checkup and Cleaning (i.e. dental prophylaxis) – These procedures should be done once or twice a year by your dentist and include both your oral exam and cleaning.
For those without dental insurance, an affordable dental plan such as Universal Dental Plan will give you up to 50% dental discounts on your comprehensive exam, standard checkup and cleaning and much more.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Tue, Aug 03, 2010 @ 11:46 AM
Everyone gets stressed, it’s an inevitable part of American life. Also, most of us know it can have a negative impact on our mental, physical and social well-being. But did you know that stress can negatively impact on our oral health as well?
Stress, whether at work or at home, can cause a variety of oral health complications including:
- Bruxism (i.e. teeth grinding)
- Canker sores
- Dry mouth
- Burning mouth syndrome
- Lichen planus (characterized by white lines, sores and ulcers in the oral cavity)
- TMJ/TMD
- Gum disease—Studies have shown that long-term stress affects our immune systems. This increases our susceptibility to various infections, such as the ones responsible for periodontal disease.
Do you suffer from any of these problems? Or have you just been stressed lately and perhaps worried these problems could crop up soon?
If so, it’s vital that you talk to your dentist and work together to develop healthy habits.
Here are 3 steps you can take to decrease stress and improve your oral health:
- When you’re feeling stressed, don’t forget your oral health. Instead, take time to focus on your dental hygiene regimen.
- Don’t use tobacco or alcohol as stress relief vehicles. In addition to being highly addictive, these substances can cause significant damage to your oral cavity.
- Take proper measures to reduce stress in your life such as eating well, getting a full night’s sleep and exercising regularly
Last but not least, if you’re worried that stress is affecting your teeth and gums, call your dentist for an appointment. He or she can treat stress-related dental problems and offer suggestions for better at-home care.
Need help finding a dentist? Universal Dental Plan can help you locate one close by from our growing network of Massachusetts dentists and specialists. Call us today at 617-859-1777 and join our affordable dental plan for deep 20-50% savings on all procedures.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Fri, May 28, 2010 @ 12:47 PM
Eight thousand Americans die each year from one very dangerous disease. This disease is so dangerous not because of how suddenly it claims lives, or how difficult it is to detect or destroy, but because so many individuals don't get diagnosed until it's too late. This disease is oral cancer and 2010 will mark the fourth consecutive year our nation has seen an increase in its occurrence.
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 36,000 individuals each year are diagnosed with this disease. Its two most common causes are
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Exposure to human papilloma virus version 16 (HPV 16 virus)
When found early, oral cancers have an 80-90% survival rate. However, most oral cancers aren't diagnosed until the late stages where the survival rate dips to 55% after 5 years and many survivors end up dying from treatment-related causes.
That's the bad news about this terrible disease. But, we do have some good news for you and it's centered around education and awareness. You can increase your oral cancer survival rate dramatically with one simple action: getting regular dental checkups. Here's why.
Your dentist can see the signs:
In most cases, your dentist can see or feel the tissue changes that lead to oral cancer. During your oral examination, they'll be on the lookout for underlying signs and symptoms such as a mouth sore that hasn't healed properly, tissues that have changed color as well as a lump or rough spot anywhere in the mouth. If you dentist detects something out of the ordinary, he or she will commonly take a take cell sample from the affected area and send it to a lab for analysis.
Your dentist is your #1 weapon for early detection:
Oral cancer often begins as a small white or red spot in the mouth. It generally doesn't cause any discomfort or pain at first so most patients probably won't know it's there. But, the dentist can spot it without any problem and treat it right away before it has the chance to spread.
To sum it all up, the best way to treat and prevent oral cancer is going to the dentist. Keep this in mind especially if you're over 40, as most oral cancer patients are. So, if you haven't been to the dentist in awhile, schedule a checkup.