Posted by Meghan Weaver on Tue, Jun 15, 2010 @ 03:51 PM
Mistake #1: Not asking the right questions:
Many people go into their initial consultation with an orthodontist and let them do all the work. After all, orthodontists go through extremely rigid training (4 years of dental school plus at least 2 years of full-time study in an ADA accredited orthodontic residency program) and only 6 percent of dentists are trained as orthodontists.
However, creating a properly aligned and well-functioning smile is a huge task, one that should definitely be performed by an experienced and trusted orthodontist. Your consultation is a vital time for building that trust and the best way to do this is to ask the right questions.
Here are a few good ones to start you off:
- How long have you been a practicing Orthodontist?
- Are you a member of the American Academy of Orthodontics?
- Can you give me a rough idea of how many patients you've treated?
- How do you handle orthodontic emergencies that occur outside of business hours?
- What types of financing are available? Do you have a payment plan option available?
- Do you offer a variety of braces? If so, which ones?
Mistake #2 Not doing any research on braces beforehand:
Braces are a huge commitment, which is why you need to know what to expect before you move forward with orthodontic treatment. Specifically, you should know what exactly will go in your mouth and what choices you have for braces today.
Braces traditionally have three main components:
- Brackets that are attached to each tooth
- Bonding material that holds each bracket to each tooth
- Arch wire (a thin wire running from bracket to bracket that holds the entire system together)
Also, there are generally 3 types of braces available today: metal, ceramic and invisible braces. Metal braces are the most common ones. They're made of stainless steel which is very sturdy, excellent for straightening teeth and realigning your bite. Ceramic braces are almost transparent in color so they're much less obvious looking than metal ones. However, the most discreet looking form of braces are the invisible ones, the clear plastic removable slides that are very popular with celebrities.
Mistake # 3 Not having your teeth cleaned beforehand:
Orthodontic patients should get a professional dental cleaning from several weeks before they have their braces applied. Also, they should brush and floss thoroughly on the day of the procedure before they get the work done.
Mistake #4 Thinking their lives will change the moment they get braces:
People often think they'll experience some major changes when they get braces. For instance, they'll worry about being in pain all the time and not being able to eat any of their favorite foods.
Here's the truth of the matter:
- Orthodontic patients will experience sore teeth for several days after braces are applied. They also might experience an unusual sensation of constant pressure on the teeth, but that'll only last a few weeks. After roughly 2-3 weeks, they'll hardly even notice they're wearing braces at all.
- People with braces do need to modify their food choices, but only slightly. They should avoid sticky and chewy foods which can clog the wires in your braces, potentially pulling the brackets out of place.
Mistake #5 Not taking action when they find a good doctor
Your teeth are something you live with day and day out so it goes without saying that you'll do your homework and shop around. After all, why trust your smile with anything but the best.
Shopping around is great, in fact it's a must, but you shouldn't lose sight of what you're shopping for: a great orthodontist. So, once you've done your research, had your one-on-one consultation, and after all is said and done, you feel very comfortable with the doctor, why wait to get the process started?
Need to find an orthodontist but not sure where to start? Ask several friends who you know have had braces (or whose children have had braces) what orthodontist they worked with and whether or not they'd recommend him or her. Or, if you're in Massachusetts (and you're also looking for a discount dental plan that makes orthodontia affordable), sign up for Universal Dental Plan, save 20-50% on your braces immediately with our deep dental discounts and browse our network of Massachusetts dentists and specialists to find the best orthodontist for you.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Thu, Jun 10, 2010 @ 09:38 AM
Let's face it, accidents happen and leave many different parts of your body susceptible to injury, including your teeth and mouth. If you experience a dental emergency, the actions you take immediately after can mean the difference between keeping a tooth and losing one.
When you suffer a dental emergency, first and foremost don't panic. The American Dental Association has put together some great tips on what to do when you experience several of the most common dental emergencies.
Think of them as six separate step-by-step guides to preserving your teeth in the event of the inevitable. So without further ado, here they are:
- What to do for a bitten lip or tongue: Gently clean the affected area with a cloth and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If the bleeding persists, go to the ER immediately.
- What to do for a broken tooth: Call your dentist immediately. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area around your tooth. Also, use a cold compress to keep swelling down.
- What to do if you think you've broken your jaw: Call your dentist right away and apply a cold compress to keep swelling down.
- What to do if your tooth is knocked out: If the tooth is dirty, hold it by its crown (i.e. the cap of the tooth) and rinse the root in water. Don't scrub or remove any tissue fragments. Once the tooth has been cleaned off, gently insert and hold it in its socket if possible. If not, place the tooth in a cup of milk. Go to your dentist right away.
- What to do for objects caught between your teeth: First and foremost, don't panic and avoid exercising extreme measures. Avoid cutting your gums and never use a sharp instrument to dislodge the object. Try gently removing it with a piece of dental floss. If that doesn't work, call your dentist immediately.
- What to do if you have a toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water and use dental floss to remove any food and/or debris from the area surrounding the aching tooth. Never put aspirin on your gums surrounding the aching tooth (it may burn your gum tissue). If your toothache persists, call your dentist.
Once again, if you have a dental emergency make sure you call your dentist right away and provide as much detail about the emergency as possible. Most dentists reserve time each day for emergency patients so getting help shouldn't be a problem.
Concerned about the high cost of dentistry? If so, you can consider a few options. Talk to your dentist about a payment schedule for any of your major (and more costly procedures) or consider joining a discount dental plan for immediate 20-50% dental discounts on all procedures.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Mon, Jun 07, 2010 @ 10:06 AM
Do your palms get sweaty and does your pulse quicken at the mere mention of a dentist? Or, perhaps you find yourself putting off your dental exam again and again because of fear. If either of these sounds like you don't worry, you're not alone. Statistics show that 15% of Americans suffer from dental anxiety (or dental phobia).
Dental anxiety has many culprits including:
- Previous painful or negative experiences at the dentist
- Feelings of helplessness or loss of control in a dental office
- Embarrassment about neglecting your teeth and mouth (and how bad your dental problems may have gotten)
- Fear that the dentist will ridicule you for neglecting your teeth
Dental anxiety leads to delayed dentistry, and that's when it becomes a problem. Many individuals who continually put off preventative dental procedures such as cleanings and oral exams develop dental diseases (i.e. tooth decay and gum disease) the heighten their risk for conditions such as heart attack, diabetes, stroke and respiratory infection just to name a few.
Also, when you let tooth decay and gum disease go untreated for too long, you wind up needing procedures such as root canals and periodontal treatments. These procedures can cost dramatically more than your twice annual cleaning and exam: especially without dental discounts from affordable dental plans.
Whatever your cause of anxiety, we've got your remedy.
Here are five ways to overcome dental anxiety.
#1 Voice your concerns-Make a consultation appointment with your dentist and come clean about your fears. Most dentists are used to working with concerned patients and will do whatever they can to make you feel more comfortable. So, make sure you find a dentist that can trust and who you know has your best interest at heart. This is a crucial first step in curbing dental anxiety.
#2 Talk about a plan of action-Once you've voiced your concerns to your dentist, it's time to put your heads together and take action. Your next step will be to brainstorm a concrete plan of action geared towards your specific fears and concerns. For instance, if your number one fear is pain, ask your dentist to describe in advance, what procedures you will need and the specific ways in which your discomfort will be controlled. You may even want to agree in advance to a signal you can use (i.e. raising your hand) so the dentists can stop the procedure immediately if it hurts too much.
#3 Know the facts-Many individuals equate procedures like root canals with some form of medieval torture, but the truth of the matter is, they really aren't all that bad. Thanks to technological advances, dental instruments and procedures have become far less invasive (and a lot less scary) than they were decades ago. So, feel free to read up on the dental procedure that you'll be receiving beforehand. Or, your dentist can show you all the instruments he or she will be using for the procedure so you'll see that it's not so scary after all.
#4 Ask about sedation dentistry---If absolutely necessary, your dentist may be able to give you a mild sedative when you arrive for your appointment so that by the time you reach the chair you're relaxed and calm. Ask your dentist what his or her policy is on nitrous oxide (i.e. laughing gas) or other sedatives. Last but most certainly not least, if you use a sedative, make sure you have a ride to and from the dental visit.
#5 Train your body to relax-Another way to make your dental appointment more comfortable is to practice relaxation techniques beforehand. Pick a time when you don't feel rushed or pressured, sit or lie down in a comfortable position and completely relax yourself. Then, visualize yourself going through the process of your appointment (driving to the dentist office, walking into the office and checking in, taking a seat in the waiting room, etc.). As soon as you notice tension in your body, stop the visualization, get completely relaxed again and pick back up where you left off. After several sessions of this, you will have trained your body to avoid tension throughout all stages of your dental visit.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Thu, Jun 03, 2010 @ 10:24 AM
What are the key ingredients of a healthy smile? When asked this question, we all rattle off the same, pretty standard things:
- Proper brushing: 2 times a day and/or after meals for 2-3 minutes as a time (hum a song in your head while you brush, it's a very helpful time indicator)
- Proper flossing: Floss every day (nighttime is best) for a full mouth cleaning
- Regular dental checkups: Twice a year per ADA recommendation
However, there is one major component to a healthy smile a lot of us forget, proper nutrition. Just like diets rich in certain vitamins and minerals help keep our bodies healthy and strong, they can really make a huge difference in keeping our teeth and gums healthy too.
When it comes to dental health, here are the three major power-players of the vitamins and minerals arena. Keep these in your diet for a bright, healthy smile.
Calcium and vitamin D: Calcium helps you maintain the structure of your teeth to prevent decay and tooth loss₁. Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium so sufficient levels of both are essential to oral health. Good sources of calcium and vitamin D include milk and cheese.
Vitamins A, C and B Complex: Vitamin A can help you protect and preserve your tooth enamel as well as prevent gum disease, overgrown gums and many other dental health problems. Vitamin C, which you can find in many fruits and vegetables, helps protect your gums from infection₁. A Vitamin C deficiency can contribute to a wide host of oral health issues including mouth sores and bleeding gums. Last but not least, B complex can help reduce your chance or cracked and bleeding lips as well as open sores and lesions in your mouth.
Fluoride: Fluoride works in tandem with calcium and phosphorous to strengthen your enamel and prevent tooth decay. The Academy of General Dentistry suggests using a fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse to make your teeth stronger and more resistant to decay.
Sources:
1. Dr. Roger Smith, DDS, chair of Delta's Dental Policy Committee, 2006
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Tue, Jun 01, 2010 @ 10:09 AM
If you have sensitive teeth then you're definitely not alone. It's a very common dental problem (in fact, one of the most common complaints dental offices get) which is why we've dedicated this blog entry to it.
What causes tooth sensitivity?
The short answer is gum recession. When your gums recede, the roots of your teeth along with the tubules leading to nerves become exposed to the elements. As a result, teeth develop profound sensitivity to stimuli such as heat and cold.
Several factors contribute to gum recession. Here are just a few:
- Brushing technique: If you use a hard bristled toothbrush (or if you just brush your teeth very hard) it can wear down your tooth enamel exposing the layers of dentin beneath it. Hard brushing can also damage your gum tissue and expose tooth roots.
- Cracked teeth: Cracks in your teeth fill with bacteria, irritate dental pulp and cause sensitivity
- Teeth grinding: Over time , teeth grinding will erode tooth enamel and cause hairline fractures
- Gum Disease: This is the leading cause of gum recession and tooth sensitivity. Gum disease eats away at gum tissue over time, leaving the roots of your teeth exposed.
So, now that you know a few of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity, here are five tips to toughen up your teeth and keep sensitivity away.
- Change your oral hygiene products: Start using a toothpaste designed specifically for desensitizing and a brush with soft bristles (especially if you know you're a hard brusher).
- Use a fluoride rinse. These can help re-mineralize softened areas of tooth enamel and curb sensitivity
- Floss daily to clean your mouth 100 percent every day
- Get regular dental cleanings, twice annually per ADA recommendations. This is crucial in the fight against gum disease.
- If your teeth are sensitive and you're a teeth grinder, visit your dentist and he or she can recommend a night guard