dentist

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Whole Food Vitamins

Can a Sedation Dentist Open the Door to Better General Health?

November 9, 2021 Comments Off on Can a Sedation Dentist Open the Door to Better General Health?

Do you have anxiety or fear about dental treatment? You are not alone – studies suggest that about 3 out of 4 Americans experience some degree of dental anxiety. The worst part, however, is that 5-10% of Americans go without needed dental treatment because of it! Hopefully, though, the more prevalent use of sedation dentistry will increasingly help those people get the dental treatment they need.
In the last two decades, a growing body of evidence that links oral health to overall personal health has materialized. For example, the linkage between poor cardiovascular health and periodontal disease has been established in several studies. That the linkage exists is rarely disputed, and some studies suggest that periodontal disease is a causative factor. While the final verdict on that is not yet out, why take chances? Astute dentists who observe periodontal disease are quick to inquire about a family history of heart disease. Similarly, many cardiologists will examine patients’ mouths to look for telltale gum disease as a means of visually assessing risk.
One theory about the periodontal/cardiovascular connection is related to the DNA and RNA of bacteria associated with the arterial plaque that causes many cardiovascular problems. Studies showed that many patients with severe periodontal disease had oral bacteria in their arterial plaque. There are theories that suggest that that the oral bacteria are being released into the bloodstream where they cause inflammation to arteries, and potentially cause a thickening of the arteries. Others believe that the bacteria might set off some reaction that causes plaque to form in the arteries.
More Reasons to Look for a Sedation Dentist
Beyond the cardiovascular health linkage, other interesting medical findings suggest other general health reasons for finding a sedation dentist to help you overcome your dental anxiety or phobia:
– Pregnancy – Observations and studies suggest a strong tie between gum disease and premature delivery/low birth weight.
– Diabetes – That diabetes can adversely affect oral health has been known for many decades, but recent studies suggest that severe gum disease (untreated) can make it difficult to control blood sugar levels.
– Respiratory Health – In hospitals and nursing homes, especially, there is growing evidence that severe gum disease can result in inhalation of bacteria and resultant bacterial pneumonia. Studies are also underway to explore gum disease as causing flares of disease in people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Sedation Dentistry – Safety
In the interest of helping more patients to get treatment for dental issues, more and more state dental regulatory boards are stepping up to the plate to help the general public become more confident in the use and safety of sedation dentistry. Many states, such as North Carolina, have put regulations into effect that call for the dental board to certify that the sedation dentist has participated in approved, recent training on administering sedation as well as sufficient experience. There is more at stake when you neglect getting needed dental care than your dental health. If you have dental anxiety that is keeping you from getting the necessary treatment, look for a qualified sedation dentist who can work with you to overcome those fears.…

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Health Tips

How to Select the Best Dentist for Your Family

November 3, 2021 Comments Off on How to Select the Best Dentist for Your Family

Practice location and hours of operation
With the high price of gas and the value of your time, location becomes a priority. If possible, focus on dentists who are within practical proximity to either your home or where you work. Also, be sure to look into their business hours to determine if they might coincide with your personal schedule.
A smaller, “mom and pop” type of operation will more likely keep “banker’s hours” and be closed for lunch, while the larger practices tend to extend their hours of operation into Saturdays, lunch hours and sometimes even into the early evenings on certain weekdays. Dental care is pricey so if you can schedule your visits during your off hours at least you won’t be drawing a smaller paycheck that week as well.
Schedule an initial consultation
Look at it this way – you’re hiring a dentist to work for you which could result in paying them hundreds if not thousands of dollars for dental care over the next several years. Once you’ve narrowed your choices down to just 2 or 3, go ahead and schedule consultations (or job interviews) with them. This will be time well spent prior to developing such a close, “face-to-face” relationship with one of them.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), we should have regular dental checkups at least twice a year with a strong emphasis on preventative care. You can save a lot of pain, headache and money by simply focusing on good oral care and hygiene and keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Therefore, it’s imperative that your dentist follows the same philosophy.
Your initial visit is also the perfect time to check out the facilities and staff. You can meet the hygienist(s) and dental assistant(s) and see that they meet your expectations. Feel free to ask any questions including how long they’ve been in business, where the dentist(s) may have attended school, if they also offer cosmetic services and if they are members of the ADA – a leading advocate for oral health care in America.
Dental cost and coverage
It may be a good idea to pick up a price list during your visit. (They should be able to easily print one out from their computer.) This may not be too much of a concern if you have good health coverage, but it’s still helpful information to have and may be interesting to compare with the other contenders. And speaking of health coverage, find out what kind of insurance they accept and, if applicable, if yours is on the list. Also, what is their procedure for filing claims? Do they do this on your behalf or would you have to pay up front and file your own insurance claim for reimbursement?
In addition to insurance, ask if they accept any kind of dental discount programs. Half of Americans are without dental insurance, mainly due to the higher cost, but more and more are signing up for discount plans to help cope with the costs of dental care (some even have both since insurance coverage has become so limited over the last 20-30 years).
Two more helpful considerations
A good way to locate a great dentist is by personal referrals. Since most people have a regular dentist, simply ask around. Try your friends, relatives, neighbors, church friends and other places you frequent. If new to town, you can always ask good old Google – you can learn just about anything nowadays via an online search.
Finally, you may wish to ask about the practice’s emergency procedures. Hopefully, you’ll never need them but you never know what could happen after hours such as a broken tooth or severe oral pain over a weekend or in the middle of the night. Do they have dentists on staff that take emergency calls? Do they share on-call rotations with another practice? This is good information to have on hand, just in case.
Visiting the dentist is not the most desirable activity for most folks, but it’s still a very important one. Our oral and overall health depend on it. So choose a dentist who you and your family will feel comfortable with – and keep that beautiful smile healthy.…

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Whole Food Vitamins

Top 5 Reasons Not to Be Afraid of the Dentist

August 31, 2021 Comments Off on Top 5 Reasons Not to Be Afraid of the Dentist

Many people can be wracked with anxiety when realizing that it is time for their next dental appointment. Being afraid of the dentist is actually one of the most common fears for average people. Overcoming this fear can be a rewarding experience because having a healthy smile can translate into many ancillary benefits. There are many reasons to not be afraid of dental work based on today’s advances in dentistry. Whether seeking out a teeth cleaning or a more involved procedure, these 5 reasons should help make your trip to the dentist a more positive experience.
Dentists are Trained Professionals – Always keep in mind that your oral care provider has dedicated a considerable portion of their adult life to becoming a dentist. Their reputation hinges on providing quality care and therefore they will perform at the peak of their ability to tend to a patient’s needs. Also, the dentist is a human too, and if warned, will usually be more than willing to do whatever possible to ease a patient’s mind.
Dentists Use the Latest Technology – Most people’s minds go harking back to the horror movies seen as a child where the dentist has sharp menacing tools to inflict pain. This is usually not the case in today’s world of dentistry and most oral care providers pride themselves on using the latest technology and procedures to not only be less invasive, but also to put their patients at ease as much as possible. There are a myriad of new technologies that accomplish these goals, such as devices that even eliminate the need of the always fear-inducing drill.
Sedation Dentistry – Many dentists are very much aware of the fact that people tend to fear them more than other professionals. With the invention and advancements of sedation dentistry, this fear can be a thing of the past. Current pharmacology allows dentists to relax the patient, reduce the gag reflex, leave little memory of the procedure, and increase comfort. Most people are able to take advantage of this process and it can be exactly what is needed to get over the fear of undergoing dental procedures.
Alleviate Pain – Many oral problems can cause quite a bit of pain. Cavities, impacted wisdom teeth, gingivitis, and other common issues can range from uncomfortable to extremely painful. Seeing a dentist is almost always easier than living with the pain of these preventable issues. Usually, when patients are able to get over the fear of seeing a dentist and have these issues resolved, they regret not having the procedures sooner, because of the sense of relief from removing that pain from their life.
Calming Atmospheres – Most dentists are completely aware of the stigma that follows the profession of being scary or having an uninviting atmosphere to their offices. Most dentists combat that by doing all that they can to provide a calming and inviting place to come and get dental work done. Many dentists offer televisions, calming music, and other amenities to help placate the scared patients.
The key to overcoming the fear of having dental work done is to not only listen to this advice, but also find a dentist that fits your needs. Go to a dentist and start with something simple like a teeth cleaning to try and get a sense if that practice is the right place to get further procedures done.…

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Fitness

Tips on Choosing The Right Family Dentist

August 22, 2021 Comments Off on Tips on Choosing The Right Family Dentist

The dreaded bi-annual trip to the family dentist is something that nearly every person shoves into the back of their mind. A seemingly irrational fear of the dentist is experienced by almost everybody at some point in life. Choosing the right practitioner can make a world of difference and can reduce the mild panic by a significant amount.
When you are trying to find a family dentist, the best place to start is to find out how experienced the dentist in question is. Ask how long the dental practice has been open and inquire about the dentist’s credentials. Any professional worth his or her salt will be happy to provide you with the information you need.
A family dentist that pays specific attention to the procedures you are interested in is always a good choice. You might be interested in finding a dental practice that houses an oral hygienist as well as an orthodontist. You could also be on the lookout for a fantastic cosmetic dentist. Never settle for a dentist who does not cover all the bases unless you are confident in his or her referrals.
Nothing is worse than finding yourself in the middle of a dental emergency without being able to go to the dentist you have come to know and trust. A dentist’s emergency hours and procedures are worth finding out about. You never quite know when a chipped tooth or broken filling will strike and wreak havoc on your mouth. It is a great comfort to know that you have a family dentist you can rely on whenever you need the support.
A good dentist always knows how to make patients feel at ease. Therefore, it may be a good idea to inquire about local anasthesia, nitrous oxide and other bonuses such as background music, hovering television screens or heating pads. The more at home you feel, the less anxious you will be when you make an appointment.
Cost is another important factor that requires a certain amount of consideration. Unfortunately, dental treatments are not cheap and it may be beneficial to find out how steep the costs involved are. Most medical insurance companies cover the practical fees, however, you may find that you encounter a dental practitioner who requires consultation fees up front.
If you do the research, and know what you are looking for, finding the right dental practice is well worth the time spent.…

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Health Gov

Tips For Finding a New Dentist

January 7, 2021 Comments Off on Tips For Finding a New Dentist

Most of us have been to the dentist, but over time it may be necessary to find a new dentist due to insurance changes, or location changes. If you live in the Spokane area, looking for a dentist in Spokane does not have to be a frustrating or hard experience. Here are a few tips that are designed to help you find a dentist in Spokane that can help you with the oral needs that you or your family may been in need of.
The first thing is to look for a dentist in Spokane that takes your dental insurance plan if you have one. By doing this, you will be able to save a lot of money on dental care. If you don’t have a plan, it is very important that you find a dentist that offers payment plans, and even lines of credit so that you can get the dental care that you are in need of with affordable payment options to be able to pay for it. By finding these types of dentists, you will have a much better oral care experience and will be much happier with the work that gets done on your teeth.
The next important thing to look for when choosing a dentist in Spokane is the availability of services that they offer. What we mean by this is to make sure that you pick a dentist that offers a wide variety of services, such as cleaning, root canals, teeth whitening, orthodontics, etc. By doing this, you will save yourself many trips to other types of specialists, and it will be much cheaper for you to get a variety of services done at one location. Finding a comprehensive dentist solution is important for those people that are money smart and that want to save money and time.
The last thing is to make sure you pick a dentist in Spokane that is friendly and that has your best interests at heart. Getting along with your dentist is important as you want to be able to trust the hands that will be doing the work on your teeth. Having this relationship makes it easier for you to pay for the services that you receive as well as making the dentist responsible for the quality of the work given.…