THREE: The Dental Connection!

Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is an early stage of gum disease.  If you have gingivitis, it's very important to have professional dental treatment, since home care isn't enough to get rid of the plaque that leads to tartar and eventually to gum disease.  Check out the "BIG THREE" to see if you have these signs of gingivitis, and get help as soon as you can to prevent the progression to periodontitis. Your vigilance could save your teeth!

1. RISK FACTORS

• Common factors include:
• Tobacco use
• Females going through puberty, pregnancy, or menopause
• Diabetes
• A compromised immune system
• A family history of gum disease

2. GUM INFLAMMATION

• Symptoms include: 
• Pain in the gum tissue
• Redness in the gum tissue
• Swelling in the gum tissue

3. LOOSE TEETH

• Symptoms include:
• Development of unusual tooth spacing
• Partials no longer fit

If you have any questions about any of the common "THREE" things associated with gingivitis or periodontal disease, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,

DRT

Must Haves: The Dental Connections!

At our office, we customize treatment for every patient.  Amid all of the fillings, crowns and cleanings, we find that there are three dental treatments that are most valuable when offering our patients options: dental implants, bite guards, and teeth whitening.

Dental implants are a great tool for those who have lost teeth from trauma, genetics, decay, or fracture.  They are a great investment when maintaining bone structure, chewing function and smile presentation.

In our faced-paced lives, people can take their stress and tension out on their teeth.  Clenching and grinding, called bruxism, are on the rise.  This can cause chipping to crowns, fillings and natural teeth.  Headaches, earaches and tender teeth can also be symptoms of untreated bruxism.  Although most people are unaware that they may be clenching while they are asleep, bite guards can be used to prevent the potential damage that can occur.

Finally, tooth whitening is safe and effective.  From professional in-office applications, take home custom trays, to over-the-counter strips, each is effective, though at different levels.  An easy dental consultation can determine which option is best for you!

Although each of these beneficial dental treatments can have risks, we can discuss the ways to consider your needs, and yet customize your wants to fit into the equation.  A little stability from implants, protection from a bite guard, and a brilliant smile may be just what you need to achieve your dental goals. If you have any questions, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

An Insurance Overview: The Dental Connection!

Unless you work for an insurance company, you probably do not spend a lot of your time studying all of the terminology that dental insurance companies use to describe the treatments and services that they cover.  If it seems pretty confusing, here are some of the most commonly used dental insurance terms and what they mean.

A Basic Glossary

• Annual Maximum.  The maximum yearly amount your policy will pay for your care.
• Co-payment.  The amount the patient pays at the time of service before insurance pays.
• Covered Services.  A list of all covered treatments, services and procedures.
• Deductible.  The yearly out of pocket dollar amount you must pay.
• Diagnostic/Preventive Services.  Covered treatments before the deductible.
• In-Network.  Services covered at a larger portion by contracted providers.
• Lifetime Maximum.  The maximum covered amount that will be paid out.
• Limitations/Exclusions.  Procedures not covered by your policy.
• Member/Insured/Covered Person/Beneficiary/Enrollee.  Eligible person for benefits.
• Provider.  Health care person that provides treatment.
• Waiting Period.  Specified time the patient must wait before coverage begins.

There are many different insurance options available, so you need to find out exactly what your insurance covers.  It's important to review your plan with a qualified insurance specialist.  Don't be afraid to ask questions about the policy so that you can understand it fully and be confident that you know everything that your policy covers the next time that you come in for treatment.  If you have additional questions or are in need of an appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Labor Day 2015!

Labor Day is once again upon us, the unofficial end to summer. Before long, the temperatures here in "Green Country" will start to cool down, and, for many, this is your last chance to barbecue, head to one of our area lakes, or if your are into fashion etiquette, wear your favorite pair of white pants!

Each year, Labor day is celebrated on the first Monday of September.  It is the one day of the year that Americans celebrate their achievements in work, which the US Department of Labor says has contributed to the prosperity and well-being of America as a whole. Americans have been celebrating Labor Day since the 1880s, and today it is an official federal holiday.

Did you know...

• Every year, 30 million Americans travel over Labor Day
• Canada was the first country to celebrate Labor Day
• President Cleveland made Labor Day an official US holiday in 1894
• Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and NCAA sports seasons for fans
• Labor Day marks the end of the hot dog season, which Americans consume seven billion

Thanks for being a valued part of our dental family and whatever your plans may be this upcoming weekend, have a fun and safe Labor Day!

God Bless,

DRT

Smoking: The Dental Connection!

Although smoking increases the risk of lung cancer and emphysema, it also impacts your smile! Chronic smokers suffer from increased dental problems that make their smiles unsightly.  Understanding how smoking affects your oral health may be the momentum you need to kick the habit for good.

Cigarettes contain more than 600 ingredients that, when lit, create in excess of 4,000 chemicals. Of these chemicals, many are know carcinogens while others have been shown to have serious negative effects on health. The nicotine and tar in tobacco products are absorbed by the enamel of your teeth.  The result is yellowed teeth that look unsightly; with heavy smoking, your teeth may eventually turn nearly brown in color.

The chemicals in cigarettes and cigars also cause your teeth to become less clean.  Smoking is associated with a build-up of tartar and plaque on the surface of your teeth.  Over time, this increases your risk of developing cavities and other oral health problems.  Furthermore, pursing your lips while smoking leads to wrinkles around your mouth, which detracts from your smile.

In addition to having unsightly teeth, smoking can cause serious health conditions. Because of the carcinogens in cigarettes, smoking is associated with an increased risk of oral cancer, which can be deadly.  Smokers are also more likely to develop gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss.  You may experience an increased loss of bone within your jaw, which will cause significant problems later in life.

By decreasing the amount of nicotine and other chemicals that you consume, you can decrease your risk of oral cancer and gum disease.  If you have any other questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,
DRT

Headaches: The Dental Connection!

Many people suffer from headaches for years without really ever getting to the root cause of their problem.  If you find yourself feeling like you're part of one of the "headache" commercials commonly seen on TV these days, it might be worth a trip to see a medical professional. However, it might not be the person that first comes to your mind!

Chronic headaches can frequently be associated with dental issues.  In fact, the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain estimates that 80% of headaches are caused by muscle tension, which often originates in the jaws.

COMMON DENTAL TENSION HEADACHE SYMPTOMS 

• Feeling as though your head or scalp is painful to the slightest touch
• Experiencing a dull throbbing pain behind your eyes
• Clicking or popping sounds in your jaw joints
• Grinding or clenching the jaws, particularly in times of anxiety or at night
• Feeling as though your jaw muscles are sore upon waking from sleep

Several dozen muscles control your facial expressions, jaw movements, and motions such as swallowing.  When these muscles are contracted for long periods of time, tension builds up within the muscles and can lead to headaches.  This may happen if you clench or grind your teeth at night, your bite is maligned, or you have muscle imbalances in your jaw or neck.

COMMON TREATMENTS

• Bite.  In many cases, correcting your bite through orthodontics releases the stress on your jaw muscles, and reduces the frequency of headaches.
• Nightguard.  A nightguard, which resembles a sports mouthguard, may also be helpful if you frequently grind or clench your jaws during sleep.  Nightguards distribute the tension from your clenched jaws and reduce the possibility of dental damage.
• Physical Therapy.  Correcting the posture of your shoulders, neck, and head may alleviate muscle tension associated with headaches.

If you have any questions or are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123!

God Bless,

DRT

Procrastination: The Dental Connection!

Procrastination, prəˌkrastəˈnāSH(ə)n/,
the action of delaying or postponing 
something.  When you have dental issues or just need routine care, you may try to put off an appointment. Common reasons for procrastination are not having the time or fear of pain. However, avoiding necessary dental treatment usually allows relatively small problems to develop into much larger ones that can lead to more dental work and overall expense.

Take a look at what can develop from waiting on dental treatment.  

• Surface restorations deepen into larger weaker fillings
• Larger weaker fillings can develop fracture lines requiring crowns
• Crowns restoring deeper fracture lines can develop into root canals
• Lack of routine cleanings can develop into gum disease
• Gum disease can develop into tooth loss

Unfortunately, avoiding dental appointments due to a lack of time may mean that you will have to give up substantially more time later on.  As the saying goes, "if you neglect your teeth, your teeth will neglect you."

If you are in need of a dental appointment, call our office at 918-455-0123.

God Bless,

DRT