Dental Care Checklist for Adults

þ     Don’t let dental visits slide! Adult life can sometimes be a juggling act and it may feel like you just can't find the time for a dental visit. But making time for regular dental visits now can help keep you out of the dental office in the future.

 

þ     Brush and floss daily, even if it’s late. You've heard this a million times by now, but the importance of regular brushing and flossing can never be emphasized enough. Even if you've been good about your oral hygiene all your life, resist the temptation to let it slide for even one day; the longer plaque stays on your teeth, the more destructive it becomes.

 

þ     Eat well-balanced meals. When you're juggling work, home and kids, it can be tempting to turn to fast food, soda and sugary snacks as a way to save time and feel more energetic. But sugar is a tooth decay demon and can cause you to crash after that initial "sugar high." Be sure to integrate plenty of fresh vegetables into your daily meals and eat fruit, nuts and celery or carrot sticks as snacks.

 

þ     Exercise regularly -- it's good for your teeth! Studies show that people who maintain a healthy lifestyle -- exercise and eating right -- are 40 percent less likely to develop advanced gum disease.

 

þ     Consider treating yourself to cosmetic dentistry. Whether you want a quick boost or a complete smile makeover, there are plenty of cosmetic dental treatments available to help you achieve your dream smile. One-hour laser teeth whitening treatments can make your teeth 8-10 shades whiter, and porcelain veneers can mask stained teeth, chipped teeth or crooked teeth.

Making Dental Visits Easy for Kids

With your help, dental visits can be a positive – even fun – experience for your kids. Our staff will spend a lot of time with your kids to help them feel comfortable and understand what they can expect. You can help us make their next visit a successful one by working with us to accomplish this goal!

 

Here’s what we suggest:

 

·        Use only positive words when answering your kids’ questions. Soft, easy, fun and play are good words to use.

 

·        Avoid using words like pain, hurt, needle and shot. These words make kids (and many adults) scared and anxious.

 

·        After treatment is completed, you can help continue the positive experience by praising your child and referring to the fun time they just had.

 

·        DON’T ask negative questions like: Did it hurt? Were you scared? Did you get a shot? These comments could make your child think that there was a reason to be afraid even though they were cooperative and had a good time. It might also make them afraid of future visits.

 

If your child receives any kind of anesthesia, assure them that their “tickly” or “sleepy” tongue will go away in no time. Most kids don’t mind the numbness, and some even think it’s fun – that’s a good thing.

A Fun Eggsperiment from Crest Kids... just in time for Easter!

Preparation

This experiment takes five to six days. If you are doing this experiment at home, we recommend you start on a Thursday or Friday afternoon, so that you can perform all the steps right after school or supper.

This experiment uses eggs to represent teeth and vinegar to represent the acids that are made by plaque bacteria, which cause tooth decay and cavities. Both eggshells and teeth can be weakened by acid, which is why good dental hygiene is so important.

What you will need:

• 4.6 oz tube of Crest Cavity Protection toothpaste (active ingredient: sodium fluoride)
• glass measuring cup
• fresh eggs without cracks (use several in case one gets broken by accident)
• ordinary vinegar
• teaspoon
• plastic wrap
• marker
• clear nail polish
• paper towels

Conducting the Eggsperiment

Follow these easy steps:

1. Allow eggs to warm to room temperature. With clean hands, wash the egg with water and dry with the paper towel.


2. Empty the entire tube contents of Crest Cavity Protection toothpaste into the measuring cup and pat down with a teaspoon to level toothpaste and remove any air bubbles.


3. Mark one side of the egg with a marker and cover this mark with clear nail polish to protect it from the vinegar.


4. After the nail polish has dried, place the egg into the measuring cup, marked side down so the Crest toothpaste covers half the egg. Make sure the egg does not touch the bottom of the cup.


5. Cover the cup tightly with plastic wrap and leave it in a safe place at room temperature for at least four full days (96 hours).


6. After the treatment, with clean hands, rinse the Crest toothpaste off the egg with warm tap water and let the egg dry overnight.


7. Pour enough vinegar into the clean measuring cup to cover the egg, and then carefully place the egg into the vinegar with the spoon. Rest the spoon on top of the egg to keep it submerged under the vinegar, and cover the cup with plastic wrap. You’ll notice bubbles starting to form on the side of the egg that was not treated with Crest.


8. Leave the egg in the vinegar until the untreated side (the unmarked side) of the egg softens. This will take 7 to 13 hours.


9. After 7 hours in the vinegar, remove the egg and check if the side not treated with Crest has softened by tapping it very lightly with your finger or a pen. If soft, go on to step 11.


10. If the untreated side is still hard, put the egg back into the vinegar. Check the egg every hour or two afterwards until the untreated shell has softened.
    
    Note: If you are not going to be home after the egg has soaked for 7 hours, take the egg out of the vinegar and wash it in warm water. Write down how many hours it was in the vinegar. As soon as you return, put the egg back into the vinegar and continue checking it every hour or so for softness. But be sure not to leave the egg out of the vinegar for more than 12 hours.


11. When the untreated side is soft, remove the egg and gently wash it with warm tap water. The egg is very fragile now so be careful.

The Conclusion

By gently tapping both sides of the egg, you can now see two effects:

• Acid has made the side of the shell not treated with Crest soft and weak.
• Crest Cavity Protection (with sodium fluoride) has protected the shell and kept it hard and strong.

This experiment shows the importance of brushing to keep teeth strong and healthy and protected from acid attack.

The Impact of an Impacted Tooth

A tooth is considered impacted when it only partially grows through the gums. This can happen because another tooth blocks it, or it grows in crookedly. The third molar typically erupts from age 17 to 21 and is the last tooth to appear, which is why it’s the most likely tooth to become impacted – there’s usually no room left for it.

 

Although an impacted tooth does not always lead to pain or discomfort, the impaction can cause other problems. A partially erupted tooth can create an opening in the gum where food and other particles can accumulate, leading to gum infection. Impacted teeth can also develop tooth decay, and they can also push on adjacent teeth, causing all your teeth to shift.

 

For these reasons, it’s usually recommended to have wisdom teeth extracted before the age of 21. The younger you are the better (and faster) the surrounding tissue and bone will heal. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the symptoms if you’re over 21, though.

 

No matter what age you are, if an impacted tooth is causing you pain, soreness, sensitivity or inflammation, come in for a visit. Better to get treatment than unnecessarily endure pain and discomfort!

 

Persistent pain or an infection usually means the tooth will need to be removed. Sometimes this can be done right in the office. Otherwise, we can give you a referral to a recommended oral surgeon.

Quoted from Dental Wellness Center March 2014 Newsletter

Home Remedies for Toothaches

Home Remedies for Toothaches

Anyone who’s had the bad luck to be waylaid by a toothache knows that few experiences are more miserable. You want relief and you want it now. While home remedies may temporarily ease discomfort, the only way to get lasting toothache relief is to see a dentist.

 

Until you get professional help you may get some temporary relief using these toothache home remedies:

 

Rinse your mouth with warm water. Some toothaches are caused by trapped food particles. Use dental floss to remove anything wedged between teeth. This ensures a clean mouth and provides toothache relief.

 

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Toothaches can often be eased with pain relievers. Consider applying ice to the affected area as an additional toothache remedy.

 

Apply an over-the-counter antiseptic containing benzocaine. This is a tried and true temporary toothache remedy.

 

Avoid very hot or very cold foods. Toothaches lead to sensitive teeth, so treat them gently.

 

Toothaches won't just go away. Your ultimate toothache remedy will come from a dentist. Toothache remedies depend on the source of the problem; an X-ray will usually be used to check for decay or other dental problems. Then your dentist can perform the appropriate dental treatment, such as a tooth filling, tooth extraction or root canal.

Remember, toothache remedies can't top prevention! The best way to stave off toothaches is to practice good oral hygiene, including regular flossing and brushing. Another great toothache remedy is your dental visit; it helps your dentist prevent and identify problems before they become serious. 

Dental Wellness Center offers our patients an after hours phone number that you can always call when our office is closed if a dental concern arises... you can trust that you will reach a member of our staff on this line and that you will be taken care of.  We do not use an outside "answering service" to take care of our patients because you are our priority!

Cavities FAQs

Cavities FAQs

Most of us have had at least one. Some of us have quite a few. So what makes cavities so persistent, keeping more children out of school than any other disease? Usually, the answer is simple: not enough brushing your teeth, flossing and visiting the dentist. Snacking on sweets and slurping sodas doesn't help either. But rather than feel guilty, get informed.

 

Q: What's the difference between tooth decay and tooth cavity?

A: Good question! Most people think tooth decay and tooth cavity are the same thing. But they're not. Tooth decay refers to a gradual process during which bacteria in the mouth produce acids that destroy the surfaces of teeth. Over time, tooth decay can erode enamel to the point that a hole, or cavity, forms.

 

Q: How do I know if I have cavities?

A: Cavities are one of the first things your dentist looks for during a regular dental exam. X-rays allow your dentist to diagnose whether you have dental cavities and how extensive they are. Sometimes a tooth cavity is visible to the naked eye; if you see black holes in your teeth, those could be signs. Another cavity red flag is a toothache or sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks.

 

Q: How do dentists treat dental cavities?

A: Treatment depends on the size of the cavity and the degree of damage. Although many dental cavities are treated with fillings, onlays may be necessary to treat large cavities affecting the cusps of teeth, while cavities affecting the areas in between the cusps may be treated with inlays. In some cases, dental crowns are used to protect a tooth from further tooth cavity damage. Dental sealants are often applied to children's teeth as a preventative measure against cavities.

 

Still have questions about cavities or other dental problems? Your dentist will be happy to answer them during your next checkup.

Be Careful With Toothpicks

Be Careful With Toothpicks

Most dentists agree that toothpicks should be used sparingly as a method of teeth cleaning and should never be considered a substitute for brushing teeth and flossing. Fact is they should be used only when a toothbrush or floss is not available, for example, when you are in a restaurant and have food trapped between teeth.

 

Toothpicks that are used overzealously can damage tooth enamel, lacerate gums, and even cause a broken tooth in severe cases. People who have bonding or veneers can chip or break them if they aren't careful. Overly aggressive use of toothpicks can severely wear the roots of teeth, especially in cases where gums have pulled away from the teeth and leave teeth with root surfaces exposed, notably in the elderly.

 

Toothpicks date back to 3,500 BC when the earliest known oral hygiene kit featuring a toothbrush was found at the Ningal Temple in Ur. In China, a curved pendant, made of cast bronze was worn around the neck and used as a toothpick. In 536 BC, the Chinese mandated a law that required the use of the toothpick because their armies suffered from bad breath. In the Old Testament, it is written that "one may take a splinter from the wood lying near him to clean his teeth."

 

Today, most toothpicks in the United States come from "toothpick trees" in Maine. The tree is a white birch which has its trunk cut into thin sheets that are cut again to the thickness and length of toothpicks.

 

Dentists can tell when they have a habitual toothpick user in their dental chair. There are the tell-tale signs of toothpick marks. So use them if you have too, but don't make it a habit. Brush and floss instead.

Regular Checkups Can Save You Thousands

It might sound crazy, but spending $100 on your teeth can actually save you thousands. How? First let's look at what $100 covers. The average cost of a dental exam and cleaning is $50 - $135. If you have dental insurance, your out-of-pocket expense may range from nominal to nothing for basic dental care services including X-rays.

Now let's go over how this can actually save you thousands.

If you have dental problems like tooth decay, gum disease or even oral cancer, regular dental visits give your dentist a chance to catch it early on. That's key. Because the earlier your dentist diagnoses a problem the easier it is to treat. For example, if you have gum disease and let it go unchecked (and untreated) for too long, you may need extensive -- and expensive -- gum disease treatment. Regular dental checkups allow you and your dentist to stay ahead of problems, which can translate into thousands saved.

A professional dental cleaning is also a must because it's the only way to effectively remove tartar (hardened plaque). Even if you brush and floss regularly, that’s not enough. Besides looking unsightly (tartar is a "stain magnet" and often has a brown or yellowish tint), tartar also contains cavity-causing bacteria. Preventing the need for a mouthful of fillings every year easily adds up to thousands saved in the long run.

Perhaps one of the most important reasons to invest in regular dental exams and cleanings is that it has a positive impact on your overall health. Recent studies have shown that there’s a link between periodontal disease and heart disease; when the former is present, the latter is twice as likely.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, gum disease can have a domino effect on your health. The bacteria caused by periodontal disease can enter your bloodstream and attach to your heart's blood vessels, causing dangerous blood clots. Another scenario is that the plaque buildup caused by periodontal disease can cause the heart's blood vessels to swell.

In this way, regular checkups and cleanings are not only money-saving but life-saving. And that’s priceless.

We Thank Our Lucky Stars For Our Educators!!!

WE LOVE OUR TEACHERS! In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week... all Venus Whitening packages will be discounted with $100 off for any teachers when purchased this week. (For Venus Whitening purchases 3/7/12-3/14/12... gift certificate expires 12 months from date of purchase.)  Call Dental Wellness Center at 912-445-5337 for more information today!

Soda Drinkers More Prone to Cavities

Dentists can usually spot a soda drinker. These patients are often prone to dental cavities and white spots on their teeth known as decalcifications, which are actually the start of new cavities.
A cavity is an infection caused by a combination of carbohydrate-containing foods or beverages and bacteria that live in our mouths. Sweetened soda contains a high amount of sugar, a carbohydrate that can promote cavities. Soda may be even more damaging to the teeth than other sugar containing beverages because it is acidic as well.

Before we drink a sugar-sweetened soda, the pH in our mouth is about 7.0, which is slightly more acidic than water. When the bacteria in our mouths are exposed to sugar, they metabolize it and produce acid. The acid causes the pH on the tooth surface to drop. At a pH of 5.2 or below, the acid begins to dissolve the hard enamel that forms the outer coating of our teeth. Over time this leads to erosion that causes cavities and painful toothaches!

A study examined the effect of several types of sweetened soda and mineral water on the teeth. Teeth exposed to cola, orange and lime soda had significantly more decalcification than those exposed to mineral water. Of all of the sodas tested, cola caused the most decalcification. Sweetened soda seems to damage teeth in two ways. The soda has a low PH and makes the mouth acidic, and the sugar content promotes tooth decay when it comes into contact with bacteria in the mouth.

The easiest way to prevent cavities is by brushing your teeth at least three times a day, especially after eating or drinking and before bed. Reducing the amount and frequency of eating sugary foods and beverages can decrease the risk of forming cavities.

If you have to have sweetened soda, it is better to drink it at one sitting than sip it throughout the day. Better yet, drink it through a straw in one sitting, to bypass the teeth altogether.

How Medications Affect Your Dental Health

If you're taking medications for certain health conditions, it may not have crossed your mind that they can also impact your oral health. After all, medications are supposed to bring equilibrium back to your system, not stir things up, right? Truth is a variety of prescribed medications can affect your teeth.
Antihistamines may cause dry mouth syndrome, which can lead to sore gums, making the mouth more prone to infection. Contraceptives and blood pressure medications may cause mouth sores, gum inflammation and discoloration. Blood thinners can interfere with your ability to form blood clots or cause heavy bleeding after a tooth extraction. Anti-seizure medications can cause an overgrowth of gum tissue (gingival hyperplasia) and make it difficult to practice good oral hygiene.

When you're taking medications and start taking other medications — whether prescribed, over-the-counter or illegal - it can change the effects of both the original and the new medications. Simply put, when certain drugs interact, they may increase or decrease the effects or produce another, unintended effect. This is why it's so important to keep your dentist informed about all the medications you take; any teeth medications you are prescribed will take this into consideration.

Aesthetic Dentistry Helps Self-Esteem of Children

Children with damaged, discolored or missing teeth sometimes have problems with self-esteem that can be improved through aesthetic dentistry.

When a child has lost one or more front teeth, the dentist can replace these teeth with an aesthetic maintainer. The artificial teeth can be placed onto a removable or cemented dental appliance. Also, dentists can apply aesthetic veneers, or plastic facings, on discolored primary front teeth.

For mildly or moderately decayed front and back teeth, dentists now are able to place tooth-colored dental fillings. These materials have been dramatically improved and eventually, dentists no longer will need to place silver fillings. These tooth-colored fillings are bonded to the tooth surface and they not only are beautiful but strong as well.

For severely decayed front and back teeth, silver-colored dental crowns no longer are the norm. Dentists now have tooth-colored plastic and porcelain materials that can be used to cover the entire surface of the tooth to restore both function and aesthetics. Some of these crowns have metal linings but still have tooth-colored facings that allow for beautiful aesthetic restorations.

Many children benefit dramatically from aesthetic dental care on their primary teeth. Be sure to consult with your dentist if you have questions about whether aesthetic dentistry is right for your child.

About Oral Cancer

What is oral cancer?

Oral cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the oral cavity. This may include the lips, tongue, mouth and throat. There are two types of oral cancer: the type that develops in the mouth, called oral cavity cancer; and the type that develops in the back of the mouth at the top of the throat in an area referred to as the oropharynx, called oropharyngeal cancer.

How common is oral cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, oral cancer affects more than 35,000 people in the U.S. each year.

What are the risk factors for oral cancer?

Tobacco use, such as cigarettes, cigars or chewing tobacco, and heavy drinking are the most significant risk factors for developing oral cancer. Prior occurrence, family history of oral cancer and being over the age of 40 also increase your risk for developing oral cancer. Infection with the human papillomavirus, the virus responsible for cervical cancer in women known as HPV, may also increase a person’s risk for oral cancer. Twenty five percent of oral cancer patients have no risk factors for oral cancer.

What is the survival rate of oral cancer?

Although other cancers present more frequently than oral cancer, the survival rate for this disease is discouraging; it causes 7,500 deaths each year and only slightly more than half of oral cancer patients survive five years.

What are the treatment options for oral cancer?

Early detection can significantly change what treatment options a doctor may decide to pursue. Treatment for early-stage oral cancer usually involves a surgical resection of the diseased tissue. If the cancerous tissue is large, surgery to remove the diseased tissue may involve removing a large portion of the tongue, lower jaw or throat. When the disease metastasizes, or spreads, to other areas of the body, your doctor may require chemotherapy or radiation in addition to surgical removal of the diseased tissue.

What can people do to reduce their risk of developing oral cancer?

The single most important way to reduce the risk of developing oral cancer is to reduce the risk factors, stop using tobacco and evaluate drinking habits. If a person uses tobacco or is a heavy drinker and is over the age of 40 their dentist should evaluate the oral cavity annually with a visual examination, including the use of an adjunctive screening device to increase the visibility of potentially cancerous tissue. If a person has one of the additional risk factors for oral cancer, they should speak with their dentist about concerns for developing oral cancer.

Article selected by William H. Trout, Jr. DMD and provided courtesy of Vizilite and Zila, Inc.

Our team just returned from a Periodontal Disease Seminar in Atlanta

About Periodontal Disease

“A person is not healthy without good oral hygiene.”
– C. Everett Koop, M.D., Former U.S. Surgeon General

Periodontal disease is an infection of the supporting tissues of the teeth. Periodontitis, commonly referred to as gum disease or perio, always begins as inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), and then proceeds to the destructive stage of periodontitis.

• Gingivitis: Symptoms may present as swollen, sore gums, which may be red or puffy and may bleed while brushing. This stage is reversible.
  
• Periodontitis: Gums begin to detach from the teeth causing pockets, or spaces, around the teeth, as the plaque advances along the root. The body’s immune system initiates a chemical reaction that causes the destruction of the periodontal attachment to the teeth, and eventually destroys the bone supporting the teeth.

Good oral health is crucial for good overall health.

Welcome to Dental Wellness Center of Jesup and Richmond Hill!

Patients Who Have Dental Insurance - We welcome dental insurance. We will be happy to answer all of your questions and call your insurance provider to verify benefits.

Dental Wellness Center of Jesup is a Preferred Provider for the following Dental Insurance Plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield, CBCA, Gulfstream (CBCA), Tricare Dental, and United Concordia.

Dental Wellness Center of Richmond Hill is a Preferred Provider for the following Dental Insurance Plans: Aetna, Ameritas, Blue Cross Blue Shield, CBCA, Cigna, Delta, Dentemax, GEHA, Guardian, Gulfstream (CBCA), Humana, Metlife, Principal, Tricare Dental, United Concordia, and United Healthcare.

As a courtesy to you, we are happy to bill your insurance company for you.