Question: Why does my jaw keep cracking?

Reply: You may have TMJ issue or perhaps you are clenching/grinding your teeth at night when you are asleep. You may want to speak to the dentist you are seeing and explain all of what is going on. They should be able to advise you and to help treat your dental care issues

You should brush your teeth after every meal when ever possible. There are many brands of toothpaste with whiting that you can use that may help whiten your teeth. You should also avoid staining your teeth (ie with coffee soda and smoking to name a few) You should brush your teeth for two to three minutes.

Sensitive teeth can be treated. Your dentist may suggest that you try a desensitizing toothpaste, which contains compounds that help block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve. Desensitizing toothpaste usually requires several applications before the sensitivity is reduced. When choosing toothpaste or any other dental care products, look for those that display the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance–your assurance that products have met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness.

If the desensitizing toothpaste does not ease your discomfort, your dentist may suggest in-office techniques. A fluoride gel, which strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensations, may be applied to the sensitive areas of the teeth.

If receding gums cause the sensitivity, your dentist may use agents that bond to the tooth root to “seal” the sensitive teeth. The sealer usually is composed of a plastic material.

In cases where hypersensitivity is severe and persistent and cannot be treated by other means, your dentist may recommend endodontic (root canal) treatment to eliminate the problem.

If your dentist has ruled out cavities and fractured teeth which can cause sensitive teeth. Then additional reasons for sensitive teeth can be, worn tooth enamel, a cracked tooth or an exposed tooth root may be the cause.

A layer of enamel, the strongest substance in the body, protects the crowns of healthy teeth. A layer called cementum protects the tooth root under the gum line. Underneath the enamel and the cementum is dentin, a part of the tooth that is less dense than enamel or cementum.

The dentin contains microscopic tubules (small hollow tubes or canals). When the dentin loses its protective covering, the tubules allow heat and cold or acidic or sticky foods to stimulate the nerves and cells inside the tooth. This causes hypersensitivity and occasional discomfort. Fortunately, the irritation does not cause permanent damage to the pulp. Dentin may be exposed when gums recede. The result can be hypersensitivity near the gum line.

Proper oral hygiene is the key to preventing gums from receding and causing sensitive-tooth pain. If you brush your teeth incorrectly or even over-brush, gum problems can result. Ask your dentist if you have any questions about your daily oral hygiene routine.

Question: I have Braces can I use whiting toothpaste? If so which is the best to use?

Reply: Ask almost any dentist or orthodontist and they will tell you there is no such thing as a “best” whitening toothpaste for kids or adults with braces. Actually, whitening toothpastes are products you should altogether avoid until you are free of all your brackets and wires. You will have plenty of time to work on the color of your teeth after you have perfected your smile. For now, just focus on the straightening of your incisors, canines and bicuspids.
Effects

Question: I am looking for dental insurance for dentures and when reviewing the benefits I do not see dentures do they go by a different name

Reply: Generally in the plans benefit section it will list dentures. The denture benefits are generally found under the Prosthetic services. I have taken the time to list some ADA codes for dentures hope it helps you.

5110/5120 Complete upper or lower denture
5130/5140 Immediate upper or lower denture
5211/5212 Upper or lower partial denture, resin base
5213/5214 Upper or lower partial denture, cast metal
framework with resin denture bases
5410/5411 Adjust denture
5421/5422 Adjust partial denture
5820/5821 Interim partial denture, upper or lower

Question: What good to eat after Wisdom Teeth Extractions?

Reply: Your dentist will generally provide you with after care instructions along with telling you to eat soft food. You more then likely be sore so eating soft foods will generally be want you want to eat for a day or two.

Question: How much does a Panorex X-ray cost with regard to Orthodontic Services?

Reply: The cost is going to depend on the type of Dental Insurance Plan you have. Also for some insurance plans they do not cover the cost of X-rays for Orthodontic treatment so you need to review your plan benefits.

If you do not have Insurance then the cost of any X-rays would depend on what the dentist is charging. Dentist to dentist cost varies and would be hard to say what one charges and why. That would be something you would need to shop out when calling the local dental offices.

You may want to look into a discount plan which is able to help off set the cost of your orthodontic treatment most discount plans will save you about 20% for that type of service. You do need to go to a dentist in their network. There is no out side network so if you are trying to stay with a current dentist make sure they are in the plan before buying one.

Question: I need to have a tooth extraction, but I am worried about having it done. What can I do?

Reply: I advise that you to speak to the dentist that is going to be doing the dental extraction. Ask him/her any questions you may have before and after. By asking questions it helps you to better understand what is expected from you. The dentist will normally provide you some type of after care instructions that he or she feel is right for you and your dental care needs.

Question: I chew about 3-4 times a week and brush my teeth and gums twice a day. I feel that is fine as my teeth are not all stained up.

Reply: It is good that right now your teeth are not stained. Over time you may see that change. Yet putting teeth staining aside there are other more major oral health issues that chewing can cause, such as:

• Bad Breath
• Teeth Discoloration
• Decreased Sense of Smell and Taste
• Higher Risk of Developing Dental Cavities
• Higher Risk of Developing Periodontal Disease
• Higher Risk of Oral Cancer

Something to keep in mind if you are going to smoke or chew tobacco

Question: What brand of whitening strips for teeth would you guys recommend?

Reply: Many over the counter whitening strip are basically the same and it is about name brand and what you may feel is best. I would suggest that you talk to your dentist and see what he or she may advise.

Keep in mind that if your are going to use over the counter teeth whiting products make sure you use as directed. There is some research that suggest that whitening strips may have side effect such as gum irritation and tooth sensitivity, especially for first time users; with that in mind one may want to start off with shorter time used or a less concentration of whitener. If you are still experiencing the side effect you may wish to stop the use of the strips.

Question: I just want to get dental insurance for a short period of time. Just to fix a few dental issues then cancel the plan as I do not want to keep spending money on a plan when I not using it.

Reply: Many dental insurance plans such as PPO’s are not designed for short term. Therefore it would be important that you read the terms and conditions of the plan you are looking at.

Some Dental Insurance plans have long term waiting periods for the dental care services you are wanting to have cover. There by being little to no help to you unless you keep the plan long term until the plan waiting periods are over.

You may want to look into buying a dental discount plan. Though those plans are not insurance plans they typical do not have waiting periods and they help to reduce your dental care cost. however, often times due to their low cost you play to have them for a year.

HMO insurance plans are also good low cost affordable dental insurance option. If they have a monthly rate typically you can cancel the plan but they may have a cancellation charge if you do so before a year end.

In short make sure you read each plan to make sure that the benefits are available for what you need and want are their cancellation requirement

Supplemental dental insurance is an individual or family insurance policy purchased to cover a portion of the dental costs. Supplemental dental insurance will normally not cover the entire dental care procedure.

If you have a primary dental insurance plan that you purchased or your employer provided, the supplemental dental policy typically covers the remaining dental bill. For example, if the dental plan policy covers half of the dental cost, the secondary or supplement dental insurance plan should cover the remaining balance of your dental procedure.

A supplement dental insurance plan may also be purchased to cover the dental charges when there are annual dental benefit plan limits or exclusions.

There are many good low cost/affordable dental insurance plans for an individual they can start as low as $7.95 a month. However, finding a good affordable dental insurance plan goes beyond just the cost of the plan.

The next step is reviewing the plan benefits and the cost for the dental care services. Often times if all your are having is your twice a year check ups and cleaning you can buy the lowest monthly cost plan as in may cases preventive care services are free to little cost. However, if you are having larger dental care services it worth it to compare benefits and make sure you get the best cost for the dental care services. Therefore spending a more in the cost of the plan for lower cost for dental care may save you more money in the end.

Question: There is a good chance that I will need a dental root canal done. I am worried about cost as I do not currently have dental insurance

Reply: Cost can vary due to multiple factors, including the complexity of your cost. Cost can be around $300.00 to $1000.00 for the root canal itself and then you may have additional cost if a dental crown is needed.

I would suggest looking into buying a dental HMO insurance plan that will help you save money on the cost of your dental care, typically without waiting periods, which is important since you have need for larger dental care services.

How the American Dental Association describes how to floss correctly:

* Start with about 18 inches of floss. Wrap most of it around the middle finger of one hand, the rest around the other middle finger.

* Grasp the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers, and use a gentle shoeshine motion to guide it between teeth.

* When the floss reaches the gum line, form a C shape to follow the contours of the tooth.

* Hold the floss firmly against the tooth, and move the floss gently up and down.

* Repeat with the other tooth, and then repeat the entire process with the rest of your teeth, “unspooling” fresh sections of floss as you go along.

Often times there are people that will think that food does not get caught between their teeth so flossing is really not needed.  However they would be wrong, because flossing is not so much about removing food bits between teeth as it is about removing dental plaque that forms on tooth surfaces between cleanings. Dental plaque is what causes tooth decay, inflamed gums, periodontal disease, and eventually tooth loss. Flossing is an effective way to remove plaque between teeth.

People who have arthritis can often time have limited hand motion and may find it harder to hold and use a toothbrush. Here are some tips that may help.

* Use an electric or battery-operated toothbrush. An Electric toothbrush will make brushing easier and now they are being made lighter so they are also easier to hold on too.

* Slide a bicycle grip or foam tube over the handle of the toothbrush, do this will make the tooth brush easier to hold

* Buy a toothbrush with a larger handle.

* Attach the toothbrush handle to your hand with a wide elastic band.

Even though many people brush their teeth daily they may not be brushing correctly, thereby not get the full benefit from brushing. Here are the steps to correctly brush your teeth.

* Gently brush your teeth on all sides with a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste.
* Use small circular motions and short back-and-forth strokes.
* Take the time to brush carefully and gently along the gum line.
* Lightly brush your tongue to help keep your mouth clean.

For the most part it does not take a lot in order to prevent gum disease. Here are a few things you can do that will help prevent gum disease as well as maintain good oral health care.

* Make sure to brush your teeth twice a day every day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Floss at least once a day.
* Visit your dentist regularly (normally at least twice a year) for a checkup and cleaning.
* Eat a well-balanced diet.
* If you smoke, quit smoking. Smoking increases your risk for gum disease.