Enter to win our Christmas Goodies Gift Basket! It is easy!!

Enter to win our Christmas Gift Basket! This fun basket is filled with some fun Christmas goodies, including everyone's favorite "Christmas Classic Favorites" DVD! Simply "LIKE" us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or share a comment about our office and your name will be entered in the drawing! Winner will be announced on December 23rd!  

Maximize Your Dental Insurance Benefits, before You LOSE Them!

It is that time of year again when everyone's calendar is filling up and the end of the year is sneaking up on us!   We want to remind you to take advantage of those 2013 Dental Insurance Benefits and Flex dollars.  While some insurance plan run on a fiscal year, most run on a calendar year... if your plan is a calendar year, here are some important reasons to call and schedule an appointment today.
Yearly Maximum- This is the amount your insurance company will pay for your dental work within one full year.  This amount varies by insurance companies averaging between $1,000- $2,000 per year, per person in your family.  This maximum usually renews every year, but if you have unused benefits they do not roll over to be used the next benefit period...use it or lose it!  You pay the premium for the benefit and therefor should be using it.  Most dental insurance companies pay 100% of the cost for your preventative dental checkups that also include all diagnostic x-rays, examination and routine cleaning.  Insurance companies have figured out that it saves them money for their insured to visit their dentist biannually because they catch problems when they are small rather than waiting for problems such as toothaches, broken teeth, oral cancers and gum disease.  

Call us today at 801-785-8836 to find out how to maximize your dental benefits by year end.

The Importance of having Dental X-Rays taken

We use state of the art digital X-rays and digital camera to help with an accurate diagnosis of any concerns. Digital X-rays use less radiation to get a diagnostic picture of your teeth and they help the environment by eliminating the use of chemicals to process the film.  Dental X-rays are pictures of the teeth, bones, and soft tissues around them to help find problems with the teeth, mouth, and jaw. X-ray pictures can show cavities, hidden dental structures (such as wisdom teeth), and bone loss that cannot be seen during a visual examination. Dental X-rays may also be done as follow-up after dental treatments.  

The following types of dental X-rays are commonly used. The X-rays use small amounts of radiation.

• Bitewing X-rays show the upper and lower back teeth and how the teeth touch each other in a single view. These X-rays are used to check for decay between the teeth and to show how well the upper and lower teeth line up. They also show bone loss when severe gum disease or a dental infection is present.
• Periapical X-rays show the entire tooth, from the exposed crown to the end of the root and the bones that support the tooth. These X-rays are used to find dental problems below the gum line or in the jaw, such as impacted teeth, abscesses, cysts, tumors, and bone changes linked to some diseases.
• Occlusal X-rays show the roof or floor of the mouth and are used to find extra teeth, teeth that have not yet broken through the gums, jaw fractures, a cleft in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate), cysts, abscesses, or growths. Occlusal X-rays may also be used to find a foreign object.
• Panoramic X-rays show a broad view of the jaws, teeth, sinuses, nasal area, and temporomandibular (TMJ-jaw) joints. These X-rays do not find cavities. These X-rays do show problems such as impacted teeth, bone abnormalities, cysts, solid growths (tumors), infections, and fractures.
• Digital X-ray is a new method being used in some dental offices. A small sensor unit sends pictures to a computer to be recorded and saved.  

A full-mouth series of periapical X-rays (about 14 to 21 X-ray films) is most often done during a person's first visit to the dentist. Bitewing X-rays are used during checkups to look for tooth decay. Panoramic X-rays may be used occasionally. Dental X-rays are scheduled when you need them based on your age, risk for disease, and signs of disease.

Dental X-rays are done to:

• Find problems in the mouth such as tooth decay, damage to the bones supporting the teeth, and dental injuries (such as broken tooth roots). Dental X-rays are often done to find these problems early, before any symptoms are present.
• Find teeth that are not in the right place or do not break through the gum properly. Teeth that are too crowded to break through the gums are called impacted.
• Find cysts, solid growths (tumors), or abscesses.
• Check for the location of permanent teeth growing in the jaw in children who still have their primary (or baby) teeth.
• Plan treatment for large or extensive cavities, root canal surgery, placement of dental implants, and difficult tooth removals.
• Plan treatment of teeth that are not lined up straight (orthodontic treatment).

Without X-rays, dentists may miss the early stages of decay between teeth.

*Source: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-x-rays-when-get-them  

What Is Gingivitis? What Causes Gingivitis?

*What Is Gingivitis? What Causes Gingivitis? 
 Before and After: (Top picture) Severe gingivitis before treatment.  (Bottom picture) After mechanical debridement of teeth and surrounding gum tissues

 Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums (gingiva). It commonly occurs because of films of bacteria that accumulate on the teeth - plaque; this type is called plaque-induced gingivitis. Gingivitis is a non-destructive type of periodontal disease. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which is more serious and can eventually lead to loss of teeth.  A patient with gingivitis will have red and puffy gums, and they will most likely bleed when they brush their teeth. Generally, gingivitis resolves with good oral hygiene - longer and more frequent brushing, as well as flossing. Some people find that using an antiseptic mouthwash, alongside proper tooth brushing and flossing also helps.

In mild cases of gingivitis, patients may not even know they have it, because symptoms are mild. However, the condition should be taken seriously and addressed immediately.

What are the signs and symptoms of gingivitis?

A symptom is something the patient feels and describes, such as painful gums, while a sign is something everybody, including the doctor or nurse can see, such as swelling.

In mild cases of gingivitis there may be no discomfort or noticeable symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of gingivitis may include:

• Gums are bright red or purple
• Gums are tender, and sometimes painful to the touch
• Gums bleed easily when brushing teeth or flossing
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Inflammation (swollen gums)
• Receding gums
• Soft gums

What are the causes of gingivitis?

The accumulation of plaque and tartar

The most common cause of gingivitis is the accumulation of bacterial plaque between and around the teeth, which triggers an immune response, which in turn can eventually lead to the destruction of gingival tissue, and eventually further complications, including the loss of teeth.

Dental plaque is a biofilm that accumulates naturally on the teeth. It is usually formed by colonizing bacteria that are trying to stick to the smooth surface of a tooth. Some experts say that they might help protect the mouth from the colonization of harmful microorganisms. However, dental plaque can also cause tooth decay, and periodontal problems such as gingivitis and chronic periodontitis.

When plaque is not removed adequately, it causes an accumulation of calculus (tartar - it has a yellow color) at the base of the teeth, near the gums. Calculus is harder to remove, and can only be removed professionally.

Plaque and tartar eventually irritate the gums.

Gingivitis may also have other causes, including:

• Changes in hormones - which may occur during puberty, menopause, the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. The gingiva may become more sensitive, raising the risk of inflammation.
• Some diseases - such as cancer, diabetes, and HIV are linked to a higher risk of developing gingivitis.
• Drugs - oral health may be affected by some medications, especially if saliva flow is reduced. Dilantin (anticonvulsant), and some anti-angina medications may also cause abnormal growth of gum tissue.
• Smoking - regular smokers more commonly develop gingivitis compared to non-smokers.
• Family history - experts say that people whose parent(s) has/had gingivitis, have a higher risk of developing it themselves.

Diagnosing gingivitis

A dentist or oral hygienist checks for gingivitis symptoms, such as plaque and tartar in the oral cavity.

Checking for signs of periodontitis may also be recommended; this may be done by X-ray or periodontal probing.

What are the treatment options for gingivitis?

If the patient is diagnosed early on, and treatment is prompt and proper, gingivitis can be successfully reversed.

Treatment involves care by a dental professional, and follow-up procedures carried out by the patient at home.

Gingivitis care with a dental professional:

• Plaque and tartar are removed. This is known as scaling. Some patients may find scaling uncomfortable, especially if tartar build-up is extensive, or the gums are very sensitive.
• The dental professional explains to the patient the importance of oral hygiene, and how to effectively brush his/her teeth, as well as flossing
• Periodically following-up on the patient, with further cleaning if necessary
• Fixing teeth so that oral hygiene can be done effectively. Some dental problems, such as crooked teeth, badly fitted crowns or bridges, may make it harder to properly remove plaque and tartar (they may also irritate the gums).

What the patient can do at home:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day
• Bear in mind that in most cases, electric toothbrushes do a better job than we can do on our own
• Floss your teeth at least once a day
• Regularly rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash. Ask your dentist to recommend one.

What are the possible complications from gingivitis?

In the vast majority of cases, if gingivitis is treated and the patient follows the dental health professional's instructions, there are no complications. However, if the condition is left untreated, gum disease can spread and affect tissue, teeth and bones, leading to periodontitis.

Possible complications from gingivitis may include:

• Abscess in the gingiva
• Abscess in the jaw bones
• Infection in the jaw bone or gingiva
• Periodontitis - this is a more serious condition that can lead to loss of teeth
• Recurrent gingivitis
• Trench mouth - ulceration of the gums caused by bacterial infection

Several studies have linked gum diseases, such as periodontitis, to cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack or stroke. Other reports have found an association with lung disease risk.

*Source: Nordqvist      , C. (2012, February 15). "What Is Gingivitis? What Causes Gingivitis?." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241721.php.

What are Dental Sealants?

Although brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, they can't always get into the groves of the chewing surface of the back molars.  Sealants can help protect these vulnerable areas from tooth decay.  

Children and teenagers are obvious candidates for sealants, but adults can also benefit from sealant placement.  Children should ideally have sealants placed on their permanent and pre-molars as soon as these teeth come in.  This way, the sealants can help protect the teeth immediately, before they have a chance to decay, in the most cavities prone years of ages 6-14.  

Applying sealants is a simple and painless process and does not involve drilling or removing tooth structure. First, the teeth that are to be sealed are cleaned thoroughly.  Each tooth is then dried and a cotton or other absorbent material is placed around tooth, to keep the tooth surface dry.  An mild acid solution is then placed on the chewing surface of the tooth to roughen up the surface slightly, to help the sealant material bond to the tooth.  After a few seconds, the tooth is then rinsed and dried completely.  The sealant material is then painted on the tooth enamel and a special curing light is then used to help the sealant harden and complete the sealant bond directly to the tooth.

Sealants can protect teeth for years, but they do need to be checked for chipping or wearing at your regular dental checkups.  Our office will maintain your sealants for no-charge at your regular check-up appointments.  Sealants are one part of a total preventative dental care.  A complete preventative program also includes fluoride, twice-daily tooth brushing, flossing, wise food choices and regular dental check-up and cleanings.  

Sealants are a very affordable and a great way to help protect your teeth for your lifetime.  Decay damages teeth permanently.  Sealants can help protect them. Sealants can save time, money, and the discomfort sometimes associated with dental fillings.  Many insurance companies will cover the cost of sealants for children and teenagers.     

Sinsational Smile Whitening! 20 minutes and as low as 100.00!

We are excited to share that we are now offering a new in-office teeth whitening product called Sinsational Smile™.  It's a quick, comfortable and affordable way to whiten your teeth. It only takes 20 minutes, yet can take years off your appearance. We can help you achieve a whiter smile and a more confident you! Now you can have the bright smile you have always wanted!    Schedule your cleaning the same day for even better results and take advantage of 20.00 off of the already low price of 120.00!

It's not too late to enter to win our next gift basket drawing, filled with some yummy Easter goodies and a Teeth Whitening kit.  "LIKE" us on Facebook and/or write a Google Review about our office. Drawing to be held on March 27th. Goodluck!