Are Digital Dental X-rays Safer?

 More and more dental centers are moving to the digital x-ray system in their office. In fact, more times than not a dental center that we visit has moved to this technology. There are major advantages to the dental office making the switch, but what about the patient?

Are digital x-rays safer? Is there less exposure to radiation?

The answers to these questions are YES and YES. Unlike older film-based x-rays, digital x-rays have a better range of coverage. This means that it takes fewer x-rays to get what the dental center needs. Also, the x-ray is completed faster. Unlike the film x-rays, the amount of time needed to obtain the picture is reduced.

"Re-shots" can be corrected faster as well. With the film x-ray, if the x-ray tech was a little off or if something with wrong in development, then they had to come back a re-take the x-ray. Knowing that they needed to do that could take 15-20 minutes. With the digital x-rays, the actual x-ray appears instantly and the tech is able to see if everything came out okay and adjust if it didn't.

Lastly, with the advancement in digital x-ray technology, you are exposed to 90% less radiation than with a film x-ray. Which makes them safer for you.

Original post from November 24, 2017

Random, Fun Dental Facts, Redux

 These dental trivia facts never get old.  

Enjoy this repost from 2022.  

• In the year 1900, the tooth fairy would leave approximately 12 cents. In the year 1998, one dollar. Imagine, at the current rate of inflation....this year, the year 2022...NICE! $$$$$
• You cannot conceal your smoking habit with mouthwash or brushing before a visit! That's right, your dentist knows :)...Apparently, the smoke residue seeps into the tissue surrounding your gums....
• You would need to have more than 300 amalgam fillings to even come close to the amount of mercury that is considered dangerous.
• 100 years ago, 50% of adults in North America were toothless!
• The first electric toothbrush was introduced in 1939.
• The antibacterial properties in Black and Green Tea CAN help prevent cavities.
• Chewing gum that contains Xylitol can help prevent cavities by reducing the bad bacteria in your mouth.
• Mouthwashes containing alcohol are only temporarily effective, and the alcohol dries out your mouth.
• Snails have teeth! Thousands of them...and yet, turtles are toothless!
• You will get more radiation from an hour in the sun than from a dental x-ray.

One more....this one is great!

• A survey once done by Time Magazine concluded that 59% of Americans would prefer to sit in a dentist's chair than to sit next to someone on a cell phone!

Enjoy, and Keep Smiling!

Flu Season Challenges - Prevention is Key!

 It's that time of year again! Flu season is upon us and this year is proving to be a nasty one. We are constantly washing our hands and doing everything we can to avoid it, but have you considered cleaning and disinfecting your toothbrush as a way to prevent the spread? 

Here are some helpful tips that could help prevent you from catching that nasty flu.

• Replace your toothbrush about every 2-3 months. If you already have a cold replace the brush once you feel better.  
• Sterilize the toothbrush, this should be done about once a week. If someone in the household is sick you may want to do this twice a week. The best way to sterilize the toothbrush is by running it through the dishwasher when you do a load of dishes. If you don't have a dishwasher, place your toothbrush in a microwave-safe dish, fill it up with about 2-3 inches of water, and bring it to a boil for 3-4 minutes.
• Store your toothbrush away from others, use a toothbrush cover if possible, and always store it upright. Also try to use your own toothpaste, because if the bristles touch the toothbrush of others you are spreading germs from one person to another.

Good dental habits are very important to a healthy body.

 Take care during this flu season!

The Future of Stem-Cell Tooth Implants

Could traditional implants and dentures be a thing of the past?

Imagine going to the dentist, having a tooth extracted and finding out that you can simply grow another in it's place; with a little help from science, that is.  It may be the way of the near future....it may even be cheaper than implants (and we all know that the full process for an implant can take up to 6 months, right?)  Apparently this new process of growing a new tooth can be done in only 9 weeks.  Unbelievable!

Here is a link to an article and a very informative video that explains the science behind it, and the process.  Amazing.

The beauty of this process is that it may even be able to restore or save a tooth before it's too late.  

Now if they could only come up with a way to do an extraction that is non-invasive...well, one can dream, right?

Keep Smiling!  

The Reality of Dental Insurance vs Dental Plans

 

Last week, I was checking out health insurance on the marketplace for my spouse and I. As we were choosing our coverage we decided to take a look at the dental insurance being offered. I was astonished at what I saw. Now, I remember the days of updating our comparison zone on our website, and having to gather all of the data from dental insurance companies to make sure it is accurate, however this was different than that. When I was gathering data, was more of a routine thing and I was not really comprehending the full data that I was gathering. However, when I was looking at dental insurance from the perspective of a consumer, it was a whole different view. As a businessman, I am a numbers guy. Numbers is the language that gets my attention. So I decided to run the numbers and what I found, I put in the video above.

As we perused through multiple policies offered, the cost, the waiting periods, covered procedures, and exclusions, the numbers just did not make sense. My spouse asked "why would anyone sign up for this". I responded, "because it's insurance, and people automatically assume it's better. Most people do not read the whole policy. They see the $45 dollars a month, and the 2 free cleaning a year, and run with it." Little do they know that if they need a root canal, it's either not covered, or you have to wait 12 months before it is. Even then, most of them that I saw only cover 30%-40% after the deductible. If you need a filling, you have wait 6 months.

When it comes right down to it, dental insurance companies will always put profits over the patients. They will collect as much as they can, get the patient to pay as much as they can, and cover as little as possible. Even if it means denying coverage on medically necessary dental procedures, which as I did not see one policy that even covered it. Most of the money that you pay for dental insurance, stays with that insurance company. You pay a lot more that what they are paying out. As my dad says "They are in the business of collecting premiums, not paying claims". That statement hold true, and if you look at the policy disclosures, you will see it.

We hear it all the time that "discount plans" are sub-par coverage. However when you break down the numbers, you get more benefit from a dental plan, then you do from dental insurance. We also hear that "discount plans" cost you more at the dental office, because you have to pay out of pocket. It does appear that way, however if you look at what you are paying to the insurance company each month, during the waiting period, the deductible, the maximum out of pocket, the full price on non-covered procedures, and take into consideration that after you exhaust the "$1,000" coverage cap, you have to pay full price; then it evens out. It basically comes down to do you want to pay on the front end for your dental work, or do you want to pay on the back end of it and have most of what you pay go to an insurance company who at any time can deny your claim and make you pay more.

Needless to say, my spouse and I hit decline on the dental insurance as we had intention of signing up for it to begin with, especially because we have our plan. I would however, invite everyone of you to run the numbers and see what you are actually getting for your hard earned dollars when it comes to dental insurance!

Vitamin D - An Essential Vitamin For Oral Health

  Vitamin D controls almost every cell in the human body, and is a very potent stimulator of the immune system as a whole. It is the only vitamin that is also a hormone! Vitamin D is essential to the absorption of Calcium, as well as many other nutrients. When the body cannot absorb these nutrients, it can impact your overall health and, just as importantly, the health of your teeth and gums. Many people are not aware that they have a deficiency...Vitamin D deficiency is easily detected, but rarely tested for on a routine basis.

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency can include bone loss, (which can lead to periodontal disease), also fatigue, depression, stroke, heart disease (which has also been linked to periodontal disease) and even weight loss!

Good sources of Vitamin D are: Fish (Salmon and Tuna) Milk (fortified) Eggs, (yolk contains the vitamin) and Sunlight! 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight per day is recommended.

If you are over the age of 50, discuss the possibility of routine testing for Vitamin D deficiency with your doctor. It is estimated that 10,000,000 Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis.

Keep Smiling!

Want to Avoid Bad Breath? Avoid These Foods!

 We all brush and floss our teeth... Right? well, I guess that goes without saying.  

 Have you ever thought about what hidden culprits cause bad breath and tooth staining?  To prevent halitosis (bad breath) avoiding these foods can help:

1. Dark Liquids - Although the enamel on your teeth is the hardest substance in the human body, it is not flat and smooth. Your tooth enamel contains microscopic pits and ridges that can hold particles of food and drink. Pigments from dark-colored drinks/foods can become embedded in those cracks and ridges and if the proper steps are not taken (brushing regularly) this can cause permanent staining on your teeth.
2. Onions and garlic - These are hard to avoid since they are flavor-enhancing ingredients in almost all foods. When you eat garlic/onions you produce several sulfur-containing gases. Allyl methyl sulfide is a "sticky" molecule, it adheres very easily to the tissues in your mouth and that's why your breath smells funky.
3. High-Protein Foods- Bacteria love glomming on to proteins, so high-protein foods contribute to halitosis. The top contenders are fish, red meat, and beans. Hold the protein and swap out meat courses for vegetarian options a few times a week. It might change your life...uh, in terms of bad breath!
4. Sugary food is another culprit.  Sugar, especially when eaten before bedtime, causes bacteria and can erode your teeth and leave you with a foul taste in the morning.  For those of you who like a bowl of ice cream in the evening, just make sure you brush and rinse afterward!

Keep Smiling!