8 Dental Problems You Can Fix Yourself

Here are a few ways to treat some dental problems from home, until you can visit your dentist.

Sensitive Teeth:
Cause~ Exposed nerve root.
Treatment~ Lay off whiting treatments, brush teeth a little softer than normal.

Lost Tooth:

Cause~ Sports.
treatment~ Rinse it with milk and push it back in right away, then bite down gently on a soft cloth or moistened tea bag to hold it in place. Then visit your dentist.

Burned Palate:

Cause~ Hot food.
Treatment~ Try using Kenalog in Orabase, an over-the-counter corticosteroid paste that creates a protective coating on the burn and speeds healing.

Burned Tongue:

Cause~ Hot drink or food.
Treatment~ Rinse your mouth with a solution of 1 teaspoon of salt and a cup of warm water.

Jaw Soreness:

Cause~ Temporomandibular joint disorder.
Treatment~Try sleeping on your side or back with a supportive pillow, instead of facedown.

Canker Sore:

Cause~ Sugary foods/Citrus.
Treatment~ Apply vegetable oil to a cotton ball and hold it against the sore three or four times a day.

Lost Filling:
Cause~Popcorn, Peanuts, Carmel.
Treatment~You can use sugarless chewing gum (chew it first) or soft wax to caulk the hole and reduce the sensitivity until you can visit your dentist.

Gum Pain:

Cause~Gingivitis (gum disease), tobacco use.
Treatment~ You can ease the pain by swishing peppermint tea around your mouth.


To read more click here!

*This is not intended as medical advice. With any dental problems always see your dentist as soon as possible.

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The Cost of Dentistry In Todays Market

It's no secret that the cost of medical care in this country is unbelievable, if not completely unrealistic, particularly for the uninsured.  Dentistry is no different.  The cost to maintain your healthy smile is high enough, but should you need restorative care you can expect to pay a high price for it in this market.  Even if you're lucky enough to be insured, your cost for just one visit can exceed your insurance benefit, leaving you to pay for the remainder of the procedure out of pocket.  Here are a few ways to avoid "sticker shock" at the dentist's office:

1. See your dentist every 6 months for a checkup.  Many people wait YEARS to see a dentist, opting to go only when they have a problem.  Good preventive care is the key to keeping your dental bills cheap.  Have that small cavity filled! It costs much more for a root canal down the line if you wait.

2. Discuss your treatment options with your dentist.  If you still feel the cost is too high, get a second opinion.  Another dentist may opt for a more conservative treatment, saving you money.

3. Whether you are insured or uninsured, look into the possibility of a good discount dental plan. Insurance benefits will only go so far...often only $1000-$1500 per year.  As I mentioned before, one can exceed that amount in a single visit to the dentist for a restorative procedure. Discount dental plans typically do not have a limit...you will continue to receive that discounted fee no matter how much work you need. 

Here is a link to one of the best dental plans available.  Check it out! 

As always, keep smiling!

Suffer From Dry Mouth??

Well there is hope for you yet!

Several people suffer daily from a condition known as Xeristomia or Dry Mouth. Dry mouth can be brought on by any number of medical maladies and various prescription drugs. Most sufferers have found little to no relief from this condition and find themselves constantly drinking more water in hopes of quenching it.
New studies have shown that gums, candies, rinses and sweetners containing Xylitol offer comfort to those suffering from dry mouth. The xylitol coats the soft tissues of the mouth sealing in moisture and stimulates saliva flow.
There is a plethera of amazing over-the-counter products endorsed by dentists for treating dry mouth. Some products to check out are Biotene, Oasis and Sensodyne for Dry Mouth.
To learn more about this condition and it's treatments, please check out the following link from http://www.drymouth.info/consumer/default.asp.


Original post by Dawn_DA in September 2009

Teeth: Fingerprints in your mouth?

We all know that our fingerprints are a surefire way to identify a person. Did you know that your teeth can be used to identify you as well? Every person has unique crevices and markings on their teeth, when you bite something or someone, they can actually match up your bite the same as they would a finger or footprint. This kind of forensic dentistry is used to identify persons who are victims of crimes or accidents. They also use this kind of forensic dentistry to identify criminals. Ted Bundy was identified by teeth marks he left on one of his victims. It is even possible for them to access your dental records to find out what kind of dentistry you’ve had done to try and change your bite. Aside from the criminal aspect of dental forensics, it has also been used in identifying ancient human or animal remains. It’s just interesting to me all the things we don’t realize that make us individual and unique. Any thoughts?

Re-Post by MoobieDoo on May 27, 08

Savon Dental Plan Gift Cards!

Do you know someone that could use a dental plan? Give the gift that keeps giving. 
 http://www.savondentalplan.com/gift_cert.php

"When do I take my child to the dentist for the first time?"

As a parent I often wondered what age do I start taking my kids to get their teeth cleaned by a dentist? After some research on line I found most articles said about when they are two or three, when all 20 baby teeth have come in. After the first visit, children should see a dentist twice a year for cleanings and checkups. These visits can allow your dentist to detect flaws early, possibly preventing more serious problems in the future. Hope that helps some of you out there who might have wondered the same thing. :)

Repost by: btflbutterfly77 on July 29,2010

Referred to a Dental Specialist? Don't Fret! It's a Good Thing!

 No, really...it is!
As a dental assistant I used to chuckle at patients, quietly of course, who would scoff at the fact that the doctor was referring them out. So I used to explain it like this...
If your medical doctor diagnosed you with a heart condition...you wouldn't think twice about being seen by a cardiologist would you? Of course not! You know your medical doctor was trained to treat you, but your Cardiologist, is a master at it. I don't know about you, but I'd rather let the master do the work.
For many, many years, the dental offices were one-stop shops. Anything you needed done from cleanings, extractions and root canals, to dentures and periodontal treatments you could have done at one office. Most general practices offered just about everything.
With the growth of treatments and technologies in the field radically changing daily, general dentists worldwide are forced to keep on their toes to be able to continue to offer all these services at their A+ rate. The reality of this is, not every general dentist can be 100% proficient, in every aspect of every field of dentistry.
This is where the beauty of specialists come in. They are able to offer the A+ treatments to patients when their general dentist is not comfortable performing a procedure or has diagnosed treatment that doesn't fall into their scope of practice. It's your general dentist's way of saying " I want you to have the best treatment possible for your situation." And why not have a doctor who does this procedure all day, day in and day out do it?
So, if you receive a referral to a dental specialist, make sure you thank your doctor. He's looking out for you, your comfort and your dental health.

Original Post by Dawn_DA in March 2010