Could the Foods We Eat Be Staining Our Teeth?

Over time, many of the foods we eat can cause our teeth to discolor. Many foods have artificial coloring in them, such as soda or kool-aid, and many are naturally dark in color, such as fruits and fruit juices. For this reason, it is recommended that you limit your intake of these types of foods and drinks.
In addition to limiting your intake of these foods, there are some things you can do to keep your teeth whiter! Bleaching is of course the number one thing to eliminate stains fast, although you can only do this safely a couple times per year. Have your teeth cleaned regularly.  Plaque build-up will attract a stain faster than a smooth, clean tooth. If you have deeply stained teeth, the dentist can professionally remove the stain and bond the teeth to protect against future staining. It is also recommended that you use an electric toothbrush, and use an antibacterial mouthwash to help remove plaque. Do this religiously after eating or drinking and you will greatly reduce the chances of stained teeth! If you are especially susceptible to stains on your teeth, the following is a great list to keep handy:

• Soy Sauce
• Berries
• Curry
• Coffee 
• Red Wine
• Dark Soda
• Dark Fruit Juices
• Tea
• Tobacco Products

As always, Keep Smiling!

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good For Your Teeth?

I was writing an article about the disadvantages of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) for our February newsletter and I learned that although ACV has many health advantages it can lead to many long-term problems if its not used properly. One of the major problems was the effect on your teeth.

ACV is acidic just like soda and juice so when undiluted ACV comes in contact with your teeth it wears down the tooth enamel causing cavities and can even cause burns on the inside of the mouth. Consuming ACV already leaves the mouth in a dangerous position but using ACV as a mouthwash is even worse.

*Fun fact: ACV acidity is just under stomach and battery acid acidity!

If consuming ACV, be responsible by limiting your intake to only 2 TBS per day and remember to always dilute it into a solution of 1 Part ACV to 5-10 Parts water.

Does Alzheimer's Drug Encourage Tooth Regrowth And Cavitie Repair?

Dental fillings may be a thing in the past after researchers from King's College London find a drug called Tideglusib (which is used to treat Alzheimer's patients) stimulates the stem cells contained in the pulp of the teeth so that new dentin is generated.

Researchers showed soaking a small biodegradable sponge with the drug and placing in into the cavity triggers the growth of dentin and repairs the damage within six weeks.

To read the full article click here!

Things That Drive Your Dentist Nuts

I am going to turn the table on everyone for a few. Time after time we hear about things that patients hate about their dentist or things that the dentist does that drives them crazy. Well, turnabout is fair play. Here are a few things that about patients that drive your dentist crazy.

1. Self-Diagnosing - This also plays true all around the medical field. Newsflash.. WebMD is not always accurate. There are many other factors that are not taken into consideration. That is the reason why they paid thousands of dollars to go to dental school and learn dentistry. If you think you know more than them, then why are you going to their office? So unless you have a DDS or DMD behind your name, then let's try to let the trained professionals make the diagnosis.

2. Procrastinating Then Blaming Them Because It Got Worse - Last year when the dentist told you that have a cavity and need to get it fixed, it wasn't a mere suggestion. It was a warning that if you don't get it fixed it will get worse. So, now a year later when your dentist is telling you that you need a root canal and a crown, blaming them and accusing them of trying to rip you off is not the right approach. "Last time you told me it was a cavity"... Yes, that was last year, 12 months ago, 365 days ago.. now that cavity has gotten worse and cannot be filled. Why? Because YOU procrastinated on getting the filling a year ago. It is not the dentist fault that you discarded the treatment plan and your tooth got worse. It is your fault. Blame yourself, not your dentist.

3. Complaining About The Bill After The Work Is Complete - Before the dentist even started work on your mouth, you were issued a treatment plan with an estimate of how much the work cost. THAT is the time to ask questions or inquire about the charges. Not after you accept the treatment plan and the estimate and get all of the work done. If you agree to the price and agree to have the work done, then you agreed it and that's that. Now, if the bill does not match your estimate, you have a legitimate complaint, but whining about cracking open your checkbook after the dentist just spent 2 hours fixing your teeth that you agreed to have fixed at the price, is not legitimate. It works the same as in any business. You are given a quote for the work, you accept the quote, get the work done and pay what was agreed on. A dentist is no different.

Dentist - Patient relationship is a 2 way street. Chances are good if your dentist is annoying you than you are annoying them as well. I am sure that I can list a lot more of these, but these are the ones that just came to mind. I may have to blog some more in the near future!

So... are you guilty of any of these?? Hmmm...

What is your toothache telling YOU??

Most people who get a toothache get just that... A toothache. All they know is that it hurts really bad and the dentist will fix it (when and IF they even get around to going). But did you know that your toothache just might be telling you what kind of problems you may be in for?

Here's how to tell:

Sharp pain and tooth sensitivity (intermittent): Cold sensitivity is a symptom of gum recession, loss of enamel from over-brushing, age, and wear and tear, or a small cavity. Heat sensitivity could also be a small cavity, but could also very well be an abscess, a crack, or a sign of severe decay.

Chronic toothache (more than one tooth): Could be nerve damage from grinding your teeth, severe decay, or dental trauma from an accident or injury.

Throbbing toothache: This is a sign of infection. Swelling of the face may also accompany this type of toothache and is also a sign of an abscess.

Pain while eating: This could indicate tooth decay or a slight crack in your tooth.

Pain in the jaw (back): This could be impacted wisdom teeth, but could also be related to teeth grinding or even possibly TMJ.

Many people wait until they are in RAGING pain to see a dentist. The thing is, if you go to the dentist at the FIRST SIGN of a problem, you'll save yourself a whole lot of pain as well as a whole lot of money. It could mean the difference between a small, inexpensive filling and a painstaking, costly root canal. The bottom line here is DON'T IGNORE THE PAIN!!! If you can feel it, it's time to go to the dentist!

Original Post by MoobieDoo on Sept. 16th 2008

What Will A Repeal Of ObamaCare Mean For Dental Coverage?

As we go through a leadership transition here in the United States there is some unknowns that we are facing as citizens. This is not a politcal blog, so where I stand on the election or where you stand is not at all relevant at this point. Just wanted to throw that out there to avoid any political based comments etc. One of the things that are unknown is the status of Obamacare. At this point there is already steps being taken to repeal the law. Which leads me to question of what will happen to dental coverage.

If you have dental insurance some big changes may coming your way. Dental coverage for your children will no longer be required to be covered by insurance companies which in return gives them the power to reduce coverage benefits or increase your premium. Similar to what they do adults even now and like they have done long before Obamacare was even a thought. Even under the Obamacare plan dental insurance has been sub-par. In reality, you have been paying more out in premiums that they will every pay out in claims. That won't change one bit and may even get worse.

If you have a dental plan, you will have no changes what so ever. The same low annual premiums and coverage that you are receiving now will not change at all. 

All more the reason to ditch you current dental insurance and join a dental plan!

Need more of a comparison between Dental Insurance & Dental Plans? Check out our comparison zone.

Question From A Savon Member: Mini Dental Implants

Every month in our newsletter we feature a question asked from one our members, and give the answer. Here is the one for January. You can read our entire January Newsletter by clicking here.

A. Porter of San Diego, California asks: 

“What's the difference between dental implants and mini dental implants?  Explain it in layman's terms please.

Savon’s Answer:
The major difference between traditional dental implants and mini implants is the fact that mini implants are about half the diameter of traditional ones.

The traditional dental implant represents the standard for dental implants.  The purpose of the traditional dental implant is to restore both the function and form of a missing tooth within the mouth.  The drawback with traditional implants is that they require a decent amount of bone structure.  Some people have too much bone loss to make implants viable unless they undergo planning or bone grafting to support the anchor.

Mini implants are smaller than the traditional implant.  They are typically designed to be used as two pieces, as the anchor is combined with the abutment, and the crown is placed on the abutment post.  The main advantage of mini implants is that they can be used in individuals with a large amount of bone loss.

Chewing Ice-Things You Should Know!

Who knew that a habit shared by so many Americans could have such a damaging effect? Not only can chewing ice cause a variety of problems for people with either healthy or unhealthy teeth, but if you crave it, or do it often it could be a sign of something more serious... Iron Deficiency Anemia. It is not known why this craving happens. Studies are being done to try to determine the correlation. Talk to your physician if you constantly have the craving to chew ice!

Additionally, ice is a very hard substance; after all, history teaches us that glaciers and icebergs carved out the Great Lakes! Chewing ice can break, fracture, chip and crack your teeth, as well as irritate your gums and your tongue, causing pain and discomfort. If you absolutely need to chew something crunchy, try nuts, apples, carrots or celery. Your teeth will be much healthier for it!

Keep Healthy, and Keep Smiling!