Aug 19

Choosing the dentist for you and your family is as important as finding the right health care provider. This becomes even more important when you realize that more people have anxiety over dental visits and checkups than any other routine medical procedures.

It is estimated that approximately 90% of all people don’t schedule a dental appointment unless a problem develops that needs immediate attention.

So it becomes even more important to find a dentist that you like and feel comfortable with so that you will get on a regular checkup plan. Regular checkups with your dentist go a long way towards catching small issues before they become full-blown problems as well as preventing chronic health problems.

When you are looking for the right dentist consider the following:

1. Is your dentist prevention oriented?

2. Does he/she show genuine concern over your overall health as well as your oral health?

3. Did your dentist provide an active role in your examination or was the majority of the work done by a hygienist or dental assistant?

4. Did your dentist perform a thorough exam including your teeth, gums, tongue, palate, and lips?

5. Did he/she palpate for swollen lymph nodes?

6. Does you dentist provide clear explanations of what is happening?

7. Are questions/concerns patiently answered?

8. Is it evident that your dentist wants to teach you how to achieve great oral health and prevent problems before they occur?

9. Do you feel comfortable with your dentist at all times?

10. Do you like the office staff and the overall surroundings?

11. Does your dentist readily provide credentials and confidently talk about qualifications?

12. Does you dentist seem to enjoy what he/she is doing or does it seem like he/she can’t wait until the appointment or day is over.

It is extremely important that you find the right dentist to partner with. One that you feel comfortable with, that you enjoy going to, and that you confidently feel like is the best solution for your oral health.

If you choose the wrong one you are less likely to follow through with subsequent appointments and scheduled checkups and cleanings.

It is your dentist, your appointment, your time, your teeth, your money and your overall health. Making the right, positive choice of dentist will go a long way towards creating a successful oral health plan.

Tagged with:
Aug 10

Many people think that going to their dentist just serves the function of a routine cleaning. However your dentist might be the first to discover the beginning signs of many chronic health conditions that if left unchecked can lead to severe illness and even death.

Many people believe that the health of our teeth and gums is independent of other systems in the body like cardiovascular health. But if you take a closer look you will realize that your oral health directly reflect on and affects your overall health.

Your mouth provides direct access to the rest of your body. Chewing is the first step in the digestion process. Because of this your oral health afects your digestion and bloodstream as well as your nervous, endocrine, lymphatic and skeletal systems.

Harmful organisms, bacteria, are harbored and easily breed in your mouth. Because your mouth is connected with your entire body the bacteria gain easy access to your entire system.

Researchers estimate that about 90% of systemic diseases in your body are directly related to conditions in your mouth. Because of this, your dentist is often the cornerstone of helping you detect and prevent diseases.

All dentists are trained at diagnosing and treating adverse conditions of your teeth, gums and upper jaw and face. Remember that these conditions directly impact your overall health and well-being.

There are several diseases that your dentist may be the first to detect and diagnose. Here are 7 of them.

1. Red, sore, swollen and bleeding gums are indicators of gum disease or periodontitis. Medical studies have shown that periodontitis is linked with increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

2. Anemia is indicated if you have sore and pale gums. Anemia affects about 3.5 million people in America. If left untreated anemia can lead to severe fatigue, heart problems, nerve damage, impaired mental function and even death.

3. Leukemia, a form of cancer, is indicated by bright red, spongy, inflamed gums that bleed easily.

4. Erosion and a breakdown of your teeth enamel is a sure sign that you may be suffering from eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia.

5. Air blowing on your gums and making them bleed can be an indication of pregnancy.

6. Bad breath, chronic dry mouth, receding gums and gums that bleed easily are often associated with diabetes.

7. White spots and sores that are slow to heal on your gums and other oral tissues in the mouth can be early signs of oral cancer.

Chronic diseases are easier to treat and very often reverse if caught early enough If it’s been longer than 6 months, schedule an appointment with your family dentist today. Remember, early detection of health issues goes a long ways towards reversing them completely.

Tagged with:
Jun 18

A composite filling is a tooth-coloured plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. Composites are an Oxford cosmetic dentistry procedure that shows significant improvements of the smile by changing the colour of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.

How is a white filling placed?

Following preparation, the Oxford dentist places the composite in layers; typically using a light specialized to harden each layer. When the process is finished, the Oxford dentist will shape the composite to fit the tooth. The Oxford dentistry surgeon then polishes the composite to prevent staining and early wear.

What are the cost of white fillings?

Prices vary between which Oxford dentistry you choose, sometimes white fillings can cost twice the price of silver fillings. Most Oxford dental insurance plans cover the cost of the composite up to the price of a silver filling, with the patient paying the difference. White fillings are continuing to improve so more and more Oxford dental insurance companies will likely increase their coverage costs.

What are the advantages of white fillings?

Aesthetics are the main advantage of composites, since Oxford dentists can blend shades to create a colour nearly identical to that of the actual tooth. Therefore they are hardly noticeable and give the patient confidence. Composites bond to the tooth to support the remaining tooth structure, which helps to prevent breakage and insulate the tooth from excessive temperature changes.

What’s the disadvantages of white fillings?

After receiving a composite, a patient may experience postoperative sensitivity. Also, the shade of the composite can change slightly if the patient drinks tea, coffee or other staining foods. The Oxford dentist can put a clear plastic coating over the composite to prevent the colour from changing if a patient is particularly concerned about tooth colour. Another way to solve this is to have teeth whitening oxford after they stain. This comes at a extra cost. Composites tend to wear out sooner than silver fillings in larger cavities, although they hold up as well in small cavities.

Tagged with:
preload preload preload