What is the American Dental Association? VIDEO

Many of my Peoria, IL dental patients have questions about the American Dental Association, what it stands for and what it does. This video by the ADA does a nice job of explaining the organization.

Dental Care for Seniors VIDEO

Older folks have different dental health needs and concerns. This ADA video explains some of these issues.

How often should you get your teeth cleaned?

How often should you get your teeth cleaned?

Many of my Peoria, IL patients have wondered about the recommended frequency of this dental service.

Twice a year is what Most dentists and the American Dental Association recommend. 

Almost all insurance plans cover this service, called a prophylaxis, every six months or two per calendar year. 

People who are cavity prone should have their teeth cleaned and checked at least twice a year, possibly more frequently. 

Discussions about improving diet and fluoride therapy can lessen or even eliminate future cavities.

What happens during a teeth cleaning?

The dentist or dental hygienist will ask if you're having any issues with your teeth, to get an update on your overall dental health. If you aren't experiencing any problems, the cleaning process will begin.

During the cleaning procedure, they will remove plaque, calculus (tartar), any stain, and polish your teeth.

Sometimes fluoride varnish is applied to help prevent cavities. 

Teeth cleaning is combined with oral examination.

What is examined during a teeth cleaning visit?

(1) Teeth. The teeth are checked for any defective restorations (fillings or crowns) and defects as fractures (cracks), cavities, weak areas of enamel. 

(2) Gums. The gums are checked for periodontal health. This includes periodontal probing and noting any loss of gum tissue and bone. 

(3) Soft mouth tissue. The dentist and hygienist will inspect soft tissue in the mouth, including the palate (roof of the mouth), tongue, floor of the mouth, and lips and cheek tissue inside the mouth. 

(4) Oral cancer. The patient is not only checked for cavities and periodontal (gum) disease, but also for any signs of oral cancer. 

I have seen a few patients in my practice that had a non-painful ulceration on the side of their tongue or floor of the mouth. These patients were referred for a biopsy and were treated for squamous cell carcinoma. If this condition is diagnosed and treated early, the prognosis can be favorable.

How to keep your teeth clean at home.

I have patients that have excellent oral hygiene by flossing and brushing daily. Some of these patients never have cavities and have excellent periodontal health. Some of these patients only need to have their teeth cleaned every nine months or twelve months. 

Beverage stain removal.

Most patients like the feel and look of their teeth after their teeth are cleaned. Some people seem to accumulate stain on their teeth, often from tea and coffee. Even though the stain does not cause periodontal disease, many people desire to have their teeth cleaned every three to four months to remove the stain.

Some patients need more frequent teeth cleaning.

There are people, myself included, who seem to produce more calculus (tartar) on their teeth than normal, even with daily flossing and brushing. 

For these people, it is recommended that they have their teeth cleaned every three to four months. I myself have my teeth cleaned every three months. 

People who have had periodontal therapy, including scaling and root planing (deep cleaning), usually need their teeth cleaned every three to four months. 

With regular periodontal maintenance, the gum pockets can shrink and the gums become healthier. 

Some patients even need to have their teeth cleaned every two months.

It is best for each person to ask his/her hygienist and/or dentist for the time of the next recall maintenance visit. By discussing the patient’s oral health, a recommended time for the next visit can be determined.

Brushing Teeth to Heavy Metal Music PHOTO

Heavy metal fans do ordinary things like everybody else, but they do them differently. LOL

Are you brushing your teeth correctly, for maximum decay prevention and oral health?

If you're in the Peoria, IL area, contact my office to discuss your dental health interests and needs.

6 Main Causes of Tooth Loss

Lots of people in the Peoria, IL area have imperfect teeth. One condition that's relatively common is missing teeth.

The American Dental Association states: "the average adult between the ages of 20 and 64 has three or more decayed or missing teeth."

6 Primary Conditions That Result in Tooth Loss:

(1) Gum (periodontal) disease.

(2) Poor dental hygiene and / or diet.

(3) Trauma to tooth, root, gum, or jaw during an accident, fall, physical attack, or as a consequence of removing a mouth tumor.

(4) Hard drug abuse (crystal meth, crack, heroin, krokadil, etc.)

(5) Born with missing tooth / failure of adult tooth to form after baby tooth.

(6) Letting tooth decay get so bad, an abscess occurs and the tooth needs root canal and extraction.

You have a range of options for replacing missing teeth. 

You should talk to your dentist about bridges, implants, and dentures to discover what's best for your specific needs.

Stop Zombie Mouth VIDEO

Check out the "Stop Zombie Mouth" video from the American Dental Association.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbGgcOEDCWw

Dentist Helps Tim Improve His Looks VIDEO

Some people build up their muscles to look better. There are people who spend a great deal of time on their hair. Others lose weight -- and then go clothes shopping.
Another great way to improve your appearance is to get your teeth fixed. A happy, confident smile will do wonders for your life.
Check out this ADA video "Meet Tim."

Payment options include CareCredit monthly payments

I think you'll find our dental services to be affordable, because the prices are good and the payment systems include check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover -- and CareCredit.

What is CareCredit?

QUOTE

CareCredit is a credit card designed to help you finance your health, beauty and wellness expenses by providing a way to pay for the treatments and procedures you want — for yourself and your family — right away (subject to credit approval).

The CareCredit healthcare credit card is:

Convenient. Use it again and again as your own dedicated health and wellness line of credit (subject to credit approval).

Helpful. Special financing options with convenient monthly payments help you fit care into your budget.

Flexible. Select doctors or healthcare providers near you. Pay monthly or pay your balance off at any time.

Simple and straightforward. Pay for the treatments or procedures you want, when you want them.

END QUOTE




http://www.carecredit.com/howcarecreditworks/carecredit-basics/what-is-carecredit-all-about/

Is the tooth enamel of beavers better than yours?

Beavers don't have floss or toothbrushes. But they do have one advantage over us. Beavers have tooth enamel that is better at resisting acid that any fluoridation can provide. The secret is iron.

That's right. You see, beavers have pigmented enamel on their teeth. Their teeth have brown coloration. It's the iron in the enamel that gives it this color and this protection against acid.

In humans, the acids of fruit, berries, and juices can eat away at tooth enamel, thus enabling bacteria to invade the teeth and cause cavities.

The study, using atom probe tomography, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and correlative techniques, and published in Science magazine, is entitled "Amorphous Intergranular Phases Control the Properties of Rodent Tooth Enamel".

A layman's explanation of the study is found here.

Haunted Mouth VIDEO

"Haunted Mouth"

Pseudo horror film "Haunted Mouth" by the American Dental Association. 13 minutes of oral creepiness featuring plaque bacteria.

Dental X Rays VIDEO

Here's an explanation of the importance of dental x-rays and why dentists use them. An official American Dental Association video.