Dental Insurance Should Not Dictate Your Oral Health Decisions

Posted on Dec 09, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

A few decades ago, dental insurance was rarely part of health care coverages. This may have been because many adults did not deem dental care support as a necessary part of their overall health and well being. With the vast amount of research and studies on how dental wellness contributes to overall health, our population is more educated on its benefits.

Today, many businesses include dental care coverage in their insurance packages. The positive effect of this is it has expanded access to more individuals for regular exams, cleanings and occasional repairs (fillings, crowns, etc.).

What has ‘gone wrong’ with how some perceive dental insurance is their unquestioned acceptance of its limitations. For example, if an individual needs treatment for gum disease to help them save teeth and rid inflammatory bacteria, unless the insurance company deems it ‘necessary,’ it isn’t covered and the patient postpones treatment, which simply enables the disease to progress.

Another example is a cracked tooth. When your dentist recommends crowning a fractured tooth before it can break below the gum line (which will require its removal), if coverage limitations have not been met for the year, some will postpone the procedure. I can’t tell you how many dental implants I’ve placed because a patient said their dental insurance wouldn’t cover the crown until the next year and the tooth broke before those benefits kicked in.

Insurance companies are for-profit firms. It does not behoove them to spend more on your dental health to help you avoid problems in the future. As a matter of fact, most coverages are designed to merely ‘help’ with basic dental needs. Just because your coverages are exhausted for the year or coverage for a procedure your dentist recommends is denied doesn’t mean you should not proceed with proactive measures to protect your dental well-being.

Before you decline a recommended procedure, discuss your coverage with your dentist or his/her financial coordinator. Ask about risks of delaying the procedure or if it can be done in stages to be more in line with your particular coverage. Also, ask about payment options. Many dental offices offer financial plans that are interest-free with no down payment required.

Let your dental health – your terrific smile – be guided by decisions that are in your best interests rather than the bottom line of an insurance company.

 

How Wearing Dentures Causes A Declining Jaw Bone

Posted on Dec 08, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Tooth loss has many frustrations. Dentures contribute to discomfort, reduced confidence, decreased ability to chew and enjoy foods, and a daily inconvenience.  Unfortunately, an underlying occurrence is taking place with even greater impact to one’s life … bone loss.

Bone loss, over time, contributes to deep wrinkling and a sunken-in appearance around the mouth, a ‘witches chin,’ jowls, and a severe reduction in biting strength. When tooth roots are missing from the jaw, the bone begins to shrink. This continues and is even accelerated by the pressure of dentures.

An indication of bone loss is the change in the fit of your denture.  Dentures that once fit securely will eventually loosen due to the change in the bone. As the bone shrinks, the ridge under the denture begins to flatten. Over time, the denture has less of a foundation, decreasing one’s ability to bite and chew comfortably. While the biting strength of natural teeth is 250 pounds, a denture wearer bites with 5 to 6 pounds.

This is among the reasons why so many adults are choosing Dental Implants to replace missing teeth. Dental Implants recreate the presence of tooth roots, halting bone loss and restoring the strength of your bite. There are many types of implants designed to accommodate individual needs. For those who have lost a great deal of bone depth, procedures are available to rebuild the bone or certain implant types can overcome minimal bone base.

Dental Implants are designed to last your lifetime and to bring you as much pleasure and comfort as natural teeth. To discuss your options, call (828) 274-9440 for a consultation. During this time, you’ll learn the implant type(s) best for you and have your questions answered thoroughly.

How Plaque Forms And Why You Should Prevent It

Posted on Dec 05, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Want to save yourself from costly and time-consuming tooth and gum problems? Read on to know where most of the problems begin, and how to avoid them.

Plaque is a sticky substance in the mouth that results from chemical reactions when bacteria, carbohydrates, food particles, and saliva combine. When food particles and saliva mix in your mouth and aren’t properly removed, this results in a build up on teeth that creates oral bacteria. Plaque accumulation on teeth leads to an attack on enamel, causes bad breath, yellow teeth, cavities and oral decay. Brushing and flossing twice a day is the best way to remove plaque and keep your teeth, gums and breath in good condition.

The beginning of plaque formation occurs as you chew carbohydrates, which are components of most of the foods we eat. As the carbohydrates combine with the natural bacteria in the mouth, an acid is created. This acid can eat at tooth enamel and triggers the production of oral bacteria. When the acid and saliva mix with rotting food particles in the mouth, the accumulation of oral bacteria becomes sticky and attaches to teeth.

Once plaque forms on teeth, you have a limited amount of time to remove it before it hardens. Most plaque hardens within 48 hours, becoming so hard within days that removal can only occur with special tools used by your dentist or dental hygienist. It cannot be brushed or flossed away.

Plaque can be prevented or controlled by maintaining a low carbohydrate diet. Although it’s not possible to avoid all carbohydrates, limiting sweets, bread, cereal, potatoes and sugary drinks will help greatly.

Additionally, it is important that you brush and floss twice a day. Brushing removes plaque build up on teeth and leftover food particles that contribute to bacteria build up. Brush for a minimum of two minutes each time and be sure to brush the top, front and back of all teeth. Daily flossing removes food particles and debris from between teeth, further decreasing the potential for plaque to form in the first place.

Remember, if plaque has formed on your teeth but hasn’t hardened into tartar, thorough brushing and flossing in a timely manner can remove it. If, however, tartar has formed on teeth, you’ll need a dental cleaning to have this bacteria-filled attachment removed from teeth.

Bleeding, sore gums indicate the bacteria build up has progressed to periodontal disease. This will require more than a dental cleaning. Call (828) 274-9440 to curtail costly damage to your teeth and gums.

Oral Cancer – Know Its Symptoms

Posted on Dec 02, 2014 by William J. Claiborne, DDS MS

Oral cancer can form in the lining of the cheeks, gums, roof of the mouth, tongue, and lips. During dental check-ups, your dentist will screen for oral cancer. However, it is important that you are aware of the most common symptoms so you can react immediately between visits. They include:

White or red patches in the mouth or on lips: A white or red patch (or presence of both) inside the mouth or the lips is a common symptom of oral cancer. In early stages, these patches indicate abnormal cells, which is a pre-malignant condition. If untreated, they can become cancerous.

Sore or blister in mouth: A sore or blister in the mouth or on the lip that doesn’t heal within 10 days to 2 weeks is a symptom of oral cancer.

Difficulty swallowing: Difficulty chewing, moving the jaw, speaking or moving the tongue is a symptom of oral cancer and can be caused by many other conditions.

Change in bite alignment: Oral cancer can also cause loose teeth.

Oral bleeding: Bleeding from the mouth can be caused by varying issues but may be a symptom of oral cancer.

Ear aches: Frequent or persistent ear aches should be evaluated by a physician. While ear aches usually result from an infection in the ear, it can be related to oral cancer.

Any symptom should be examined promptly. Early treatment can greatly increase your rate of survival. Sadly, oral cancer has one of the worst survival rates of all cancers.

Call (828) 274-9440 if you have concerns about your oral health.