Are You A Pain Driven Dental Patient?

Going to the Dentist Only When You Have Pain is Costing You Money

Save Money on Dental Care With Preventive Dentistry

You might think that avoiding the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings is a good way to save money on dental care.  The fact is, avoiding the dentist unless you have a painful problem costs you more money than maintaining regular check ups and cleanings.  

50% of Americans do not see a dentist regularly.  The reason for this is not that half of Americans have perfectly healthy teeth.  Avoiding regular dental care prevents your dentist from detecting small areas of tooth decay or early stages of gum disease.  Small dental problems are not usually painful, and you might not even notice them. Once these problems have progressed and become more serious, they begin to cause pain.  Advanced dental disease can be a lot more expensive to repair than early dental disease.

  

How Dental Work Becomes Expensive

 Your dentist is trained to detect early signs of dental disease, and can repair the problem more easily and more affordably than saving a tooth with advanced disease.  For example, a small cavity is painless, almost invisible.  Over time it grows and expands into the vital structures within your tooth, causing pain and infection. 

A regular check up every 6 months would ensure that the tiny cavity was detected and filled long before serious and painful damage was done to the tooth.  A small filling is one of the most inexpensive dental procedures you can have.   

Take the same small cavity, but without a regular dental check-up.  Over time, the cavity will grow, infiltrating the pulp of the tooth.  Once the cavity has grown to this point, it will become painful and sensitive to hot/cold/sweet.  If you seek help from a dentist at this point, a larger filling is almost guaranteed and a porcelain crown may be required in order to restore the tooth’s strength.  Without repair, the cavity continues to overtake the tooth.  As it reaches the pulp, it causes intense pain, swelling and even infection.  The decay may cause the tooth to fracture and chip apart.  

At this point, you are seeking an emergency dental appointment, and the cavity needs much more than a small, inexpensive filling to repair it.  If the tooth can be saved at this late stage of disease, it could need a root canal treatment and a dental crown in order to remove the decay, heal the infection and strengthen the tooth.  This type of extensive repair can be several times the cost of a small filling, even with dental insurance. 

Regular Dental Care Saves Money

Good dental habits at home, including brushing and flossing, combined with regular dental care can help you save money on the cost of dental work.  A professional dental cleaning every six months removes harmful plaque and tartar that collects along the gumline and causes tooth decay and gum disease.  Annual x-rays make it possible to detect small areas of tooth decay, making simple, inexpensive repairs possible.  Your regular dental exam allows your dentist to diagnose dental problems before they become serious and painful.  

Most dental plans cover the cost of preventive dental care, such as exams and cleanings, because insurance companies know that prevention works.  If you have dental insurance, you can stay current with your routine dental care at no cost to you.  If you do not have insurance, the cost of an exam and cleaning is far less than the cost of major dental work.  

Be a Prevention Driven Dental Patient

Save your teeth and help them last you a lifetime by having a preventive attitude about dentistry.  Practice good dental hygiene habits every day, and see your dentist for a professional cleaning and exam every six months.  This formula for success has been proven to reduce the need for expensive, extensive dental work over time.  

 Even more important than saving money on dental care, having a preventive attitude about dentistry will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums for the rest of your life.

These Foods Are Worse For Your Teeth Than Sugar

They look innocent, but these chips want to ruin your teeth!

Avoiding sugar is always a good idea when it comes to healthy teeth and preventing cavities.  Contrary to what you may have been told, sugar is not the worst food for teeth.  While it is true that sugar has been proven to promote tooth decay and even gum disease, there are other villains at work that can cause serious damage to your dental health.

Acids Damage Teeth

Acids found in foods and beverage can break down tooth enamel, thinning it and causing it to lose strength.  When enamel becomes thin or porous, it make it easier for bacteria and decay to take hold on tooth surfaces.  The worst acid for teeth is citric acid.  Citric acid can be found in everything from fresh lemonade to sodas and sour candies.  Combine acid with sugar, and you have a recipe for dental disaster.

High Carb Foods 

All dietary carbohydrates break down into sugars. Avoiding sweets, candies and sugary snacks is a good idea, but if you indulge in high carb foods like bread, pasta, cereal, even dried fruit can get stuck between teeth and break down into a sugary feast for cavity causing oral bacteria.  If you eat a diet high in carbs, take extra care to brush, floss and rinse your mouth well. 

Foods and Habits to Avoid

Avoiding highly acidic foods can help preserve tooth enamel and keep teeth healthier and stronger.  Some common acidic foods are:

• red or white wine
• sodas (even diet)
• citrus
• tomato sauce

High carb and starchy foods that break down into sugars can be hard to spot sometimes.  Some of the worst offenders are:

• breads and crackers
• cereal, even if it has no sugar added
• dried fruit, raisins
• potato chips

In addition, do not use your teeth for jobs they are not intended for.  Opening packages and removing tags with your teeth is a sure way to damage them.  Chewing/crunching on ice is also hard on your teeth.  Grinding and clenching teeth can also cause serious damage.

Maintain a healthy diet, and remember to keep all foods in moderation.  If you indulge a little, be sure to clean your teeth well after the meal.  For more information about maintaining a diet which is healthy for teeth and gums, contact Forest Lane Dental.

Deep Cleaning- What is a Deep Cleaning and Why Would You Need It?

Your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend a 'deep cleaning' procedure.  Hearing this recommendation may be confusing, and you may have questions about what a deep cleaning is, and why would you need it in the first place.  Dr. Jack E. Burroughs of Forest Lane Dental  offers an explanation.

Deep Cleaning is Prescribed for Gum Health

A deep cleaning procedure may be recommended for you if your dental exam reveals signs of gingivitis or early gum disease.  During your exam, your gum health is inspected carefully using an instrument called a periodontal probe.  The probe measures the depth of the gum tissue surrounding your teeth.  If the 'pockets' are more than 3mm, or if your gums bleed easily or show signs of inflammation, a deep cleaning procedure may be prescribed. The deep cleaning procedure is intended to help reverse the early stages of gum disease.

Regular Teeth Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning

A regular dental cleaning involves scaling the tooth surface with an instrument to remove hardened plaque and bacteria above and just below the gum line.  Tartar and calculus (hardened plaque) harbor bacteria and can cause tooth decay and gum disease.  It cannot be removed with a toothbrush, so must be removed with a special instrument called a scaler. Often an ultrasonic scaler is used to remove this hardened material.  When tartar, plaque and calculus build up below the gum line and cause pocketing around the teeth, a regular dental cleaning will not reach the tartar and bacteria living below the gum line.  A special cleaning, referred to as a deep cleaning, is required in order to reach deeper below the gum line to remove destructive material.  The root surface is cleaned and made smooth in order to allow gum tissue to reattach at a healthy level.  A deep cleaning is typically a first line treatment for reversing the damage caused by gum disease such as gingivitis and periodontitis.

Home Dental Care After Deep Cleaning

After your deep cleaning, you can help make sure the treatment provides the best dental results possible by following a healthy regimen for oral home care.  Brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day.  Talk to your dentist about whether an appliance such as a Water-Pik will help.  Floss every day.  Use an antibacterial mouth rinse, if prescribed, in order to reduce oral bacteria and prevent the need for another deep cleaning in the future.

Bleeding Gums?  Contact Dr. Burroughs at Forest Lane Dental for help that might save your teeth.

Bad Breath Help

Have you heard the saying “if someone offers you a mint, you should take it”? Bad breath is embarrassing, and it happens to the best of us.  Your garlicky lunch can stay with you all day, but what causes bad breath, clinically known as halitosis, and what can you do about it?

Bad Breath Has 3 Primary Causes

• ·         Your personal dental hygiene habits

• ·         Your diet

• ·         Your overall health

Good Dental Habits Help Prevent Bad Breath

Keeping your teeth clean and maintaining a healthy oral environment is the best way to ensure that your breath will always be fresh.  Brushing and flossing removes odor causing bacteria which thrive on food particles and debris that can be left behind.  

Don’t forget about your tongue!  Keep your tongue clean and free from bacteria by brushing it or using a tongue cleaning device.  Many dental professionals say that bacteria build up on the tongue is a significant cause of halitosis.

 It is important to keep regular appointments with your dentist in order to detect tooth decay and gum disease, which can also cause bad breath.  Plaque can build up and harden on the tooth surfaces.  Hardened plaque is called tartar, and it cannot be removed with brushing and flossing. it is important to have your teeth professionally cleaned by your dental hygienist at least every six months.  Maintaining a healthy smile and practicing good dental hygiene are the best things you can do to prevent bad breath from sneaking up on you. 

The Foods You Eat Can Cause Breath Odor

Most everyone knows that garlic and onions cause bad breath, but how does it happen?  The answer lies in digestion.  During digestion, the foods we eat are broken down to their chemical components.  The chemicals are absorbed into the bloodstream, and ultimately into the tiny capillaries in your lungs.  The smelly chemicals are actually exhaled during respiration. If you eat a lot of garlic, onions or a diet high in sugars and proteins, you may find that no amount of brushing and flossing removes the odor from your breath. To prevent diet related halitosis, limit your intake of strong smelling foods and sugars.  Drink plenty of water to hydrate your body and help flush odor causing chemicals from your bloodstream.  

Bad Breath Can be a Sign of a Health Condition

Infections in the body, especially oral or respiratory infections can be a cause of halitosis.  Chronic allergies, sinus infections and chronic bronchitis often cause the problem.  Certain digestive disorders, such as acid reflux disease, can also cause bad breath.  Your dentist can help determine if the cause of your problem is dental related or systemic.   If your bad breath seems to be caused by an illness or disease, your dentist will recommend an evaluation by your physician.  Dry mouth is a known cause of bad breath, and can be caused by a medical condition or even by certain medications.  If you suffer with dry mouth, talk to your dentist about artificial saliva products.  Try chewing sugar-free gum or sugar free candies to stimulate saliva production. 

Dental Help for Bad Breath

Dr. Jack E. Burroughs of Forest Lane Dental can provide advice, treatment and hygiene instruction specifically related to combating bad breath.  Certain dental products can also be prescribed to help combat bad breath.  Schedule your next dental check-up with Dr. Burroughs for comprehensive dental health care and personal consultation to make sure you have the knowledge and the tools to eliminate this embarrassing problem.

Source:  ada

Happy Holidays From Forest Lane Dental

The Holidays have arrived, and at Forest Lane Dental, we are wishing each and every one of our dear patients a holiday season filled with everything good that life has to offer. 

As we approach the close of 2014, and look to the New Year with anticipation, our reflections on the past year include deep gratitude to you for entrusting your dental health to us.  As a private practice dentist, loyal patients like those of you who have made Forest Lane Dental your dental home, are truly appreciated. 

Dentists often hear patients tell stories about their dental fears, challenges and insecurities.  Having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our patients is truly a blessing. There is nothing more gratifying to a dentist than seeing firsthand how the transformation of a patients smile can cause a transformation in their quality of life.  Thank you for trusting us to take care of the dental needs of you and your family, and for referring those close to you to our practice.
 
As we head into 2015, we are looking forward to continuing to care for the dental needs of you and your family.  We wish you all the best in the coming year.  Remember to keep a smile on your face, and keep it shining bright with Dr. Burroughs.

Taking Advantage of Your 2014 Dental Insurance Benefits

2014 is winding down, and in the midst of all the holiday preparations, going to the dentist might not top your list of things to do- but it should.  As the year comes to a close, so do most dental insurance benefits. For most PPO dental insurance plans, the close of the calendar year also means the expiration of unused dental insurance funds.

Dental Insurance Benefits- Use Them of Lose Them

Dental insurance plans are set up to provide regular dental maintenance such as cleanings and check-ups twice per year.  In addition, there is usually an annual maximum payment available to take care of the cost of dental repairs such as fillings, crowns and dental bridges.  Unused funds do not typically roll over into the new year on January 1, rather they expire unused.

Are You Due For a Check-Up?

Insurance members should stay on track with regular dental cleanings and exams, because most of the time they are available through the plan at no cost to you.  If it has been six months or more since your last dental appointment, now is a good time to schedule a cleaning.  Taking advantage of this year's dental benefits maximum will ensure that your 2015 dental maximum is fully available should you need dental work in the coming year. 

Need Extensive Dental Work?

If you know you need some dental work, starting it this year staging it in phases can work to your financial benefit.  Schedule a portion of your dental work before the end of the year, and the remainder in 2015 when your benefits renew in order to maximize the contribution from your dental insurance carrier.

Forest Lane Dental is a Preferred Provider

One of the perks of using dental insurance with a preferred provider is that the total cost of dental treatment is contractually discounted for members of the plan.  Dr. Jack E. Burroughs of Forest Lane Dental is a preferred provider for most of the popular PPO dental insurance plans including:

• Aetna

• Assurant

• Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Cigna

• Delta Dental

• Dental Select

• Dentemax

• Guardian

• Humana

• Metlife

• United Health Care

• United Concordia

Forest Lane Dental also participates with numerous other dental plans and DMO's, and will file to your insurance plan for you.  Contact your Dallas dentist today to schedule an appointment today.

Professional Teeth Whitening Just in Time For Christmas

Are you ready for a dazzling white smile this holiday season?  Professional teeth whitening is the number one most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure, and it can have a big impact on the way you look and feel.

Affordable Teeth Whitening

Professional whitening is an affordable cosmetic dentistry procedure, and provides a dramatic result for the cost.  In- office teeth whitening offers whitening up to several shades in just a single office visit.  Take-home whitening kits are used at home, and will provide similar results after repeated use, usually in 1-2 weeks. Whichever method you choose, you can be sure to achieve beautiful results.

Steps to Whiter Teeth

Start with clean teeth.  Schedule a dental exam and professional cleaning in order to check for signs of tooth decay.  Whitening decayed teeth can cause dental pain. A professional cleaning procedure helps prime your tooth surfaces for the best results with whitening.

Avoid foods that stain teeth.  Deeply pigmented foods and liquids stain your teeth and can reverse the effects of dental bleaching prematurely.  Red wine, coffee, tea and berries are some of the worst culprits when it comes to stained teeth.  Smoking and tobacco use are also known to cause serious stains.

Maintain your results with good dental hygiene.  Once you have achieved whiter teeth, keep them clean and stain free with regular brushing and flossing using a fluoride toothpaste.  Professional strength fluoride treatments might be needed to help prevent sensitivity sometimes caused by teeth whitening.

See your dentist every six months for a cleaning and check-up, and keep your teeth their whitest with a new take-home whitening kit twice a year. 

Schedule Your Professional Whitening Now

Call Forest Lane Dental today to schedule your appointment and get started on improving your appearance with professional teeth whitening.