| We May Need to See You More Often if You Have Anemia |
If you have anemia, you suffer from lack of (or dysfunciton of) blood cells to deliver vital nutrients to all parts of the body. These nutrients are important for your continued health, and they are key in keeping your oral health in good shape. So, if you have anemia, you are probably not getting enough vitamins to your teeth and that can lead to increased tooth decay and gum disease. If not treated early it can result in lasting damage to your teeth, mouth, throat, and jaw. Some normal symptoms include inflammation of the tongue, a swollen or tender tongue, or red and tender gums.
You can help to get some of those nutrients back into your teeth by eating the right foods, along with treating your anemia directly. Some good foods for you to eat include oranges, with their high concentration of vitamin C, or foods with added vitamin D such as fish and dairy products. Eating foods that are iron-rich such as seafood and lean red meats will help maintain your oral health.
Since there are different types of anemia, there are different ways to help those who are affected by the disease. Make sure that if you are diagnosed with anemia, you tell us about it so that we can help modify your oral health regimen as needed.
Speak with health professional on how best to treat your anemia, and for your oral health, come see us!
|
|
|
| Dental LOL |
 Did you know that God has commanded us to see the dentist, correct our home care, AND get braces? The book of Doctrine and Covenants section 33:10 reads, "Yea, open your mouths and they shall be filled, saying: Repent, repent...and make his paths straight..." |
|
|
|
| Dental Insurance Realities - Part 1
|
 Over the years we have noticed some trends in dental insurance benefit plans and in how we as a culture have come to view insurance in the medical and dental arenas. Let's explore some of those trends and the realities that may be less apparent on the surface.
Dental insurance first came on the scene in the 1950s. The typical annual maximum benefit was about the same as it is today, $1,000-$1,500. That's interesting. As you can imagine those dollars went a LOT further to 'covering' (supplementing) your yearly out-of-pocket cost of dental care than it does today. And since the 1950s, dental insurance premiums have steadily risen. Is this a good formula? You decide. But it certainly makes one think.
Next time let's think a little more about what dental 'insurance' is. |
|
|
| We Can Tell You Have a Cavity in More Ways Than Just with X-rays |
There are many ways for us to tell if you have a cavity. X-rays or 'radiographs' are the most common because they allow us to see inside the tooth. Then we can determine how deep the cavity is and what we can do about it. But smetimes cavities can be found without x-rays. A great way to find cavities is just by looking around. Cavities often have a dark or black coloration which is visible, even to the un-trained eye. Other times, we experience a toothache or an acute sensitivity to temperatures in one area of the mouth. This symptom is usually saying to us, 'cavity!' Sometimes you can feel a hole or a rough spot in a tooth where the cavity is. But caution! The 'visual-only' approach to detecting a cavity finds it when it's big. Often VERY big. Often 'so-big-we-can't-fix-it' big. What if we could find cavities when they're small? How about when they're ridiculously small? How about even 'finding' them before they start? Yes, we can do that. In fact that is our goal at each checkup. We give that effort at early detection a name: 'prevention'. That's where we look at indivisual risk factors, family history, systemic health, medications, dry-mouth, home care habits (yes, you need to floss!), tooth anatomy/position/crowding, etc. Both direct visual examination and radiographs are absolutely key to prevention. And we'll do all of that to help maximize prevention for you and for your family.
|
|
|
