| Are Cavities in Kids' Teeth Inevitable? |
Many people think so. But we're seeing more and more of our younger patients growing up without them.
Why is that? Well, there are a number of factors. Some may be beyond a parent's control while others are lifestyle choices and habits that you can choose to change. Like anything, awareness and education come first.
If your child has already had a cavity, more are likely to occur if left to chance. That's because certain conditions exist that allowed the cavity to develop. But if you're vigilant, your child might be able to avoid future cavities. For instance, a white spot on a tooth along the gum line can be an indicator that a cavity is forming. You can often help prevent the cavity by combining fluoride, mouth rinses and a change in diet. We can show your where cavities are likely to form if we see your child early enough. Remember: once the problem exists, the time for prevention has passed.
Another sign is plaque. If you can scrape a fingernail along your child's front teeth and remove a sticky whitish substance (plaque), your child is at greater risk of forming cavities. We recommend brushing at least twice a day so the plaque doesn't sit on the teeth for long. Toothpaste with fluoride helps preserve essential minerals found in teeth. Be careful, though, not to put too much toothpaste on the brush and be sure your child spits it all out.
An effective preventive habit is regular dental checkups. We can assess your child's risks and anticipate oral problems. Some children have special health care needs that we can address. Occasionally we work in concert with a pediatric dentist.
We can check toddlers (and even infants) quickly and easily when mom (or dad) comes in for her own cleaning. We talk directly with older children to assess risk and offer council with respect to prevention.
So don't leave it to chance! Take an active role in helping your child develop healthy oral care habits in youth. We can help with that! |
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| Holy Smoke!
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Smokey says, "Only YOU can prevent forest fires", but I guess Mother Nature never saw that particular public service announcement. I took a trip up north this weekend and I was able to see the plumes from a couple of these raging fires that are currently plaguing our area and I really felt for our firefighters trying to create and hold those fire lines. One fire is just about put out, but some may take another month, according to reports. For up to date info on the fires, ya'll should check out this website:
http://www.swofire.com/
So it seems that we are going to be dealing with smoke for a few more weeks at least. Breathing in the smoke is worse for children, elderly, and people with heart or lung problems already. Even if you don't fall into those categories it's still a good idea to limit your exposure. Here are some things we can all do on these haze filled days.
• Don't exercise outdoors.
• Drink lots of water.
• Wear a dust mask on days you can't avoid being outside or breathe through a wet rag.
• Don't let children play outside.
• Get out of Dodge! Summer is a great time to visit the coast and breathe in that salty fresh air.
Remember, lower visibility means poor air quality. Have a safe and healthy rest of the summer.
- Jocelyn Boffing RDH
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| Got Benefits? |
Did you know that each year millions of Americans pay for dental care but don't get it done? Many who are paying for dental insurance don't realize that their benefit plan provides assistance up to a certain dollar amount annually. As a result, some people do not schedule the dental treatment they need even though they have insurance dollars to help!
Consider these 4 points to save big money before the end of this year by using your dental benefits:
1. Yearly Maximum
This is the most money that the dental insurance plan will pay for your dental work within one full year. This amount varies by plan but averages around $1,000 per year, per person. The yearly max typically renews every year (on January 1 if your plan is on a calendar year). If you have unused benefits, these will not roll-over.
2. Deductible
Your deductible is the amount of money that you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance company will pay for any services. This fee varies by plan but averages around $50 per year. Your deductible starts again when your plan rolls-over.
3. Premiums
If you are paying your dental insurance premiums every month, you should be using your benefits. Even if you don't need any dental treatment, get regular checkups to help prevent and detect any early signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, or other dental problems. After all, you've already paid for it, so why not use it!
4. Dental Problems Can Worsen
By delaying dental treatment, the problem becomes more extensive and expensive to treat later. What may be a simple cavity now could quickly turn into a root canal.
Often we phase treatment between the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014. With careful planning, we can help you get the dental care you need while maximizing your healthcare dollars. Beat the 'year-end rush' by calling us today to schedule! |
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