Losing Baby Teeth

Do you have a child who is losing their baby teeth? Losing a baby tooth is the ultimate sign of a child stepping into the big kid world. To a child, losing their baby teeth is significant and more often even more memorable then learning how to read, write and even ride a bike. If your child is losing their baby teeth it is important to recognize how important it is. To them, this is the big deal,...
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Unique Ways to Get a Brighter Smile

The New Year is a time when healthy patterns emerge. It is out with the old and in with the new. If getting a brighter smile is on your New Years Resolution list then we have some creative ideas to help you reach your goal. Think Positive Sure it may sound a little hokey but studies prove that optimistic people are happier. And when you are happy you smile more. People who smile are more...
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Dealing With Dental Anxiety

Going to the dentist is an essential part of a comprehensive dental care plan. Avoiding regular dental exams and teeth cleanings can lead to a number of serious complications when it comes to taking care of your smile. However, just considering going to the dentist results in overwhelming fear for a variety of people. If you feel anxious and fearful about going to the dentist, there’s great...
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Keep Teeth Healthy Over the Holidays

The Christmas holiday celebrations tend to bring excess food into our lives, especially traditional desserts, candy and other goodies. Keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright through the holiday season with these simple tips. Keep Daily Dental Routines Along with excess, the Christmas season brings chaos when it comes to regular schedules and routines. Since the increase of sugary foods...
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Interpreting Tooth Pain

Symptom #1: Momentary hot or cold sensitivity to foods or drinks. Possible Problem: May not be a problem. You may have experienced some minimal gum recession exposing sensitive portions of your teeth. Or you may be clenching your teeth while you sleep and the following day the teeth are more sensitive. There could also be a hormonal component to the sensitivity. What to do: Try using toothpaste...
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Dental Glossary

Abscess – infection caused by severe decay, trauma, or gum disease. You may have pain and swelling. see Emergencies Amalgam – typical silver colored filling made of mix of silver, tin, mercury, and some other trace elements like copper. Advantages- placement easier than other materials, cost. Disadvantage- color, breaks down 10-20 years. For more information on Fillings see...
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Teeth Whitening

Whitening is a bleaching process that gently lightens stained or discolored teeth. Whitening uses a safe and effective gel designed to produce oxygen when in contact with the surface of the teeth. The outer layer of each tooth, called the enamel, contains pores that can hold stains. The whitening process virtually erases stains and brightens your teeth, without damaging your enamel or your...
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Home Dental Care Tips

Regular home dental cleaning and hygiene are an important part of maintaining a healthy smile. Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease. Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums. The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay. Also, if plaque is not removed, it...
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Capitation or HMO Dental Plans

Capitation plans are another form of managed care. They are also called a Dental Health Maintenance Organization or HMO. Participating dentists are paid a set amount for each person enrolled in the plan, rather than for actual treatment provided and whether they visit the dentist or not. Unfortunately, this type of plan encourages a “significant delay” in treatment, minimal services...
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Indemnity or UCR Dental Insurance

Indemnity or UCR plans are the most common insurance programs. The initials UCR stands for Usual, Customary and Reasonable. In these programs you may find a dentist of your choice and the dentist is paid on a traditional “fee for service” basis. Monthly premiums are paid to the insurance company by employers. Indemnity plans often pay for services based on a variety of fee schedules....
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Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)

In Preferred Provider Organization programs you must choose from a specific group of dentists who have agreed to provide minimal dental care for the contracted cost. Participating dentists have agreed to discount their fees so they can be a part of the program, and must often limit treatment options. Treatment choices are usually limited to the least expensive option regardless of desires of the...
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