Ever heard the phrase, “you’ve gotta be cruel to be kind?” It has never been truer than when referring to gum disease treatments. Periodontal disease affects as much as 80% of US adults, but the way dental practitioners handle periodontal treatments may be part of the problem. Patients avoid periodontal treatment due to lack of treatment urgency, not fully understanding necessary treatments, and money. Many dentists hesitate to fully explain and recommend periodontal therapy because they fear patients will simply cancel appointments due to the added cost. Instead, dentists tend to try the “nice” approach – recommending periodontal appointments every three months but billing them as regular dental cleanings during six month checkups. However, by changing the focus of periodontal disease treatment to communicating clearly, emphasizing assessment and prevention, and working with patients to maximize insurance benefits, dentists can better equip patients to receive the dental care they need.
Continue reading Do Nice Dentists Finish Last? – Do Dentists Have to be Cruel to be Kind?
Tag: lost tooth
Prepare Yourself for Common Dental Emergencies This Holiday Season
With big family dinners, presents, and cold weather to worry about this holiday season, the last thing you probably have on your mind is the state of your teeth. But what if the worst happens? After all, there are some accidents and injuries you just can’t prepare for. You might be enjoying a hard candy or running down the ice-covered sidewalk when CRACK! Suddenly, you’re experiencing a dental emergency, and in situations like this, time is of the essence. The most important thing to do is to stay calm and not panic. Then, follow these helpful tips below:
I knocked my tooth out!
Hold the tooth by the top (the crown section) and gently rinse the root in water if it’s dirty. Don’t scrub it or deliberately remove any of the attached tissue that might still be holding onto it. If it’s possible, set it back into its socket. If it won’t stay, place it in a cup or plastic baggie of milk. Then, contact your local dentist as soon as possible to arrange an emergency dentistry appointment. Make sure to bring the tooth with you to their office! Once you’re there, they’ll be able to let you know whether reattachment is a viable option.
I broke my tooth!
First, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Cold compresses will help keep the swelling down until you make an dental appointment.
I lost my temporary crown!
Try to find it, if you haven’t lost it! Once you have, dry your natural tooth, place a small dab of toothpaste of top of it, and then carefully reattach the crown. This usually works as a solid temporary solution until you can reach your local dentist.
My tooth really hurts!
First, rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water. Then, use dental floss to ensure that there are no food particles or debris caught between your teeth that might be causing the pain. Be sure not to place aspirin or any other painkillers against the gums near the aching tooth, as this might cause a burning sensation! If the pain doesn’t go away after these steps, contact your local dentist.
All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth!
For a kid, losing baby teeth is the ultimate sign of growing up. They compare notes with their friends on how many teeth they’ve lost and who lost them first. And while your little one is just excited to show off the space where a tooth used to be, you may be wondering exactly what to expect about the departure of those deciduous teeth.
Get Lost!
Baby teeth are usually lost in the order they arrive: the bottom two incisors first, followed by the top two. Your child will probably begin losing his or her baby teeth around age five or six, though it can happen as young as four years old. Essentially, the root will dissolve as the adult tooth pushes out. Though baby teeth generally fall out by themselves, they can also become stuck in food when your child is eating and may accidentally be swallowed (totally harmless, we promise). Continue reading All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth!