Rubber Dams Part of Excellent Dental Care

Dr. Beck & Dr. Morrow at South Waterfront Dental take great pride in providing state-of-the-art dental care to our patients.  One of the most important ways we protect our patients and help ensure lasting restorations is the use of the rubber dam while providing excellent dental care.

What is a Rubber Dam?

A rubber dental dam is a thin sheet of latex or silicone that isolate a tooth or a group of teeth requiring dental work. The

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teeth that need attention appear through holes cut into the appropriate areas of the rubber, separating them from the rest of the mouth while dental procedures are performed.

A Long History in Dental Care

Used in dentistry for over 150 years, this technique has three main advantages.  First, it helps create a physical separation between the patient and the procedure being done, helping to reduce dental anxiety and improving patient safety.  Secondly, the rubber dam is the standard of care when performing endodontic therapy, as it reduced the bacterial load in the operating field and minimizes the chance of contamination of the root canal system.  Third, the dental dam helps keep the operating field isolated and dry.  This is especially important when placing composite (tooth-colored) restorations, which are technique sensitive and require a very dry field in order to achieve long term success.

The Extra Step for Higher Quality Care

Not all dental practices use rubber dams routinely, but Dr. Beck and Dr. Morrow take this extra step in order to protect our patients.  We spend a lot of time and put a lot of work into producing high-quality dentistry, and using  the rubber dam helps our restorations last longer.  Of course, not all situations necessitate the use of the rubber dam, but we always try our best to use them when indicated.

If you have any additional questions or concerns about the use of the rubber dam or about how it benefits our patients, please contact Dr. Beck or Dr. Morrow at South Waterfront Dental.

The Best Ways to Care for Your Teeth!

Good oral health begins at home!  While regular visits to your dentist for check ups and cleanings are important, it won’t do much good if you are not taking care of matters in your own bathroom.  Here are  a few recommendations from Dr. Todd Beck at South Waterfront Dental to help you keep your choppers healthy:

Brushing Techniques to Clean Teeth

Brush with a soft toothbrush at least three times a day.  Brushing removes plaque, a sticky bacterial film, from around the teeth and gums.  If allowed to remain on the teeth, plaque hardens and turns into calculus which will cause tooth decay and gum disease.

You should take at least two minutes to brush your teeth, and preferably longer for a thorough clean.  With so many surfaces it takes that long to do an effective job.  Though any soft toothbrush will do the job, Dr. Beck recommends the Sonicare system, which does an amazing job of removing stain and plaque. These kinds of systems also have convenient, automatic timers, so you can just turn them on, brush, and go!

Floss for Good Measure

You should floss your teeth at least once a day.  Flossing removes the plaque from between the teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach.  In addition to brushing, flossing is critical for preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Our friendly, helpful staff at South Waterfront Dental will teach you the best techniques for effective flossing at home.

A Crunchy Diet

When we eat, food is deposited that encourages the development of plaque if it’s not brushed away. One way to keep plaque from forming even when you’re not near a toothbrush is to stay away from sticky, sugary foods which cling to the surfaces of your teeth. Crunchy foods – like celery, apples, and carrots – help naturally clean teeth while you eat.

Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to discourage the formation of plaque, and brush and floss each day to keep your smile healthy and bright!

Dental Help for Migraines

It is estimated that more than 23 million people suffer from chronic headaches and migraines according to the American Migraine Study, and that’s conservative.  For decades the medical community have been treating migraine headaches with very limited success.  Finding their cause and providing an effective treatment have proved to be very difficult.

Migraine Symptoms

If you’ve ever had a migraine, then you know how painful they can be. Unlike normal headaches, which are generally

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brought about by stress, illness or pollutants, migraine symptoms include:

• Cold hands and feet
• Sensitivity to light
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Throbbing pain behind your eyes or in isolated areas of your head

Totally debilitating, migraines can last from many hours to several days, with no relief besides prescription medications that make you drowsy.

Dental Treatment for Migraines

Dr. Jim Boyd, an innovative dentist, has found another approach.  Through many years of research he has developed an oral appliance called the NTI-tss  (Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition tension suppression system).

The NTI is an acrylic mouth piece that fits over the front teeth and helps to prevent clenching and grinding of the teeth.  We now know that the nerve complex where many migraines start is the same complex that provides sensation to the jaws and teeth.  By keeping the teeth from contacting in the back of the mouth and preventing clenching and grinding in ones sleep, migraines can be prevented.  The best part is there are no mind fogging side effects from pain killers!

A Possibility for Relief

The NTI-tss is the only FDA approved preventative available to migraine sufferers. There are no side effects and no complicated, surgical or painful procedures required.

Dr. Todd Beck and his staff at South Waterfront Dental  have been providing this appliance to patients for several years.  If you suffer from clenching, grinding, migraines or any other type of head ache pain, Dr. Beck would be happy to help determine if this simple and non invasive treatment may work for you.

Smoking and Dental Health

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You have all heard it before: smoking is bad for you.  It has been well documented that smoking leads to lung cancer, emphysema, high blood pressure and a host of other health problems.  What you may not realize is what smoking does to your mouth!

Periodontal Disease

Smokers have altered sensation to smell and taste, as well as bad breath and dramatic staining of their teeth. In addition, smokers have a much higher rate of periodontal disease and oral cancer.

Periodontal Disease – also known as gum disease – begins with simple plaque that forms on your teeth and along your gumline. Bacteria grow in this plaque, destroying tissue and eventually the bone that holds your teeth in place, leading to tooth loss. Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing is an early indication of periodontal disease.

Smoking can increase the severity of periodontal disease and encourage it to progress more quickly than in nonsmokers, even when it has been treated. Continued smoking hinders treatment, interfering with our bodies’ natural abilities to fight disease.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Cigarettes and other tobacco products have over 60 known carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals).  It’s not surprising that 75% of all oral cancer is caused by these tobacco products.  Cigarette and other tobacco smoke from cigars or pipes can lead to cancer anywhere in the mouth or the throat. Other cancers caused by smoking include that of the larynx, lungs, kidney, bladder, and esophagus. Around 90% of those diagnosed with some kind of mouth or throat cancer have used tobacco.

Dr. Beck does a thorough oral cancer exam for every new patient and annually for all existing patients. If caught early, many oral cancers can be effectively treated.

Treatment Options

The good news is that quitting the smoking habit now will help your dental health for years to come. This, along with regular dental visits and treatment for your specific needs, will help you keep your teeth and gums healthy.

If you are interested in quitting smoking, Dr. Beck and his staff at South Waterfront Dental will be more than happy to assist you.  You can also visit www.smokefree.gov for more information about smoking cessation.

Dental Insurance Coverage

Dental insurance coverage can vary in policy limits, deductibles, and financial reimbursement limits. There are a few items to spotlight as you are looking over your policy or considering a new one altogether.

Routine Coverage

Preventative maintenance of your teeth – like cleanings, x-rays, and fluoride treatments – help keep teeth healthy and prevent problems. Therefore, these services are considered valuable and often receive dental insurance coverage at 100%, sometimes after requiring you to a pay a percentage each year. For example, during the first year of dental insurance coverage, the company pays 70% and you pay 30% of the total cost of preventative maintenance. The next year, the company pays 80% and you pay 20% of the total cost as long as you continue to get an exam and cleaning every six months. The pattern continues until the dental insurance company is paying 100%.

Usual, Customary and Reasonable

The term “usual, customary and reasonable”  (UCR) can be a misleading term.  Dental insurance coverage may use this term to determine the portion of the dental treatment fee they will pay based on a standardized chart they have created. UCR reimbursement levels are determined by different methods by the dental plan administrators. They may vary a great deal among dental insurance companies and their plans — even when those plans operate in the same area.

The fee the dental insurance company determines to be “customary” may be very low compared to the area’s average professional fee for the same services. The plans then generally pay a certain percentage of the UCR level. The patient may then be required to pay a greater portion of the treatment costs.

Annual Benefit Cap

Dental insurance coverage also varies in what they pay above and beyond preventative dental care services. It’s not unusual for dental insurance companies to limit the amount of money they’ll pay for dental services in a given year.

If there is a dental issue that requires long-term care, check with your insurance company regarding what they will pay. Some companies operate a sliding scale, such as covering 100% for preventative maintainence, 75% for basic restoration, and 50% for major restoration.

Dental Insurance Deductibles

It’s important to clarify what deductibles you are required to pay before full dental insurance coverage benefits kick in. In addition to UCR and annual benefit caps, an insurance deductible makes a difference in your overall benefits. Research whether the deductible applies per person or per family – the distinction can mean the difference between a small or large out-of-pocket expense.

While dental insurance coverage should be taken into consideration, it should not be the deciding factor in determining your choice of treatment. Dr Beck at South Waterfront Dental will help you make the best decision regarding your dental needs.

Eating Disorders Connected to Dental Health

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It is estimated that as many as 10 million Americans suffer from eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia and binge eating.

Two of the most common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, a condition where those who are intensely fearful of gaining weight literally starve themselves to death. Bulimia nervosa is a destructive pattern of binge eating followed by vomiting or purging behaviors to expel food and keep from gaining weight. While these disorders can affect anyone, they are more common in teenage and young adult women.

The Consequences of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can have a very negative impact on quality of life.  Self esteem and relationships with family and friends often suffer.  School and job performance are usually damaged.  In addition, people will suffer from physical health complications such as heart conditions and kidney failure, which can lead to death.

Eating disorders rob the body of nutrients essential for good health, including vitamins, minerals and proteins.  Patients present with a variety of symptoms including dramatic weight loss, loss of hair, constantly feeling cold and constipation.  Also common are dry and cracked lips and sores in the mouth that bleed easily.

Dental Complications from Eating Disorders

Eating disorders result in severe consequences regarding dental health. Self-induced vomiting leads to the physical erosion of a person’s teeth. Digestive acids that break down food attack teeth during self-induced vomiting, wearing away tooth enamel and changing the color, length and shape of teeth. Anorexia can lead to swollen salivary glands and osteoporosis, which weakens the jaw bone and leads to tooth loss.

Many times dentist are the first to see the symptoms of these eating disorders because it is impossible to hide the damage caused by eating disorders. Symptoms that point to an eating disorder include:

• Mouth sores
• Dry, cracked lips
• Sensitive teeth
• Dry mouth
• Bad breath
• Erosion of tooth enamel
• Tenderness of the mouth, throat and salivary glands

Often times the pain associated with dental complications are what first cause patients to seek help.

Treating Dental Problems

It is imperative to seek professional help for an eating disorder.

Because of the dramatic consequences of eating disorders on dental health, restorations that include crowns or veneers will most likely be required. However, these tooth restorations won’t be pursued until the person has undergone the necessary treatment to address the underlying issues of the eating disorder.

While getting treatment, brush daily with fluoridated toothpaste and floss to prevent gum disease. A daily fluoride application may be available to help strengthen teeth, and a mouth guard may also be helpful to protect teeth from additional wear.

Although the dental problems can be treated, Dr. Todd Beck of South Waterfront Dental says the first step is getting medical help to treat the underlying eating disorder.  If your dentist suspects you suffer from one of these disorders he or she will be more than happy to help you get proper medical attention… then you can restore your beautiful smile!