There are a number of different types of insurance plans due to a wide variety of insurance providers. These include . . .
• Aetna
• Ameritas
• Caesars Palace
• Cigna
• Delta
• Diversified
• Guardian
• Harrah’s
• Humana
• Met-Life
• MGM-Mirage
• Station Casinos
• United Concordia
• Venetian
• Metro
• Teamsters
• Iron Workers
• Electrical Workers
• United Concordia
• Dentamax
Everyone wishes to have a gorgeous smile. The price of life (groceries, healthcare, utility bills, etc) is on the rise. With an effort to tighten our budgets we mustn’t jeopardize our dental health or our family’s. If you fall into this category and are thinking about inexpensive options concerning dental insurance which enables access to low-cost dental care, a discount dental plan or alternative dental plan might be your solution.
There are many types of low-cost dental plans. The waiting period for approval with traditional insurance plans (referred to as an “underwriting period”) can be from between 30 and 90 days. Conversely, most alternative discount dental plans activate within three business days. Be sure to ask your local Astoria dentist about which insurance options will cover your dental needs.
When shopping for toothpaste in the toothpaste aisle in your grocery store sometimes the selection can be overwhelming. Which toothpaste is right for you? Most experts would say that as long as your toothpaste contains fluoride the brand doesn’t make any difference. Toothpastes that contain fluoride work equally as well in fighting plaque and cavities. Your toothpaste should show the ADA (American Dental Association) seal on the container which shows that it’s been proven to be clinically safe. Your local Astoria dentist will be able to guide you into choosing which toothpaste suits your needs best.
Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth may require the use of specialized toothpaste designed for sensitivity. These toothpastes contain a desensitizing ingredient called stronium chloride or potrassium nitrate which protects the teeth nerves. Sensodyne is a popular brand chosen for sensitive teeth.
Tartar Control
In tartar-control toothpaste, the key ingredient is sodium pyrophosphate. This toothpaste will not remove tarter as it’s only designed to keep it from forming above the gum line. Extended use of tartar control toothpastes may cause sensitivity in some users.
Antibacterial
Antimicrobial toothpastes such as Colgate Total contain the ingredient triclosan which is an antibacterial agent. These types of toothpastes will not remove existing tartar but they will remove bacteria that can lead to gum disease.
Baking Soda
Baking soda toothpastes can be mildly abrasive and may cause gum irritation over a long period of use. The only benefit to baking soda toothpastes are the fresh after feeling which may subconsciously trigger people to brush more often.
Whitening Toothpastes
Toothpastes that “whiten” teeth contain mild abrasives that lighten teeth. These ingredients may cause irritation of the gums over time and lead to sensitivity of the teeth. They are not as effective as bleaching kits or methods that your Astoria dentist may use, but they are quite accessible.
Always use a soft bristle toothbrush when brushing as to prevent brushing away valuable gum tissue. Brush at minimum 2 times daily and for at least 2 minutes each time, preferably 5 minutes. Brushing never replaces the use of flossing so be sure to floss in addition to brushing. For more info on flossing techniques go here.
If you are still uncertain which toothpaste is best for you be sure to ask your Astoria dentist at your next checkup. Be sure to schedule your next dental checkup if it has been a while here with one of our Astoria Dentists.
When you use proper flossing techniques you remove plaque and food particles in places that are not easily accessible by a tooth brush usually under the gumline and between your teeth. Daily flossing is highly recommended to prevent the build up of plaque which can ultimately lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Your local Astoria dentist will tell you that flossing is one of the most important factors when it comes to good overall dental health.
Flossing properly with the following technique will ensure that you receive the maximum benefit when flossing and the maximum affect of removing plaque and food particles to prevent gum disease and gingivitis.
Start with about 18 inches of floss, spin most of the floss around each middle finger. Leave an inch or two of slack floss with which to work.
Hold the floss tautly between your thumbs and index fingers. Slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth
Curve the floss around the base of each tooth gently and make sure you floss beneath your gumline as that’s one of the most important areas.
Don’t force the floss if it ever gets stuck, this may damage your gums.
As you move from tooth to tooth be sure to only use clean sections of the floss.
Use the same back-and-forth motion to bring the floss up and away from the teeth to remove the floss from your teeth
Please see this helpful video for a live demonstration of proper flossing techniques:
Ask your local Astoria Dentist for help with flossing if you feel you are not achieving the best results.
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that is also a milder form of periodontal disease. Studies have shown that upward of 75% of adults have some form of gum disease. There are many facts and myths about what can be done to prevent gingivitis. Gingivitis starts out as bacteria that is left behind due to infrequent or negligent brushing which ultimately hardens on the teeth to form tartar.
If this is left untreated this bacteria inevitably attacks the gums and turns into gingivitis. This causes swollen and bleeding gums which can be very harmful. In addition to visiting your local Astoria Dentist for your next dental checkup let’s take a look at what you can do to prevent gingivitis or if you are already suffering from it how to keep it at bay from getting worse. You may be surprised at how simple it can be!
Eat Crunch Natural Foods:
Chewing crunchy natural foods is a process in of itself that cleans teeth and removes bacteria. The rubbing action of the crunchy food acts as a means of removing and breaking off bacteria that has been left there by softer foods. These foods can act like the scraping tool that your local Astoria dentist may use when cleaning your teeth.
F is for Fiber!
Fiber rich diets such as vegetables, beans, whole grains, fruit lead to a stronger immune system which will fight off gingivitis more than an immune system that is less able or weak due to lack of these important dietary elements.
Less Sugar Baby!
Bacteria love sugar and having a diet that is high in sugar will ultimately lead to bacteria growth. All those sugars that are left behind in the nooks and crannies of your teeth will advocate the growth of bacteria which can lead to gingivitis and gum disease. The less sugar you consume the better. Cutting back on sweets and other sugarful foods such as sugary cereals, juices and others will help prevent rampant bacteria growth.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals such as B, C, zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium and calcium help reduce the risk of gum disease and gingivitis. These vitamins are commonly found in vegetables and whole grain foods and are known to fight gingivitis.
In addition to these helpful hints be sure to schedule your next dental checkup with your local Astoria Dentist to ensure your dental health is maintained properly.
Porcelain veneers are a new exciting procedure in the world of dentistry. Veneers are thing porcelain pieces that are bonded to your teeth to give your smile a straighter and whiter appearance. Veneers are a great solution if you have stained, discolored, crooked or chipped teeth. Veneers are also a near “instant” solution that can fix gaps and your overall smile aesthetic in just a few dental visits as opposed to years of wearing braces. If you’re ready to take the next step in improving your smile contact one of our sponsored Dentists in Astoria today and get the smile you always wanted!
For more info on Veneers please see this helpful video:
According to the FDA, the term “bleaching” is permitted to be used only when the teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color. This applies strictly to products that contain bleach – typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The term “whitening,” on the other hand, refers to restoring a tooth’s surface color by removing dirt and debris. So any product that cleans (like a toothpaste) is considered a whitener.
Three major teeth whitening options are available today. All three rely on varying concentrations of peroxide and varying application times.
In-Office Whitening
Significant color change in a short period of time is the major benefit of in-office whitening. This protocol involves the carefully controlled use of a relatively high-concentration peroxide gel, applied to the teeth by the dentist or trained technician after the gums have been protected with a paint-on rubber dam. Generally, the peroxide remains on the teeth for several 15 to 20 minute intervals that add up to an hour (at most). Those with particularly stubborn staining may be advised to return for one or more additional bleaching sessions, or may be asked to continue with a home-use whitening system.
Many dentists are of the opinion that professionally dispensed take-home whitening kits can produce the best results over the long haul. Take-home kits incorporate an easy-to-use lower-concentration peroxide gel that remains on the teeth for an hour or longer (sometimes overnight). The lower the peroxide percentage, the longer it may safely remain on the teeth. The gel is applied to the teeth using custom-made bleaching trays that resemble mouth guards.
Over-the-Counter Whitening
The cheapest and most convenient of the teeth whitening options, over-the-counter bleaching involves the use of a store-bought whitening kit, featuring a bleaching gel with a concentration lower than that of the professionally dispensed take-home whiteners. The gel is applied to the teeth via one-size-fits-all trays, whitening strips or paint-on applicators. In many cases this may only whiten a few of the front teeth unlike custom trays that can whiten the entire smile.
When used in teeth bleaching, hydrogen peroxide concentrations range from approximately nine percent to 40 percent.
By contrast, the bleach of preference for at-home teeth whitening is slower acting carbamide peroxide, which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide has about a third of the strength of hydrogen peroxide. This means that a 15 percent solution of carbamide peroxide is the rough equivalent of a five percent solution of hydrogen peroxide.
How White Can You Go? A Matter of Esthetics
Teeth whitening results are subjective, varying considerably from person to person. Many are immediately delighted with their outcome, while others may be disappointed. Before you embark on any whitening treatment, ask your dentist for a realistic idea of the results you are likely to achieve and how long it should take to achieve them. Expectations play a major role in teeth whitening.
It works through a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners that no one can tell you’re wearing.So you can smile more during treatment as well as after. Invisalign has been proven effective and is widely available.
Invisalign® can help you get the great smile you’ve always wanted because it’s…
* Invisible, so no one can tell you’re straightening your teeth. So now you can smile more during treatment as well as after.
* Removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are no problem.
* Comfortable, because it has no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. And no metal and wires usually means you spend less time in your doctor’s office getting adjustments.
Invisalign® also allows you to view your own virtual treatment plan when you start, so you can see how your straight teeth will look when your treatment is complete.
What is Invisalign®?
* Invisalign® is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.
* Invisalign® uses a series of clear removable aligners (pictured to the left) to straighten your teeth.
* Invisalign® has been proven effective in clinical research and in orthodontic practices nationwide.
How Does Invisalign® Work?
* You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.
* As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the final position your orthodontist or dentist has prescribed.
* You’ll visit your orthodontist or dentist about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.
* Total treatment time averages 9-15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30, but both will vary from case to case.
Dr Pannu explaining more about Invisalign’s breakthrough technology:
