You may wonder what a tooth cleaning has to do with a stroke — that sudden, devastating paralysis in which blood supply to the brain is blocked. Simply put, it's the result of a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Yes, the same sort of plaque that builds up on teeth and can go on to cause inflammation and gum disease if not professionally cleaned at least once every six months.
A hygiene appointment is probably the easiest and most painless way of eliminating at least one of the risk factors leading to stroke. We have two registered hygienists on staff -Paola and Alicia, to meet the needs of preventative care of all of our patients. And here are a few tips from them to help you get educated about the most beneficial way of caring for your teeth:
Brushing
• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.
• Move the brush back and forth gently in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
Flossing
• Break off about 18 inches of floss and wind it around the middle fingers of each hand. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.
• Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion.
• When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
• Bring the floss back toward the contact point between the teeth and move the floss up or down the other side, conforming the floss to the shape of the tooth.
• Hold the floss tightly against the tooth. Gently rub the side of the tooth, moving the floss away from the gum with up-and-down motions.
• Repeat this method on the rest of your teeth.
Mouth rinse
A mouth rinse, in addition to daily brushing and flossing, can increase the cleanliness of your mouth. Antimicrobial mouth rinses reduce bacteria and plaque activity, which cause gingivitis and gum disease. Fluoride mouth rinses also help reduce and prevent tooth decay, however not everyone should use a fluoride mouth rinse. For instance, fluoride rinses are not recommended for children ages 6 or younger because they may swallow them. Always check the manufacturer's label for precautions and age recommendations and talk with your dentist about the use of fluoride mouth rinse.
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References: http://internetdentalalliance.com, http://www.knowyourteeth.com
Showing posts with label gums. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gums. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Friday, December 7, 2012
Use 'Em or Lose 'Em: Top 5 Reasons to Take Advantage of Your Dental Insurance Benefits
Greetings from Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia and Dr. Song!
Ever feel like you funnel money into a dental insurance plan that you'll never see again? Don't let your dental policy become a black hole! Take advantage of all the benefits they offer – benefits you're already paying for. Need a little motivation? Here are 5 very good reasons to use your benefits to the fullest!
Yearly Maximums. Dental insurance plans put a maximum on the amount of money they're willing to pay for your dental care. Maximums vary from one company or policy to the next, but typically fall around $1000. Sounds like a lot of money, doesn't it? Insurance companies consider this amount to be a good investment. Allowing you to get regular dental care, your carrier can prevent the need for more serious (and more expensive) dental procedures down the road. Why not do you both a favor and use it, ensuring your mouth is in tip-top shape when next year rolls around?
Premiums. You're probably paying a monthly premium to keep your insurance. Even if you don't need extensive treatment, you should use that money for regular check ups and cleanings to prevent costly procedures in the future. Don't throw your money away!
Deductibles. Insurance companies typically expect you to pay a certain amount of money for your dental care each year – usually about $500. If your smile isn't in good shape, our office can create a treatment plan to put you back on track. Deductibles begin anew each year, so spreading out this care over more than 1 year will mean you have to pay more out-of-pocket.
Inflation. It seems everything becomes more expensive from one year to the next, and dental materials and equipment are no exception. Putting off necessary dental care could mean that you'll have to pay more down the road.
Dental Problems Escalate. If your pearly whites are anything but, they're only going to get worse. That is, of course, unless you take advantage of your insurance benefits and tend to your teeth and gums. A little cavity that isn't bothering you one year may become a major headache (or toothache!) the next.
If you haven't yet taken advantage of your dental insurance benefits and would like to schedule an exam to verify everything is in order, call our office at (212)689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today. We'll help you find which treatments are and are not covered by your policy!
Best Regards,
Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia, Dr. Song
P.S. If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our services, please don't hesitate to have them call us. We'll be sure to take good care of them!
Ever feel like you funnel money into a dental insurance plan that you'll never see again? Don't let your dental policy become a black hole! Take advantage of all the benefits they offer – benefits you're already paying for. Need a little motivation? Here are 5 very good reasons to use your benefits to the fullest!
Yearly Maximums. Dental insurance plans put a maximum on the amount of money they're willing to pay for your dental care. Maximums vary from one company or policy to the next, but typically fall around $1000. Sounds like a lot of money, doesn't it? Insurance companies consider this amount to be a good investment. Allowing you to get regular dental care, your carrier can prevent the need for more serious (and more expensive) dental procedures down the road. Why not do you both a favor and use it, ensuring your mouth is in tip-top shape when next year rolls around?
Premiums. You're probably paying a monthly premium to keep your insurance. Even if you don't need extensive treatment, you should use that money for regular check ups and cleanings to prevent costly procedures in the future. Don't throw your money away!
Deductibles. Insurance companies typically expect you to pay a certain amount of money for your dental care each year – usually about $500. If your smile isn't in good shape, our office can create a treatment plan to put you back on track. Deductibles begin anew each year, so spreading out this care over more than 1 year will mean you have to pay more out-of-pocket.
Inflation. It seems everything becomes more expensive from one year to the next, and dental materials and equipment are no exception. Putting off necessary dental care could mean that you'll have to pay more down the road.
Dental Problems Escalate. If your pearly whites are anything but, they're only going to get worse. That is, of course, unless you take advantage of your insurance benefits and tend to your teeth and gums. A little cavity that isn't bothering you one year may become a major headache (or toothache!) the next.
If you haven't yet taken advantage of your dental insurance benefits and would like to schedule an exam to verify everything is in order, call our office at (212)689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today. We'll help you find which treatments are and are not covered by your policy!
Best Regards,
Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia, Dr. Song
P.S. If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our services, please don't hesitate to have them call us. We'll be sure to take good care of them!
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