Friday, December 20, 2013
Our New Product Line, PerioSciences
We have a new product line called PerioSciences. These products utilize combinations of specific antioxidants that work with the natural antioxidants in saliva. We all have naturally occurring antioxidants in our saliva. These antioxidants work on a molecular level to fight off inflammatory stressors that can eventually cause tissue destruction and cell death if an imbalance occurs. Our salivary antioxidant levels decrease as we age and are compromised in the presence of inflammation caused by certain stressors like bacteria, systemic conditions, medications, nicotine, dental surgery, certain materials used in dental procedures and ulcers.
Antioxidants are large, complex molecules that are produces by the body and they are found naturally in certain foods or plants. Antioxidants work by bonding with free radicals (unstable molecules with an unpaired electron). When one of these unstable free radical molecules finds another molecule, it may "steal" an electron to complete the pair. Now the second molecule has an unpaired electron, and is now then a new free radical. This process of one molecule stealing an electron is called oxidation. Antioxidants work to stop or retard the process of oxidation.
Antioxidants are part of the body's innate defense mechanism and many occur naturally in your saliva. The antioxidants in saliva are critical for fighting free radicals and oxidative stress in the mouth. Unfortunately however, the natural levels of antioxidants in saliva may not be enough to combat the high levels of free radicals caused by oral infection, systemic inflammation or toxic substances.
A very common source of chronic inflammation is periodontal (gum) disease. The natural antioxidants found in saliva are abnormally low in people with periodontal disease. The theory behind using antioxidants in the mouth is that they will combat the free radicals and reduce the inflammation caused by gum disease.
Using the PerioSciences products can help replenish your supply of salivary antioxidants to help minimize your mouth's negative reaction to inflammation and amplify wound healing. It will also keep the good bacteria at healthy levels.
At Clearwater Dental Associates, we have the PerioSciences products that help to treat dry mouth and sensitivity. There are hundreds of prescription medications that cause a reduction in saliva, giving the patient a constant dry mouth. The antioxidants in the PerioSciences help to combat the bacteria that sticks to the teeth because of the dry mouth. This can help to reduce tooth decay which can occur as a result of dry mouth. The antioxidant properties can also help to stimulate salivary flow.
If you would like more information on these products, or if you think you would be a good candidate for using them, contact our office. We also have an "online store" link on our homepage for ordering PerioSciences.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Diabetes and Your Oral Health
November is Diabetes Awareness month so this blog post is about diabetes and your oral health. Diabetes affects over 25 million Americans. This disease can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body. Diabetes can also affect your teeth and gums. Oral health problems related to diabetes are gum disease, thrush and slower healing after oral surgery.
Gum (periodontal) disease is when the tissues that hold your teeth in place become infected. If the infection progresses to the severe state, the bone is destroyed and the infected teeth have to be removed. In young adults, if someone has diabetes, they are about twice as likely to have active gum disease. In older adults who have diabetes, active gum disease and infection is very common. Diabetics with poor sugar control are more likely to lose teeth due to gum disease than diabetics who have their sugar under control. Some studies suggest that treating active gum disease may help improve blood sugar control, thus improving the overall health of the diabetic patient.
The dentists and hygienists at Clearwater Dental Associates routinely check for signs of active gum disease and we recommend dental treatment to treat the infected areas so the overall health of our diabetic patients can improve.
Another oral health problem related to diabetes is thrush. Thrush is a fungal infection that occurs more often in people with diabetes. In the mouth, thrush looks like white and red patches that may be sore or look like small ulcers. Thrush may make your tongue feel like it is burning thus making chewing and swallowing uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are medicines that can cure thrush within a relatively short period of time.
If you are diabetic it may take your body longer to heal after having any type of oral surgery. This would include having a tooth pulled. It is important to discuss your diabetes with your dentist before doing any type of oral surgery.
Patients with diabetes should be very pro-active with their dental care. They should have regular dental cleanings and exams which would include evaluation of their periodontal (gum) health. If you are diabetic and you have been told that you have active areas of gum disease or infection it is very important to treat these areas and get them to healthier, non infection state.
Gum (periodontal) disease is when the tissues that hold your teeth in place become infected. If the infection progresses to the severe state, the bone is destroyed and the infected teeth have to be removed. In young adults, if someone has diabetes, they are about twice as likely to have active gum disease. In older adults who have diabetes, active gum disease and infection is very common. Diabetics with poor sugar control are more likely to lose teeth due to gum disease than diabetics who have their sugar under control. Some studies suggest that treating active gum disease may help improve blood sugar control, thus improving the overall health of the diabetic patient.
The dentists and hygienists at Clearwater Dental Associates routinely check for signs of active gum disease and we recommend dental treatment to treat the infected areas so the overall health of our diabetic patients can improve.
Another oral health problem related to diabetes is thrush. Thrush is a fungal infection that occurs more often in people with diabetes. In the mouth, thrush looks like white and red patches that may be sore or look like small ulcers. Thrush may make your tongue feel like it is burning thus making chewing and swallowing uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are medicines that can cure thrush within a relatively short period of time.
If you are diabetic it may take your body longer to heal after having any type of oral surgery. This would include having a tooth pulled. It is important to discuss your diabetes with your dentist before doing any type of oral surgery.
Patients with diabetes should be very pro-active with their dental care. They should have regular dental cleanings and exams which would include evaluation of their periodontal (gum) health. If you are diabetic and you have been told that you have active areas of gum disease or infection it is very important to treat these areas and get them to healthier, non infection state.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
What is a Crown and Why Do I Need a Crown?
A crown, or "cap" as it is commonly referred, is a cover that your dentist puts over a tooth. The purpose of a crown is to make a tooth stronger by repairing it or to improve the way the tooth looks. A crown should look exactly like a natural tooth, it should be the same size and shape as your natural tooth.
A tooth may need a crown if:
- a tooth has a cavity that is too large for a filling
- you need to cover a dental implant
- you have a tooth that is cracked, worn down or weakened
- a tooth has had a root canal
- you want to cover a discolored or badly shaped tooth thus improving your smile
Once your dentist has determined that your tooth needs a crown, it usually takes two appointments to complete the treatment. At the first visit your dentist will prepare the tooth by removing a thin outer layer of the tooth. This is done so when the new crown is cemented on your remaining tooth, it will fit and not be bigger than the natural tooth. After the tooth is prepared, an impression (exact mold) of the tooth is made to provide an exact model that a lab technician will use to make your crown. After the impression is taken, a temporary crown will be made and cemented on your tooth using a temporary cement. You will wear this temporary crown for a week or two until the lab technician is finished making the permanent crown. It is important to keep the temporary crown in your mouth, without it your teeth can shift then the new crown won't fit properly. When the permanent crown is completed, the dentist will take off the temporary crown and try in your new permanent crown. Sometimes it is necessary to make some minor adjustments to be sure that the bite is exactly correct. When you bite together the tooth with the new crown should feel comfortable and no different that your other teeth. After any adjustments have been made, then your dentist will cement the new crown on the tooth using a permanent cement.
It is important to remember that under the crown is your natural tooth and it is still possible to get a cavity on the natural tooth that is under a crown. It is important to brush twice a day and floss daily to remove the plaque bacteria to keep the tooth under the crown and the gum tissue around the crown healthy. As always, be sure to see your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and exams.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Why Doesn't My Insurance Pay for This?
Dental insurance is a benefit offered by many employers. It actually works more like a valuable "coupon" that can reduce the cost of your dental treatment. It is important to remember that dental benefit plans do not cover all of the cost of dental treatment. Hopefully this post will help to clarify how dental benefit plans work.
It is important to remember that dental benefits offered by a plan should not be confused with dental treatment that is needed. Dental benefit plans are a contract between your employer and an insurance company. The dental treatment you need is determined by your dentist. Your dental coverage is not based on what you need or what your dentist recommends. Your dental coverage is based on how much your employer pays into the dental benefit plan.
At Clearwater Dental Associates, our main goal is to help you take good care of your teeth and provide excellent dental care for you and your family regardless of the stipulations of a dental benefit plan. As a courtesy to our patients, we file dental claims with the insurance company. We ask that the portion NOT covered by insurance be paid at the time of treatment.
Dental benefit plans use the term UCR (Usual, Customary & Reasonable) when they refer to the maximum charge for treatment that they allow. The insurance company will make it seem that their UCR is the standard rate that most dentists charge for their procedures, but this is incorrect.
Another confusing issue with dental benefit plans are the terms PPO, DHMO, and Preferred Providers. PPO and DHMO refer types of dental benefit plans companies offer. A PPO type of plan gives patients the option of going to an "in-network" or "preferred" provider or they can go to an "out of network" provider. An "in network or preferred provider" means that the dentist has signed a contract with an insurance company and the fees charged are pre-determined and cannot be changed. The benefit of a PPO type of plan is that if someone does not want to change dentists, they can go to an "out of network" provider and still use their dental benefits. The out of pocket amount owed may be more, but that can be determined before dental treatment is rendered.
DHMO dental plans do not give the patient the flexibility of going to an "out of network" dentist. The dental benefits can only be used at an office with a dentist who is an "in network" DHMO provider. If a patient goes to a dentist who is NOT a DHMO provider, the insurance will not pay anything.
All dental benefit plans come with an annual maximum. This is the largest dollar amount that the plan will pay out during a year. The annual maximum is decided in the contract between your employer and the insurance company. Annual maximums are not always updated to keep up with the costs of dental care. In the 1980's the average annual maximum was about $1000 per year, and today the average annual maximum is only about $1500 per year.
At Clearwater Dental Associates, we have dentists who are contracted with some insurance companies, thus they are "in-network". We have dentists who are contracted with Argus, Assurant, Cigna, Delta Dental Premiere, DeCare, Metlife, Prinicpal, and United Concordia.
Although you may be tempted to make decisions about your dental care based on what your insurance will pay, just remember that your dental needs are determined by your dentist and the least expensive option is not always the best.
Dental insurance is a benefit offered by many employers. It actually works more like a valuable "coupon" that can reduce the cost of your dental treatment. It is important to remember that dental benefit plans do not cover all of the cost of dental treatment. Hopefully this post will help to clarify how dental benefit plans work.
It is important to remember that dental benefits offered by a plan should not be confused with dental treatment that is needed. Dental benefit plans are a contract between your employer and an insurance company. The dental treatment you need is determined by your dentist. Your dental coverage is not based on what you need or what your dentist recommends. Your dental coverage is based on how much your employer pays into the dental benefit plan.
At Clearwater Dental Associates, our main goal is to help you take good care of your teeth and provide excellent dental care for you and your family regardless of the stipulations of a dental benefit plan. As a courtesy to our patients, we file dental claims with the insurance company. We ask that the portion NOT covered by insurance be paid at the time of treatment.
Dental benefit plans use the term UCR (Usual, Customary & Reasonable) when they refer to the maximum charge for treatment that they allow. The insurance company will make it seem that their UCR is the standard rate that most dentists charge for their procedures, but this is incorrect.
- UCR charges usually do not reflect what dentists usually charge
- Insurance companies can set whatever UCR fees they want, they are not required to match actual fees charged by dentists in the area where you live
- An insurance company does not update their UCR amounts to keep with rising costs. Often, they keep their UCR amounts the same for many years.
- Insurance companies are not required to say how they set their UCR rates.
Another confusing issue with dental benefit plans are the terms PPO, DHMO, and Preferred Providers. PPO and DHMO refer types of dental benefit plans companies offer. A PPO type of plan gives patients the option of going to an "in-network" or "preferred" provider or they can go to an "out of network" provider. An "in network or preferred provider" means that the dentist has signed a contract with an insurance company and the fees charged are pre-determined and cannot be changed. The benefit of a PPO type of plan is that if someone does not want to change dentists, they can go to an "out of network" provider and still use their dental benefits. The out of pocket amount owed may be more, but that can be determined before dental treatment is rendered.
DHMO dental plans do not give the patient the flexibility of going to an "out of network" dentist. The dental benefits can only be used at an office with a dentist who is an "in network" DHMO provider. If a patient goes to a dentist who is NOT a DHMO provider, the insurance will not pay anything.
All dental benefit plans come with an annual maximum. This is the largest dollar amount that the plan will pay out during a year. The annual maximum is decided in the contract between your employer and the insurance company. Annual maximums are not always updated to keep up with the costs of dental care. In the 1980's the average annual maximum was about $1000 per year, and today the average annual maximum is only about $1500 per year.
At Clearwater Dental Associates, we have dentists who are contracted with some insurance companies, thus they are "in-network". We have dentists who are contracted with Argus, Assurant, Cigna, Delta Dental Premiere, DeCare, Metlife, Prinicpal, and United Concordia.
Although you may be tempted to make decisions about your dental care based on what your insurance will pay, just remember that your dental needs are determined by your dentist and the least expensive option is not always the best.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth. Clenching means that you hold your top and bottom teeth tightly together. Grinding is when you slide your teeth back and forth over each other. Bruxism can occur at any age, from children 3 or 4 years old up to adults. Often, parents can hear their young children grinding their teeth while they are sleeping. Many people with bruxism wake themselves up in the middle of the night from the sound of their teeth clinching or grinding. Sometimes people are aware that they have a bruxing problem, but often times they are not. They may have symptoms but be unaware that the cause is due to bruxism.
People who suffer from bruxism may have the following symptoms:
There are several different ways for treating bruxism. Some of these include:
At Clearwater Dental Associates we are able to examine and treat bruxism problems. We make custom fit night guards and we have appointments available immediately!
People who suffer from bruxism may have the following symptoms:
- headache
- sore jaw
- frequent headaches
- facial pain
- worn or cracked teeth or fillings
- loose teeth
- earache
- insomnia
There are several different ways for treating bruxism. Some of these include:
- stress reduction
- a protective "night guard" worn over the teeth while sleeping
- medication for pain or muscle spasms
- fillings or other dental treatment to repair any damaged teeth
At Clearwater Dental Associates we are able to examine and treat bruxism problems. We make custom fit night guards and we have appointments available immediately!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Belleair Area Dentist
Are you looking for a Belleair area dentist? Do you need an appointment TODAY? Give us a call!! Clearwater Dental Associates is conveniently located just 5 miles from the Belleair area. At Clearwater Dental Associates you can have comprehensive dental treatment all in one location. We have four general dentists in our office and we offer the specialities of endodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery and periodontics.
We do all types of restorative and cosmetic dentistry including teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, veneers, crowns, dental implants, dental bridges etc... . It is important to take good care of your teeth. Whether you just need a teeth cleaning or something more serious, our experienced staff works to provide you with the healthiest, most beautiful smile that modern dentistry can provide for you. Through our vast experience in the dental care industry, we try to keep your procedures anxiety-free, and even offer emergency appointments just in case a problem arises.
We offer " No Charge Consultations" if you are seeking a second opinion or if you just want to meet the dentist and get an idea of what dental treatment you may need. We offer "Same Day Appointments " if you are in pain and need to be seen right away.
After fixing any physical ailments to your teeth that you might be experiencing, the staff at Clearwater Dental Associates can also help you achieve the smile of your dreams with the latest cosmetic dentistry techniques. We offer a wide range of aesthetic, natural looking and completely safe solutions to discolored, misshapen, or missing teeth in order to help you create a new smile that will last you a lifetime.
So if you are looking for a Belleair Area Dentist that you can trust, look no further than Clearwater Dental. Call us today to schedule an appointment and get on your way to having the best smile you can possibly have.
We do all types of restorative and cosmetic dentistry including teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding, veneers, crowns, dental implants, dental bridges etc... . It is important to take good care of your teeth. Whether you just need a teeth cleaning or something more serious, our experienced staff works to provide you with the healthiest, most beautiful smile that modern dentistry can provide for you. Through our vast experience in the dental care industry, we try to keep your procedures anxiety-free, and even offer emergency appointments just in case a problem arises.
We offer " No Charge Consultations" if you are seeking a second opinion or if you just want to meet the dentist and get an idea of what dental treatment you may need. We offer "Same Day Appointments " if you are in pain and need to be seen right away.
After fixing any physical ailments to your teeth that you might be experiencing, the staff at Clearwater Dental Associates can also help you achieve the smile of your dreams with the latest cosmetic dentistry techniques. We offer a wide range of aesthetic, natural looking and completely safe solutions to discolored, misshapen, or missing teeth in order to help you create a new smile that will last you a lifetime.
So if you are looking for a Belleair Area Dentist that you can trust, look no further than Clearwater Dental. Call us today to schedule an appointment and get on your way to having the best smile you can possibly have.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Dental care in Largo
Even though our name is Clearwater Dental Associates, our office is very conveniently located to the Largo area. We are just off Belcher Road just a couple of miles north of East Bay Dr.
If you live in Largo and you are looking for a new dentist, we offer comprehensive family dentistry. We have general dentists that do everything from routine fillings to total smile restoration using the latest cosmetic dentistry techniques. We also have specialists for endodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics and periodontics in our office and who are available to see our patients.
We offer same day appointments if you are having a dental emergency and need to see a dentist in the Largo area right away.
So if you are looking for dental care in the Largo area contact us online, www.cdadental.com or call our office at 727-797-8800 to make an appointment. We would be happy to see you today!
Don't forget to visit us on Facebook!
If you live in Largo and you are looking for a new dentist, we offer comprehensive family dentistry. We have general dentists that do everything from routine fillings to total smile restoration using the latest cosmetic dentistry techniques. We also have specialists for endodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics and periodontics in our office and who are available to see our patients.
We offer same day appointments if you are having a dental emergency and need to see a dentist in the Largo area right away.
So if you are looking for dental care in the Largo area contact us online, www.cdadental.com or call our office at 727-797-8800 to make an appointment. We would be happy to see you today!
Don't forget to visit us on Facebook!
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