Preventative Dentistry Archives

What Are the Ways to Cut Your Oral Cancer Risk?

Posted on March 21, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Simple Steps Can Reduce Your Risk of Mouth Cancer

Most of the cases of oral cancer can be prevented. Once you get oral cancer, it is often only discovered once it has already reached the advanced stages. This makes it all the more worthwhile to try and prevent it from occurring in the first place. The prevention of oral cancer is especially important if you already have a number of risk factors.

The Statistics

The Oral Cancer Foundation states that almost 50,000 new cases of oral cancer will be discovered this year. In five years, only about half that many will still be alive. This is a higher death rate than for other types of cancer. This type of cancer was also usually only found in people who were 40 or older, but now more young people are developing it.

The way that oral cancers are most frequently discovered is through a doctor or dentist feeling the lymph nodes in the neck and discovering that they are swollen. This means that cancer has already metastasized and is spreading.

The Causes of Oral Cancer

The primary cause of many types of cancer, including oral cancer, is tobacco. This includes smoking and smokeless varieties. E-cig devices are also included, not for the tobacco, but because of the nicotine, which is a tobacco product.

Smokeless tobacco is often sold as being healthier than cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. This may be true in the case of lung cancer, but the rise in mouth cancer cases, and other types of cancer, and periodontal disease, still declares plainly that it is not safe. There is also a possibility that it is linked to heart disease.

Another cause of mouth cancer that is occurring more frequently is HPV. This STD in the mouth and throat is picked up by engaging in oral sex. Although HPV is not the actual cause, it does help to trigger the process that develops the mouth cancer.

Oral Cancer Symptoms

It is possible that some of the oral cancer symptoms may be perceived to be something else. Some of them may even seem unrelated, but the things you want to look for include:

Tongue pain
A sore throat
Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Pain the jaw or stiffness
A sore that bleeds or does not heal
Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit right.

Mouth Cancer Prevention

Your risk of getting oral cancer can be reduced, although not totally eliminated. There is no absolute guarantee, but you can minimize it. You can work toward the prevention of oral cancer by doing several things:

Quit smoking – This is the greatest risk. Those who smoke are most likely to get many types of cancer, including head and neck cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, and more. It also promotes periodontal disease. One in five deaths in the U.S. is caused by smoking.
Reduce the alcohol – Alcohol is classified as a carcinogen. When drinking heavily, it is related to several types of cancer. Moderate drinking will reduce the risk, which is considered to be two drinks average per day for men, and one drink a day average for women.
Eat healthy – Eating more fruits and vegetables, and fiber, along with less red meat, will strengthen your immune system to be able to help fight against cancer.
Lose weight – Being overweight, or obese, helps promote cancer. Establish a regular exercise program, with at least 150 minutes per week, and you can reduce this risk factor.
Spend less time in the sun – The sun’s rays can lead to lip cancer if they are exposed to them for long periods. Wear a hat, and reduce your time in the sun.
Genetics – Some families have a gene that may make them more prone to developing oral cancer. While you cannot change the gene, you can be more watchful to try and catch it early.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) – There are many forms of HPV, but one form in particular – HPV16 – is known to lead to the development of cancer. Your risk of an HPV caused oral cancer can be reduced by obtaining an HPV vaccination, and by limiting having oral sex with one person who is not having sex with other people.

When to See a Dentist

Regular dental checkups can often lead to the discovery of oral cancer. The thing to look for is when one or more of the mouth cancer symptoms last more than two weeks. If you see these symptoms, make an appointment with your dentist for an oral cancer screening. During the checkup, the dentist will look for other possible causes. If a problem is discovered, a biopsy may need to be taken.

In addition to working on your own program for the prevention of oral cancer, you can get oral cancer screening from Champion Dental clinic, Farmers Branch, Texas by calling our office today at (214) 747-0763.

date ready teeth farmers branch tx champion dental

Got Date-Ready Teeth?

Posted on March 9, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Are Your Teeth Ready to Impress?

After you have landed that date that you have been waiting for, you want to be sure to make a good impression. You want to have a real smile instead of a fake one caused by self-consciously trying to hide your yellow teeth. You know that yellow teeth might be a deal breaker, and you are hoping that you will be able to get a second date. You decide that you still have time for teeth whitening.

Teeth Whitening Options

For your upcoming date, you have carefully thought of everything you need. Everything is ready – except for your teeth.

These days there really is more than one option when you want teeth whitening. You know your teeth have been stained for a while and that it is about time to do something about it. Now you wonder how to get the best teeth stain remover to get your teeth the whitest possible.

You know that drug stores and even large stores sell teeth whitening kits. The kits make it easy to get teeth whitening at home. As you look at your teeth, though, you know that you do not have enough days left for the kit to whiten your teeth enough. Since they normally take about two weeks or more, this is a problem.

You have also heard that a kit will only whiten your teeth one or two shades lighter. Unfortunately, you look at your teeth and decide that you need them whiter than that if you are going to impress your date.

Best Way to Whiten Teeth

Although teeth whitening kits are readily available, they cannot come close to what professional teeth whitening can do for you. Because the procedure is conducted under supervision, the dentist is able to use much stronger chemicals than you can get at the store.

This means that you can expect much better results from a dentist in a much shorter time. In fact, the dentist is able to whiten your teeth up to six shades whiter in just one appointment. Depending on the condition of your teeth, the results may vary somewhat, but you can expect much better results from an experienced teeth whitening dentist.

An Alternate Way to Whiter Teeth

Talking to the dentist may reveal a third way you can get good results. The dentist can also provide you with special teeth whitening trays to take home. This enables you to do it yourself with stronger and better chemicals than you would get from the store. The one setback is that you still will not get chemicals of the same strength as you would get in the dentist’s office – simply because it is not supervised.

Impressing Your Date

When you go on your date, one of the best ways to impress someone is to have a natural and beautiful smile. It speaks wonders for you and makes you look great. And when you know that you look great, you can relax and enjoy being with your date more.

Surveys conducted by various groups have found that your smile will tell other people a lot about you. In fact, they will judge you by your smile and condition of your teeth more than by your grammar, your hairstyle, or by your clothes. The survey discovered that 71 percent of women judge others by their smile, and 58 percent of men do it, too.

Causes of Yellow Teeth

Although your teeth look smooth, they really are not. The truth is that they have many niches and crannies where microscopic fragments of food or dyes can cling to your teeth. Some other things that can stain your teeth include:

Antibiotics
Thinning enamel
Aging
Poor oral health
Smoking
Foods – wine, juices, etc.
Coffee and tea
Trauma
Genetics
Radiation and chemotherapy

Keep Your Teeth White

After you get teeth whitening from a dentist, realize that your teeth will become stained again unless you take steps to prevent it. To help keep your teeth white, you need to brush your teeth twice daily and floss. You also want to avoid foods that will stain your teeth. Quit smoking. You can also protect your teeth from cavities and gum disease by consuming less sugar.

Other dental problems can be corrected at the dentist office, too. If you have chipped teeth, cavities, short teeth, or other issues, the dentist can correct them, as well. A tooth-colored compound can match your teeth’s color and no one will notice the difference.

When you are ready to get your fresh white teeth, you can visit Champion Dental clinic, Farmers Branch Texas. Our Board licensed Specialists provide many dental services and professional teeth whitening for the beautiful white teeth you need for your date.

Why Are My Teeth Sensitive When Water Touches Them?

Posted on March 7, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

What Causes Sensitive Teeth?

Teeth can become sensitive to hot or cold water rather quickly. You may not have noticed any problems previously, but now you cannot ignore the tooth pain when you get a drink. Sensitive teeth signal that there is a problem.

Sensitive Teeth Causes

Your teeth can become sensitive to hot or cold for a number of reasons. All of them, however, point to one basic problem – your teeth (or tooth) have lost their protective enamel covering.

The outer layer of enamel on all of your teeth is very hard. Over time, various substances and bacteria can cause the outer layer of enamel to erode, which can expose the nerve underneath. There is actually another layer under the enamel called cementum that must also become eroded before the nerve becomes sensitive.

The cementum is on top of a layer called dentin and dentin is not as dense as the other two. It is made up of hollow tubes that will enable hot or cold liquids, and some food through them to touch the nerve. When it does, you will feel pain.

Several problems can cause the underlying nerve to become exposed to produce the tooth sensitivity that you feel. These problems include:

Cavities
Teeth that are fractured
Gum disease
Worn tooth enamel
Worn fillings
An exposed tooth root.

Causes of Tooth Decay

Many people have heard for most of their lives that sweets can cause cavities – but most people do not know how. The truth is that the culprit is microscopic – bad bacteria. There are over 700 different types of bacteria in your mouth.

When the bad bacteria come in contact with sugar, it turns it into an acid. This acid slowly erodes the enamel on your teeth, causing it to have pits in it. These pits, sooner or later, will reach into the cementum, then to the dentin, where liquids finally come into direct contact with your tooth’s nerve.

The sensitive teeth pain is not the end of your problem. The same bacteria that eroded your teeth are also capable of eroding your gums and more. The destruction of your teeth with an acid can be compounded if you drink a lot of sodas and fruit drinks. Both of these drinks contain acids that add to the damage done by the bacteria. Sooner or later you will develop gum disease.

Having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also cause dental sensitivity. The acid from your stomach can help erode your tooth’s enamel, leading to teeth that are sensitive to hot and cold.

It is possible to have multiple teeth, or a single tooth, that is sensitive to hot and cold. This may also be the result of getting new fillings or crowns, bleaching your teeth, or gum disease causing your gums to recede, and your tooth roots being exposed.

Risk Factors

While anyone can get sensitive teeth at any age, people between the ages of 20 and 40 are the ones most likely to have that problem. Women have an increased likelihood of developing sensitive teeth.

Sensitive Teeth Treatment

Sensitive teeth can be treated in a way that will reduce the pain when you drink or eat hot or cold foods or liquids. On your own, you could try over-the-counter desensitizing toothpaste.

The dentist may also try some other options for a sensitive teeth remedy:

Fluoride gel – this is a fluoride varnish that is used to seal the sensitive teeth. It will help to strengthen your tooth’s enamel and the dentin.
Tooth repair – this process uses the same bonding material that is used to repair chips and some other dental problems. It is tooth colored and it is used to seal the dentin surface and protect it from hot and cold substances.
Gum grafts – when your gums have receded from gum disease and exposed the tooth roots, a dentist may suggest gum grafts. This surgical method replaces the lost gums to recover the roots of your teeth.
Root canal – when other methods have been tried and failed, a dentist can give you a root canal. This method removes the cap of the sensitive tooth, deadens the nerve inside that is causing the pain and puts a new crown on it. A root canal is the best method to stop sensitive teeth symptoms.

If you tend to grind your teeth at night, you are at risk of having other teeth become sensitive. A dentist can help you get a quality mouth guard to protect your teeth while you sleep.

If you live in the Farmers Branch, TX your sensitive teeth can be treated by Champion Dental expert dentists team. Call us at 214-747-0763 to fix an appointment. We are available on Saturdays also.

How-To Guide To Healthy Teeth

Posted on February 24, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Steps You Need to Take to Keep a Beautiful Smile

When thinking about health, most people do not think much about caring for the health of your teeth. The truth is there is a definite connection between having a healthy mouth and having a healthy body. This how to guide will present an overview of what you need to keep your healthy teeth.

Brush Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth and flossing form the basic two things that serve as a starting place for healthy teeth. You need to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time and floss them once a day – preferably before you go to bed.

Gum Disease

The bacteria in your mouth will form a film (plaque) on your teeth every so many hours. This is constantly occurring and brushing your teeth will remove it from the surface of your teeth, and flossing removes it from in between your teeth.

When you eat sweets and sugar-laden drinks, it causes the bad bacteria in your mouth to multiply. When it does, it produces an acid that starts attacking the enamel on your teeth. Without the proper care, the bacteria will continue to create dental problems. Your healthy gums will start to show signs of gum disease, which in the early stages are revealed by bleeding gums when you brush your teeth, they may possibly be inflamed, and your gums may be noticeably receding.

In more advanced stages, gum disease becomes periodontitis, which causes more adults to lose their teeth than any other cause. The same bacteria involved in the more mild form of gum disease (gingivitis) continues producing acid that destroys your gums, the structures that hold your teeth in place, and your jawbone. Only a periodontist can help restore your gums and teeth at this point – and it will be very costly.

Why Healthy Teeth and Gums Are Important

Recent research has discovered that the bacteria that cause gum disease and inflammation are also a major factor in as many as 50 different diseases and health problems. Among them are diabetes, cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke. Several types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s, COPD, pregnancy complications, and many more are caused by these same bacteria.

Eat Healthy Foods

The acids and sugars in many foods attack the enamel on your teeth, which leads to a process called demineralization. This means it is actually removing important minerals from your teeth, weakening the enamel and even making holes in it. By eating balanced healthy foods, your teeth can be remineralized and strengthened. Both processes are constantly occurring, but healthy eating helps ensure that the right vitamins and minerals are available.

The right kind of nutrition is also necessary to help your immune system. When healthy, your immune system can help fight off both gum disease and some oral cancers. Both of them are apt to grow faster when you do not get enough of the right kind of nutrition.

Smoking, or using chewing tobacco or even e-cigs, weakens the immune system in your mouth. This is why dental work on smokers takes longer to heal, and it is also why many smokers develop oral cancer.

Teeth Cleaning

Making regular visits to the dentist is also important to keep healthy teeth. The dentist can spot dental problems in their early stages and treat them, which could easily prevent the need for more costly treatments later on. As the dentist provides regular teeth cleaning, they can also tell you about spots you may be missing in your own dental care.

In between teeth cleanings, there may be other times when you should contact your dentist. These include occasions when you notice:

Red or tender gums that may also bleed when you brush.
Your gums are pulling away from your teeth.
Your teeth become sensitive to hot and cold.
Bad breath that you cannot prevent.
Some teeth are becoming loose.
Sores in your mouth are not healing.
Your teeth do not align the same way.
Your dentures or partials do not fit the same way.
You have difficulty when swallowing.

Be Careful of Drugs

The illegal kind of drugs can contain many harmful types of chemicals that will help destroy your teeth fast. They contain acids that will weaken your teeth’s enamel quickly, leading to serious cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Even prescription drugs can harm your teeth. Some drugs, such as some antibiotics, can lead to discoloring them. If you are taking a drug that seems to be discoloring your teeth, see if your doctor can prescribe an alternative medication.

In order to maintain your healthy teeth and gums, you need the regular assistance of a dentist. If you live in Farmers Branch, TX all you need to do is call 214-747-0763 , Champion dental clinic for your regular dental check ups and affordable oral care. Make Champion Dental as your preferred dentistry for all your family dental needs.

How to Detox Your Mouth?

Posted on February 21, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Get Better Dental Health with an Oral Detox

Your mouth is the host to more than 500 different kinds of bacteria. While much of it is necessary and beneficial, some of this vast number is harmful to your teeth and gums. If you have bad breath or know that you have gum disease, you can detox your mouth to help remove some of these problems.

Why You Should Detox Your Mouth

Every day there is a battle going on in your mouth. It is the good bacteria versus the bad. The good bacteria try to keep the bad bacteria under control, but there are some things that can energize the bad bacteria so that the good bacteria are not strong enough to do so.

Evidence that the bad bacteria is out of control in your mouth is bad breath. Another piece of evidence is that your gums bleed when you brush or floss them. If your gums appear red or inflamed is one more piece of evidence that you need detoxification. Detoxing your mouth can help eradicate the bad bacteria and restore the health of your mouth over time.

Why the Health of Your Mouth Matters

Recent research reveals that having gum disease, caused by the bad bacteria being out of control, will affect your overall health. This is because the bad bacteria cause inflammation, and inflammation leads to coronary artery disease, diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, and even some forms of cancer. Because of this, no amount of gum disease is healthy.

Things That Strengthen the Bad Bacteria

Before you can understand how to reduce and control the bad bacteria, you need to understand what causes it to get out of control in the first place. It may surprise you to learn that the bad bacteria feed on sugar. This means that every time you drink a soda or sip on a coffee or tea with loads of sugar in it, you are strengthening the bad bacteria in your mouth. The problem with this is that when it gets sugar, it turns it into an acid that slowly corrodes the enamel on your teeth.

So, while you may detox your mouth to try and remove some of the bad bacteria, if you eat a lot of carbs and sugar-laden drinks, you are not going to have much success. Drinking water and eating healthy foods will be much better for your overall health. Diabetes will also need to be controlled because high sugar levels in your blood will promote gum disease.

How to Detox

There are numerous ways to detox your mouth. Here are some that you may want to try.

Green Tea

Green tea is known for its many health benefits. It contains anti-oxidants and flavonoids that have properties needed to help control the bad bacteria in your mouth. One study, published in the Journal of Periodontology, indicated that men who drank green tea had better oral health than those who did not. For every cup of green tea consumed, it reduced further the indicators of periodontal disease.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling has been used for thousands of years in India as a way to prevent tooth decay, bad breath, bleeding gums, and more. Although this may not be as appealing as some other methods of detoxing your mouth, the benefits of using sesame oil have been tested by the National Institutes of Health and found to be an effective way to improve your oral health.

Sesame seed oil, some people also like coconut oil, can be used to detox your mouth. Simply swish it around your mouth for around 10-15 minutes or more before brushing your teeth. Then spit it out in the trash can (it can clog your drains), and rinse with water. In the case of coconut oil, which is a semi-solid at room temperature, let it melt in your mouth first, and then swish it around. Some people also say that it will whiten your teeth.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has also been used for centuries to help reduce oral problems. It is known to have anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties. This ability can be used to detox your mouth and help to alleviate the bacteria that cause periodontitis. One government report indicated that it was helpful in reducing the bacteria that cause periodontitis and reducing inflammation.

Detoxing your mouth is not a substitute for dental care. While it can help control the bacteria and reduce inflammation, it will not fix problems once they develop. You will still need cavities to be filled, and antibiotics, and possibly even surgery may be necessary to correct problems caused by a severe periodontal disease.

For the best mouth health, you will also need to quit smoking. The chemicals from tobacco of any kind will raise your risk of gum disease, and it will also slow the ability of your gums to heal or fight the disease.

Even though you use various home remedies to detox your mouth, it is still necessary to see a dentist for regular checkups. If you live in the Farmers Branch, TX you can get dental care by making a visit to Champion Dental office. We perform many dental services and can help you get on the right track with the dental care you need. For more information, or to set up an appointment, you can call (214) 747-0763

Getting the Most for Your Dollar at the Dentist's Office

How to Maximize Your Visit to Your Dentist?

Posted on February 15, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Getting the Most for Your Dollar at the Dentist’s Office

Going to a dentist’s office is not something that people do very often. Since that probably includes you, it is important to ensure that you are going to make your dentist appointment as productive as possible. You want to be prepared before you go to get the most out of it.

Write Down Your Questions and Needs

You are the one who is most aware of what has been going on with your teeth and gums. The dentist will be limited to what can actually be seen at the time of your dental visit – unless you remember to reveal other things or ask questions.

The best way to remember your questions or problems is to write them down in advance of your visit to the dentist. Some things that you may want to include are if you have a tooth that has become sensitive to temperature or when you bite on it.

Another thing that you will especially want to mention to your dentist is if you have any sores in your mouth that do not seem to go away. A sore that does not heal could be an indication of oral cancer. Dentists are trained to be able to identify it, and getting early treatment for it is very important.

If your gums have been bleeding when you brush your teeth or floss it should also be mentioned. This is an indication of early gum disease, and the dentist can advise you on how to treat it before it becomes worse. Other symptoms of gum disease include swollen gums, bad breath, pus appearing between your teeth and gums, loose teeth, and spaces appearing between your teeth.

If you have been experiencing dry mouth recently, this should also be mentioned to the dentist. This is a problem the dentist is concerned about because it means that the amount of bad bacteria that harms your teeth has increased. It can be caused by various diseases and medications. When this occurs, the bacteria start producing an acid that slowly destroys the enamel on your teeth. Having a healthy amount of saliva helps keep the bad bacteria under control, and also helps to repair your teeth.

Understand What Services the Dentist Provides

Most likely, you already understand some of the dental services you may need. Prior to making an appointment, make a list of things you want a dentist in your area to offer. Once your list is complete, call the dental office and ask your questions.

Among the things you want to ask, there are some things you need to ask for sure. The topics you want to learn about include:

Do they accept your dental insurance?
If you do not have dental insurance, do they offer a flexible payment plan?
Do they handle emergency dental situations?
Do they provide dental services for children? Orthodontics – which options?
Can the dentist remove fillings made of mercury?
Do they offer tips for better oral health care?
If desired, do they offer sleep sedation dentistry?
What materials are available for fillings?
Do they offer cosmetic dentistry services?

Another thing that you may want to ask about is if the dentist office offers any of new high-tech forms of dentistry. This could include using a laser to detect cavities or drill them out, using ozone for sterilization, and thinner veneers that make removing tooth enamel unnecessary.

Create a List of All Medications and Supplements You Are Taking Now

The dentist will need to know what medications and supplements you are taking at the time of your dental appointment. This is important because it can affect your treatment. If you are taking a blood thinner, for example, the dentist needs to know it because a dental procedure may involve excessive bleeding in that case.

Ask About Your Dental Cleaning Methods

When looking into your mouth, a dentist can quickly spot how well you are – or are not – cleaning your teeth. By asking the dentist to let you know what you can do to improve your teeth cleaning methods, you can help cut down on your overall annual dental costs.

Get a Referral

One of the best ways to choose a dentist is to get a referral from a friend, co-worker, or relative. You want to find one that offers the services you need, but is also friendly and answers your questions. A referral is especially good when you need to get the same type of dental services as the person who referred you.

Our MyChampion Dental expert dentist team will gladly help you get the most out of your routine dental visit. For more information, or to set up an appointment, you can call our office today at (214) 747-0763.

Sugary Sodas Linked Again to Higher Chance of Dental Cavities

Posted on February 15, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Are Sodas Worth the Cost of a Lot of Dental Care?

During the summer months especially, people are going to be drinking a lot of soda. It is used at meals, sipped on through the day, and many people drink some for snacks while watching TV. While many people have heard it is not good for teeth, few people understand what happens when you mix soda and teeth.

Why Sugar Can Cause Dental Decay

There are naturally more than 500 different types of bacteria in your mouth. Some of them are good, and some are bad. In a healthy mouth, these two types of bacteria are balanced. Introducing sugar into your mouth produces an imbalance and the bad bacteria multiply. As it does, it produces an acid that erodes the enamel on your teeth.

These same bacteria also cause gum disease. Sipping on sodas and other sweet drinks through the day only increases the number of bad bacteria, and this leads to more destruction of the enamel on your teeth. Soon, cavities will appear and your teeth will be stained.

Soda and Sugar

One of the reasons that soda is a problem is because sugar and tooth decay go together. The sugar in soda is sticky and it sticks to your teeth longer than some other foods. Because it sticks to your teeth, it enables bacteria to multiply and cause erosion to the enamel on your teeth.

Each can or bottle of soda has a lot of sugar in it. More than most people know about. A can of Coke contains about nine teaspoons of sugar. Clear sodas contain about the same amount, and root beer contains even more sugar than Coke.

Sodas and Acid

Sodas also contain a lot of acid in them. Each sip you take of soda causes an acid attack on your teeth for about 20 minutes. This acid is in addition to the acid created by the bad bacteria. Sipping on soda all day exposes your teeth to a very powerful acid – phosphoric acid. One study compared the acid in soda to battery acid. Citric acid is the most powerful type of acid used in soft drinks.

Diet soda often contains no table sugar, but it is not harmless either. It may contain another type of acid.

The Effects of Acid

The acid in soda will cause a noticeable difference in your teeth after a while. Because the enamel is getting thinner, if you continue to drink a lot of soda regularly, your teeth will start to yellow more. This is caused by less enamel covering the dentin, which is a darker yellow. The chewing surface of your teeth may be dented, uneven, and rounded. Less enamel can also make your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks.

The acid removes some of the minerals in your teeth, making them weaker. It also creates tiny holes in the enamel of your teeth, giving the acid access to the dentin. It is these holes in your tooth’s enamel that makes it sensitive to certain foods or temperatures.

The Need for Saliva

The saliva in your mouth helps protect your mouth and teeth from the bad bacteria. When you have a good amount of it, it washes away the bacteria, acids, sugars, and helps destroy the bad bacteria. Sodas tend to dehydrate and can make your mouth dry. Many other drinks have this same effect.

A dry mouth promotes the growth of the wrong kind of bacteria. Some medications will also help to cause a dry mouth, and this can lead to gum disease.

Saliva also helps to repair damage to your teeth. Healthy eating provides the right minerals in your mouth and it can repair the enamel – but possibly not faster than it is destroyed if you drink a lot of soda.

Evidence of Cavities

One of the key effects of soda on teeth is that it will eventually cause cavities. Some symptoms are that you will have a toothache, brown or black stains on your teeth, pain in a tooth when you bite on something or you may even have a visible pit or hole in a tooth.

How to Prevent Cavities from Soda

Because of the acid in sodas, and the harm it does to the enamel on your teeth, it is not a good idea to brush your teeth right after drinking soda. The acid weakens the enamel, and brushing right away will cause some of it to be knocked loose with your toothbrush.

Drinking water and rinsing your mouth with it after drinking soda and sugary foods will help to remove some of the acid and sugar. You also do not want to sip soda all day. Instead, drink it rather quickly and follow it up by rinsing with water.

If you have dental decay from acidic drinks and need tooth decay treatment, MyChampion Dental clinic certified dental specialists’ can assist you. We perform a wide range of dental services, including treating the effects of soda on teeth. Call our Farmers’ branch office for more details

Dental Health Insurance – Things You Need to Know

Posted on February 9, 2023 | by mel | 1 Comment

Choose Your Dental Insurance Carefully for Best Results

Buying dental insurance is different than buying a regular health insurance plan. The terms and the focus are often different, and some of the things that you might think are covered may not be covered at all. Dental insurance plans vary considerably between companies, so you will need to look carefully at the details if you are getting individual dental insurance.

The Focus Is Different

Instead of just meeting needs as they occur, dental plans aim for prevention. Many of them will offer 100 percent coverage for preventive care, which will usually cover such things as x-rays, dental cleanings, and check-ups. The higher percentage for preventive care aims to prevent costly procedures before they occur, and will pay a smaller percentage for the actual treatment of larger problems.

Maximum Coverage

Nearly all dental plans will have a maximum amount of payments that they will make each year. The caps are usually set at either $1,000 or $1,500 per year. Many of the more expensive procedures may cost more than this, so it is likely that you will still be paying considerable costs out of pocket. In addition, there may also be a deductible amount.

Partial Coverage

Many dental treatments are only covered by a percentage of the cost. Basic procedures will often pay around 80 percent of the cost, and this may include fillings – amalgam only, reattaching existing crowns, and dental extractions.

Major dental work is usually covered by more dental insurance plans at a rate of 50 percent. This would include treatments such as bridges, crowns, root canals, and dental implants. This means that if you have a root canal and a crown, the total cost could be around $2,000, or more. If the insurance pays 50 percent, you will pay $1,000 for it, plus any co-pays.

Depending on your dental plan, this could end up being the only service the dental insurance plan will pay for because you reached the maximum amount. Of course, they would still pay for preventive dental services.

Pre-existing Conditions

Most dental insurance companies have clauses in their contracts that will prevent you from benefiting by getting dental coverage just when you need to have some major work done on your teeth. In many cases, after you buy a dental insurance policy, you may still need to wait at least 30 days before you can even get any preventive care. Getting fillings and other restorative services may require a waiting period of three months or more, and any major treatments may require a wait of at least six months or more.

When you go to buy dental insurance, it is quite likely that you will need to sign up for a minimum of one year. Some of the more expensive treatments may require waiting a year or more. These treatments often include orthodontics (if covered at all), bridges, and dentures.

Group Dental Insurance

There are also some things you need to know about getting a dental insurance plan through your employer’s group plan. While it may only cost you a few dollars a month for it, it may not be worth it if it is for your whole family. Many times these plans only have a maximum cap of about $1,000 for the entire family. As seen earlier, this cap may not cover much if one or more of your family members need some major dental work.

Dental Insurance Not Required

Under the Affordable Care Act, health plans offered in the Marketplace may also offer dental health insurance. If it is offered as part of the plan, it is included in the cost of the premiums. If it is not part of the plan, you are free to buy the one offered by the health insurance company you choose, or you can buy a separate dental plan.

Dental Insurance for Kids

If you have people in your home under the age of 18, the Affordable Care Act requires that the insurer make dental insurance available for them – but you do not have to buy it. Adults do not have to have it, either.

Buying Dental Insurance

Before you go and buy any dental insurance, if you have a dentist you like already, check to see what insurance plans they accept and choose one. Look for one that provides the best benefits for you and your family.

Dental Savings Plans

This alternative to dental insurance offers club members a discount of anywhere between 10 to 60 percent of the usual costs. There are many dentists that honor dental savings plans, and some of them are offered by major insurance companies. There are no annual caps, limits, or waiting periods.

When you need dental care and have a dental health insurance plan, or want help in choosing one, reach out to Champion Dental, Farmers Branch TX at 214-747-0763-

Are Powered Toothbrushes As Good As They Sound?

Posted on February 7, 2023 | by mel | 2 Comments

Does the Toothbrush Type Really Make a Difference?

Before buying your next toothbrush, you might want to know whether an electric toothbrush is really the best toothbrush you can buy. There certainly are many choices available today, and they all have a new and improved design. The only thing that really matters, though, is how good of a job it does in cleaning your teeth.

Many Kinds of Electric Toothbrushes

When you go to the store to buy a good electric toothbrush, you may be surprised to find so many different kinds. Not only are there some top name brands, but you can also choose between rechargeable toothbrushes, sonic, battery operated toothbrush, and a travel electric toothbrush. Then you must also consider the options they come with, such as a timer, an electric toothbrush with pressure sensor, variable brushing modes, etc.

Advertising

Another element that needs to be considered is the advertising. There is plenty of it, and as might be expected, they all claim to be the best – but are they really?

Types of Powered Toothbrushes

Many electric toothbrushes use the word “power” to describe them. They all use electric power of one sort or another, whether battery operated or plug-in, so this term really does not differentiate them.

Battery Operated Toothbrushes

This type of toothbrush operates using an AA battery, which can be easily replaced. The power vibrates the head, giving it a little more cleaning power.

Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

This toothbrush needs to be plugged in when it runs low on power. They often have heads that need replacing about every three months, and they will either have oscillating heads, rotating heads, or possibly sonic capabilities. This kind will usually come with a number of features, too.

Sonic Toothbrushes

These toothbrushes take brushing teeth to the next level. The heads on them vibrate at very high speeds – between 30,000 and 40,000 vibrations per minute. The advertisement also claims that it can clean places where an ordinary toothbrush cannot reach. It can do this by swishing the water, toothpaste, or saliva into the crevices between teeth, enabling it to clean where other toothbrushes cannot reach.

This toothbrush, many claim, gets their teeth cleaner and they are also more confident that it is doing a good job. Of course, the vibrating speed seems to have influenced some to think it is doing a better job.

The Top Electric Toothbrush

When you consider which model is the top electric toothbrush, it is also worthwhile to think about what makes any toothbrush a good one. When it comes right down to it, it is not the variety of options a toothbrush has that makes it valuable, it is the user.

Whether a user takes a minute with a good toothbrush, or a minute with a high-powered one, the difference depends on how careful the user is to brush all the surfaces of his or her teeth. If he or she is careless, or in a hurry, surfaces will be missed, and it will provide a place for plaque to start building up.

Flossing Still Necessary

No matter what kind of toothbrush you use, it cannot take the place of flossing. A toothbrush cannot get all the plaque and food particles from in between your teeth. While a sonic one may get a little more than other ones, you still need to floss and do a thorough job in order to get the best protection for your teeth.

Despite the advertising claims, a high-tech toothbrush cannot do any better than a standard non-electric version, if you rush brushing your teeth or do not floss.

Which Is Better?

Over 30 studies have been conducted to investigate the issue of which is better – a manual or an electric toothbrush. The conclusion is that one is not necessarily better than the other because it all depends on the user. A rotating toothbrush, however, did seem to rate a little better.

Consumer Reports indicates that the best toothbrush may be an electric toothbrush. A particular type was not indicated. Care needs to be given, though, when it comes to how much pressure you use, and how often you use it.

Are They for You?

A high powered toothbrush is not for everyone. If you are the kind of person who can still take the time to ensure you hit all the surfaces of your teeth – and floss regularly, you are the one who can benefit most from it. On the other hand, if it will make you lazy or careless, or if you might come to think that it is all you need for clean teeth, you may want to avoid it.

It is also important to understand that a toothbrush, no matter how fancy, is still not a substitute for going to the dentist. A dentist still needs to check for cavities so that they can be stopped before they get worse. Checking for gum disease is another issue, as well as for the possible start of oral cancer.

Letting an experienced dentist help you with dental care, in spite of having the best toothbrush, is a good idea. If you live in the Farmers branch Texas area, you can let Champion Dental Clinic, meet you and your family’s dental needs. For a consultation or treatment on how to get better oral health, you can contact our office at today at (214) 747-0764.

Does Smoking Vapor Harm Your Teeth?

Posted on February 2, 2023 | by mel | 1 Comment

Why It Is Still Not a Safe Alternative

Ever since electric smokers appeared on the market, people have wondered how safe they are. Everyone already knew that smoking was harmful to teeth, but they also wanted to know about vapor smoke. Vaping has become quite popular, particularly among the young, and no one really knew what the results would be. Now they know how it affects teeth.

The Harmful Ingredients

One thing that will enable people to relax a little is the knowledge that there is no tobacco in the vapor from an e-cig. This means that the 7,000 different chemicals in tobacco and its smoke identified by the U.S. Surgeon General, is not in an electronic cigarette. That’s the good news.

The bad news are that there is nicotine and other chemicals in the vaping liquid. Nicotine does come from tobacco, and many of the ingredients and flavorings are known to be harmful. According to the CDC, the Surgeon General has identified all forms of e-cigarettes (e-pipes, e-pens, e-cigars, and e-hookahs) as not safe. People are being misled thinking that the many flavors are not harmful.

Harmful to Cells in Mouth

In a study published by Oncotarget, it concluded that the various chemicals put into an e-cigarette are no less harmful to the cells in your mouth than what is found in ordinary tobacco smoke. This means that the effect on the lining of your mouth, your gums, and your teeth, may be the same – or even worse – than that caused by smoking.

One reason that an epuffer is harmful to the mouth is that the greatest concentrations of the chemicals enter he mouth first. The chemicals are also hot. Some of the toxins found in the vapor of e-cigs include a chemical found in anti-freeze (diethylene glycol), formaldehyde, and toxic metals, including lead, chromium, and nickel.

Effects

Dentists have seen patients who vape with a cough, indicating that it is affecting the lungs. Of course, many patients believe that it is harmless, which is just not true.

Inflammation of the mouth, with sores (called stomatitis), is another problem sometimes seen. It affects the mucous membrane in the mouth, the gums, tongue, and throat. Dry mouth (xerostomia) is also seen often. Another problem is that the chemicals can produce chemical burns on the tongue.

The nicotine, as well as the various flavorings, is known to damage the cells in the mouth. This can lead to mouth cancer. Nicotine is also known to promote gum disease.

Why It Is a Concern

The above effects may vary in different people. Some may have them much more pronounced than others. This is only half the story. Chemicals in the mouth and gums, as well as having dry mouth, helps to upset the balance of the good and bad bacteria.

When this occurs, the bad bacteria start to multiply and the gums become inflamed and bleed. As the bacteria multiply, they produce acid, which is destructive to the teeth and gums. Careful attention to brushing twice daily and flossing each day is necessary to control it. Healthy amounts of saliva are necessary, too.

If good dental care is not maintained, pockets on the gums will soon form, and these become places where colonies of the bacteria can grow faster. This is periodontal disease. Since it is now beyond the reach of a toothbrush, brushing and flossing will not stop it at this point. More acid is produced, the gums recede, and the bacteria destroy the support structures for the teeth, and the jaw bone. Teeth start to become loose, and some may fall out.

The Addictive Power of Nicotine

Nicotine is very addicting. This is why it is used in an electric smoker. It can lead to smoking regular cigarettes, and many people who use e-cigs use both. This means that they are getting the harmful effects of the chemicals from both, and the nicotine is likely to keep this intake of dangerous chemicals continuing.

Long-Term Effect Not Determined Yet

Because cigarettes have been around a long time, the results are in – it is not healthy to smoke. It took many years for the truth to come out, and a lot of people have died from smoking. If you are still wondering do e cigarettes cause cancer, why learn the hard way?

Unfortunately, e-cigs have not been around long enough to know all of its long-term effects. Many people still assume that it is harmless, but enough research has already been conducted to prove otherwise. Many of the vaping liquids are made in China, where careful controls of what goes into them are not regulated or supervised.

Category: Preventative Dentistry