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Q: I just got dental insurance at work. How do I know how much it will
pay?
A: Dental insurance is meant to help with dental expenses, but generally doesn’t
pay everything. Each company is different and plans often vary within the same
company. Plans differ in yearly maximums, deductibles and even amounts paid for
the various dental procedures. This all seems very complicated. To help unravel
the mystery, we are happy to submit a pre-estimate to your insurance company for
you.
Q. My son just got his first tooth, my pediatrician mentioned having his
teeth checked by a dentist. At what age should a child have their first check
up?
A. The ADA and the AMA both agree that children should have their first dental
exam by age 1. This visit is to check on proper tooth eruption and to catch any
potential problems early. Problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, cysts, and
much more can be detected. Diet and oral habits will be evaluated, and home care
suggestions can be offered. This first check-up is a crucial step in beginning
their journey to a lifetime of healthy dental practices.
Q: At my last dental check up, my dentist looked at my throat, under my
tongue and at the inside of my checks. What was he looking for?
A. That’s a good question. In addition to checking for gum disease and cavities,
an important part of the dental exam includes an oral cancer screening. Many
cancers of the mouth are fast growing, so early detection is valuable. Avoiding
behaviors that can cause cancer is also very important. Abstaining from smoking,
smokeless tobacco and alcohol will greatly reduce your risks.
Q: My kids have dental sealants on their teeth. Can adults benefit from
sealants also?
A: Brushing and flossing can clean the smooth surfaces of your teeth. However
your toothbrush can’t reach into the deep grooves, on the chewing surfaces of
your teeth. Sealants are a plastic material that is bonded into these areas to
seal out cavity causing bacteria. The likelihood of decay begins early in life,
so kids are wonderful candidates for sealants. Adults that have deeper grooves
on the chewing surfaces of their teeth can also benefit from sealants as well.
Q. I have one tooth that is crooked which I feel ruins my whole smile. I
do not want to do braces, is there anything I can do straighten my smile up?
A. There is no reason to put up with gaps in your teeth or teeth that are
stained, badly shaped or crooked. Today a veneer placed on top of your tooth can
correct nature’s mistake or the results of a injury and help you have a
beautiful smile. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth colored
materials designed to cover the front side of the teeth. The latest in veneer
technology is Lumineers, a contact lens thin veneer. Lumineers require little
or no removal of painful tooth structure.
Q: Why should I have my child’s baby teeth filled? They are going to
fall
out anyway.
A: While it is true that baby teeth, or deciduous teeth, do eventually fall out,
they are important to your child now. Filling baby teeth can help your child
avoid toothaches or abscesses. In addition they help him to develop proper
speech patterns and eat comfortably. Baby teeth also hold space for his
permanent teeth. If one is lost too early due to decay or abscess, the others
may shift into the empty space. This often means a crooked smile. An investment
today can prevent larger dental problems down the road. |
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