Login Register FOR PATIENTS FOR DENTISTS RESEARCH DENTAL PROBLEMS

   Go

“Baby teeth fall out anyway. So why bother taking good care of them?”

Kids dentists and family dentists get asked this question all the time. Here are six reasons why parents should begin caring for their baby’s teeth as early:

• Placeholders for permanent teeth – Baby teeth are place holders for permanent teeth. So the decay and loss of baby teeth can deform the mouth permanently. So if you are worried about your child having great teeth later in life, you need to take good care of baby teeth.
• Important for nutrition – Primary teeth will help babies and children in chewing and biting for a number of years, until they develop permanent teeth. So their early loss could interfere with your child’s nutrition.
• Healthy development and self confidence – Healthy teeth are necessary for the development of normal speech and appearance, both of which are important to your child’s self confidence. When a child has rotten, faulty or missing teeth she cannot speak clearly or smile and laugh with abandon. If she feels the need to keep quiet, cover her mouth while talking or be careful while smiling or laughing aloud, she will not feel good about herself; especially when she sees other kids do not have the same setbacks.
• Give them a good start – Painful teeth and gums can lead to loss of concentration. Kids can miss school due to toothache and other issues. Both these can interfere with their educational attainments.
• Good dental habits are developed early – If baby gets used to brushing her teeth early, she is well on her way to developing positive dental habits during childhood, teen years and into adulthood.
• Earlier you begin with dental care, the better – Younger babies are more malleable than older ones and more open to new experiences. They are also likely to be less stubborn than older babies. So, it is best to start baby dental care routines early, even when the baby cannot hold her own tooth brush steadily or do it on her own.

Now you have six great reasons to motivate you take good care of your little one’s brand new baby teeth.

You can read more about dental care for babies, children and adolescents in other Free Dentist Finder articles.

http://www.freedentistfinder.com/dentistry-articles-detail.php?id=82

http://www.freedentistfinder.com/dentistry-articles-detail.php?id=88

---

What to Do in a Dental Emergency – Part III
: Lost fillings or crowns, damage to braces and/or objects caught between teeth

Dental emergencies are instances of damage to either teeth or gums. Lost fillings and crowns, objects caught between teeth and various damages to braces such as broken wires, loose brackets and bands are considered dental emergencies. According to Colgate World of Care website, a consumer content site reviewed by the faculty of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, “If you’re not sure if a dental problem is an emergency, dentists offer this advice: If it hurts, it’s an emergency.”

There are instances where there is no pain, but which are still considered dental emergencies. This is because chips and fractures, a lost filling or a crown can cause structural damage to the tooth, affecting the tissue inside and may lead to problems at a future date. Broken braces can cause damage to soft tissue in the mouth; and should be treated as a dental emergency for that reason.

Lost fillings
Lost filling are a common occurrence, and are easily covered by stuffing a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity until you can visit your dentist. Avoid sugary gums as these will cause pain. You can also use over-the-counter dental cement until you can see the dentist, as an alternative.

A lost crown
Visit the dentist as soon as possible and take the crown with you. If an immediate dental visit is not possible, dab a cotton swab with clove oil and apply it to the sensitive area. Try to see if you can slip the crown back on, over the tooth. This should be done after coating the inner surface of the crown with over-the-counter dental cement, denture adhesive or toothpaste to help hold the crown in place. Do not use other types of adhesives.

Damages to braces
Broken brace wires as well as loosened brackets and bands may require a visit to the orthodontist to rectify the situation.
• Broken braces wires can hurt or scratch your cheek, tongue or the gums. Use the eraser end of a pencil to carefully bend the wire so that it does not damage mouth tissue. If repositioning is difficult, use a cotton ball, a piece of gauze or orthodontic wax to cover the end until you can visit your orthodontist. Avoid cutting the wire ends because the chances of you swallowing it or breathing it into your lungs are rather high.
• Loose brackets and bands can be temporarily reattached with a piece of orthodontic wax. You can also place some wax over the braces to provide a cushion. Visit your orthodontist as soon as possible. Save the loose band until you can have it replaced or recemented by your orthodontist.

Food caught between your teeth
Try using dental floss to carefully remove the object stuck between teeth. If you fail to do so, you need to visit your dentist. Do not use pins and other sharp objects as these may cut your gums or scratch the tooth surface.

See other FreeFinder articles on dealing with dental emergencies:

• What to Do in a Dental Emergency – Part I: Tooth ache, partially dislodged or knocked-out teeth and chipped or broken teeth
• What to Do in a Dental Emergency – Part II: Dental Abscesses and Soft Tissue Injuries

---

Dentistry in the US is going through a dramatic transition as baby boomer dentists retire. There will be fewer full time general dentists over the next 10 years, and there are fewer dental school graduates to fill their vacated practices. This may make it harder to find a dentist in your area.

If we look at dental school enrollment we can see the trend perhaps a bit more clearly. In 1950 there were 3,226 dental school students in the US. They increased to 3,808 by 1965. Correspondingly the number of dental schools increased from 42 to 49. Baby boomers primarily attended dental school between 1965 and 1978. During that period enrollment, increased to by 65.6 percent only to fall back by 36.9 percent by 1989. However, the decline was roughly on par with population demographics. The number of dental school graduates continued to decline until 1998, when it rose back up to the 4,000 level, where it is approximately today.

Over the next two decades, due to population demographics, and the economy, the number of dental school graduates is expected to remain constant. It is simply too costly to open a new dental school without a corresponding growth in student population either domestically, or from abroad. However, there has been a marked increase in the number of hygienists between 1990, and 2002 – about 50%. That trend will most likely continue as the demand for dental cleanings remains constant. New hygienists should out number new dentists by 1.5 to 1 over the next 20 years. Most hygienist programs are run by 2 year schools, where the cost of attendance is far lower than dental school. Dental school graduates often are encumbered with debt of $250K. This debt can be managed if their practice becomes, or they purchase is successful.

Starting in a about 2007, the number of dentist retirees exceeds dental school graduates. As baby boomer dentists retire, they are simply fewer qualified dentists to take their place, which is great if you are a dentist, less so, if you are a patient trying to find a new dentist. Clearly poor economic conditions may force some general dentists to continue to work, at least part-time, for longer than they had anticipated. Should the economy improve markedly, that may change, which would make it harder to keep your old dentist, or find a new one. If you need assistance in finding a dentist, we invite you to call 1-800-669-4869, or browse this site for reviews of dentists in your area. Good Luck and Good Dental Health.

With thanks to Dr. Eric S. Solomon, Executive Director for institutional research at the Texas A&M Health Science Center and professor, Public Health Sciences, Baylor College of Dentistry for his research.

---

Finding the perfect dentist for you is not an easy task. Most of us simply make do with the dentist we have, unless they make a glaring mistake. Since almost all dentists are licensed, and insured, no single dentist referral source can accurately claim their dentists are the best. Besides your experience with that dentist is the only one that matters to you. Still, it’s a good idea to ask those who have experience with either the general dentist, or specialist, you are considering. Word of mouth is a great point of reference for dental quality care, but hardly the only one, since for all the good experiences others have had with a specific dentist, there are also those who’s procedures did not work out as hoped. Even if someone has had a negative experience with a dentist, it does not mean the dentist isn’t qualified, or capable. People’s expectations have a way of coloring their views.

Here are some basic questions you should ask of the dentist you are considering:

• When are their office hours? Is their office convenient to public transportation, or do they provide parking?
• How do they handle emergency situations? Some dentists are available after hours, while others use a referral service.
• What types of anesthesia is the dentist certified to give?
• Does the dentist strongly believe in heading off dental problems before they start?
• Ask the dentist to estimate the cost of common procedures like a cleaning, filling, or dental X-ray.
• Does the dentist participate in your dental plan? What form of payment do they accept? Do they offer a discount for one form of payment over another. Can paperwork be done online, or in advance?
• Are they currently licensed, without Board Review, and do they have insurance?

---

The other day I was in the dentist’s chair for a routine cleaning. The hygienist was going about her normal procedure, when she stopped and paid extra attention to my gums. I was thinking that’s fine, gums are as important as teeth, but I was surprised when she mentioned that I should have my gums measured.

It never occurred to me that gums should, or could be measured, but given that I trusted her, and my dentist I said ok to the idea, but why? She then explained that by measuring the gum line, dentists are able to determine gum health, which is essential for healthy teeth. The system uses measurements values of: 3 = good, 4 = needing attention, and 5 = needs work for the gum area around each tooth.

Fortunately for me, the measurements were almost all 3′s, with one or two 4′s, which she said I could improve with slightly better brushing techniques. If you have many 4′s and 5′s, then you are a candidate for a deeper cleaning than standard scaling. It’s called root planning.

Root planing is the process of smoothing the root surfaces of your teeth so your gum tissue can more firmly reattach to roots of your teeth. Roots that are are clean and smooth can help prevent tooth loss and sensitivity problems. After the procedure, it’s more difficult for plaque to accumulate along the root surfaces.

Depending on the level of root planning needed, you may require anesthesia, and more than one treatment. Talk with your dentist, or hygienist about your gum health, since your gums are as vital to your bite, and smile, as your teeth.

---

A startling 20% of Americans say that they avoid going to the dentist unless it’s absolutely necessary. Another 5% refuse to go at all. Usually, this is due to a past dental experience gone bad. Overcoming “dental fear” is trickier than you think.

Fear of dentists seems to be caused by patients experiencing alack of control – the inability to stop what the dentist is doing to them. Because they’re lying back in a chair with the dentist hovering over them, they feel vulnerable and powerless.

Most dentists take steps to alleviate this fear, whether by providing distractions such as television, soothing music, art. Dentists also can calm patients by providing a running commentary about what they’re exactly doing, and offering frequent breaks. Some dentists specialize in treating patients with strong dental fear. These dentists do their best to make sure the dentist office is seen by the patient as a non-threatening environment.

If you’re about to undergo a dental procedure, and you find yourself unable to go through with it, talk to your dentist about the sedation options they have available for you, as not all dentists are qualified in all types of sedation. For many patients, an anti-anxiety pill before the procedure allows them to undergo the treatment with minimal difficulty.

If you have a overriding fear of dentists, one of the best ways to start overcoming it, is to talk with a dentist, especially one who’s sympathetic to your needs. We can help you find a dentist on Free Dentist Finder.com. Most dentists will be happy to discuss your concerns in advance.

---

Welcome to our latest blog posting here at FreeDentistFinder.com. We’re glad you found us!

Did you know October is National Dental Hygiene Month? Hint hint? If you’ve been putting off a visit to the local dentist, now is a good time to do it.

Here at FreeDentistFinder.com, we’ve got the perfect solution for you. Use our Quick Zip Search technology to instantly find a skilled dentist in your area. What’s Quick Zip Search technology, you ask? It’s our method of searching through thousands of verified dental listings to match you up with a dental specialist who will meet your needs and those of your family. We use coordinates based on Google Maps to pinpoint your local dentist.  Very soon, we will also provide you with an easy-to-follow map from your door to theirs.

Is your old clunky dental appliance worn-out? Are you hoping to find something a little more trendy? Our dentist directory combined with our Quick Zip Search technology can help you replace your old dental appliance with a new, more comfortable one.

As the site grows, you’ll notice each dentist will have posted reviews. We encourage everyone who uses Free Dentist Finder to comment on their local dentist’s service. Prospective patients will be able to use these reviews to decide whether they should go the extra mile to visit a dental specialist or whether the dentist near their home will provide the great service you’re expecting.

Either way, if you’re looking for a dentist referral, you’ve come to the right place! If you should find yourself at your local dentist, don’t forget to thank your hygienist for all their hard work.  Hygienists form the backbone of many dental clinics, and keep your teeth looking clean, and white.

We want to thank you for visiting FreeDentistFinder.com. In addition to our dentist directory, you can count on us to keep you up to date with info about the latest dental techniques and appliances. So feel free to take a look around, and watch this blog for future updates.

---

  

Copyright © 2009 Free Dentist Finder. All rights reserved.