Monday, March 28, 2016

How important is using mouth wash?

            There was a recent article in TIME magazine discussing how important and safe mouth wash is in your normal oral hygiene routine. Below we will discuss some of the benefits and limitations of different mouth rinse options.

Can I use a mouth rinse instead of brushing and/or flossing?
            While mouth rinses can be an effective adjunct to your normal brushing and flossing routine, they are definitely not a substitute. They are not designed to replace brushing twice each day and they are not designed to lessen the frequency of dental visits. But they can help to improve your breath and are safe when used properly.
             One exception to this is chlorhexidine gluconate rinse. This is a prescription strength rinse that may be given following a surgical procedure. Following gum tissue grafting, the surgeon may want you to avoid brushing that area to allow for proper healing. Chlorhexidine may be used for a short time to help clean the area. But it is important to remember this is not a long term solution.

What kind of mouth wash should I use?
            The three most common recommendations we have are Crest Pro-Health, Listerine, and ACT. We don’t recommend Scope because it does not have any anti-bacterial properties. It only freshens your breath.
  • Pro-Health is all alcohol free and contains some fluoride to help fight tooth decay.
  • The Listerine has options that are alcohol free and with alcohol. Both can be affective but the alcohol can feel abrasive to some. There are a number of different options with some varying degrees of fluoride. Consult your dentist or dental hygienist on which is best for you.
  • ACT contains fluoride and has an offering designed specifically for children.

Are there any side affects to using a mouth rinse?
            The ADA (American Dental Association) believes there are no substantiated risks to using mouth wash once or twice per day. However, some people may have a mild allergy to different rinses. Symptoms may include red and inflamed gums or a ‘stringy’ white residue on their tissue. Both of these side affects are reversible when you discontinue use and do not cause any permanent problems.

            With so many options available, your best bet is to talk with your dentist and hygienist about what mouth rinse could best work for you. This will help narrow down your options simplify your decision.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Do I really need to get my wisdom teeth removed?

            A friend of mine recently sent me an article where the author was warning people against having their wisdom teeth removed. He cited all kinds of risks and the troubles he had during his experience. He even referred to having wisdom teeth being removed as a ‘scam.’ In light of this, I wanted to share some facts and myths about having wisdom teeth removed versus keeping them.

Do all wisdom teeth need to be removed?
            No. There are times when there is adequate room for the wisdom teeth and they can be easily cleaned and maintained. In these situations, extraction is not warranted.

How old should you be when the wisdom teeth are removed?
            The answer varies greatly due to different eruption patterns and when symptoms develop. But typically the younger you are the easier the removal and healing. The more developed the roots, the more challenging the procedure can become. This is why dentists typically recommend extractionb at a younger age.

Will I ever be too old to have wisdom teeth removed?
            If the teeth are symptomatic and/or causing other issues then you are never too old. But if your immune system is compromised or you have been taking bisphosphonates for osteoporosis, removal may not be a good option.

What can happen if I don’t remove my wisdom teeth?
            If the teeth are fully or partially impacted then you could experience tooth decay of the wisdom teeth, decay on the adjacent teeth, cysts, and other serious infections.

Who should remove my wisdom teeth?
            For almost all cases, we recommend an oral surgeon extract your wisdom teeth. They are very experienced, can provide sedation, and can handle any possible complications.
           
The bottom line is each situation is different and each person is different. You should have an open dialogue with you dentist about your concerns and talk through the pros and cons of any treatment option.
I believe in calculated risk and minimizing that risk whenever possible. Most dentists, and the American Dental Association, believe in removing impacted wisdom teeth at a young age to avoid other more serious complications later in life.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

How should I whiten my teeth?

            There are all kinds of products available that can whiten your teeth effectively. There are also a large number of materials that claim to whiten and brighten your teeth. So what is the most effective way and how important is it to whiten? We will try to answer some of those concerns or questions.

Why would it be important to whiten my teeth?
            There is no clinical benefit to whitening your teeth. It will not make your teeth stronger or more resistant to cavities. However, when bleaching is done properly it doesn’t hurt your teeth either. But can whiter teeth boost your confidence and make you more prone to smile? The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that ninety six percent of Americans believe having whiter teeth makes a person more attractive. The same study found that an unattractive smile can hurt someone’s career prospects. So the hope is a confident and beautiful smile will help to improve your quality of life.

Do it yourself whitening vs. professional whitening:
            There is definitely perception of white teeth being more attractive and a belief that white teeth are healthy teeth. Because of that, do-it-yourself whitening products were 1.5 billion dollars in sales. While I believe there is a time and a place for different over the counter whitening products, I think it is important to weigh the cost/benefit of these against the professional options.
            You could literally spend hundreds of dollars each year on OTC whitening products and still not achieve the desired results. At that point, it would have been beneficial to spend a little more on the professional whitening to get the results you want and spend less in the long term. However, some people (especially younger patients) can reach their goals with OTC whitening strips. The best bet is to consult your dentist to see what could work best for you.

If you have more information about whitening your teeth or other dental related questions, you can learn more at www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc. 

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Why does my insurance talk about UCR?

             If you have dental insurance, then you have likely seen the phrase ‘Usual and Customary Rate’ (UCR). A dental insurance company will love to use this term, but what does it mean for you? Who determines this number? We want to help you understand where these numbers are derived and how it is applicable to you.
            In reality, there isn’t a ‘usual, customary, or reasonable fee.’ This is a phrase that created by insurance companies to impose their will on dentistry. There isn’t a specific number that insurance has arrived upon, but instead a range of fees based upon percentiles. Even if an insurance carrier was capable of tracking every dental office’s fees, then arrange them into proper zip codes, it is impossible to place a value of the types of materials or the amount of time given to a particular procedure. Assigning a UCR to a dental procedure is like assigning a UCR for a cheeseburger. It doesn’t account for the difference between fast food restaurants versus a high end restaurant. There is no consideration for the ingredients, the service, the quality of preparation, and the execution.
            Another issue frequently encountered involves the percentage of coverage your insurance allows for a given procedure. Again, the insurance companies determine their own definition of which fee percentile a procedure may fall into through their own independent research. After the percentage is determined, an employer is offered different options of which fee percentile to purchase for their benefit package. They may only buy up to the 50th percentile, and then your out of pocket costs may increase. Even with fees increasing over time with inflation, it is possible that additional expenses may be incurred if your dental insurance has been adjusted to cover a lower percentile.
            Dental insurance is unique from medical insurance and can be very confusing. There are also a lot of differing individual circumstances. Please call us with any questions regarding your current insurance or if you’re ever picking a new policy through your employer. Hopefully we can help you sort through some of the pros and cons of each policy.

For more information, visit www.dentistwestchester.com.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.