Do I really need to floss?

 

    Essentially everyone abides by the notion that we need to brush our teeth in order to maintain good oral health. For whatever reason, flossing our teeth daily does not hold the same level of importance with the every person. But by flossing just once a day, you can decrease your risk of gum disease and increase the odds of achieving and maintaining good oral health.

    A toothbrush and toothpaste can clean the majority of the tooth’s surface area, but only flossing can clean in between the teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. Dental floss will help to remove debris, plaque and bacteria that remain on the teeth and gums. Removal of this additional debris can also aid in controlling bad breath.

    Flossing should take you between two and three minutes to complete and should be done at least once daily. The ideal time to floss is right before bed, but any way you can incorporate it into your routine should work. The idea is to find a time that is convenient for you so you won’t forget.

    There are a wide variety of flosses available, and in general they do a similar job or removing debris and plaque. Wide floss (dental tape) works really well in cleaning large spaces and under bridges, while waxed floss works well between tight contacts. The pre-threaded flossers or floss holders can help when flossing someone else’s teeth or if you have difficulty reaching any spots in your own mouth.  And if you have children, they should begin flossing as soon as they two or more teeth that touch.

    While waterpicks are a good adjunct to help clean the teeth, they are not made to replace flossing. They can help to remove food from difficult areas and around braces, but they do not remove the plaque that remains in between the teeth. When in doubt about what type of floss to use in your particular case, be sure to contact your dentist or dental hygienist.

If you have any more questions about flossing or gum disease, visit us at www.brownandkupper.com for more answers.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc

(513) 860-3660

Should I Get an Implant or a Bridge?

    When faced with the question of how to best replace a missing tooth, the first two options we typically discuss are a dental implant or a dental bridge. Each individual situation is unique, and our goal is to educate you to help assist in making the best possible decision for your dental health.

    In the majority of cases, when replacing a single tooth in the front or the back, a dental implant is the standard of care. It is the closest we can get to restoring the feel and function of a natural tooth. Unlike a dental bridge, an implant allows you to brush and floss the area the same way you would with a natural tooth. Even though gum disease around the implant can develop if proper care is not used, cavities can not exist on a dental implant. Since there is no remaining natural tooth structure, there is no place for traditional tooth decay to form.

Another major advantage of the dental implant is it does not require drilling or invasive work on the adjacent teeth. The entire procedure is isolated to one specific tooth. A bridge requires substantial work on at least two other teeth to work properly. Subsequently, if these adjacent teeth develop a cavity in the future, the entire bridge may need to be removed to stop the growing tooth decay.

When discussing the advantages of a dental bridge, we always talk about the original time commitment of the procedure. Dental implants can take around 6-8 months to fully restore, but sometimes only one month is needed to complete a new bridge. Because of the time involved and the materials used, a bridge is often less expensive and can be more appealing to patients from a financial standpoint. However, depending upon the location of the bridge of the patient’s history, a bridge may end up costing the patient more in the long run if it needs to eventually be replaced due to tooth decay.

Since each individual circumstance is different, the safest approach is to consult your dentist about your situation. Dental implants have become the standard of care in many cases when replacing missing or lost teeth, but dental bridges still have a very viable place in the modern dental practice.

For more information of dental implants or dental bridges, check out our website at http://www.brownandkupper.com/questions.php.

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc

(513) 860-3660

Dental Insurance Limitations

    When I began my dental career 34 years ago, the maximum benefit for a dental insurance policy was $1000 per year. The fee in our office for a dental crown was $225. So, a patient could get 2 professional examinations and cleanings per year, covered at 100%, and still have the benefits remaining to cover 6 dental crowns covered at 50%.

    In the beginning of 2013, the fee for a crown was $1055. The amazing fact is that the usual insurance maximum benefit is still only $1000! If a patient receives their two examinations and cleanings, their remaining benefit would cover 1 crown, if covered at 50%.

Any amount that is covered is a huge benefit, and it means that much less has to come out of your pocket directly. However, it is clear that dental insurance has become quite limited. While we work hard to maximize your benefits, our goal is to recommend and provide the best available treatment for each patient independent of whatever insurance limitations there may be.

If you ever have any questions about what the benefits or limitations of your own insurance may be, or you would like some help in choosing a new type of insurance, please feel free to call us with any questions. We will do our best to help you find the coverage which best suits yours and families needs.

For more answers to any dental questions you may have, visit us at www.brownandkupper.com/questions.php.

Lawrence R. Brown, DDS

When Can My Child Bleach Their Teeth?

 

    More frequently than ever before, dentists and dental professionals are confronted with questions regarding teeth bleaching for children and young adults. While there may not be a clear cut answer, our goal is to help educate the parents and the patients of their options when it comes to bleaching their teeth.

    The first concern of many parents is whether or not teeth bleaching effects the strength of the tooth in any way. The active ingredients for bleaching in the United States are typically carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, and neither will weaken the enamel or increase the risk of cavities. However, improper use or too high of concentrations can lead to tooth sensitivity and irritation of the gums. This can be very difficult to predict, but to reduce the risk of these situations; we always recommend consulting with a dental professional before beginning any type of bleaching regiment.

    In younger patients, the nerve of the tooth is larger and more susceptible to sensitivity. The nerve, or pulp chamber, typically remains enlarged during the teenage years and gradually shrinks as we age. There is no evidence that shows irreversible long-term damage to the pulp chamber when proper bleaching techniques are used, but teenagers have the highest risk of developing sensitivity during and after use of teeth bleaching products.

    So how do you know when or if it is OK for your kid to start using over-the-counter or doctor prescribed teeth bleaching products? It is always a good idea to check with your dentist first. They can help with the decision using x-rays and/or knowing the particular person’s clinical history. Based on the individual circumstances and knowing the desired results, a personalized plan and timeline can be developed that will reduce the likelihood of tooth sensitivity and gum irritation for the patient.

For more information on teeth bleaching, visit us at www.brownandkupper.com/questions.php.  

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

www.brownandkupper.com   

(513) 860-3660

When Should I Begin Taking My Kids to the Dentist?

 

    New and expecting parents often inquire about what age their children should begin seeing the dentist. In a perfect world, we would begin seeing children for visits after their first teeth begin erupting. Our hope is to become the ‘dental home’ at an early age and start developing a sense of familiarity. However, at such a young age it is difficult to gain compliance from patients.  We more frequently recommend their first visit around the age of 2-3 or when all of their primary (baby) teeth have erupted.

    There are a number of different goals we have for a child’s first dental visit. On top of the typical dental exam where we check the teeth and surrounding tissues, our goal is to educate the parents on how they can help maintain good oral health with their children. Among other things, we will discuss how much fluoride they need, what habits may lead to cavities, and how you can assist each day in cleaning their teeth.

    It is important to remember that each child develops at a different rate and the eruption timing of teeth are the same way. For most, the lower central incisors appear within 6-10 months, followed shortly by the upper central incisors. The final primary (baby) teeth to erupt are typically the upper second molars anywhere from 25-33 months. During the time the teeth are coming in, your child may experience sore or tender gums. You can rub their gums with clean wet gauze or even your finger. A chilled teething ring can also work, but you definitely do not want to dip it in sugar, syrup or other foods. If your child still remains uncomfortable, we recommend consulting your pediatrician.

    For more information of children’s dental health, check out our website at www.brownandkupper.com or call us at 513-860-3660.

Lee T. Brown, DDS   

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

(513) 860-3660

Should You go to the Dentist if You're Pregnant?

            There are many women out there today that are not receiving timely dental care because some dentists are hesitant to treat pregnant patients. However, dental treatment is typically beneficial and there is now a shift towards continuing routine dental care during pregnancy.

            You obviously want to make all the right decisions during your pregnancy, and it is normal to question what dental services should be performed when you’re expecting. Dr. Howard Minkoff, the chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, believes that dental X-rays, antibiotics, and local anesthesia are not contraindicated in treatment of pregnant patients. And since 2006, a few state dental organizations have issued guidelines saying that dental care is safe and effective at any stage of pregnancy. This includes diagnostic X-rays, cavity restorations, and root canals.

            When pregnant, the risk for gingivitis (gum inflammation) is typically a litter higher. If this is left unchecked, the gum disease can lead to dental infections and even tooth loss. Just as importantly, there is evidence that a mother with active tooth decay can spread the cavity causing bacteria to her child and perpetuate poor oral health.

            Finally, we worry that dental pain may cause pregnant women to self-medicate incorrectly. While physicians recommend acetaminophen over ibuprofen for pain control, an overdose of acetaminophen can negatively affect the liver and endanger the fetus.

            As the shift towards more routine dental care during pregnancy continues, we understand that patients may still continue to have concerns. When in doubt, or if you have a history of other conditions, we always encourage you to consult your physician. But we believe that maintaining a healthy mouth will help aid in a safe pregnancy for you and your family.

 

For more questions and answers about your dental concerns, check our FAQ section at www.brownandkupper.com               

 

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc

(513) 860-3660

Custom Fitting Sports Mouthguards

Benefits of Custom Fitting Sports Mouthguards

For over 50 years, high school football players have been required to wear mouthguards. Football is a high contact sport and it is logical that participants protect their teeth, gums, and jaw bone from injury. However, sports like soccer, basketball and volleyball can involve high impact collisions, but mouthguards are not yet required. Protecting you or your children with sports mouthguards lowers the threat of injury to their teeth, and new evidence is suggesting that it may even reduce the risk of concussions. 

A broken or chipped tooth that results from facial trauma can lead to much larger and more expensive issues. If the damage is small enough, a filling can be placed on the tooth to regain its original shape and color. More traumatic injuries may require root canals, crowns or even loss of the tooth. This can cost thousands of dollars and take months to properly fix. Having your dentist custom fit a mouthguard can greatly lower the chances of injuring your teeth without inhibiting your ability to compete. 

While there is no definitive way to completely eliminate the risk of concussions in contact sports, there is some evidence that suggests a properly fitting mouthguard can help reduce the probability. The logic suggests that the mouthguard attenuates some of the forces applied to the head and neck during upward contact with the chin. There are no current studies that establish a direct correlation with complete certainty, but the absence of proof is not necessarily proof of absence. 

Parents will do so many things to protect their kids, and we believe wearing a custom fitted sports mouthguard is an easy step in reinforcing their safety in nearly all sports. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns regarding mouthguards or the differences between custom fitted guards and over the counter mouthguards.

For more information of dental health and ways to help protect your children’s teeth, visit us at www.brownandkupper.com!

Lee T. Brown, DDS

Brown and Kupper, DDS Inc.

www.brownandkupper.com  

(513) 860-3660