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Regular Dental Cleanings and Checkups Are Key To Controlling Dentistry Costs

by John Wood | Sep 24, 2023 | Dental Check Ups, Dental Emergencies, Dental How To

Preventative Dental Care Saves Expensive Emergency Treatment

Many of us take our teeth for granted or worse, hope that issues with one’s dental health, will just resolve themselves. Both perspectives are a liable to lead to very expensive dental care or worse, a loss of teeth. This is where preventative dental care, including routine cleanings and X-rays are crucial to dental health and can help you save thousands of dollars. Preventative dental care can also save you from the misery of dental-related pain. There are few things that can hurt as much as the pain of an abscess, cracked tooth, exposed nerve or infected gums.

Preventative dental care is key to giving you and your dentist, what is going on with your dental care. A bi-annual cleaning appointment and an x-rays at least once a year, are what will help you keep your existing teeth healthy. Once your dentist knows the condition of your teeth and issues associated with dental care such as cavities, wear, and gum health, they can advise you or actions you need to take. This information is also key when it comes to your dentist working with you on a sustainable plan to maintain or improve your oral health.

While many dental issues are easy to detect, some, such as cavities and issues that could be affecting gums or internal tooth structures, are not. Other signs of dental health issues such as tender gums, bad breath, loose or broken teeth are can lead to expensive emergency appointments, unbearable pain or both!

You are not alone if you haven’t had a routine dental checkup the last six months! We have seen patients with dental insurance, who have avoided a routine dental cleaning and check up for various reasons. In some cases, they know there is an issue and other cases, they simply don’t like to visit a dentist.

As this author can attest to, ignoring even a small issue in your mouth can lead to serious health issues.

– An abscess can explode into a massive infection that threatens far more than a loss of teeth.
– A cavity can lead to an expensive root canal and in some cases, call for an additional expensive crown.
– Sore gums could turn into an infection that can move into bones and loss of teeth.
– Bad breath could be a sign of decay and be a forewarning of deep pockets harboring bacteria.

Of course good oral hygiene is crucial to maintaining the best oral health possible, but often it isn’t enough. Not everyone was born with a jaw that aligns teeth into the perfect bite. Sometimes that stray popcorn seed can crack or chip an existing tooth or crown and sometimes stuff happens that you just don’t detect.

That is why you should always find a way to attend regular dental cleanings and have x-rays done as your dentist suggests. If you haven’t had a regular dental cleaning and x-ray recently, call Now Dental of Carmichael, California. We are a family-friendly dental practice that is committed to helping you keep your natural teeth health through sustainable dental care.

Top Benefits of Regular Dental Checkups

by Elizabeth Huynh | Aug 22, 2023 | Dental News

If you’re sick or injured, you visit a doctor so that you can get the help you need to be healthy again. But in order to avoid a visit to the doctor, most people exercise healthy habits like eating healthy foods, exercising, washing their hands frequently, and avoiding other sick people. Just as you would participate in habits that will keep your body healthy, it’s important to have good dental hygiene habits as well to keep your teeth healthy and avoid major teeth problems. Visiting your dentist twice a year for checkups is one of the most important ways to avoid poor oral health. Here are some of the benefits of utilizing regular dental services in Carmichael, CA.

Clean Teeth
At a regular checkup with Now Dental of Carmichael, CA, your teeth will get a good cleaning, which is important for more than just aesthetic reasons. Your teeth will be polished, which is similar to a thorough brushing, but the tartar and plaque also will be removed. Removing tartar and plaque is important because that’s where bacteria live and where decay begins if it stays on the teeth.

Gum Health Check
Another aspect of a checkup that’s often underestimated is the gum check. The dentist or hygienist will check the condition of the gums, which means they’ll look not only for any signs of gum disease but for any signs of receding gums as well. The severity of gum disease varies depending on the stage it’s in, so it’s important for the dentist to recognize and address early signs before it progresses to something more painful and serious. Advanced gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults, so it’s important to prevent this through early diagnosis and treatment.

Thorough Exam
A dentist can tell a lot about the health of your teeth simply by examining them. Stains can indicate the beginning of decay, and he or she will also look for any signs of damage like cracks or chips that could compromise tooth integrity. The exam is much more comprehensive than checking just the gums and teeth, however. The dentist will also check the tongue, your bite and how well the teeth align, your neck, jaw, and lymph nodes. This can help identify a number of things that could affect your oral health as well as your overall health.

X-Rays
X-rays are another important part of your checkup because they can find decay and damage that’s not visible on the surface. Hidden decay may not cause symptoms for quite some time, so an exam and x-rays are crucial in identifying decay so that it can be addressed while it’s minor.

Better Breath
Bad breath can sometimes be attributed to something you ate, but in many cases the real problem is bacteria in the mouth. Regular brushing and flossing is important for keeping bad breath at bay, but it’s also important to have your teeth professionally cleaned because tartar and plaque cause bad breath.

Overall Health
You’ll enjoy better overall health by regularly visiting the dentist because many health problems can be avoided with good oral health. There’s evidence that the risk of heart disease is lowered with good oral hygiene. In addition, the dentist in Carmichael, CA, can watch for signs of other dangerous health conditions like sleep apnea, oral cancer, and diabetes. Call Now Dental today to schedule your next checkup.

4 Helpful Tips for Choosing the Right Family Dentist

by Elizabeth Huynh | Jul 31, 2023 | Dental News

Your dental and oral health is important from the day your teeth come in until well into old age. Going to the right dentist not only will help you keep your teeth healthy but also will keep you coming back every 6 months. More importantly, you want your children to be comfortable enough going to the dentist that they don’t develop a fear of dentists. Start by finding the right dentist for family dental care in Carmichael, CA. Read on for four tips on finding a great dentist.

Check Qualifications and Experience
The dentist is an important part of the office. However, he or she is also the one that you’ll have the least amount of contact with. Make sure that you check the qualifications of the hygienists and office staff, too. Ask them how long they have been working there. A team that has longevity usually speaks to people about enjoying their work, and typically, experience will translate into being able to get in and out of the office quickly. It also means that your overall experience will be more professional.

Check Types of Services
Not all family dental services in Carmichael, CA, offer the same services. While a good cleaning is important, you should also look at other services the office provides that you may not use as often. Does the provider handle dentures, veneers, root canal treatment, and cosmetic dentistry procedures? Can they handle emergency dental needs? No one wants to run from office to office in an emergency to look for a dentist to provide a procedure that your family dentist can’t do.

Read What Others Say
Good reviews matter. With the number of sites on the internet that offer consumer reviews, you can find out how people perceive a certain dental office and what kind of service it offers. If there are a lot of bad reviews, you may want to find another dentist. If there is one bad review, find out what the office did to reconcile with the person who posted it. Sometimes, that can lead to knowing more about the office and how it views customer service. You also might check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any registered complaints. Finally, ask your family and friends if they have any recommendations for family dental services in Carmichael, CA.

Check Office Atmosphere
Going to the office to schedule an appointment will do more for you than all of the online research. You can gather the documents that prove what the dental office says and see firsthand what the office looks like. Pay attention to the waiting room. Are the magazines up to date? Is there something for kids to do? Sit in the chairs and get a feel for the culture. If the staff treats you well, and you and your family like the amenities, this may be the right family dentist for your household. On the other hand, if you feel rushed or you think that something is off, you may want to find another office to meet your needs.

Now Dental is your family-friendly in Carmichael, CA. Call Now Dental at 916-966-2009 today and schedule an appointment.

Frequently asked questions about dental implants

by Elizabeth Huynh | Jun 12, 2023 | Dental News

Now Dental Online Answers Questions About Dental Implants

For those with missing teeth, dental implants are the best solution. Dental implants look like natural teeth. The procedure is safe, and they will last for a long time. Dental implants can give you back your smile and your confidence. However, if you don’t know how dental implants work, they can seem intimidating at first. While there are three main types of dental implants, most dental implant procedures rely on either endosteal and subperiosteal implants.

Endosteal Dental Implants
When you think of dental implant procedures, you probably think of endosteal dental implants. The implants are made of titanium and look like little screws. They are most frequently installed in a two-stage procedure. During the first stage, the piece that is shaped like a screw is attached to the jawbone. Typically, a temporary tooth will be placed over the implant, so you can leave the dentist’s office with a complete smile.

Subperiosteal Dental Implants
Instead of using small screws, subperiosteal dental implants are created using a metal framework. The framework is placed on top of the bone instead of directly into the jaw. With endosteal dental implants, the implant is positioned below the gums and is not typically visible. Subperiosteal implants are exposed so they can hold the replacement bridge or crown, which means they may be slightly visible.

Generally, subperiosteal implants are attached in a single-stage procedure. Instead of needing a second minor surgical procedure, the implant is easier to place once the mouth has finished healing. This type of implant is ideal for patients who do not have healthy jawbones and can’t or don’t want to have a bone graft procedure completed. This option is also often used to anchor a full set of dentures, as opposed to a typical dental implant.

Which Type Is Right for You?
Only your dentist can help you to answer this question correctly. They will first assess your condition to ensure you are a good candidate for dental implants. Then, based on the condition of your mouth and your overall health, they will suggest the type of implant that they think is best for your needs. Consider their recommendation, plus the cost of the procedure, when you are making your final decision about which type of implants to get.

What about Transosteal Implants?
Transosteal implants can only be fitted to the lower jawbone. The Transosteal implant procedure is surgically complicated, extensive and expensive.

To learn even more about the different types of dental implants or schedule an appointment with Now Dental in Carmichael, CA! We are a family dentist practice, conveniently located to Carmichael and Citrus Heights. Now Dental is convenient located across the street from the Mercy San Juan Medical campus! Easy parking right in front of our entry door!

Learning the Importance of Regular Dental Cleanings At Now Dental

by Elizabeth Huynh | May 5, 2023 | Carmichael CA Dental Office, Dental How To

Regular dental cleanings at Now Dental will save you money and improve your overall health!
You’ve heard it before: you need to schedule a checkup with your dentist every six months. But have you ever wondered why this is? Getting regular dental screenings and cleanings is about more than just protecting your teeth (though this is still a big part of it). Preventative dental care can help to protect your whole body against future health problems and limit your chances of needing costly, extensive work in the future. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of getting your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis.

Remove Plaque
Even if you’re the best tooth-brusher in the world, there’s still a chance that some plaque could remain on your teeth. If it’s allowed to stay on your teeth for 24 to 72 hours, plaque can turn into tartar, which can only be removed by a professional. Tartar also makes plaque harder to get rid of and acts as a shield to protect bacteria in your mouth. Plaque buildup is the leading cause of tooth decay and, according to Crest, more than half of adults have tartar. Though these two are impossible to avoid, you can treat them easily with regular cleanings at Now Dental, your family friendly dentist in Carmichael, CA.

Avert Gum Disease
When you do not properly take care of your teeth and mouth, gingivitis and periodontal disease become all too common. Gum disease causes space to form between the teeth and the gums. In this area, bacteria flourishes, which can cause the gums to become swollen and tender. They may also bleed after you brush your teeth. Over time, these spaces can also result in painful abscesses. However, with regular dental cleanings, you can avoid gum disease and ensure your gums and teeth remain healthy.

Decrease the Risk for Diabetes
Having high blood sugar can take a toll on your oral health. In general, those with diabetes tend to experience dental problems more often than those without it. People with diabetes have a higher rate of dental infections, more cases of cavities, decay, and gum disease, and their mouth sores require more time to heal fully. When you get regular checkups, your dentist can determine which oral health problems, if any, are related to high blood sugar and recommend treatment, so your diabetes and oral health conditions do not worsen.

Early Detection of Cavities
During the cleaning, your oral health professional will also be on the lookout for signs of cavities, even when they are in their earliest stages. When cavities are caught early enough, they can be treated without the use of a drill. If you do not visit your dentist every six months, you may miss the early warning signs of a cavity. It will only get worse, requiring more invasive treatments, costing more money, and potentially leading to other long-term problems.

Identify Oral Cancer
Your dentist will also be looking out for any abnormalities in your mouth while they are performing the cleaning. These signs include white or red spots in the mouth and wounds that do not heal, which can indicate oral cancer. If your dentist suspects this condition, they can administer tests to be sure. Like any other type of cancer, early detection is key and gives you a better chance for a full recovery. That’s why regular cleanings are so crucial.

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