So you don’t have to worry about asking, here are the typical tools used and their basic function so next time you’re in the dental chair you’ll have a better idea exactly what’s going on inside your mouth!

Ultrasonic instrument – this is the tool used by dentists to initially move plaque and tartar from the teeth. To a patient, it feels just like water being sprayed, but it also sends out ultrasonic vibrations.

Hand tools – a dental hygienist will use fine instruments after using the ultrasonic instrument to remove any remaining plaque and tartar. Mirrors and scraping tools that fit different areas of the mouth and teeth smooth the surfaces of the teeth so that the next instrument can be used.

Saliva ejector – though this is not necessarily involved in the cleaning and is not the next tool referred to above, at this point it is most required. It helps suction saliva to provide better visibility and help the patient resist the urge to swallow while work is being done

Electric tooth polisher – a gritty toothpaste is used to smooth and polish the teeth with the electric tooth polisher. The toothpaste helps keep build up of anything from sticking to teeth between cleanings

Via: eHow

1. In seniors who have the dexterity to provide for their oral health, caregivers can simply encourage them  through the process if it is memory due to illnesses like Alzheimer’s that make the process a struggle
2. Make sure the toothbrush that a senior is using has soft bristles, whether or not the senior or caregiver will be doing the brushing
3. If caregivers are doing the brushing, it’s easiest to stand behind the senior, and important to ensure they’re comfortable
4. Complete periodic checks between dental visits
5. For seniors who have dentures rather than natural teeth, it’s important to clean them daily using denture cleaner not toothpaste

Via: Canadian Dental Association , Image Via: Flickr Creative Commons

Sinusitis results in the overproduction of mucus in the sinuses, causing post nasal drip as the sinuses drain into the back of the throat and the tongue. Sinusitis doesn’t just occur when colds persist; it can also result from allergies and other environmental irritants.

One of the most important prevention methods of bad breath due to sinus drainage is to see a doctor regularly. A doctor can provide solutions to ongoing problems caused by allergies or recommendations to cope with post nasal drip from a cold. Sinus irrigation is another method to help all irritants and mucus from the system and this can be done at home.

Remember, your overall health and your oral health are closely linked – so if you ignore one you may have negative repercussions with the other; and bad breath is just not one issue that anyone wants to face!

Via: EZine Articles

Image Credit: Flickr Creative Commons

There are products on the market to help protect dry mouths, but increased oral care is also necessary.

1. Everyone should be brushing at least twice a day, but for those with decreased quantities of saliva, it’s even more crucial, and best to brush after every meal especially particularly sugary items
2. Don’t skip flossing! Do so daily to prevent the build-up with plaque
3. Skip the sugary foods that will increase the likelihood of tooth decay.  If it’s not possible to escape the craving, brush right after eating
4. Pick a toothpaste with fluoride
5. Make sure you visit the dentist as recommended, he/she may also have additional tips to help you care for your teeth

Via: About.com and UI Healthcare

Finding help for dental care is easier than you might think. Simply take a look at your state dental association, and see if there are any charity organizations that can help cover costs for those who can’t afford dental care. This ensures that oral health is always a priority, regardless of the financial costs.

Medicare in many states also helps cover the costs of oral care for families in lower income brackets, though it is necessary that individuals find a dental clinic that will accept Medicare.

For those in New York State, visit the New York State Dental Association website or contact us to discuss your circumstances and your budget.

(Image Credit: Flickr Creative Commons)

1. Dental Anxiety – dental anxiety is a very common issue. This is what many Americans feel before visiting the dentist and when they arrive in the office. Anxiety in this instance refers to feelings of fear due to the unknown. It’s not a crippling fear, though it’s widespread since 75% of people face this.
2. Dental Fear – dental fear appears in individuals who have already had a procedure done that has caused pain or discomfort, and they are fearful of feeling those sensations again when it becomes time. For some people, dental fear can develop from a process as simple as teeth cleaning, or it may appear for something more invasive like a root canal. In some cases, it might not even be a previous experience, someone simply telling the patient about the pain or discomfort may cause this fear.
3. Dental Phobia – this is a real psychological aversion the visiting the dentist. Fear can arise just from seeing a dental office or something associated with the dentist. This category of fear can also be challenging for a dentist to treat when the patient is conscious

No matter which type of fear you may have when it comes to visiting the dentist, make sure that your oral health isn’t compromised. Talk to your dentist and see what they can do to make sure you receive appropriate treatment in a way that helps you remain more at ease.

Via: Medical News Today

The dental industry is often shrouded by distrust. Since many Americans pay out of pocket for their dental care, they watch every penny and often find themselves thinking that perhaps a dentist is only telling them they need a certain procedure because they want to get more money out of them. Unfortunately, as in all of healthcare, there are some dentists that do operate this way. This is why it truly is essential to do your research before you choose to visit a dentist. Ask family and friends about their personal experiences at local dentist offices. Learn where they found great value for their care along with superior quality of treatment and customer service. Don’t hesitate to ask a dental office about their payment policies either; if they are not upfront with you then they might be a dentist that’s focused strictly on financial gain, and the truth is these are not people you can trust. Of course, to be successful, any dental practice needs to see profit; but their focus should also be upon improving health and emotional well-being with their services.

At ToothSavers, we do everything that we can to ensure that all Americans have access to the dental care they require, so we work with our patients to come up with a payment structure that works for them. It’s just not fair for indidviduals to have to sacrifice their health because they don’t have the financial resources today.

Here’s a testimonial from one ToothSavers patient who we treated, making health the priority over finances.

“There’s no way that you could have known who I am or what I’ve been though over the past 4 years. When I came to you with my dental problems I knew they were extensive, but I saw hope, something that I was in danger of losing. When you were talking about a credit check I knew that I was in trouble seeing as how I had just fought cancer and lost my husband to a chronic illness. I sat in the chair hoping for a miracle and was so fortunate you provided one. Thank you seems so little for what you’ve given me. Hope that things will be okay. I do promise to pay you back within 2 years and will never be able to express how much I appreciate everything you and your staff have done for me.”

- Suzanne, New Jersey

(Image Via: Flickr Creative Commons)

In addition to providing the services that you naturally associate with a visit to the dentist, your dental office can help detect conditions like oral cancer that affect some 35,000 Americans each and every year. At annual dentist visits, professionals can look for signs of oral cancer; with early detection the survival rates increase substantially. Dentists can also teach patients to do their own examinations to ensure that their oral health is a priority.

When you visit your dentist it goes beyond simply explaining your brushing and flossing routines; it can change your life.

Via: Medical News Today

Choosing a dentist based on their personality alone is never a good idea. Just because you like someone personally, doesn’t meant that they’ll be the best choice to care for your oral health. That being said, once you’ve determined that a dentist’s qualifications and their practice meet all of your criteria, their personality is important. No one likes a doctor with a poor bedside manner, no matter how proficient they may be; and the same applies with dentists. So here are a few things to evaluate about your prospective dentist’s personality.

1. Are they upfront and honest – for many dental patients, it’s important to have information upfront from their dentist, particularly those that do not have sufficient dental insurance coverage. A good dentist should be willing to at least estimate the costs of treatment they’re suggesting and give you an idea about the care they expect you will need in the future
2. Compassion – many dental patients feel like every time they set foot in the dentist’s office they are being judged. Dentists should be compassionate and supportive while providing the required information and motivation to their patients
3. Their complete focus – a busy dental practice sees a lot of patients, but when you’re in their chair, you should feel like you’re the primary focused. A good dentist should not give you the feeling that they’re trying to rush through your appointment, nor should they voice their stress to you even on the busiest of days. You need to feel like you’re the top priority!

Remember, it’s not just an individual dentist you should evaluate when you visit a practice – it’s everyone from the hygienists to the support staff that will give you a feeling if you’ve come to the right place for you!

A ToothSavers’ patient provides their feedback about the level of customer service provided to dental patients in the office.

“At ToothSavers, I got the best medical assistance. I also found the dentists offered a dignified presence made me feel at ease and safe”

Image Credit: Flickr Creative Commons

Originally Posted at ToothSavers.Wordpress.com