How to Maximize Your Dental Benefits

   As the year end approaches it's time to think about how to Maximize your Dental Benefits!
You probably know that maintaining dental health is an important part of your overall well-being. Studies suggest a connection between gum disease and a variety of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and arthritis. Poor oral health may even affect memory and cognitive skills.

  Maintaining good dental health, prevention cannot be overemphasized. The cost and discomfort of major dental work can largely be avoided with good oral hygiene, regular preventative care, and early diagnosis
and treatment.  

Steps to Maximizing your dental coverage and minimizing out-of-pocket expenses:    

• Develop good oral hygiene habits
• Brush after each meal or at least twice daily
• Floss at least once daily (don't forget to floss behind back molars)
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash to help reduce bacteria in the mouth
• Eat a balanced diet with minimal sweets
• If you chew gum be sure it is sugar-free
• Schedule a dental exam and cleaning every six months
• Immediately schedule your next appointment before you leave dentist office.
• Understand your benefit options
• Understand your coinsurance amount
• Understand your annual deductible amount
• Understand the number of cleanings covered per year
• Understand how often X-rays are allowed
• Understand the annual maximum benefit
• Maximize End of the year dental benefits before you loose them

Work with your Dentist, most plans have annual maximum, you can make the most of your benefits by working with your dentist to schedule care with that in mind. It;s very important, however, not to delay necessary treatment, as the condition will likely worsen and become more expensive to treat.

Maximize End of the year dental benefits before the calendar rolls over to next year. Most dental insurance plans provide a set amount of benefits each year, and expired on Dec. 31. It's Truly a "Use It Or Lose It"situation. The benefits don't carry over to the next year though. You either use the benefits you've paid for through annual insurance premiums, or you forfeit the benefit you're entitle to under the provisions of your plan.

ACT NOW TO MAXIMIZE END OF THE YEAR DENTAL BENEFITS

 BEFORE LOSING THEM ON JANUARY 1st. 

Dentist, Cosmetic, Family & Implant dentistry, Dr. Daniel R. Pestana Wal...

Dr. Daniel R. Pestana DDS Office

Cracked Tooth Syndrome

Crack tooth syndrome is a fracture or crack in the tooth. The Fracture is often difficult to detect and may be completely invisible to the naked eye. It may not even appear on an x-ray.

Symptoms of crack tooth syndrome

-Tooth hurts when you bite or chew.
-The pain you feel is intermittent, rather than constant.
-The tooth may be more sensitive to cold.
-You feel a sharp pain when you bite down.

How do teeth crack?

As your teeth age, they may loose some of their original strength. Clenching and grinding, for instance, can weaken teeth. Large Fillings and root canal treatment can also cause your teeth to lose strength and make them brittle. Every day, your teeth endure a tremendous amount of pressure from biting and chewing, so if you bite down on a hard object like a piece of ice or a popcorn kernel, the force can sometimes cause a tooth to crack, especially if it's already weakened.

Diagnosis and treatment 

Diagnosis of cracked tooth syndrome is often difficult, we'll do a thorough examination of your mouth and teeth, focusing on the tooth in question. We'll take an x-rays, although x-rays often do not show the fracture, we'll also analyze your bite to isolate the problem. Once we've identified the fractured portion of your tooth, the treatment depends on the location and direction of the crack as well as the extent of the damage. Many people with cracked tooth syndrome have symptoms for months. Crack tooth syndrome is one of the most difficult dental problems to diagnose because the pain is not predictable.

If the crack affects only the outer enamel layer of your tooth, we'll remove the affected portion and restore the tooth with a crown or onlay to stabilize it and protect it from further damage. If the crack affects the underlying dentin or pulp layers, however, you'll need more complicated treatment, such as root canal treatment, before we can place a crown.

In rare cases, a crack extends all the way through the tooth and under the bone. In these case there is no way to restore the tooth, and we have no other option besides removing the tooth. Fortunately, most cracked teeth can be saved. It's important to find the crack early in its development and treat it.

                                 

February Marks National Dental Health Month!

February is National Dental Health Month. I'ts a great time of the year to practice
 great dental hygiene! 

Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visit helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. On February the American Dental Association(ADA) sponsors " National Children's Dental health Month".

Dr. Daniel R. Pestana, DDS and his office team supports raising awareness about the importance of oral health.  Our commitment to preventive dental care is important. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends you visit us every six months or as recommended. 

February is also "American Heart Health Month". Dental health and heart health intertwined. Oral health, and gum disease in particular, are related to serious conditions like Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes, & Cancer. 

The mouth is teeming with bacteria most of them harmless. Our body's natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing , can keep these bacteria under control. Without the proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.  Certain medications such as decongestants, antihistamines, painkillers and diuretics can reduce saliva flow. The saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, helping to protect you from microbial invasion or overgrowth that might lead to disease. 

Studies suggest oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with periodontitis play a role in some diseases. In certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body's resistance to infection, making oral health problems more severe.

February is our month to increase awareness! Dr. Daniel R. Pestana and his team has committed to provide awareness 365 days a year every year! Call our office to schedule for a dental appointment (925)945-8006.