The amount of fear from a dental visit may be higher among people with frequent gagging problems. The gagging issues may also cause negative beliefs about dentists and dental treatment.   The information comes from the authors of “Gagging and Its Associations with Dental Care—Related Fear, Fear of Pain, and Beliefs About Treatment.”  The authors determined that it is important for dentists to analyze their patients’ chances of gagging while also examining their fears and anxieties.

Some dentists want their patients to breath slowly through their nose. Other dentists encourage their patients to lift their legs or wiggle their toes as a way of distracting themselves.   The information appears in The Journal of the American Dental Association.

Potential stroke therapy: stem cells from teeth form brain-like cells Stem cells are cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types, aiding tissue regeneration, cardiovascular disease and blood disease treatments. But now, researchers have found that stem cells from teeth grow to resemble brain cells, a discovery they say could be harnessed in the brain for stroke therapy. The team, from the University of Adelaide in Australia, publish their results in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy.

Photoactive materials are used in modern dentistry, which harden when they are exposed to light. Usually, only thin layers of up to 2 mm can be hardened, due to the limited penetration depth of light. A new dental filling material allows for thicker layers and faster dental procedures. Simply put, improved photoreactivity is good news for everyone who wants to spend as little time as possible in the dental chair.

When it comes to buying a mouthguard, parents who want to reduce their child’s risk of a sports-related concussion should visit a dentist instead of a sporting goods store. High school football players wearing store-bought, over-the-counter (OTC) mouthguards were more than twice as likely to suffer mild traumatic brain injures (MTBI)/concussions than those wearing custom-made, properly fitted mouthguards, reports a new study in the May/June 2014 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

According to the study by Dr. Jonathon Maguire, a pediatrician and researcher at St. Michael’s Hospital, less than one per cent of healthy urban children surveyed in Toronto had received dental care by the recommended age of 12 months and less than two per cent had seen a dentist by the age of 24 months. Children most susceptible to cavities were least likely to receive early dental care,

A University of Florida study shows that the same bacteria that cause gum disease also promotes heart disease – a discovery that could change the way heart disease is diagnosed and treated. Researchers reported their findings at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

New study suggests that moderate red wine consumption may benefit our teeth. The researchers behind the new study, which is published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, explain that the oral cavity is “an enormously complex” and unique habitat within the human body. Hundreds of microbial species co-exist within the human mouth simultaneously. Because the teeth are “non-shedding surfaces,” microorganisms are able to adhere to them for long periods of time, which can lead to the formation of biofilms and dental plaque.

themselves For the first time, a new study has shown it is possible to use low-power lasers to spur stem cells in the body to make new tissue, in this case to regenerate dentin in teeth. The Harvard-led team says their work lays the foundation for a wealth of new clinical applications for healing wounds, regenerating bones and teeth, and more.

A survey of dentists in Massachusetts suggests that their confidence in treating patients with scleroderma may be related to their familiarity with the autoimmune disease. Dentists who reported feeling knowledgeable about scleroderma felt more prepared to provide care to patients with scleroderma, when compared to peers who did not feel as knowledgeable. Providing education to dentists may improve patient satisfaction and access to care, while simultaneously increasing dentists’ knowledge and comfort.

When buying dental insurance try researching a few different companies in order to narrow down your choices. You will want to look for important things like available features, tools, costs and co-pay prices. A few things you will also want to look for can include:  

*  Customer service options: Do they have an FAQ section, email addresses, telephone numbers and online chat options to better serve their customers?

*  The amount of information available on their website: The more informed you are, the better able you are to make a wise decision.  

*  Secure website: It is important that your information is protected as you apply for coverage. A secure site shows that a company cares about their customers’ privacy.

One way to start when searching for dental insurance is by composing a list. Create a list of dental insurance companies you might be interested in. This is as easy as researching online and finding the most popular companies. You can also receive recommendations from friends, co-workers or family members. Try to list between around five companies that you may want to seek coverage from.

Also if you are trying to stay with a current dentist and or dental office ask them want plans they are a provider of so that you can search out information and buy the one you feel would be best for you and your family.

Ask about online services that may be available though the insurance company. Often times you will be able to access online information about benefits, claims, and the dental plans dental network of providers. Plus, online enrollment can save time and as well as money.

One common mistake that is made when buying dental insurance is not reading the plans limitations and exclusions. It is important to be aware of what the dental insurance plan excludes. Typically, plans can have up to 20 to 30 exclusions, limitations and restrictions. One example of an exclusion can be: Extractions or x-rays for orthodontic purposes which is typically excluded under many dental insurance plans.

Question: Two days ago I went in for my regular dental cleaning, check up visit.  My dentist told me that I needed to have a deep cleaning.  I told him I would look into it and see if I can afford to have it done after speaking with my insurance company.   I called my dental insurance company that stated that without the ADA codes they could not tell me my cost for the service.  I told them it is just a deep cleaning but they said it was not enough information for them to tell me cost.  What are ADA codes and where do I get them? 

Answer: You would get the ADA codes from the dentist that you are going to. There are many different types of deep cleaning codes depending on what your dentist feels would be best for you.  That is why some insurance company will not quote out a rate for dental services without knowing the ADA codes. The insurance company does not want to give you the wrong cost information. To give you an idea of codes for periodontics dental work I listed some of those codes for your review. 

4210 Gingivectomy/gingivoplasty, per quad
4211 Gingivectomy/gingivoplasty, per tooth
4250 Mucogingival surgery, per quad
4260 Osseous surgery, per quad
4341 Periodontal scaling & root planing, per quad
4355 Full mouth debridement
4381 Delivery of chemotherapeutic agent
4910 Perio maintenance (following active therapy)
4999 Initial perio charting for moderate or advanced cases

My teeth seem to be fine but my gums in the back bottom of my mouth look to be swollen and are a little sore.

Reply: The most common cause of gum swelling is gingivitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum lining at the base of the teeth. Mild cases of gingivitis will respond to increased dental hygiene (regularly, daily brushing and flossing) to remove bacteria and food debris between the gum and the teeth. More severe cases may require a deeper dental cleaning, which can be performed at your dentist’s office.

Question: My child is three and is going to the dentist for the first time what can I do to make it less scary for her.

Answer: Since your child is old enough to understand about going to the dentist, there are several things you can do to ease any anxiety she may have. Such as:

• Give her a sneak peek. Take her with you to your next checkup to get her used to the sights and sounds, and let her watch you as you have your mouth check and or teeth cleaned. She will see that though the tooth polisher is noisy, it does not hurt.
• Make sure to choose a kid-friendly dentist. Pediatric dentists are trained in child development and understand how to make kids comfortable. Besides having an upbeat, patient manner, the dentist should add kid-friendly elements to the exam. Some provide sunglasses to block out the bright examining lights and toys to keep their minds off their mouths. Others use puppets to teach proper brushing, and offer post-exam treats like stickers. Ask your pediatrician for a referral.
• Make sure book the dental appointment at a time when you and your child are well rested. If you need to rush back to work or she is tired, the visit will be off to a bad start before you even arrive.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry they recommend that you take your child in for an initial dental visit at around 12 months. Other experts recommend waiting until she’s closer to two. Talk with your pediatrician about what is best for your child. Once she starts going to the dentist, you should aim for a checkup twice a year. Just remember: The main goal is establishing good habits early.

Normally babies get their first tooth around six months, but it can appear as early as three months or as late as 14 months. Typically, babies get teeth in pairs and they generally emerge in this order:   

*  The bottom front teeth (incisors)  
*  The top front teeth (incisors)  
*  The bottom side teeth (incisors) and the upper side ones   
*  The first molars (grinding teeth at the back of the mouth)  
*  The canines (pointed teeth next to incisors)  
*  The second molars  But every child is different. By age two 1/2, most children will have about 20 teeth.

Cutting a tooth does not always go hand in hand with discomfort and sleepless nights. Many parents scarcely notice their child is teething until they spot a tiny pearl poking through their baby’s red gum. But some babies provide plenty of warning that teeth are on the way. Common symptoms in the weeks before teeth sprout include excessive crankiness, frequent crying, a change in appetite, lots of drooling, gnawing, and even ear pulling. Swelling in the gums is the source of the pain. You can alleviate your baby’s discomfort by providing something to chomp on, such as chilled washcloth, cold teething toys, or rings filled with water. Distraction can also work. Give your baby a little extra one-on-one playtime, and lots of cuddling.

A pacifier can be very soothing to a teething baby. But sucking on a pacifier past age of three can make a bad overbite or cross bite worse. Also, some experts think that children with speech impediments (like lisps) should avoid pacifiers altogether since they may aggravate the situation. To figure out what is best for your child, talk with your baby dentist.