Whether you just finished your corn on the cob or some BBQ ribs, you are bound to have some food debris left behind in your teeth. Toothpicks may seem like a handy tool in this time of need, but they aren’t necessarily the best option. In fact, they can cause more harm than good, as they pose a variety of risks. Continue reading to learn about the dangers of toothpicks and some safer ways you can dislodge food from between your teeth.
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If you didn’t already know, dental veneers are great at transforming smiles. Once placed, they’ll make your teeth look smoother, whiter, and better aligned! These ceramic layers, though, need proper care to last as long as possible. As such, it’s crucial that you use the best kind of toothpaste for veneers. The prosthetics might get damaged or fail otherwise. That being the case, your Tyler dentist has some suggestions for you. Here’s a summary of what kind of toothpaste you should use for your veneers.
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2022 IS COMING TO a close, and that means another year of insurance benefits is about to expire. If you haven’t taken advantage of your dental insurance yet, that’s okay, but the year is almost over, so the time to use them is now. To help you prepare, we want to give you an idea of how to use your dental insurance at Franklin Dental Center.
Each year, your dental insurance provider probably gives you a maximum amount of available benefits. Since those benefits don’t typically roll over into the following year, you’ll want to contact us now to get your appointment scheduled!
Dental benefits are the cost-free treatments you get from subscribing to a dental plan. Generally, most health insurance companies are straightforward and specify the type of services they cover.
Oral insurance plans typically cover the cost of preventive care, fillings, root canals, oral surgery, and crowns. However, some dental procedures may include restorative and orthodontic treatments such as braces, dentures, Invisalign, and bridges.
When you pay for your dental insurance each month, you’re paying for coverage up to a certain point. That coverage amount is your annual maximum. When the year ends, everything starts over, and you start building back up to that max from zero again.
It means that the money you were supposed to use for essential dental treatments goes down the drain, which is a massive gain to the insurance company and a sad loss to you. That’s why you should never skip out on your dental checkups. Regular oral checkups help you maintain oral health and give you the most bang for your buck.
Your deductible also resets at the beginning of the new year. It is the amount that you must pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. Most health plans use the 100-80-50 structure to specify their contribution to certain dental services. The amount will vary from plan to plan.
All this means that the cost of preventive care could be 100% covered, basic treatments 80% covered, and major dental procedures covered at 50%. Additionally, some insurance companies may not cover cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening or crowns.
Your dental policy isn’t just for getting your teeth fixed. It’s about maintaining excellent oral health and preventing disease before it starts. Taking advantage of your dental benefits will always be a win for you. Most dental plans cover 100% of the following up to two times per year:
While cavities may be inconvenient, it’s imperative that we get them treated immediately. Early treatment of cavities prevents long-term damage to our teeth and is essential to maintaining a beautiful, healthy smile! An easy way to effectively use your insurance benefits is to schedule preventive care visits early.
At Franklin Dental Center, we’re always looking out for our patients and want to make sure you’re taking the fullest advantage of your dental benefits! If you have any questions regarding dental insurance, stop by or call us today and we can help! Make sure to contact us to schedule an appointment so you can make the most out of your dental insurance before the end of the year. You can also learn more about us on our business page, and don’t forget to check the map before you head our way.
Call it bad luck, but some people will have to consider dentures at some point in their lives. Here are the warning signs indicating you need artificial teeth and the different available treatment options.
Precursors are easily spotted. Suppose you’re experiencing one or more risk factors right now. In that case, we encourage you to visit Franklin Dental Center, your dentist in Tyler, for a consultation right away.
The most obvious sign is a sizable toothache that won’t go away. This aching could signal decay that has made its way to your nerve. While a root canal may be an excellent option to save the tooth, sometimes the decay is beyond the point of salvage, which will require extraction and wearing dentures.
Sensitive and swollen gum tissue is the first warning sign of worsening periodontal disease. Dr. Franklin-Pitts can quickly treat early signs of gum disease, gingivitis, and bad breath with thorough professional cleaning, scaling and root planing, and prescription products. Catching periodontal disease in the early stage is vital to saving teeth and gums.
When your teeth start to loosen or shift, it is a good sign that dentures are in the near future. When teeth are loose, it signals decay and may result from periodontal disease. Significant damage may occur under the gums, where infection can fester without you noticing. You need to consult your dentist if you see gaps growing wider between your teeth.
Painful chewing while eating hard or chewy foods indicates needing dentures. Another sign of decay is chronic indigestion. Because your teeth aren’t functioning correctly and chewing is difficult, you’re more likely to take larger bites, leading to stomach pains. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to visit Franklin Dental Center for a consultation.
You must act now if you’ve already lost one or more teeth. The longer you go without dentures, the more you risk losing your remaining teeth. Without all your natural teeth’ support, the adjacent teeth shift faster and become weaker, along with jaw bone loss. Let’s take a look at all the options:
Partial dentures are the better option when you haven’t experienced substantial tooth decay. Partials only replace a portion of your teeth and rely on healthy teeth around the denture for support.
Immediate dentures are just that, immediate. You can replace your missing teeth right away. Although, the gums can take up to two months to heal enough to support traditional dentures. You’ll need several adjustments to ensure the best fit, as your gums shrink after extraction.
Complete dentures can only be worn once your gums have healed after extraction, usually two months. Most modern full dentures have an integrated support system that allows you to wear them without denture adhesive. These types of dentures are best for those who have lost all their top or bottom teeth.
The thought of dentures can be scary, but knowing you have several treatment options is comforting. If you’re experiencing any above symptoms, we encourage you to schedule a visit to Franklin Dental Center, your place for dentures in Tyler, TX. We can help you evaluate the best course of treatment for your oral health.
Teeth aren’t just white or yellow – they come in a wide range of shades! So, you might naturally be curious about how your dentist picks the perfect color for your dental crown. You want it to blend in perfectly with your existing smile, after all. To learn a few steps they take to ensure it’s the perfect match, keep reading.
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Gum irritation is very common and usually is caused by buildups of plaque and bacteria along the gumline. This can cause bleeding and redness of the gums, but what if you notice a new bump? There are many reasons why this can occur. While it usually isn’t an emergency, this is definitely something you should mention to your dentist so you can rule out more serious issues. Read on to learn about the most common causes of bumps on the gums.
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You’ve heard the phrase “runs in the family,” right? It refers to how people can inherit body traits from their parents, grandparents, etc. You might have your father’s eyes, your mother’s facial structure, or your grandmother’s smile. You probably know you can inherit a risk for medical problems too. As it turns out, things like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and depression have genetic factors. That said, did you know gum disease can also run in the family? To learn more, here’s a summary of the condition’s symptoms, genetic influence, and prevention tips.
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THERE ARE A NUMBER of reasons why someone might need a new dentist in Tyler, TX. Maybe their insurance changed, they’re new to the area, or they simply haven’t looked for a dentist yet.
Whatever the reason, if you don’t already have a great local dentist, it’s a good idea to choose one now so that you and your family can get regular dental exams and so that you’ll be ready in the event of a dental emergency. Here are a few ways to make sure you find the best dentist in the Tyler area to take care of your family’s dental health needs.
Many variables play a role in big decisions like which dentist is right for you and your family, and while the ranking is up to you, here are five that should be on every patient’s list.
Hopefully, this list gives you a good place to start in your search for a great dentist in Tyler, but if you’re still uncertain and live or work in the area, come see us! We can answer your questions about our practice and find out if we’re a good fit for you and your family’s dental needs.
PEOPLE MIGHT NEED to find a new dentist for all sorts of reasons, so they wonder “how do I find a great dentist near me?” Maybe they moved to a new city. Maybe their old dentist retired. Maybe they’re new parents and need to find a dentist for their child. Whatever the reason is, we recommend not waiting until an urgent dental health emergency pops up before finding a dentist that fits your needs. Here are five important factors to keep in mind when searching for the best dentist for you.
How close is the practice to your home? To your child’s school or where they play sports? To your workplace? Make sure the distance isn’t so great that making it to twice-yearly checkups will become a major inconvenience. It’s a good idea to decide on a radius that seems doable for you and your family, then determine who the best dentist is within that radius. On the other hand, there might be a dentist slightly farther away who is still worth it for other reasons!
What kind of reviews does the dentist have? What are their other patients saying about them? Check out the Yelp and Google reviews and maybe ask around your neighborhood, coworkers, and friend group to see if anyone you know is familiar with that particular dentist. While there can sometimes be hidden gems, a lot of good feedback is generally a positive sign.
A dental practice that operates close to you and has fantastic reviews might still not be right for you if they don’t offer some of the services you think you’re likely to need. How good are they with child patients? Do they offer cosmetic treatments? How much experience do they have with root canal therapy or treating gum disease? Do some research into a dentist’s specialties to see if they’re a good fit.
Sometimes a dentist’s only flaw is the cost of their services in comparison to your budget, or that they aren’t in your dental insurance network. It’s still important to find a dentist for regular appointments in this case, because those checkups are much easier on a budget than a serious dental problem that could’ve been caught and treated cheaply in an early stage. Finding a budget-friendly dentist is an excellent investment, both financially and in terms of dental health.
If you aren’t comfortable around a dentist or within their practice, then the other factors might not matter much to you. It’s a good idea to pay a practice you’re considering an early visit just to get a sense of the place and the staff. A good dentist will always prioritize patient comfort, especially considering how many patients struggle with dental anxiety!
Meanwhile, keep up those oral hygiene habits!
If you weren’t sure how to start looking for a great dentist before, we hope we’ve given you a few ideas of where to begin! If you want to learn more about our practice, just give us a call or stop by. You can also check our business page, and make sure to get directions before you head our way. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have!
“The bridge is out! The bridge is out!” To many people, that is a quote by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in the 1994 summer blockbuster True Lies. Well, at least action movie enthusiasts over age 40 will probably get the reference. If the bridge is out in your real life, however, you could be facing a dental emergency! A dental bridge connects to your natural teeth on both sides – filling in the gap with custom-fitted false teeth. They are strong, reliable, and look very natural in most cases. Keep reading to learn from your emergency dentist in Tyler potential reasons why your dental bridge fell out, as well as how to respond.
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