http://www.1305dental.com/ - Fairfield CT Cosmetic Dentist share views on Cavities.
The pain definitely tells us when we have cavities, but few of us understand why we get them. You likely know that poor dental hygiene causes cavities, but do you understand why not brushing or flossing causes cavities?
In order to understand all that's involved in the making of a cavity, you've got to first understand the key players. Those players include saliva, pellicle, plaque and calculus and each resides in the mouth.
Saliva is really important when it comes to protecting teeth and keeping our mouths healthy. Saliva keeps teeth, gums and other tissues inside the mouth lubricated and moist. Saliva helps break food down while eating, and afterwards it washes away some of the bits of food that get stuck on teeth. Saliva also can neutralize acids which lowers the amount present in the mouth. Interestingly, it can even help protect us against certain viruses and bacteria.
If you've ever noticed a slippery feeling on your teeth right after you brush, that's the result of proteins in saliva called pellicle. Pellicle coat teeth after brushing by absorbing into the surface. The pellicle gives teeth an extra layer of protection against decay-causing acids. Unfortunately, bacteria and microorganisms can easily attach to the pellicle and this is actually the stage during which plaque begins to develop.
If you were to look at the white sticky substance on your teeth through a microscope, you'd realize that plaque consists of yeast, microorganisms, bacteria, protozoa, mycoplasmas, white blood cells, food particles, body tissues and viruses.
If people realized that, surely they'd do a better job brushing and flossing! Several hours after brushing is when plaque starts to develop and in just one hour, a good amount will accumulate. If left untouched other microorganisms join the mix, thickening the plaque and turning on its destructive powers.
Bacteria are in the mouth too and they're always present in both good and bad form. The good bacteria help us fight colds and other illnesses. The bad intensify the tooth decaying process. Streptococcus mutans is the worst, producing acid while attaching to teeth. Lactobacillus only can attach to plaque so it doesn't do quite as much damage. Several other bacteria located inside the mouth contribute to tooth decay and periodontal disease.
To summarize, decay begins when bacteria start attaching themselves to the pellicle. Six or so hours later, plaque begins to form. The bacteria present in your mouth produce acids, and these acids, by throwing the pH balance of your mouth out of balance, cause tooth decay. In the case of tooth decay, a process called demineralization begins when the pH level inside the mouth drops below 5.5.
Remember, this chain reaction begins the moment you finish brushing your teeth. But brushing is what continually returns the pH level in your mouth back into the range of 6.2 and 7.0, which is considered neutral. That's why brushing and flossing are so important in fighting tooth decay.
Part II will further elaborate on the importance of a neutral pH level in preventing tooth decay.
For more information visit us at http://www.1305dental.com/ or call us at 203-255-5999
Dr Conant is a general dentist located in Fairfield, CT / Her passion is Smile Makeovers including veneers, crowns and much more! Visit her website at http://www.drconant.com/
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Fairfield CT Dentist Dental Implants and affordable alternatives
Great info on Dental Implants. Are you looking for affordable Dental implant solutions?
Call us at 203-255-5999 for a Free Consultation or visit us online at http://www.BrickWalkDental.com/ there you will find some great info and more videos!
Dental Insurance in the United States
http://www.1305dental.com/ Fairfield, CT Dental office -In the United States, dental care is not something that the government offers to all of its citizens. There is government assistance available to those who qualify such as those whose income falls below a certain level and the elderly.
But aside from those few programs, an individual's dental care is either partially or fully covered by an insurance plan. Or, if the individual has no insurance coverage, the individual assumes the responsibility for paying all dental care costs as well as any costs assumed by his or her family.
Available dental care options vary widely and depend on the individual's personal situation. If employed, the employer might offer some type of dental coverage plan. Unfortunately, the cost of providing dental insurance to employees is high and many employers are finding it difficult financially to offer dental coverage as a benefit.
When employers do offer their employees dental coverage, costs typically are shared between employee and employer. Those Americans who are self-employed or whose employers do not offer dental coverage can purchase a dental insurance plan on their own, for which there is generally an associated monthly fee. Or they can forgo the purchase of a dental plan and instead pay all costs for dental services as they are incurred.
There is no general answer to what is covered by a dental plan. What is covered by one dental plan may or may not be covered by another. And while one dental plan might cover 100% of the costs of a particular service, another might only cover 70% with the remaining 30% to be paid for by the patient.
Most dental plans will offer some level of coverage for preventative dental services such as 2 check-ups per year. Services covered at a twice-yearly dental exam typically include cleaning, examination, x-rays and a fluoride treatment.
Under the terms of most dental plans offered in the US, any follow-up work that may be needed as a result of such examination will only partially be covered by the plan. Examples of those services include but are not limited to fillings, crowns, root canals, anesthesia and sealants.
As far as what is not covered by dental plans in the United States, most will not cover any type of service considered cosmetic. That includes such services as teeth whitening, orthodontic work, dental implants and, unless they're deemed medically necessary, crowns.
If an employer is offering dental coverage, the employee will complete the application form at the place of employment. After completing the application the employee will have coverage according to the company's enrollment policy.
If an individual is purchasing his or her own dental plan, the Internet is a good place to start the search. There it's easy to compare the costs and coverage of the various dental plans offered to individuals. Application typically can happen online, or the individual can call a special number to apply. After paying the applicable fees and upon approval, that individual can begin making appointments for dental services.
For more information on this post or other dental health information please contact us at http://www.1305dental.com/ or by calling 203-255-5999
But aside from those few programs, an individual's dental care is either partially or fully covered by an insurance plan. Or, if the individual has no insurance coverage, the individual assumes the responsibility for paying all dental care costs as well as any costs assumed by his or her family.
Available dental care options vary widely and depend on the individual's personal situation. If employed, the employer might offer some type of dental coverage plan. Unfortunately, the cost of providing dental insurance to employees is high and many employers are finding it difficult financially to offer dental coverage as a benefit.
When employers do offer their employees dental coverage, costs typically are shared between employee and employer. Those Americans who are self-employed or whose employers do not offer dental coverage can purchase a dental insurance plan on their own, for which there is generally an associated monthly fee. Or they can forgo the purchase of a dental plan and instead pay all costs for dental services as they are incurred.
There is no general answer to what is covered by a dental plan. What is covered by one dental plan may or may not be covered by another. And while one dental plan might cover 100% of the costs of a particular service, another might only cover 70% with the remaining 30% to be paid for by the patient.
Most dental plans will offer some level of coverage for preventative dental services such as 2 check-ups per year. Services covered at a twice-yearly dental exam typically include cleaning, examination, x-rays and a fluoride treatment.
Under the terms of most dental plans offered in the US, any follow-up work that may be needed as a result of such examination will only partially be covered by the plan. Examples of those services include but are not limited to fillings, crowns, root canals, anesthesia and sealants.
As far as what is not covered by dental plans in the United States, most will not cover any type of service considered cosmetic. That includes such services as teeth whitening, orthodontic work, dental implants and, unless they're deemed medically necessary, crowns.
If an employer is offering dental coverage, the employee will complete the application form at the place of employment. After completing the application the employee will have coverage according to the company's enrollment policy.
If an individual is purchasing his or her own dental plan, the Internet is a good place to start the search. There it's easy to compare the costs and coverage of the various dental plans offered to individuals. Application typically can happen online, or the individual can call a special number to apply. After paying the applicable fees and upon approval, that individual can begin making appointments for dental services.
For more information on this post or other dental health information please contact us at http://www.1305dental.com/ or by calling 203-255-5999
Friday, June 19, 2009
A Closer Look At Wisdom Teeth
http://www.1305Dental.com Today Dr. Mariana Conant take a closer look at Wisdom Teeth also known as the third set of molars. They are called wisdom teeth because usually they come in when a person is between age 17 and 25 or older—old enough to have supposedly gained some wisdom. Wisdom teeth are the last set of teeth in the mouth to erupt, which normally happens around the ages of 17 - 25. For many years, there has been a lot of controversy as to the need to remove these teeth. If the teeth don’t cause any harm or pain, they are normally fine to stay in place. If they present a bad position or cause you a lot of pain or discomfort, they will need to be removed.
When the wisdom teeth first come in, they will sometimes be impacted. Impacted teeth will normally need to be extracted. Sometimes they can be pulled, although in most cases they need to be cut out by a qualified surgeon. When the time comes to have your wisdom teeth extracted, you’ll need to go to an oral surgeon and have a consultation first.
During the consultation, you’ll take a few x-rays that will let the surgeon know how bad your wisdom teeth are. He will go over the results with you, take a look in your mouth, then tell you what options you have. If he is going to pull or cut out your teeth, you’ll have the option of using local anaesthesia or going with an IV sedation. An IV sedation is the preferred way to have wisdom teeth extracted, as you’ll be so relaxed you won’t know what is going on. If you decide to just use local anaesthesia, which is numbing, you’ll be fully aware of the procedure. You’ll also hear the popping and cracking involved, which can make you feel quite uncomfortable.
Depending on the shape, size, and the formation of the wisdom teeth, the removal process can vary from easy to hard. If the root tips have managed to wrap themselves around the bone, the removal process can be very time consuming and quite painful. Once the extractions have been completed, there is normally little to no swelling involved. Your dentist will prescribe you some pain medicine, which you should use as soon as you arrive home. If you are going to use IV sedation, you’ll need to someone to accompany you, as you won’t be able to drive home.
After the removal of your wisdom teeth, your dentist will go over what you need to do to ensure the proper healing of your gums and mouth. Normally, he will give you information to go over, to make sure that you experience no problems in the healing process. Someone will need to be with you for the first 24 hours, to make sure that you ok. You won’t be able to eat certain foods for the first 48 hours, which is to be expected. Once you get your wisdom teeth removed through - you’ll notice a big improvement in your mouth - and your health.
Need more info visit us online at www.1305Dental.com or call the office at 203-255-5999
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Dental Care for Babies
There is this belief among some people that dental care for babies isn't an important issue because those 'baby' teeth will be replaced by permanent teeth. They believe that because baby teeth fall out, the focus should be on the child's permanent teeth.
It's true that primary teeth fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth. But one of the most important reasons to teach proper dental care to children is so that the habits they learn early will stick with them throughout the rest of their lives. If good dental habits aren't in place by the time permanent teeth begin appearing, which is around 6 years of age, developing good habits will be more difficult later on.
Most babies start getting teeth when they are 6 months old. The bottom row central incisors typically are the first to appear, followed by the top row central incisors. All together there are 20 primary teeth and they usually erupt according to a 'schedule' that most infants follow. The last primary teeth to erupt are the second molars and they'll appear between the ages of 2 and 3.
If not properly cared for, an infant's teeth can begin to decay from the moment they first erupt. Infant dental decay is painful and should be avoided. Of course, at only 6 months old, an infant does not have the physical or mental skills needed to brush his teeth. At this stage of life, it's up to the caregiver to clean a baby's teeth using either a toothbrush designed for an infant or a very soft washcloth. Just gently brush or rub the tooth (teeth) once a day, before bed.
Pediatric dentists advise that the first dental visit take place when the baby turns 1. That first visit is important and the dentist will want to ensure your baby is getting fluoride from his drinking water. If not, the dentist can write a prescription for fluoride which will help protect the child's developing teeth from dental decay. If a baby's teeth are showing signs of spotting or staining and the baby has not yet turned one, it's a good idea to visit the dentist sooner.
To keep decay under control, don't give infants sugary drinks, especially at night from a bottle.
During the day, don't fill a baby bottle with sweet drinks to use as a pacifier. Keep in mind that most milk and formula and even fruit drinks contain sugar. Doing any of the above can cause baby bottle tooth decay. It's not a good idea to coat a pacifier with sugar either as that can also lead to decay.
At age 2, children can begin daily brushing using a small dab of fluoride toothpaste. Be sure to supervise the tooth brushing.
At meal and snack time, steer clear of sugary drinks, foods and snacks. Teaching your child early on to eat vegetables and healthy snacks will limit tooth decay and is an excellent way to instill good eating habits.
Infomation provided by Dr. Mariana Conant, she has a Family & Cosmetic dentistry office in Fairfield, CT.
When a patient meets Dr. Mariana and they want a new brighter smile, it feels like they are getting to know someone who understands exactly what they are looking for. Dr. Mariana is accurate in matching esthetic restorations not only to the smile, but also to the lips, complexion, and the overall appearance of each individual. Dr. Mariana has a trained eye that finds each patient the shape and shade that works best for them. Dr. Mariana believes that full mouth restorations can increase a patients quality of life and self-esteem by giving them back function and form, but it is not for everyone. You may sometimes achieve beautiful results with a more conservative approach. Dr. Mariana likes to emphasize that maintaining a proper oral hygiene and visiting the dentist at least once a year is essential for smile beauty.
It's true that primary teeth fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth. But one of the most important reasons to teach proper dental care to children is so that the habits they learn early will stick with them throughout the rest of their lives. If good dental habits aren't in place by the time permanent teeth begin appearing, which is around 6 years of age, developing good habits will be more difficult later on.
Most babies start getting teeth when they are 6 months old. The bottom row central incisors typically are the first to appear, followed by the top row central incisors. All together there are 20 primary teeth and they usually erupt according to a 'schedule' that most infants follow. The last primary teeth to erupt are the second molars and they'll appear between the ages of 2 and 3.
If not properly cared for, an infant's teeth can begin to decay from the moment they first erupt. Infant dental decay is painful and should be avoided. Of course, at only 6 months old, an infant does not have the physical or mental skills needed to brush his teeth. At this stage of life, it's up to the caregiver to clean a baby's teeth using either a toothbrush designed for an infant or a very soft washcloth. Just gently brush or rub the tooth (teeth) once a day, before bed.
Pediatric dentists advise that the first dental visit take place when the baby turns 1. That first visit is important and the dentist will want to ensure your baby is getting fluoride from his drinking water. If not, the dentist can write a prescription for fluoride which will help protect the child's developing teeth from dental decay. If a baby's teeth are showing signs of spotting or staining and the baby has not yet turned one, it's a good idea to visit the dentist sooner.
To keep decay under control, don't give infants sugary drinks, especially at night from a bottle.
During the day, don't fill a baby bottle with sweet drinks to use as a pacifier. Keep in mind that most milk and formula and even fruit drinks contain sugar. Doing any of the above can cause baby bottle tooth decay. It's not a good idea to coat a pacifier with sugar either as that can also lead to decay.
At age 2, children can begin daily brushing using a small dab of fluoride toothpaste. Be sure to supervise the tooth brushing.
At meal and snack time, steer clear of sugary drinks, foods and snacks. Teaching your child early on to eat vegetables and healthy snacks will limit tooth decay and is an excellent way to instill good eating habits.
Infomation provided by Dr. Mariana Conant, she has a Family & Cosmetic dentistry office in Fairfield, CT.
When a patient meets Dr. Mariana and they want a new brighter smile, it feels like they are getting to know someone who understands exactly what they are looking for. Dr. Mariana is accurate in matching esthetic restorations not only to the smile, but also to the lips, complexion, and the overall appearance of each individual. Dr. Mariana has a trained eye that finds each patient the shape and shade that works best for them. Dr. Mariana believes that full mouth restorations can increase a patients quality of life and self-esteem by giving them back function and form, but it is not for everyone. You may sometimes achieve beautiful results with a more conservative approach. Dr. Mariana likes to emphasize that maintaining a proper oral hygiene and visiting the dentist at least once a year is essential for smile beauty.
For more information contact our office today! We can be reached at 203-255-5999
Friday, June 5, 2009
Local Dentist Gives Patients Over $350,000 In Rewards
(Fairfield, Connecticut) – Fairfield dentist Dr. Mariana Conant announced today that she has given her dental patients $362,450 in her Loyal Patient™ Rewards during the past 3 months.
“All year long we reward our patients just for taking good care of themselves and to thank them for choosing us to be their dentist,” said Dr. Conant, owner of Family & Cosmetic Dentistry of Fairfield at 1305 Post Road in Fairfield. “And in the midst of this challenging economy,” she continued, “these rewards are our way of helping our patients save money – something everyone really likes. We call it our own personal economic stimulus package!”
Each Loyal Patient™ Rewards dollar spends just like a real dollar for savings on everyday purchases, travel and entertainment. The program contains 150,000 reward choices. “It’s almost like giving our patients over $350,000,” Dr. Conant said, “something we’d never be able to afford otherwise.”
Patients are rewarded for keeping their scheduled appointments, healthy checkups, brightening their smile, recommending friends to the practice, and sometimes “Just Because” when the office has the opportunity to do something special for a particularly valued patient.
‘They redeem their rewards for as much as 60% savings off lowest public prices on fun things like travel and entertainment (hotels, cruises, jewelry, movie tickets, software, golf clubs, store gift cards, and much, much more) through our Loyal Patient™ Rewards program, for simply taking good care of their oral health,” Dr. Conant explained.
“Our patients love the savings and we’re delighted to be able to do something for every patient every month – they get $250 in rewards to start, a $50 thank you reward each month just for being our patient, and more rewards when they come in for treatment,” she said. “And unlike a traditional rewards program, they can use their rewards instantly, as soon as they receive them – there’s no waiting or collecting to get to 25,000 points or miles!”
“Beyond the beautiful smile we give our patients, these rewards give them something more to smile about. By year end we expect to have given our patients more than $1 million in rewards!” Dr. Conant said, flashing a big smile of her own.
###
“All year long we reward our patients just for taking good care of themselves and to thank them for choosing us to be their dentist,” said Dr. Conant, owner of Family & Cosmetic Dentistry of Fairfield at 1305 Post Road in Fairfield. “And in the midst of this challenging economy,” she continued, “these rewards are our way of helping our patients save money – something everyone really likes. We call it our own personal economic stimulus package!”
Each Loyal Patient™ Rewards dollar spends just like a real dollar for savings on everyday purchases, travel and entertainment. The program contains 150,000 reward choices. “It’s almost like giving our patients over $350,000,” Dr. Conant said, “something we’d never be able to afford otherwise.”
Patients are rewarded for keeping their scheduled appointments, healthy checkups, brightening their smile, recommending friends to the practice, and sometimes “Just Because” when the office has the opportunity to do something special for a particularly valued patient.
‘They redeem their rewards for as much as 60% savings off lowest public prices on fun things like travel and entertainment (hotels, cruises, jewelry, movie tickets, software, golf clubs, store gift cards, and much, much more) through our Loyal Patient™ Rewards program, for simply taking good care of their oral health,” Dr. Conant explained.
“Our patients love the savings and we’re delighted to be able to do something for every patient every month – they get $250 in rewards to start, a $50 thank you reward each month just for being our patient, and more rewards when they come in for treatment,” she said. “And unlike a traditional rewards program, they can use their rewards instantly, as soon as they receive them – there’s no waiting or collecting to get to 25,000 points or miles!”
“Beyond the beautiful smile we give our patients, these rewards give them something more to smile about. By year end we expect to have given our patients more than $1 million in rewards!” Dr. Conant said, flashing a big smile of her own.
###
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Food and Your Teeth, Info You Need To Know!
Eating sweets is bad for your teeth, but do you know why? Do you know that even eating 'good' foods can be bad for your teeth or that eating at certain times during the day is better than others? If you don't understand that when and what you eat can affect your teeth, then read on.
The problems all revolve around plaque, that sticky, whitish substance that covers your teeth after you eat. As you probably already know, carbohydrates break down into sugars, the fructose, maltose, glucose and lactose that fuel our bodies. We think this process happens after food leaves our mouths, while en route to our digestive tracts.
That's true for many foods, but some foods begin breaking down right in our mouths. These foods are referred to as fermentable carbohydrates. Bacteria living on your teeth use the sugars found in fermentable carbohydrates like cookies, crackers, cake, soft drinks, cereal, even bananas to produce very strong acids.
These acids can cause demineralization, a process by which the minerals inside a tooth's enamel begin to dissolve. Damaging acids are continually produced as long as these foods remain in contact with the tooth bacteria.
That's why sipping soda all afternoon is more damaging than drinking an entire can during your meal and why sticky foods (potato chips, raisins) and foods that get stuck in the crevices of molars can do more damage than foods that don't stick. Those who snack on sugary foods throughout the day also have a higher incidence of tooth decay.
Fortunately, the body can combat demineralization with a process called remineralization. Saliva facilitates the remineralization process by helping to neutralize damaging acids. Therefore, foods and sugar-free gum that help increase saliva are good choices for combating tooth decay. However, when remineralization takes place more slowly than demineralization, in other words when the process is out of balance, tooth decay may still result.
Eating disorders such as binge eating where an individual consumes large quantities of food only to purge them shortly afterwards also causes serious mineral loss because of all the stomach acids that come into the mouth during a purging session. That's why those suffering from eating disorders often experience tooth decay and demineralization.
When it comes to the teeth and your overall state of health, it's a good idea to stick with the food categories and amounts advised by the US government in its updated Food Pyramid. The 'good' foods to choose include whole grains rather than refined grains, non-citrus fruits (citrus contains a lot of acid), dark green leafy vegetables, lean proteins and calcium-rich foods and beverages.
Cheese is a good food to eat for counteracting acids and so are chicken and nuts. Milk contains lots of minerals that can enhance the remineralization process. Fruits with high water content are also good because they promote saliva. Sugar-free gum that contains xylitol is a good choice as are sugar-free hard candies.
You should limit your intake of processed foods, sugary snacks, beverages containing or mixed with sugar and alcoholic beverages. Limit in-between meal snacking, too.
Need more information? Visit us online at http://www.1305dental.com/ or call the office at 203-255-5999. Dr Mariana Conant offers Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Fairfield, CT and has worked in New York City with some of the worlds top dental professionals.
The problems all revolve around plaque, that sticky, whitish substance that covers your teeth after you eat. As you probably already know, carbohydrates break down into sugars, the fructose, maltose, glucose and lactose that fuel our bodies. We think this process happens after food leaves our mouths, while en route to our digestive tracts.
That's true for many foods, but some foods begin breaking down right in our mouths. These foods are referred to as fermentable carbohydrates. Bacteria living on your teeth use the sugars found in fermentable carbohydrates like cookies, crackers, cake, soft drinks, cereal, even bananas to produce very strong acids.
These acids can cause demineralization, a process by which the minerals inside a tooth's enamel begin to dissolve. Damaging acids are continually produced as long as these foods remain in contact with the tooth bacteria.
That's why sipping soda all afternoon is more damaging than drinking an entire can during your meal and why sticky foods (potato chips, raisins) and foods that get stuck in the crevices of molars can do more damage than foods that don't stick. Those who snack on sugary foods throughout the day also have a higher incidence of tooth decay.
Fortunately, the body can combat demineralization with a process called remineralization. Saliva facilitates the remineralization process by helping to neutralize damaging acids. Therefore, foods and sugar-free gum that help increase saliva are good choices for combating tooth decay. However, when remineralization takes place more slowly than demineralization, in other words when the process is out of balance, tooth decay may still result.
Eating disorders such as binge eating where an individual consumes large quantities of food only to purge them shortly afterwards also causes serious mineral loss because of all the stomach acids that come into the mouth during a purging session. That's why those suffering from eating disorders often experience tooth decay and demineralization.
When it comes to the teeth and your overall state of health, it's a good idea to stick with the food categories and amounts advised by the US government in its updated Food Pyramid. The 'good' foods to choose include whole grains rather than refined grains, non-citrus fruits (citrus contains a lot of acid), dark green leafy vegetables, lean proteins and calcium-rich foods and beverages.
Cheese is a good food to eat for counteracting acids and so are chicken and nuts. Milk contains lots of minerals that can enhance the remineralization process. Fruits with high water content are also good because they promote saliva. Sugar-free gum that contains xylitol is a good choice as are sugar-free hard candies.
You should limit your intake of processed foods, sugary snacks, beverages containing or mixed with sugar and alcoholic beverages. Limit in-between meal snacking, too.
Need more information? Visit us online at http://www.1305dental.com/ or call the office at 203-255-5999. Dr Mariana Conant offers Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Fairfield, CT and has worked in New York City with some of the worlds top dental professionals.
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