Spirit Dental Resources

You thought that getting your teeth cleaned regularly was just to take care of your oral health, but the truth is your dentist could be the first one to notice that something is amiss in another part of your body. What goes on in your mouth can be very telling when it comes to the state of your overall health, as there are several dental issues that can alert you to other problems, including those listed below. When Mouth Troubles Lead to Heart Problems When your dentist looks at your gums and notices inflammation or loose teeth, he may ask you if there’s a history of cardiovascular disease in your family or if you have any heart problems. That’s because gum disease might increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. The inflammation within your mouth might cause inflammation to increase in other areas of your body, such as your arteries. Also, if you’re diagnosed with gum disease, the bacteria that are within your mouth might travel to your heart and lead to disease within the cardiovascular system. Your dentist can start treating your gum disease, and you can take steps at home to keep your gums as clean as possible, to reduce your risk. A Surprising Link Between Blood Sugar and Gum Disease There are several symptoms that your dentist can pick up on during a routine exam, such as dry mouth, loose teeth, and gums that are dry, receding, bleeding, or infected and healing slowly. Because these symptoms can be associated with diabetes—a condition that could increase your risk of gum disease—your dentist might recommend getting a blood test to check for it. In the event that you are diagnosed with diabetes, you can work with your primary care physician to get your condition under control. At the same time, experts recommend working with your dentist to treat the gum disease, especially since infections within your gums can make your diabetes more severe and increase the risk of heart disease. Individuals with a history of gum disease and diabetes might also need to see their dentist more often, such as every three months. Bone Health Beyond the Mouth Osteoporosis, commonly seen in postmenopausal women, causes your bones to become weaker. Believe it or not, your mouth can alert a dentist to thinning bones in other parts of your body, even though this condition typically won’t result in changes to your teeth. When osteoporosis takes hold, it causes changes within the bone that gives support to your teeth. So if your dentist notices that you have loose teeth or a receding gum line, he may recommend talking to your doctor to see if osteoporosis is to blame and to receive the appropriate treatment. It All Starts in the Gut The inflammation that’s associated with Crohn’s disease could affect your mouth, leading to raised bumps along the gums surrounding the teeth. You may not know that you have Crohn’s disease because mouth lesions might develop before you even experience abdominal symptoms and digestive upset. And because those oral bumps don’t result in pain, you may not notice them either. Inflammatory bowel conditions, including Crohn’s disease, can also lead to recurring canker sores that you can ask your dentist about. Catching symptoms early will help you get relief as you bring your digestive system back into balance. Because the health of your mouth can provide clues to your overall state of wellness, finding a dentist you can trust can give you peace of mind. With the right oral hygiene routine at home and at the dentist’s office, you can rest assured that your teeth and gums will be clean and strong and that you’ll be able to tackle early symptoms of disease. Sources: https://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health-pictures/health-problems-your-dentist-can-spot.aspx#03 https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/what-dentist-knows-about-your-health#1 https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19535126/health-problems-your-dentist-can-spot   https://www.thehealthy.com/dental/diseases-dentists-find-first/

It’s a new year, which means it’s the perfect time to make resolutions that will help you enhance your well-being. By applying the following easy tips to your everyday life, you can put yourself on the right track towards boosting your vitality, as well as the health of your entire mouth. Retrain Your Sweet Tooth Everyone loves a sugary treat every now and then, and it’s hard to ignore that sweet tooth craving once it takes hold. But even though your taste buds feel satisfied, indulging in too much sugar isn’t just bad for your waistline, it’s also bad for your teeth. The more sugar you eat, the higher your risk of experiencing tooth decay, so resolving to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet is a simple way to ensure your smile can be bright and beautiful. Thankfully, you don’t have to eliminate sugar completely from your diet (phew!). Instead, just make a few minor changes. Consider switching from soda and juice to water Make the switch to sugar-free gum Try putting a bit less sugar in your coffee or tea Instead of getting through the afternoon slump with some candy or chocolate, snack on trail mix or fruit Veggies Are the Way to Go! Eating healthier can give your body the nutrients it needs to thrive, but the right diet could also protect the health of your teeth and gums. There are foods that can help keep your teeth clean naturally, and those are the ones you want to stock your fridge with. Pasta, bread, crackers, chips, and other refined and starchy carbs are delicious, but they could actually be as damaging as candy. That’s because starches from white flour are nothing more than simple carbs. They’ll hang around inside your mouth and break down into simple sugars that bacteria can feed on. That results in acid, which could lead to tooth decay. To support the strength of your teeth from the inside out, calcium-rich foods are a great choice. But to help prevent nasty bacteria from lingering in your mouth, consider eating fibrous foods, like fruits and raw veggies. These will stimulate saliva production that can help flush bacteria from your teeth and gums. Plus, the texture of these foods acts a bit like a natural toothbrush. Want to get it all in one meal? Feast on veggies like kale, collard greens, kelp, broccoli, and spinach, as they’re both fibrous and high in calcium!     Anyone Up for Afternoon Tea? If you’re an avid coffee drinker, consider swapping a cup or two of java every day for a cup of black or green tea instead. In addition to antioxidants that fight free radicals, there are compounds within tea that can work on suppressing bacteria in your mouth—the kind of bacteria that could lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Tip: Try drinking your tea sans sugar, or gradually reduce the amount of sugar that you need. Its natural flavor will come through without the added sweetness that could undo the positive effects of this soothing beverage.     Kick Tobacco to the Curb! Kicking your tobacco habit could help you become healthier in more ways than one. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking and chewing tobacco could double the risk of developing gum disease, and they could also increase your risk of other serious conditions, including oral cancer and lung cancer. To reduce your odds of losing teeth and developing unsightly yellow teeth, dry mouth, and bad breath, consider taking steps to wean yourself off of your addiction. With the help of nicotine replacement products, you can be well on your way to clearer lungs, a cleaner mouth, and a gorgeous smile in no time.   Nothing Beats Pure Water Are you drinking enough water every day? You’ve likely heard all of the health reports on the importance of drinking water to stay hydrated, but water is more powerful than you think when it comes to oral health.

Now that the holidays are soon to be over, fun holiday shaped treats will no longer be in season. But what does that mean for you and the healthy food you were able to disguise into fun treats for your kids? It doesn't have to mean a thing! As we approach a new year, healthy eating and keeping up with good habits comes to the forefront for most individuals as we start to think about resolutions. Keeping a constant, healthy diet is good for both your body and teeth. That’s why we’ve put together a list of five great snacks you can make for yourself or your kids. Just because there isn’t a holiday to celebrate, doesn’t mean we need to make eating healthy boring. 1. Teddy Bear Toast Source: craftmorning.com Whole wheat toast, a little peanut or almond butter, raisins and bananas - how simple is that! It’s cute, delicious, and hard to say no to. I mean, look at that face! 2. Owl Rice Cakes  Source: afewshortcuts.com Getting kids to eat rice cakes instead of Doritos seems like a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Not only is this a healthy snack, but it's also one we can see your kids continually asking for because who doesn’t love playing with their food?! Needs: Rice cakes, peanut or almond butter, Cheerios, bananas, blueberries, an apple, and cantaloupe. 3. Butterfly Snacks Source:Jugglingwithkids.com Cute and perfect for an on-the-go snack or in a school lunch. You can have your kids help you paint the safety pins and add eyes! The pipe cleaner antenna goes on last as it just slides in at the end. Directions: Fill a snack size plastic bag ¾ of the way full. You can add grapes and Goldfish as seen in the image or any other healthy snacks you have in the house. Seal the bag, clip the safety pin over the middle. Next, take about a 6-inch pipe cleaner, bend it n half and slide it towards the back of the safety pin, so it stays in place. Voila! 4. Sushi Sandwich Source: Babble Sushi rolls are a perfect way to make an ordinary sandwich a fun meal. Plus, it’s a fun activity that will help keep the kids busy. These can be made with any ingredients that you like. Peanut butter and jelly is another great option to the above turkey and veggie roll. To get started, take a piece of sliced bread, cut off the edges and work the bread till it becomes a little flatter. Next, slice your ingredients into little strips about the width of the bread. Spread mustard, mayo, or the condiment of your choice on the bread. Then place one piece of each ingredient on one end and roll! From there, slice it into bite-sized pieces and enjoy. 5. Cheese Monsters --> Source: Danya Banya It all starts with a package of mini Babybel cheese! Take a paring knife and cut through the outer layer to make the teeth/mouths. From there, the kids can help add on the googly eyes. To prevent glue from getting on the cheese, take a small cup, add a little glue and get a popsicle stick. Using the popsicle stick can help make sure the glue is contained to the stick and not on your kids fingers!

Wires, rubber bands, brackets, oh my! Braces are a solution for quite a few oral issues including overcrowded teeth, overbites, crooked teeth, and “bad bites” just to name a few. In particular, the overbite is the second most common reason for braces.* According to the medical dictionary, an overbite is a condition in which the top teeth or incisors overlap the bottom teeth too much when the jaw completely is closed. The issue is quite common and can be remedied with braces and proper care. Although, secondary issues can appear if the issue is ignored. Causes of an Overbite An overbite is a malocclusion that can be inherited, caused by a jaw malformation during development or a result of bad habits. Thumbsucking, prolonged bottle feeding, cleft lip and palate, and the use of a pacifier after three years of age can all be contributing factors. How Braces Help Orthodontics is a standard solution for helping a condition such as an overbite. The process starts with a round of x-rays and impressions to see the structural overview which is then used to help determine the path needed to manipulate both the bottom and top teeth over time. Most abnormal bites are discovered between ages 6-12 with treatment starting between 8-14.** Seeing as this condition is usually discovered at an early age, parents or caretakers might be eligible for financial help from their dental insurance plans. Not all plans cover children’s orthodontics, something to keep in mind when shopping for an orthodontic dental insurance. Why Fixing the Problem Is Important When an abnormal alignment is caught early, it can help cut down on the time needed to fix the issue. If teeth aren’t aligned properly, they might not be able to perform vital functions quite as well which can result in other oral issues or digestive problems. Whether you’re a child or an adult, it’s never too late to fix this issue. If it will help improve your quality of life, we recommend seeking medical attention as soon as you can. Resources: * Johnson Elite Orthodontics ** American Dental Association Getting Over Your Overbite, Dentistry.com Malocclusions of Teeth, Healthline

Costumes, treats, decorations ... celebrating the different seasons and holidays with family and friends can come with so much enjoyment! To get in the Halloween spirit, we’ve decided to put together a list of three treats that can be fun to make with your kid(s). These treats might be on the healthier side, but they’re cute, taste great, and well, they don’t come with as much cavity potential. 1. Mini Pumpkins  (original recipe: Brendid.com) This treat only requires three things, an orange peeler, tangerines, and celery. Kids love things that come in mini sizes. Make five-plus of these treats, and you’ve got yourself a pumpkin patch! Who said playing with food can’t be fun?! 2. Banana Ghosts  (original recipe: www.superheatlhykids.com) How fun are these?! Take a few bananas, cute them in thirds, stick each piece with a popsicle stick. Next, get three bowls ready. One with plain yogurt (vanilla could work as well), one with coconut shavings, and one with chocolate chips. If the coconut shavings are a little big, you can put them in a food processor before using. Once everything is prepped and ready, you’re all set! Just dip the bananas in yogurt, then the coconut flakes, and finish them off with two chocolate chip eyeballs. Take your banana ghosts, place them on a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and freeze. In just an hour, your treats will be frozen and ready to eat! 3. Apple Teeth  (original recipe: www.blommi.com) As a dental blog, we have to say; this might be our favorite! Little chompers for your little chomper. Apples, peanut butter, and marshmallows - easy and affordable! After you purchase all three ingredients, you’re ready to go! You should be able to get a couple of teeth out of one apple, so that should help you gauge how many apples you’ll need. Next step, slice the apples, let the kids spread a layer of peanut butter on each slice then line with mini marshmallows. Place an apple slice on top of the marshmallows to complete the mouth and voilà! These are great to take for lunch or for an after school snack!

Updated Nov 2022 If you have a broken or chipped tooth, you are probably wondering what to do for a broken tooth. Hopefully, you’re only reading this to help prepare yourself in case the situation ever arises. Broken, chipped, cracked, or a fully removed tooth - all not-so-great situations, but they can get much worse if not taken care of properly. In this article, we will take a look at what to do with a broken tooth, how to deal with chipped or lost teeth and the ways Spirit Dental's low-cost dental insurance can help. What to do if you crack a tooth A tooth with a minor crack or chip can wait for medical attention, but you will want to be cautious about eating foods that are tough to bite or chew. You’ll also want to be attentive to foods with extreme temperatures. Use over-the-counter pain meds as needed. Most chips don’t need immediate attention, but it is recommended that you give your dentist a call and make an appointment as soon as possible. If it’s just a small chip, the dentist may smooth and polish it out. If it needs more than that, the dentist may suggest a filling to help prevent the issues from getting worse. A crack usually involves the whole tooth, so you should call and make an appointment as soon as possible. It can either be a small crack that might involve a filling as a fix or, if it is bad enough, it may require a crown or a root canal. The dentist will assess the situation and provide the best solution. Tip: Wearing a mouthguard is key anywhere you could be hit. It will help protect your teeth from injury or trauma. What to do about a broken tooth Whether your broken tooth results from a cavity or external event, you will want to call a dentist immediately. In the meantime, these steps should be taken: Rinse your mouth with warm water or saltwater. Apply a cold compress to the cheek near the broken tooth. Apply gauze to the broken tooth to help soak up the bleeding. If gauze isn’t readily available, a wet tea bag can be used as a substitute. Note, bleeding should subside after 10 minutes. If you experience a severe break, you should see a dentist within 24 hours. If you cannot make it to a dentist immediately, head to a local drugstore for dental cement. It can be used as a quick fix until you seek medical attention. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help with the discomfort. A broken tooth will be extremely sensitive, and you’ll want to see a dentist or endodontist immediately. The suggestion will most likely result in the dentist wanting to cover the tooth with a crown. These days, porcelain or resin crowns can look just as natural as a real tooth. If the tooth is completely broken, but the root is still intact, you may need root canal surgery. The dentist will build enough of a structure to place a pin or post so that a crown can be placed later. What to do about a tooth avulsion (completely removed) Completely losing a tooth is a dental emergency and will need immediate attention. If the tooth was fully removed, make sure to handle the removed tooth by the crown. DO NOT grab the tooth by the root. A tooth that was completely knocked out could cause severe nerve damage. Don’t worry, replacing the tooth in the socket is possible, but treatment is most successful if done right away. Tips to avoid breaking or chipping teeth Now that you know what to do if a tooth breaks, you may wonder how to avoid these problems. A broken, chipped or cracked tooth can be caused by quite a laundry list of items. To help prevent any of these things from happening to you or your child, it’s important to take precautionary measures, including: Don't bite down on hard candy or ice Avoid opening items with your teeth Wear protective mouth gear when taking part in physical activities Eat a proper diet and take care of your teeth Frequently asked questions about chipped and broken teeth If you're wondering what to do when your tooth breaks or is chipped, we have answers for you. We've gathered some of the most common questions we get about chipped and broken teeth and answered them for you below. If you have further questions, please read our FAQ page for more information. Does dental insurance cover broken teeth? Yes, Spirit Dental can help you find dental insurance if you have a broken tooth. And we know you can't always wait for coverage, especially in an emergency dental situation, so we offer dental insurance with no waiting period. As soon as your application is approved, your coverage begins. Can a dentist fix a chipped tooth? Yes, various options are available, depending on the level of damage to your tooth, including bonding, filling, crowns and veneers. How much does it cost to fix a chipped tooth? You probably already assumed that the cost of fixing a chipped tooth will really depend on how much damage your tooth has incurred, and what treatment will be needed to repair it. You’re right. But, beyond that, costs can also vary widely from one dentist to another. Generally, you might expect to pay the following prices for the different treatments that can fix chipped teeth: Bonding a tooth might cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000, and the total cost might depend on how much work needs to be done on a tooth. A filling might cost anywhere from $90 to $500. A dental veneer might set you back $500 to $1,500. A crown might cost as low as $250 or as high as $3,200, and the price might depend on the type of crown that you get and the location in the mouth where it’s placed. A root canal might be priced anywhere from $500 to $1,000, and it might also depend on the extent of the damage and the location in the mouth where the tooth is located. Your dentist can let you know which treatments would work to fix your chipped tooth, and he or she can also discuss pricing with you to help you make the best decision for your oral health and your wallet. Spirit Dental can help you find affordable dental insurance to make these services more affordable. Trust Spirit Dental for all your dental insurance needs For the times that there is a tooth or mouth emergency, make sure you have your dentist’s number readily available. After all, we think they might even be speed-dial-worthy! Another important contact to have ready is Spirit Dental. We offer major services dental insurance so you can rest easy knowing we have you covered. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help.