Sleeping with Dentures Increases Pneumonia Risk
A recent study published in the Journal of Dental Research suggests that individuals who sleep with their dentures in their mouth are at a higher risk for pneumonia than those who remove dentures before going to sleep.
Poor oral health is a risk factor for pneumonia in older adults so the authors of this study compared 524 randomly selected seniors and analyzed them in regards to their oral health. Overall, 453 participants wore dentures and 186 wore them at night. The results indicated that those who wore dentures at night were at an increased risk for pneumonia.
The higher risk of pneumonia was related to higher risks of cognitive impairment, respiratory disease, and history of strokes. Those who wore their dentures at night were also more likely to have gum inflammation and denture plaque.
Denture wearers may want to consider removing dentures at night and soaking them in a denture cleaner or other non-abrasive cleaning solution that is safe for dentures.
Source: http://dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/10697-sleeping-with-dentures-increases-pneumonia-risk
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd. Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
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Monday, October 13, 2014
Thursday, October 2, 2014
News You Can Use
Dental Insurance
So many of our
patients are coming in with questions about the changing dental insurance
environment and voicing their frustrations with their dental insurance. The dental insurance environment has changed
drastically in the past two years.
Hopefully this information will help answer some questions.
Medical
versus Dental Insurance
Medical
insurance is designed to protect you in a worst-case scenario. You pay a monthly premium but tend to be
covered in case something serious comes up, such as an emergency or an
unforeseen surgery. Dental insurance is
significantly different. Instead of
having copays and monthly premiums, many dental insurance plans only cover a
percentage of certain dental procedures on top of the monthly premiums. Most plans (although not all plans are this
way) cover 100% of preventative care, such as cleanings and x-rays, 80% of
basic procedures, such as fillings and root canals, and 50% of major
procedures, such as crowns.
Additionally, dental insurance plans tend to have a yearly maximum around
$1000 - $2000 that requires the patient to pay the whole amount of procedures
done after reaching the yearly maximum.
Most dental
insurance plans cover a percentage of certain dental procedures (that
percentage being anywhere from 10% to 100% depending on the procedure and the
plan). That percentage is only covered
after the plan’s yearly deductible is met (this usually runs about $50-100 but
can be as large as $300-500 for some plans).
Most plans used to cover 100% for preventative treatment; it is now
evident that this is no longer the norm.
We are seeing more plans that have dropped their preventative coverage
to 80% and their basic coverage to 50%.
Best
Case Scenario
During a good
year, you may only need preventative care in the form of cleanings, exams, and
x-rays but you will still lose $200 by having dental insurance. Although these services are typically paid by
insurance plans, you would probably still be losing money overall by having the
insurance. For example, two hygiene
appointments for the year would amount to about $400 if you paid out of pocket
for these services. The insurance
company’s premiums for the year, without needing more than just preventative
services, would amount to about $600 alone.
Worst
Case Scenario
Now, you might
be thinking that insurance may still be worth losing $200 a year if you are covered
on the years when you need more than just a check-up. Unfortunately, that may still be untrue. Let’s consider a patient who needs two
fillings, a root canal, and a crown on top of normal, yearly cleaning
appointments. One would hope that
insurance would cover more of those services since you pay about $600 in
insurance premiums but the plan also has a yearly maximum of $1000. That means
that once you meet the $1000 max, you are stuck paying the rest completely out
of pocket.
Although you
may receive lower negotiated rates for basic and major services due to
insurance, those rates aren’t much lower than the dentist’s normal fee. For
example, if the dentist charges $150 for a filling, your insurance company may
only have negotiated the rate to $100. In this case, your exams, cleanings, x-rays,
and basic work such as the fillings would most likely utilize your insurance
yearly maximum. That leaves you to pay
the $1000-$2000 extra for the crowns and root canals, which is all on top of
the $600 in annual premiums.
Waiting
to Get Insurance or Services
It
may seem like a good idea to wait to get dental insurance until you really need
it but insurance companies have a clause for individuals who do just that. There is what is called a “waiting” or “probationary”
period where they will not cover certain services for the time period after you
get the insurance. Most plans will not
cover crowns or any other major work for at least twelve months after getting
the insurance and for some plans this also includes basic work like fillings or
root canals (which are often needed in emergency situations).
Waiting
to get the services may not be such a good idea either. Many of the situations that require a crown or
other major work are cases in which it is impossible or possibly detrimental to
your overall health to wait. For
example, if a tooth were cracked, crowning it is a way to reduce the pain it is
causing, as well as strengthen the tooth to prevent possible future fracture. If the tooth were to fracture it often times
fractures in such a way that the fracture extends up under the bone level where
it can no longer be reached and fixed, therefore the tooth has to be extracted
and then you are looking at trying to replace that tooth, which could many
anything from removable partial dentures to fixed bridges to implants, none of
which are inexpensive options. Insurance
companies know that certain services are unavoidable, hence the reason they
have the waiting periods to discourage people from getting the insurance only
when they need major work.
Closing
Thoughts
Dental
insurance is continually changing and not necessarily to the benefit of the
patient. Many individuals have begun to
see how having dental insurance may not be beneficial, but instead may cost
more money and cause more headaches.
This post is in no way intended to persuade readers to refrain from
going to the dentist but is instead to discuss the current field of dental
insurance. As always, it is recommended that individuals brush twice a day and
floss once as well as engage in other activities that help keep your oral
health on track so as to not need the more invasive dental procedures.
We, as
providers, often receive complaints about a patient’s dental insurance and the
coverage they receive for the dental treatment they need. While we will try to answer the questions to
the best of our ability, sometimes your insurance carrier is the best place to
go for an answer. If you are not happy
with the answer you receive from carrier, you should take your questions and
concerns to the Human Resources Department of your employer. Dental insurance plans and their benefits are
chosen by the employer. If the employer
does not know of coverage issues, they will not be able to select a plan that
better covers the needs of their employees,
Source:
Fontinelle, A. (2014). Should you
bite on dental insurance. In Investopedia .
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
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Monday, September 8, 2014
Dental Did You Know
Sugar Consumption
Americans consume more than the recommended sugar intake on a daily basis. How much more we consume, on average, is not a well-known statistic. The infographic below outlines the sugar content of popular foods as well as the recommended average sugar intake for men, women, and children.
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
Like us on Facebook!
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
News You Can Use
Picking the Right Head for Your Power Toothbrush
A new study published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene suggests that the kind of head you put on your power toothbrush may influence the amount of bacteria on the brush. The results indicated that the hollow head attachment retains up to 3,000 times more bacteria on it than the solid head attachment.
Most toothbrushes retain some amount of bacteria, which is normal and has not been associated with the transmission of any systemic issues but the hollow head design for the power toothbrush is retaining significantly more bacteria. A power toothbrush can be better than a manual toothbrush but picking the right head is essential. Hollow head versus solid head is not normally labeled on the packaging but you should look for a design where the head attachment (the part that goes into the base) that is mostly solid from where it attaches to where the bristles are located.
To further reduce the amount of bacteria on your toothbrush, it is generally recommended to allow your toothbrush to dry in between uses. The common practice of putting a cap on your toothbrush does not allow for the toothbrush to dry and actually creates a good environment for bacterial growth. You can also try soaking the toothbrush in mouthwash for 20 minutes after use to help disinfect it.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140828115226.htm
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
A new study published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene suggests that the kind of head you put on your power toothbrush may influence the amount of bacteria on the brush. The results indicated that the hollow head attachment retains up to 3,000 times more bacteria on it than the solid head attachment.
Most toothbrushes retain some amount of bacteria, which is normal and has not been associated with the transmission of any systemic issues but the hollow head design for the power toothbrush is retaining significantly more bacteria. A power toothbrush can be better than a manual toothbrush but picking the right head is essential. Hollow head versus solid head is not normally labeled on the packaging but you should look for a design where the head attachment (the part that goes into the base) that is mostly solid from where it attaches to where the bristles are located.
To further reduce the amount of bacteria on your toothbrush, it is generally recommended to allow your toothbrush to dry in between uses. The common practice of putting a cap on your toothbrush does not allow for the toothbrush to dry and actually creates a good environment for bacterial growth. You can also try soaking the toothbrush in mouthwash for 20 minutes after use to help disinfect it.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140828115226.htm
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Monday, August 25, 2014
News You Can Use
Surviving with Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth occur when the outer layer of the teeth (called enamel) is worn down and the middle layer (called dentin) is exposed. The dentin is a porous layer that, when exposed, leaves the nerve endings inside the tooth open to cold, hot, touch, and air sensations. Sensitive teeth may occur due to normal aging, injury, or grinding (also called bruxing). Improper brushing can also expose the dentin and create sensitive teeth.
After dentin is exposed, there isn't really a way to reverse the effects but there are some techniques to reduce the pain associated with sensitive teeth. A soft-bristled toothbrush and brushing more gently will help keep gums from receding further. Using toothpaste that is specially formulated for sensitive teeth may also help as it will block the nerve endings from exposure. It may take several weeks for the sensitive toothpaste to take effect. During that time, try to avoid extreme temperatures for food (extremely hot or extremely cold foods). If you have ongoing problems with teeth sensitivity, be sure to talk to you dentist about other options.
Source: http://smilestationdental.mydentalvisit.com/newsletterReader?aid=359553
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Sensitive teeth occur when the outer layer of the teeth (called enamel) is worn down and the middle layer (called dentin) is exposed. The dentin is a porous layer that, when exposed, leaves the nerve endings inside the tooth open to cold, hot, touch, and air sensations. Sensitive teeth may occur due to normal aging, injury, or grinding (also called bruxing). Improper brushing can also expose the dentin and create sensitive teeth.
After dentin is exposed, there isn't really a way to reverse the effects but there are some techniques to reduce the pain associated with sensitive teeth. A soft-bristled toothbrush and brushing more gently will help keep gums from receding further. Using toothpaste that is specially formulated for sensitive teeth may also help as it will block the nerve endings from exposure. It may take several weeks for the sensitive toothpaste to take effect. During that time, try to avoid extreme temperatures for food (extremely hot or extremely cold foods). If you have ongoing problems with teeth sensitivity, be sure to talk to you dentist about other options.
Source: http://smilestationdental.mydentalvisit.com/newsletterReader?aid=359553
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
News You Can Use
Some Healthy Treats May be Harmful
Many people want to eat healthier but may not have the time to prepare healthy snacks so they turn to pre-made, packaged snacks that claim to be healthy. The problem is, these healthy snacks might not be what they claim.
While "healthy" versions of snacks such as fruit purees or cereal bars may have less fat or calories than alternatives, they tend to have high sugar content. The amount of sugar mixed with the acidity level of these snacks create an unhealthy environment in the mouth. The acidity wears away at the enamel while the sugar invites decay-causing bacteria.
An example of the high sugar content is the fruit purees that are popular as on-the-go snacks for kids may include up to 11 grams of sugar or more per serving. Snacks that are labeled "organic with no added sugar" are still high in sugar content. Fruits contain natural sugars but also contain quite a bit of water which is why they are healthy snacks (the water and fiber from the fruit makes you feel fuller). When the fruits are pureed or dehydrated, such as raisins, some of the water is removed and the sugars are concentrated.
The high sugar content in these snacks may be detrimental to a child's overall health as well as oral health. Consuming these snacks once to several times a day may greatly increase the child's overall sugar consumption without parents knowledge.
Doctors and dentists recommend reading food labels before giving a child certain snacks, looking for high sugar or acid content. Doing research on recommended snacks may be beneficial as well.
Source: http://www.dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/8643-new-snack-may-be-harmful-to-childrens-dental-health
Source: http://dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/10648-some-healthy-treats-may-be-harmful
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Many people want to eat healthier but may not have the time to prepare healthy snacks so they turn to pre-made, packaged snacks that claim to be healthy. The problem is, these healthy snacks might not be what they claim.
While "healthy" versions of snacks such as fruit purees or cereal bars may have less fat or calories than alternatives, they tend to have high sugar content. The amount of sugar mixed with the acidity level of these snacks create an unhealthy environment in the mouth. The acidity wears away at the enamel while the sugar invites decay-causing bacteria.
An example of the high sugar content is the fruit purees that are popular as on-the-go snacks for kids may include up to 11 grams of sugar or more per serving. Snacks that are labeled "organic with no added sugar" are still high in sugar content. Fruits contain natural sugars but also contain quite a bit of water which is why they are healthy snacks (the water and fiber from the fruit makes you feel fuller). When the fruits are pureed or dehydrated, such as raisins, some of the water is removed and the sugars are concentrated.
The high sugar content in these snacks may be detrimental to a child's overall health as well as oral health. Consuming these snacks once to several times a day may greatly increase the child's overall sugar consumption without parents knowledge.
Doctors and dentists recommend reading food labels before giving a child certain snacks, looking for high sugar or acid content. Doing research on recommended snacks may be beneficial as well.
Source: http://www.dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/8643-new-snack-may-be-harmful-to-childrens-dental-health
Source: http://dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/10648-some-healthy-treats-may-be-harmful
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
smilestationdental.com
Like us on Facebook!
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Dental Did You Know
The History of the Tooth Fairy and Other Tooth Loss Rituals
While the tooth fairy is usually categorized with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and other mythological children's figures, she may not have been around as long as most of us think.
Cultures around the world have had rituals surrounding what to do when a child looses a tooth but it wasn't until the early 1900's that the tooth fairy was introduced into those rituals. Previous rituals included:
While the tooth fairy is usually categorized with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and other mythological children's figures, she may not have been around as long as most of us think.
Cultures around the world have had rituals surrounding what to do when a child looses a tooth but it wasn't until the early 1900's that the tooth fairy was introduced into those rituals. Previous rituals included:
- Burying the tooth
- Hiding the tooth where animals cannot get it
- Placing it in a mouse hole near a hearth as an offering
- Throwing the tooth into the sun
- Throwing the tooth into a fire
- Throwing the tooth over a house or other building
- Throwing the tooth between the legs
- Placing the tooth in a tree or on a wall
The predominant ritual for when a child looses a tooth was and still is to leave it where a rat or mouse can get to it in hopes of getting money or a treat in exchange for the tooth. The mouse/rat was chosen due to its powerful teeth and cultures believed giving the baby tooth as an offering to the mouse would ensure the child's adult tooth would be as strong and resilient as the mouse's.
During the early 1900's, the mouse ritual was combined with the more recent idea of the "good fairy" in Western Europe and the United States. Researchers believe the fairy replaced the mouse as a way of easing the child through the first scary transition. While adults may not see losing a tooth as a scary experience, it is arguably the first large rite of passage in a person's life which may be seen as traumatic.
The tooth fairy may be relatively new to the realm of children's mythological creatures but she has received a warm welcome. Some researchers record 97% of parents having positive or neutral feelings towards the tooth fairy.
Source: http://www.salon.com/2014/02/09/dont_tell_the_kids_the_real_history_of_the_tooth_fairy/
R. Eric Emery, DDS
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
Morgan A. Emery, DDS
Smile Station Dental
2901 Dougherty Ferry Rd, Suite 400
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314)821-7100
Like us on Facebook!
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