Dumont Dentist

(Article from our Patient Newsletter - Spring 2012)

Let’s face it-all mature adults experience the effects of gravity and a life well-lived on their appearance. Though when teeth are missing, the bite and facial structure can alter, exaggerating signs of normal ageing and creating a sunken aged appearance. You may be surprised to learn that dental implants, which were invented as a permanent way to replace teeth and to avoid bone loss, actually have a cosmetic benefit and can even prevent the need for a surgical facelift.

Implants have two parts: a root made of biocompatible metal and a custom-made enamel tooth crown which is attached to it. Here’s how they can help save your oral health and appearance....

Immediate placement after tooth loss can save supporting bone, adjacent teeth, and your great looking smile.

Implants can be an attractive alternative to a denture or bridge.

An implant-supported bridge can be used when more than one tooth is missing to provide greater stability and save underlying bone.

An implant-supported denture can solve the problems of eating, speaking, and socializing associated with wobbly fitting dentures and permanently removes the need for adhesives.

We are committed to helping you prevent tooth loss, but when the need arises, we'll be happy to discuss whether implants are a suitable option for you. Not only can they save your looks — they look and feel natural too!

Dental x-rays are used to take an internal "picture" of your teeth and your gums and surrounding tissues, and are seen as a necessary part of dental care. With the use of these machines, your dentist is able to discover and see problems within the mouth, the teeth, and the jaw and surrounding tissues, problems that would otherwise be undetectable with the naked eye.

Traditionally, dental x-rays are frowned upon by many, from the amount of radiation emitted, to the amount of time required to get it done and the quality of the images. However, dentists are trying to resolve these issues with the use of Digital Radiography, or digital x-rays.

While traditional x-rays are already relatively safe, digital x-rays have been proven to emit up to 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays! This is particularly helpful and a positive for all of those who require regular x-rays, and even those who are more concerned about being exposed to any type of radiation in general.

Digital x-rays can also mean a quicker appointment at your dentist's office. While traditional x-rays are taken with a machine on the outside of the mouth, need to be developed to view the images, digital x-rays uses a small camera placed inside of the mouth that is hooked up to a computer and available for viewing immediately by dentist and patient.

With digital x-rays, because of the advanced technology, the quality of the images are much better than that of the regular dental x-rays. The dentist is able to manipulate the image to get a better visual, something that is not possible with traditional x-rays.

Your Dumont Dentists are dedicated to providing their patients with the most advanced dental care at all time. Using digital x-rays provide them the opportunity to continue providing the best dental care to their patients!!!!

With Spring upon us, there is also the resumption of outdoor sports and activites. Recent research by the American Dental Association found that individuals who were participating in contact sports or even rigorous excercises, were sixty (60) times more likely to damage their teeth if they were not wearing mouthguards. Also, The American Academy of General Dentistry found that using mouthguards help to prevent over two hundred thousand (200,000) injuries to the mouth and/or teeth every year. 

In addition to the trauma of having a mouth injury where the tooth (or teeth) has been knocked out, the cost of treating/repairing these types of injuries can be staggering. It has now been recommeded by the ADA that mouthguards be used in at least twenty-nine (29) different high contact sports and activities, including baseball, field hockey, martial arts, lacrosse, football and wrestling.

There are three main types of mouthguards that are used:

Boil-and-Bite                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

These are usually cheap and can be bought at any sporting goods store. They can be discarded immediately after each game. They are usually one-time use because they tend to break down after first use, mainly due to improper do-it-yourself molding. Also, they are just hard to clean, beacause they were not really meant for reuse.

Stock                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

These can also be found at any sporting store,and even pharmacies. These are can be covered by insurance, are inexpensive also, and unlike the boil-and-bite, are reusable. However, these tend to provide less safeguarding than the other's because these are typically one-size-fits-all. There is not custom molding to YOUR mouth and usually you may never find one that will give you the perfect fit, or the maximum protection.

Custom Fit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Having a custom fit mouthguard is usually the preferred method by most. It combines the best qualities of the prior two types.  It is molded to fit to YOUR mouth, by your dentist, so that you can receive the maximum coverage and protection, and also, it is reusable. It is, of course, the most expensive of the selections, but when considering its use and the protection that it will provide, it may be the better choice.

Please feel free to call or come in to make your child's apointment to get fitted for their mouth guards today!!! Remember, it can save you a lot more to have one, than not to!!!!

The biggest hindrance to many people getting the dental care they need is the financial obligation involved. Many  do not have insurance to cover most dental procedures and are faced with out of pocket expenses that are just too much for them. 

CareCredit may be the answer to their problems. It is a personal line of credit to be used solely for healthcare services. CareCredit various monthly plans where the user will have a certain length of time to pay for their procedure. instead of having to come up with the full payment at the time of treatment. 

However, CareCredit is not for everyone. It is a credit card, and is approval is based on past credit history from the  applicant(s). Many doctors offer CareCredit to their patients because they want to continue to offer the best care necessary. Your Dumont Dentists offer CareCredit as one of their finance options as they are very sensitive to the fact that in today's changing economy, many people have differnet financial obligations and being inable to pay for treatment in full will deter many from getting the necessary care required.

Come or call us to discuss all fincial options whcih may be available to you!!!!

There are many people who believe that all dental procedures should be avoided during pregnancy. This is, in fact,  a dental myth. Not only is it not true, but, it is recommended that during pregnancy, preventative dental and regular exams not be put off.

It was very important for pregnant women to take care of their dental health during pregnancy. As a result of the hormonal changes taking place in a woman during this time, there is an increased risk for developing gum disease, which has been been known to affect the health of the developing baby. Ideally, it would be in a woman’s best interest to visit her dentist and have her gum tissue carefully examined, and have any oral health problems treated before pregnancy. However dental care during pregnancy is not forbidden.

It is recommended that any necessary dental procedures during pregnancy be avoided during the first trimester and the second half of the third trimester. These periods are critical times in the development of the baby’s growth and development. However, routine dental care is encouraged during the second trimester. Dental exams should not be skipped during pregnancy. During this time, more than ever, it will be very important to ensure that your have good dental health, especially your gums. Dental work such as fillings and crowns should be treated to reduce the chance of infection. Elective dental procedures, like teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures, should be postponed until after the pregnancy. Also, dental x-rays during pregnancy should be avoided, unless it is a dental emergency.

Maintaining healthy oral health is absolutely necessary during pregnancy. Continuing a healthy oral regime during your pregnancy will help in reducing the risk for any dental problems.

In children, the loss of baby teeth are seen as a sign of becoming "big kids", and is often awaited for in anticipation. With adults, the loss of a tooth is a dreaded thing that many of us hope will not happen for many, many years. Unfortunately it does happen, and can have a significant negative effect on an individual. Loosing a tooth not only affects a person's ability to eat, which will have a negative effect on their overall nutrition, but it can also affect their appaerance, their speech, and overall self esteem.

Fortunately, there are various options available to help restore those beautiful smiles. One of those those options is the use of dental implants. In the past 20 years, dental implants have become the choice for most people in the replacement of missing teeth. The dental implant ismade from a titanium rod which is anchored in the jaw to support restorations that resemble a tooth, to replace missing ones. Because  the implant is anchored in the jawbone it helps to maintain the integrity of the bone. Also, the health of the surrounding teeth is not sacrificed when dental implants are used, in comparison to using a fixed bridge wherein the surrounding teeth has to be filed down for proper fit.

If you are considering implants, you can come in and discuss with your Dumont Dentists the considerations, and we will help you make a decision that is right for you.

Many people tend to avoid going to the dentists because they are genuinely afraid!!. They hear all the horror stories about dental visits and they decide that they do not want to have those experiences, and they simply refuse to go. This is a nice little video on suggestions to help curb the fears, and get the rid of some of these myths that people may have about going to the dentist. 

Please feel free to call or come in to the office if you have any reservations about seeing your dentist, and we will discuss all options available to help make your visit a less stressful one.

Your Dumont Dentists, Dr. Schneider and Dr. Jacobs are proponents of the Vizilite Plus oral cancer screening for every patient. This screening system is the leading oral cancer screening system which helps in the identification, evalutation and monitoring of abnormal oral lesions which may be suspicious of being precancerous, or cancer.

Oral cancer can be devastating and even deadly. It can also go unnoticed until it has progressed to the later stages. That is why early detection and diagnosis is very important. 

With Vizilite Plus, the detection af those abnormal lesions is made easier than if it was a regular visual exam. Please come in today and ask us about the Vizilite Plus and how it may be helpful to you.

We have always been told about the importance of brushing and flossing in the promotion of healthy gums, and also tha we should try to stay away from all the sugary foods that contribute to teeth decay. However, not too often are we told about that foods that are good for our teeth and gums!

There are a lot of food that are rich in the vitamins that are very essential for the growth of healthy bones and teeth.

Foods rich in Vitamin A:

Vitamin A is necessary for the maintenance of the the normal structure of the tissues found in the oral cavity. These tissues serve as protective barriers against the microorganisms that cause diseases. Vitamin A , can be found in eggs, liver, salmon, cheese and beef. We can also get Vitamin A from orange-colored vegetables, like carrots and pumpkins, and dark leafy vegetables, like spinach.

Foods rich in Vitamin C:

Vitamin C helps prevent tissue damage and is vital in the promotion of healthier gums by preventing the gums from breaking down. Vitamin C can be found in all kinds of fresh fruits including citrus fruits, strawberries, apples and mangoes. It can also be found in onions, broccoli and radishes.

Foods rich in Vitamin D:

Vitamin D is essential in preventing the inflammation of gums which can lead to bleeding gums, and eventually periodontal disease. While plenty of sunlight aids in the body's production of Vitamin D, you can get additional Vitamin D from fortified milk, salmon and sardines.

It's that time once again, and we know that the kids are all excited to get dressed up and go trick or treating. Drs. Scneider and Jacobs care about the health of your children, and feel that their annual Candy Buy Back, which will take place tomorrow Tuesday, November 1st from 3pm-7pm,  is a great way to help curb the excessive sugar intake that usually occurs at this time.

Each child that brings in their candy will receieve a gift, plus, the redemption rate will be $1.00 per pound of candy, with a 5 pound limit per child. Also, collected candy will be sent to "Operation Gratitude", which in turn sends it to our soldiers overseas to assist them in their efforts - a great way for our children to help show support for our troops.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Until then, have a safe and Happy Halloween!!!!