Regular Dental Visits Can Save You Money

Regular Dental Visits Can Save You Money

Regular Dental Visits Can Save You Money

Why do I have to visit the dentist for checkups if nothing hurts? Because you can’t see what the dentist sees. Shimla dentist uses magnification for every examination he does. And with a special camera, he can show you cavities, leaking fillings, gum disease, tooth wear, or even oral cancer that you would never know existed. Dr. Goma can prevent small problems from developing into larger health concerns that will cost you considerably more time and money to fix in the future.

* Gum Disease – What’s the most common disease? What accounts for 70% of all tooth loss? Gum disease. Recent studies show that people with periodontal disease are twice as likely to develop heart disease or diabetes. Oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the gums, jeopardizing your whole-body health. Signs of gum disease may include bleeding gums and pockets between the teeth, but you may not have any symptoms at all. Dr. Goma treats early and advanced periodontal problems, but early treatment is always easier and more successful.

* Tooth Decay - If the dentist finds a cavity, he simply removes it and replaces it with a white filling. Problem solved. However, if your cavity gets below the gum line, into the root canal area, or underneath the tooth cusp, you may need crowns, implants or more advanced, costly care. Dr. Goma can help you prevent cavities with regular checkups and cleanings.

* Oral Cancer – Oral cancer is one of India’s deadliest cancers, claiming the lives many every year. Risk factors include tobacco, alcohol consumption, cheek or lip biting, and poorly fitting dentures. However, 25% of oral cancers occur in people who have NO risk factors at all. During your regular dental checkup, Dr. Goma screens your head and neck while checking your mouth with magnification. When caught in its early stages, oral cancer has an 80 to 90% cure rate.

Regular visits to the dentist’s office may not only save you money, they may also save your life.

Tooth decay - early childhood

Tooth decay - early childhood

Baby bottle tooth decay is a dental condition characterized by massive decay of an infant's teeth, particularly the upper and lower incisors.

Tooth decay - early childhood

Tooth decay in early childhood occurs most often in the upper and lower front teeth (incisors) and can be a serious problem.

Information

Your child needs strong, healthy baby teeth. These teeth help your child chew food, speak, and have enough space in his or her jaw for the adult teeth to grow in straight.

Tooth decay can happen when your child's teeth come in contact with too much sugar. This sugar helps bacteria grow. Acids that the bacteria make cause the teeth to decay.

Many of the liquids that your child drinks contain sugar, including milk, formula, and fruit juices. Eating snacks with sugar also places more sugar on your child's teeth.

How often your child drinks liquids containing sugar, and how long the sugar stays in the mouth are also important. When children sleep or walk around with a bottle or sippy cup in their mouth, sugar coats their teeth for longer periods of time, causing teeth to decay more quickly.

Breast milk by itself is the healthiest food for babies’ teeth. It tends to slow bacterial growth and acid production. However, when breast milk is alternated with sugary foods or drinks, the rate of tooth decay can be faster than with sugar alone.

Prevention

Feeding tips to prevent tooth decay:

DO NOT fill your child's bottle with fluids that are high in sugar, such as punch, gelatin, or soft drinks.

Put your child to bed with a bottle of water only -- not juice, milk, or other drinks.

Give children ages 6 - 12 months only formula to drink in bottles.

Remove the bottle or stop nursing when your child has fallen asleep.

Avoid letting your child walk around using a bottle of juice or milk as a pacifier. Avoid prolonged use of pacifiers and DO NOT dip the pacifier in honey, sugar, or syrup.

Begin teaching your child to drink from a cup at around 6 months of age. Try to stop using a bottle by age 12 - 14 months.

Limit juice to fewer than 6 ounces per day during meals.

Tips for caring for your child's teeth:

After each feeding, gently wipe your child's teeth and gums with a clean washcloth or gauze to remove plaque.

Begin toothbrushing as soon as your child has teeth. Brush your teeth together, at least at bedtime. If you have an infant or toddler, place a small amount of non-fluoridated toothpaste on a washcloth and rub gently on their teeth. You can switch to fluoridated toothpaste when you are sure that your child spits out all of the toothpaste after brushing. Older children can use a toothbrush with soft, nylon bristles. Use a very small amount of toothpaste (no more than the size of a pea).

Begin flossing children's teeth when all of the primary (baby) teeth have erupted (usually around age 2 1/2).

If your baby is 6 months or older, use fluoridated water or a fluoride supplement if you have well water without fluoride. If you use bottled water, make sure it contains fluoride.

Inspect your child's teeth regularly and begin dental visits when all of the baby teeth have erupted or at age 2 or 3, whichever comes first.