Are You Thumbing Your Mouth At Me? Dentist Sandy Springs

If you have a new born or have one on the way, you’re going to find out that infants have a natural instinct to suck as a way of nourishing and soothing themselves. Often, this leads to the child sucking on their fingers, a blanket, a stuffed animal or their thumb. Usually, this habit is given up by age 4. If it continues, it can be extremely detrimental to the development of their teeth and jaws causing crooked teeth, an incorrect bite, speech problems and/or open-mouth breathing. This habit may result in psychological trauma if it continues into school age when the other children tease them.

What should a parent do? If possible, try to switch them to a properly designed pacifier that fits the shape of the mouth. Pacifiers are less likely to create the same developmental problems [by distributing forces over greater area], are usually discarded by the child at an earlier age and are easier to hide than a thumb. If the thumb sucking is during the day, discuss the problem with them to discourage the habit. Placing a band-aid on their thumb as a reminder may help. Be positive and praise them when they remember. And reward them for their success.

It is more difficult to control thumb sucking when the child is asleep, because the child is unaware of this involuntary action. So, try this habit-breaking technique that is usually successful within two weeks. Before your child goes to bed, wrap a 2-inch wide ace bandage lightly around their fully extended arm [straight]. Start about 3 inches from their armpit and continue down past the elbow. This will not prevent your child from putting their thumb into their mouth. However, as soon as they fall asleep, the tension created by bending the elbow will pull the thumb from their mouth.

Our goal is to educate patients about the importance of oral health, its advances and how the right smile can change one’s life.  If your child is still sucking on their thumb or anything else by the time their permanent teeth erupt [around age 6], please call it to the attention of our office.

Novy Scheinfeld DDS PC
290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta, GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

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The Difference between Dental and Physician Health Care Costs

Sandy Springs Dentist

Why the cost of your dental care really hasn’t increased that much?  In fact it has either tracked or lagged behind the consumer price index and this is despite all the advances in dental technology.  Compare that observation to your medical care costs.  If you go in to see your dentist and ask for an estimated cost of treatment, 9 times out of 10 you will get a quote.  Try doing that in your physician’s office.   Why?  Because your dental care has been a product of the free market system.  The insurance companies have yet to invade the purview of your oral health the way they have dominated, if not destroyed your overall health care.

You get your teeth examined, cancer screening, teeth cleaning and x-rays twice a year for less than $300.00.  And that’s about two hours of actual treatment from your dentist and his/her team.  At the physician’s office you go in once a year, see your physician or his PA for about 10 to 15[i] minutes on average and it costs $300 to $900.00, depending on possible immunizations and your blood work[1].

Physicians are paid by insurance and Medicare submittals based on the procedures they submit performed and not by the amount of time they spend with you.

So the quicker the visit the more procedures they can bill insurance companies in a day of operation.  If they take too long it cost them money, not you.  And all their revenues are based on negotiated fees with your insurance company, not the free market system.

Ah, finally, the key phrase – free market system. 

Dentistry never bought into insurance coverage for your treatment and care, and as a result of the free market system there has been a reasonable or to put it better, an affordable increase to the cost of your oral health care based on the supply and demand curves.

So how much does insurance influence the cost of your health care?  Anecdotally, let me tell you about my daughter’s experience, but really my experience with health care and why we are the losers in this battle to secure adequate health care treatment at an affordable price.  My daughter had a cyst under her eyelid.  It was not visible to you or me, but it irritated the dickens out of her cornea.   I found a specialist and accompanied my daughter to the examination.  It was determined that the treatment required general anesthesia to safely perform the surgery.  When I asked ‘how much’, I received no answer.  I was passed on to the patient coordinator for that physician.  So I asked ‘how much’, and again I received no answer.   They didn’t have a clue what this was going to cost me.  So I immediately said ‘sign me up, I’ll take two’.   Seriously though, they needed to contact my insurance carrier and they would let me know, great.

I get a call from the physician’s office.  It’s going to cost you $800 and change.  Ok, great, and is that my drive out price?  ‘Oh no, that’s just the doctor’s fee.’  Ok, so what else?  I have to call the surgical center.  Ok, how much does that cost?  We [the doctor] don’t know, you just have to call and find out.  So I called.  The gentleman quoted me $1540.00 including 2 hours of facility and the anesthesiologist.  ‘Oh, and you won’t be needing a biopsy, since this is cosmetic.’  No wait, this is not cosmetic, it’s required surgery.  So the gentleman backs up and re-quotes the price.  It will be $4 to 7 thousand for the surgical suite, $1800 & change for the anesthesiologist and X amount of dollars for the biopsy.

Wait, hold on, back up a minute, you just quoted me a price that is almost 7 times what the same procedure would cost if it was elective surgery.  Ah, that key phrase creeps back in to the conversation.  Under a free market system, elective surgery only garners what the market will bear.  But under an insurance based system, physicians don’t know what it costs, so they inflate the costs and hope for some remuneration equal to or in excess of what it really costs under a free market system to treat you.  In other words, it’s a crap-shoot your physician is playing with your health insurance company.   And the loser is you.  So the next time you go to the physician or the dentist, remember why you’re paying what to whom, the physician or your insurance company.  And the next time you discuss health care reform; you’re probably talking about insurance reform.  If we can answer your questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

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[1] Lab work from your physician costs more than twice what an independent lab charges if you have it done outside of your physician’s office.

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[i] About.com, Trisha Torrey, November 14, 2008.

4 Steps to Promoting Good Oral Health – Dentist Sandy Springs

Good oral hygiene is important for maintaining your overall health.  If you believe this and you should, then there are 4 essential guidelines of preventative care to maintaining good oral health[1]:

1.   Floss regularly and floss first- Individuals should floss on a regular basis after meals and before brushing their teeth.  The reason you floss first is to dislodge any food particles trapped between your teeth, which are disposed of while brushing.

2.   Brushing your teeth- If you don’t have an electric toothbrush, good brushing by hand should take a minimum of 2 minutes and should involve brushing in a circular motion.[2] We recommend using soft bristle brushes and toothpaste with fluoride.  The fluoride is important, because the rise in bottled water consumption has led to the decline in fluoride intake.

3.   Mouthwash- We am not sure how effective this is, but if you’re not going to brush twice a day, using a mouthwash that contains fluoride at least twice a day is a good preventative measure that kills the bacteria responsible for cavities and gum disease.  Given recent research, we recommend a non-alcohol based rinse.

4.   Your Dental visits- Maintaining your oral health requires regular dental visits at least every six months.  You need to do this for early detection of potential global health problems that could develop into more serious issues and the hygienist can clean areas you might have been missed or areas resistant to the 3 steps above.

Finally, Finding a Dentist that is Right for You

Research shows that your dental care is an important aspect of your overall general health care.[3]  So you need to make sure you find a dentist that is right for you. This can be a difficult process.  Look for someone who’s competent and you feel comfortable with, one you can have a collaborative relationship with. This is important because there are conditions and problems that were not discussed in this article that the dentist will need to pay attention to during your regular checkups. Hopefully after reading this article, you will have a better understanding of the basics for good oral health.   I you have questions or concerns feel free to contact or call.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta, GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

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[1] All of which are endorsed by the American Dental Association

[2] The electric toothbrush does this for you.

[3] http://therightsmilecenter.blogspot.com/2014/04/global-health-windows-seen-through.html

Do Children Grind Their Teeth? Dentist Sandy Springs

The problem of teeth grinding is not limited to adults.  Approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth. Children who grind their teeth tend to do so at two peak times in their lives – (1) when their baby teeth emerge and (2) when their permanent teeth come in.[1]  Some of this potential grinding is protected or goes unnoticed because of thumb sucking, which can cause a different set of problems.   However, most children who do not suck their thumbs while sleeping lose the teeth grinding habit shortly after these two sets of teeth have come in more fully.

While it is more common for children grinding their teeth to do it during sleep rather than during waking hours, it has not been determined exactly why children grind their teeth.  There are several theories which include improperly aligned teeth or irregular contact between upper and lower teeth, illnesses and other medical conditions (such as nutritional deficiencies, pinworm, allergies, endocrine disorders), and psychological factors including anxiety and stress, all of which appear to be unsubstantiated theory.

The main reason there has been very little study on children grinding their baby teeth is that it rarely results in problems.  However, teeth grinding can cause jaw pain, headaches, wear on the teeth, and TMD.[2]  Consult your dentist if your child's teeth look worn or if your child complains of tooth sensitivity or pain.

Should teeth grinding result in a real problem for your child, here are some specific tips to help stop teeth grinding:[3]

1.      Where possible, decrease your child's stress, especially just before bedtime.

2.      Try massage and stretching exercises to relax the muscles.

3.      Make sure your child's diet includes plenty of water. There is some thought that dehydration may be linked to teeth grinding.

4.      Ask your dentist to monitor your child's teeth if he or she is a grinder.  Possibly consult a pedodontist (children’s dentist) and pediatrician if it becomes apparent that damage is occurring.

No intervention is usually required with preschool-age children. However, older children may need temporary crowns or other methods, such as a night guard, to prevent the grinding in their sleep.

Dr. Scheinfeld is an Emory trained prosthodontist specializing in mandibular form and function.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

info@rightsmilecenter.com

www.rightsmilecenter.com

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[1] WebMD, Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) July 5, 2011

[2] http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bruxism/DS00337

[3] WebMD, Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) July 5, 2011

Patient Questions about Dental Implants?

Dentist Sandy Springs Overview:  

 

It turns out that there’s a real difference between the questions dental implant patients ask — and the questions they should be asking.

The top 5 questions dental patients ask -                              

1.      How much do dental implants cost?

2.      How long do dental implants last?

3.      Are implants painful?

4.      How long will it take to get my new teeth?

5.      Does dental insurance cover implant surgery?

Versus . . .

The top 5 questions dentists want patients to ask -

1.      Am I a good candidate for implants?

2.      What are the potential complications of dental implant therapy?

3.      How much implant experience does the doctor have?

4.      What is the healing time for my implants?

5.      Can implants improve my appearance?

Many dental implant patients seem to have the same questions about dental implant therapy. Unfortunately, these questions aren’t necessarily the ones dentists think they should be asking.

There is really a disconnect between the doctor and patient. This comes as no surprise, since patients are thinking about how they are going to pay for the implants and whether the procedure will be painful.

So doctors need to address the primary concerns of the patient first:  cost and pain of implants.

If you would like to learn more about implants, how much they cost and your candidacy please call or email your question.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Related information from <http://www.thewealthydentist.com/blog/1509/survey-what-questions-do-patients-ask-about-dental-implants/>

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Nutrition - Part of Oral Health – Sandy Springs Dentist

More emphasis needs to be placed on other aspects of one’s oral health.

A research paper “Oral Health and Nutrition” has been published on the Academy of Nutrition’s Web site, which backs up the Academy’s paper that appeared in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics last year.

Based on the information from the paper, nutrition assessment is one of the keys to pinpointing dietary intake and other nutritional factors that could impact a patient’s oral health.  It is also important to stress the value of food choices to ensure that a person can maintain optimal oral health.[1]

There are certain foods and nutrition guidelines that can be followed to optimize one’s oral health.  Eating fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy food like milk, cheese and yogurt helps to reduce cavities because there few sugars in those products.

For additional help in these areas, a person should look for guidance from a registered dietitian.  If you  need one, we know a good one.  Give us a call.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta, GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

Related Articles:

http://therightsmile.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/dentist-sandy-springs-energy-drinks-good-or-bad/

http://therightsmile.wordpress.com/2014/03/25/dentist-sandy-springs-cutting-sugar-intake/

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[1] http://dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/10617-nutrition-is-vital-part-of-oral-health

Dental Pulp Stem Cells – Sandy Springs

-        -  may lead to heat stroke treatment.

Scientists in Taiwan have found that intravenous injections of stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous tooth pulp (SHED) have a protective effect against brain damage from heat stroke in mice. Their finding was safe and effective and so may be a candidate for successfully treating human patients by preventing the neurological damage caused by heat stroke.[1]

According to the research team, these cells have "significantly higher proliferation rates" than stem cells from bone marrow and have the added advantages of being easy to harvest and express several growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and they can promote the migration and differentiation of neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs).[2]

It may not be too long before stem cells are harvested at your local dental office.  If we can answer any of your questions, please contact us.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta, GA 30328

404-256-3620

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

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[1] Tseng, L-S.; Chen, S-H.; Lin, M-T.; Lin, Y-C. Transplantation of human dental pulp-derived stem cells protects against heat stroke in mice. Cell Transplant. Appeared or available online: March 7, 2014

[2] Ibid.