Latex allergies and your oral health

People who frequently come into contact with products containing natural rubber latex may develop an allergy to this common ingredient. While typically found in household products like balloons, pacifiers, tires, and shoes, latex is also found in many medical items like masks, gloves, and bandages. Because of this, it is important to identify any sensitivity you may have toward latex and inform your health care professional.

According to the American Dental Association, people at increased risk of developing latex allergies include health care workers, those who have undergone numerous surgeries, and rubber industry workers. Someone with a sensitivity to latex products may exhibit symptoms ranging from minor irritations like nasal congestion to severe anaphylaxis that could be life-threatening if not treated.

If you know or suspect you are allergic to natural rubber latex, be sure to tell your True Dental Discounts plan dentist prior to your next appointment. He or she will then make a note to use latex-free alternatives at all subsequent visits to protect you from a reaction. For more information, talk to your doctor or dentist about your symptoms and their possible causes. Together, you can work to create the optimal environment for your health.

Oral complications of HIV

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, people living with HIV face an elevated risk of oral health issues. In fact, studies indicate more than one-third of people with HIV have oral health problems as a result of a weakened immune system. Common issues include oral warts, thrush, canker sores, fever blisters, and white hair-like growth in the mouth. Fortunately, most of these can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Another serious issue faced by people living with HIV is dry mouth. This occurs when a person does not have enough saliva to keep their mouth moist. Dry mouth can cause a person to feel like their lips are chapped, and their mouth is sticky or even burning. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research suggests HIV patients treat the symptoms of dry mouth by sipping water, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, not eating salty foods, chewing sugarless gum, and using a humidifier at night. In some cases, a health professional will also prescribe artificial saliva.

To learn more about the special issues faced by people with HIV, talk to a dentist on your True Dental Discounts, dental plan. He or she can give you an overview of common conditions and their symptoms and work with you to develop an oral care plan that fits your life.

Remember: It’s extremely important to take care of any existing issues before they worsen and cause other serious health problems.

What to expect during an oral cancer exam

The statistics on oral cancer are frightening: More than 7,500 people will die this year from oral cancer, and another 35,000 people will be diagnosed, according to the National Institutes of Health. Even more, the five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with oral cancer is only 60 percent, and experts warn that the disease can spread throughout the body at a fast pace.

For this reason, early diagnosis and treatment is crucial. At your regular appointment, your dentist may conduct an exam to check for the presence of cancer. Read on to learn what to expect. Before the exam, your dentist will ask you to remove any dentures and relax so your face, neck, lips, and mouth can be checked. The dentist will then use his hands to feel for any lumps under your jaw or along the side of your neck. He will also look at your tongue and the inside of your cheeks and lips for any noticeable signs of cancer, including red and white patches, swelling, or an abnormal texture.

Next, the dentist will use gauze to gently move your tongue so he can see the underside and base of the tongue. Finally, the roof and floor of your mouth, as well as the back of your throat, will also be examined. The entire exam takes only a few minutes and is entirely painless. Fortunately, this simple procedure can also help save your life. To learn more about the risks and symptoms, or request an oral cancer screening, talk to a dentist on your True Dental Discounts - dental plan.

What are taste disorders and their causes?

It’s easy to take your sense of taste for granted: you know grapefruits will be sour, mashed potatoes will be buttery and starchy, and ice cream will be sweet. But what if you could no longer experience those tastes as strongly – or at all? According to the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, nearly a quarter of a million people visited a doctor last year for problems with their chemical senses, including taste.

Several types of taste disorders exist, including phantom perception, which causes a person to experience a lingering, unpleasant taste with no apparent cause; hypogeusia, which reduces a person’s ability to experience the basic types of taste – salty, sweet, sour, bitter and umami; and ageusia, which results in no tasting ability whatsoever. It’s important to note that complete loss of taste is not common; it is more likely that the person has a condition resulting in the loss of smell, which is closely related to the sense of taste.

Causes of taste disorders vary widely. Although it can be a congenital condition existing at birth, many people experience a loss of taste after certain types of injuries and sickness. According to NIDCD, these include: upper respiratory and middle ear infections; exposure to radiation therapy near the head or neck; exposure to insecticides or chemicals found in certain medications; injury to the head; and surgeries on the ear, nose or throat, including tooth extraction. Taste disorders can also be caused by tooth decay and poor oral hygiene.

For this reason, it is important to visit your True Dental Discounts dentist every six months and take care of any issues in your teeth or mouth. It could mean the difference between tasting a delicious strawberry and chewing on a bland piece of fruit!

What should I know about sedation at the dentist?

Although most dental visits are for preventative purposes and require no anesthesia, in some cases, you may need to undergo a more complex procedure. In such an instance, your dentist may recommend using anesthesia. Depending on the procedure, you may need just a simple sedative to help you relax.

These include anti-anxiety agents and can be applied along with a local sedative, according to the American Dental Association. Once provided, a patient will become moderately sedated but will still be responsive to touch or verbal instructions. For more complex procedures – such as tooth extractions – your dentist may recommend drugs to induce a deep sedation.

Under this type of sedation, a patient loses feeling in the intended area and reaches a reduced state of consciousness. Some patients also elect to undergo general anesthesia, which causes the patient to lose complete consciousness for the duration of the procedure.

This is often used during wisdom tooth extraction, but the ADA suggests it can also be used for children who have extreme anxiety at the dentist or for people with disabilities that make it difficult to control movement. In order to make safety the highest priority during procedures with anesthesia, you as the patient should be sure to communicate the following information to your True Dental Discounts dentist ahead of time:

• Any current or past illnesses or health conditions;
• Any medications taken, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements;
• Any allergies to medications. 

 With this information, your dentist can help you make informed decisions about your dental care.

A trip to the chiropractor can ease arthritis pain

More than 40 million people in the United States suffer from arthritis. If you are one of them, you know that joint inflammation can cause everyday activities to become painful. Fortunately, there is a solution that does not require any medications or unnatural remedies. Chiropractic care is a well-documented way of reducing the pain and symptoms associated with arthritis.

According to Chiropractic America, chiropractors help restore communication between your nerves and bodily tissues, reducing any disruption caused by arthritis. A visit to the chiropractor can help take away any existing pain or inflammation in your joints and even prevent more deterioration from occurring in the future. This is possible because chiropractic care corrects misalignments in the vertebrae that cause changes in the way nerves communicate with a person’s brain, cells, and other organs. With a properly aligned spine, a person can more easily heal and function naturally.

To learn more about easing your arthritis with chiropractic care, talk to a chiropractor on your True Dental Discounts plan. With True Dental Discounts, you can save up to 50 percent on diagnostic and other services at more than 3,000 doctors nationwide.

Pediatric dentistry isn’t just for kids

When your children are small, going to a pediatric dentist can be a great way to relieve their anxiety about the dentist. Pediatric dentists are trained to meet the specific needs of children, which means they often have more success relating to their patients and making the process as smooth as possible. But what happens when your children turn into teenagers? According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, teenagers should continue to see their pediatric dentist through adolescence. Pediatric dentists also specialize in teen dental issues, and it is important for your teenager to continue seeing a dentist who knows his or her history.

Teenagers’ mouths are still rapidly changing, which makes it even more critical that they continue regular appointments at the dentist. In addition, adult teeth emerging from the surface are susceptible to decay, and a pediatric dentist can monitor the growing process to ensure your teen’s mouth stays healthy as she transitions into adulthood. The Academy also emphasizes the importance of instilling good oral hygiene habits in teens, who by now are making their own dietary and hygiene choices.

A pediatric dentist can help guide them in these choices and will press upon them the importance of maintaining healthy teeth. Talk to a pediatric dentist in your True Dental Discounts dental plan and ask about promoting the oral health of your teenager. He or she will become a great resource and can help ensure your teen enters adulthood with beautiful teeth.

What are veneers?

If you are unhappy with your teeth because they are chipped, unevenly spaced, discolored, or worn, you could benefit from veneers. According to the American Dental Association, veneers are “thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth.” Veneers help teeth look more uniform and restore a person’s beautiful smile. They are bonded to the teeth in order to improve their appearance and can change a tooth’s color, shape or size. In general, veneers are made from porcelain or composite resin; each has its own advantages and should be discussed with a dentist on your True Dental Discounts dental plan.

For example, porcelain veneers are better at preventing stains. It is important to remember, however, that veneers are not reversible – dentists must remove part of the enamel from your targeted teeth in order to apply the veneer. During the process, teeth are roughened to allow for a stronger bond. Although the entire process typically takes three separate sessions with your dentist, veneers tend to last between five and 10 years. Ask your dentist about the proper way to take care of your new veneers. Many experts recommend avoiding stain-causing drinks like red wine and coffee. With proper care, veneers can be a great way to improve your smile. Ask your dentist today if they could be right for you!

Study shows dental implants are safe substitutes for natural teeth

When a person loses a tooth, either through an accident or poor oral health, it is often replaced with a dental implant. Dental implants are made to look like a natural tooth, allowing patients to continue to enjoy the same appearance and functioning they did before the loss.

Although previous research led dental practitioners to believe that implants can disrupt the tissue and bone structure in a patient’s mouth, a study published in the Journal of Periodontology has shed new light on the implants. Researchers found that most of a patient’s bone remodeling occurred after the implant was placed and before the final prosthesis was inserted. Further, they found that the bone changed very little in the following five years.

This is significant because it solidifies the use of dental implants as safe substitutes for natural teeth. Talk to a dentist on your True Dental Discounts, dental plan if you think you may be a good candidate for dental implants; implants can restore your confidence in the way you look, speak, and eat.