We have grown weary of listening to all the rhetoric about health care for the last couple of years and the more we hear the less we understand all the attachments, whens, and wherefores that were hidden in those massive pages of the Obamacare Health Care package.
But there is one area that is vital to health care that seems to get little attention; and that is dental care. Lack of good dental care is not only detrimental to overall appearance; a beautiful smile, and the ability to eat properly; but poor dental hygiene can also affect other organs of the body.
Gum disease and decayed teeth can actually lead to heart problems, and can increase the risk for those who already have cardiac concerns.
Be sure and read down a ways to see case histories of dental patients in the Atlanta Area. While dentists and prices may vary from state to state, it can even vary in the same city. It can matter which side of Atlanta, for example, that you have your dentist. Those with practices outside of the Atlanta City limits tend to charge much more; and those in rural areas seem to charge less.
Finding a low cost dentist or one that does indigent care in Atlanta is almost impossible.
While medical care just skyrockets ( and has been even worse since the new bill was passed), dental care is so expensive many people without insurance cannot afford to have their teeth cleaned much less other restoration and repair to their teeth.
Recent case history: Patient drank a cold drink and had a twinge in a tooth. Tooth looks okay. No problems can be seen by the naked eye. Small particles of food get caught in tooth next to the gum and the pain is very apparent until it is removed by brushing, flossing, or rinsing. Tooth begins to hurt for a while without any aggravation. Then the day comes when the pain is restless. Time to call the dentist. The dentist is on vacation and won’t be back for a week.
Resort to the home remedies: Rise with peroxide, take a Q-tip and dip in mixture of cloves spices and vanilla flavoring. Apply liberally and take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Day arrives when dentist is back from vacation. Cleaning and x-rays. He says tooth needs to be extracted. Recommends Endodontic Dental Specialist. Trip there week later – more x-rays; says he can’t do anything; sends patient to Oral Surgeon. Another week goes by. Three dentists, three visits equal $658.00 to have one tooth pulled. Now that would make you want to march in the streets of Atlanta carrying a sign – dentists unfair to patients.
Another case history: Dentist in affluent county just below Atlanta charges $1500 for a crown – dentist in a rural county way above Atlanta charges $850.
And yet another: Teen who is still in school living with both working parents; but no dental insurance. Wisdom teeth need pulling. No available finances. Student has to go to school every day with a toothache; and no help because both parents work, are frugal, and have no means to get these teeth removed. No assistance for those who work.
And yet one more: Young man working on his own in a new job waits to finally have enough time for benefits while all the time suffering from a toothache. Benefits have no dental coverage. Because he works, he cannot get any government/charity assistance so his tooth continues to hurt month after month. Loses job and has no benefits at all.
This one takes the cake: A young pregnant woman with a small child lives with husband who does menial labor for work – no insurance of any kind. After suffering with extreme tooth pain for extended length of time, she takes a pair of pliers and pulls her own tooth – the absolute tooth (truth).
Dogs and other pets get quality dental care:
it seems kinda unfair that wealthy people can afford dental work for their pets when children go lacking. Located here in the Atlanta area you can contact Pet Dental Services for complete dental care for a pet. This is found on their web site: “At Pet Dental Services (PDS), we provide anesthesia-free dental care to dogs and cats under the supervision of licensed veterinarians throughout the country. We are the #1 Non-Anesthetic Dental provider in the country offering Veterinarians and Pet Owners experience and expertise that is second to none.”
There was a time in the Atlanta School system when the children’s teeth were checked at school and they would either receive a certificate saying they had no cavities; or a slip telling parents of a possible problem.
Most people today do not even have health insurance much less dental insurance which is extremely high. Beware when you take out dental insurance from online sources; they may be there today and gone tomorrow; and when you get your actual policy – the exceptions outweigh the benefits they pay.
And many dental policies do not cover anything but cleaning, extractions, and fillings; but then not in total. Some require that you have the insurance a number of years before covering any expensive work like crowns, false teeth, and/or oral surgery.
So the tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth is to take care of your teeth the best that you can and in time saving one might save nine. Once you lose one tooth it causes the others to shift or even become loose.
Taking care of your teeth is primary these days for health sake and for the pocketbook’s sake.
Here are some tips for keeping a healthy smile and better teeth.
The following is information online by Mayo Clinic
■Brush your teeth at least twice a day. When you brush, don't rush. Take enough time to do a thorough job.
■Use the proper equipment. Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth comfortably. Consider using an electric or battery-operated toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush effectively.
■Practice good technique. Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth and brush with short back-and-forth motions. Remember to brush the inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue. Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing, which can irritate your gums.
■Keep your equipment clean. Always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. Store your toothbrush in an upright position, if possible, and allow it to air dry until using it again. Don't routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers, which can encourage the growth of bacteria.
■Know when to replace your toothbrush. Invest in a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric or battery-operated toothbrush every three to four months — or sooner if the bristles become frayed.
Flossing for oral health:
You can't reach the tight spaces between your teeth or under your gumline with a toothbrush. That's why daily flossing is important. When you floss:
■Don't skimp. Break off about 18 inches (46 centimeters) of dental floss. Wind most of the floss around the middle finger on one hand, and the rest around the middle finger on the other hand — leaving about 1 inch (3 centimeters) to floss your first tooth.
■Take it one tooth at a time. Use your thumbs and forefingers to gently pull the floss from the gumline to the top of the tooth to scrape off plaque. Rub the floss against all sides of the tooth. Unwind to fresh floss as you progress to the next tooth.
■Keep it up. If you have trouble getting floss through your teeth, try the waxed variety. If it's hard to manipulate the floss, use a floss holder or an interdental cleaner — such as a dental pick or stick designed to clean between the teeth.
Other oral health care tips:
In addition to daily brushing and flossing, consider using an antimicrobial mouth rinse to help reduce plaque between your teeth.
To remove food particles from your teeth, you might try an oral irrigator — a device that aims a stream of water at your teeth. Resist the temptation to use toothpicks or other objects that could injure your gums. Keep in mind, however, that an oral irrigator doesn't replace daily brushing and flossing, since it doesn't remove plaque.
When to see the dentist:
To prevent gum disease and other oral health problems, schedule regular dental cleanings and exams — generally once or twice a year. In the meantime, contact your dentist if you notice any signs or symptoms that could suggest oral health problems, such as:
■Red, tender or swollen gums
■Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
■Gums that begin pulling away from your teeth
■Loose permanent teeth
■Changes in the way your top and bottom teeth align with each other
■Unusual sensitivity to hot and cold
■Persistent bad breath or an unusual taste in your mouth
Remember, early detection and treatment of problems with your gums, teeth and mouth can help ensure a lifetime of good oral health
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dental/DE00003
If you are new to Atlanta Faith and Family, you may wish to subscribe so that you will be personally notified of future articles that will of benefit to your family. Please share this with your Facebook Friends so that they in turn can share it as well.
Please check out this month’s sponsor, Ex02 – The Heat Inside. Click and see their killer web site and the many items they have to help keep away the cold while outside; and some items to help you with those aches and pains. Heat is also a good thing to use on an aching tooth or any other aching body part.
Comments