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Facts about Dental Implant Recovery Process

Facts about Dental Implant Recovery Process

Dental Health, Dental May 20, 2021 0Comments

So you have been thinking about getting dental implants and you have just researched on an implant is done and of course the $$$ it will cost you. But we are here to talk about the one aspect of the dental implant surgeries which is not often discussed or even searched for by the patients which is very critical and anyone thinking about dental implants must know about it without fail and that is the recovery process. 

So here are some facts that you must know before you even consider implants.

  1. Be prepared for some bleeding. While the dentist will put gauze packs over the surgical area to minimize bleeding but the gauze may need changing every 30 to 45 minutes till the bleeding stops.
  2. Its best to take the rest of the day off when getting an implant done and take bed rest.
  3.  Even after 3 to 4 days post implant you should avoid exercises, lifting, bending or getting up suddenly from a lying position. All these can aggravate the swelling and bleeding.
  4. Generally it takes 5 to 7 days post procedure to be completely recovered however actual recovery may vary from patient to patient and depends on a number of factors like:
    • The number of dental implants you have had. Recovery time for more than one implant may take longer than a single implant.
    • Sometimes the jaw bone is unable to take pressure of the implant and needs to be strengthened before an implant can actually take place. This is called bone grafting and it may take months to recover from it.
    • Just like bone grafting some people’s sinuses come in the way of implants and need to be lifted which may further prolong the recovery time.
    • The most important factor in an implant is how well does your body accept the foreign material in this case the metal screw. Some people have more difficulty than others.
  5. Another important thing one must take care of after having undergone an implant surgery is to
    1. Have soft food like avocado, bananas, fish, egg and try avoid direct contact with the implant.
    1. Avoid hard foods like nuts, chips, apples and also those that produce acid like lemon, lime, citrus fruits, tomatoes etc. These can harm the implant and hinder the recovery process.

   Although we have listed most of the facts related to recovery from dental implants, its best to also consult your dentist for a more detailed personal consultation regarding it because all recoveries are as unique as the patients. In case you would like to know more about dental implants, come and visit us at Ensure Dental Care- Saginaw, TX today or contact us at 940-274-3229 to know more. We accept all major insurance providers. Follow us on instagram @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx to get regular updates, offers and more.

Things you should know about your dental insurance

Things you should know about your dental insurance

Dental Health, Dental May 14, 2021 0Comments

Dental Care is of utmost important because dental health is an indicator of the overall health of a person. However dental care does not come cheap, even routine checkups can be a burden on one’s pocket not to mention preventative care and treatments for diseases and injuries. In a world driven by the face cosmetic dentistry has also become a need be it alignment or straightening of teeth or whitening of teeth.

Dental insurance is one the best investments one can make if one wants to transfer this burden of cost and reduce the financial impact of these costs on oneself.

So what are the things one must look out for while buying dental insurance –

  1. Most insurances work as a safety towards unforeseen events or expenses however dental insurance works more like a discount coupon so if it is not used within the time frame provided the benefits arising from it lapse. So make sure you use your insurance before it lapses.
  2. Make sure you study the insurance plan carefully on what is covered and what is not to ensure you get the best out of the deal.
  3. Most plans cover preventative care but not all cover 100% of the costs. The rate of coverage for fillings, extractions etc may be only 80% which means you will have to pay for the rest.
  4. Implants, root canals like restorative services are covered but may have a cover of only 50%.
  5. Most cosmetic treatments including braces etc are generally not covered.
  6. There can be a waiting period before your dental plan becomes active.
  7. You policy may cover new diseases or pre existing ones too but some may not.
  8. To take advantage of a dental plan most require that they stay in effect for at least one year.
  9. Some plans may expect you to go see a dentist in their network.
  10. Indemnity plans are generally more expensive than other plans.
  11. Choose your insurance provider carefully because many dental care centers including us at Ensure Dental accept major insurance providers
  12. Compare similar plans as well as group and individual policies so that you choose the one which is best and most suitable for you at a price you can afford. Read the fine print before signing.

You can take help from your dentist’s office to understand the plans better. At Ensure Dental Care, Saginaw TX, other than major insurance providers, we accept credit card too. We also have in house payment plans which can assist you to cover the costs of your dental treatments. Call us on 940-274-3229 for an appointment to better understand these plans. Follow us on instagram @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx for more.

Benefits of smiling

Dental Health May 6, 2021 0Comments
Smile is that pleasant amused expression on our faces that makes us look younger and prettier. Well, that is not the only benefit of smiling, you will be surprised to know that smiling even has many health benefits. Here is a list of some of them –
  1. Smiling reduces your blood pressure – Smiling and laughing can lower a person’s blood pressure, studies have shown that laughter initially increases the heart rate and oxygen supply to the body which is subsequently followed by a drop in the blood pressure. The University of Maryland studied the effect of comedies on blood flow and they found that blood flowed easily for the group that watched comedies than the group which watched dramas.
  2. Smiling boosts the immune system – Smiling releases neurotransmitters like serotonin which help our body relax and make our immune system function much more effectively. A WebMD study has revealed that laughter increases the antibodies in our body which helps it fight diseases better.
  3. Smiling reduces pain – Smiling and laughing release in our body something called endorphins which not only elevate our mood but also reduce physical pain.
  4. A smile actually makes you look more attractive, successful, and confident. While these are not health benefits specifically but they send a signal to the body that all is well.
  5. Smiling helps increase longevity – Studies have found that there is a link between living long life and genuine smiling.
  6. Studies have also shown smiles lead to better relationships and good relationships ensure our overall well-being.
  7. Effects of laughter are similar to doing an exercise. It helps in burning calories. A study shows that 10 to 15 minutes of laughter has the capacity to burn up to 50 calories.
  8. Smiling helps us stay positive – we need all the positivity now than ever and smiling is the key to it.

Smiling and laughter have assumed even greater importance in this pandemic of Covid 19. Laughter in these dreary times will go a long way in boosting our immune systems and uplifting our moods which will help us fight this pandemic better. And guess what smiles are contagious too. Your smiling face could brighten someone else’s day as well.

As we celebrate world laughter day on 2nd May we hope you keep finding reasons for smiling and laughter this day and every day. We are working towards making everyone’s smiles better and brighter with our services.

Call us on 940-274-6181 for an appointment at Ensure Dental Care today and we will make you smile. We accept all major insurance plans. Follow us on instagram @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx for more. 

Role Of Mothers in Dental Care

Dental Health May 5, 2021 0Comments

Rudyard Kipling said, “God cannot be everywhere, and therefore he made mother.” Mothers play a special role in our lives and this mother’s day we want to honor mothers everywhere for the important role they play especially when it comes to dental care of children.

We know mothers are a great influence on their children. Research also shows this. In a study conducted it was observed that women who were given a dental orientation during their pregnancy had greater understanding of oral health of their children. The guidance given during pregnancy affects the methods mothers employ when it comes to dental procedures adopted like early oral hygiene, first dentist appointment, duration of breastfeeding and also knowledge about what causes tooth decay.

Another study done on a random sample in 2005 also suggested that if mothers had extensive knowledge and positive attitude towards oral health then it has a direct correlation to more children brushing their teeth twice daily.

Mothers also play a pivotal part in prevention of dental caries in the children. Her role in prevention of dental caries starts when the child is in the womb. Early detection of oral health problems through screening in early pregnancy and prompt treatment at right time can prevent transmission of infection from mother to child. Routine dental checkups during pregnancy also are effective preventive strategies in inhibiting the transmission of cariogenic bacteria from mother to child.

The World Health Organization has said that healthy diet and proper feeding habits are important in prevention of oral diseases like early childhood caries, dental caries, dental erosion and periodontal diseases. Here again we see mothers who are educated about healthy food habits are more likely to ensure that their children eat healthy and develop healthy eating habits from a very young age.

In fact most good habits learnt from a very young age go a long way in developing positive health attitudes in adults. Parents are early influencers in this regard especially mothers who are the primary care givers till the child reaches the age of 5 years.

A parent’s dental fears (fears about dentists) are also found to impact a child’s attitude towards dentists. A child who has a parent who fears dentist is also likely to be anxious or fearful of dentists. Here again mothers can ensure that they take children to dentists at an early age where they can have a comfortable and relaxed experience which will drive away any fear in the child and help in forming positive associations with visits to dentists in future.

Mothers are our first teachers, they teach us to brush and floss and take care of our teeth. They are the ones who tell us stories about tooth fairies and hold our hands during our first dental visits, our root canals and our braces.

In summary our mothers are with us during our good and bad times and our first teachers. We must cherish this special relationship forever. On the occasion of mother’s day our team at Ensure Dental Care would like to wish all the mothers reading this a very happy mother’s day.

You can also call us on 940-274-6181 for an appointment with your mother at Ensure Dental Care today. We accept all major insurance plans. Follow us on instagram @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx for more. 

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Dental Health April 24, 2021 0Comments

Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know April is oral cancer awareness month? Here are some hard-hitting facts about oral cancer which all of us must know –

  1. 4,50,000 cases are diagnosed each year worldwide.
  2. 50,000 cases just in the USA most often in the late stages.
  3. 9750 people will die from oral cancer this year.
  4. 1 person dies of oral cancer  per hour
  5. 43% of those diagnosed won’t survive for more than 5 years.

These statistics may look dreadful to read but awareness of what increases the risk of getting oral cancer and early detection of the same can save many lives.

So what are the risk factors in getting oral cancer

  1. Tobacco – in any form be it cigarettes, vaping, cigars, pipes or even chewing tobacco increases the risk of oral cancer.
  2. Alcohol consumption especially in conjunction with smoking increases the risk multiple fold.
  3. Exposure to HPV the sexually transmitted disease. A person with HPV is 30% more likely to get oral cancer than someone not with HPV.
  4. Other conditions which increase risk are –
    1. Poor nutrition
    1. Poor oral hygiene
    1. Infectious diseases and chronic physical trauma

Oral cancer affects more men than women but early detection is the key. It takes only 2 mins to do a self-exam every month. Follow the following steps –

  1. Remove any dentures, invisalign or clear correct aligners etc that you may be using.
  2. Look and feel inside your lips and front of your gums.
  3. Tilt your head and examine the roof of your mouth.
  4. Pull your cheek out and inspect it along with gums at the back.
  5. Pull out your tongue and look at its top and bottom.
  6. Feel for lumps both sides of the neck and below the lower jaw.

What is it that you need to be on lookout for?

  1. Red or white patches anywhere in the mouth.
  2. Lump in the neck.
  3. Any sores that don’t heal and bleed easily.
  4. Any thickening of tissues.
  5. Chronic sore throat or hoarseness.
  6. Difficulty in swallowing.

80 to 90% of people are likely to survive if oral cancer is detected in the early stages. Hope this helps you become more aware of this issue. Please share this blog with at least one dear one to spread the word.

We at Ensure Dental Care Saginaw Texas are always available to answer any queries that you may have about this. Please call us on 940-274-6181 to walk in to Ensure Dental Care today. We accept all major insurance plans. Follow us on Instagram @ensuredentalcaresaginawtx for more. 

How does sugar affect your teeth

How does sugar affect your teeth

Dental Health March 31, 2021 0Comments

Most of us are aware by now that sugary foods are bad for teeth but many of us may not know why that is so. Here is a little explanation of the same.

Did you know our mouth is full of bacteria? Some of those are good for us while others are not. These bad bacteria feed on the sugars in our food and create acids. These acids are harmful for the teeth as they eat into our tooth enamel, the outer layer of our teeth. And if not treated well in time they can cause bacterial infections which lead to tooth decay, cavities, toothache and eventually tooth loss in many cases.

Plaque formation is also due to sugary foods. Sugar can also lead to gum diseases which can affect both the tissues around the gum and bones beneath it. Research has shown that gum disease is linked to higher instance of coronary diseases. Bacteria that accumulate from periodontitis can cause blood clots that clog arteries.

Our mouth has inbuilt capacity to reverse these harmful effects caused by sugars. Minerals from the enamel and saliva generate minerals like calcium and phosphates which strengthen teeth. However it cannot fight this battle alone and needs our help. We can do this by eating sugary stuff like hard candies, potato chips, sodas etc in moderation and brushing and flossing post eating them.

How would one know if one is consuming too much sugar? Some sure shot signs of those are –

  1. Feeling tired too often
  2. Breaking out of acne
  3. You hardly ever feel full
  4. You feel down
  5. You have high blood pressure or cholesterol

We can increase intake of high fiber veggies and also fluorinated water to fight the bad effects of sugar.. Fluoride is a mineral that helps in repairing weak enamel.

Sugar-free gum can help to clean out your teeth. It also can assist you in producing saliva, which, as you’ve read, helps remove the coating of sugar from your teeth. So you can chew sugar free gum after eating. Basically one needs to ensure that one does not let sugar sit in one’s mouth for too long.

Regular visits to your family dentists are also a must to ensure you are on track with regards to your overall oral health. At Ensure Dental Care we provide a multitude of services for the entire family. You can visit our website https://ensuredentacare.com or contact us at 940-274-3229 to book an appointment today. All Dental insurance in Texas plans accepted.

Oral Health During Covid-19

Oral Health During Covid-19

Dental Health February 17, 2021 0Comments

The year 2020 will be remembered as the pandemic year. With the closure of non essential services across the world, the one thing that has been hit among many others is oral health with reduced working hours for dental practices except for urgent and emergency services. The focus during this time has also shifted from dentist interventions to prevention.
Oral health as we all know is essential for overall good health. Hence oral care especially during the pandemic takes on an importance of its own. Recently researchers studying a small group of people in Japan have found that effective oral hygiene can improve corona virus testing and also reduce the transmission period after a person recovers from covid. British researchers have found a link between poor oral hygiene and severity of COVID-19 disease.
Here are some tips for you to maintain good oral hygiene during covid 19 –
1. Keep your toothbrush clean and separate from the toothbrushes of other family members. Toothbrushes can get easily contaminated by micro organisms and covid 19 virus is known to transmit through air borne droplets.

2. Have your own toothpaste. All members of the family must have not only separate toothbrushes but toothpaste tubes also. Many covid infected patients are asymptomatic i.e. they do not show any symptoms. So while we maintain social distancing within our homes we may end up passing on or getting the virus due to shared resources like a toothpaste tube.

3. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss and use mouth wash regularly. Make sure you rinse your mouth properly after brushing your teeth. Give your gums a massage once a week.

4. Eat well balanced diet with lot of vitamins and minerals and do regular exercise. People with poor immune systems are at a higher risk of contracting covid and are similar to those at higher risk for developing oral diseases. Common risk factors include stress, poor diet, alcohol and tobacco use.

5. Special care must be taken for the teeth of children and elderly. Being confined to homes has not only been stressful but has led to extra consumption of sodas and sugary substances. The British study also found that good oral hygiene is means to prevent airway infections in patients especially those over the age of 70.

6. Use fluoridated toothpaste or water. It has been proved by a number of studies that fluoridation helps prevent tooth decay.

Taking care of the above will help you get away with less dental problems in the year of the pandemic. However these are not a substitute for regular dental checkups so do visit your family dentist as regularly as is possible. You can also visit Ensure Dental Care today or contact us at 940-274-3229 to know more. All major insurance plans accepted.

Fluoride Myths and Facts

Fluoride Myths and Facts

Dental Health January 5, 2021 0Comments

Most of us would have seen the toothpaste makers advertise fluoridated toothpastes. Fluoride toothpastes are extremely effective against tooth decays. You may be surprised to know the fluorides exist is naturally occurring water and soil at varying levels.

It was in the 1940’s that scientists and doctors realized the impact fluorides can have on dental problems. Subsequent studies have found fluoride inhibits the acid producing bacteria in the mouth and not only that they also help in the remineralization of decayed enamel. Hence it can not only prevent but also reverse tooth decay. Unfortunately there are many myths surrounding the need and benefits of fluorides. Here are some of them which we would like to bust today.

Myth 1
Since fluoride is present in natural water, that is good enough to protect teeth.
Fact – While the above statement is partially true, the naturally occurring fluoride is not sufficient to prevent tooth decay. The optimal level of fluoride in water is 0.7 parts per million.

Myth 2
Fluoride is an added medication to the toothpastes.
Fact – Fluoride is not a medication, it’s a naturally occurring mineral which is beneficial for oral health. The American Journal of Public Health even stated that its not a medication but a naturally occurring nutrient. Just like iodine is added to salt for our health similarly fluorides are added to toothpastes in the right quantities.

Myth 3
Fluorides are unsafe for children.
Fact – The fact is that it’s the other way round, giving sufficient fluorine supplements to children as young as 6 months can help strengthen their teeth for their entire lifetime. A study conducted in 2010 showed that a child given fluoride supplements when young makes loss of teeth due to decay less likely when he/she is a middle aged adults in his/ her 40s and 50s.

Myth 4
Fluoridation causes cancer.
Fact – A number of studies by health authorities over so many years has proved that there is no linkage between fluoride and cancer. However consuming excess fluoride does cause a condition called fluorosis which is generally a mild condition involving no pain and does not affect health or function of teeth.

Myth 5
Fluoridation does not prevent tooth decay
Fact – Since the 1940s there have many numerous studies on this subject which have conclusively proved that fluoridation helps prevent tooth decay. In one such study it has been found that people not using fluoridated water require 33% more treatments for tooth decay than people consuming fluoridated water.

While the myths on this subject are many, the above listed ones are the most common. Hopefully we helped bust a few myths for you today. You can visit us at Ensure Dental Care today or contact us at 682-213-4114 to know more. All major insurance plans accepted.

10 Awesome Tips To Maintain Dental Hygiene

10 Awesome Tips To Maintain Dental Hygiene

Dental Health December 7, 2020 0Comments

Dental Hygiene is critical for an overall good health. Here is our list of 10 awesome tips you can follow very easily in your day to day life.

  1. Brushing daily twice a day – While it may be obvious that brushing twice daily is the most basic thing required for dental hygiene however you would be surprised that many people don’t do it. Most people brush only once a day. It is important that one brushes even at night cause food stuck in teeth after the lovely dinner is feast for the germs.
  2. Flossing – flossing is as important as brushing. Most people again neglect flossing. It removes plaque and the food stuck between the teeth and also stimulates the gums.
  3. Use a mouthwash – Rinsing your mouth with water is great but not always enough. Use a mouthwash. Not only does using a mouth wash prevent bad breath but also it can go in places that the toothbrush or floss cannot. Mouthwashes remove acid in the mouth that cause tooth decay.
  4. Don’t eat sugary stuff – The candies and sodas can be very harmful for the teeth, they break down in the mouth producing acids that can cause cavities. So limit your intake of such substances.
  5. Too much tea and coffee can also wear down the tooth enamel. Enamel is the outer covering of your teeth and one of the hardest substances in the human body. While you can continue to enjoy tea and coffee occasionally however too much of anything is always harmful.
  6. Cleaning your tongue is an important aspect of dental hygiene. Use a tongue scraper to clean it. Cleaning it daily can help remove bacteria that cause bad breath.
  7. Avoid tobacco, smoking and alcohol. Consuming tobacco and smoking are main culprits behind oral cancer. Too much alcohol is known to cause gum disease and tooth decay.
  8. Eat crunchy food like fruits and veggies that have natural vitamins and fiber for good dental health. Also consume products with calcium like milk, yogurt and cheese. Calcium makes your teeth stronger.
  9. Make sure to clean your brush and let it air dry. Also ensure proper hygiene of flossing and tongue scraper will ensure your efforts at dental hygiene don’t go waste.
  10. Last but not the least visit your dentist on a regular basis. It is important so that any dental problem is detected and cured at the right time before it becomes a problem for you.

We hope these awesome tips help you maintain good dental health. Contact us at 682-213-4114 for an appointment to know more. All major insurance plans accepted.