Well, my bridge lasted quite a bit longer this time around.   It’s been over a year since the bridge was last re-cemented in.  Overall, I’ve been quite happy with the dentist that did the work.  So much so that we are now using him as our family dentist.  His prices are quite reasonable compared to others that I called.

Technically, the bridge isn’t quite out yet, one side of the bridge is loose while the other side is still partially cemented in.  It could be a while before it comes out completely or it could be tomorrow.  My experience has told me that I just need to be careful if I don’t want to lose it at an inopportune time.

I still struggle with the decision not to get the implant.  I’m sure I could have found a way to afford it back then but at the same time it is much cheaper to just have the re-cement if it last a whole year.  I think it was about $135 to have the re-cement done and was a very sturdy job.

The question really will be: “how long can the bridge last?”  Right now, I’ve had it for about 26 years.  Seems like yesterday that my brother and I were playing basketball in the driveway when he pump faked and I jumped and then he jumped in to me.  Needless to say we were both bleeding.  Him from the top of his head and me from the mouth.

The dentist was extremely surprised that the bridge had survived this long.  Of course, their was a period of about 8 years where it was in without any problems.  Sure wish I knew what kind of cement the dentist had used back then.  Probably isn’t used anymore because it causes cancer or something…

I’ll make sure and put an update in when it finally falls out again.

Well, I was supposed to go in for an implant some time ago.  Unfortunately, when I went to set up the direct withdrawal from my paycheck with the “business office” they came back and said they were going to withdraw $4600 over the life of the withdrawal period.

I said “wait a minute”, the estimate I have says only $2500 dollars over the period.  At that point she pointed out that the numbers in the textual part of the estimate were only example numbers and not actually my numbers.  Apparently my bad!  Would it have killed them to just punch in my numbers instead of some fake estimate and getting my hopes up.

There is a big difference in $2500 and $4600.  I can get my Maryland bridge cemented in a whole bunch more times for that price.

Of course, not more than 6 weeks later, my bridge falls out again.  Not surprising though.  The last dentist had put it in somewhat temporarily because he knew that I was going in for the implant and we were hoping to re-use the bridge so he didn’t cement it as well as he could have.

This time I called around and found a dentist that wasn’t going to charge for an “emergency examination” and would just do the re-cement.  I am very happy that I did because he actually did something different that the last 10 dentists haven’t been doing and also took the cementing one step farther.

The thing he did different was actually took the old cement off the back of my teeth that the bridge attaches to.  It’s been a long time since a dentist did that during the re-cement.  They always said they didn’t want to because they couldn’t tell where the cement ended and the tooth enamel began.  For whatever reason, this dentist could.  Although, I think that he had more experience at age 45 or so than the last 5 all put together.

The special thing he did was to cement the bridge from the front of my teeth also.  First he cemented the bridge as all others have done with the cement on the wings in the back of the front teeth.  Then when that was done, he cemented the bridge in the front by putting cement in between the two teeth that the bridge attaches to.

At first I was sure if it would be OK because it was different not being able to see a tooth definition between the front 3 teeth.  There’s a little definition there but it is mostly cement that is visible.  He said he could add a little more definition later if I decided that I wanted it.  At this point I probably won’t just to see if will stay longer.  And you really can’t tell unless I smile really wide and you are only a foot or two in front of me.

I’ll be extremely satisfied if this cementing method lasts me a year.  The last few have only lasted 2-3 months and that is with me being very careful when biting and chewing.

As far as the implant, that is on hold as I test out this cementing.  Perhaps I’ll do it next year but I have to be more prepared to pay the extra $2100 dollars over what I thought my original cost was going to be.  I think I’ll also shop around a little more and see if I can get it done for less by not going through my employer.

Gum disease is an infection of the gums and the tissue and bones surrounding teeth. It can affect a person at any age and is considered one of the most common dental problems.

You are likely to have gum disease if:

• Your gums are dark red, sore or swollen
• Your gums bleed easily whenever you brush your teeth persist
• You have lingering bad breath
• You have shaky teeth
• Your teeth or your bite feels out of alignment
• Your gums have pulled away from your teeth
• Your teeth and gums have pus discharge

If you have any of the above-mentioned symptoms, see your dentist immediately for accurate diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with gum disease, there are many ways to go about treatment. You can seek professional dental care that can be surgical or non-surgical treatments.

Alternatively, you may consider natural healing for gum disease. However, this option does not mean you should stop seeing your dentist. In fact, your dentist will be able to give you good advice on natural healing for gum disease and help ensure effective treatment.

Natural healing for gum disease through herbs

Herbalists suggest rinsing your mouth with diluted myrrh tincture to relieve bleeding and swollen gums. Myrrh is also known as a deodorant so it can also help freshen breath. Chaparral, Peppermint and Sage tea are all excellent mouthwash. Use toothpaste or mouth rinse that contains bloodroot, which is excellent in preventing plaque buildup and gum disease. Brushing your teeth with a few drops of tea tree essential oil added to your toothpaste will soothe irritated gums. Tea tree also has antiseptic properties that help prevent gum disease by fighting bacteria. You can also massage and stimulate gums with eucalyptus oil.

Natural healing for gum disease through nutrition

To aid the healing of gum disease, make sure your diet is high in vitamins C, A and B as well as zinc and calcium. Nutritionists recommend that you eat five portions or servings of fruits and vegetables daily such as citrus fruits, papaya, melons, berries, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes and peppers. Exercise the gums by eating raw fruits and vegetables.
Natural healing for gum disease requires good personal dental hygiene. Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day. Use a soft toothbrush. Replace your toothbrush every 4 months. Floss your teeth at least once a day. Rinse your mouth after meals. Self-care is critical to treatment of gum disease. Remember that gum disease is the result of neglect so the only way to prevent or treat it is to start paying attention to your dental health.

These days, people especially the young ones sport a fast-paced lifestyle. They prefer to be always-on-the-go and moving, that’s why most stuff nowadays are made of easy to use or easy to do or easy to make things. This generation calls for something that’s safe, convenient, fast, and effective. They don’t want to waste their time, effort, energy, and money on non-essential things and activities. If it won’t do them good, if it won’t benefit them, if it won’t make them happy, it’s not worth the time. This is why, manufacturers, suppliers, and vendors have made this generation “what they want”.

This serves true to almost anything, even in dental treatments and therapies. When people are surrounded with beautiful smiles and when they are bombarded with pearly white smiles on TV, movies, magazines, and other media, it’s just a trigger for them to do the same thing. Why not improve the smiles by flashing squeaky white teeth, right? This catalyst made teeth whitening products salable in the market. Now, with so many whitening products available, people are now given more choices and options that will suit their lifestyle and their comfort level.

Probably, one of the most popular and most common among these products is the teeth whitening strips. It’s because these teeth whitening strips are relatively affordable, convenient, simple, easy to apply, hassle-free, and comfortable to use or wear. Unlike other products, like the teeth whitening kits that require mouth trays and messy gels, or other dental appointments to undergo procedures, etc. Teeth whitening strips are quite helpful and useful for the busy people of this generation who still want their smiles to look beautiful and appealing. What makes the teeth whitening strip a little off or disadvantageous are the results — it may not be that powerful or effective as that of other whitening methods, may cause or trigger the sensitive spots of the teeth, and may selectively whiten the teeth because of the form of the strip.

People who have tried these teeth whitening strips have varied results — others find it a success while some don’t notice that much difference at all. There may still be other more effective, consistent, and better teeth whitening methods than that of these teeth whitening strips; however, many people will still patronize these teeth whitening strips because it’s convenient, safe, and easy. Anyway, with regular use of these teeth whitening strips, people will soon notice and realize the change of the teeth color — it may not whiten the teeth immediately or effectively, but there’s still an apparent and recognizable change.

Everyone desires to have a great smile. For a killer smile, one should have sparkling, bright, and shiny teeth.

Today, a lot of people are spending more money just to have their teeth whiter. They make use of the best teeth whitening treatments and undergo procedures to achieve the brilliant white teeth.

Teeth whitening had been an effective procedure to lighten the color of the teeth, without taking away any of the tooth surface. It will not completely whiten the whole set of teeth; it will just lighten the existing color of the teeth.

Only a few are blessed with pearly white teeth, and our teeth normally become discolored as we grow up.

Our teeth can also be stained on the outer part because of the food and drink. Coffee, tea, blackcurrant and red wine have effect on the discoloration of our teeth. Smoking is another cause of teeth discoloration. Most people may encounter staining beneath the surface which is caused by tiny cracks in the teeth or certain antibiotics that absorb the stains.

But what are these teeth whitening treatments and procedures? And are these done?

Bleaching. This is most common form of teeth whitening procedure. Your dentist will advice you if this is the best teeth whitening treatment suitable for you.

Bleaching is done by placing a gel or rubber to shield the soft tissue of your gums. Then, the whitening product will be applied on your teeth by using a special tray which shapes into your mouth like a gum shell.

The teeth whitening product usually contains carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide as the ‘active ingredients’. When these ingredients break down, the oxygen enters the enamel of your teeth thus, making the color lighter. The entire treatment can be completed in three to four weeks time.

For those who wish to undergo to this treatment, you will need at least three visits to the dentist. On your first visit, the dentist will create a mouth-guard and take a caricature or impressions of it. Once the treatment has started, it is recommended that you continue it at home. You have to regularly apply the teeth whitening product over four weeks, for at least 30 minutes at a time.

Most of the known and best teeth whitening products can be applied for up to several hours at a time. The treatment can be done even while you’re sleeping. Ideally, a good result can be attained in as little as one week.

Laser Whitening. This is also called the “power whitening”. Though expensive, a lot of people especially artists consider it as the best teeth whitening method.

During this process, a rubber dam is placed over your teeth to shield the gums, and the whitening product is then painted on your teeth. A laser will be used to stimulate the chemical. The light will help boost the chemical reaction of the bleaching product, thus the color change can be attained more rapidly.

Dentists believe that the result of laser whitening treatment is good. It can make your teeth up to six shades lighter.

Unfortunately, not everyone can get a chance to undergo laser treatment. The dentist will have to check your teeth and ensure that you are fit for the treatment. The total procedure is usually done in an hour.

The effects of this power whitening is said to last up to three years depending on the person. The dentist still advice not to smoke, eat and drink products that may cause a stain in your teeth. Others may find their teeth vulnerable to cold after the treatment. But these symptoms usually vanish within a few days.

These are just two of the famous and best teeth whitening methods available. Despite the fact that they may cost a lot, the effect is still worth it. Through these methods, you’ll surely flash everyone a perfect smile.

OK, this is a little bit out there for dental devices but it’s definitely a unique twist on losing weight. A new device called the Charlie Bite can be cemented onto your teeth and when you open your mouth too wide a metal flange comes down preventing you from chewing. The inventor, Charlie Comstock says that the purpose is to slow your eating down and force you to take smaller bites and therefore beginning feeling full with fewer calories devoured.

Even without the device it has long been accepted that if you slow your eating down and chew your food longer you will take in less food. Your stomach will feel full after eating less food and therefore you stop eating.

Although the Charlie Bite device is safe and likely effective, many trainers and dietitians think that the benefits would only be short term (while the device is installed) because losing weight requires more than just portion control. Things such as calorie intake, healthy eating, and most of all exercise are just as important as the portions are.

The Charlie Bite can be the first step if implemented as part of a program that teaches the other aspects of losing weight but for now it is really just a fancy dental appliance that helps you feel full while eating fewer bites. At a cost of $1,500 to $2,000 and available only in Salt Lake City, Utah, it will require a significant outlay of cash for an affect that can be achieved by simply drinking a large glass of water before and during every meal.

More information on the Charlie Bite can be found on The Lean Way website at http://www.theleanway.net/welcome.html

In the Spirit of the Live Earth weekend, I’m giving you the simplest tip you can do to help save water. It’s so easy but few of us do it.

Turn the water off while brushing your teeth. That’s it. Simple as that.

Of course there are hundreds of other things that you can do to help save the Earth - see the green tips.

Listerine has a new product on the store shelf called Tooth Defense™. This new rinse uses the active ingredient of Sodium Fluoride and claims to rebuild and strengthen your tooth enamel and thereby prevent cavities.

Benefits of the Tooth Defense™ rinse.

* Kills the germs that cause bad breath or halitosis
* Increase tooth enamel density and strenth to prevent cavities using Sodium Fluoride
* Great tasting Mint Shield flavor (purple color but minty taste)
* Intended for patients 12 and older :

• Older patients who require extra help fighting cavities and maintaining their natural teeth
• Patients with crowns or bridges
• Orthodontic patients where tooth care is harder

Note: This product is not intended to help prevent or reduce plaque and gingivitis. Brushing and proper dental care is still expected.

Listerine® Tooth Defense™: Active Ingredients
Sodium fluoride 0.0221% (0.01% w/v fluoride ion)

As of writing this post, there wasn’t much for consumer reviews about this product. The couple that I did find liked the taste of the wash. Sodium Fluoride has been known to rebuild enamel for a long time and some toothpastes contain it. The question will be if this wash has enough of a concentration to have any clinical impact on your own teeth’s enamel or is it just an expensive mouthwash?

Well, I scheduled my implant this week. I’m a bit nervous about the whole thing because there is always a chance it doesn’t take in your jaw bone. Then it will be a colossal waste of money.

My surgery isn’t until August 6th. Partly because of vacations scheduled for myself and for the doctors in July. Also, they had to coordinate between the dentist that will be doing the follow-up dental work because he needs 45 minutes before the surgery to remove the Maryland bridge that he cemented back in last week. If he isn’t able to get it back off then he’ll have to cut it off and then I’ll have to pay another 500 dollars for a temporary rubber tooth (not very excited about the thought of that since you have to take it out to eat). I’m really hoping that he didn’t cement it on too well.

So what is this going to cost me? Glad you asked…

The estimate that I was given is about $2,600 for my cost. Health insurance is covering a good share of the surgical procedure for implanting the post - I think I’m lucky there. Most of the cost is the additional dental work of making a crown, possible additional temporary tooth while the post heals and the cost of the post itself. Plus plenty of other incidentals. If you’d like to see a full estimate breakdown, leave a comment and I’ll see about posting the info if readers want to see it. Unfortunately, where I work we don’t have dental insurance but just a spending account of $1,000 which really doesn’t cover very much for a family of 5. So, most of the cost will be coming out of my pocket. I looked into using a dental plan but the dentist that works with this surgeon doesn’t subscribe to any and to get the surgery paid for in-network I’m kind of stuck using them.

Here’s something else that I’ll likely do before the final post is made. I’m going to get my teeth whitened. I haven’t been able to do it because the old dental bridgework couldn’t be whitened. Since a new tooth will be made, I’ll have my teeth whitened and then match the new tooth to the whitened color. I’m a pop drinker and I’ve had 40 years of cola drinking staining my chops. I’ve significantly cut back over the years but the damage was already done.

I’ll write more as it gets closer to the surgery date…

Well, it was only a matter of time before the Dental industry would start to see the benefit of the new technologies for marketing on the internet. Helaine Smith, DMD, has produced a series of podcasts on the topics of oral health and cosmetic dentistry. The series is titled “Successful Smiles” and is free to download at http://www.helainesmithdmd.blogspot.com/ or from the Health category at Apple iTunes store.

Currently, the series covers topics like bad breath, FAQ’s about cosmetic dentistry and questions to ask your dentist about veneers. Upcoming broadcasts will be about dental care for the elderly, tooth whitening methods, and the relationship between sex and oral health.

Dr. Smith’s podcasts are a natural progression from her current e-newsletter and website where consumers can learn about procedures such as teeth whitening and dental implants (which I’m about to go through). It’s obvious that Dr. Smith has an interest in educating the public about oral health and the dental industry.

Over the last 10 years the dental industry has changed with more and more dentists going ‘online’ to further the practice of dentistry. Blogs, newsletters, articles, and even radio and TV ads have continued to change the dental practice to be much more than just an office down the street. Patients are using the internet for research about dental procedures before they make their appointments and are much better educated once they are in the chair.

The “Successful Smiles” podcasts each last between 3 to 6 minutes and are also available as mp3 audio files for listening on your computer or portable device. Watch for more ‘episodes’ to be added soon.