Brogdon Dental Membership Plan – Making Dental Care Affordable

At Brogdon Dental we are offering a Membership Plan to help dental care be more affordable for your and your family.  Our plan offers the following:

  • Free simple cleaning (2 per year)
  • Free annual exam
  • Free set of x-rays
  • A “Brogdon Buck” worth $50
  • A 20% discount on all dental procedures
  • A 15% discount on all orthodontic procedures

Call us today at 423-870-5698 to find out how you can sign up for our new Plan.

 

Dental Sedation – Is it possible to relax?

Does the thought of going to the dentist for a minor teeth cleaning make you break out in a sweat? Would you rather endure the pain of a toothache than call for a dental appointment?  If you ever feel this way you are not alone.  Many people just like you experience these fears and would rather risk the possibility of future problems than go now for help.

If you are one of those people who avoid the dentist at all costs, sedation dentistry may take away some of your anxiety.  Dental Sedation can be used for everything from more difficult procedures to a simple tooth cleaning.

One of the methods that Dr Brogdon uses is nitrous oxide or laughing gas.  According to WebMD,

You breathe nitrous oxide — otherwise known as “laughing gas” — combined with oxygen through a mask that’s placed over your nose. The gas helps you relax. Your dentist can control the amount of sedation you receive, and the gas tends to wear off quickly. This is the only form of sedation where you may be able to drive yourself home after the procedure.

Sedation is most appropriate for people with a real fear or anxiety that is preventing them from going to the dentist.

You may also need a local anesthetic, a numbing medication at the site where Dr Brogdon will be working in your mouth  to help relieve any pain or discomfort from the procedure.

Some of the possible reasons for Sedation dentistry would be

  • have a low pain threshold
  • can’t sit still in the dentist’s chair
  • have very sensitive teeth
  • have a bad gag reflex
  • need a large amount of dental work completed

If you suffer from dental anxiety, call our office.  Dr Brogdon can talk to you about your fears and help make you more comfortable. Ask him to explain all he will do so you will know what to expect.  Decide before hand a signal such as  raising your hand or give him some sign to let him know if you are experiencing any discomfort.

It helps to know that you have some control of your fears and that Dr Brogdon will listen and act on those fears to help make you feel more comfortable with your visit.  Remember, it is possible to relax during your next dental visit!

Thanks to You!

As we remember all we are thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day, we would be remiss if we didn’t thank you, our patients, for choosing us for your dental needs.  Seeing your wonderful smiles and knowing that we have served a part in them make us realize how thankful we are for you!

So from all of us at Brogdon Dental, we thank you and keep smiling!

Pregnancy and your Teeth

Did you know that maintaining healthy teeth is an important part of a healthy pregnancy?  Routine brushing and flossing, as well as seeing your dentist during pregnancy may decrease the chance of complications during your pregnancy,

According to Medical News Today..

Research has indicated that women with periodontal disease may be at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such giving birth to a pre-term or low-birth weight baby, reports the AAP and EFP.  Several research studies have suggested that women with periodontal disease may be more likely to deliver babies prematurely or with low-birth weight than mothers with healthy gums.

In addition, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently released a statement encouraging pregnant women to sustain their oral health and recommended regular dental cleanings during pregnancy.

It’s important to maintain your regular dental appointments and not forget to keep your teeth at their best.  As an expectant mother, by taking care of your health, you also help insure the health of your unborn baby.  Call us today at Brogdon Dental to schedule your bi-annual cleaning.

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What kind of toothpaste do you use?

There are many options when picking out a tube of toothpaste. Should you buy tartar control or maybe fluoride? And what about the tooth whitening toothpastes or maybe one with all-natural ingredients?  Do you have sensitive teeth? Although toothpaste comes in different forms, such as paste, gel or power, there are some ingredients common to most varieties.

According to WebMD they include:

  • Abrasive agents. Scratchy materials, including calcium carbonate and silicates, help remove food, bacteria, and some stains from your teeth
  • Flavoring. Artificial sweeteners, including saccharin, are often added to toothpaste to make them taste better. While many people equate the flavor of toothpaste with mint, toothpaste is available in a variety of flavors, including cinnamon, lemon-lime, and even bubblegum (for kids — or kids at heart).
  • Humectants for moisture retention. Paste and gel formulations often contain substances like glycerol to prevent the toothpaste from drying out.
  • Thickeners. Agents that add thickness to the toothpaste, including gums and gooey molecules found in some seaweeds, help achieve and maintain proper toothpaste texture.
  • Detergents. Those suds you see when you brush your teeth are from detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate.

So what toothpaste should you use?

  • Opt for ADA approval. Whatever your toothpaste needs, be sure to choose toothpaste that has earned an American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. Toothpastes that have earned this distinction have been evaluated for safety and effectiveness by an independent review board of scientific experts. All toothpastes earning the ADA seal contain fluoride — the most important ingredient in any toothpaste.
  • Be wary of imposters. In 2007, some toothpastes imported from China were found to contain a toxic substance, diethylene glycol. The FDA advises against choosing toothpaste that says it was made in China.
  • Consider your needs and the needs of your family members. As long as you select a fluoride-containing toothpaste, the best toothpaste is a matter of personal choice and preference. If you’re committed to an all-natural lifestyle, you may want to opt for ADA-approved toothpastes that contain only natural ingredients. For people trying to instill good oral hygiene habits in your children, why not choose fruit-flavored toothpastes with sparkles to entice them to brush their teeth? Some people are eager to restore whiteness to their teeth with whitening toothpastes. Others like the feeling of brushing their teeth with toothpaste containing hydrogen peroxide or baking soda.

With so many varieties to choose from you can find the best toothpaste for you and your needs.

Four Steps to a Healthy Summer Smile for Kids

Summer is here and your kids are home and eating more snacks than usual. Candies, cakes, cookies and other sugary foods that kids love to eat between meals can cause tooth decay. They may even have a lot of fat in them too. So what should you do? According to colgate.com there are some things you can do to help your kids have healthier teeth.

KNOW WHAT FOODS ARE BAD FOR YOUR TEETH AND WHAT FOODS ARE GOOD

Candy bars aren’t the only culprits. Foods such as pizza, breads, and hamburger buns may also contain sugars. Check the label. The new food labels identify sugars and fats on the Nutrition Facts panel on the package. Keep in mind that brown sugar, honey, molasses and syrups also react with bacteria to produce acids, just as refined table sugar does. These foods also are potentially damaging to teeth.

Your child’s meals and snacks should include a variety of foods from the basic food groups, including fruits and vegetables; grains, including breads and cereals; milk and dairy products; and meat, nuts and seeds. Some snack foods have greater nutritional value than others and will better promote your child’s growth and development. However, be aware that even some fresh fruits, if eaten in excess, may promote tooth decay. Children should brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste after snacks and meals. (So should you!)

Four  simple steps you can take include:

  • Cut back on bottled water.  Tap water includes fluoride.
  • Eat more apples and celery.  Highly fibrous foods give your gums a workout.
  • Substitute low fat, no sugar added yogurt for ice cream. It tastes great too!
  • Stock up on straws.  Sipping acidic liquids are less harmful to your teeth.

Summer can be a healthy time for your kids with more outdoor activities.  By watching what they eat, you can help make it healthier for their (and your) teeth too.

 

 

How Important is Flossing?

Every  time you go to the dentist you probably hear about the importance of  flossing.  At Brogdon Dental our hygienist will probably mention it, and Dr. Brogdon will too. We can’t ignore the fact that  flossing is an important component of good oral health.

Yet, people don’t floss. Or, at least, lots of folks don’t. The range  of people who report flossing on a daily basis is somewhere between  10-30%, depending on who you ask. That’s a pretty low percentage. There are plenty of reasons that people give for not flossing, but here are a few good reasons you should:

  • Brushing cleans about 70% of the surface of your teeth. That leaves 30% not being cleaned if you don’t floss.
  • Flossing  prevents tooth decay. There is no doubt, it is proven fact. Cleaning  between the teeth removes bits of food, prevents plaque buildup and  prevents decay.
  • Bad breath is usually preventable, and flossing helps prevent it.
  • Gingivitis can be painful and can lead to worse conditions. Flossing helps prevent it.
  • You only get one set of teeth. Okay, you really get two, but you should still take care of them!

There  are many more options available for flossing than there were even a few  years ago. Experiment and find a method of flossing that you are  comfortable with. Try to incorporate it into your routine at the same  time everyday. Flossing is quick, inexpensive and one of the best things  you can do to keep your teeth healthy.

If you have any questions about flossing, ask Dr. Brogdon or the hygienist on your next visit. You’ll be glad you did!

Veneers and You

Have you ever considered veneers? If you have and wonder exactly what they are, according to WebMD:

Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.

Do you think you are a candidate for veneers? You might want veneers if you have discolored teeth, teeth that are worn down, chipped or broken, misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth, or teeth with gaps between them.

Getting veneers usually requires around 3 trips to your dentist. One for a consultation and two to make and apply the veneers.  Veneers generally last between 5 and 10 years. After that time, most veneers need to be replaced and there is no special care involved with your veneers, just continue to follow good oral hygiene practices, including brushing and flossing as you normally would.

What are some of the advantages of veneers?

  • They provide a natural tooth appearance.
  • Gum tissue tolerates porcelain well.
  • Porcelain veneers are stain resistant.
  • The color of a porcelain veneer can be selected such that it makes dark teeth appear whiter.
  • Veneers offer a conservative approach to changing a tooth’s color and shape; veneers generally don’t require the extensive shaping prior to the procedure that crowns do, yet offer a stronger, more aesthetic alternative.

If you feel you might be interested in veneers, give us a call at Brogdon Dental.  Dr. Brogdon can discuss the pros and cons associated with veneers and you can decide if this procedure is for you.

Good Dental Hygiene

Working together with your dentist is the first step in good dental hygiene.  Most dentist recommend that you brush your teeth thoroughly, once in the morning and once at night.  Also flossing every day is one of the keys to good dental health.

According to everydayhealth.com the proper products are important too.

Use products that have the ADA (American Dental Association) seal.  This means that the products — toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, etc. — are safe to use as directed and will keep your mouth healthy — no gum disease, no cavities.

Here are some basic principles to follow:

  • Spend at least three minutes brushing your teeth two times a day. Use a timer if you have to to ensure that you’re spending enough time on your oral care routine.
  • Use floss at least once a day every day to clean between your teeth.
  • Buy ADA-approved dental cleaning tools and toothpaste.

If you neglect your teeth and fail to visit your dentist on a regular basis plaque can accumulate around your teeth causing your gums to become red and inflamed.  This can  lead to empty spaces around your teeth. These spaces could cause the tissue and bone to break down and you could lose your teeth.

Don’t make the mistake of neglecting your teeth.  Do your part and call us today at Brogdon Dental to schedule an appointment for cleaning.

Heart Disease and Your Teeth

February is American Heart Month and part of having a healthy heart is having healthy teeth.  Recent studies show that adults who had thorough dental cleanings may be somewhat less likely to have a heart attack or stroke than their peers who are less careful about oral hygiene.

According to Reuters.com:

But the study is in line with past research that has linked gum disease to an increased risk of heart disease, said lead researcher Dr. Zu-Yin Chen, a cardiology fellow at Taipei Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan.  Since gum disease is caused by bacterial infection, researchers suspect that it may contribute to heart attacks or stroke by causing a chronic state of inflammation in blood vessels. And studies have shown that treating gum disease can cut the levels of inflammatory substances in the blood, Chen told Reuters Health in an email. Still, no one knows for sure whether a regular visit to your dentist can prevent a future heart attack.

Although these studies are still being researched, using good dental hygiene can help improve your health.

In recent years, researchers have connected the dots between inflammation in the gums and inflammation in other parts of the body, such as the heart. A study released online Friday in the British Medical Journal suggests that consistent brushing of the teeth may be a significant strategy to reduce the risk of heart disease.

So do your heart a favor, brush your teeth twice a day and set up an appointment with Dr. Brogdon to get a thorough dental cleaning. Not only your teeth, but your heart will thank you!

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