West:
Pumpkin Spice Lattes, dental exams, AND Fall are officially here! With the cooler weather, football games, and changing of leaves from green to auburn hues on the horizon, fall feels like a time of change. You may also have a to-do list for the fall season. The term “spring cleaning” is a real thing; however, we’re going to switch it up a bit, (because it’s a fall-thing too) and many of us are anxious to switch out our closets and do some long-awaited home improvements. With all this change, it’s the perfect time to come see us at Adams Dental Group for your routine dental exams and cleanings. Your teeth and gums will thank you!
Related Article: What Happens During a Cleaning?
Think of your dental exams as a deep cleaning – just like you do to your home. You inspect the area, decide what needs cleaned and what looks good, and get to work! Your dentist will do the same for your mouth. During a dental exam, we will:
Learn How Cleanings Prevent Further Issues
While we may focus on the brushing and flossing part of dental exams, the truth is, there’s a lot more that goes into each and every cleaning and exam. Your dentist is often your first line of defense if something in your body is wrong, and your mouth will tell the tale. That’s why we always take a good look at the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. If your dentist finds you’re experiencing something like gum disease, then early detection is the key to getting everything under control and fixed for good!
Routine dental exams give you the perfect opportunity to speak with us about any concerns you may have. Are you worried about a sore tooth, grinding your teeth, bad breath, dry mouth, etc. Whatever it may be, we’re here to help you have a healthy, great-looking smile. Curious about whitening treatments, corrective aligners, or porcelain veneers? Now is the time to inquire.
Related Article: Gum Disease: How can I prevent it? How does it affect my body?
Recently, two key areas of questions have popped up a lot from our patients that relate to dental exams that we want to share. Dental anxiety keeping them from visiting the dentist on a regular basis and the additional stress from their everyday lives that they’re experiencing are really impacting our patients, so let’s dig in on both of these subjects to give you some additional resources.
Dental phobia is a real thing – so, if going to the dentist makes you uncomfortable or queasy, know that you are certainly not alone. If you’re fearful of visiting the dentist, let us know. We want you to feel comfortable and would love to share some Quick Tips to Ease Dental Anxiety.
Did you know that stress affects oral health? We see stress shine through when our patients complain of grinding, gnashing, or clenching their teeth. This condition is called Bruxism. Not only does this mean you may clench your teeth while you’re awake, but it also means you grind your teeth at night. When you grind at night, it’s also known as Sleep Bruxism. According to The Mayo Clinic, if you do this, you’re also prone to other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or snoring. Although mild cases of bruxism may not require treatment, more severe cases of bruxism can cause headaches, jaw problems, damaged teeth, and more.
Below are some resources that we feel may be helpful:
With the end of the year quickly approaching, it’s important to remember that everything comes full circle with your dental insurance benefits. Talk with your insurance provider early in the year to discover what your dental benefits entail. Are preventative visits free as they often are? If so, then go ahead and schedule your 6-month checkups early on to avoid forgetting. Or better yet – schedule your next visit before you leave your dental exam appointment!
Read More about Dental Benefits.
When you make the most out of your dental benefits, you know your money is going to a great cause – your health! Don’t let your deductible be of no use or let benefits slide past you, unused. Take care of your teeth and use your dental benefits to the maximum. The best way to do this is to see your dentist regularly so you know exactly how healthy you are and can plan for your future!
Regular dental exams and cleaning is wonderful preventative care. Although you may be brushing and flossing really well at home, tartar and plaque is impossible to remove with regular brushing and flossing, and can build-up over time. Dentists are able to use specific tools to remove that plaque and tartar, keeping our mouth cleaner and our chances of other complications much lower.
We are excited to let you know that we are now offering our very own affordable dental membership plan that covers all your preventative care and gives you discounts on other procedures. It is a simple and budget-friendly dental plan offered directly from our practice — so you can access the care you want and deserve, for less. Learn more: Get Affordable Dental Care with our Affordable Membership Plan
Local dentist, Travis A. Roberts and his experienced, friendly team at Adams Dental Group offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the Kansas City, KS area. We have two locations that are conveniently located and offer appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At Adams Dental Group, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to specialty procedures, including dental implants, dentures, endodontic or root canal treatment, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at our West location (913) 296-8030 or our East location (913) 621-3113 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Travis A. Roberts, DDS September 14th, 2021
Posted In: Dental Health Tips
Tags: brush and floss, dental appointment, dental care, gum disease prevention
It can be hard for you to tell if a tooth is cracked. If you have pain, you may not be able to tell which tooth hurts or even whether the pain comes from the top or bottom of your mouth. Cracks may be invisible to the eye and m ay not even show on an x-ray. And sometimes you won’t have any pain or sensitivity at all; your dentist will discover it during your exam.
If you are having symptoms you can help your dentist find the cracked tooth by sharing some information:
Related Article: Do You Have Sensitive Teeth? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
A tooth may crack for many reasons, such as:
Related Article: Stress Affects Oral Health: Are You Clenching or Grinding While You Sleep?
Pulp is the soft tissue inside the center of your tooth and contains nerves and blood vessels. If the crack reaches the pulp, your tooth may be sensitive to hot and cold. Sometimes, a crack in the enamel of your tooth goes all the way down to the nerve pulp. This type of cracked tooth may hurt when you bite down or when you stop biting. The crack may be too small to see , but is large enough for the pulp inside your tooth to become irritated.
When your tooth is cracked the pulp sometimes becomes infected. If this happens, treatment to remove the pulp, also known as a root canal, may be needed to save your tooth.
Related Articles:
Toothache Causes: Why Do I have Tooth Pain and How Can I Get Relief?
The Number 1 Reason People Visit the Dentist: Tooth Pain!
Sometimes, a person may be disregarding the symptoms for quite a while. After all, it takes some time for this type of infection to take root. That’s why it’s important to schedule regular dental exam appointments.
In other cases, a person may show no symptoms.
IMPORTANT: if you’re experiencing tooth pain, call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Roberts immediately!!
If you’d like to learn more check out our article: Everything You Want to Know about Root Canal Treatment
Treatment depends on the size, location, and direction of the crack, as well as your symptoms. It is possible that your dentist will recommend no treatment at all, since tiny cracks are common and usually do not cause problems. You and your dentist can talk about the types of treatments for your tooth and decide on the treatment that is right for you.
Related Articles:
When tooth decay becomes severe, a root canal is often the first treatment option. However, if the infection persists after a root canal, extraction would be the next stage. This will stop the spread of infection. Risk of infection is another reason for tooth extraction. If your immune system is compromised, risk of infection may lead to extraction of a tooth.
More about tooth extraction from WebMD HERE.
There are two types of tooth extractions – surgical and nonsurgical.
However, often, gum tissue and bone may need to be removed to extract a tooth – this is surgical extraction. By taking an X-Ray and examining your tooth, your dentist or oral surgeon can determine whether simple or surgical extraction is needed. Before a surgical tooth extraction, you will be given a local or general anesthetic to numb the area. This will eliminate the pain while your dentist removes the tooth. Once the tooth is extracted, stitches are sometimes used to close the gum edges. Since surgical extractions are so common, there is nothing to worry about!
A tooth that is cracked can be painful. It also can lead to disease of the tooth. If you think you have a cracked tooth, remember to look for these signs and call our office to schedule an emergency dental appointment:
Our goal is to fix any dental emergency as soon as possible and get you back on your feet and out of pain. Accidents can happen, and quick action and knowledge of dental emergencies can easily save a tooth! Make sure to give us a call at Adams Dental as soon as you experience the signs of a dental emergency.
Learn more from this Dental Emergency FAQ.
These are clear signs of dental emergencies, due to injury:
While these signs are often correlated to a dental emergency, there are other signs and symptoms to also be aware of that aren’t as sudden or apparent. Symptoms such as prolonged pain, or a swollen jaw are major indicators that something isn’t right, even if they do seem more subtle.
Let’s review a couple of Healthy Smile Tips:
Remember to schedule your dental exam and cleaning, because it will help Dr. Roberts find and treat problems at an early stage. A cracked tooth can become a bigger problem if left untreated. If you think you may have a cracked tooth, please call to schedule an appointment at 913-296-8030.
Local dentist, Travis A. Roberts and his experienced, friendly team at Adams Dental Group offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the Kansas City, KS area. We have two locations that are conveniently located and offer appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At Adams Dental Group, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to specialty procedures, including dental implants, dentures, endodontic or root canal treatment, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at our West location (913) 296-8030 or our East location (913) 621-3113 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Travis A. Roberts, DDS August 30th, 2021
Posted In: Emergency Dental Care
Tags: broken tooth, dental crown, dental exam, root canal
Dental phobia is a real thing – so, if going to the dentist makes you uncomfortable or queasy, know that you are certainly not alone. In fact, “as many as 40 million Americans avoid the dentist because of fear and anxiety,” according to Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. However, it’s also possible to overcome. Here are some of our favorite tips for overcoming dental anxiety so you can keep your oral health in tip top shape.
Learn more: Easing Dental Fear in Adults
Sharing your feelings can make a world of a difference. Once your dentist knows how you’re feeling, your team can better assist you and be aware of your needs and concerns. Make sure to:
If you can take your mind off a dental exam or procedure and distract yourself, it can be very helpful. Maybe bring headphones if the sound of a drill bothers you. You can listen to your favorite music or maybe an audiobook or podcast. You can also try squeezing a stress ball or try a fidget gadget to keep your hands occupied. Many dental offices also have TVs and magazines that can occupy your attention.
Try and relax your mind – this is where relaxation begins. Deep breathing exercises are great for calming and clearing your mind.
If you’re feeling blue, your teeth might be, too. According to Delta Dental, recent research suggests that people with anxiety or depression may experience a decline in oral health. Understand the connection and learn what to do if it’s happening to you.
The link between oral and mental health is hard to ignore. Data showed:
The most obvious explanation for the link comes from the behavioral effects of stress, depression and anxiety. People with these conditions sometimes lose focus on oral health habits, which can lead to significant dental issues. Depression, for example, can cause people to brush and floss at irregular intervals, skip dentist visits, have unhealthy diets and self-medicate with smoking.
Learn More about the Link Between Oral Health and Mental Health
Biologically, depression and anxiety cause several factors that impact oral health. The stress they create manifests itself in the body as a hormone called cortisol. As cortisol levels increase, the immune system gets weaker. This can leave you vulnerable to mouth conditions like gum inflammation (gingivitis) and gum disease (periodontitis). In addition, medications prescribed for depression and anxiety can cause dry mouth. This lack of saliva can mean that food debris, plaque and bacteria aren’t getting rinsed from teeth easily, which can make it easier for cavities to form.
Anxiety, in particular, tends to be associated with several oral health issues. If you have anxiety, you’re more susceptible to:
As with depression, these issues may be attributed to a lack of oral care or as side effects of anxiety medication.
Related Articles:
The mouth is a great window to the rest of your body, so when you visit us at Adams Dental, we can take a peek into your overall health during your regular dental cleanings and exams. This could save you money, time, and health down the road. When your dentist can catch a problem early, there’s a much better chance of figuring out what’s going on and treating it early, with a higher success rate. Oftentimes, dentists can detect warning signs before we experience any symptoms. Actually, oral health is an easy way to boost your immune system, learn more HERE.
Luckily, when depression or anxiety takes a toll on oral health, there are ways to fight back. The simplest step you can take to maintain your oral health is to brush twice a day, floss daily and schedule regular dental appointments with Dr. Roberts and his team at Adams Dental Group. Keeping up these basic oral health habits can go a long way to keeping your mouth in tip-top shape.
Local dentist, Travis A. Roberts and his experienced, friendly team at Adams Dental Group offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the Kansas City, KS area. We have two locations that are conveniently located and offer appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At Adams Dental Group, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to specialty procedures, including dental implants, dentures, endodontic or root canal treatment, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at our West location (913) 296-8030 or our East location (913) 621-3113 to schedule an appointment.
Dr. Travis A. Roberts, DDS August 10th, 2021
Posted In: Services | Procedures
