The Laser Dental Group

With terms like PPO, HMO, in-network, and out-of-network to describe dental benefits, it's no surprise that many don't understand how to make the most of their plan. This means you may be overlooking benefits that are critical to maintaining your oral health. Don't settle for just what you understand as part of your coverage. Read on for 5 simple tips to take advantage of everything your plan has to offer. Tip #1: Take Time to Understand Your Plan The best way to take advantage of your plan is to ensure you know the type of plan it is and its deductibles, copayments and annual maximums. There are two main types of dental plans: HMO Plans - with an HMO, you'll be required to choose a dentist in your primary network to handle most of your needs. You are charged a relatively low copayment for office visits, procedures etc. There is no coverage if you visit an out-of-network provider. HMO's typically have no deductible or maximum. PPO Plans - With a PPO, you

Your teeth are supposed to last a lifetime. But some common habits could be reducing the durability of your teeth without you even realizing it. By recognizing the habits that can compromise the structure and health of your smile, you can take steps to protect it. 1, Avoiding Regular Dental Care Many individuals skip regular dental cleanings or avoid getting necessary procedures due to anxiety, a lack of time, or other personal reasons. However, doing so can cause tooth cause tooth decay, gum disease and other common oral health issues. As such, you should be sure to visit the dentist every 6 months for a professional cleaning and also, as necessary, if you notice a change or issue with your teeth. 2. Brushing Too hard Brushing is an essential component of good oral health, but not when done incorrectly.  Brushing too hard can wear down enamel, irritate your gums, increase your teeth's sensitivity, and cause cavities . By purchasing a soft bristled or an electronic toot

What if your dentist told you that x-rays can be done in a single sweep, expose you to less radiation than a round trip flight from Paris to Tokyo, and result in a complete, 3-D picture of your mouth in as little as a few seconds? For anyone who has ever had a mouthful of bitewings, it's a dream come true, thanks to a relatively new technology called "cone beam radiography". If you've never heard of it, you could be missing out. Here's the scoop on this revolutionary diagnostic tool and what it could mean for your oral health. What Makes Cone Beam Radiography Different? Unlike traditional x-rays, which require exposure for one flat image, cone beam radiography - also known as cone beam computed technology, or CBCT - can yield hundreds of images from just a single scan. Rather than having a beam pointed to a specific area of the mouth, a machine rotates around the patient (similar to CT scanners used in the medical field), capturing panoramic images of the mo

The verdict is in: electric toothbrushes are here to stay, and they mean business for your teeth! By now, you've probably seen them on the shelves, on TV or in magazines. Dentists endorse them, and most are ADA-approved - but if you swear by your manual toothbrush, these benefits just might convince you otherwise. The Pros of Using An Electric Toothbrush Making the switch from a manual to an electric toothbrush doesn't change the amount of time it takes to thoroughly brush your teeth (approximately 2 minutes), nor should it alter your brushing techniques, but this is where the similarities end.  Some of the biggest advantages of electric toothbrushes over traditional toothbrushes are: 1. Effortless brushing. Because a motor oscillates and rotates the brushes for you, it requires less energy to brush your teeth.  Many even find the rounded handle of electric toothbrushes to be easier to hold, and with less force required, brushing can still be done thoroughly without us

There's no way around it: the time has come for your wisdom teeth to be extracted.  According to the horror stories out there, you are in for nothing but non-stop agony, but you don't have to share the same fate! Being proactive and fully prepared for what happens during and after surgery can minimize the pain and help ensure a smooth recovery.  Make the experience easier  on yourself by following these expert tip and tricks. Read the procedure and recovery guidelines well in advance. Understanding what to expect at every stage of the process can help you plan and gather  items for  your recovery more efficiently.  Knowing potential complications that can arise such as Dry Sockets, a painful condition due to blood clot failure or Parasthesia,  a  numbness of the lip, chin and/or tongue- can also help you detect and address  serious problems immediately.  Be sure to raise any questions or concerns with  your dentist at this time to save you from having

When it comes to taking care of your teeth and keeping your smile looking great, your toothbrush plays an essential role.  But, how much thought do you actually give to your toothbrush when selecting one or caring for it over time?  Probably not much! Choosing the right toothbrush, caring for it, and knowing when to replace it are all essential components of great oral health.  Below, we discuss each to ensure your toothbrush is helping rather than harming your smile! Choosing the Right Toothbrush The toothbrush aisle at any store can be overwhelming, making it difficult to find exactly what you're looking for.  It may help to know that the best toothbrushes all share a few common characteristics: Head Size - For most adults, the toothbrush head should be half an inch wide and one inch long.  This will help to ensure that all surfaces of the teeth can be reached.   Bristle Type - Soft bristles are ideal are ideal for most people; they feel best on the teeth and gums an

Need help whitening your teeth? Want to quit smoking? Trying to lose weight? There's a chewing gum for all of that and more. New types of chewing gum are introduced all the time, but did you ever wonder how it managed to gain such a grip on consumers? Believe it or not, people have had a love affair with gum for thousands of years. From humble beginnings to hundreds of varietis, here's a look at how chewing gum rose to become the powerhouse product it is today.  How it Originated Long before William Wrigley Jr. made a name for chewing gum, ancient civilizations were tapping into trees and other sources of resin and chewing on soft rubbery substances both for enjoyment and medicinal purposes.  Evidence indicates prehistoric Europeans would chew on birch bark tar quite possibly to help relieve toothaches, while Aztecs and Mayans would turn to gum from the chicle tree to appease their thirst or hunger. In North America, Native Americans favored spruce tree resin and it be

Take notes, tired parents! If you've all but emptied your bag of tricks to get your little one to brush and floss regularly, there are still a few more cards you can put up your sleeve to help keep smiles cavity-free. Give these sneaky (yet proven) dental hacks a try to preserve your child's oral health: 1. Have teeth coated with dental sealant. Typically used to prevent tooth decay in permanent teeth, it is now being used more and more by pediatric dentists to protect precious baby teeth as well. In as little as a few minutes, a thin, durable barrier can be applied to the pitted surfaces of your child's teeth to keep harmful bacteria from doing lasting damage. Since sealant is invisible to the unpracticed eye, your child won't even notice it's there. 2. Do another round of brushing when your child is asleep. It can take time for your child to adopt good dental habits, but it doesn't take long for plaque to do a number on teeth and gums. On days you

Have a dental appointment scheduled sometime soon? Sit back, relax and get ready to open your mouth – but not just to have it examined! Taking your smile to the next level involves more than just a routine checkup and cleaning; for truly noticeable changes, you'll need to start off by having an in-depth chat with your dentist. Make the most out of your next visit by asking these important questions: 1. What more could I be doing to help preserve my oral health? You'd be surprised by the information your dentist can glean by looking inside your mouth. Damaged enamel, for instance, can point to an overly acidic diet, and/or unnecessary pressure on your teeth. Gingivitis and tartar can indicate improper brushing or flossing. Even your breath can speak volumes; a foul odor can signify decay, dry mouth or an underlying health condition. Whatever your dentist discovers, have him or her spell it out, along with helpful tips and recommendations, of course. Walking away with a pla

It can freshen up your breath faster than brushing, but does mouthwash really make a big difference when it comes to your oral health? You may be surprised to find that looks-or in this case, smells-can be deceiving! Oral rinses are not created equal, and if you're not careful, some can actually be more harmful than helpful.  Find out whether your go-to for gargling is doing you any good, or if another mouthwash makes sense for you. Therapeutic vs Cosmetic Mouthwashes Most mouthwashes claim to eliminate bad breath, but how they go about doing this can differ significantly.  In general, over-the-counter oral rinses fall into two categories: "Therapeutic" Mouthwashes Comprised of various anti-microbial agents, these mouthwashes have plaque fighting properties that can give your oral hygiene an added boost by inhibiting the growth of oral bacteria.  Oftentimes, they may be further enhanced with fluoride to help combat tooth decay.  Therapeutic mouthwashes proven to

It's undeniable that fluoride has played a major role in the decline of dental cavities in the United States.  However what isn't so clear to many parents is whether or not fluoride treatments are safe and/or beneficial for children. After all, children receive fluoride on a regular basis from many different types of foods and even water.  Through these sources alone, minerals lost due to plaque, bacteria and sugars are  remineralized on teeth. So, is an additional fluoride treatment at the dentists necessary and if so, at what age are the treatments most beneficial? Read on to find out. Why You Should Consider Fluoride Treatments For Your Child While it's true that fluoride found in foods and water can replace lost minerals, it sometimes isn't enough to strengthen teeth and protect against cavities.  In fact, if you don't consume enough natural fluoride, demineralization will occur much more quickly than remineralization, leaving enamel at risk and causin

How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions?  Are you still watching your diet?  Keep in mind, having  a sugar-free label does not make a product tooth-friendly. Sugar-free beverages and candies can be as damaging as those containing sugar. The studies found that the majority of soft drinks and sports drinks led to softening of dental enamel - the outer layer of the tooth - by between a third and a half. Researchers at the Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), based at the University of Melbourne, Australia, tested 23 different types of sugar-free drinks - including soft drinks and sports drinks - and found those that contain acidic additives and those with low pH levels cause measurable damage to tooth enamel, even if they have no sugar. While most people are probably aware of the link between sugar and tooth decay, what is perhaps less well understood is the nature of that link, and why drinks that are acidic - whether they contain sugar or not - can also b