Category Archives: Dental Articles

Why Should I Use a Custom Fitting Sports Mouth Guard?

BlogSpot Archive, Patient EducationBy Freedom Dental of West Chester July 30, 2014

With football, soccer, and other sports starting back up this month, it is a good time to review the importance of your children (or you) wearing mouth guards. Football is a high contact sport and it is logical that participants protect their teeth, gums, and jaw bone from injury. However, sports like soccer, basketball and volleyball can involve high impact collisions, but mouth guards are not yet required. Protecting your children with sports mouth guards lowers the threat of injury to their teeth, and new evidence is suggesting that it may even reduce the risk of concussions.

Why College Students are at Risk of Cavities?

BlogSpot Archive, Patient EducationBy Freedom Dental of West Chester July 24, 2014

Too often we see students return home after year or two away at college with a number of cavities in between their teeth. Many of them don’t have a history of getting tooth decay, so it can definitely be disconcerting. So what happened while they were away that created all of these cavities? Below we will discuss different things to avoid and what your child can do to remain cavity free.

What Does the Term ‘UCR’ Really Mean?

BlogSpot Archive, Patient EducationBy Freedom Dental of West Chester July 16, 2014

For anyone that has dental insurance, chances are you have seen or are familiar with the phrase Usual and Customary Rate (UCR). Dental insurance companies like to use this term, but what does it mean for the average person and how was this number determined? Our goal is to help you better understand where these numbers come from and how it is applicable to you.

Teeth Bleaching: Take Home vs. In Office

BlogSpot Archive, Patient EducationBy Freedom Dental of West Chester July 8, 2014

More than ever before, people want to know if they can whiten their teeth and what is the best way to go about doing so. Should you try over the counter or professional whitening? Should you bleach at home over a longer period of time or try to do it in one appointment at the dentist? We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Is Your Insurance Company Trying to Decide the Treatment you need?

BlogSpot Archive, Patient EducationBy Freedom Dental of West Chester June 26, 2014

If you have dental insurance, chances are you pay hundreds of dollars each year to cover your family for the basics and in case something goes wrong. So if the time comes along that a major procedure is warranted, shouldn’t your insurance provide some help in covering a procedure that will give you the best long term result? The answer should be yes, but you will be disappointed to learn that this is not always the case.

Can the Dentist Help with Snoring or Sleep Apnea?

BlogSpot Archive, Patient EducationBy Freedom Dental of West Chester June 20, 2014

More and more people are being diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea than ever before. While snoring can be an indicator that you may be suffering from sleep apnea, there are also a number of other symptoms. The first step should be to consult with your physician to determine if you need to undergo a sleep study. Depending upon the findings of the study and the recommendations of your doctor, you may be eligible for an oral appliance to supplement or replace your CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine.

Traditional Dental Implants vs. Mini Dental Implants

BlogSpot Archive, Implant Dentistry, Patient EducationBy Freedom Dental of West Chester June 13, 2014

In recent years, mini dental implants have gained some notoriety as an option to help anchor dentures. Some dentists like the idea because they are less invasive and are less likely to have complications with nerves and other surrounding structures in the jaw. Patients like the idea of mini implants because they are less expensive than traditional implants. I want to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each and why we should remain cautious about extent to which mini implants are being used.

How Do We Check for Signs of Oral Cancer?

BlogSpot Archive, Patient EducationBy Freedom Dental of West Chester June 6, 2014

Every time you are in our office for an exam, both the dentist and dental hygienist perform an oral cancer screening. Our goal is to understand you medical history, dental history, and any other risk factors you may have. Using this information we can help identify, treat, or refer you to the right person for any possible treatment.

Should I Try Oil Pulling to Whiten My Teeth?

BlogSpot ArchiveBy Freedom Dental of West Chester May 22, 2014

Oil pulling, which is an old folk remedy that originated in India, has been all the rage lately due to news coverage and social media sites. It involves swishing with an edible oil (coconut, sesame, or olive) for up to 20 minutes in your mouth before spitting it out. The goal is swish until the oil turns white, which allegedly shows that bacteria have been drawn out of your mouth.

Why do I Need to See the Dentist at Least Twice Each Year?

BlogSpot ArchiveBy Freedom Dental of West Chester May 5, 2014

If you have a history of developing cavities or stains on your teeth, it is obvious why you need to visit the dentist on a regular basis. However, for those who seldom have cavities or don’t accumulate much stain on the teeth, you may wonder why we insist on seeing you every six months. While there are plenty of studies and vast amounts of data to support six months check-ups, the bottom line is we base our recommendations on early detection and preventative care.