Archive for April, 2014

The California Dental Association is backing a bill to ensure patients get their money’s worth from dental insurance premiums

Currently, there is no standard dictating how much of patient premiums dental insurance companies must spend on patient care versus company overhead and administration. This makes it difficult for patients to compare dental plans on a like-to-like basis and make sure they’re getting the most for their money. A new patient protection bill sponsored by the California Dental Association seeks to change this.

The California Dental Association recently commissioned a study which showed that the loss ratios among dental plan provides ranged from 38 to 80 percent. In other words, some…

Medieval dentists understood some of the principles of effective preventative dental care if not the science behind them.

00The Middle Ages are typically better known for witch hunts than for science. However, though the practice of medicine at the time was far from scientific, scholars and physicians were working hard to record their observations and formulate guidelines for what they considered proper care. This was true of dentistry as well. As the work of one 15^th century writer shows, dentists in the Middle Ages actually got a surprising number of basic facts right about dentistry.

Giovanni de Arcoli, a professor of medicine and surgery in Bologna and Padua, recorded 10…

Cosmetic dental work doesn’t last forever. Visit a cosmetic dentist today to learn how your smile could be improved

If you’ve had cosmetic dental work done, you already know that this work won’t last forever. Fortunately, the skilled cosmetic dentists at California Dental Group can help with any of the following problems.

Discoloration

For most people, the solution to discolored teeth is a simple in-office teeth whitening treatment from a cosmetic dentist. However, if you have had dental work done, including white fillings, veneers, or crowns, these materials will not respond to the whitening compound. Not to worry, though. At California Dental Group, we can replace your dental work after your whitening…

Visit the dentist regularly and prevent emergencies from happening in the first place

The total number of dental-related emergency room visits nearly doubled between 2000 and 2010, from 1.1 million to 2.1 million visits, according to the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Various factors are at work in this trend, including Medicaid cuts and the lack of access to dental care in certain underserved regions of the country. A recent report from Rutgers University showed that young adults between 19 and 34 are the demographic most likely to show up in the emergency room wanting treatment for dental pain and infection. Young adults in low-income areas are particularly likely…

Choosing the right option for replacing missing teeth can have big impact on your quality of life

Although senior citizens are keeping more of their natural teeth longer than ever, tooth loss still affects many older Americans. By age 65, over 27 percent of seniors have no teeth left at all. Whether you have lost one tooth, several teeth, or all your teeth, getting them replaced with a quality prosthesis is very important for your oral health and your quality of life.

How Tooth Replacement Affects Oral Health

Failing to replace even a single missing tooth can have serious consequences for your oral health. Neighboring teeth will tend to…

Choosing a big practice like California Dental Group as your dentist helps ensure care is always available

A recent brief from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research raised concerns about a possible shortage of dentists in California based on shifting demographics of practicing dentists in the state. California has always had underserved communities, particularly in northern and rural areas, but for the first time a shortage is expected to affect wealthier, densely populated communities as well. Why? Because of how newly licensed and long-established dentists are acting.

More New Dentists Practicing Out of State

Right now, the number of dentists in California is still growing. However, the growth rate has slowed…

Answers to common questions about wisdom teeth

Many people only have to hear the words “wisdom teeth” to be filled with dread. There is a lot of misinformation out there about wisdom teeth, and in some cases it may be causing people to suffer needlessly or undergo unnecessary surgery. Here are some questions and answers that you can use as a resource to help you make informed decisions about caring for your wisdom teeth.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Sometimes called third molars, wisdom teeth are located at the very back of the jaw. They are the last teeth to develop and typically start coming through the gums between ages 17 and…

Dental implants offer an excellent way to replace missing teeth and restore your smile

Tooth loss is most often caused by dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontitis (gum disease). These two conditions are quite common in many Americans, but usually people are able to correct them with proper oral care at home and at the dentist. However, these conditions can worsen or become chronic if care is not sought. A variety of complex factors affect patients’ ability and willingness to seek care and maintain good oral hygiene. As a recent study shows, depression and anxiety are significant contributors to the severity of oral health conditions that can result in…

Chewing sugar-free gum after eating protects teeth from decay in 4 important ways

Chewing gum isn’t just useful for freshening breath. It can also help keep teeth clean and healthy, provided of course you’re chewing the right kind of gum. After significant study, it is now commonly accepted in the dental community that chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol can actually prevent cavities. Here’s how.

Sugar-Free Gum Helps Remove Food Debris

Chewing gum helps remove the little bits of food that can get stuck in teeth after eating. It’s especially helpful in getting sticky foods out of the nooks and crannies in molars, which are particularly prone to developing cavities. Without food debris to…

Do you really need an excuse for a smile makeover? Here are 4 benefits to consider.

Cosmetic dentists offer a variety of services including whitening, veneers, and orthodontics designed to help patients enjoy more beautiful smiles. No matter which of the following 4 reasons to visit a cosmetic dentist applies to you, California Dental Group is happy to help.

Improve Self-Esteem

Studies have linked straight, white, healthy teeth with improved self-image and self-esteem. A visit to the cosmetic dentist for a smile makeover can help you feel better about your appearance, which should help boost your confidence at work and improve your social life as well.

Fight Ageism at Work

Many members…