Noisy Jaw? Read This!

Thanks to the temporo-mandibular joint or TMJ (jaw joint), muscles of mastication, and facial muscles, we can chew, swallow, smile and speak. Temporo-mandibular disorder or TMD occurs when the function of TMJ and surrounding muscles is impaired.

Symptoms of TMD

• Tenderness and pain in the jaw muscles. The pain is more severe after waking up in the morning or after chewing foods or gums.

• Difficulty in opening and closing the jaws, sometimes locking of the jaws might occur.

• Unexplained headaches and having painful sensation in the neck area.

• Clicking sound when chewing, yawning, or opening the mouth widely.

• In severe cases of TMD, the mandible can be dislocated from its position.
  
  

Causes of TMD

Obviously, the causes of TMD are not always known, but in most cases stress is the prime suspect. The following are the most common causes:

• Bruxism or Grinding teeth, especially while sleeping at night. Some people, when stressed, severely clinch their teeth until the muscles of the jaw are exhausted causing great pain.

• Fractured or dislocated mandible (lower jaw)

• Some joint disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis

• Mal-occlusion, which occurs when your teeth are not properly aligned in your jaws causing extra forces on TMJ.

• Missing, worn or loose teeth

• Gingival diseases

• Ill-fitting complete or partial dentures

• Bad habits, like biting on hard objects
  
  

How Can You Treat TMD?

1. Avoid stress and learn how to relax.

2. Be careful for the type of foods you eat:

• Avoid chewing hard objects

• Avoid chewing gums for prolonged hours

• Avoid opening your mouth widely when you yawn

• Eat soft diet or cut your food into small bites

3. Massage your jaw muscles; rub and stretch them. This will definitely ease pain.

4. Put a cold or warm compress on the area of painful jaw muscles.

5. When you are relaxed, your upper and lower teeth should be slightly separated, your tongue relaxed against your palate (roof of the mouth), and finally, your lips must be relaxed and slightly touching each other.

6. If you are suffering bruxism, your dentist will advise you to put night mouth guard; this is a bite pad worn at night while sleeping to absorb the forces exerted by your teeth when clenching.

7. Beware that clenching of teeth increases after coffee (caffeine) and alcohol consumption. Try to avoid such drinks.

Visit drdavidzelby.com to learn more about TMD and other oral-related issues

Insurance Companies are Finally Beginning to See the Importance of Oral Health!

ATLANTA, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire -- 

 Georgians now have even more reasons to smile! Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofGeorgia (BCBSGa) today announced the availability of new dental plans in Georgia for small groups with effective dates of July 1, 2011 and later. These new plans from BCBSGa – Dental Prime and Dental Complete – are designed to support both oral health and overall health.

Why is this important? Research suggests a connection between poor oral health and certain health issues like gum disease, heart disease and stroke(1).  Evidence also suggests poor oral health can complicate or is linked to diabetes, heart disease, pneumonia, stroke and pre-term/low birth weight babies(2).  However, those who have dental benefits exhibit healthier behaviors, such as getting yearly physicals, dental check-ups, brushing twice daily, regular exercise and eating a low-fat diet(3).  In addition, 62 percent of employers view dental benefits as an essential component of their benefits package(4).

"We know dental insurance is one of the most valued benefits employers can provide to their employees and we are proud to offer these new plans to Georgians," said Morgan Kendrick, state plan president, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. "These new plans offer Georgia small group employers and their employees, industry-leading benefits that focus on dental health."

The networks supporting Dental Prime and Dental Complete are some of the largest dental networks in Georgia – Prime includes more than 85,000 access points nationwide, and Complete includes more than 96,000 access points nationwide(5).

"Having a choice of contracted networks allows small group employers solutions for controlling costs without reducing dental benefits," said Stuart Watts, regional vice president, Specialty Business. "Employers can select the Dental Prime-contracted network, which is the lower cost network, or they can pick the Dental Complete-contracted network, which allows even greater network access."

In addition, this new dental portfolio includes three core plan designs – Value dental plans, Classic dental plans and Enhanced dental plans. The Value plans include coverage for basic services such as cleanings, exams, X-rays and fillings. The Classic plans include basic dental services and additional coverage for major services, including implants. The Enhanced plans offer the greatest level of coverage with a higher annual maximum benefit and lower member coinsurance amounts. Both Classic and Enhanced plans can be quoted with a new optional feature to stretch benefits dollars even further via a maximum carryover provision. And, all three dental plans include coverage for brush biopsies for early cancer detection.

"We also offer voluntary dental plans for small groups, which are a win-win situation for employers and their employees," said Watts. "Employers can offer benefits to their employees at no cost to their company – employers only need to choose a benefits package, explain the benefits to their employees and administer the payroll deductions. In the end, employees are offered a benefits package that is usually more robust than they would receive on an individual plan, plus they receive the group rate."

For more information about the new Dental Prime and Dental Complete products, click here.

(1) Source: 2009-2010 Specialty Trends Report For the Employer Market
(2) Source: Oral Health America, http://www.oralhealthamerica.org/news/062204.html
(3) Source: NADP, The Haves and the Have-Nots: Consumers With and Without Dental Benefits, 2009
(4) Source: NADP, Purchaser Behavior Study, 2008
(5) Source: Definition: An access point is a location where a dentist practices. For example, if one dentist works at two different offices, that dentist has two access points.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association® . The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.  Additional information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofGeorgia is available at www.bcbsga.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/HealthJoinInBCBSGa, visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin or check out the Our Health Connects Us campaign site at http://connects.bcbsga.com/.

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgiahttp://www.bcbsga.com

To get a consultation on your dental insurance coverage contact Atlanta Dentist
http://www.drdavidzelby.com/

Science Daily Reports that Two Annual Dental Checkups Aren't Enough for Post-menopausal Women

ScienceDaily (Mar. 21, 2011) — Post-menopausal women have a new health message to hear. Two annual dental checkups aren't enough. Older women need more, according to research findings from the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and the Cleveland Clinic.

That message comes from a comparison study of women on and off bone-strengthening bisphosphonate therapies for osteoporosis. Leena Palomo, assistant professor of periodontics from the dental school, and Maria Clarinda Beunocamino-Francisco from the Center for Specialized Women's Health at the clinic, set out to study the long-term effects of bisphosphonate therapies on the jawbone, but came up with this new findings that impacts all women after undergoing menopause.

Twenty-eight postmenopausal women with normal bones were compared with 28 women on bisphosphonate therapies for at least two years or more. The participants (all between the ages of 51 and 80) received conebeam CT scans of their jaws and a complete periodontal check for dental plaque, bleeding, and loss of bone attachment and of the alveolar bone socket. Both groups of women had followed the recommended American Dental Association oral health standards to brush twice daily, floss and have at least two dental checkups a year.

The findings for bone strength and other markers for osteoporosis were similar for both groups. But the researchers found both groups had increased dental plaque levels, which could endanger the jawbone of normal postmenopausal women and reverse any benefits gained in bone mass. Dental plaque is the fuzzy bacterial material that covers the teeth when you wake up in the morning. The biofilm is a mixture of bacteria, bacterial waste and food particles stuck to the teeth and provide nourishment for more bacteria.
While women from both groups had similar bone health results and women on the long-term oral bone-strengthening therapies showed no signs of bone death, they had abnormal dental plaque.
Their findings were announced in the article, "Is long-term bisphosphonate therapy associated with benefits to the periodontium in postmenopausal women?" that was published in the February issue of Menopause.
Menopausal women at risk for osteoporosis also are at risk for periodontal disease, which affects bone that anchors teeth, says Palomo. A prior study by Palomo showed that short-term use of bisphosphonates had increased bone density in the jaw.
But over time, if the hard plaque is left on teeth, it triggers the processes for gum disease. Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is an inflammatory reaction that produces the cytokines protein reaction. Cytokines act like water runoffs on the side of the hill and erodes the socket that anchors the tooth in place. If that bone loss isn't stopped, Palomo said, a woman could potentially lose her teeth. She added that those cytokines also set in motion the process that weakens bones in osteoporosis. Palomo said women may need to see the dentist as many as four times a year to control dental plaque by deep periodontal cleanings.
"Women also have to realize that bone disease and gum disease are two separate diseases," Palomo said. The bisphosphonate therapy isn't enough to keep jawbones strong and healthy, she added, that means getting rid of the dental plaque.

Co-investigators with Palomo and Buencamino-Francisco were Holly Thacker, Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, Ohio); John J. Carey, Merlin Park Hospital (Galway, Ireland); and Mala Sivanandy, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital (Boston, Mass.). The Cleveland Clinic Foundation supported the study.

Read original article at http://www.sciencedaily.com/

Find out more Information on how to Get Rid of Dental Plaque from Atlanta Cosmetic Dentistry and Aesthetic Dentistry Specialists at http://www.drdavidzelby.com/

Facts About Dental Insruance

Have you ever left a dental office confused about your insurance? This is a frustrating feeling to have.

At AIDA, we strongly believe our patients deserve the best dental care services we can provide. In an effort to better educate our patients and readers, we would like to share some facts about dental insurance with you.

FACT #1

Your dental insurance is based upon a contract between your employer (or yourself, if you are insured independently) and your insurance company. Should questions arise regarding your dental insurance benefits, it is best for you to contact your employer or the insurance company directly.
Many dental offices, such as ours, offer to file your insruance electroically. This can save you time and hassle in the long run. Also, depending on the type of plan selected by your employer, insurance companies may require you to pay in full at the time of service. Insruance will then send a reimbursement check to the your home for the amount covered by your plan.

FACT #2

Dental insurance benefits differ greatly from traditional medical health insurance benefits and can vary quite a bit from plan to plan. When dental insurance plans first appeared in the early 1970’s most plans had a yearly maximum of $1,000. Today, some 30+ years later, most plans still have a maximum benefit of $1,000. That the premiums remained the same, allowing for a conservative yearly rate of inflation, your yearly plan maximums should be in excess of $4,500 today. Your premiums have increased, but your benefits have not. Therefore, dental insurance was never set-up to cover your services 100%; it is only an aid.

FACT #3

You may receive notification from your insurance company stating that dental fees are “higher than usual and customary.” Insurance companies never reveal how they determine “usual, customary and reasonable” (UCR) fees. A recent survey done in the state of Washington found at least eight different UCR fee schedules for one zip code in the Seattle area. The fees are somehow determined by taking “a percentage” of an average fee for a particular procedure in a geographic area. Average has been defined as “the worst of the best” or “the best of the worst.”

FACT #4

Many plans tell their participants that they will be covered “up to 80% or up to 100%,” but do not clearly specify plan fee schedule allowances, annual maximums, or limitations. It is more realistic to expect dental insurance to cover 30% to 50% of major services. Remember, the amount a plan pays is determined by how much the employer paid for the plan. You get back only what your employer puts in, less the profits of the insurance company.

FACT #5

Many routine dental services are not covered by insurance companies. This does not mean they aren’t necessary or appropriate, just not covered.

Learn About Dental Implants

Astra Tech, maker of dental implant systems, has developed a website for patients interested in dental implant treatment. Visit to learn about dental implants, implant proceedures, daily care of implants, and testimonials of patients who have benefitted from dental implants.

 likenaturalteeth.com 


For more information on Dental Implants Atlanta
http://www.drdavidzelby.com/

7 Foods that Help Protect your Teeth and Gums!

The type of food you eat can really influence your healthy smile exactly like flossing and brushing, imagine! Actually, each time you consume processed sugars or starches, you are helping the bacteria in your mouth to form more and more acids which cause all types of tooth caries , gingival and periodontal problems. Some foods can naturally fight caries, prevent plaque accumulation, make your enamel stronger, and give you a fresh breath.



1. Celery 

Chewing raw celery can protect your teeth in many ways; it will stimulate more salivary flow thus washing harmful bacteria, besides, celery is a natural abrasive food which can cause massaging of your gingiva and removing of the accumulated foods between your teeth.

2. Green Tea

Green tea contains very potent antioxidants called catechins; these substances are proved to kill oral bacteria which can convert sugar to plaque. Catechins can also eliminate the bacteria which causes halitosis. Try to drink two to five cups of green tea (decaffeinated) regularly.

3. Kiwis

Kiwis are very rich in vitamin C; actually, a big kiwi can provide you with more than your daily recommended dose of vitamin C by 100%.
Well, vitamin C is very important for the integrity of the collagen fibers in your gingiva, if this collagen network is impaired, the bacteria can easily attack and invade your gingiva, causing you inflamed and bleeding gums.

4. Parsley

If you chew parsley or mint after a pungent meal, you will maintain a fresh breath for a long time. As such herbs are rich in volatile substances called monoterpenes which travel quickly through your blood to reach your lungs, and their nice smell will be released in your breath.

5. Shiitake Mushrooms

A recent study has suggested that shiitake mushroom contains a special type of sugar known as lentinan; this sugar can prevent oral bacteria from forming dental plaque.

6. Wasabi!

Substance which causes Wasabi or Japanese horse-radish to be very hot is called isothiocyanates. In 2000, scientists have proved that isothiocyanates inhibits the growth of bacteria causing tooth decay. Believe it; eating wasabi few times weekly can protect your teeth from dental caries.

7. Water

It is recommended to drink eight glasses of pure water daily, actually, this is the best way to keep your gingiva hydrated and maintain a good salivary flow. Saliva is your best natural defense mechanism against harmful bacteria that causes dental caries and oral plaque. Furthermore, if it is difficult to brush your teeth after each meal, make sure you rinse your mouth with pure water, as water can wash excess food debris from your mouth and deprive harmful oral bacteria from their major source of nutrition.

Why People Ignore Dental Health

Dental Health Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri

Dental Health is an integral aspect of a healthy body, an aspect we tend to not keenly follow. Most of us are guilty of not taking our oral health with the seriousness it demands. This indifferent attitude of the common person is a major cause for dental problems that could have been intercepted at an initial stage. As many people later find out that oral health is cost effective to maintain but costly to ignore. Most of the people thinking brushing twice a day is the ultimate commandment of oral health and do not take any further action or initiative. Talk about dental health and it elicits an image of a mother forcing her kid to brush, to many of us.

Greater than 75% of the American population suffers from some degree of gum disease. This despite the country known well for the concern they show towards oral health. Here are 4 common reasons which are responsible for people tending to ignore their dental health.

1. No Pain

Pain is a leading cause for people to seek a doctor of any sort. Dental problems often do not elicit much pain (initially) leading to people to not scrutinize their oral health. Diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease are well known to progress with out any significant pain until the disease process has established itself. Pain in tooth decay often occurs after the carious process reaches the pulp which means there is nothing you can do except a root canal treatment.

2. Visibility

People take great care of their skin, face as they are aspects of the body which are obvious to people around us. Nothing wrong with that, it’s the human tendency to do so. But, this leaves the dental health out of a person’s priority list. Although, due importance is given for a person’s smile, no concern is shown towards the rest of the dental arch due to lack of visibility. It’s unlikely that a person is going to open his mouth, look in the mirror and go scouring for dental cavities and the like.

3. Fear

The dentist has been traditionally feared due to various reasons. A greater percentage of people have no subjective fear. They fear the dentist because others do so. This non-subjective fear is a harmful one and difficult for a person to overcome. Subjective fears are due to prior dental visits which did not go as the patient desired. Fear is a very compelling emotion and a common reason for many to avoid the dentist. This is often known as dental anxiety or dental phobia. This is evident by the e-presence of many dental anxiety forums, websites and groups on social networking websites.

4. Cost

It is hard to ignore the fact that dental procedures are quite costly to undergo. The fact that most health insurance agencies do not cover dental work is also a hindrance for many. It is has been recently said by President Obama that he would like dental health to be covered. This would be a boon to many people who are procrastinating on their dental health due to the cost involved. People often do not realize that it would cost them more if they do not address the dental problem as soon as possible. Like I said earlier oral health is cost effective to maintain but costly to ignore.

There are plenty of other reasons which are specific to individuals for ignoring their oral health. Few people realize the affect their dental health can have on general health. An initiative needs to be taken by the Government to bring about awareness to the public on dental health aspects. Till then, it is just up to the dentists.