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Dental hygenists in Florida may soon be able to administer shots

Posted on March 6th, 2012 No Comments

Dental hygienists in Florida may soon be able to administer shots of local anesthesia to patients.

According to officials, the bill, SB 1040, has already been passed by the House and is now on its way for final approval from the governor.

The bill states that dental hygienists who want to be able to do this will have to get a cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate by passing a 60-hour class. The bill also states that the hygienist will only be able to give shots to those over 18.

Quality dental care is an important part of keeping your teeth as healthy as possible. If you or a loved one are looking for a dental professional, contact the Austin dentists BrideView Dental today by calling 512-347-8299 today.

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Poor dental care may lead to ER visits

Posted on February 28th, 2012 No Comments

New data released from the government shows that more Americans are having routine dental procedures done in the emergency room then taking the time to have preventative care done.

Having this work done in the ER, is not only 10 times the price, but also the treatment options are not as beneficial for patients. A majority of these ER visits are due to toothaches which could have been prevented from regular check ups and dental cleaning.

Between 2006 and 2009, the number of visits to the ER  due to dental problems increased by 16 percent. This increase resulted in more than $88 million in charges for patients.

Many of these visits are follow-up visits because the original issue that they are admitted to the ER for can not be corrected during their first ER visit because the doctors do not have the correct tools to do so.

If you are looking for an experienced dentist in your area, contact the Austin dental service professionals of BridgeView dental today by calling 512-347-8299.

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Taking your child to the dentist for the first time

Posted on February 22nd, 2012 No Comments

Many kids are scared at the thought of the dentist office and there are a few things that parents can do in order to help ease their children into it.

First, parents are encouraged to bring their children along on a visit in order for them to watch what happens before it is their turn. Also, talk about the benefits of a dentist and how great their smile will look as a result. It is also important to choose what you say to your child carefully and avoid words such as “drilling” and “scraping.”

Another thing that can be done is reading books about the dentist to your child. For example, a book about a  favorite cartoon character’s trip to the dentist may ease a child’s mind. The last tip is to be patient with your child because some children will be scared no matter what and it may take a few visits for them to feel more comfortable.

If you are looking for an experienced dentist to help you with all of your dental needs, contact the Austin dentists of BridgeView Dental today by calling 512-347-8299.

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Spending for Valentine’s day reaches all-time high

Posted on February 14th, 2012 No Comments

This year, Valentine’s spending is at an all-time high reaching over $17 billion in candy, jewelry, cards and other private items.

According to the National Retail Federation, the average person will spend roughly $120 on their loved one this Valentine’s Day. This total is the highest that it has been in over 10 years.

The Los Angeles Times, the cost also varies for men and women because men end up paying an average of $168.74 and women an average of $85.76.

One candy maker, See’s Candies, has stated that they sell nearly $3 million pounds of chocolate during this holiday season. Officials at the store have said that the biggest increase begins on February 1 and continues through the holiday.

 

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Link between poverty and dental health discussed in forum

Posted on February 7th, 2012 No Comments

Public forum in Grand Forks, North Dakota discussed the connection between poverty and dental health in order to discuss how things can be worked on at the state level.

Participants in the forum discussed how financial setbacks can prevent people from being able to afford dental care. Poverty has a huge impact on whether a person receives dental care or not. Lack of insurance, Medicaid and lack of transportation are all reasons that a person whom is living in poverty may not receive dental care.

“If you’re wondering about where your next meal is coming from or if your electricity is going to be shut off, going to the dentist is just not on the front burner,” said Rae Ann Hanson, an employee of Valley Community Health Centers in Grand Forks. “For most people it’s a basic need, but to those living in poverty, it’s a luxury.”

Dentists in the North Dakota area are trying to do what they can in order to help those who are living in these conditions to receive dental care. Over the last seven years, dentists in the state have donated nearly $1.5 million.

If you or a loved one has been searching for quality dental care, contact the Austin dentists of BridgeView Dental today by calling 512-347-8299.

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Baby’s dental health important for the future

Posted on January 31st, 2012 No Comments

Although children’s first set of teeth are not permanent, how they are taken care of can affect the health of the permanent teeth. Even at birth, children have 20 primary teeth under their gums that will make way for 32 permanent teeth.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, it is important to clean infants’ gums after every feeding. This can be done with a baby soft-bristled tooth brush or a clean wash cloth. When their first teeth start to appear, they should be cleaned at least once a day. Fluoridated toothpaste is suggested since children cannot spit on their own.

Leaving a bottle of milk, juice, or formula with the child while they go to sleep is the leading cause of tooth decay in children. It’s better not to leave a bottle in the crib for safety reasons, but a bottle of plain water is safest.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment or talking to our dental healthcare staff, contact the Austin dental professionals at Bridgeview Dental by calling 512-347-8299.

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MA dentist charged for dangerous root canal surgeries

Posted on January 26th, 2012 No Comments

A Massachusetts dentist plead guilty this week to four charges, including assault and battery and Medicare fraud, after he used parts of paper clips instead of stainless steel rods as posts in root canals. He told authorities he did it to save money.

Several patients complained of infections after having a root canal. Experts say that paper clips have a very limited use in dental procedures and should never permanently be left in.

The 53 year-old former dentist is no longer allowed to practice dentistry in any state. His sentencing date is scheduled for next week, and he could face a decades-long prison sentence.

If you have a diseased or infected truth, root canal therapy can provide you with relief. Contact the trusted Austin root canal therapy experts of Bridgeview Dental today at 512-347-8299 to learn more about this procedure and how we can help you.

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How to get rid of bad breath

Posted on January 17th, 2012 No Comments

When brushing and flossing don’t seem like enough, many people turn to mints and mouth wash to fix bad breath. But for the most part, mints and mouth wash only mask bad breath, not get rid of it.

One way to get rid of bad breath germs is to clean your tongue. The tongue has tiny filaments that can trap in food particles and bacteria. You can clean your tongue with a toothbrush, a tongue cleaner, or even the edge of a spoon.

Saliva helps break down odor causing bacteria in your mouth, so a good way to fight bad breath is to make your mouth salivate. Chewing sugarless gum is an easy way to produce more saliva and get rid of bad breath.

Drinking more water is also a great way to keep bacteria to a minimum– and it’s beneficial for your overall health.

However, if you experience consistent bad breath it could be a sign of tooth decay.

If you are interested in setting up an appointment or discussing your dental-care needs with our Austin dental technicians, contact BridgeView Dental by calling 512-347-8299.

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Could licorice prevent cavities?

Posted on January 11th, 2012 No Comments

In a new study published by the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Natural Products, licorice root could help fight the bacteria that causes cavities.

Unfortunately, the licorice candy is not the same as the licorice root. Dried licorice root has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries and a clinical study conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine showed that licorice root helped fight hepatitis C.

It is estimated that 92 percent of adults in the United States have or have had a form of tooth decay. The major compounds in licorice, licoricidin and licorisoflavan A, have been shown to reduce the growth of cavity and periodontitis-causing bacteria. However, licorice root extract could lower potassium levels and raise blood pressure.

Licorice root can be found in some of Tom’s of Maine toothpaste products.

If you or someone you love suffers from periodontal diseases, contact the Austin dental specialists of Bridgeview Dental at 512-347-8299 today.

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Make a New Years Resolution to improve oral health

Posted on January 4th, 2012 No Comments

The most common New Years Resolutions are to lose weight and spend less money; both of these resolutions can be achieved by taking special care of your oral health.

Eating healthy and exercising aren’t just good for your heart and appearance. Restricting the amount of sugary foods and drinks you consume is important to keep your teeth and gums healthy, as people suffering from diabetes and obesity are known to have high risks of periodontal and gum disease.

Visiting your dentist twice a year could also save you money in the long run. Oral treatments or surgeries can be avoided, as well as problems with overall health, if your teeth and gums are healthy.

If you are interested in setting up an appointment or discussing your dental-care needs with our Austin dental technicians, contact BridgeView Dental by calling 512-347-8299 for more information.

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