Baton Rouge Dentist

Why Aren’t Prices on Dental Websites?

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Hello there,

I have been checking a lot of cosmetic dentistry websites in my hometown, and have noticed something. None of them seem to put any price information on their websites! Why is that? I would like to know the cost of any dentist before going to their office. I don’t want to waste time at a place I cannot afford anyway.

Why don’t more dentists put their pricing or costs on their websites? I, like many people, like to comparison shop. It would be helpful if more dentists put their cost information online.

Henry, from San Francisco, CA

 

Hi Henry,

You are correct, most dentists do not opt to put their pricing information online. One reason may be to avoid looking “cheap” or low quality to potential clients. Dentists know how to save their patient’s money, but posting this online may make them look unprofessional, like they cut corners or do shoddy work.

Some dentists that do post their prices online may be willing to work with you on the cost of dental work. However, in terms of dentistry, cheaper is not always better. In fact, cheap dental work may end up costing you more in the long run, as it may be made from lower-quality materials or may break in ten years instead of the usual fifteen to twenty. For example, a dental implant that costs more upfront but lasts fifteen years ends up being less expensive than a cheaper option that lasts only ten.

While cheaper is not always better, the most expensive option does not guarantee the best quality work, either. It is best to opt for a dentist whose fees are in between. To find out an office’s fees, call a few local dentists and ask them for their prices for a few common procedures. For example, get the prices for a dental hygiene appointment, a porcelain crown on a molar, and a multi-surface anterior composite filling. Comparing these prices between a few dental offices will give you a good idea of which office is best in terms of affordability.

Getting long-lasting dental work is not something that easily lends itself to comparison shopping for the cheapest deal. Instead, aim for somewhere in the middle fee-wise, and you will end up better off in the long run.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge affordable dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

 

What Can I Do About a Tooth Infection?

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Hello there,

I am in a bit of a predicament. My job does not provide and medical or dental insurance. However, I’ve been battling with what I think is a tooth infection. My face is swollen and puffy, and it aches all the time. My job doesn’t pay a lot, so I don’t have the money to treat this. What can I do?

Christopher, from Kansas City, Kansas

 

Hello Christopher,

It does sound like you have a tooth infection. Your infection may start to drain, which would release some of the swelling you feel, but it probably will not do that without any intervention.

Many communities have low-cost or mobile dental clinics, or allow you to pay on a sliding scale. You can start calling offices to see who is willing to work with you. Universities often have low-cost clinics. However, if your pain becomes worse, you should go to see an emergency dentist. Oral infections, if left untreated, can spread to other parts of your body. If it spreads to your brain, it can become very serious.

While you are looking for a clinic, do not try to treat the infection with antibiotics on your own. Antibiotics cannot treat infections present inside of teeth, only the swelling. You will likely need a root canal or an extraction to fully rid your mouth of the infection. If you take an antibiotic without any sort of treatment plan, the infection may come back, and when it does, it will be resistant to antibiotics. This will make curing the infection even more difficult.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge emergency dentist, Dr. Ryan P. Perry.

How Long Does Tooth Whitening Last?

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Hi there,

I got a free teeth whitening kit with custom trays as a promotion from my new dentist. At first, I was so pleased with the results after just a few weeks. My teeth looked so much brighter! However, it didn’t last very long — they’ve gone back to their usual shade. I’m due to go back in for a check-up anyway. Did my dentist give me a poor quality kit on purpose, so I’d come back in for a real whitening? Or is it just a coincidence?

Alice, from Versailles, Kentucky

 

Hi Alice,

The whitening kit you received was likely a professional-grade whitening kit. How long your teeth whitening lasts is based on several factors, such as:

  • Whether you drink coffee, tea, or red wine
  • Whether you eat dark-colored foods like tomato sauce, soy sauce, or curry
  • Whether you are a smoker

If you enjoy any of the above to excess, your teeth will stain more quickly. Enjoying them in moderation, along with healthy oral habits, will extend how long your teeth whitening lasts.

To prevent staining your teeth, try the following tips:

  • Avoid eating acidic foods — they will wear down your enamel faster
  • Brush your teeth after meals or at least 2-3 times a day
  • Avoid sipping on acidic beverages such as coffee or tea, or sugary beverages like cola or sports drinks. Drink them quickly, or use a straw to minimize contact. If you can, brush your teeth immediately after.
  • Cut back or quit smoking.

You can also use your whitening kit for a few days to get your teeth back to the shade you like, and talk to your dentist about your options at your next visit.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge teeth whitening provider, Dr. Ryan P. Perry.

How do dentists truly call themselves “affordable?”

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I can’t figure out what a truly “affordable dentist” is. A few weeks ago I finally ventured to the dentist after a long time of not going. Honestly, I was in and out of jobs and situations with my family and boyfriend. I didn’t have the money then and really don’t have it now, but I decided I wanted to go anyway. What happens? I went to a dentist who was supposed to be affordable, but they wanted to do an extra treatment on my gums and extra cleaning on my teeth, and then they put fluoride on. Of course they found cavities, so now I have to go back next week. It all costs so much money. So is it just affordable to walk in the door?

Gina, Asheville, NC

Dear Gina,

That’s really frustrating to finally decide to spend the money on something so important, your oral health, only to find it wasn’t as affordable as you expected. Unfortunately, when you return to the dentist after a long hiatus, there is extra work that is sometimes required to treat your mouth and get it healthy.

Why do affordable dentists do extra work in your mouth?

The treatment on your gums is to help alleviate or ward off any gum disease.  Gum disease can affect not only your gums and teeth, but also the bones that hold your teeth in place. If left unchecked, in extreme cases, you could lose your teeth.

Your dental team was trying to help prevent cavities by treating your teeth with fluoride. Fluoride applied to your teeth at the dentist’s office is a higher concentration than that found in toothpastes and mouthwashes from the store. If you can prevent more cavities from forming, it will save you in the long run.

The unusual thing about your appointment is that the staff didn’t ask you before they started those treatments. Most offices have a protocol to ask before performing any treatment that will cost additional.

You were smart to search for an affordable dentist the first time. There are dentists who will do a free exam or first appointment to assess the health of your mouth, make a treatment plan with you, and discuss your options and prices so you know what to expect before you start. They may even be able to work with you on a payment plan. Call the dentists’ offices you are interested in and ask questions before your appointment. That way you won’t end up paying unexpected amounts, but you can still get the care you deserve.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Ryan Perry at Baton Rouge Family Dentist.

Can a Tongue Scraper Help With Bad Breath?

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Using a tongue scraper may help reduce bad breath, however will not eliminate the problem of halitosis completely. Post-nasal drip is a common reason for bad breath because it coats the back of the tongue with bacteria so a tongue scraper is somewhat effective in decreasing foul odor caused by sinus drainage. There is no standard treatment in treating halitosis; however tongue scrapers are significantly more effective at reducing the bacteria that causes bad breath over brushing the tongue alone.

Some people use mouthwashes, eat mints, chew gum, or stay away from offensive foods and drinks to cover up unpleasant odor but this does not work for everyone. If you feel like you can’t eliminate your bad breath problem, consult with your dentist. Periodontal disease (gum disease) is another common reason for foul odor in the oral cavity. When plaque collects under our gums, the bacteria in the gums releases sulfur compounds which have a bad smell causing our breath to be foul. About 75% of the population has some form of gum disease ranging from gingivitis to periodontitis. Signs of periodontal disease are as follows:

  • Red or swollen gums
  • Bleeding or tender gums
  • Hurts to chew
  • Your bad breath just won’t go away
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Loose teeth

We recommend if you are having any of these symptoms see your dentist right away.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Can My Loose Tooth Be Saved?

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I have a lot of plaque buildup and my bottom front tooth is shaking. Is there any way I can save it and will the dentist be able to clean my teeth without pulling the loose one out?

Thanks, Willliam

Dear William,

When teeth start to become mobile it’s usually a good indicator that gum disease is present. Knowing that you have a lot of plaque buildup your dentist will probably recommend a deep cleaning, in other words root planing and scaling to prevent you from losing more bone around your teeth. Depending on how mobile your lower front tooth is will depend on its longevity.

Have your teeth and gums evaluated by your dentist. They will know whether the tooth is savable or not. When teeth are a little mobile they can become fairly tight within the socket after a deep cleaning and you may be able to maintain it for years. After the deep cleaning is complete it is vital to go every three or four months for regular scheduled cleanings in order to maintain them and prevent you from losing more bone as well having good oral hygiene habits through brushing and flossing. Gum Disease not only causes the possibility of tooth lose but is linked to heart disease and diabetes, therefore highly important to treat your gum infection in order to prevent other health problems as well.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

How does chemo affect your teeth?

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I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and will be starting chemotherapy very soon. I was wondering how this will affect my teeth.

Thanks, Suzzanne

Dear Suzzanne,

Some common side effects of chemotherapy that affect our teeth are vomiting and a dry mouth. The longer you have to go through your chemotherapy treatments the more susceptible you can be to dental problems. It’s very common for patients to experience nausea from chemotherapy causing vomiting which leaves acid on our teeth, eroding the enamel, which can lead to tooth decay. We recommend rinsing out your mouth several times a day with a baking soda solution using ¼ teaspoon of baking soda with 8oz of warm water, after words rinse with water and wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth with an extra soft toothbrush. Using baking soda to rinse your teeth after vomiting helps neutralize the acid caused by vomiting.

Many patients complain of a dry mouth from chemotherapy treatment. The dryer our mouths are the more prone we are to plaque and tooth decay. Some things you can do to help keep your mouth moist are sipping on water throughout the day, sucking on ice chips or sugar free candy, or chew sugarless gum. Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol because the alcohol will dry your mouth out even more. Prescription fluoride toothpastes prescribed by your dentist should be used twice a day as well as flossing daily to help in the prevention of tooth decay.

Other side effects of chemotherapy affecting our oral health are swelling of the oral tissues, mouth sores, tissue and tooth pain, cracking of the lips, and difficulty swallowing. We recommend you consult your oncologist and your dentist about your dental concerns to learn more about the prevention of dental complications during your chemotherapy treatments.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

My Mom’s Breath Stinks

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I don’t know if me telling my mother that her breath stinks is the best idea. Every time she talks to my face directly I smell it. I find myself ducking my head or moving my head to the side. I feel bad when she asks me, “What’s wrong Honey”? She brushes her teeth twice a day and uses the fanciest toothpastes. She chews gum and has mints on a regular basis but it does not seem to make a difference. Her bad breath is so strong, it over comes the mint, smelling like bad breath with a small hint of mint. I don’t think she realizes how bad her breath is. Can you help me?

Thanks Stacy,

Dear Stacy,

The best way to handle this is to be honest, show concern, and let your mother know. If you are noticing her bad breath so are her friends and coworkers. One of the main causes of bad breath is gum disease which is an infection of the tissues and bone surrounding the teeth. Signs and symptoms of gum disease besides bad breath are gums that are red, swollen, and bleed easily as well as pain in the teeth. If gum disease has been left untreated for sometime teeth start to shift and become loose in the socket.

Gum Disease is the major cause of tooth loss and is quite common among the adult population, especially when dental checkups are avoided on a regular basis. Besides the possibility of losing one’s teeth due to gum disease it also causes other health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Gum Disease is very treatable, especially in the early stages and one can keep their teeth for the remainder of their life with good hygiene and frequent dental cleanings.

We recommend you discuss this issue with your mother and advise her to make an appointment for a dental exam to see if she does indeed have gum disease. If she is in the early stages of the disease her dentist will recommend a deeper cleaning to remove all the bacteria off of her teeth which will stop the disease from causing more damage to her surrounding tissues and bone however if she has severe gum disease he may recommend her to go see a periodontist who specializes in the treatment of this disease for further treatment. Once the disease is treated good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist on a regular basis are vital in order to keep the disease from progressing.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.