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Expanding on our dental services, we are proud to announce that Dr. Gutti will start accepting Medicaid Dental patients effective immediately. If you live in the Birmingham region and looking for Medicaid Dentist for your family, call us today at (205) 833-5405 to book appointment. For complete information on medicaid dental services, and what sets us apart, please refer to the following page:
In addition to Medicaid, we are also providers for many of the insurances, for list of accepted insurances refer to: Comfort Plus Insurance List
We are now accepting new patients (take Medicaid and other insurances) and serving Center Point, Birmingham, Roebuck, Trussville, Pinson, Clay, Tarrant City, Leeds, Moody, Gardendale, Fultondale, Springville, Pell City, Argo, Warrior, Huffman, other surrounding areas in Alabama.. Call us at (205) 833-5405 to schedule your appointment today.
Which toothbrush should I choose? This is one of the most frequent questions we are asked. There are so many choices of toothbrushes out on the market. So, how do you know which one to pick? Brands such as Crest, Colgate, Aim, Arm & Hammer, are just to name a few. There are three types of brushes to choose from. The options are hard, medium, or soft. Hard bristles are made for large teeth and sturdy gums. People who seem to accumulates plaque and tarter faster than other people, tend to use the hard bristled brushes. The firmness works good cleaning the area a little more aggressively than medium or soft bristles. But watch out! Do not brush too hard and end up causing enamel wear or gum recession. A medium bristled brush works good for all ages as long as the teeth are in good condition. The bristles are flexible but still do a thorough job of removing plaque. A soft bristled brush is good for people with sensitivity, children, and people with braces or other dental appliances.
There are many choices for the type of toothbrush you choose to use. Will it be manual or powered? Some studies say that powered toothbrushes reduce the percentage of plaque vs. the manual toothbrushes. Although, both work great! The biggest factor is how the person is operating it. The person’s brushing habits and how well they do it is the main key to plaque removal. Age and dexterity are two reasons that powered toothbrushes can be better for some people. For example, people who have arthritis will find it easier to use a powered brush. Teenagers are usually not great when it comes to oral hygiene. Having a toothbrush that does all the work for them is a good idea. Someone who has Parkinson’s disease can have a hard time brushing. This would be another type of person to recommend a powered brush too.
It does not matter what time you brush, just so you do it two to three times daily. If you are not sure if you are removing all the plaque, try a disclosing solution. There are rinses and chewable tablets that have colored dye in them. Once the dye is released and mixed with saliva, the dye will show the areas where plaque is still present. Whether you buy a manual or powered brush, make sure it has the ADA seal of approval. Brush for a total of 2 minutes each time and you will be good to go!
Teeth Decalcification Due to Braces
(Acuityortho.com)
Do you have white spots on your teeth? Enamel decalcification is a process in which the teeth lose calcium. Usually it is considered an early stage of tooth decay. With proper oral hygiene, usually decalcification can be reversed. If it is not reversed, it will eventually lead to cavities. Decalcification occurs due to plaque build up on the surface of teeth. Not brushing thoroughly, especially when wearing braces can lead to decalcification.
To prevent decalcification, brushing and flossing at least twice daily is a must! When teeth are not cared for properly, plaque will begin to build up. Plaque is a sticky, white substance that is made up of bacteria. This bacteria produces acids that can damage the tooth enamel, dissolving calcium in the teeth. The first sign of decalcification is the appearance of white spots on the teeth. When the surface of the tooth loses the mineral, it becomes more opaque, so that bright white spots can appear. If the white spots are not treated, they are likely to become decay. A cleaning appointment is the first step to treat the problem. Fluoride treatments are often used to help fight decalcification. If decalcification is severe, restorative work can be done. Usually dentists will cover the teeth with porcelain crowns or bonding resin (fillings). Regular dental visits are necessary to prevent decalcification. Please feel free to call our office serving in the Center Point, AL and Pinson, AL areas and we can answer any of your questions.
Are you afraid of the dentist? More than 19 million Americans have a phobia. One in 10 people are estimated to suffer from extreme dental anxiety. People with phobias have intense, unreasonable fears when faced with a particular situation, object, or activity. Around ten to twenty percent of Americans do not go to the dentist because of dental anxiety.
Dental Phobia is more of a problem than dental anxiety. The phobia makes people extremely terrified. People who have dental phobia know that the fear is not normal, but are unable to do much about it. They will do everything possible to avoid going to the dentist. Severe pain is usually the only reason some will make a trip to the dentist. Usually with dental phobia, someone will have trouble sleeping the night before their dental appointment. Some people get more and more nervous while waiting to be seen. Others have trouble breathing and extreme uneasiness when objects are placed in their mouth.
What causes dental anxiety and dental phobia?
Bad experiences at the dentist in the past
Fear of not being able to get numb
Fear of needles
Fear of pain
Invading personal space. This is when one might feel uncomfortable about the physical closeness of the hygienist or dentist.
Feelings of helplessness. People start to panic when they are not able to see what is going on.
Discussing these fears with your dentist is a good way to overcome it. The dentist will be able to make you feel more at ease once he/she knows what your fears are. If lack of control stresses you out, join in a discussion with the dentist about your treatment to ease the anxiety. Ask the dentist to explain what is going on at every stage of the procedure. Tell the dentist that you will raise your hand if there is any discomfort, or if you just simply need to take a break. This will mentally help ease the tension.
There are several options to help with anxiety. Nitrous Oxide or laughing gas is one of the most common forms of relieving dental anxiety. The level of nitrous and oxygen can be regulated and it wears off quickly so you do not have to have a driver. Another option is taking oral medication that calms and relaxes you (like Valium) prescribed by your dentist before your appointment. This can also be combined with laughing gas for a stronger effect. A driver may be required when taking oral medication for anxiety. Ask your dentist for details. If you have extreme dental phobia and the above options do not help, discuss with your options with your dentist. Deeper sedation options may require you to be referred to a specialist. These include oral conscious sedation and general anesthesia.
At Comfort Plus Family Dental, we offer extra comforts to help ease dental anxiety. Besides laughing gas, these include radio with headphones to block out noise, comfy blankets, tension-relieving cooling eye gel masks, and aromatherapy. You may also want to consider bringing your i-pod with you or listen to your favorite music through headphones on your cell phone. You can also wear sunglasses to help block out your surroundings during your appointment. Our goal is to make you as comfortable as possible during your appointments with us.
Flu season is here. If you are experiencing any of the flu-like symptoms, it is best to stay at home. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, coughing, and more.
The main way the flu viruses are spread is through the respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. These droplets land on surfaces and then will be transmitted through touch. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Keep your hands washed with anti-bacterial soap or use products like Germ-ex to sanitize your hands. The flu virus can live for two hours or longer on surfaces including doorknobs, pens, money, counter-tops, etc.
If you have had a fever in the last 24 hours, the dentist will most likely prefer for you to cancel your appointment. One sneeze is all it takes to infect other patients, along with the rest of the dental staff. Although dental professionals wear protective barriers such as gloves and masks, it doesn’t mean that is always enough to stop them from getting infected. If you are sick, please contact your dentist office before attending your appointment. Broken appointment fees will be waived when you are sick and contagious.
Do you ever suffer from cold sores? Cold sores are groups of small blisters caused by a virus called herpes simplex virus 1. Cold sores are typically located around the mouth and on the lips. The symptoms may include sore throat, itching or pain around your mouth, and lips. Other symptoms may include a fever and swollen glands.
There are different ways cold sores can be treated. Treatment options include creams, ointments, prescription medication and laser therapy. Your dentist may prescribe antiviral drugs to prevent future attacks. If you have a cold sore and have an appointment at the dentist, call them first to make them aware that you have a cold sore. Your appointment may have to be rescheduled until after it heal as the affected area may be painful, and could crack and bleed during treatment.
Are you self conscious about your smile? That is what cosmetic dentistry is for. Veneers are one option for transforming your smile. Veneers are custom made thin shells of porcelain that are designed to cover the front surface of the teeth. Veneers are bonded to the front of the teeth and can change their size, shape, color, or length. Many celebrities have had their smiles transformed with porcelain veneers.
Chipped Tooth Before Veneer (Photo Credit: http://www.aacd.com)
Veneers are designed to fix many issues including teeth that are discolored, broken, chipped, or worn down. Porcelain veneers are also very useful in closing gaps in between teeth. Since veneers are shaped differently for each patient, it is almost impossible to tell the difference between the real tooth and the veneer. Custom-made veneers do not get tea, coffee, and cigarette stains due to the high tech materials they are made out of. After the veneers are cemented, cold and hot sensitivity is pretty common. A thin layer of enamel is removed from the tooth which is what causes the sensitivity. This sensitivity usually only lasts a few days. Once your veneers are cemented, you should be able to eat and chew most things like you would with natural teeth. Although, use caution just the same as you would with your natural teeth. Do not chew ice, bite nails, or try to open bottles or rip things open with your teeth. Some dentists may also recommend that you do not into apples or other hard foods with your veneers, as they could come loose or fracture.
Chipped Tooth After Veneer (Photo Credit: http://www.aacd.com)
Treat veneers as you would the rest of your teeth. Brushing and flossing twice daily is a must! Some dentists will recommend using non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste. After the veneers are placed, a one week follow up visit is necessary. At this appointment, the dentist can see how your mouth is adjusting to the veneers.
Although veneers are expensive, everyone says that the cost is worth it. Veneers can last ten to fifteen years, or more. Our dental hygienist, Sheena, has had her own veneers for 15 years and they are still in great condition. To determine if veneers are the route to go, a consult with the dentist is necessary. The oral health of the mouth will be evaluated and treatment plan options will be discussed.
Ask our dental team how you can dazzle your new smile this coming year with veneers!
What kind of toothpaste do you like to use? This hygienist is actually a Crest person. Everyone has their certain brand, but Colgate Total is the number one recommended by dental professionals. Colgate Total helps prevent and treat gingivitis. Colgate Total has been researched and tested in depth more than any other brands of toothpaste worldwide. In fact, it is one of the few toothpastes that is approved by the FDA (Food & Drug Association).
People have started to panic due to reports that the ingredient Triclosan contained in Colgate Total is linked to cancer cell growth. Some questions about triclosan’s impact on people cannot be answered. People are exposed to many chemicals that may interact in the body which makes it hard to link one substance to one disease. Colgate Total has been on the market for almost eighteen years, and there has been no sign of a safety issue.
Colgate Total is approved by the ADA and more than forty dental associations. Agencies in the United States, Australia, and Europe have performed their own studies of Colgate Total, and all of them have confirmed that it is safe and effective in fighting and reversing gingivitis. It is the only triclosan toothpaste approved to be sold in the United States. If you have any questions, feel free to ask a member of our dental team!
Have you ever been asked to take antibiotics before your appointment? The first thing we should do as healthcare providers is to look at the patient’s medical history. When people take antibiotics before appointments, it is called pre-medication. Antibiotics reduce the risk of Infective Endocarditis. Infective Endocarditis is inflammation of the inner tissue of the heart caused by bacteria.
The two main conditions that people have to pre-medicate for are certain heart conditions and artificial joints. An example of artificial joints would be a knee replacement. One of the heart conditions to premed for would be someone who has had open heart surgery. The American Heart Association has information for people who need to take antibiotics before dental procedures.
What happens if a patient forgets to take the antibiotic before they arrive at the dentist office? If a patient does not pre-medicate one hour before the appointment, it is recommended that they take the antibiotic no later than two hours after the dental appointment.
If you have a heart condition or artificial joint, you should check with your primary care physician or cardiologist to see if pre-medication is necessary.
People with diabetes are at risk for mouth infections, especially gum disease (periodontal disease). Diabetes can also cause thrush and dry mouth. Thrush is a yeast infection in the mouth. Combined with dry mouth, diabetes can also cause the glucose level in your saliva to increase, which is what leads to thrush. Dry mouth can lead to soreness, ulcers, infections, and cavities. Diabetes causes blood vessels to thicken, which slows the flow of nutrients to your body. This makes it harder for your body to fight off any infection. People with uncontrolled diabetes have a harder time healing after dental procedures. An example would be having a tooth removed. The extraction site might not heal as fast since blood flow to the area can be less than what it should be. Smoking also makes people with diabetes have a higher risk for periodontal disease. Brushing and flossing daily as well as visiting your dentist regularly can help prevent problems that patients might experience due to diabetes. Also, be sure to control your blood glucose
Best Crowns, Bridges, Root Canal, Dentures, Fillings
