Brooke Porter DDS

Lots of talk about Veneers

Patients come in to the office every week and want to know about veneers. Several companies run ads in many different magazines that make us think that we can even pop false teeth over our own to give us the smile we have always wanted. The biggest selling point is : NO SHOTS!! But, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Almost every patient can have the smile they want if they follow a few simple tips.

1. Of course, brush twice a day. It will remove plaque that helps bacteria cause cavities and inflammation in the gums and will let your natural teeth sparkle more.

2. Use floss or a floss aid to minimize stain in between the teeth and help the teeth stay in their spots.

3. If your teeth are healthy, try Crest white strips to help the front six teeth to brighten. These really do work to lift the color up 4 shades.

4. If you need your teeth filled,or if your teeth are not in the right alignment, talk to your dentist. There are so many new techniques in dentistry today that you ,with your dentist, can find out what is the perfect smile for you.

Things that are cool about my job

Every once in a while someone comes in with a panicked look on their face and are embarrassed to show me what the panicked look is for. This week someone came in thinking that they had cancer. I asked what caused him to think this and he said "LOOK!" At that instant, out came his tongue.

All over the top of his tongue was a thin coat of black fuzzy stuff. If you have never seen this before, it can be gross, but I think it is kinda cool.  Cool, because I know what it is and by knowing what it is, it makes me look really smart. This is called BLACK HAIRY TONGUE and is a side effect of some antibiotics, blood pressure medications,psychotropic drugs, smoking, poor hygiene, coffee, tea and even certain mouth rinses. It is the elongation of the taste buds on the back of your tongue and they pick up stain and discolor over a short amount of time. NOT TO WORRY!!!! Most of this is cleared up by getting off the medication that is doing this and by brushing your tongue twice a day.

As a side note, oral cancer is nothing to talk lightly about. There are very reliable screening tests that are available through dental offices that can catch cancer so early that hopefully we can see a decline in this type of cancer soon.

Dental Insurance Questions

Here are some insurance answers that our resident insurance guru Melisa H. fields almost weekly.

What insurance companies to you take at Azle Dental Care?

Any traditional or indemnity plan, that allows a patient to see any dentist of their choice.

Are you in my network?

No, Dr. Porter is not a preferred provider for any insurance plans.

Why not?

Dr. Porter does not want the insurance company to determine what kind of care she can provide her patients.

How do you know what my insurance will pay?

With your permission, we are able to "estimate" your insurance by calling to verify your coverage before your appointment. We call your insurance company to get a break down of what percentage's are paid on each procedure needed. We also inquire about any frequency limtations or waiting periods you may have.

Do we have to file a pre-determination before we can start my treatment?

No, your insurance can suggest that you file a pre-determination if you want to find our exactly what your part will be. But they cannot force you to file a pre-determination.

Hope this helps a little. If not or you have other questions, feel free to email Melisa. You can also tell her how much you like her picture. What exactly is she doing with her hands?

Antibiotics

Everyone wants antibiotics when they are sick. We think that these pills are a magic bullet, but most of the time, in the mouth, the source has to be taken care of, or the infection will come back. It is very rare that if an infection starts in the mouth that an antibiotic will totally heal the problem. This is unlike a sinus infection or other infection in the body.

I had a patient this week tell me that he had taken half of the antibiotics I had given him and saved the other half for "just in case". This does not work. It will let the bacteria causing the infection build a resistance to it and the second time this medicine is taken,it will not help the infection. Please take all of the prescription that you are given, so you will have a better chance of healing the right way.

Questions from this week at the office

Everyday I am blessed with the chance to meet people I do not know and see friends I haven't seen for six months.Not many people get this opportunity. Most of us see our family and friends around the holidays or at reunions and that is it. After I catch up with my friends about what is going on, I feel obligated to look at their teeth. ( That is really why they are there- even though I think it is to visit with me :)

Once we finish chit chatting, I am usually asked questions that have been on their minds about their teeth. So, here are the top 3 questions for this week:

After I bleach my teeth, will it last forever?

Answer: Nothing lasts forever, but bleaching is pretty close. Once you go through the bleaching process (at the office, we call it whitening) you can keep your pearly whites white by using your gel for a one hour touch up the same week you get your teeth cleaned.

What is the best toothpaste?

Anything that has fluoride in it. Toothpaste is a social habit. We use it to make our breath feel fresher so we can get up close to talk to each other. You can remove the cavity causing bugs off your teeth by using an electric brush alone. Taste IS important though. Most people prefer a minty flavor although my daughter likes watermelon flavored Colgate. YUKKK!

How do I clean my denture?

SOAP and WATER. I will type that again... SOAP and WATER. Dentures, partials and retainers are made with plastic and metal like a plate and a fork. You wouldn't clean your plates with toothpaste, so don't clean your appliances that way either. Efferdent and products like it are great for once or twice a week use. You can handle the stain with soap and using Efferdent on Sundays, you don't need to use it daily. It ends up costing too much. Also rinse the appliance off really well and then put a dash of mouth wash or toothpaste so it won't taste bad.

If anyone has a question for me, I'll answer it next time. Just post it on this topic.