Blog

Dental Insurance FAQ: The Basics

We at Family Dental Health understand that dental insurance can be a tricky thing to navigate. Evaluating dental plans and considering deductibles, benefits, which treatments are covered, and the mountain of other information insurance companies provide can be a headache in and of itself. Dr. David Case wants every Portland resident to have the power to control their own health, so here’s a simplified guide to the basics of dental health insurance. As always, if you have a question, don’t be afraid to give us a call!

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance is an excellent investment that helps Portland residents ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles. However, in order to get the best value from your dental insurance, there are a few things you need to know. Here are the answers to the most common questions we hear at Family Dental Health:

What is dental insurance?

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The Story of Caries Prevention

If we told you that your mouth is the site of a constant battle between teeth and bacteria, would you believe us? Alright, maybe it’s not that dramatic, but the fact that Portland teeth are always at risk of developing dental caries is no exaggeration. In case you’ve never heard about caries, Dr. David Case is going to take this opportunity to shed some light on what it is, how to stop it, and what Family Dental Health can do to help.

Dental Caries, Tooth Decay, and Cavities

What do dental caries and tooth decay have in common? A lot – actually, they are the exact same thing. When bacteria interact with carbohydrates as they are broken down in the mouth, they ferment and produce lactic acid, which eats away at the structures of the teeth. Considered the most prevalent chronic disease among adults and children, this condition is called dental caries, or tooth decay. Without proper care and regular dental appointments, the acid from bacteria will eat away the surface layer of the tooth, creating a hole, or cavity. In other words, dental caries (tooth decay) is the cause of cavities.

Caries Prevention

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Having Jaw Pain? The Importance of Teeth Alignment

Why Do My Teeth Need To Be Aligned?

The only reason people get braces is to improve their smile, right? Wrong! Occlusion, or the alignment of your teeth, is a crucial factor in the health and functionality of your entire mouth. It may not seem like anything more than a cosmetic issue, but malocclusion (misaligned teeth) can cause jaw pain, difficulty eating, jaw popping and more. Your mouth is a finely tuned digestive organ and even the slightest issue with teeth alignment could cause big problems.

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Gentle Dental Care in Portland

What if You Haven’t Been to the Dentist for Several Years?

Life is busy and we all have a long list of priorities to take care of, so it’s not hard to imagine that any number of things can get in the way of your regular dental hygiene routine, checkups and cleanings with Dr. David Case. You might just wake up one day and realize that you haven’t been to the dentist in years! That’s why we want to tell all our Portland patients about the gentle dental care we provide and why regular visits to Family Dental Health are so important.

What happens over many years of dental neglect? Do your teeth turn black and fall out of your head? What if you are really good about flossing and brushing, but don’t go to the dentist? What are the consequences of putting your dental health on the back burner?

The most important thing to remember is that your dental health is in your hands. Dr. Case wants all the folks in Portland to enjoy healthy mouths and proud smiles, but only you have the power to make it happen for your family. Going a couple months longer than you should between appointments won’t ruin your smile, but waiting years to get cleanings and treatment can have major effects on your dental health.

Here’s why:

Dental Hygiene, Tooth Decay, and Gum Disease

There’s a good reason Dr. Case encourages Portland patients to stay on top of their dental hygiene. Flossing and brushing every morning and night helps keep plaque from causing tooth decay, gum disease, and the painful, expensive complications that follow. Giving up on your toothbrush is certain to take a major toll on your dental health, and after a few years’ time, it will likely mean the loss of one or more teeth.

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