Good For Your Waistline, But Not Your Teeth!

If your new year’s resolution is to trim your waistline, be sure you are not affecting your teeth!  You may think that if you are drinking diet soda that your teeth are safe from the dangers of sugar.  We all know that sugar contributes to the development of tooth decay.  What you may not realize is diet pop can do almost as much damage to your teeth.  Diet sodas don’t have any sugar, but they do contain larger amounts of phosphoric and citric acid to enhance flavour.

These acids attack the enamel that protects your teeth which means you’re much more likely to get cavities and to develop irritations, cracks and sensitivity to cold.  People with orthodontic appliances (braces)) may be even more prone to decay, especially if they do not practice excellent oral hygiene. 

Any highly acidic drink can spell trouble including pineapple, orange and other fruit juices and sodas.

A tall glass of water following the consumption of highly acidic drinks will help, but the best way to reduce your risk is to brush your teeth.  Better yet, why not choose the very best thirst quencher?  Water has no fat, no caffeine, and no acid!

Dentists treat you, not your dental plan

According to the 2010 Canadian Health Measures Survey, 62% of Canadians have a dental plan, but many don't realize that group plans aren't designed to meet individual health needs.  "Dental plans are a valuable component of extended health benefits and are designed to offset the cost of dental treatment," says President of the BCDA.  "Understanding how dental insurance plans work can help patients make informed choices in partnership with their dentist or dental specialist.

Dentist's Responsibility

Just like your physician, your dentist is highly trained.  Treatment recommendations are based on your dental health needs, not dictated by your dental coverage.  A dental plan is a contract between a third party (such as your employer), and the insurance company.  The procedures and percentages covered are determined by the contract, not your dentist.

Your dentist can help you understand your coverage and assist you in getting pre-authorizations for treatment.  This will provide you with a good estimate, before treatment begins, of what will be covered by your plan, and what you will have to pay. 

Coverage Varies

Your dental coverage is part of your benefits plan, not based on your (or your family's) dental care needs.  Every dental plan is different.  Coverage varies based on what services are covered in the contract; percentage of fees covered for each service; and yearly maximums.  It is the plan purchaser, such as your union or employer, who determines what is covered when they purchase your plan -- not your dentist.

Patient's Responsibility

Dental office staff are not experts on your plan.  It is your responsibility to know your plan coverage, including any changes.  Ask your benefits manager or insurance provider for a plan booklet or information on your specific coverage.

The Co-Payment 

Regardless of the actual costs, most dental plans cover between 50% to 80% of the cost of dental care.  Any portion of the price not covered by your plan must be paid by you, and is referred to as the co-payment.  The claim form submitted to your insurance company is a contract.  Your dentist has an ethical and legal obligation to collect the co-payment from you.

As a service to you, at Acreview Dental Clinic, we bill the insurance company directly for the covered portion of treatment.  Dentists are not required to do this.  The full cost of the procedure, including the co-payment or the cost of any services not covered by the plan must be collected from the patient at the time the treatment is provided. 

How are dental costs determined?

The BCDA produces an annual suggested fee guide for dentists and dental specialists in BC. the majority of insurance plans base coverage percentages on this guide.

Dentists in Canada do not follow a fee schedule and set their prices to cover: lab costs and quality of materials required for your procedure paid for directly by the dentist; salaries; rent; mandatory continuing education; equipment; and all related costs in running their dental practice.

Source: British Columbia Dental Association

For more information visit the British Columbia Dental Association web site.

Brighter, Whiter, Holiday Smiles

Chic-Flic ToGo and Whiter Image Pens for Premium Cosmetic Teeth Whitening 

They're here!  Have a look at the You Tube video to see what it's all about...  We have a limited supply here in the office so call to reserve yours or stop by.  Finish off your holiday shopping with these perfect stocking stuffers!

Our Dental Spaaaahhh Menu

This is just a sample of the services we provide. If there is something you don’t see – please contact us to ask!  If there is something you would like more information about, please ask!

Cosmetic Services Tooth-colored fillings Tooth-colored inlays and onlays Metal-free crowns and bridges made of porcelain and/or ceramic. Ask us which is best for you! Porcelain veneers Smile makeovers without braces Cosmetic bonding Cosmetic tooth reshaping Laser Dentistry with Odyssey Diode Lasers Scalpel-free gum surgery Preventive Services Brushing and flossing instruction Preventive cleanings, stain removal Oral cancer screening using VELscope Sealants to prevent cavities Fluoride treatments for children and adults Athletic mouth guards Dental photography Implant Dentistry Placement of implants, including “mini-implants” Implant-anchored dentures Implant-anchored crowns and bridges Digital X-rays using SIEMENS 90% less radiation to see your teeth   and surrounding structures more accurately

Tooth Whitening ·         In office treatment ·         Take home custom-made trays ·         “Chic Flic” to-go whitening and lip gloss Periodontal (gum) Services ·         Non-surgical gum treatment ·         Antibiotic gum therapy ·         Scalpel-free laser gum surgery ·         Traditional gum therapy Treatment of Migraines and TMJ Pain ·         Night guards and therapeutic splints Sleep Apnea Appliances Endodontics ·         Traditional root canal therapy and re- treatment Dentures ·         Full dentures ·         Partial dentures ·         Metal-free partial dentures ·         Denture repairs/relines/adjustments Children’s Dentistry ·         Complete dental treatment for all ages ·         Special children’s play area – we love children! Dental Surgery Seven Day Emergency Care Smile Club Monthly Movie Pass Draw

The Best Stocking Stuffer Ever!

Chic-Flic TOGO pen
and
Whiter Image pen

Only two more days until this brand new product arrives!  our favorite stocking stuffers this year are the "Chic Flic" and Whiter Image pens... a whitening pen on one side and a lip plumping lip gloss on the other (gotta have those plump lips for the holidays) and to put it simply - it has the coolest packaging we have ever seen in a dental product!  it looks like a lipstick case and has small lit mirrors on each side.


Stop in to pick up one for yourself or for someone on your list!
$25 for the Chic-Flic and $20 for the Whiter Image (without gloss).

Football Season Can Be A Penalty for Your Teeth!

Nothing says football season like big tub of Gatorade being dumped on the winning coach at the end of a game. But for you and your kids it could be "offsides" and "holding" on your dental health!!

Originally developed at the University of Florida in 1965 (and named after their sports teams--"The Gators") Gatorade was intended for athletes such as football players who endured rigorous workouts in the hot sun. But somehow this potent drink has become a staple of our popular culture, and its combination of sugars, salt and electrolytes can be anything but healthy for all but the most strenuous exercisers. The fact is, for just about all of us, including children, water remains the healthiest drink either with meals or during and after exercise.

"For most children engaged in routine physical activity, plain water is best," said Holly J. Benjamin, MD, a member of the executive committee of the AAP Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. "Sports drinks contain extra calories that children don't need, and could contributor to obesity and tooth decay. It's better for children to drink water during and after exercise, and to have the recommended intake of juice and low-far milk with meals. Sports drinks are not recommended as beverages to have with meals."

Even worse are "energy drinks"--which contain huge amounts of stimulants including caffeine, guarana and taurine. Some of these drinks contain more than 500 mg of caffeine--the equivalent of 14 cans of soda!! Combine that with huge amounts of tooth rotting and obesity causing sugar, and you've got a formula for health disaster. To make things worse, some schools actually have "pouring contracts" where they are paid to promote and serve unhealthy sodas and sports drinks.

Good old fashioned tap water, not only remains the healthiest drink but it's the least expensive as well.

So please enjoy football season, but remember not to let energy drinks and sports drinks blitz the dental and overall health of you and your children. To maintain maximum dental health, be sure to keep you regularly scheduled dental check ups and cleanings. Call us today at (250) 338-9085 and we will be more than happy to schedule appointments for you and your family.

This Could Save Your Life!

Oral Cancer is not affecting the population the way it used to.  Occurrence was once seen mostly in those over 50 who had been smoking for a decade or more.    Now, the population being more predominantly targeted is those 25 - 50 who present with none of the traditional risk factors.  Why is this?

Today, a common sexually transmitted virus, the same virus responsible for the majority of cervical cancers, has replaced tobacco as the number one cause of oral cancers.  These cancers occur mostly to the back of the mouth; in the oropharynx, tonsils, and at the base of the tongue.  

Please take a few minutes to watch the video below and be sure to pass along this information to your friends and loved ones. 

Frequently asked questions about oral cancer...

What is the incidence of oral cancer in Canada?  

• 3 people die every day from oral cancer in Canada
• The 5 year survival rate of oral cancer is lower (63%) than the survival rates of  cervical (75%), breast (88%), melanoma cancers (89%) and prostate cancer(95%)
 

What are the risk factors for oral cancer?  

• Most people diagnosed with oral cancer are over 50
• Excessive alcohol and/or tobacco use
• Chewing tobacco
• Infection of the oral cavity with the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV 16/18) may also be a risk factor
• Chewing betel nut
• Sun exposure to the lips
• As many as 25% of people develop oral cancer without any known risk factors

How is oral cancer best detected?

Oral cancer can be successfully treated if caught at an early stage. If not treated early, the cancer can spread to other parts of the body and it then becomes more difficult to treat.  To detect oral cancer in its early stage, have regular oral cancer screening performed by a dental and/or health professional.

• Visual examination of the intraoral tissues
• Palpation of introral and extraoral tissues
• Clinical studies have determined that use of tissue fluorescence to identify and evaluate suspicious areas that may be associated with the developement of oral cancer has been effective when perfomed in conjunction with the conventional head and neck examination.

Dr.Burry and Dr.Karamanis have now added the use of VELscope technology to our diagnostic protocol.  The VELscope is an invaluable tool in detecting oral disease earlier than by visual examinations with ordinary light alone.  This two minute exam could save your life!

Sources: Oral Cancer Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, YouTube