Teeth whitening toothpastes share a similarities with those of other pastes in that they contain mild abrasives that remove surface stains. Whitening toothpaste differs from regular toothpaste in because they have additional polishing agents.

As well, tooth whitening toothpastes have special chemicals that happen to be more effective with fighting stains.

In making your teeth look a shade or two lighter, whitening toothpastes make this possible by actually removing the stains. Even so, your teeth do not get bleached by these toothpastes.

Those who drink tea and coffee, smoke, and eat food that produce stains on teeth can especially benefit from using tooth whitening toothpastes. Even better, these types of individuals can take advantage of teeth whitening methods made possible by a dentist in Waco, TX. In just one short appointment, surface stains can be removed!

Then, to prevent stains from accumulating on the teeth again, use a tooth whitening toothpaste to maintain that perfect white smile.

QUICK TIP: If you decide to use teeth whitening toothpaste, fight tooth decay at the same time by ensuring that the toothpaste contains extra fluoride.

And as always, be sure to visit your Waco dentist on a regular basis – every 6 months or so is ideal.

One main reason why is because the risk of not taking care of our teeth properly extends beyond our mouths -  our overall health is at stake and can be negatively effected as well.

Did You Know? Approximately 75% of Americans are affected by gum disease of some form! It has been found that other serious health complications have been caused by gum disease. Why take the risk when these dental problems are often avoidable?

What Exactly is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also referred to as periodontal disease, is primarily caused by bacteria formed from the buildup of tartar and plaque. Other potential factors that may lead to gum disease include:

• Grinding or clenching of your teeth
• Tobacco use
• Genetics (blame Mom or Dad!)
• Various medications

Other Types of Gum Disease Include:

• Gingivitis – The beginning stage of gum disease and is often undetected. This stage of the disease is reversible.
• Periodontitis – Untreated gingivitis may lead to this next stage of gum disease. With many levels of periodontitis, the common outcome is chronic inflammatory response, a condition when the body breaks down the bone and tissue in the infected area of the mouth, ultimately resulting in tooth and bone loss.

Gingivitis often goes undetected and is the first stage of gum disease. Fortunately, gingivitis is not a permanent condition and can be reversed.

Periodontitis is the next stage of gum disease resulting from untreated or undetected gingivitis. Chronic inflammation is often the outcome. This is a condition where the bone as well as the tissue found in the mouth’s infected areas break down to the point of bone and tooth loss.

Avoid Unnecessary Pain!

Be sure to visit your dentist in Waco every 6 months or so for regular cleanings and inspections of your gums and teeth. This way you can catch gingivitis and periodontitis before they take over your mouth!

Under an insurance plan, the prices for covered dental procedures are not based on what the dentist charges. Instead, the insurance companies set these amounts. To provide you an example, let’s say your Waco dentist charges $147 for your initial cleaning and exams. However, the insurance company may only be willing to pay $108 which is the amount based on the UCR fee they have set.

Keep In Mind: When using your dental insurance with an approved provider, you should never be charged the difference between the dentist’s price and the UCR fee.

Typically, an in-network Waco dentist who is contracted with dental insurance companies will agree to not charge the difference between these amounts. On the other hand, if you visit a dentist outside the network, it is possible you will be charged this difference. Refer to the UCR fee guide of your dental insurance policy to see if this is the case.

Although you might have to shell out the difference, it may be worth the price of top notch dental care. That’s entirely up to you!

For any questions about dental insurance coverage, contact dentist in Waco today.