San Ramon Cosmetic Dentistry Blog | Sean Michael Anderson, D.D.S.

Many times, when a patient is told that they are due for x-rays, this question comes up, "Do I really need x-rays? There is nothing wrong with my teeth!" Dental radiographs (x-rays) are very important in order to monitor oral health. Many things such as diseases, lesions, and oral conditions can only be detected with the use of dental radiographs. Without the aid of dental radiographs, dental professionals would not be able to see areas directly between the teeth or beneath the gums and bone. A tooth that appears visually solid in the mouth can have a host of problems happening under the gums. Remember, two-thirds of your tooth can't be seen without a dental x-ray!

Dental radiographs can detect problems long before a clinical or visual examination can. This enables the dental practitioner to identify problems early on so that pain and extensive, costly treatment can be avoided.

A common concern with having dental radiographs taken is the amount of radiation the x-ray delivers. The amount of radiation that we are exposed to from dental X-rays is very small compared to our daily exposure from things like air travel, household appliances, and high altitudes. Even though the amount of radiation we are exposed to with dental radiographs is small it is still important that we do everything that we can to reduce the amount of radiation exposure. The use of a lead apron helps protect the radiosensitive organs, such as, reproductive organs, blood forming and thyroid tissues from scatter radiation.

Treatment without the necessary radiographs is considered negligence. If a patient refuses to have necessary dental X-rays taken then the dentist can refuse to provide patient care. Radiographs are a valuable diagnostic tool that is extremely beneficial to your oral health. Dr. Anderson recommends bitewing x-rays once a year and a panoramic x-ray every 3-5 years.


The image on the left shows an apparently healthy tooth in the mouth. The image on the left shows the same tooth on the x-ray with an abscess and a large amount of decay.

Is it time for you to have a dental check up and x-rays? Contact our office today!

As we approach the end of the year, now is the perfect time to take advantage of your dental insurance maximum.

Your dental insurance is not like your cell phone company, there is no rollover
maximum. If you don't use it before the end of the calendar year, you will lose what you have not used.

If you have dental work that has been diagnosed, and have not scheduled to complete your treatment, now is the perfect time to put your insurance to good use. Don't give your money back to your insurance company. Take full advantage of what you pay for. Give us a call to schedule an appointment before the end of this calendar year.

Dry mouth is usually caused by a reduced flow of saliva in the mouth. Saliva is needed to help control bacteria and wash away food debris. There are several causes of dry mouth, also called xerostomia. Certain medications, some diseases, smoking and
chewing tobacco can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth can be a side effect of certain medical treatments. Damage to the salivary glands, the glands that produce saliva, for example, can be affected from treatments like radiation to the head and neck and chemotherapy for cancer, can greatly reduce the amount of saliva produced.

Many people experience different symptoms when it comes to dry mouth. The most
common is having a sticky constant dry feeling in the mouth that sometimes extends
into the throat. Another is frequently being thirsty but even large amounts of water
cannot quench one's thirst. Due to the reduced flow of saliva, sores can appear inside the mouth, the corners of the lips can spilt apart and the lips themselves can become chapped or cracked. The tongue can also be affected by becoming dry, red, and can develop a burning or tingling sensation. Some or all of these symptoms can cause problems speaking, chewing, swallowing, and even allowing one to taste their food. With all of the symptoms it seems that the one most people are most aware of and are bothered by is bad breath.

Treating dry mouth can be a simple fix or can be caused by a more complex problem that a dentist will need to evaluate, diagnose, and help treat. If you are a person suffering from dry mouth and are tired of it, give our office a call to see how we can help you.

One of the most frequently asked questions in the dental field is will my insurance pay to whiten my teeth.

The answer is NO! Since teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure, and beyond the standard of care it is not covered. Keep in mind that the insurance company only pays for the standard of care treatment and not elective work.

But don't let this stop you from having that white smile. If the cost to whiten your teeth is not in your budget, this is the perfect time to take advantage of the outside financing that our dental office provides. Most dental offices offer a little or no interest payment plan. I know we do.

So go ahead and treat yourself to the smile that you have always wanted. Take advantage of what your dental office has to offer.

How much to invest into your flex plan card is a dilemma that can drive one crazy. What if you put too much and don't use it all before the time allowed? Or what if you didn't put enough money into your flex plan card and the unexpected happens, and you have a dental emergency?Here are a few tips that may help provide you with some answers.

1. Can I use it to pay for Cosmetic Procedures?
2. What type of documentation will I need to provide in order for the charge to be approved?
3. Can I purchase over-the-counter products?

Tooth decay, or destruction of enamel, is a worldwide problem affecting millions of people, both young and old alike. Although action is being taken in hopes of preventing this disease, dental caries continue to pose an important public health problem in most developed countries, where it affects 60-90% of schoolchildren and the vast majority of adults. The use of fluoride, whether used topically or systemically has been scientifically proven to help in the reduction of tooth caries globally.

The use of fluoride can be administered in two ways, topically and systemically. Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth surface such as toothpastes containing fluoride, mouth rinses, fluoride varnishes applied by dental professionals and saliva. Once a topical fluoride is applied in the oral cavity, saliva helps distribute it over the enamel surfaces of the teeth. Unlike topical application of fluoride, systemic fluoride is ingested into the body through ways such as food and beverages containing fluoride, dietary fluoride supplements, and fluoridated water. Systemic fluoride present during tooth development becomes incorporated into the tooth structure, resulting in fortified enamel more resistant to decay. While topical fluoride is beneficial to the prevention of dental caries, it can only do so much. Systemic fluoride, when ingested during the development of the teeth, can help create strong tooth enamel. Using a combination of the two can help produce maximum prevention and reduction of tooth decay.

Call us today to discuss flouride treatments!