Travel: Is Dental Care Abroad Safe?

If you are planning a trip out of the country it may be helpful to schedule a dental checkup before you leave, especially if you'll be traveling in developing countries or remote areas without access to good dental care. If you’re considering a vacation outside the United States for dental treatment in an attempt to save money, often referred to as "dental tourism," there are some things you should first consider. 

Question: Is dental care abroad safe? 

Answer: The procedures, equipment and drugs used by dentists in the U.S. are held to high standards. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has comprehensive guidelines on infection control procedures for dental health-care settings. They exist to prevent the spread of infections, including blood borne illnesses such as hepatitis and AIDS. U.S. dentists must abide by regulations for radiation safety (X-ray equipment and its use) and for proper disposal of biomedical waste. Also, the drugs and dental instruments and materials used by dentists in the U.S. are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure that they are safe. These standards are in place for your safety. 

Q: What recovery time and follow-up care will I need? 

A: Many dental procedures are surgical in nature and may require months of healing. This should be factored in to your travel plans. Significant dental procedures require follow-up care to make sure everything is healing and functioning properly. Post treatment risks after dental surgical procedures include bleeding, pain, swelling and infection. Continuity of care is important and should be a consideration when making treatment decisions. Establishing a "dental home" provides you with comprehensive oral health care so conditions such as gum disease and tooth decay can be diagnosed at an early stage when treatment is simpler and more affordable. A dentist who knows your case history can provide you with guidance on good oral health habits, preventive oral health services and diagnosis and treatment of dental disease based on your individual needs. 

Q: What qualifications are required of dental professionals? 

A: Dentists trained in the U.S. graduate from a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. In addition, dentists must pass national examinations and meet state requirements before they earn a license to practice. Similar levels of training may exist in the country to which you are travelling, but this may be difficult to determine if that country does not have similar dental regulations. 

Q: Will my insurance cover dental procedures in other countries? 

A: If you have insurance for dental care performed outside of the U.S., you should confirm with your insurer and/or employer that follow-up treatment is covered upon your return to the U.S. You should consider arranging follow-up care with a U.S. dentist prior to travel to ensure continuity of care upon your return. If you do not have a dentist in the U.S., you can find an ADA member dentist in your area at ADA Find-a-Dentist. You should confirm with your U.S. dentist and the dental care provider in the other country that the transfer of patient records to-and-from facilities outside of the U.S. is consistent with current U.S. privacy and security guidelines.

Q: What about travel advisories?

A: The U.S. Department of State issues travel alerts to disseminate information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. citizens. In the spring of 2009, for example, the Department of State issued a travel alert cautioning people to avoid non-essential travel to Mexico because of an outbreak of H1N1 influenza in that country that resulted in a number of deaths. In addition, the alert recommended that travelers check the department's Web site for new travel advisories as well as the Web site of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for any additional information or recommendations. 

Bottom line: If you’re considering travelling for dental care, remember, saving money overseas may lead to greater expense to your health and your wallet when you arrive back home. 

The above article is from mouthhealthy.org

Grand Traverse Smile Center  
Ryan Paulson, DDS   
928 S. Garfield Avenue  
Traverse City, MI 49686   
(231) 935-4872  
GTSmileCenter.com

Dental Emergency

Accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

Here are some tips for common dental emergencies: 

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Then, get to your dentist’s office right away. 
• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down. 
• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress. 
• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues. 
• For objects stuck in the mouth, try to gently remove with floss but do not try to remove it with sharp or pointed instruments. 

When you have a dental emergency, it’s important to visit your dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible.

Here are some simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to the teeth:   

• Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities. 
• Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth. 
• Use scissors, NEVER your teeth, to cut things. 

Most dentists reserve time in their daily schedules for emergency patients. Call your dentist and provide as much detail as possible about your condition.

The above article is from mouthhealthy.org

Grand Traverse Smile Center  
Ryan Paulson, DDS   
928 S. Garfield Avenue  
Traverse City, MI 49686   
(231) 935-4872  
GTSmileCenter.com

New Year, Healthier Mouth

Below is an excerpt from an article found on mouthhealthy.org

What does ringing in the new year have to do with being mouth healthy? 

More than you may think. Did you know that you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months? Bristles that become frayed and worn are less effective at cleaning your teeth. That means, celebrating the new year with a brand new toothbrush is actually smart dental hygiene.

Here are MouthHealthy resolutions:

• Start brushing 2min2x. Always brush twice a day for two minutes for healthier teeth, good breath, fewer cavities, and to avoid painful dental problems. 
• Floss daily. Flossing is part of being mouth healthy.
• Chew sugarless gum. Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay.
• Eat a healthy diet. Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Drink fluoridated water. Fluoride helps prevent cavities by making teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that cause cavities.
• See your dentist. Regular dental visits will help you be Mouth Healthy for Life.  

To read the entire article visit mouthhealthy.org

Grand Traverse Smile Center  
Ryan Paulson, DDS  
928 S. Garfield Avenue 
Traverse City, MI 49686  
(231) 935-4872 
GTSmileCenter.com

Finding A Dentist

Below is an excerpt from an article found on colgate.com

How Do I Look for a Dentist? 

A good place to start is by asking for a referral from people you trust — your friends, family, acquaintances, work associates, pharmacist or family doctor. Ask them how long they've gone to their dentist, how comfortable they feel asking questions, what type of dentist they go to (general or specialist). It is important that you find a dentist with whom you feel comfortable.

Other ways to find a dentist include:

• Calling your local dental society for a list of recommended dentists in your area. Your local dental society can be found in the Yellow Pages under "dentist."
• Searching online for dentists in your area. More and more dentists have websites explaining their approach and treatment methods.

What Kind of Dentist Should I Look for?

General dentists are trained to do all types of treatment. If you have difficult or unusual problems, your dentist may refer you to one of the following specialists:

• Pediatric Dentists/Pedodontists specialize in pediatric (children's) dentistry.
• Endodontists diagnose and treat diseased tooth pulp and perform root canal work (many general dentists also perform root canals).
• Prosthodontists specialize in crowns, bridges and dentures.
• Oral pathologists use laboratory procedures to diagnose diseases of the mouth. They also specialize in forensic dentistry.
• Oral/Maxillofacial surgeons perform surgical treatments, such as removing cysts, tumors and teeth. They can correct fractures or other jaw problems that require surgery, including temporomandibular joint (TMJ). They also use methods similar to those of plastic surgery to treat cosmetic problems of the jaw and face.
• Orthodontists correct improperly positioned teeth, using braces and other appliances to move teeth into a better position.
• Periodontists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of gum disease.

How do You Become a Practicing Dentist?

A general practitioner or specialist can be degreed as either a D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine), depending on the school from which he/she graduated. The requirements for each degree are identical: four years of post-graduate study for general practice plus one to two years of advanced study for a particular specialty. A graduate must then pass a state licensing examination in order to begin practice.

To read the entire article visit colgate.com

Grand Traverse Smile Center  
Ryan Paulson, DDS  
928 S. Garfield Avenue 
Traverse City, MI 49686  
(231) 935-4872 

GTSmileCenter.com

Root Canals: FAQs About Treatment That Can Save Your Tooth

If you have a severely damaged, decaying tooth or a serious tooth infection (abscess), your dentist may recommend a root canal treatment. Root canals are used to repair and save your tooth instead of removing it. 

What’s Involved in Root Canal Repair?

The pulp is soft tissue inside your tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels and provides nourishment for your tooth. It can become infected if you have: 

• A deep cavity
• Repeated dental procedures that disturb this tissue
• A cracked or fractured tooth
• Injury to the tooth (even if there’s not a visible crack or chip)

If untreated, the tissues around the root of your tooth can become infected. When this happens, you will often feel pain and swelling and an abscess may form inside the tooth and/or in the bone around the end of the root of the tooth. An infection can also put you at risk of losing your tooth completely because bacteria can damage the bone that keeps your tooth connected to your jaw.

Can I Get This Treatment Done During My Regular Check-up Visit?

Your dentist will need to schedule a follow up appointment, or you may be referred to a dentist who specializes in the pulp and tissues surrounding the teeth. This specialist is known as an endodontist.

What Should I Expect?

A root canal treatment usually takes 1 or 2 office visits to complete. There is little to no pain because your dentist will use local anesthesia so you don’t feel the procedure. Once the procedure is complete, you should no longer feel the pain you felt before having it done. 

Before treatment begins, your dentist will:

• Take X-rays to get a clear view of your tooth and the surrounding bone. 
• Numb the area around and including your tooth so you are comfortable during the treatment. 
• Put a thin sheet of latex rubber over your tooth to keep it dry, clean and protected from viruses, bacteria and fungus that are normally in the mouth.

During treatment, your dentist will:

• Create an opening in the top of your tooth.
• Remove the tooth’s nerve from inside the tooth and in the areas in the root, known the root canal. 
• Clean inside the tooth and each root canal. Your dentist may treat the tooth with germ-killing medicine.
• Fill the root canals with a rubber-like material to seal them against future infection.
• Place a temporary filling on the tooth to protect it until a definitive restoration like a permanent filling or crown can be placed at the earliest opportunity.

After root canal treatment:

• Your tooth and the area around it may feel sensitive for a few days. You can talk with your dentist about how to relieve any discomfort you may have.
• Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics if the infection spread. Use as directed, and follow up with your dentist if you have any problems taking it.

You will need a follow-up visit after the root canal treatment. At this visit, your dentist will remove the temporary filling on the tooth and replace it with a regular filling or a crown to protect your tooth from further damage. A metal or plastic post may also be placed in the root canal to help make sure the filling materials remain in place. This helps support a crown if you need one.

How Long Will a Root Canal Filling Last?

With proper care, your restored tooth can last a lifetime. Make it a point to brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth once a day and see your dentist regularly to make sure your teeth are strong and healthy.

To read the entire article visit mouthhealthy.org

Grand Traverse Smile Center  
Ryan Paulson, DDS  
928 S. Garfield Avenue 
Traverse City, MI 49686  
(231) 935-4872 
GTSmileCenter.com

Adult and Braces: Why Are More Adults Getting Braces? and How Do I Know If Adult Braces Are Right For Me?

Why are more adults getting braces?

As braces have become less bulky and visible in recent years, more and more adults are wearing them, for a variety of reasons. Some adults want to correct problems with their teeth or jaws before they cause serious or further damage. Others want to feel better about their appearance by addressing longstanding cosmetic concerns. Keep in mind that even "cosmetic" problems can cause real damage over time. Teeth and jaws that are not aligned properly can lead to premature wear and tear, advanced tooth decay and gum disease, dentures or other reconstructive solutions and even more extensive surgery to correct serious problems.

New techniques and the advent of clear, less noticeable braces means that adults are increasingly turning to braces to correct:

• Gaps between teeth (spacing)
• Teeth that push against one another (crowding)
• Crooked teeth
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites

How do I know if adult braces are right for me?

If you think you might benefit from braces, ask your dentist to recommend an orthodontist — someone specially trained to fix problems with teeth that are not aligned properly. The orthodontist will look at your teeth and maybe take X-rays to study the underlying bone structure. Based on what he or she finds, a treatment plan will be recommended. While braces are a popular option for fixing misaligned teeth, an orthodontist can tell you whether you may benefit more from other types of orthodontics like removable retainers, headgear or aligners.

To read the entire article visit colgate.com

Grand Traverse Smile Center  
Ryan Paulson, DDS  
928 S. Garfield Avenue 
Traverse City, MI 49686  
(231) 935-4872 
GTSmileCenter.com

Dentist: Doctors of Oral Health

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the role played by Dentists!

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Grand Traverse Smile Center  
Ryan Paulson, DDS  
928 S. Garfield Avenue 
Traverse City, MI 49686  
(231) 935-4872 
GTSmileCenter.com

Top Dental Symptoms: Cracked or Broken Teeth

A cracked or broken tooth can happen for a variety of reasons- brittle teeth, teeth grinding, injury. The crack may be invisible to the naked eye and even X-ray, but they can be incredibly painful and create bigger problems if left untreated. If you experience pain when chewing see your dentist. They can diagnose the cause and develop a plan for treatment.

Above article from: MouthHealthy.org

Grand Traverse Smile Center  
Ryan Paulson, DDS   
928 S. Garfield Avenue  
Traverse City, MI 49686   
(231) 935-4872  
GTSmileCenter.com

Wine Tasters, Beware

Wine tasters may be at high risk for enamel stain and erosion.

Why? Sipping wine many times a day -- and swishing it in the mouth -- increases the enamel's exposure to damaging acids.

That is why it's better to drink a glass of wine, soda, or sweet tea with a meal instead of sipping it over several hours.

Above article from: Webmd.com/oral-health

Grand Traverse Smile Center  
Ryan Paulson, DDS   
928 S. Garfield Avenue  
Traverse City, MI 49686   
(231) 935-4872  
GTSmileCenter.com

Difference Between DDS and DMD

Below is an article found on MouthHealthy.org.

If you’re looking to find a dentist you may notice that while most are listed with a “DDS”, some may be listed as “DMD”. They both mean the same thing-your dentist graduated from an accredited dental school. The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees. Dentists who have a DMD or DDS have the same education. It’s up to the universities to determine what degree is awarded, but both degrees use the same curriculum requirements.

Did you know that the level of education and clinical training required to earn a dental degree is on par with those of medical schools?
Generally, three or more years of undergraduate education plus four years of dental school is required to graduate and become a general dentist. Upon completion of their training, dentists must pass both a rigorous national written exam and a state or regional clinical licensing exam in order to practice. In order to keep their licenses, they must meet continuing education requirements for the remainder of their careers so that they may stay up to date on the latest scientific and clinical developments. Additional post-graduate training is required to become a dental specialist, such as an orthodontist, periodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.

The article also contains links about: 

• Looking for a dentist? 
• Interested in a dental career?

Grand Traverse Smile Center  
Ryan Paulson, DDS  
928 S. Garfield Avenue 
Traverse City, MI 49686  
(231) 935-4872 
GTSmileCenter.com

Dentist, Ryan Paulson DDS - Grand Traverse Smile Center

Dr. Paulson and the team at Grand Traverse Smile Center are pleased to be able to offer beautiful smiles to their neighbors in Traverse City and the surrounding communities.

Ryan A. Paulson, DDS, earned his dental degree from the University of Michigan after earning his bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University, where he earned four varsity letters playing football. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Michigan Dental Association, and the Resort District Dental Association.

Dr. Paulson has taken numerous postgraduate education courses, including training programs in full mouth reconstruction at the prestigious Dawson Academy. He has additional training in dental occlusion (your bite) and treatment for temporomandibular joint disorder, and his most recent continuing education has been in the area of dentistry and the whole health connection. Dr. Paulson’s commitment to lifelong education means he is constantly evaluating emerging dental methods and technologies in order to provide his patients with the best results in the least invasive manner with a high emphasis on comfort. This commitment ensures the highest level of care, both today and tomorrow.

Dr. Paulson is an active participant in the community as a member of St. Joseph’s Parish and as a football coach at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Middle School. He and his wife Kate have four beautiful children, Whitney, Tim, Annie, and Eric, and in his spare time, he enjoys being outdoors and following his children’s activities, such as dance, tennis, lacrosse, and swimming. 

Grand Traverse Smile Center
Ryan Paulson, DDS
928 S. Garfield Avenue
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 935-4872
GTSmileCenter.com