See a Sunnyvale Dentist to Use Your Dental Insurance Benefits
October 8, 2018
It all comes down to numbers—or so the saying goes. Well, here are some very interesting numbers for you to consider. According to The American Dental Association, Americans who have dental insurance receive $323 worth of dental treatment on average in a year. Dental insurance plans, however, typically offer coverage for up to $1,250. This means that $927 is not being used. Multiply $927 by the 164 million people who carry dental insurance and you get a whopping $152 billion! Most of those benefits do not roll over, so that’s a lot of money the insurance companies keep. This year, get your money’s worth! Schedule a dental checkup or a restorative procedure with a dentist in Sunnyvale before the end of the year.
4 Questions to Ask Your Dental Hygienist
February 8, 2018
If you keep up with your twice a year dental appointments, you likely know how important a dental hygienist is to your biannual dentistry visits. However, you may not be taking full advantage of all your hygienist has to offer. Dental hygienists are skilled professionals who are invaluable resources for helping patients with their preventive dentistry needs and oral hygiene goals.
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Your Blue Cross Blue Shield Dentist in Sunnyvale
May 18, 2017
Next to your home oral hygiene, the care you receive from your dentist is vital to protecting the health of your teeth and gums. However, we understand that the cost of dental care may keep you from seeing your dentist twice a year or when a dental problem arises. We do not want you to be concerned about unforeseen dental costs. We strive to make it easy and affordable to see the dentist. We are in-network as a Blue Cross Blue Shield dentist in Sunnyvale. We will help you maximize your dental benefits for all aspects of dentistry to keep out-of-pocket costs to a minimum.
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Frequently Asked Questions regarding Sunnyvale dentures
August 10, 2016
Your Sunnyvale dentist, Dr. George T. Philip, expertly crafts dentures for people missing teeth due to accident, decay or gum disease. Patients enjoy normalized eating and speech. They love their more youthful facial appearances, too!
For Teeth Whitening, Sunnyvale Dentist Recommends These Foods
April 7, 2016
Most people can probably guess what they shouldn’t eat or drink in order to help their teeth stay white: coffee, tea, red wine, chocolate, tomato sauce, curry-spiced foods and balsamic vinegar dressing to name a few. However, did you know that there are also foods you can eat to actually help whiten your teeth? Sunnyvale dentist Dr. Philip suggests you stock up on the following healthy, teeth whitening foods, and then bon appétit!
5 Signs You Need to Visit the Dentist in Sunnyvale
March 16, 2016
Have you been wondering whether or not you should visit the dentist lately? If so, the answer is probably yes. There are some tell-tale signs that a dental visit is necessary — your dentist in Sunnyvale, Dr. George Philip, is here to help you make the right decision. Below are the top five signs you should schedule a dental appointment today!
Sunnyvale Dentist Recommends Oral Cancer Screenings
October 19, 2015
Close to 45,750 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. The disease kills roughly one person every hour, 24 hours a day. These are shocking statistics, but do you know what else? When caught early, oral cancer is much easier to treat. That’s why Dr. Philip, your dentist in Sunnyvale, TX, recommends regular oral cancer screenings. He knows that with oral cancer and so many other things, early detection truly is key.
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Symptoms of Gum Disease in Sunnyvale, TX Adults
July 9, 2015
For many adults, gum disease goes unnoticed until it’s too late and they have a serious infection. However, there are ways you can change your oral health routine to avoid gum disease, and warning signs to look for. In Sunnyvale, TX the dental practice of Dr. George Philip can help you prevent and treat periodontal (gum) disease. Call to schedule an appointment today.
How Periodontal Disease Affects Dental Health
As we go through our daily routines eating, drinking, breathing, our mouth is producing bacteria. That bacteria reacts to sugars in our mouth to form an acid that can decay our teeth. When these bacterial colonies form between gums and teeth and are not removed during regular oral hygiene, periodontal disease can develop. As the disease progresses, gums become irritated or inflamed. They usually darken to red rather than pink. Left untreated infection can form below gums leading to abscessed teeth or gum recession. Bacterial growth will interfere with your gum tissue’s ability to support teeth. You may notice teeth shifting or falling out when gum disease is left untreated overtime.
In addition to the many adverse dental health effects, gum disease can harm your whole body health. Periodontal disease puts you at greater risk for many illnesses including heart disease and blood clots. The oral infection from the gum disease can spread to other parts of your body causing severe illness, and in extreme cases, death. It is essential that gum disease be treated quickly.
Do I Have Periodontal Disease?
Like so many chronic illnesses, gum disease can go unnoticed, until it has already cause a serious amount of oral health damage. However, committing to periodic dental checkups and hygiene appointments at least twice a year will help you avoid this because your dentist will often spot warning signs more quickly than you might. Here are some of the warning signs and symptoms of gum disease you should be aware:
- Red or inflamed gums
- Tender or swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Severe halitosis (bad breath)
- Sores in your mouth
- Pus or other signs of infection around teeth
- Discoloring of teeth near the gum line
- Recession of gum tissue
- Teeth that feel loose or new gaps or spaces between teeth
- Bite stops feeling natural/pain when chewing
Sunnyvale Gum Disease Therapy Services
Periodontal disease can range from an extremely mild case often referred to by dental practitioners as gingivitis to severe cases that can have a detrimental health effect often called periodontitis. The gum disease therapy we offer is determined by the severity of your infection. For mild or moderate cases non-surgical therapy and antibiotic treatment are often able to fully restore periodontal health. Some non-surgical therapies are:
- Prescription of antimicrobial mouth rinse, oral antibiotic, antibiotic gel, or other medications to treat infection and kill the bacteria
- Regular dental cleanings can remove most plaque and tartar buildup caused by bacteria bonding to tooth that can irritate and infect gums
- Deep cleanings including scaling and root planing may be necessary, if the gum disease has spread or is severe
- Scaling – scraping away of plaque and tartar from above and below the gums
- Root planing – generally combined with scaling removes bacteria from the root of the tooth, and smooths the surface making it harder for bacterial colonies to form on root and easier for the gum to reattach
- Laser dentistry has been extremely affective in removing bacteria. Additionally, laser treatment can help avoid further gum irritation and reduce healing time.
In the most severe cases, periodontal disease may require one or more surgical procedures including bone or soft tissue grafts, bone tissue regeneration, flap surgery, pocket reduction surgery and more. In these severe cases, our office will likely refer you to a periodontal specialist for treatment.
Find Out More
If you’ve noticed any of the symptoms of gum disease or have been putting off visiting the doctor for regular checkups and cleanings, call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Philip’s convenient Sunnyvale, TX dental practice. We can help heal your gums, and keep you smiling. Our office welcomes patients from Mesquite, Balch Springs, Rowlett, Rockwall, Dallas, and other local communities.