Dental resources

Brushing your teeth removes dental plaque – a sticky, colorless film of bacteria on the surfaces of your teeth that can irritate your gums.

Brushing tips:

• Use toothpaste with fluoride
• Angle the bristles toward the gumline so they clean between the gums and teeth
• Brush gently using small, circular motions
• Do not scrub hard back and forth across the teeth
• Brush all sides of each tooth
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and help keep fresh breath

Flossing removes dental plaque between teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. If plaque isn’t removed, it can build up and cause tooth decay and gum disease.

Flossing tips:

• Use a string of floss about one foot long and wrap it around the middle finger of each hand
• Grip the floss between the thumb and index finger
• Ease the floss gently between the teeth until it reaches the gumline
• Curve the floss like the letter “C” around each tooth and slide it up and down
• Adjust the floss a little as you move from tooth to tooth
• Be sure to flow all your teeth, including the backs of the last teeth on each side
• If needed use flossing tools like a floss holder, floss threader, water flosser, or interdental brush

• Begin brushing as soon as your child’s first tooth begins to show. Brush your child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice each day to help prevent tooth decay.Tips for brushing your child’s teeth:
  • Brush after their first and last meal of the day
  • Use a child-sized toothbrush with soft bristles
  • For children under age 3, use a drop of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice
  • For children ages 3 to 6, use a drop of toothpaste the size of a pea
  • Gently brush your child’s teeth using small circles
  • Brush all sides of the teeth
  • If you are having trouble, use a timer, a counting game, a song, or a video to make brushing more enjoyable
  • Once they are comfortable, let your child brush their own teeth while you supervise
  • Take your child to the dentist when their first tooth erupts or no later than their first birthday

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is the inflammation and infection of the tissues that support your teeth. Gum disease is usually caused by poor oral hygiene, such as not brushing and flossing often.

Periodontal disease symptoms may include:

• Reddish or purplish gums
• Gum bleeding
• Soreness
• Bad breath
• Unpleasant taste
• Pain when chewing
• Gum recession (gums pulling away from your teeth)
• Loose teeth
• A change in the way your teeth fit together

There are four main stages of gum disease:

• Gingivitis – the earliest stage which starts with red, puffy gums that may bleed when you brush or floss
• Mild periodontitis – gums may pull away from teeth so plaque and bacteria can hide in pockets that your toothbrush and floss can’t reach
• Moderate periodontitis – bacteria begin to erode the soft tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place, causing pain
• Advanced periodontitis – bone loss continues, teeth become loose and eventually fall out

Possible periodontal disease risk factors include:

• Smoking or other tobacco use
• Poor oral hygiene
• Diabetes
• Autoimmune diseases, including lupus, scleroderma, and Crohn’s disease
• Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause
• Stress
• Genetics
• Heart disease

Without treatment, gum disease continues to worsen and leads to poor oral health which may end in tooth loss. Gum disease also has a direct impact on your overall health and wellbeing, including health issues like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

A dentist can tell if you have gum disease during a routine exam. Gingivitis, the first stage, is curable, and the other stages can be managed with regular dental visits and good oral hygiene.

Tips to reduce your risk of gum disease:

• Brush your teeth two or three times every day
• Floss between your teeth daily
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash
• Avoid smoking or other tobacco use
• Visit your dentist regularly

A dental carrier is an insurance company, service corporation, or organization authorized to provide dental benefits. They manage the financial aspects of dental coverage, pay claims, and contracts with dentists to reduce costs for patients.

Key information:

• The carrier pays for covered dental services like preventive care, fillings, crowns, and other treatments
• Carriers set up networks of dentists who agree to reduced fees, allowing you to save money
• Seeing an in-network dentist usually means lower out-of-pocket costs
• If you have dual coverage (through two jobs or a spouse) the primary carrier is the one that pays claims first
• Carriers may offer several types of plans, including Dental Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)

Some dental insurance carriers include:

• Delta Dental
• Guardian
• Denali Dental
• Spirit Dental
• Ameritas
• Cigna
• MetLife
• Physicians Mutual
• Aetna

Abscess

A localized collection of pus caused by infection.

Amalgam

A metal alloy used as a material for dental fillings.

Anesthetic

A medication used to prevent pain during a procedure.

Anterior teeth

The teeth that are located toward the front of the mouth.

Antibiotic

A medication used to treat bacterial infections.

Authorization

Approval required by the insurance plan before certain services are provided or billed.

Baby teeth

The first set of teeth that develop in children and are later replaced by permanent teeth.

Badly decayed tooth

A tooth that has been severely damaged by decay and loss of tooth structure.

Billing notes

Documentation confirming that insurance has been added, checked, and verified, and a case has been created and attached.

Biopsy

The removal and examination of tissue for diagnostic purposes.

Braces

Orthodontic devices that are used to straighten teeth and correct bite problems.

Bridge

A dental appliance used to replace one or more missing teeth.

Canine

A pointed tooth used for tearing food.

Cavity

A permanently damaged area in a tooth caused by decay.

Cement

A dental material that is used to secure crowns, bridges, or other restorations in place.

Crown

A cap placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, size, and function.

Deep clean

A thorough cleaning procedure that removes plaque and tartar below the gumline.

Dental assistant

A trained dental team member who assists providers, prepares treatment rooms, and supports patient care.

Dental cleaning

The professional removal of plaque, tartar, and stains from teeth.

Dental floss

A thin thread used to clean between teeth and below the gumline.

Dental pulp

The soft inner tissue of a tooth containing nerves and blood vessels.

Dental root

The part of a tooth embedded in the jawbone.

Dentin

The soft layer under enamel.

Denture

A removable appliance used to replace missing teeth.

Enamel

The hard outer layer of the tooth.

Extraction

Tooth removal.

Filling

A repair for a cavity.

First premolar

The first tooth that is located between the canine and molars.

Fluoride

A mineral that strengthens enamel and protects teeth against decay.

Gargle

To rinse the throat and mouth by holding liquid in the back of the throat and expelling air through it.

Gingivitis

Mild gum inflammation.

Implant

A surgically placed tooth

Incisor

A front tooth adapted for cutting and biting food.

Infection

The invasion and growth of harmful microorganisms that may require treatment.

Inflammation

A bodily response to injury or infection characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain.

Inlay

A custom-made dental restoration that fits within the grooves of a tooth.

Maxilla

The upper jawbone that holds the upper teeth.

Molar

A large tooth at the back of the mouth that is used for grinding food.

Orthodontics

The branch of dentistry concerned with correcting teeth and jaw alignment.

Palate

The roof of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities.

Periodontitis

Advanced gum disease.

Plaque

Sticky bacteria found on teeth that can lead to cavities and gum disease.

Prophylaxis

Preventive dental cleaning which involves plaque and tartar removal.

Pulpectomy

The removal of all dental pulp tissue from a tooth.

Pyorrhea

A severe form of gum disease involving inflammation, infection, and loss of supporting bone around the teeth.

Retainer

An orthodontic appliance used to maintain tooth position after braces.

Root

The part of the tooth that is below the gums.

Root canal

A dental procedure that may require insurance authorization before services are provided or billed.

Scalers

Instruments that are used to remove plaque and tartar from teeth.

Sealants

Protective coating for molars.

Tartar

Hardened plaque that forms on teeth and can only be removed professionally.

Teeth whitening

A cosmetic procedure used to lighten the color of teeth.

Temporary filling

A short-term dental restoration that is placed until permanent treatment is completed.

Uvula

The small fleshy projection hanging from the soft palate.

Wisdom tooth

One of the third molars that usually erupts during late adolescence or early adulthood.