Choosing a dentist can be overwhelming, particularly when you don’t even know the criteria by which to evaluate a dentist or dental practice.   As with everything, there is a wide range in experience, skills and expertise among dentists and likewise, not all dental practices are equal.  Fortunately, there are guidelines so you will ask the right questions in order to make a sound choice when choosing your dentist.

Starting with the basics, check that the dentist you are considering is a member of the American Dental Association, or ADA.  As a bare minimum, you would want to choose a dentist who is willing to be a member of the ADA.  Dentists who are members of the American Dental Association voluntarily agree to abide by the ADA Code as a condition of membership in the Association.  (www.ada.org)  Hopefully, most dentists will also be members of their state organizations as well, which in Maine is the Maine Dental Association. (MDA)

Once you’ve established the dentist’s basic professional memberships, it’s time to get to the nuts and bolts of how to evaluate a dentist and his or her practice.  According to the Crown Council* (www.crowncouncil.com) an independent association of dental practices, there are FIVE KEY QUESTIONS you should consider:

1. How current is the dentist and how much continuing education have they taken in the last year?  Dentistry is a continually changing profession with new developments in technologies, materials and treatments emerging all of the time.  You will want to choose a dentist who has stayed current through continuing education beyond the bare minimum in both lecture as well as clinical courses.  Keep in mind that state requirements to maintain a dental license can be minimal and so you will want to note whether a dentist is doing the minimum just to stay in practice or whether he or she is genuinely motivated to stay current within their profession in order to benefit YOU, the patient.

2. How much time will the dentist take with me during my initial exam?  You will want to choose a dentist who spends at least an hour with you during your initial visit in order to give you a complete oral exam and assess your overall oral health. Although you may be eager to get into a new office for your initial dental hygiene visit, it is necessary for you to have a thorough exam and consultation with the dentist to discuss your condition and treatment options.

3. What is included in my initial exam?  According to the Crown Council (www.crowncouncil.com )there are four things an initial exam should include:

a).  A very thorough exam of your teeth for decay including charting, your existing restorations and the condition of all of your other teeth.

b). A complete evaluation of the health of your gums with a periodontal probe.  Six points on every tooth should be checked and the findings charted.

c.)  A check of your bite should be made to determine how your teeth come together to see if there is balance, excessive wear, or jaw pain.

d.)  You should have an oral cancer exam.  If the dentist is up-to-date the office will have either a VizLite or a VELscope.  This will allow the dentist to immediately see if there are any abnormal tissue cells in the mouth.  You should have an oral cancer exam at least annually.

4. Ask what will occur between the time of your arrival at the office and when the dentist starts the actual exam.  A dentist interested in you and your health will set time aside to listen to your concerns during your first visit and not jump right into treatment.

5. Find out when the office last had their Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance training.  OSHA has very clear guidelines for dental offices to follow in order to maintain the highest standard of sterilization and infection control.  Every member of the dental office is required by regulation to take compliance training at least once a year.

*What is the CROWN COUNCIL?

The Crown Council is a prestigious alliance of leading-edge dentists around the world who are strongly committed to promoting oral health, fighting oral cancer, and serving their communities through charitable work. Membership is by invitation. These industry leaders in health, wellness, and prevention offer the latest dental procedures in state-of-the-art facilities.

To learn more about the Crown Council, or to find a Crown Council dentist near you, visit:     CrownCouncil.com

                          

The site is full of fun two minute videos designed to encourage kids to brush more often and improve on brushing techniques.

Information about teeth, techniques for brushing & flossing and a wealth of information for parents and children alike.

One of the coolest aspects of the the 2min2x campaign is they have an app (available for Apple or Android) with 2 minute videos. Load the app on your phone, play the fun video for you kids while they brush their teeth. We know many people who have used this application. The 2 minutes really fly by & kids are entertained while brushing.

Details can be found at www.2min2x.org.   Browse your Android or Apple app store for “2min2x” to load the free app.

                          

Like other small businesses there is delicate balance to be made-making sure we serve the needs of our patients while also keeping up to date on current technology and encouraging our staff to further their education. For those in the dental field we can increase our knowledge base in one of two ways: hands on clinical trainings (often are more costly and require more time out of the office) or through lectures (a less expensive option with a smaller time commitment).

Even though there is no requirement for dentists to take “clinical” continuing education courses, over the last year Dr. Helmkamp and the staff Mount Auburn Dental have attended several clinical courses and workshops. Topics have included new trends in dental implants, a software update that helps efficiently make in-house crowns, periodontal disease and the relationship to oral hygiene, and of course hands on training of our Waterlase Laser.

A skilled workforce is more productive, helps businesses retain employees, and of course allows us to bring a greater wealth of knowledge and experience to our patients.

Yes, there is both a time and financial investment to continuing education.  At Mount Auburn Dental we believe this is key component to the level of dental care we wish to bring to our patients. As you and your family prepare for the upcoming school year, you can smile knowing your dentist is also looking ahead.

                          

Fast food chains, restaurants, and coffee shops advertise the the latest ice coffee or smoothies. While they certainly will take the edge off the heat, the added sweeteners will be harmful to your teeth. Don’t be afraid to ask for un-sweatened alternatives. While not always promoted or advertised, most establishments have lower sugar options.

Before heading off to the beach or the lake make some home made fruit smoothies, a great treat for when you get home. Fresh summertime berries, already containing natural sugar, means you don’t have to add any sugar or honey. Add some milk or cream to your berries, put them in a blender, fill the glasses, put ‘em in the fridge. A perfect treat for when you get home.

Quite often we only think of drinks as a means to cooling off on warm day, there are a number of foods which can also do the trick. Watermelon can act as a thirst quencher, is full of antioxidants, a great source of Vitamin C & A (both are good for your teach). Also the water in the watermelon can help push unwanted food particles and plaque away.

Pure cold water is still the best option to refresh your body on a hot day. For a twist, try adding a lemon or lime wedge to your ice water.

Moderation is the key, with regular brushing and visits to your dentist, you can have the occasional sweet drink. Understanding all options, being informed and aware of what additives have been put into otherwise healthy drinks is important to life long dental health.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us at Mount Auburn Dental, 207-782-3971.

                          

• INCREASED COMFORT

Heat, vibration and pressure are the primary causes of pain associated with the use of the traditional dental drill. Since cutting teeth and gums with the Waterlase® does not generate heat, vibration or pressure, many dental procedures can be performed with fewer shots, less need for anesthesia, less use of the drill and fewer numb lips!

• ACCURACY AND PRECISION

Waterlase® removes tooth enamel decay (the hardest substance in the body), bone and gum tissue precisely while leaving surrounding areas unaffected. This conserves and allows your dentist to preserve more of the healthy tooth structure.

• REDUCED TRAUMA

High speed drills can cause hairline cracks and fractures in the teeth that eventually lead to future dental problems. Waterlase® reduces damage to healthy portions of the tooth and minimizes trauma.

• IMPROVED CAVITY FILLINGS

Waterlase® cavity preparations can increase bond strength of tooth-colored restoration resulting in longer lasting fillings.

• LESS BLEEDING AND SWELLING

Due to its conservative, gentle cutting action and coagulating capabilities, the Waterlase® performs many procedures on the gums with little or no bleeding and less post-op swelling.

• FEWER DENTAL VISITS

Since you often do not need shots or anesthesia, your Waterlase® dentist can perform cavity preps in all areas of the mouth in just one visit. This technology also gives trained Waterlase® dentists the ability to perform many procedures that were previously referred to specialists, so your dentist may be able to treat you for certain conditions that would previously have required a referral to a specialist.

To learn more about Waterlase, visit www.WaterLase.com.

If you have any questions, comments, concerns about Waterlase, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

Email us at at info@MountAuburnDental.com or call 207-782-3971

                          

“No one likes the drill. People tense up the minute they hear it. WaterLase Dentistry is a major advance, both in terms of patient comfort and clinical results,” Dr. Helmkamp said. “Our goal is always to provide the most comfortable experience and the best dentistry for our patients, and making things easier on the patient is a big bonus.”

Drills, needles and numb lips can prevent people from taking a positive, proactive approach to oral health. WaterLase Dentistry changes the dynamic. Patients experience WaterLase Dentistry as more comfortable, convenient and less invasive. “As a WaterLase Dentist, I feel like I connect better with my patients in a positive, consultative atmosphere, leaving dread and fear in the past,” explains Dr. Helmkamp.

The WaterLase laser system combines laser energy and a gentle spray of water to gently cut teeth, gums and even bone without heat, vibration or pressure – all of the things that make the drill hurt. The only sound that patients hear is a gentle popping noise, removing much of the anxiety from the experience of being in the dentist’s chair.

The WaterLase system’s laser handpiece never touches the tooth as it removes dental decay, eliminating the grinding and heat associated with the drill, along with the pain triggered by nerves reacting to heat and vibration. The laser also helps preserve teeth by eliminating vibrations that can create microscopic cracks and fissures in the surrounding healthy tooth surface.

In procedures such as gum surgery, the WaterLase system uses only the energy of the laser to cut and water to cool as the tip gently touches the tissue. In most cases the laser eliminates bleeding.

For most patients, a WaterLase treatment is painless, and no injection of anesthetic is needed. That means there is less chance of walking out of the office with a numb lip. “Not relying on pain killers in turn means we can fix several cavities anywhere in the mouth in a single visit, reducing the number of appointments you need,” explained Dr. Helmpkamp, so it’s a lot more convenient for patients.”

“Technology is transforming dentistry. Eventually, every dentist will use a laser,” said Dr. Helpkamp, “but we are leading the way by offering WaterLase Dentistry to our patients today.”

WaterLase lasers are completely safe and have been approved by the US FDA for preparing cavities for filling, root canals, bone surgery and a variety of other procedures, and are now used by thousands of dental professionals throughout the U.S. A list of dentists who use the system can be found at www.WaterLase.com.