Options to Pay For Dental Care

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When you urgently need dental care in Owensboro, KY but don’t have the means to pay for it right now, there are a few options available to you. The following options are readily available to people of all ages and in all walks of life.

Care Credit

Care Credit is a special credit card that you can apply for when you have a dental or medical need that you’re unable to pay for at the time. The difference between Care Credit and a regular credit card is that you can only use Care Credit for dental and medical bills. In order to qualify, you must meet the minimum credit requirements. The amount of credit that you’re offered will depend upon your credit history. Note that the dentist has no relationship with Care Credit company and cannot influence the credit decision.

Increased Credit Limit

If you have a regular credit card but it’s maxed out or you just don’t have enough available credit on it to pay for your dental care, there’s an option. Most credit card companies are willing to consider increasing your credit limit for special circumstances, including for things like dental care. All you need to do is telephone your credit card company and speak to a representative. Explain to them what’s going on and ask them to increase your credit limit. If they agree, the credit limit increase is usually effective immediately.

Dental Insurance Rider

If you have dental care that you can’t pay for out-of-pocket, but you have regular health insurance, you may be able to get a dental insurance rider. Dental insurance companies such as Delta Dental associate themselves with all the major insurance companies. You can call a dental insurance company directly to ask about this, or talk with your employer’s human resources person to find out more.

Your dentist in Owensboro, KY can help if you need paperwork showing the estimated cost of dental care that you are planning to get. Please contact us if you need more information about that.

Why Is Follow-Up Dental Care So Important After a Tooth Extraction?

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There are several reasons your dentist in Owensboro, KY, may wish to see you after a tooth extraction. Initially, they may want to make sure you’re healing properly and not having issues with infection. You may also have stitches that need to be removed. More importantly, however, your dentist needs to discuss techniques to prevent bone loss.

Bone loss happens when you lose a tooth and put nothing in its place to fill the hole. Over time, the bone beneath the gum in this area will recede, leaving a large dip you can easily feel with your tongue. This dip worsens over time, and may cause a host of problems, including the following:

Gaps Between Teeth

As bone loss worsens, the teeth surrounding the empty space may shift and begin to spread out from one another. The result could leave you with an unsightly gap where you once had none. A tooth gap may not be a serious issue, but it does affect the appearance of your smile and possibly your self-esteem.

Open Bite

An open bite is more serious because it prevents your upper and lower teeth from coming together at the front of your mouth. It may be difficult to speak clearly with an open bite. It’s also more difficult to eat, bite, and chew. Your risk of choking is greater with an open bite, and something so simple as eating a sandwich may feel impossible.

Facial Deformity

Over time, if left untreated, dental bone loss can lead to facial deformity. The structure of your face may change, making you appear much older than your biological age. It’s important to follow up with your dentist after a tooth extraction if you wish to maintain a youthful appearance. In most instances, simple dental implant surgery is the solution.

For more information on dental implants in Ownensboro, KY, call Travis Wilson, D.M.D. today to schedule a consultation.

Got a Gum Disease Diagnosis? FAQs Answered  

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Research has indicated an alarming statistic when it comes to gum disease in the United States. Some figures estimate that almost half of people over 30 have some level of gum disease. If you have been told that you need gum disease treatment in Owensboro, KY, the diagnosis can be hard to hear and you are bound to have questions.

Does gum disease ever go away?

During the initial stages of periodontal disease, immediate and ongoing treatment can actually stop the problem. However, if you do not seek treatment right away, the issue can progress to a more serious problem that is more persistent and harder to fully treat or eradicate.

Will having gum disease make you lose your teeth?

People with untreated gum disease can be prone to tooth loss. This is because the pockets of bacteria eventually grow and affect the soft tissue that supports your teeth and possibly the bones beneath. However, a diagnosis of periodontal disease does not automatically mean you will lose your teeth. With the proper care, your teeth can be protected.

Is gum disease contagious?

Gum disease is not necessarily contagious, so you can’t catch it by drinking after someone or even kissing someone who has it. However, what can happen is you can pass the harmful bacteria from mouth to mouth, which could lead to problems with gum disease without good oral hygiene habits.

Work Closely with Your Owensboro, KY Dentist for Treatment

While a gum disease diagnosis can be scary, this is not an oral health condition that cannot be managed. The input and care of an Owensboro, KY dentist can make all the difference in how the condition progresses. If you believe you have problems with gum health, reach out to Travis Wilson Family Dentistry to schedule an appointment.

3 Myths About Traditional Metal Braces

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When it comes to orthodontic treatment in Owensboro, KY to address alignment issues, a lot of people these days do opt for invisible aligners. However, the same standard, traditional metal braces that people have used for decades are still effective. Take a look at a few of the most common myths surrounding standard metal braces.

Myth: Treatment takes longer with metal braces

On the contrary, treatment with metal braces sometimes takes less time than with invisible aligners. Nevertheless, the two types of smile alignment can actually be pretty comparable when it comes to the duration of treatment. The primary difference is the fact that aligners require the wearer to strictly adhere to the wearing schedule. Patients that do not wear aligners for the bulk of the day can have longer periods of treatment.

Myth: Metal braces cut your mouth and lips on a regular basis

When you initially get your braces, it can take a few days to get accustomed to speaking and chewing in a way that prevents any abrasions from occurring. However, beyond those first few days, most patients rarely have issues with cuts or abrasions happening because of their metal braces.

Myth: If you have metal braces, you can’t eat what you want

The dentist may give recommendations about a few foods to steer clear of, but, for the most part, you can still eat what you want. Some of the foods that are commonly recommended to avoid include things like hard candy and sticky chewing gum, which are not a substantial part of most people’s diet.

Talk to an Owensboro, KY Dentist About Smile Alignment

Whether you are looking for traditional metal braces or something like clear aligners, an Owensboro, KY dentist can help. Contact our friendly staff members at Travis Wilson Family Dentistry to discuss scheduling an appointment for a consultation.

3 New Year’s Resolutions to Consider That Are All About Your Smile

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Another year is nearly gone, which means it is once again time to start thinking about what you want to do differently for the year to come. As you consider all the New Year’s resolutions that you hope to keep, don’t forget your oral health. Your smile is an important part of who you are, which is why restorative dentistry in Beaver Dam, KY is so popular. Take a look at a few resolutions you may want to consider as this year comes to a close.

Resolve to be more attentive to preventative dental health.

Preventative dental care is all about doing everything you can to prevent dental health issues from occurring. Whether it is your at-home oral hygiene habits or your annual visit to the dentist for checkups and cleaning, these steps can make a world of difference to your oral health.

Resolve to tend to small problems you’ve been neglecting with your teeth.

Maybe you have a small cavity that you have avoided for a while. Perhaps you have bite alignment issues you have never addressed. As the new year begins, tending to these problems could be one of the best things you ever do for your oral health.

Resolve to find out how you can be more confident with your smile.

A confident smile can change everything about how you interact with the world around you. Whether you are not so confident about the appearance of your teeth because you have stains or you really want to make a big change, a good dentist can help the visions of a better smile come to life.

Could a Beaver Dam Dentist help you with your resolutions?

Every new year is a new chance to start the year off right, even when it comes to your oral health. If you have something about your oral health or smile that you would like to discuss with a Beaver Dam, KY dentist, reach out to us at Dr. Travis Wilson Family Dentistry to schedule an appointment.

tooth extraction Owensboro and Beaver Dam KY

Why Not Just Wait For a Bad Tooth to Fall Out on Its Own?

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If your dentist has told you that you need tooth extraction in Owensboro, KY, you may be wondering about why you need this service. After all, in the “olden days,” people just let bad teeth come out on their own. Why not just wait for your bad tooth to fall out on its own? There are many reasons why you need to opt for professional tooth extraction.

The Bad Tooth Can Infect Abutting Teeth

Bad teeth are usually rife with bacteria. This bacteria can readily infect abutting teeth, causing you to have not just one but two or more bad teeth. When your tooth has gone bad, the best thing you can do is to contact your Owensboro dentist to see if it needs to come out. If it does, then you should have the tooth extraction done as soon as possible; before the bad tooth has a chance to endanger the health of nearby teeth.

Bad Teeth Cause Bite Problems

When you have a bad tooth in your mouth, your bite is off. You can’t chew properly, and you end up making tiny adjustments to how you bite and chew. In turn, this ends up affecting the rest of your teeth, and can actually cause even more serious issues with bit alignment.

Bad Teeth Can Cause Nutrition Problems

Depending upon where your bad tooth is, it could actually cause nutrition problems. If it causes you to be unable to eat certain foods, you may become nutritionally deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. Considering the fact that a bad tooth can potentially stay in the mouth for years, that’s a long time to go without proper nutrition.

Risking your overall health isn’t worth hanging onto a bad tooth that needs to be removed. Contact us today for safe tooth extraction in Owensboro, KY.

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How to Overcome Dental Phobia

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Most people know that it’s important to visit the dentist at least once every six months. But many people avoid the dentist as much as possible because of dental phobia. Even when problems arise, they may try to find alternative solutions. This is always a big mistake, since dental problems never resolve on their own without professional treatment. Don’t let dental phobia cause you to have oral health problems. Here’s how to get rid of fear of going to the dentist.

Go to the Dentist More Often

Yes, that’s right. The more you go to the dentist, the less fearful you’ll be of the experience. This is because you’ll become desensitized and more familiar with the dentist’s office. You’ll get comfortable with the signs and sounds, and you’ll find that old dental phobia starting to dissipate.

Ask Lots of Questions

A lot of dental phobia has to do with fear of the unknown. If you don’t know what your dentist is doing, it’s natural to feel afraid. But a good way to feel less afraid is to ask lots of questions. Ask what they’re got to do next, ask if it’s going to hurt, ask why your dentist is doing a certain treatment; your dentist in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY will be more than happy to answer as many questions as you have!

Bring a Friend

No one says you have to to go the dentist by yourself. If you feel fearful, why not bring a friend or family member with you? In fact, in some cases your dentist may even be okay with your friend going with you into the treatment room, so you can feel more comfortable.

Your dentist in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY wants you to feel comfortable during your visits. Contact us today to book your appointment.

Woman holds fingers on her cheek showing toothache

The Dangers of DIY Tooth Extraction

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You notice one of your teeth is severely loose—should you pull it yourself? No matter how loose a permanent tooth may be, you are much better off to trust tooth extraction in Owensboro to a qualified dentist. Here is a look at some of the things that can go wrong with a DIY tooth extraction.

Severe Pain

Tooth extraction can be painful. You are essentially ripping the tooth away from the soft connective tissue that supports it. Even a tooth that is really loose can have bits of connective tissue still in place. This is why dentists inject a local anesthetic to numb the nerves in the area and keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.

Nerve Damage

The mouth, gums, and jaws are filled with important nerves. Trigeminal nerves that lie near the teeth can actually be connected to multiple other points, such as the lips, gums, and chin. Damage to these nerves during extraction can bring about severe side effects, such as changes in speech or constant electrical pulse sensations. If you don’t know where these nerves are located, you could easily damage them during a DIY attempt to pull a permanent tooth.

Damage to Surrounding Teeth

When your tooth is pulled by a dentist, they do x-rays and thorough examinations to get familiar with the shape of your jaws and the positions of the surrounding teeth. They do this to make sure they can dislodge the existing tooth safely without causing damage to any of the surrounding teeth. When you attempt to pull a tooth on your own, you could easily cause permanent damage to the teeth that surround the area.

Work with an Owensboro Dentist to Have a Tooth Pulled

While teeth extractions are a highly routine dental procedure, this is a procedure that should be trusted to an Owensboro dentist. If you have a tooth that you suspect should be pulled, please reach out to us at the office of Dr. Travis Wilson DMD to schedule an appointment.

Tooth Implantation Model

Options For Fixing Gaps in Your Teeth

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If you have gaps between your teeth, you probably feel a bit self-conscious whenever you smile. However, you don’t have to feel this way forever. With numerous treatment options available for this problem, you could soon have the smile of your dreams. If you’re ready to learn more about having a gap-free smile, here are three options you can talk over with your dentist in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY.

Cosmetic Bonding

If you have one or more smaller gaps between your teeth, cosmetic bonding in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY may be the answer to your problem. Simple and cost-effective, most bonding procedures can be completed in only one visit. Using special conditioning gel and tooth-colored resin, your dentist can shape and polish the resin so that it matches your teeth, thus eliminating any gaps that may exist.

Dental Veneers

Using thin shells of porcelain, your dentist can create dental veneers in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY that are a bit wider than your actual teeth, then bond them to the front surface of your teeth to cover the gaps. Though usually more expensive than bonding and requiring two visits, veneers are very durable and can last as long as 15 years.

Dental Implants

Should you have large gaps between teeth due to tooth loss associated with gum disease, you may be a good candidate for dental implants in Owensboro and Beaver Dam, KY. A surgical procedure where titanium posts are inserted into your jawbone and then topped with crowns that look like natural teeth, this is an excellent way for many people to regain a great-looking smile.

If you have lived with gaps between your teeth for years but now long to get the smile you’ve always wanted, speak to your dentist in Beaver Dam and Owensboro, KY soon about these various treatment options.

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For Love of BBQ Sauce: 4 Ways to Avoid Stained Teeth this Summer

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Teeth have a way of getting stained in the summer when people eat at barbecues and drink sugary sodas to stay cool. Knowing how you can avoid stains on your teeth is important! Below we’ve listed some suggestions that can help.

1. Swish With Water

Swishing with water after you eat can help wash away some of the foods that stain. Water is good for you, so hopefully, you have a glass of water at all your meals. Simply take a swig of water, and swish the water in your mouth before swallowing.

2. Brush Teeth Regularly

Most likely, you already brush your teeth twice per day – once in the morning and once in the evening. If you’re worried about staining your teeth, carry your toothbrush in your purse or keep a toothbrush in your car, and brush your teeth after attending barbecues and after eating staining foods.

3. Know Which Foods Stain Your Teeth

Watch out for foods that stain your teeth – foods like barbecue sauce, soda, red wine, coffee and berries. Barbecue sauce and fresh berries are commonly available in summer and can help your teeth take on a yellowish tinge as the summer progresses.

4. Get Your Teeth Whitened

If you do eat a lot of foods that have the potential to stain your teeth this summer, see your dentist in Owensboro KY for tooth whitening services. Getting your teeth whitened can help you avoid stains and keep your teeth looking beautiful!

Tooth whitening can improve your smile! Want to know more about this important service? Call today to make an appointment and discuss tooth whitening with your dentist.