Dentist Secrets

Your dentist's office has a slew of degrees littering the walls, showing expertise in oral care. Frequent cleanings, tooth repair and regular checkups keep you coming back. Dentists undergo strict educational requirements to earn dental degrees, but some things are learned with time. Between financial secrets and treatment options that may sound uncanny, your dentist may be harboring more secrets than you know.

Modern Education

• Dentists attend school for four years to learn extractions, roots canals, cleaning and how to use the technology needed to diagnose and treat certain conditions. Dentistry is an ever-changing industry with technological advances cropping up almost daily. Because things change so fast, dentists do not always have the most up-to-date treatment options or machinery. Without the proper training, newer dental treatments or diagnoses cannot be offered. Always ask your dentist about ongoing education and certification to ensure he is current with his training in new technologies that could benefit you and your family.

Smoker's Breath

• Your dentist doesn't always need to ask you questions about your habits. If you have yellow teeth, your dentist can usually determine the cause. Yellow teeth can be blamed on caffeine and certain foods. Many people do not want to admit to their dentist that they smoke, but your dentist can see and smell the damage done by nicotine it. Smoking allows nicotine to penetrate the gums, increasing your risk of periodontal disease.

Filling Materials

• With little concern as to the materials that make up fillings and crowns, cheaper is sometimes better for your dentist. Dental applications such as crowns, fillings and bridges are made in a lab, but dental labs become so overwhelmed that they outsource work overseas. China is one such country that takes on the development of dental prosthesis. Without guidelines in place such as those required by the United States Food and Drug Administration, products from overseas may contain lead or mercury, which are toxic to humans. For this reason, many dentists use composite materials for their patients, although some dentists still find outsourcing a cheaper alternative.

Treatment

• Root canals are common in dentistry. They are designed to save a tooth that would otherwise require extraction. Some dentists will advise a root canal because it is cost effective and covered by most insurance carriers. Procedures such as teeth implants are only covered by a few insurance companies, and with patients being unable to afford the $1,000 to $2,000 cost per tooth, implants are not recommended as often. Insurance is a great commodity, but standard work is what they offer, laying the cost of cosmetic fixes to the consumer.

Tooth Whitening

• Whiter teeth are showing up in movies and on television, creating a desire for the average consumer to have the same pearly whites. With over-the-counter whitening kits and bleaching offered at most dental offices, tooth whitening has become easier. The problem with this is that frequent whitening treatments break down your tooth's enamel, making it easier for decay to set in. Frequent bleaching also strips away the tooth's natural color, making your teeth almost see-through after time. Bleaching every six months is more than adequate, as long as you are practicing good oral hygiene by brushing twice daily and flossing in between meals.