Dental Insurance: Our View
At St. Louis Hills Dental Group our first responsibility is to provide quality dental care for the patients we treat. For patients who have dental insurance we do our best to balance the type of care needed with the amount of coverage provided by dental insurance plans. Most current dental coverge plans are group plans provided by companies for their employees and often family members. Plans vary greatly by annual maximums and copayments for certain services. In some situations coverage differences are present in different segments of the work force in the same company.
We try to help our patients sort through all of the details and get as close as we can to the amounts of coverage available and the patient responsibiity for services we provide. This can be very confusing with frequent plan changes and service fee denials encountered.
We are providers for many dental plans and evaluate many other plans to determine if we can participate. Often the plans have so many restrictions and limitations we are unable to join. Many plans have lists of dentists who have agreed to reduce fees substantially to participate. We are often not on those “lists” but will work with patients to reach acceptable financial arrangements to allow them to have dental treatment provided by St. Louis Hills Dental Group.
The worst thing that can happen to a patient is to have the need for dental treatment and not be able to have care because of financial reasons. Delaying treatment always will end up costing the patient more money or worse lead to a decline in the health of their mouths.
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Child Dental Visits
St. Louis Hills Dental Group Child Dental Care
Tooth Development Chart
Children are seen at our office at younger ages than ever before. We review each child’s medical, dental, prenatal, natal, neonatal, and dietary history. We examine children for head, neck and dental abnormalities. Evaluation includes examining for occlusion problems such as crossbites, overbites, and midline deviations. During the examination we check for decay and evaluate the hygiene condition of the teeth. You may read about our fluoride varnish applications on another page of this website.
We recommend that children have their first visit to our office by age three. We will show our young patients the office, let them watch their favorite television shows, give them a ride on one of our chairs, and clean and polish their teeth on the first visit. Best of all, they will get a bag of “goodies” if they cooperate. The bags contain toys, a toothbrush, and several other items sure to get their attention and approval.
Parent Cooperation for Child Dental Care
Parents should begin to brush a child’s teeth as soon as they erupt. This is best in the morning and at night before putting the child to bed. Flossing is very helpful in older children who can tolerate the procedure.
Fruit juices not to exceed one cup per day are fine for children after the eruption of the teeth. Carbonated beverages should not be included in the diet for the first 30 months following tooth eruption. Infants should not be placed in bed with a bottle with anything other than water.
Infants can have their teeth and mouths cleansed with a damp wash rag after eating.
Children should be scheduled at St. Louis Hills Dental Group at 6 month intervals to follow hygiene evaluation and to track growth and development.
Should you have any questions contact us by email or call 314-644-0440.
Xylitol- the natural sweetener that prevents tooth decay
Xylitol is a natural sweetener now used in may chewing gums and mints that can drastically reduce tooth decay. In study after study, it has shown an ability to improve oral health. Chewing gum is the best delivery method since it stays in the mouth for a prolonged period of time.
The simple act of chewing xylitol gum for 5 minutes, 5-10 times per day, reaps benefits that can’t be disputed. Xylitol works its magic by starving the decay-causing bacteria and reducing acids that break down enamel.
Who benefits from the use of xylitol? EVERYONE!!!
- Parents of infants (6-24 months in age) who chew gum containing xylitol can reduce the amount of strep bacteria that is passed to their children by as much as 70%. Babies are not born with these bacteria; we give it to them. There is also a benefit of reduced ear and lung infection.
- Children should start chewing xylitol around age 5 for long term benefits and to help avoid early tooth decay.
- College students can use xylitol to reduce decay that can be caused by poor diet and stressful life style.
- Anyone with dry mouth concerns due to medications or medical conditions can benefit by using Biotene dry mouth products or Tom’s of Maine toothpastes containing xylitol
- Nursing home patients, who can chew gum safely, but who have lost the ability to care for their teeth can reduce decay by using xylitol.
Look for xylitol in other foods and snacks . It provides almost magical help in preventing tooth decay.
For more information on xylitol or any dental questions St. Louis Hills Dental Group is located at 6979 Chippewa (one block west of Ted Drewes). We can be reached by phone at 314-644-0440 or leave a message on this website.
Dentistry and the Diabetic Patient
Ongoing research indicates that there is a connection between diabetes and gum disease. Since diabetes affects 23.6 million people in the United States the connection is very important in successfully treating gum disease.
Diabetes is a group of chronic diseases resulting from defects in insulin production, action, or both. It is characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). High blood sugar interferes with normal metabolism and eventually tissue healing and health. Diabetics whose disease is controlled either by diet or medication can expect reasonable healing and tissue response in treatment of gum disease.
Uncontrolled diabetics may develop diminished salivary flow leading to xerostomia (dry mouth). They may also develop improper response to infections and inflammation of gum tissues. These conditions often lead to poor response to gum treaments and require more agressive treatment.
Some dental patients do not know that they have diabetes. This can lead to disappointing treatment results for gum disease. Diabetes Screening Tests are important for:
>Every new dental patient with a familiy history of diabetes
>Annually for all patients over the age of 60
>All existing patients during health history and risk assessment
updates and thereafter every 5 years unless over the age of 60
At St. Louis Hills Dental Group we will continue to keep current with changes and advancements in the treatment of diabetes and gum disease.
For more information call St. Louis Hills Dental Group at 314-644-0440 or leave us a message on this website.