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Caring for yourself includes routine dental maintenance Getting regular check-ups has proven successful in saving patients from unnecessary expense and pain. When you see the dentist regularly, we can prevent problems from developing or we can detect them in their early stages. We do understand that most people would like to avoid going to the dentist but remember, regular dental visits are necessary for living a much healthier life. We encourage you to act today. We are here to help you. What does the FAGD stand for after Dr. Covey's name? Dr. Covey is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists who are dedicated to professional development and continuing education. All AGD members must remain current with advances in the profession to provide quality patient treatment. A general dentist who is a “Fellow” in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) has been recognized by other general dentists as a leader and an example to other dentists of the importance of quality continuing dental education to patient care. Dr. Covey has accepted the charge to keep abreast of advances in dentistry for the benefit of patients and the betterment of dentistry. He serves as a mentor and leader to other dentists pursuing continuing dental education. He has set examples in his community with his hard work, concern and involvement. To earn a Fellowship Award, Dr. Covey had to earn a minimum of 500 approved continuing dental education credits and pass a comprehensive 400-question examination. He also had to be a member of the Academy of General Dentistry for five continuous years. Dr. Covey follows a lifelong pursuit of continuing education to provide the highest quality of dental care to his patients. How often should I replace my toothbrush? The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. One study, run by Oral-B Laboratories, showed that newer toothbrushes remove more plaque than older brushes do. Another study revealed that people who used new toothbrushes had less plaque than people who used worn toothbrushes. Using newer toothbrushes also seems to help prevent gingivitis inflammation of the gums. So if you can’t remember the last time you replaced your toothbrush, go to the nearest drugstore for a replacement. What causes an ice cream headache? You mean the dull, throbbing agony that starts at the top of the throat, peaks after 30 to 60 seconds and puts a vise grip on the brain for up to five minutes? It results from too much cold—any almost frozen substance—hitting a spidery network of nerves on the roof of the mouth. In shock, nerve signals are sent to the brain, and your head begins to hurt. To overcome the pain, says Dr. Robert Smith, founder of the Cincinnati Headache Center, sip a chaser of warm water, which counteracts. Canker Sore (Cold Sore) Canker sores are often confused with cold sores. An easy way to distinguish between the two is to remember that canker sores occur inside the mouth, and cold sores usually occur outside the mouth. A canker sore (also called aphthous ulcers) is a small ulcer with a white or gray base and red border. There can be one or a number of sores in the mouth. Canker sores are very common and often recur. A cold sore, which is also called fever blister or herpes simplex, is composed of groups of painful, fluid-filled blisters that often erupt around the lips and sometime under the nose or under the chin. Cold sores are usually caused by herpes virus type 1 and are very contagious. Canker sores usually heal in about a week or two. Rinsing with antimicrobial mouth rinses may help reduce the irritation. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can also provide relief. Cold sores usually heal in about a week. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can provide temporary relief and prescription antiviral drugs may reduce these kinds of viral infections. Some tips for protecting yourself against cold sores are: get plenty of sleep, avoid extreme weather, and take care of your health, as cold and flu are common culprits of cold sore flare-ups. Benefits of Digital X-Rays New systems and technology are constantly emerging in the dental field. One exciting new system is Computed Dental Radiography (CDR), which is commonly referred to as digital x-rays. CDR uses computer technology to provide large, sharp images of a patient’s teeth and gum tissues. Additionally, digital x-rays can reduce radiation exposure to the patient by up to 90% compared to conventional film x-rays. For digital x-rays, the patient opens wide not for x-ray film but for a sensor with a computer chip. This wafer-size sensor electronically transmits the data directly to a computer, and a digital x-ray appears on the screen within seconds. Because the sensor is far more sensitive than regular film, less radiation is required. Another benefit is quickness. Digital x-rays are instantaneous. No time is wasted processing and mounting x-ray film. Therefore, our dental staff spends less time developing film and more time with you, discussing the health of your teeth. The dentist and you can immediately see the image! Digital x-rays are as accurate as conventional x-rays. In addition, a digital image can be magnified to 300 times its normal size to enhance diagnosis, contrast can be corrected, and color can be adjusted to reveal problems that may not otherwise be detected. Our office uses a networked system that allows us to call up x-rays for patients at any of our seven computer locations. Digital x-rays are often sent by E-mail to specialists, other practitioners, or insurance companies. This greatly increases the speed of communication regarding a patient’s diagnosis and treatment. This method also offers long-term, easily stored records. Digital x-rays… the future of dental radiography! Further Reading These are additional articles you may find useful pertaining to oral health care, all documents are in Adobe Acrobat format if you need the Adobe Reader you can download it for free from: Adobe Acrobat Reader Download Site
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