“The greatest smile in the world comes from a child.” True enough. Nothing can compare to the innocent smile of a child. It reflects purity, happiness, and calmness… something important in the frantic world we live today. Coming home to a sweet smile can erase all anxiety, stress, and pressure of a hard day’s work. But of course, good care is needed to retain those charming smiles. After all, how can a charming smile be charming if the teeth and mouth are not properly cared for? The teeth are the reason why these smiles are created, so a good dentist such as a dentist is important to preserve and prevent them from decay.
It’s no secret that children are fond of eating sweet candies and chocolate, but most of the time they forget to brush their teeth. Teaching a kid to brush is a task dreaded by many parents. It’s not always easy asking a child to brush. Their teeth are their least of worries compared to toys, games, and television. One thing parents should know is that teeth care is important. And finding a good dentist can help a lot in keeping that healthy, bright smile. Here are simple steps for you to follow in finding the dentist right for your child’s need:
Step 1: Recommendation:
It is best if you can ask your relatives or friends to recommend a dentist. It’s likely that they have established a rapport with a dentist they trust. If you are moving, and your family dentist would be far from your new home, ask if he/she can recommend another dentist to you. That way, it would not be difficult for you to go back and forth to your previous dentist.
Step 2: Research:
Do your own research when considering a new dentist. Know his dental history, his education, and experience. For instance, when visiting a prospective dentist see the seminars he has attended, his postgraduate education, and better yet interview his current patients. Take note: be wary of those dentists that do not have license because you will regret it at the end if something happens to your child’s teeth.
Step 3: Schedule an appointment:
After all the research you’ve made, try to have an appointment with the dentist. You must talk about taking care of your child’s dental health. Find out if he/she has rules and regulations to follow and what are the assurance that your child’s teeth will be taken good care. Sometimes a child has dental phobias because of what they have previously experienced with a dentist. Find out what kind of relaxation techniques he offers; for example, nitrous oxide or dental sedation to help calm a child.
Step 5: The Appointment:
When you come to the office, be observant at all times. Check if the procedures are comfortable for your child. If you are already talking to a dentist, show some respect and build connection with him. Don’t be boastful to the dentist; always remember that he/she will be handling your child’s oral health. Tell the dentist what you expect from him. Try saying “I trust my child’s dental health to you.” This will let him know how much you expect from him to keep your child’s teeth healthy.” Also, don’t forget to say thank you to all his help.
Dentists & Specialties - Beyond the Teeth Cleaning
There are mainly four types of valves present in our heart and they are mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonic valves. Heart valve disease occurs only when heart valves don’t function properly.
Types of valvular Heart Disease
The types of heart valve disease are
- Valvular stenosis – Heart valves become tight and narrow resulting restriction in blood flow. Hence, the heart has to work hard to pump blood resulting heart failure.
- Valvular insufficiency (regurgitation) – Leaflets do not close completely causing the blood to flow back. Heart has to work more to compensate for leaky valve resulting heart failure
Causes of valvular Heart Disease
Some causes are given below, since many reasons for valvular heart disease is yet not found.
- Congenital valve disease - this congenital valve disease (structural defects) develops before birth. This disease affects commonly aortic or pulmonary valve
- Bicuspid aortic valve disease – Normally aortic valve has three leaflets. Bicuspid aortic valve disease is a deformity of the aortic valve in which the valve will have only two leaflets. Because of this defect, the valve can’t function normally.
- Acquired valve disease- this disease may be due to any infections, or structural defect, and examples are
- Rheumatic fever: this fever is caused by bacterial infection and may lead to mitral regurgitation
- Endocarditis: endocarditis is caused by some germs and bacteria entering the blood stream. These germs and bacteria attack the heart valves and leads to leaky valve
- Mitral valve prolapsed
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- Cardiomyopathy
- Syphilis
- Hypertension
- Aortic aneurysms
- Connective tissue disease
- Some drugs or radiation
Symptoms of heart Valve Disease
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness or dizziness
- Discomfort in your chest.
- Palpitations
- Swelling of your ankles, feet or abdomen
- Rapid weight gain
How are heart valve diseases diagnosed?
Diagnostic test are
- Echocardiography
- Transesophageal echocardiography
- Radionuclide scans
- Cardiac catheterization (angiogram)
- Magnetic resonance imaging
How is heart valve disease Treated?
Treatment completely depends upon the severity and type of heart valve disease. Treatment plans aim at three conditions
- Protecting your valve from further damage
- Lessening symptoms
- Repairing or replacing valves
1) Protecting your valve from further damage -Even if your valve is repaired or replaced by surgery, you are still at a risk of having endocarditis. To protect yourself, you must remember the following things
- Tell your doctors and dentist you have valve disease.
- Consult your doctor if you have symptoms of an infection
- Take good care of your teeth and gums to prevent infections
- Take antibiotics before you undergo any procedure that may cause bleeding, such as any dental work, invasive tests, major or minor surgery
2) Lessening symptoms - Medications for heart valve disease
Your prescribed medications not only treat your symptoms but also will lessen the further damage to heart valves. Medications prescribed includes
- Diuretics (to reduce the symptoms for heart failure)
- Antiarrhythmic medications (helps to control heart rhythm)
- Vasodilators (helps to reduce the workload of heart)
- ACE inhibitors (to treat high blood pressure and heart failure)
- Beta blockers (to treat high blood pressure and palpitation)
- Anticoagulants ("blood thinners")
3) Repairing or replacing valves - Surgery and Other Procedures
Heart valves can be repaired or replaced with traditional heart valve surgery or a minimally invasive heart valve surgical procedure. Heart valves may also be repaired by other procedures such as percutaneous balloon valvotomy.
Living with heart valve disease
If you are suffering from heart valve disease or you have had heart valve surgery, it is necessary for you to protect yourself from future heart problems. Here are some tips for you to keep healthy
- Know the type and extent of your valve disease.
- Tell all your doctors and dentist you have valve disease.
- Call your doctor if you have symptoms of an infection.
- Take good care of your teeth and gums.
- Take antibiotics before you undergo any procedure that may cause bleeding.
- Take your medications.Follow your doctor's instructions when you take your medications.
- See your heart doctor for regular visits, even if you have no symptoms.
When To Consider A Dental Malpractice Lawsuit
Part of having a healthy lifestyle is maintaining a good dental health. In fact, it recommended that you pay your dentist a visit once in every six months. As you know, the mouth is a moist mucus membrane and thus, it is not impossible that bacteria may breed on it. When your mouth is infected with bacteria and you don't have proper dental hygiene, this may lead to serious conditions such as mouth sores or canker sores, tonsillitis, and tooth infection. This is the reason why it is very important to consult a dentist every now and then. However, choosing a good dentist can be a bit daunting because not all of them are good in practicing their profession. So, what to look for in a dentist? Consider these qualities:
The most important thing that you need to consider when you're looking for a dental practitioner is the education background and hands-on professional experience. A good specialist is someone who has completed the necessary course for dentistry, has passed the licensing board exam, and has certifications to prove his ability to practice his profession. Check also the professional experience. Choose those who have been in the industry for a couple of years already.
Another quality of a good dentist that you need to factor in is his ability to communicate well with his clients. He should be able to explain the methods and procedures clearly using simple words that can easily be understood. You also have to take note on the way he explains the procedures, and whether or not he is confident about what he is saying -he should sound like he really knows what he's doing. He should be able to respond quickly to your questions.
Lastly, check the facilities inside the clinic. Check the instruments and the machines used by the dentist. This is a very important criterion that you should look into because the mouth can be quite sensitive. Make sure that the instruments are always clean and sterilized, and that the machines are working properly. Additionally, see to it that the clinic is tidy and well maintain, the staff is friendly, and that you are comfortable with the atmosphere inside the room.
A good dental practitioner is someone who cares about the welfare of his clients, and therefore he ensures that he is armed with proper education and certification, good professional practice, and a working environment that feels like home.