Dental Anxiety

Do you or someone you know fear going to the dentist.
75% of people feel some degree of dental anxiety so you are not alone.

Below are some possible causes for dental anxiety:

And here is how I can help….Sedation Dentistry.
Sedation dentistry removes the layer of fear and anxiety of dental procedures.

I have two options for sedation. There is oral and IV sedation available. For moderate sedation, you will take a pill that will make you drowsy but still awake. IV sedation is delivered intravenously, so it goes to work more quickly with a deeper effect. To find out more information about sedation dentistry and if it will work for you or someone you know, visit our website PerfectSmilesDentalCare.com and click on Sedation Dentistry: Frequently Asked Questions.

Tooth decay is the actual process that results in a cavity. If not treated, tooth decay can cause severe pain, infection or tooth loss.

Causes of Tooth Decay
-Poor oral hygiene over a long period of time.
-Formation of plaque and tartar.
-Acid releasing bacteria which de-mineralize the teeth.
-Excess intake of starch and sugar.
-Sipping on soda and fruit beverages.

Symptoms of Tooth Decay
-Appearance of white, chalky spots on teeth.
-The affected spot turning brown and becoming soft.
-Teeth are highly sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet items.
-Bad breath.

Tooth decay can begin in a short 20 minutes after you eat. Your hygienist recommends brushing and flossing often, a healthy diet, and regular dental checkups.

February is the month where we all work to raise awareness about the importance of oral health for kids.  We have to work together to teach and enlighten our children on the importance of good dental habits and that includes going to the dentist on a regular basis.

When it comes right down to it, what happens in your treatment room with a fearful child can make or break that child’s dental future. Here are some tips to help your child feel more comfortable when coming to see me….

Parents play an important part as role models for their children. Often, if the parent is nervous or apprehensive about visiting the dentist, this nervousness will transmit to the children. Therefore, parents are vital in ensuring that their children understand what visiting the dentist involves.

For many children, one of the most traumatic elements of dental work is they do not really understand what is happening or why it is happening to them. Parents can help from the outset; encouraging their children that a visit to the dentist is a positive, healthy activity. Have your children see a dentist at an early age — and maybe often — to get them acclimated to dental procedures.

-Is it location?
-Is it your insurance?
-Is it experience? 

*Join in on the discussion…

               Sealants and Fluoride

*As part of Dental Awareness Month, your hygienist wants you to know how to protect your child’s teeth. Have you considered Sealants and Fluoride treatment as part of your child’s dental plan?

Sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the grooves of the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where most tooth decay occurs.  Children’s’ teeth are highly susceptible to cavities and sealants can help prevent debris and bacteria from growing in the grooves of the molars and pre-molars. Sealants act as a barrier and can last for several years.

Fluoride helps prevent cavities by hardening the enamel on teeth and making the tooth more resistant to acid and plaque.

Consider these options for a healthier smile on your child.

Q. Do we have payment plans?

           A. We do offer payments plans which include AFFDent, our in-house dental plan, and CareCredit, a third party financing source.

-AFFDent is our own affordable, in-house dental plan for those who have no dental benefits and who are on a limited budget. To learn more about this program, visit our website at http://www.perfectsmilesdentalcare.com/AFFDENTAffordableDentalPlan.aspx.

-CareCredit is a financing source that can help you pay for your health care at participating offices including dental, medical, even your veterinarian. Deferred interest payment plans up to 12 months and there is no prepayment penalty. Receive fast credit approval by phone while in the office with little paperwork. You can start treatment today! For more information go to CareCredit.com.
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Q. What type of payment options do we accept?

          A. The types of payment options that we accept are cash, check, and all major credit cards.

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Q. What insurances do you accept?

          A. Dr. Bridenstine accepts Delta Dental, MetLife, Cigna, Guardian, and Aetna. Dr. Boldry accepts Delta Dental, Cigna, and Aetna.

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Q. Do we provide Sedation Dentistry?

         A. We do provide Sedation Dentistry. Sedation is most appropriate for people with a real fear or anxiety that is preventing them from going to the dentist. Sedation dentistry may also be appropriate for people who:

      -Have a low pain threshold.
      -Can’t sit still in the dentist’s chair.
      -Have very sensitive teeth.
      -Have a bad gag reflex.
      -Need a large amount of dental work completed.

 *We offer two forms of sedation dentistry; Oral sedation and IV sedation.

Oral Sedation-For minimal sedation, you will take a pill. This pill will make you drowsy, although you’ll still be awake. 

 IV Sedation-You receive the sedative drug through a vein, so it goes to work more quickly.

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 4. Do we work with another doctor or specialist?

            A. Dr. Bridenstine works with Dr. Tracy Boldry who specializes in Prostedontics. Prostedonitics focuses on dentures, denture implants, partials and full mouth rehab. To learn more about these services, visit our website at PerfectSmilesDentalCare.com.

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5. What types of services do we offer at our practice?

            A. We offer General, Cosmetic, and Sedation Dentistry.

-General dentistry includes exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, bridges, crowns and more. For a complete list go to PerfectSmilesDentalCare.com.
-Cosmetic dentistry includes teeth whitening, lumineers, veneers, and snap on smile.
-Sedation dentistry; See above.

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6. What do we do to make patients comfortable?

            A. We work hard to make our patients as comfortable as they can be in a dental office. We start with tempurpedic pads on every chair. As you are seated you are then offered a pillow for your legs and a blanket to stay warm. We also offer flat screen TVs to watch your choice of movie, iPads to play around on, or headphones to listen to music. Finally, we provide hot towel service to wipe away any evidence of your visit to the dentist.

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7. What do we do to keep of with current technologies?

             A. We are now in the process of going chartless, meaning all doctor-patient correspondence will be filed electronically. New and exististing patients can fill out paperwork and request appointments online as well as pay their bill online.

We have flat screen TVs and computers in every operatory for the patients convenience. This allows the doctor to visually discuss treatment plans with patients. We also use digital x-rays and electric handpieces for patient efficiency and comfort.

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8. What type of community service do we participate in?

             A. We participate in variety of community service programs, locally and nationally. In the Kansas City area, we reach out with Shadow Buddies, Harvesters, and Dentistry Month for local elementary schools. On a national level we participate in Dentistry from the Heart, Give Back a Smile, and Smile Train.

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9. How do I make an appointment if I am a new patient?

             A. The best way to make an appointment as a new patient is to call our office during business hours to set up your first comprehensive visit. You can can also email us at frontdesk@psdcpatient.com and request an appointment. When you set up your appointment, you will be given specific instructions to help you prepare for your first visit.

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10. Do we offer more than one treatment plan?

             A. Dr. Bridenstine prides his practice on customer service and patient comfort. This includes the treatment plan for future dental work. He can provide more than one option for treatment that allows the patient to choose what will work for them and their schedule and/or budget.

For more Information, visit our website at PerfectSmilesDentalCare.com.

1. Sip Water or Seltzer

            -Drinking water or seltzer while sipping your favorite wine helps wash away the tannins and acidic residue found in wine.

2. Wear Lip Gloss

            -Apply lip gloss regularly when drinking wine.  The petroleum base in most lip glosses can block some of those tannins that stain.

3. Wipe your mouth…and your teeth.

            -Use a tissue to wipe away the stains throughout the night. They have also come out with wine wipes that help clean your teeth even more.

4. Eat from the Cheese Tray.

            -There is a reason you always see cheese being served with wine.  The cheese provides a calcium coating that can prevent staining.  But go for the hard cheeses to make this happen.

5. Do NOT brush after drinking wine.

            -Don’t brush right after drinking a couple of glasses of wine.  The acidity in wine can be abrasive and combine this with your toothbrush and you can damage the tooth enamel.

If you have any questions about your teeth or would like to set up consultation, contact our office at 913-631-2677. Dr. Bridenstine can help you get a whiter smile in no time!

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            We have partnered with Perfect Wedding Guide here in Kansas City. We are now apart of their far reaching organization to help brides and grooms plan their perfect wedding. You are probably thinking what can a dentist offer that would be helpful in planning a wedding. Well, that would be the perfect smile of course!

            Dr. Bridenstine really enjoys doing cosmetic dentistry. He loves seeing the end result of the type of dentistry and most of all the patients’ face when they see their new and improved smile.

            Perfect Smiles Dental Care offers teeth whitening, veneers, lumineers, snap on smile, and much more. Call 913-631-2677 to make your appointment and tell them you found us at PerfectWeddingGuide.com.

(Please print and bring to your first appointment.)

We would like to thank all of those doctors, assistants, hygienists, front office administrators and St. James High School Students who helped us with the event:  Dr. Kelly Bridenstine, Dr. Tyson Marrs, Dr. Kirk Collier, Dr. Serese Cannon, Dr. Andrew Moore, Dr. Ann Fay and Dr. Caryl Earp.  Hygienists, Becky, Alaina and Aram.

Perfect Smiles Dental Care is always proud to host this every special event.  For more information on Dentistry from the Heart, please visit www.dentistryfromtheheart.org.