Use It Or Lose It!

It's that time of year again. The holidays are around the corner and there is so much to do - including, perhaps, a visit to your dentist.

"Many patients are fortunate to have dental insurance to help them with their dental costs," Dr. Judith Ko says from her Family and Cosmetic Dental Practice in Hemet, California. "What some don't realize is their benefits have an expiration date," she adds.

For PPO dental plans there is a yearly maximum benefit, if that money is not used it does not rollover to be used the following year, it's lost. If you are unsure what type of dental insurance coverage you have, please contact your dental office and they can help.

"At Hemet Valley Dental Care we routinely contact insurance companies on behalf of our patients," Dr. Ko says. "Dental insurance is often confusing and we want to make sure that our patients receive the most from their benefits." Most dental plan maximum benefits run out at the end of the year. That's why it becomes so crazy trying to get in to see your dentist at the last moment.

Now is the time to call to make your appointment. And if you are looking for a new dentist and live in the Hemet area, check out what our patients have to say about us.

Holiday Season is Upon Us

Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are fast approaching. This is the busy time of year for most of us. We thought we'd help by sharing with you a recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake, a sure winner.

Ingredients

• CRUST:
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from 14 graham crackers)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• FILLING:
• 1 .25-ounce envelope unflavored gelatin
• 1 8-ounce bar cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Make the crust: Heat oven to 400° F. In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter. Transfer to a 9-inch springform pan. Using a straight-sided dry measuring cup, press the mixture into the bottom and 2 inches up the sides of the pan. Bake until set, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool.
2. Make the filling: sprinkle the gelatin over 1/4 cup boiling water. Let stand, stirring occasionally, until dissolved, about 5 minutes.
3. Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in the pumpkin, sour cream, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla. Mix in the gelatin mixture until incorporated.
4. Chill: Pour the mixture into the crust and refrigerate, covered, until firm, at least 2 hours and up to 2 days. 

What's the Best Way to Whiten My Teeth?

According to WebMD, the best and most inexpensive way to keep your teeth white and bright is to have regular dental visits. Having your teeth cleaned removes the stain that comes from normal eating and drinking. Stains occur when you drink coffee and tea and can even come from eating things like apples. While regular visits to your dentist keeps most smiles at their brightest, some people may need or want additional help.

"If your smile needs a boost, to get it to the shade you desire, there are a couple of methods that work well," says Dr. Judith Ko from her cosmetic dental practice located in Hemet, California. Trays can be formulated specifically for a particular mouth by your dentist. These trays are then filled with a whitening solution. The solutions are different from what you can purchase at your local pharmacy and produce a more dramatic result. The trays and solution can be applied to your teeth at home when it is convenient.

Another method of whitening is completed in the dental office. Many times referred to as 1-hour or in-office whitening, this method utilizes a stronger solution and is monitored by a professional when applied. "Both methods are great for giving you a whiter smile," Dr. Ko says.

With the holiday season fast approaching, wouldn't you like to have a brighter smile?

What Type of Filling is Right?

Today there are many options available to repair teeth that are decaying. White fillings, porcelain and gold fillings called inlays and onlays, and crowns. How do you know what is right for you?

"A dentist takes into consideration a number of factors when determining what type of recommendation to make," says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley Dental Practice. "We look at the amount of decay that is occurring, but we are also looking at the surrounding teeth." The teeth that oppose or are touched when chewing also make a difference in the type of final restoration that will be best for a patient. Composite or white fillings are great for small areas of decay. The composite material adheres to the tooth and bonds to create a natural appearance that is also very strong. When the tooth has sustained more damage an inlay or onlay may be the best choice for the patient. These are generally manufactured at a lab and provide protection to the biting surface of your tooth. "But sometimes the damage is extensive," Dr. Ko says. "When that is the case, the only solution may be a crown." A crown is a full cover placed after all the decay is removed. To determine what is best for your situation means sitting down with your dentist and exploring the options.

You can learn more about how fillings are done here.

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late!

Don't wait  until it's too late! 

A disturbing trend is happening around America. Emergency rooms are being flooded by people with toothaches and infections. Typically the only treatment you will be given is a prescription for antibiotics.

Antibiotics will not alleviate the underlying cause of the infection. Once the infection is gone and you are out of antibiotics, the infection will most likely come back unless you take care of the initial problem.

People who do not  follow up with diagnosed problems run the risk of the initial problem becoming worse. This can potentially cause serious and in some cases life threatening infections. 

What can be done to keep this from happening? See your dentist for regular check-ups. When you are given a diagnosis, make sure you take care of your treatment.

Give us a call today! Don't wait until you are in extreme pain. If you are a current patient of ours and have dental insurance that you have not used yet this year, don't lose it. Call us today. It could end up costing you more in the long run if you wait.

Our goal here at Hemet Valley Dental Care is to keep your smile healthy and happy!

Do You Smile?

Do you shy away from the camera?

Do you find yourself hiding your smile from others?

What does your smile say about you?


Smiles are very telling.  When a person smiles, you can determine one's mood, confidence level or lack of. If someone were to look at your smile, what could be determined? 

Smiles are infectious and can change your mood or the mood of others you smile at. There are many more health benefits to smiling.

- Lowers blood pressure
- Stress reliever
- Releases Endorphins
- Releases Serotonin

These are just a few benefits of smiling.

So what is keeping you from smiling? If you are not happy with the appearance of your smile, please give us a call today at Hemet Valley Dental Care. We care about you and your smile.

Use It Or Lose It

Are you paying for your Dental Insurance?


Have you been in to see your dentist this year?

Are you wasting your money?

These are all questions you should ask yourself. If you are paying towards your dental insurance and have not yet been to see your dentist, you are throwing your money away. Most insurance plans have yearly allowances. It may be $1500.00 It may be $3000.00. This is all money that could be going towards your smile, health and overall dental needs!

The year is quickly coming to an end. Come December 31st, 2013 your insurance benefits will be expired!  That means that the dental insurance company you are paying gets to keep that $1500.00 to $3000.00 dollar a year benefit at the expense of your bank account and most importantly your health and well being.

Please do your smile a favor and start taking advantage of your benefits before it's too late. Give Dr.Ko a call today! We look forward to hearing from you.

 Hemet Valley Dental Care would like to take care of your dental needs. We are changing the world one smile at a time!