Elizabeth Smith only wanted three teeth in her upper jaw removed. Oops! A dentist at a Florence, S.C., dental clinic pulled all 16 of her upper teeth -  by mistake.

A jury awarded the 28-year old woman a $2 million verdict.

Of course, she has trouble eating, covers her mouth when talking, and may be experiencing low self-esteem issues. Dental implants will cost  about $80,000, which the jury money will cover, in addition to the patient’s shock, embarrassment, and trauma.

The award consisted of $500,000 in actual damages and $1.5 million in punitive damages. The jury ordered Sexton Dental Clinic to pay most of the damages, and one of its dentists, Robert Scott, to pay the rest. This dental error is a rare occurrence and the clinic’s attorney says it’s considering an appeal. Really?

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com

Dental and periodontal cleanings help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

The bad news is that millions of Americans have lost their jobs along with their dental and health insurance. COBRA benefits are unaffordable for most people who can’t afford to pay out of pocket to see a dental professional even once a year.

The scary news is that there are hundreds of discount dental providers using scare tactics and jockeying to get your money. Know what your money is buying. Read the fine print.

The good news is that AARP’s Dental Insurance Plan offers three (3) free dental or periodontal cleanings every year. Rates average around $43 per month for single coverage with discounted premiums for two people and families. Plan prices, like all dental coverage, vary by state and region. [Read more →]

A 23-year old man I worked with was spitting blood when he went to the dentist. He had the beginning of periodontal disease. They caught it in time.

A 43-year old woman I worked with didn’t go to the dentist. Now she has chronic periodontal disease, she needs periodontal surgery, and she may lose her two front bottom teeth.

If you’re not brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day and seeing a dental professional at least once a year, you may be at risk for periodontal disease.

Make dental health your priority. You can never begin too early or too late in life.

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com for your Free Tips.

Whoopi’s right. Gum disease (AKA periodontal disease) can kill you.

Watch Whoopi talk about her experience with gum disease and tooth loss at www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLDL8NhNxWA

If you can’t afford dental implants, you may need to get a denture and then you may need to get my book. Seriously.

What I know for sure is that it’s all connected.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
www.gotteethguide.com for your Free Tips.

Make an appointment with your periodontist as soon as possible in 2009 if you haven’t had a dental check up and teeth cleaning in the last six months.

Periodontal cleanings are more in-depth than dental cleanings, so you might want to ask if they have nitrous oxide. They can’t touch me without it.

Please vote for me in the People’s Health Blogger Awards. Just click the “Vote Now” button on the left on my blog and on the right on my Wellsphere page. Thank you.

Happy New Year Blessings.

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/ for your Free Tips.

Special dietary care and concern should be taken into consideration by and for elderly people. Tooth loss, pain, and joint dysfunction (arthritis) can diminish the chewing abilities of elderly people who are on restrictive diets and under medical treatment. These people may be isolated or too weak to shop for, prepare, and/or eat the nutritional meals so vital to their existence.

Toothpaste and/or denture cleaner, a toothbrush and/or a denture brush in their favorite color, dental floss (waxed and unwaxed), and antiseptic mouthwash are things that they use and run out of all the time. I know I do. Throw in some soaps, hand creams, and shampoos you know they like to make a thoughtful gift basket. You’ll be helping people who are on a fixed income save money.

You may want to include some nutritious food in the basket such as crackers, cheese, single serving soups and cereal, tuna fish, peanut butter, canned fruits, their preference of coffee or tea, and their favorite cake or cookies.

Now that’s a great gift.

Keep smiling.

Saundra Goodman
Got Teeth? A Survivor’s Guide
How to keep your teeth or live without them.
http://www.gotteethguide.com/ for your Free Tips.

More than 30 million denture wearers in the United States didn’t see a dental professional in time to save their teeth: 75% of new patients don’t know they have gum disease until they are diagnosed.

Don’t ignore the warning signs of gum disease:

1. Red, swollen or tender gums.
2. Gums that bleed when you brush (pink in the sink).
3. Recurring bad breath. [Read more →]

Approximately 20 million teeth are extracted annually leaving millions of people with less than perfect smiles, social embarrassment, and emotional and psychological issues.

Over 75% of the population suffers from periodontal disease in varying stages.

These staggering statistics give way to difficult and sometimes no choices: at least 1-1/2 million people get dentures every year. [Read more →]