Do you experience a painful sensation when you eat something hot or cold?  What about when you eat a sweet treat or floss your teeth? You may have the common problem of tooth sensitivity.


 
What causes tooth sensitivity?
There are many factors that can contribute to sensitivity:

• Tooth decay (cavity)
• Exposed root surfaces
• Gum recession
• Worn down tooth enamel or fillings

What makes my teeth feel this way?
Teeth have multiple layers: enamel, cementum, dentin, and pulp. The enamel is the hardest structure in the human body and the white outer coating of the tooth. Cementum covers and protects the roots of our teeth. While underneath both the enamel and cementum is, dentin.
Dentin is made up of microscopic tubules or canals. Once these tubules become exposed, it can send a painful sensation to the nerves of teeth causing patients to get that “zing” pain.

What can I do to help sensitivity?

• Sensitive toothpaste with potassium nitrate (ADA Seal)
• Fluoride rinse at home
• Professionally applied fluoride varnish in dental office
• Severe sensitivity may require more extensive treatment such as a root canal or crown

Contact MCHD Dentistry if you have tooth sensitivity or need to see a dentist for routine care. Coming to MCHD Dentistry every 6 months for a check-up can help eliminate your sensitivity. 

​How does the sliding fee scale work?
 
MCHD Dentistry offers a sliding fee scale to our qualifying uninsured patients.  If your income and family population qualifies, you could receive a 50% discount if under 18 years of age.  Patients over the age of 18, the amount changes to a 20% discount.  To qualify for this discount, you have to show proof of income for the household and your income has to fall under the cap amount (proof must be in the form of completed prior year tax filing or other government-issued proof of income.  Pay stubs and bank statements are not valid to be filed as proof of income with the Monongalia County Board of Health).  Please see chart for range.  All patients enrolled in the sliding fee scale program must update their income status by May 1 of each year to remain qualified.

MCHD Dentistry does not receive any funding to make up for the difference discounted, as MCHD Dentistry is totally self-funded.  Limitations apply, especially to lab fees as the discount we extend to you does not reduce our outside lab fees that we pay.  

​We are proud to be able to help our community members afford much needed dental care!

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​Many years ago, fluoride was shown to have a significant impact on reducing tooth decay. One form of fluoride delivery used in dental offices is through the application of a  fluoride varnish. At MCHD Dentistry this is our preferred method of delivery to provide cavity protection for our pediatric and adult patients.

Watch this MCHD Dentistry video to see how quick and easy it is to apply a fluoride varnish on a pediatric dental patient.

Fluoride has endured a lot of analysis and scrutiny in the public eye over the last 50-plus years it has been utilized, even though it has proven time and time again that it is safe and effective at reducing dental decay across all generations.  What we would like to do is present a few common misconceptions that the public has presented about fluoride, with an objective view of the facts.
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Myth #1: “Fluoridation causes cancer and other serious health problems.”

The Truth: Leading experts agree: fluoridated water is both safe and effective.

The Facts
Leading health and medical authorities endorse water fluoridation as safe The CDC reports that “panels of experts from different health and scientific fields have provided strong evidence that water fluoridation is safe and effective.”
 
More than 3,200 studies or reports had been published on the subject of fluoridation.  A 2011 Harvard study found no link between fluoride and bone cancer. This study design, which was approved by the National Cancer Institute, reviewed hundreds of bone samples. This is significant because the National Research Council reported that if there were any type of cancer that fluoride might possibly be linked to, it would probably be bone cancer (because fluoride is drawn to bones). The fact that this study found no link to bone cancer strengthens confidence that fluoride is unlikely to cause any form of cancer.
Fluorine, from which fluoride is derived, is the 13th most abundant element and is released into the environment naturally in both water and air. Fluoride is naturally present in all water. Community water fluoridation is the addition of fluoride to adjust the natural fluoride concentration of a community's water supply to the level recommended for optimal dental health, approximately 0.7 ppm (parts per million). 0.7 ppm is the equivalent of 0.7 mg/L, or 0.7 inches in 16 miles. Community water fluoridation is an effective, safe, and inexpensive way to prevent tooth decay. Fluoridation benefits Americans of all ages and socioeconomic status.

MCHD Dentistry  has been doing some office renovations lately. Our most recent one is the Kid’s Playroom and waiting area that we have added. Now while you are waiting to be seen, children can play in our Kid’s Playroom, sit and read books about dental care, or watch a movie on our television. Parents and adults have a waiting area just outside the Kid’s Playroom, and in the hall. Along with the Kid’s Playroom, we have also spruced the office up with some fresh paint and new flooring and furniture. 

With our growing office, we have also added some new employees to our staff to help with all of our growing family of patients.  On average, we are seeing 36 new patients each month, and because of our patient growth our schedule is starting to book about a month out in advance (thank you all for your referrals- it's the biggest compliment that we can get!).  To help alleviate this timing issue, Dr. Carrier has generously given up his office space so we can add another operatory to help get our wonderful new and existing patients seen in a timely manner. 

Because of Dr. Carrier’s vision, the Health Department is graciously allowing us to renovate our storage room as well, and turn it into a conference room as well as a shared office for Dr. Carrier and our billing manager.

Things will continue to run smoothly and we will be even more efficient once our new operatory is completed. However- don’t fret! There will be NO fee increases in the near future for these renovations, so you won’t be seeing any extra come from your pockets. We’re just making the office more comfortable and modern to better meet your dental needs.