Thursday, August 14, 2014

The connection between earaches and nerves

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, earaches are one of the most common conditions in young children, with more than 70 percent experiencing at least one earache before the age of 3. In most cases, doctors treat this condition with antibiotics; however, new research has shown that the cause of many earaches is actually irritation of the small nerves in the spine. As described by Chiropractic America, “When these nerve endings are irritated, an abnormal tension is produced in the small muscles of the neck. This muscle tension can place pressure on the lymphatic drainage ducts resulting in inadequate drainage from inside the ear, thus preventing the body from being able to naturally correct the problem.”

A chiropractor will look for increased tension in the neck and any misalignment of the vertebrae. Often, these issues are caused by the normal wear-and-tear a child experiences during play. Through simple adjustments to the child’s neck muscles and spinal vertebrae, a chiropractor can help lymph drainage return to normal and remove the cause of the earache. This way, by visiting a chiropractor on their True Dental Discounts hearing care plan instead of filling a prescription, parents can avoid overmedicating their children and wasting money on ineffective antibiotics.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

The link between chiropractic care and a healthy immune system

Chiropractors have known for years that taking care of your spinal health can lead to better physical health, as well. Now, research is uncovering the same link. A study in the Journal of Physiological and Manipulative Therapeutics showed that the health of a person’s immune system may be directly affected by the health of a person’s nervous system.

In the study, white blood cells were shown to have receptor sites for chemicals produced by the nervous system. According to Chiropractic America, this suggests that white blood cells can communicate with the nervous system. Researchers concluded that spinal misalignments can cause harm to a person’s immune system by interrupting the link between the nervous system and immune system.

People who visit their chiropractor regularly may be able to stay healthier by restoring that communication and correcting any interruptions. Use your True Dental Discounts plan to find a chiropractor who can help you learn more about the connection between a healthy immune system and chiropractic care. By using your plan, you can save a lot of money on preventative care that can help increase your overall wellness and happiness.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

What should I know about sedation at the dentist?

Although most dental visits are for preventative purposes and require no anesthesia, in some cases, you may need to undergo a more complex procedure. In such an instance, your dentist may recommend using anesthesia. Depending on the procedure, you may need just a simple sedative to help you relax. These include anti-anxiety agents and can be applied along with a local sedative, according to the American Dental Association.

Once provided, a patient will become moderately sedated but will still be responsive to touch or verbal instructions. For more complex procedures – such as tooth extractions – your dentist may recommend drugs to induce a deep sedation. Under this type of sedation, a patient loses feeling in the intended area and reaches a reduced state of consciousness. Some patients also elect to undergo general anesthesia, which causes the patient to lose complete consciousness for the duration of the procedure.

This is often used during wisdom tooth extraction, but the American Dental Association suggests it can also be used for children who have extreme anxiety at the dentist or for people with disabilities that make it difficult to control movement. In order to make safety the highest priority during procedures with anesthesia, you as the patient should be sure to communicate the following information to your True Dental Discounts dentist ahead of time:
  • Any current or past illnesses or health conditions; 
  • Any medications taken, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements; 
  • Any allergies to medications. 
With this information, your dentist can help you make informed decisions about your dental care.