Category Archives: Regular Checkups

Why is it Important to Schedule Your Dental Exam Twice Each Year?

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on November 26, 2019

You brush your hair, put on your clothes, and make your morning cup of coffee or tea daily. Each and every step of your morning routine can become a familiar habit and can affect how ready you feel to take on the day! When it comes to taking care of your oral health, the process should be no different – familiar and helpful. Just like having your morning cup of Joe, visiting your dentist for a dental exam on a regular basis is a great habit that effects how you feel from day to day.

The Importance of a Regular Dental Exam

When you visit your dentist for a dental exam, they are able to assess the overall health of your teeth and gums. Your dentist will examine your plaque levels, the strength of your teeth, the state of your gums, and more. Sometimes, they may even take X-rays to examine the root of your teeth and health of your jaw. All these checks help your dentist know exactly how healthy, or unhealthy, your mouth is. Once you’ve been assessed, your dentist can give you a thorough cleaning to get rid of any bacteria and plaque build up and get your teeth squeaky clean.

Check out this article about how often you should see your dentist in SELF Magazine: Do I Really Need Teeth Cleanings Twice a Year?

When you’re at the dentist, your dentist can look for the following oral health issues:

Gum disease
Oral cancer
Cavities
And more!

Bacteria is a sneaky opportunist that loves to break down your enamel and cause issues that can affect the health of your teeth and gums. When you get regular, professional cleanings, your dentist can help you avoid bacteria build up and catch any problems early on – saving you time and money! When you see your dentist on a regular visit, you can reinforce good oral health habits and remember the importance of heaving a healthy smile.

Don’t Forget: Use or Lose Your Benefits … Read More HERE!

Dental Benefits are on Your Side

Keeping up with a regular cleaning schedule helps you make the most of your dental benefits. Remember, prevention is always better than a treatment. Preventive Dental Care is almost always covered 100% by your insurance provider, so talk with your provider to understand the full benefits of your preventive care, and, once you know them, schedule cleaning appointments with your dentist in advance.

When you make the most out of your benefits, you’re not leaving money on the table. Benefits will not roll over into next year, so once they are gone, they are gone for good! Make sure your oral health is on track and use your benefits to the maximum before the end of the year. Call us today to make your next cleaning appointment.

GPS Dental doesn’t want you to lose any benefits!! They can help you use your end-of-year dental insurance benefits. Just give them a call or Read More Here.

According to WebMD, read more about what is and is not (typically) covered by Dental Insurance.

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek’s experienced and friendly team at GPS Dental offers affordable dental care for all ages in San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we promote dental health awareness to our patients and provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at 210-633-3477 to make an appointment.

Oral Cancer Screening at Your 6-Month Dental Appointment

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on November 28, 2017

Is November the Forgotten Month?

As the eleventh month of the year, November is something of a time of transition and perhaps a pre-curser to the busy upcoming holiday season, thus November may resemble the proverbial “calm before the storm.” Apart from Thanksgiving of course, for many this might truly be the case as with Christmas and New Year’s on the horizon, November often seems to come and go without much notice.

However, this has recently began to change, as the dental industry has given the month of November a very important reason to be both noted and remembered by folks everywhere. Although this new distinction may still be catching on with the general public, thus far it has proven itself to be a worthy if not, a lifesaving cause!

Oral Cancer VS Professional Dentistry…

Oral Cancer Screening: Why Does It Matter?

As you probably know, cancer in all its forms is an extremely serious and potentially life-threatening illness; however, there are but few types of cancer that are more worrisome than that of oral cancer. Oral cancer is a particularly aggressive type of cancer that can manifest within the throat, cheeks, lips, or tongue, and may continue to spread throughout the body.

In response to this, as of 2003 November 1^st through the 31^st has been officially named “Mouth Cancer Action and Awareness Month” among the dental community. While this may be the first you’ve heard of this, it definitely won’t be the last and you can rest assured it is certainly a cause worth knowing about. With an annual death toll of approximately 7,500 deaths occurring within the U.S. alone, oral cancer is clearly a serious problem. However the field of professional dentistry has proven itself as something of a enemy to this treacherous illness, by providing patients with an oral cancer screening.

The oral cancer screening may in fact be the dental profession’s best kept secret, as many patients are unaware that they are receiving the screening even as it happens! An oral cancer screening, is a quick and painless procedure that Dr. Skrobanek at GPS Dental preforms as part of your standard dental exam. Therefore, when you come in for your routine dental checkup, you are simultaneously receiving an accurate screening for any early signs or symptoms of oral cancer, which is something that can be a deciding factor. Identifying and treating oral cancer within its earliest stages is often the best bet in fully overcoming the disease, as the cancer is not given the time to cause damage and spread, therefore it is paramount that you let Dr. Skrobanek take the time to give you that crucial oral cancer screening during your dental appointment!

Oral Cancer Screening: Related Articles

Dental Insurance Benefits: The Clock Is Ticking!

While November has been designated as oral health month, what you should also realize is that if you haven’t already, the sooner you schedule your routine dental exam/oral cancer screening the better! While certainly all dental insurance companies provide their own individual health and/or dental plans, as a general rule of thumb the vast majority of insurance providers adhere to the recommended six-month appointment rule that Dr. Skrobanek encourages. The six-month dental appointment rule is the notion that in order to truly provide patients with the best possible care in preventative dentistry, that all patients should plan on having at least two routine dental exams per year, with an approximant six-month gap between appointments. In compliance with this, dental insurance companies typically provide coverage for the two yearly preventative exams, providing that the patient uses them. However, if the coverage for two appointments goes unused, you may find yourself spending extra money on something you didn’t even use, (as dental coverage does not carry over from year to year) and surely nobody likes to be wasteful! Therefore if you have yet to use one or both of your covered exams, using them now would probably be in your best interest, because they certainly won’t last forever!

What To Remember This November!

As the year begins to draw to a close, and we enter the holiday season, obviously there will much to do and think about. However, before November, (as it often does) slips by without so much as a peep, we highly encourage you to consider the significance of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, by taking the time (if you haven’t already) to schedule your routine checkup/oral cancer screening.

Remember while those precious insurance benefits won’t last for long, a healthy and cancer-free mouth will, so schedule your dental appointment now!

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek and his experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our Brooks City Base dentist office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at (210) 633-3477 to make an appointment.

Don’t Let Tooth Pain Cause the Back to School Blues!

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on August 8, 2017

Tooth Pain: The Back to School Blues

As the eighth month of the year, early August is the time in which the school season approaches and kids everywhere prepare to return to school. Clearly there is much to do in this time of year, and little time for any unnecessary distractions. Unfortunately however, there is one distraction in particular that tends to rear its ugly head at often the most inopportune time; this of course would be tooth pain.

There are few things more distracting than the sharp stinging pain of an even slightly damaged tooth, and at a time when students are reentering the world of academia, no one has time to deal with something like that! This is often the reason why we at GPS Dental, stress the importance of making dental appointments early in the school semester before such issues can occur.

By taking the time to schedule the recommended check up every six months, you are taking a vital step in preventing any common but often unexpected dental issues from occurring and disrupting you or your kids’ lives, as the last thing anyone wants to deal with at this time of year is a toothache.

Tooth Pain: Common problems

While there are several common occurrences that if left untreated, can cause you a considerable amount of tooth pain. While there are other issues that can potentially cause oral pain, the following problems are generally the most common.

Decay:

Tooth decay or dental cavities is one of the most common dental issues that cause tooth pain. A cavity occurs when certain oral bacteria produce acid, that slowly destroys the tooth’s enamel and dentin. Although this occurs slowly, if left untreated this may cause extensive damage to the afflicted tooth, ofte requiring a dental crown to restore the damaged tooth.
Cracks or Abrasions:

Chipping or cracking a tooth is typically an unpleasant surprise that can happen when you least expect it, and is often quite painful. From biting into something hard to accidentally hitting your tooth on a tough surface, there are numerous ways to damage a tooth. Regardless, it can cause a lot of tooth pain. Fortunately however, there are also several options available for fixing a cracked or chipped tooth. There are three different treatments available and often the treatment type depends on the amount of damage done to the tooth. These treatments may include; Bonding, Crowns and Dental Veneers.
Loose Crown or Filling:

As mentioned previously, fillings or dental crowns can provide a great solution for tooth pain and damage. However sometimes due to wear and tear accumulated over the years, the crowns themselves can require maintenance. While the loose or broken crown might cause slight tooth pain, when replaced by your dentist, any discomfort should subside.

Tooth Pain: Stay focused!

As the 2017-2018 school year starts, and parents and kids alike are prepare for the upcoming semester, it’s very important to keep focused on the important tasks at hand, so don’t let something like a toothache get in the way! Schedule that recommend dental appointment with Dr. Gary Skrobanek at GPS Dental and keep tooth pain from causing you or your kids any unnecessary distractions!

Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek and his experienced, friendly team at GPS Dental offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the San Antonio, TX area. Our office is conveniently located and offers early morning appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At GPS Dental, we provide most dental services, from family and general dentistry to dental implants, sleep apnea, TMJ / TMD Treatment, cosmetic dentistry and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Call us at (210) 633-3477 to make an appointment.

Schedule Your Summer Dental Appointment

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on June 13, 2017

Why schedule a Dental Appointment? Schools OUT for the Summer!

Summer time is here and as kids everywhere would probably agree, it’s a time for pool parties, ice cream cones, and plenty of fun in the sun! However in this lovely season of scenic bliss, it is perhaps the opportune time for both you and your family to take care of some essential needs that may otherwise be inconvenient. This is particularly true for those with children in school, as the hassle of pulling your child out of school for a dental appointment can be difficult, especially if you have to take time off work to do so! Scheduling a routine dental appointment for your kids at GPS Dental during the summer vacation is certainly an opportunity that you wouldn’t want to pass up.

Dental Appointment: The six month gap

According to Dr. Gary P. Skrobanek of GPS Dental, the recommended allotted time between each dental appointment is approximately six months. While the thought of getting your children to their necessary appointments might seem challenging, if planned accordingly it can be much easier than you might think. In sparing yourself the hassle of having to take your child out of school as mentioned previously, it might perhaps be a better idea to schedule their dental appointment during the vacation periods. In addition to the aforementioned summer vacation, the winter or Christmas holiday season is another time period in which children our out of school, typically extending from mid-December to early January. For many busy parents, this creates the ideal timeline to address their children’s dental needs as scheduling a dental appointment during the December through January time period, typically pushes the next routine appointment to the June or July time frame, thereby eliminating any need for missing school.

Dental Appointment: The window of opportunity

Keep in mind that although much of the summer still lies ahead, in this beloved time of year, time often moves rather quickly. So between enjoying the lovely weather and getting in some quality time with friends and loved ones, remember to make that important phone call to schedule a routine checkup at GPS Dental for your kids. It’s the summer time and time is of the essence, so spare yourself and your kids the hassle of inconvenient absences from school by scheduling your dental appointment today!

Why We Perform Oral Cancer Screenings during Dental Checkups

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on October 20, 2016

Oral Cancer Screening Pic You may associate your twice-yearly dental checkup with x-rays and teeth cleaning, but what about an oral cancer screening? According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, regular checkups that include screening for oral cancer can save lives. That’s why at GPS Dentistry, we include oral cancer screenings during regular checkups. Here are some important things to know about oral cancer and screenings.

We Observe and Inspect

During your dental exam, the dentist will be observing the entire area inside your mouth including, tongue, gums, and inside of your cheeks. Some things we look for include:

Red or white patches
Lumps or thick, hard spots
Crusty areas
Bleeding sores or sores that aren’t healing properly

How Does an Oral Cancer Screening Work?

At GPS Dentistry, we use Oral ID™ technology. Oral ID™ uses a proven, optically based technology called “fluorescence technology.” The doctor uses a blue light that allows him to identify oral cancer, pre-cancer, and other abnormal lesions. When the blue light from Oral ID™ shines on healthy oral tissue, it fluoresces green. However, when it shines on abnormal tissue, it appears dark due to a lack of fluorescence. Wearing the special Oral ID™ eyewear enhances the visual effects of the blue light during the oral exam allowing the doctor to identify any suspicious areas at an earlier stage, thus saving lives. It’s absolutely painless for our patients.

Share Information with Your Dentist

What sort of things should you inform your dentist about at checkups?

Any sores or lesions that have lasted for over two weeks
Difficulty swallowing
Pain or difficulty moving your jaw
Earaches
Tongue numbness
Hoarseness

These symptoms don’t mean you have oral cancer, but as potential early symptoms, it’s important to let your dentist know if you’ve been experiencing them and for how long.

We Will Watch Areas of Concern

Dr. Skrobanek is not going to diagnosis you with oral cancer simply because he sees areas of concern. Typically, any questionable areas will be re-checked in a few weeks to see if they’ve changed or gone away. If the doctor still has concerns after a re-check, he will discuss further assessment options.

Oral cancer screenings are just another way to catch anything abnormal early on. An oral cancer screening probably isn’t at the top of your things-to-do list, however, regular screenings along with your dental checkup will help keep you and your smile happy and healthy.

Contact us online at GPS Dental or call us at (210) 633-3477 to schedule your next dental appointment!

Back-to-School Checklist: Schedule Your Dental Exam!

Posted by Genny Skrobanek on August 15, 2016

Back-to-School Dental Exams Pic The back-to-school season is about to start! For many, this means heading to your nearest office supply store and stocking up on paper, pens, and notebooks, and then going to school orientation to find out who this year’s teachers are going to be. But for the team at GPS Dental, back to school means dental checkups.

Schedule BTS Appointments Now

Another great way to be prepared for the upcoming school year is to schedule teeth cleaning and dental exams before the school year takes off. As parents, you want your kids to stay engaged and get the most out of their time at school. Even one hour out of your child’s school day can mean missing out on vital history lessons, math tests, or science notes.

Keep After-School and Weekends Open

While appointments after school are better than those during the school day, your kids will want the extra time to study, do their homework, or just take a break.

Of course, your other options is to schedule an appointment over the weekend, but the dentist’s office is bound to be busy with everyone else who had the same idea, and there might not be an open spot for you. So why take the chance? If your children get their dental exams now, they can avoid the hectic rescheduling it takes to fit a dentist appointment during the school year.

Get Mouth Guards Fitted for School Sports

This is also the perfect opportunity for student-athletes to get their mouth guards fitted before the sports seasons start. Mouth guards help prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries each year, so don’t overlook this protection for your child.

Schedule Your Own Appointment While You’re at It

You might even want to schedule your own appointment over the summer. During the school year, your kids need you to drive them from school or to sports practice. It can be a crazy time. But during summer, it’s leisurely for everybody.

GPS Dental Blog