Posted by Meghan Weaver on Wed, Sep 01, 2010 @ 12:19 PM
Are you between the ages of 45 and 64 (and part of the “Baby Boomer” generation)? If so, you should take note of something a sizeable majority of your peers fail to see. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, 63% of Baby Boomers fail to recognize the strong connection between oral health and systemic health (i.e. the simple fact that healthy teeth and gums can help them keep many chronic and fatal health problems at bay).
Findings reported in the Journal of Dental Education punctuate the need to integrate oral health and general health care as there are established links between periodontal disease and diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and peripheral arterial disease. That’s why it’s imperative for Boomers to take excellent care of their oral health by practicing healthy dental habits and visiting the dentist regularly.
Is Dental Care Really Necessary?
One of the main keys to maintaining a healthy mouth as you get older is establishing a strong, trust-based doctor-patient relationship with your local Massachusetts dentist. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, almost one-third or (31%) of baby boomers don’t get preventive dental care (i.e. they only go to the dentist when they have any emergency).
We all know how costly dental care is these days (so this statistic probably doesn’t shock you all that much) but the cost of delaying your dentistry takes a much greater toll on both your health and your wallet. Affordable dental insurance alternatives such as discount dental plans put affordable dental care within reach so you can avoid the painful and costly consequences of delayed dentistry. Universal Dental Plan has options for baby boomers as well as those who have already reached retirement age (our senior dental plan) so visit our site and see what you can save.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Thu, Aug 26, 2010 @ 09:52 AM
Nutrition and your oral health are highly intertwined. Good nutrition promotes good oral health by enabling your mouth and its tissues to develop and stay healthy. However, some foods and habits are known to spur on plaque development, leading to a heightened risk of tooth decay and dental disease.
With all of this in mind, we’ve put together several quick facts and nutrition tips to keep your teeth and gums disease and decay free.
Quick Facts and Tips:
- Sugars and cooked starches (fermentable carbohydrates) can make a huge impact on your risk of tooth decay, so avoid consumption of these items in excess
- About 20-40 minutes after you eat, your mouth releases acids. Each of these “acid attacks” increases your risk of tooth decay so it's important to limit the number of between-meal snacks you have (as you’ll limit the number of acid attacks as well).
- Foods such as bread and crackers stay on teeth longer that jelly beans or caramels despite perceived stickiness of the latter two. Look to consume foods that clear the mouth quickly, as they pose less of a threat of tooth decay.
- Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when infants’ or young children’s teeth get severely damaged from prolonged exposure to liquids containing sugars. For this reason, you should avoid letting your child fall asleep with a bottle of formula or juice.
- Make sure you get your Vitamin C. It helps protect your gums from infection and can be found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
- Last but not least, if you do consume sugary or carbohydrate-rich foods, make sure it’s as part of a balanced meal. This helps to increase saliva production and neutralize acid production in the mouth.
Need more tips on nutrition for oral health? Ask your dentist at your next dental checkup.
And, for those who need to find a dentist, Universal Dental Plan can help. Universal Dental Plan is an affordable dental insurance plan alternative in Massachusetts. We connect you with local Boston dentists and providers throughout the state who will be able to answer your questions and point you on a path towards excellent oral health.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Tue, Aug 24, 2010 @ 12:17 PM
Let’s face it, people put off their dental care and have many excuses for it:
“I’m afraid of the dentist…”, “I don’t have time…” “Will it hurt?”, “It just costs too much!”
Whatever your excuse is (cost being a very common one), there are a few considerations everyone should take on the potential consequences of delayed dentistry.
Waiting until it hurts is never a good strategy for successful dental care. Besides stifling your personal and professional success, delaying dental care can also create a huge burden on your pocketbook.
Preventive care, such as a cleaning and exam ($93 average cost in MA), is significantly cheaper than restorative care. In Massachusetts, restorative care such as a root canal or a crown (i.e. procedures that you’ll probably need if you keep putting of the preventive ones) can cost well over $1,000!
Delayed dentistry runs in the family:
Studies show that among parents who put off their own dental care for financial reasons, 27 percent of their children have delayed dentistry as well. In contrast, only 3 percent of children whose parents have not delayed their dental care have their own dental care delayed.
Although they’re among the largest factors, high costs are just one of the reasons people put off necessary dental treatments. Research states that 15% of our population suffers from some form of anxiety and many others know they must seek out necessary dental treatments but need to find a dentist that they trust. For those who need to find a dentist and an affordable dental plan in Massachusetts, Universal Dental Plan can help.
We’re a discount dental plan and dental insurance alternative. Check us out on the web at www.universaldentalplan.com to learn more and see what you can save.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Thu, Aug 19, 2010 @ 12:09 PM
Thanks to www.dentistry.com we have a few tips to share with you on how to keep your child’s teeth in mint condition—from before birth through their early school age years.
- Consume calcium rich foods while pregnant to ensure your child’s future teeth grow healthy and strong.
- Once your child is born, don’t wait until they start teething to begin oral health care. Clean your infant’s gums with a clean gauze pad after feeding to protect them from harmful plaque and bacteria
- Take your child for his or her first dental visit by their first birthday. That way, your dentist can check early on for tooth decay, fluoride needs, and potentially dangerous habits like thumb sucking.
- Do not use toothpaste for children under 2 years of age. Clean your child’s teeth using only water when they first appear.
- Teach your children the proper brushing techniques. They should be able to brush on their own by age 6 or 7.
- Begin flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they develop two teeth that are adjacent to one another. This will help prevent tooth decay in hard to reach areas.
- Make trips to the dentist an enjoyable experience.
- Check to make sure that the water supply that serves your home is fluoridated. If not, talk with your dentist about supplemental options.
- Make sure your child is eating right for proper oral health. Foods rich in Calcium, Vitamin D and Vitamin C help strengthen tooth enamel and fight harmful mouth bacteria. If your child has a sweet tooth, it’s best that they consume sweets only during meals. At mealtime, saliva production is increased which helps neutralize and wash away cavity-causing acids in sugary and starchy foods.
- Take an active role in your child’s oral health! Ask the dentist questions and be sure to keep him or her informed of your child’s health status (after all, oral health and bodily health are highly interconnected).
Need to find a solution that makes your child’s dental care affordable?
Discount dental plans such as Universal Dental Plan allow you to utilize Boston dentists (and other Massachusetts dentists and specialists) at an affordable price. Give us a call today at 1 (800) 894 8984!
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Mon, Aug 16, 2010 @ 01:02 PM
There are many dentists in the Boston area so finding the right one for you may be a tough decision. Furthermore, once you’ve found your dentist, you still have that first visit ahead of you (which can be a nerve wracking experience, especially if you haven’t been in awhile).
So, if your palms get sweaty at the thought of the dentist, or even if you’re just a little bit apprehensive to go, this blog is for you.
We’ve put together a list of 5 concrete actions to take so you can make the most of your dental visit.
#1) Make sure that you’re well rested by getting a good night sleep (7-8 hours) the night before your appointment
#2) On the day of your appointment, avoid excess consumption of sugar and caffeine (especially if you know that these substances make you extra jittery).
#3) Stay relaxed. Wearing comfortable clothing can help a lot with this.
#4) Bring a list of all medications and vitamin supplements you’re currently taking to the dentist with you. That way, he or she will know not to prescribe anything that’ll give you a bad reaction when taken with your current medicines.
#5) Make sure to tell the dentist about any abnormal symptoms such as pain or sensitivity of the teeth or gums, as they may be warning signs of an impending dental disease.
Now that you’re ready for your dental appointment, here’s a quick overview of the types of dental visits and what to expect.
Comprehensive exam- This includes a thorough examination of the teeth, mouth, head and neck. It’s usually part of a fist time visit to a new dentist.
Standard Checkup and Cleaning (i.e. dental prophylaxis) – These procedures should be done once or twice a year by your dentist and include both your oral exam and cleaning.
For those without dental insurance, an affordable dental plan such as Universal Dental Plan will give you up to 50% dental discounts on your comprehensive exam, standard checkup and cleaning and much more.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Wed, Aug 11, 2010 @ 12:52 PM
Whether you’re on a first date, a job interview, or meeting clients for the first time one thing’s for certain—you want to make a good first impression. Many factors go into the impression that you make but it certainly starts with a bright, healthy smile.
Studies show that your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. During the first few minutes of your first interaction with someone new, they’ll often make assumptions about your economic and educational level, your trustworthiness and your level of sophistication—just from the quality of your smile.
Your breath also plays a huge role in shaping first impressions (and it goes without saying that bad breath is a huge strike against you). That being said, here are 3 helpful tips to keep bad breath at bay:
- Use a mouth rinse daily to clean out bad breath causing bacteria
- Don’t forget your tongue when brushing (make it part of your twice daily teeth brushing routine or perhaps use a tongue scraper)
- Get regular dental cleanings (if you’re looking for a new dentist, our plan has a growing network of Boston dentists plus other Massachusetts dentists and specialists to choose from)
On top of bad breath, crooked, missing or broken teeth create can negatively effect your first impressions, causing a stigma in both your personal and professional life. Individuals can restore their smile and self-esteem with various cosmetic dental procedures (i.e. dental implants) and orthodontia. But, these procedures can get very expensive, especially for those without insurance (or an affordable dental plan).
Universal Dental Plan is a Massachusetts dental insurance alternative that saves its members 20-50% off all procedures according to a fixed rate fee schedule (dental implants and braces included). Visit our website to learn more about us or just give us a call.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Tue, Aug 03, 2010 @ 11:46 AM
Everyone gets stressed, it’s an inevitable part of American life. Also, most of us know it can have a negative impact on our mental, physical and social well-being. But did you know that stress can negatively impact on our oral health as well?
Stress, whether at work or at home, can cause a variety of oral health complications including:
- Bruxism (i.e. teeth grinding)
- Canker sores
- Dry mouth
- Burning mouth syndrome
- Lichen planus (characterized by white lines, sores and ulcers in the oral cavity)
- TMJ/TMD
- Gum disease—Studies have shown that long-term stress affects our immune systems. This increases our susceptibility to various infections, such as the ones responsible for periodontal disease.
Do you suffer from any of these problems? Or have you just been stressed lately and perhaps worried these problems could crop up soon?
If so, it’s vital that you talk to your dentist and work together to develop healthy habits.
Here are 3 steps you can take to decrease stress and improve your oral health:
- When you’re feeling stressed, don’t forget your oral health. Instead, take time to focus on your dental hygiene regimen.
- Don’t use tobacco or alcohol as stress relief vehicles. In addition to being highly addictive, these substances can cause significant damage to your oral cavity.
- Take proper measures to reduce stress in your life such as eating well, getting a full night’s sleep and exercising regularly
Last but not least, if you’re worried that stress is affecting your teeth and gums, call your dentist for an appointment. He or she can treat stress-related dental problems and offer suggestions for better at-home care.
Need help finding a dentist? Universal Dental Plan can help you locate one close by from our growing network of Massachusetts dentists and specialists. Call us today at 617-859-1777 and join our affordable dental plan for deep 20-50% savings on all procedures.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Wed, Jul 28, 2010 @ 02:08 PM
Never discount the impact of a good first impression, or the role your smile can play in making or breaking it. Studies show that your smile is the first thing people remember about you and a bright, healthy smile conveys success, power and happiness. On the other end of the spectrum, individuals with visible dental problems (i.e. crooked or broken teeth, visible plaque buildup, etc.) often suffer low self-esteem or even stop smiling all together.
That’s where cosmetic dentistry comes in. There are many cosmetic dental procedures available to help you regain your bright healthy smile and the self-confidence you may have lost along with it.
Here are a few of the most popular ones (plus some great advice on how to access them at affordable prices).
Teeth whitening:
We all want a brighter smile. That’s why teeth whitening is one of the most common forms of cosmetic dentistry. For whatever reason, many of us have teeth that aren’t as white as they could be. Perhaps we’ve consumed too much coffee or tea, or forgotten to brush our teeth twice daily on too many occasions. Effects of these actions all add up and our teeth lose their luster as years go by.
Whatever the reason, you have 2 options for making your teeth bright again: at-home dental whitening kits or treatments performed by a dentist. We go over the pros, cons and specific details on these in an earlier blog entry.
Porcelain Veneers:
Another popular solution for teeth discoloration is porcelain veneers. However, they do more than just brighten up the appearance of your smile. Veneers are placed by dentists over the front teeth to change their shape and color. So, they’re ideal for individuals with oddly shaped teeth, chipped or crooked teeth or teeth with small holes in them and can significantly enhance the look of their smile in a very short period of time.
Veneers are very popular with cosmetic dentistry patients because they’re very difficult to stain, last roughly 10 to 15 years and come with very little maintenance short of follow-up visits after the procedure plus regular brushing and flossing.
Dental Implants:
Dental implants are fixtures of titanium surgically screwed into a patient’s jaw bone. The implants themselves act as anchors for a naturally-appearing false tooth or a set of false teeth.
Dental implants generally have a very high success rate and are an excellent alternative to dentures. Learn more about the dental implant process and advantages here.
Dental Bonding:
Many individuals with close, small gaps between their teeth, as well as teeth that are chipped or cracked have embraced dental bonding to even out their smiles. During the procedure, your dentist uses a composite resin to essentially bond your teeth together.
The dentist begins the bonding procedure by applying a thin coating of plastic material on the front surfaces of your teeth to cover natural flaws. Then, he or she will apply a bonding material, sculpting and shaping it to provide desired results. A high intensity light hardens the bonding material after the bonding is complete and the dentist will finely polish the surface of your teeth to complete the procedure.
As you’ve seen above, dentists can perform one of many cosmetic procedures to restore the brightness and contours of your smile. However, cosmetic dentistry can be expensive and most dental insurance will not cover it.
That’s where Universal Dental Plan comes in, with 20-50% discounts on all procedures performed by Massachusetts dentists and specialists. Visit our website to learn more and sign up.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Tue, Jul 20, 2010 @ 12:56 PM
#6 You get a liberal definition of “family” for your family plan:
Unlike many traditional dental insurance plans, discount dental plans don’t limit family plan membership to immediate family only. Anyone living in your household can be added as dependents on your plan. This can include a grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc. And, since discount dental plans are not insurance, your family dental plan rate will not go up.
Universal Dental Plan members also enjoy a liberal definition for couple dental plans. View more information on our membership tiers here.
#5 They’re light on paperwork:
Discount dental plans operate according to a fee for service model. This means that there are never any claim forms to fill out, making it a lot easier for you and your dentist as well.
# 4 Cosmetic dentistry is covered:
Just like your health insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic surgery, most dental insurance plans view cosmetic dentistry procedures such as tooth whitening, veneers and dental implants as elective. They maintain that these procedures are not required for good oral health and thus should not be covered.
Discount dental plans make no such restrictions and spread their deep dental discounts across all procedures participating network dentists perform (even cosmetic ones).
# 3 No annual limits
Dental insurance plans also come with annual maximums, typically $1,000 more or less for individual coverage. This $1,000 is the cap on what individuals’ dental insurance will pay out each year in benefits, after that, plan subscribers are on their own.
Because discount dental plans are a dental insurance alternative, they don’t have annual limits. Members enjoy the same deep procedural discounts every time they visit a network dentist (regardless of the number of times they’ve visited the dentist that year or how much work they’ve had done).
# 2 No waiting periods
With discount dental plans, members can access full discounts on all procedures (even major work to treat existing dental conditions) because there are no waiting periods. Traditional dental insurance plans have long waiting periods, typically 12 months for major work such as root canals, crowns and dentures is covered.
But let’s face it, we’re all huge procrastinators and no one really buys a dental plan exactly a year to the day before they need a root canal (and for the few that do more power to them). That’s why waiting periods are such a pain and discount dental plans are designed to help you get the care you need, when you need it at a price that’s affordable for all.
# 1 Affordable membership rates
Traditional dental insurance is most commonly purchased by groups and associations, or by employers as an employee benefit. Group buying power makes premiums more affordable but when dental insurance is purchased on an individual basis, it can get pretty expensive. Typical monthly premiums range from $40-50 for an individual (over $100 for families).
Discount dental plans cost less than $10 per-month for individuals and less than $20 per-month for families. With this rate, members obtain access to deep discounts (10-60% depending on the plan) on all procedures performed by any of the plan’s network dentists.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Tue, Jul 06, 2010 @ 09:31 AM
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) estimates that 75% of Americans have some form of gum disease—from the earliest (and mildest) stages of gingivitis to advanced gum disease (periodontitis). So, if most of us have gum disease, why is it that only 3% of Americans actively seek treatment for it?
Experts say that a major reason for the huge difference between the prevalence of gum disease sufferers and those that seek treatment is an overall lack of awareness. Individuals lack awareness on the long term effects of gum disease and its implications on their overall health (consequences on untreated dental diseases include far more than just potential tooth loss).
According to Dr. Samuel Low, President of the American Academy of Periodontology, “there are a variety of myths surrounding periodontal disease and its repercussions.” To help you distinguish fact from fiction, we’ve put together a list of several commonly held myths about gum disease the AAP has indentified.
Myth #1 When your gums bleed, it’s not a big deal: Red, swollen and bleeding gums are among the most common symptoms of gingivitis which, if left untreated, can lead to advanced gum disease (periodontitis). Periodontitis is a far more serious condition than gingivitis and leads to severe detachment of teeth from gums, eventually resulting in tooth loss. If your gums consistently bleed when you brush, floss or eat certain foods, you should definitely make an appointment with your dentist to be evaluated for gum disease.
Early diagnosis and treatment of gum disease will help you avoid many harmful oral health (and bodily health problems) in future years. For example, studies show that gum disease significantly increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and respiratory infection.
Myth #2 You don’t need to floss every day: Telling someone they don’t need to floss every day is like telling them they only need to wash 60% of their body when they shower. More details on why this is the case can be found here.
Myth # 3 A visit to the periodontist will be scary: Periodontists are gum disease experts who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition, as well as the placement of dental implants (which we’ll go over in a bit). These doctors have undergone three additional years of specialized post-dental school training so you can be sure your teeth and gums are in good hands—literally.
Also, today’s periodontists are equipped with many cutting-edge technologies and use highly innovative tools such as digital radiography, ultrasound technology, biomarker measurement and laser therapy to help make your visit as comfortable as possible.
Myth #4 A tooth lost to gum disease is gone forever: Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for adults today, and that’s a fact. But for individuals who’ve lost teeth to gum disease, there is a way to regain full, bright smiles that appear completely natural. The solution is a dental implant—an artificial tooth root that is placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth. Studies have shown that dental implants have a 98 percent success rate, and periodontists are trained experts in placing them.
Universal Dental Plan’s deep dental discounts apply to all implantology procedures. We have many skilled and compassionate Massachusetts periodontists among our network dentists who can work with our members and help them determine if dental implants are right for them
Myth #5 Poor oral hygiene is the only way to develop gum disease: Although poor oral hygiene is certainly a major risk factor for developing periodontitis, several other factors will heighten your risk for it. These factors include tobacco use, stress, poor diet and even genetic predispositions. The AAP has developed a complimentary online risk assessment test for gum disease that can be accessed here.