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 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 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.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Thu, May 20, 2010 @ 12:29 PM
Advanced gum disease (or periodontitis) is a chronic bacterial infection that destroys your gum tissue and bones. If left untreated, your teeth become loose and fall out.
Studies show that elderly individuals have the highest rates of gum disease. What's even more alarming is the fact that:
- At least half of non-institutionalized people over age 55 have advanced gum disease
- 1 out of EVERY 4 adults over 60 have lost all of their teeth.
Elder Americans with missing teeth no longer need to suffer in silence with a toothless smile (or avoid smiling at all out of embarrassment). Dental implants are a great tooth replacement option and they look a lot like the real thing!
What dental implants are used for:
Dental implants offer a permanent solution to tooth loss. For maximum effectiveness, they're best when used in conjunction with other procedures.
A dental implant can be used to support a crown replacing one missing tooth or a dental bridge replacing several missing teeth. They can also be used with dentures to increase their stability and reduce patients' gum tissue irritation.
What happens when you get dental implants:
Implants are typically placed in your mouth in a single sitting but require a period of osseointegration immediately afterward. Osseointegration is the technical term for the process of your dental implant and jawbone anchoring together.
Osseointegrated implants are the most commonly used and successful type of dental implant and generally take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to completely heal. At this point, your dentist can complete the procedure with the placement of a crown.
Does your dental plan make implants affordable for you? Or are they viewed by the plan as "nonessential" or "too cosmetic"?
For Massachusetts individuals and seniors especially, Universal Dental Plan offers easy, affordable access to deep, everyday discounts on all procedures (including cosmetic). Memberships are immediate so sign up now and start saving today.