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 Thu, Jul 29, 2010 @ 05:28 PM
Your dental health speaks great volumes about the health of your body. With a single oral exam, your dentist can often detect any immune system problems, nutritional deficiencies, stress or infections you might have. Think of your dentist as a disease detective and your oral cavity the window to your overall health.
Infections of your teeth, mouth and gums can take a major toll on the health of…
… your heart. Studies have shown that people with periodontal disease are 1.5-2 times more likely to suffer a fatal heart attack and even 3 times more likely to suffer from a stroke!
…your lungs. Your oral tissue can become infected with respiratory disease-causing bacteria. Once inhaled, these bacteria can cause major problems and lead to the development of diseases like pneumonia.
…people with diabetes. Diabetics are more likely to develop periodontal disease than their non-diabetic counterparts. This is according to the American Academy of Periodontology which states that periodontal disease is often considered the sixth complication of diabetes. Research also shows that the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes goes both ways. Severe periodontal disease can increase blood sugar, which puts diabetics at a heightened risk for diabetic complications.
…the intestines. Poor oral health aversely impacts the function of the digestive system. This, in turn, can lead to intestinal failure and a whole host of other problems.
…the blood stream. When your gums are healthy, bacteria in your mouth typically don’t enter the bloodstream. However, gum disease, some invasive dental treatments and medicines that reduce saliva flow may provide bacteria an easy port of entry. Once in the bloodstream, bacteria has free reign to wreak havoc on your body’s vital organs causing harmful infections.
So, it goes without saying that you should keep your dentist in the loop on your medical conditions. That way, he or she can provide care and recommendations accordingly. Also, visiting your dentist twice annually for oral exams and cleanings is one of the many precautions you can take for heart health, lung health and to keep harmful infections at bay.
Need to find a dentist? Universal Dental Plan (a discount dental plan) makes regular visits to Boston dentists and other Massachusetts dentists and specialists affordable for its members. That way, they can stay one step ahead of the curve and ensure oral diseases and conditions are diagnosed and treated promptly.
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 Mon, Jun 07, 2010 @ 10:06 AM
Do your palms get sweaty and does your pulse quicken at the mere mention of a dentist? Or, perhaps you find yourself putting off your dental exam again and again because of fear. If either of these sounds like you don't worry, you're not alone. Statistics show that 15% of Americans suffer from dental anxiety (or dental phobia).
Dental anxiety has many culprits including:
- Previous painful or negative experiences at the dentist
- Feelings of helplessness or loss of control in a dental office
- Embarrassment about neglecting your teeth and mouth (and how bad your dental problems may have gotten)
- Fear that the dentist will ridicule you for neglecting your teeth
Dental anxiety leads to delayed dentistry, and that's when it becomes a problem. Many individuals who continually put off preventative dental procedures such as cleanings and oral exams develop dental diseases (i.e. tooth decay and gum disease) the heighten their risk for conditions such as heart attack, diabetes, stroke and respiratory infection just to name a few.
Also, when you let tooth decay and gum disease go untreated for too long, you wind up needing procedures such as root canals and periodontal treatments. These procedures can cost dramatically more than your twice annual cleaning and exam: especially without dental discounts from affordable dental plans.
Whatever your cause of anxiety, we've got your remedy.
Here are five ways to overcome dental anxiety.
#1 Voice your concerns-Make a consultation appointment with your dentist and come clean about your fears. Most dentists are used to working with concerned patients and will do whatever they can to make you feel more comfortable. So, make sure you find a dentist that can trust and who you know has your best interest at heart. This is a crucial first step in curbing dental anxiety.
#2 Talk about a plan of action-Once you've voiced your concerns to your dentist, it's time to put your heads together and take action. Your next step will be to brainstorm a concrete plan of action geared towards your specific fears and concerns. For instance, if your number one fear is pain, ask your dentist to describe in advance, what procedures you will need and the specific ways in which your discomfort will be controlled. You may even want to agree in advance to a signal you can use (i.e. raising your hand) so the dentists can stop the procedure immediately if it hurts too much.
#3 Know the facts-Many individuals equate procedures like root canals with some form of medieval torture, but the truth of the matter is, they really aren't all that bad. Thanks to technological advances, dental instruments and procedures have become far less invasive (and a lot less scary) than they were decades ago. So, feel free to read up on the dental procedure that you'll be receiving beforehand. Or, your dentist can show you all the instruments he or she will be using for the procedure so you'll see that it's not so scary after all.
#4 Ask about sedation dentistry---If absolutely necessary, your dentist may be able to give you a mild sedative when you arrive for your appointment so that by the time you reach the chair you're relaxed and calm. Ask your dentist what his or her policy is on nitrous oxide (i.e. laughing gas) or other sedatives. Last but most certainly not least, if you use a sedative, make sure you have a ride to and from the dental visit.
#5 Train your body to relax-Another way to make your dental appointment more comfortable is to practice relaxation techniques beforehand. Pick a time when you don't feel rushed or pressured, sit or lie down in a comfortable position and completely relax yourself. Then, visualize yourself going through the process of your appointment (driving to the dentist office, walking into the office and checking in, taking a seat in the waiting room, etc.). As soon as you notice tension in your body, stop the visualization, get completely relaxed again and pick back up where you left off. After several sessions of this, you will have trained your body to avoid tension throughout all stages of your dental visit.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Fri, May 28, 2010 @ 12:47 PM
Eight thousand Americans die each year from one very dangerous disease. This disease is so dangerous not because of how suddenly it claims lives, or how difficult it is to detect or destroy, but because so many individuals don't get diagnosed until it's too late. This disease is oral cancer and 2010 will mark the fourth consecutive year our nation has seen an increase in its occurrence.
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 36,000 individuals each year are diagnosed with this disease. Its two most common causes are
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Exposure to human papilloma virus version 16 (HPV 16 virus)
When found early, oral cancers have an 80-90% survival rate. However, most oral cancers aren't diagnosed until the late stages where the survival rate dips to 55% after 5 years and many survivors end up dying from treatment-related causes.
That's the bad news about this terrible disease. But, we do have some good news for you and it's centered around education and awareness. You can increase your oral cancer survival rate dramatically with one simple action: getting regular dental checkups. Here's why.
Your dentist can see the signs:
In most cases, your dentist can see or feel the tissue changes that lead to oral cancer. During your oral examination, they'll be on the lookout for underlying signs and symptoms such as a mouth sore that hasn't healed properly, tissues that have changed color as well as a lump or rough spot anywhere in the mouth. If you dentist detects something out of the ordinary, he or she will commonly take a take cell sample from the affected area and send it to a lab for analysis.
Your dentist is your #1 weapon for early detection:
Oral cancer often begins as a small white or red spot in the mouth. It generally doesn't cause any discomfort or pain at first so most patients probably won't know it's there. But, the dentist can spot it without any problem and treat it right away before it has the chance to spread.
To sum it all up, the best way to treat and prevent oral cancer is going to the dentist. Keep this in mind especially if you're over 40, as most oral cancer patients are. So, if you haven't been to the dentist in awhile, schedule a checkup.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Wed, May 26, 2010 @ 08:20 AM
Many studies confirm a strong connection between our oral health and bodily health. They've linked dental diseases to heart attack, stroke, diabetes, respiratory infection, premature birth, the list goes on.
An estimated 31% of Americans today can be classified as obese (meaning they have a BMI of 30 or greater) but did you know that one of the earliest risk detectors for this major epidemic is right in your mouth?
A 2009 study published in the International and American Associations for Dental Research's Journal of Dental Research paints a very compelling picture of how your dentist can identify your risk for obesity before you even become overweight.
The study compared the saliva of 313 overweight and obese women (with BMIs between 27 and 32) and the saliva of 232 women with BMIs indicative of normal weight. Researchers found a single bacterial species in 98.4% of the overweight subjects. This bacteria, known as Selenomonas noxia, may serve as a biological indicator of a developing overweight condition. Also, it could possibly participate in the pathology that leads to obesity.
So, if obesity runs in your family, a trip to the dentist could be just what the doctor ordered. Once you know you're at risk for obesity (or any other condition for that matter) you become equipped with all the information you need to mitigate the risk and stay healthy.
Need to find a dentist? Universal Dental Plan can help. Visit our website (http://www.universaldentalplan.com/) to search our dentist directory or call today and ask about our free dentist finder service.