Dental Plan Blog

Suffer from jaw pain? You might have TMJ.

Have you ever woken up in the morning with a tight, sore jaw? If you're over 65 you're probably nodding your head as if to say "yes, I have, many times actually".

If you're like most elders, you shrug it off as a sign of aging (after all, you're joints aren't as limber as they used to be) and simply go on with your day. Or you assume it'll just go away like the cold you caught last winter. Sound vaguely familiar? If so then read on.

We all know jaw pain is very uncomfortable and makes it incredibly difficult to enjoy your favorite meal, engage in conversation with good friends or even sleep at night. But, did you know if your jaw hurts, you might also suffer from TMJ?

TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint syndrome and approximately 10 million Americans suffer from it. It's caused by excessive strain on the temporomandibular joints and jaw muscles. A lot of people get it from grinding their teeth.

If left untreated, TMJ sufferers will experience significant pain in various parts of their body (not just the jaw and face) and symptoms can actually cause major damage to your neck and back.

So, how do I know if I have TMJ? Here are the 5 hidden symptoms:

1. Headaches and migraines
2. Neck and shoulder pain
3. Depression
4. Sensitive or sore teeth
5. Trouble sleeping

And how do I get rid of all this pain?

If you suffer from jaw pain and the five symptoms above, go to your dentist for a proper diagnosis. The sooner the dentist diagnoses your problem, the sooner you can start working towards a solution and stop TMJ symptoms dead in their tracks.

Can't get to a dentist for several weeks? Here are a few steps you can take today to help you manage your pain:

• Take a non-asprin pain reliever
• Avoid chewing gum
• Eat soft foods
• Apply ice or moist heat to the sides of your face
• Practice relaxation techniques to minimize muscle tension
• Keep stress under control
• Keep good posture

Is the pain of high dental costs keeping you from treating your TMJ? For Massachusetts seniors, Universal Dental Plan has a solution. With our 15% discounted senior plans, you get immediate discounts up to 50% on all procedures. Visit our website and sign up today!

Universal Dental Plan launches senior oral health awareness campaign

Great news, Universal Dental Plan has just launched its first ever dental health awareness campaign targeting Massachusetts seniors.This campaign will be our keynote outreach initiative for 2010 and we are all very excited for it!

The campaign has three major goals:

• Alert seniors on the high costs and acute health risks of delayed dentistry
• Educate them on easy and actionable ways to keep major dental problems at bay
• Introduce them to a convenient solution that makes dentistry affordable for all

The campaign will meet its goals by using a two-pronged approach.

• Present our comprehensive study on the dangers of delayed dentistry for elder Americans to senior centers and residences throughout Massachusetts. We're already presenting at 7 elder residences this April!
• Participate as a vendor in the Elder Expos of several local Aging Services Access Point (ASAP) agencies.

To become a part of this revolutionary outreach campaign, Activities and Program Directors of Massachusetts senior communities are encouraged to contact Universal Dental Plan at 617-859-1777 as soon as they can. Our Spring and Summer 2010 agenda is filling up very fast!

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Managing dental costs in a down economy, Tip #2 Cost Transparency

As we mentioned earlier, dental costs are rising faster than inflation and it's up to us to keep our dental costs manageable without sacrificing our oral health. In this blog series, we offer consumers three helpful tips for keeping their teeth, gums and wallets healthy during these tough times.

Tip number two is cost transparency:

Cost transparency means knowing what you'll pay before you even pay it.

Let's look at the travel industry for an example. Many people book their vacations online via travel websites that tell them their airfare, rental care fare and hotel fare well before they even board their flight. However, when they go to the dentist, they don't know what they'll need to pay until they've already gotten the work done and the bill is in their hands.

Individuals can go to ten different dentists and get ten different rates just for a cleaning, exam and x-ray. This makes it almost impossible to budget for dental care and in today's economy budgeting is a MUST.

That's why Universal Dental Plan makes budgeting for dentistry easy.

When our members visit any one of the Massachusetts dentists and/or specialists in our growing network, they get guaranteed 20-50% discounts on all procedures-from cleanings to crowns, even cosmetic work. We've negotiated these low member rates with our network doctors and charted them all out in comparison to standard costs.

Our rates are published right on our website, www.universaldentalplan.com, so members "know their fare before they're there" and aren't shocked when they get their dental bill. Why take chances on delayed dentistry when you can figure quality, affordable care right into your budget. Join Universal Dental Plan and start saving (and budgeting) today.

Five beverages that can harm your dental health

Everyone knows that candy and sweets are hard on your teeth, but the most dangerous culprits could actually be what you drink! Studies have shown that certain beverages have higher acidity and in some cases higher amounts of concentrated sugars than others. So which drinks ones are the most dangerous to your oral health?

• Soda contains phosphoric and citric acids which are harsh on enamel. Also, dark sodas can easily stain teeth, especially if you let it sit on your teeth for awhile without brushing it away.
• When it comes to stained teeth, coffee is of course one of the most famous culprits. The high amount of caffeine in coffee enables it to wear down enamel, making it easier to stain teeth.
• Sports drinks are one of the newest additions to the list of harmful beverages. They are said to contain up to three times the amount of sugar found in soda!
• Carbonated water is also surprisingly damaging to the mouth because it contains deceptively high amounts of sugar.
• Juices such as orange, apple, or lemonade, all seem healthier, but contain high amounts of sugar, and natural acidity from the fruit. The combination of sugar and acid can have the same effect on the teeth as soda.
• Alcohol is the most important beverage to avoid because the acids and sugars are much stronger and can easily lead to periodontal disease. Also, alcohol abuse can lead to oral cancer.

So, if you're one of the many people reluctant to give up your diet cola or coffee in the morning don't worry! There are many solutions that can allow you to enjoy your favorite drinks without sacrificing your oral health.

1.     Stay Hydrated: Drinking water after consuming any of these beverages can help rinse out the sticky sugars and acids that latch themselves onto your teeth. Also, water will have the same effect as saliva, which adds moisture to your mouth making it easier to wash away bacteria.

2.     Bring a toothbrush. If you can't go without any or all of these beverages, bring a toothbrush with you. Dentists say to wait 20-30 minutes after consumption to allow the enamel, which has softened from the acids and sugars, to harden again, and cause less damage to the teeth.

3.     Chew sugarless gum. Chewing sugarless gum will actually help to pull the sugars and acids off of your teeth, and produces more saliva for a natural cleanse.

4.     Use a straw. It sounds silly, but placing a straw towards the back of your mouth can keep the beverage away from your teeth and prevent direct contact with your front teeth (to avoid staining)!

So if you're not willing to give up any of your favorite beverages, try these simple solutions. That way, you can have your cola and keep your smile healthy too.

Managing dental costs in a down economy Tip #1: Prevention is Key

According to a recent New York Times article, dental costs are rising faster than inflation. Also, more than 100 million Americans don't have dental coverage. For these individuals dental costs can really add up.

That toothache you may have originally thought was no big deal could turn into a several thousand dollar procedure like a crown or an implant. Even cleanings, x-rays and fillings will set you back several hundred dollars.  In today's economy, this is all money many of us don't have.

However, a large body of recent research shows a major connection between the health of your mouth and the health of your body. That means it's up to you-the consumer-to find ways to reduce your dental costs without sacrificing your oral health.

In this blog series, we'll offer you three tips for keeping your mouth and your wallet healthy, even if you don't have dental insurance.

Tip number one is PREVENTION:

Unlike medical problems which are often unpredictable and catastrophic, dental conditions are generally predictable and preventable. Seeing your dentist regularly for preventative care is well worth your time and expense, here's why:

Average cost in Massachusetts for preventative care:

Cleaning and exam                 $93

Average cost in Massachusetts for restorative care:

• Root Canal - Molar $1,030.00
• Porcelain on Gold Crown $1,248.00

So, would you rather pay $186 dollars for 2 cleanings and exams per-year or over $1,000 all at once for a root canal because you delayed your dental care?

When you look at the costs for restorative procedures in Massachusetts, $93 twice a year looks like a pretty good deal. However, for those without dental insurance it isn't exactly a small bill.

With Universal Dental Plan, all members get free oral exams and cleanings discounted down to $56. To learn what else you can save, visit our website (www.universaldentalplan.com) and download our complete fee schedule.

3 Ways for Massachusetts to better their average dental health grade

When it comes to meeting dental health standards, Massachusetts has a C average, according to The Pew Center on the States' survey. Massachusetts meets just 4 of Pew's 8 national dental policy benchmarks leaving the Commonwealth in the precarious position of near dental policy failure. So, what can Massachusetts learn from their mediocre score and how can it be improved?

1. Seal the deal!

Two of the 4 areas where Massachusetts fall short of Pew's benchmarks have to do with sealant programs. In Massachusetts, dental hygienists are prohibited from placing sealants in a child's mouth without a prior exam from a dentist. However, as a national rule of thumb, hygienists are trusted with this decision.

One action Massachusetts dentists could take is to possibly begin training hygienists on making  the judgment calls for sealant placement in order to ensure that children are getting sealants when they truly need them. Other good news, for 2010 dental health care, there is a primary focus on implementing sealant programs in schools!

2. Falling short on fluoride. 

Only 59% of Massachusetts residents receive water supply containing fluoride, while the national average is much higher at 75%. Fluoride in drinking water is important because it reduces tooth decay and protects against enamel demineralization.  

The health board of Massachusetts is in charge of any policy changes regarding water supplies, but could make a beneficial and cost-effective difference by encouraging a mandatory water fluoridation policy. And, in case they need more motivation to do this, experts determined a savings of $24 per child in Medicaid expenditures (i.e. fewer cavities needing to be filled) just from drinking fluoridated water.

3. Providing providers.

The state of Massachusetts did not authorize new primary dental care providers in 2009, while the national policy benchmark stipulates the authorization of new providers.

Providing new dental professionals is vital, especially in rural and low-income communities where there is less access to and a higher demand for dental care. Massachusetts could strive towards hiring general practitioners first and foremost to meet the basic care needs of underserved populations. They could refer more complex cases to specialists. The state of North Carolina utilized this approach for toddler care which resulted in a 40% cavity reduction in children.

4. Following their own example.

Massachusetts exceeds the national average of children for Medicaid-enrolled children who receive dental care by about 7%. This is commendable because it shows how dental care is accessible through Medicaid. Additionally, dental fees reimbursed by Medicaid are approximately 11% higher than the national average.

So, moving forward, it's important to focus on the positives as a way to improve the shortcomings of Massachusetts dental standards.  The standards may reflect state policy, but the residents of the Commonwealth themselves can take actions to get changes moving in the right direction.

Below is the full Massachusetts report:

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