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 Thu, Jul 22, 2010 @ 11:53 AM
Our smiles are made to last a lifetime and proper dental hygiene has a huge impact on the health of your mouth and body, whether you’re 5 or 85. However, as we get older, we become more susceptible to oral health problems such as periodontal disease, inflammation of the gum tissue, dry mouth syndrome (often caused by medications) and oral thrush just to name a few.
It’s plain to see that taking care of your oral health in your golden years comes with several unique considerations. Here are 5 essential tips for seniors to keep healthy teeth and gums (and ultimately healthy bodies).
#5 Keep consistent with your at home oral health care regiment: This means keep brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash as instructed by your dentist to maintain proper dental hygiene.
If brushing and flossing are difficult for you, consider using an apparatus such as a tongue depressor to lengthen your brush or flossing tool. Also, if you suffer from arthritis or a similar condition, you may want to try inserting the back end of your toothbrush into a standard tennis ball for better maneuverability.
#4 Know the warning signs to prevent harmful conditions: Elders are generally more susceptible to many major oral health problems including gum disease, tooth loss, TMJ, dry mouth syndrome and oral cancer and should be on the lookout for key signs and symptoms. Symptoms to watch out for include, swelling of the gums, teeth sensitivity, loose teeth, jaw soreness, persistent mouth sores and bumps or an unquenchable thirst. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your dentist right away for diagnosis and treatment (if you live in Massachusetts and need help finding affordable dentistry, we can certainly help).
#3 Maintain dental appliances such as dentures and dental bridges properly: Contrary to popular belief, a set of dentures won’t last you 20 plus years. The ADA recommends replacing them every 5-7 years to avoid painful consequences such as mouth sores, oral lesions and difficulty chewing/swallowing/digesting food.
For denture wearers, we’ve put together 4 helpful tips to keep them in excellent shape and maintain oral health.
#2 Talk to your dentist about any medication you’re taking as dry mouth syndrome is a common side effect of many Rx drugs. For dry mouth sufferers, dentists can prescribe an array of solution such as an artificial saliva rinse to keep your mouth moist and wash harmful bacteria away.
#1 Visit your dentist as often as he or she recommends for regular checkups: Even if you wear dentures, it’s still vital to visit your dentist twice-yearly per-ADA recommendation. On top of keeping your mouth in tip top shape, your dentist can alert you of developments in your mouth that point to problems elsewhere in your body or pick up on early signs of improper jaw alignment or poor nutrition which may become problematic down the road.
Want more advice on senior dental care? Universal Dental Plan is out on tour this year with a full presentation on the importance of oral health and hygiene in the golden years. Sign up here to bring our Golden Smiles Tour to your local council on aging or senior center.
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 Fri, Jul 16, 2010 @ 11:11 AM
Skip your twice daily tooth brushing and what do you get for it? Cavities? Gum disease? How about a heightened risk of heart attack?
A recent study of 11,000+ adults backs much prior research linking gum disease with poor cardiovascular health. According to BBC News, researchers found that individuals in the study with the worst oral hygiene had a 70% greater risk of developing heart disease than those that brushed their teeth twice per-day.
The BBC News article also points out the known fact that inflammation (including inflammation in the mouth and gums) plays an important role in the clogging of arteries, which can lead to heart attack. Study participants with poor oral hygiene overwhelmingly tested positive in blood samples for proteins suggestive of inflammation.
Now that you’ve seen how brushing your teeth is good for your heart, here are several helpful teeth brushing guidelines courtesy of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
- Brush thoroughly at least twice a day for 2-3 minutes at a time. Two to three minutes is about the length of a typical song, so feel free to hum your favorite tune while you scrub your pearly whites.
- Make a conscious effort to brush every single tooth in your mouth as well as your tongue.
- Use fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse to make your teeth stronger and more resistant to decay.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Tue, Jul 13, 2010 @ 11:17 AM
So, you need to find a new dentist, where do you start? For many of us, our first instinct might be a Google search. Or, perhaps we’ll thumb through the Yellow Pages and let our fingers guide the way. Others might call a local dental school and consult faculty members about trusted practitioners nearby.
When you find a dentist, what matters far more than the search itself is where it leads you: to a skilled and trusted practitioner. Here are a few helpful guidelines to go by when searching for a dentist.
The best place to start is with a general dentist. General dentists are licensed to diagnose oral health conditions, provide treatment plans and perform certain treatments. Depending on your condition, he or she may refer you to a specialist for more specialized care and treatment.
Qualified dentists will have either one or two designations beside their name, a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine). Once you’re in front of an individual with either of these three letter distinctions, you’re going to want to ask a few questions to ensure that he or she is the right doctor for you.
Here’s a few to get you started.
- How long has your practice been in operation? Longevity and patient loyalty are key elements here. When a dental practitioner has a loyal base of patients they’ve been seeing for years it’s a wonderful indicator that they’re a skilled and trusted doctor.
- (When you require a specific procedure) What training have you undergone and what clinical experience do you have in performing it?
- What is your referral process? (if the dentist does not perform certain procedures you require or may require)
- What professional dental societies do you participate in? Many professional dental societies have stringent continuing education requirements for all members to ensure that they are up-to-date on the latest advances in dentistry.
- Do you offer emergency care, if so, what types? Most dentists will budget time each day to help current patients suffering from any dental emergency from knocked out teeth, to lost crowns to abscesses. Discuss emergency care in advance with your dentist to ensure that in the event of the unexpected, you have someone you can go to right away for help.
- What procedures and amenities do you offer to help me feel more comfortable in the dental chair? Examples include nitrous oxide, various pre-medications for major procedures and calming amenities such as music or heating pads.
- Can you show before and after photos? This question is especially important to ask if you seek a dentist for cosmetic procedures (i.e. teeth whitening, dental veneers, dental implants, etc.) or orthodontic treatment.
- Are you located nearby? We all hope and expect to find a dentist located within reasonable driving distance of our homes, especially when searching for our general dentist. After all, his or her practice will be our home base for all of our dental needs, hopefully for many years. That’s why Universal Dental Plan provides all members an online member search tool that lets them search for Massachusetts dentists and specialists anywhere from 5 to 100 miles from their zip code.
- How much will all of this cost me? Depending on the procedure you receive, dental cost totals include procedure fees anesthesia fees, and facility fees. If you have dental insurance, chances are the costs of your preventative work (i.e. your oral exams, cleanings and x-rays) will be covered in full and amalgam fillings (the traditional metal ones) will be covered nearly in full. You’ll also likely have some coverage for composite fillings (fillings with an enamel-like finish) as well as restorative procedures like dental bridges and crowns. These benefits will certainly go a long way. But for those without insurance, dentistry can get very costly and a discount dental plan can be a huge help in bringing down all of the above costs.
Universal Dental Plan is a smart dental insurance alternative for Massachusetts individuals, couples and families who lack affordable options. Visit our website at www.universaldentalplan.com to learn more and sign up today.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Thu, Jul 08, 2010 @ 09:49 AM
Braces are a huge investment and can help you achieve lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles. So, it certainly makes sense that you find a trusted and experienced orthodontist for your child’s (or even your) orthodontic treatment. It’s also vital to have a dental plan that makes treatment more affordable every step of the way. After reviewing several traditional dental insurance plans with orthodontia riders, it’s plain to see that you pay far more than what you get. That is, if you’re the one paying the premiums.
If you work for a company that pays 100% of your family dental plan premiums with an orthodontia rider, by all means stick with your current plan. After all, depending on your annual lifetime maximum you’re getting $1,000-$1,500 of your child’s braces on the insurance company’s dime. That’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask me, but unfortunately most people aren’t in this boat.
Perhaps your company’s dental insurance plan doesn’t cover orthodontia and you’re left paying for braces out-of-pocket. Or maybe your employer doesn’t offer dental and you need to by a dental plan on your own to cover your child’s upcoming orthodontic treatment (or yours). If either of these sounds like you then read on.
Orthodontia coverage on traditional dental insurance plans:
As many of us know, dental insurance plans require subscribers to pay monthly premiums (roughly $50-60 for individuals and $100+ for families) and receive benefits based on the concept of cost-sharing. With cost-sharing, the insurance company will pay a certain percent the cost of each covered procedure based on a usual and customary rate (subscriber pays the rest).
The percentage paid depends on the category of procedure; preventative, basic restorative (i.e. filling a cavity) and major restorative (i.e. bridges, crowns, full or partial dentures, etc.). Our 7 step guide to buying a dental plan tells you much more about insurance cost-sharing.
Orthodontia falls under a 4th procedural category, corrective work. For the added cost of $6-7 per-month in premium, insurance companies will pay 50% the cost of corrective procedures up to a set dollar amount called the lifetime max ($1,500 is not an uncommon value for this). Typical insurance plan waiting periods for corrective services are 1-2 years.
Below is what a typical family dental insurance plan subscriber would pay over the course of an orthodontic treatment (and what they’d get in benefits).
|
Procedure/Expense
|
Total Cost*
|
Insurer Pays
|
Subscriber Pays
|
|
Premiums paid during 24 month orthodontic treatment
|
$3,600 ($150 monthly family plan premium w/orthodontia rider x 24 mos.)
|
$0
|
$3,600
|
|
Orthodontic records, treatment plan and consultation
|
$295
|
$147.50
|
$147.50
|
|
Initial orthodontic appliance installation
|
$670
|
$335
|
$335
|
|
Active malment phase (up to 24 months)
|
$3,875
|
$1,017.50
|
$2,857.50
|
|
Retention Phase (including retainer)
|
$385
|
$0
|
$385
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
$1,500
|
$7,325
|
*Based on typical monthly premium for family plan with orthodontia rider and average procedural costs for 2009 in Massachusetts
Add in the $1,800 in premium the subscriber paid while fulfilling the waiting period and they’re paying a total of $9,125 for just $1,500 in benefit.
Orthodontia with a discount dental plan:
When dental insurance doesn’t make sense for orthodontia coverage, discount dental plans could provide considerable savings without all the limits, waiting periods and high monthly premiums.
Here’s what a Massachusetts family would pay on Universal Dental Plan (a discount dental savings program) during the course of an orthodontic treatment.
|
Procedure/Expense
|
Total Cost*
|
Member Pays
|
Member Saves
|
|
Membership fees paid during 24 month orthodontic treatment
|
$350
|
$350
|
N/A
|
|
Orthodontic records, treatment plan and consultation
|
$295
|
$220
|
$75
|
|
Initial orthodontic appliance installation
|
$670
|
$525
|
$145
|
|
Active malment phase (up to 24 months)
|
$3,875
|
$3,285
|
$590
|
|
Retention Phase (including retainer)
|
$385
|
$320
|
$65
|
|
TOTAL
|
$5,575
|
$4,700
|
$875
|
*Based on average procedural costs for 2009 in Massachusetts
Discount dental plan members have no waiting periods to fulfill which means access to all discounts begins the day they enroll. So, if you live in Massachusetts, you’re looking to save money braces, you don’t have dental insurance coverage for orthodontia and you’d much rather pay $4,700 than $9,000+ (and I’m sure that’s just about everyone), visit our website and enroll today.
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 Fri, Jul 02, 2010 @ 11:10 AM
Traditional dental insurance is predominately bought on a group basis through employers, associations, etc. Most plans have deductibles, annual procedural limits and require tedious claim forms (a major pain for both the insured and his or her dentist). Also, some plans have long waiting periods for major services and limitations on certain procedures (i.e. cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening and veneers).
Discount dental plans are designed to provide major savings on members’ dental care needs. Since discount dental plans are not insurance, there are no limitations on cosmetic procedures, no claim forms, no waiting periods, no deductibles, no annual limits and memberships are activated immediately.
Traditional dental insurance is also largely unavailable to seniors once they’ve retired (typically at age 65) and no longer have access to dental benefits they had while employed. Many of these individuals are living well into their 80’s and therefore must endure 15-20 years of costly dentistry on fixed incomes. Discount dental plans are a wonderful way for seniors to save money on their dental care.
Discount dental plans are available directly to individuals, couples, families and seniors. Businesses and associations can also purchase discount dental plans on a group basis and provide them as an employee benefits. They’re an easy, affordable and flexible way for businesses to save money on valuable dental care for their employees.
Unlike many dental insurance plans, discount dental plans do not have a minimum participation policy and do not require employer contribution.
Universal Dental Plan is a discount dental plan and smart insurance alternative providing individuals, families, seniors and groups 20-50% discounts on all dental procedures via our robust network of Massachusetts dentists and specialists—all for an affordable monthly or annual membership rate.
If you’re a Massachusetts resident looking for a cost-effective solution to save on dentistry, visit our website at www.universaldentalplan.com to learn more and enroll today.