4 Ways To Use Your Dental Benefits Before They Run Out

Your dental benefits are paid for by you in monthly increments. But at the end of the year, the benefits you have already paid for will go away if you have not used them. Millions of dollars every year go unspent because individuals may not know exactly what their plan covers. Here are 4 ways you may be able to use your dental benefits.

1.     Preventive services. Oral health screenings and other preventative services can help ensure your smile will last a lifetime.

2.     Restorative procedures. It is critical to understand your benefits. If you have missing teeth and you have been holding off getting them fixed, now may be your chance. Many times fillings are paid at a higher percentage, so getting teeth cared for early on saves you significantly.

3.      A periodontal laser procedure can ensure your gums are healthy. When you have periodontal disease or gingivitis, the bacteria build and eventually your gums begin to pull away from your teeth causing you to have bleeding and puffy tissue, and eventually missing teeth.

4.     Gum graft surgery may be a dental treatment you thought was out of your reach, but now with your dental benefits soon expiring and your new benefits beginning, it may be the perfect time to take advantage of procedures that can improve your smile.

For more information on your dental benefits and other ways to benefit, contact Dr. Denine Rice and her team.

Your Oral Health Matters

Dr. Rice and her team are not just worried about your gum health; they are worried about your overall health as well. Signs of problems can be seen by your periodontist first. When visiting Dr. Denine Rice, she will spend time evaluating the pockets of your gums, check for missing or cracked teeth, and evaluate any sores or discolorations that may be in your mouth. All of this can let Dr. Rice and her team know that there is more going on with you.

If you are struggling with receding gums, it could be an early signs of diabetes. The earlier this problem is checked the sooner you will be able to minimize the impact. Cracked and broken teeth can mean you are struggling with your jaw alignment. When left unchecked it can continue to cause bite problems, pain and eventually lead to missing teeth.

Oral cancer will impact roughly 48,250 Americans this year. Oral cancer caught early can help to save a person’s life. By visiting the periodontist on a regular basis she is able to conduct an oral exam and determine if further evaluation is needed. Most of the time patients who die of oral cancer do so because of the late nature of the diagnosis.

For more information on your oral health and how Dr. Rice and her team can help, contact them today.

From Missing Tooth To Amazing Implant

It is a misconception that periodontists only take a look at the health of your gums and complete periodontal procedures. There is so much more that Dr. Rice and her team can do for your smile. If you are impacted by a missing tooth that you think cannot be fixed, take a look at your dental options.

Once one tooth is missing, it is more likely that other teeth will begin to shift into the position of the missing tooth causing jaw trouble and pain. You may also find that your other teeth begin to fall out as well. Gingivitis and periodontal disease impact the gums and can cause your teeth to become loose as the gum pocket is no longer healthy and begins to pull away from the tooth.

A dental implant can help to replace a missing tooth and you get all the benefits of your natural tooth. A dental implant looks and feels like a natural tooth. Prior to getting an implant it is important to discuss with Dr. Rice and her team not only your goals for your smile, but also to have a full evaluation on the health of your smile. Replacing one tooth can help restore your confidence, but if you are impacted with periodontal disease or gingivitis you will want to get the health of your entire smile back on track.

For more information, contact Dr. Denine Rice and her team today!

Don’t Let Your Benefits Go To Waste!

The end of the year is fast approaching and when the New Year rolls over, so do your dental benefits. Dental insurance benefits are paid for throughout the year by you. You may have money left over that you have not taken advantage of, but that you have already paid for. Once the New Year comes around, those benefits are no longer available to you. These are benefits you have already paid for and that you are able to take advantage of and that insurance companies hope you don’t know about. Not only that, but once the New Year begins, you pay a new deductible for dental services.

It can be beneficial to use your benefits now because fee increases can happen, and your insurance company may change the amount they pay. If you have had your eye on enhancing your smile for a while but have been holding off, now is the time to take advantage. You deserve an amazing smile that is going to wow your friends at the next holiday party.

Sometimes, treatments that are needed to keep your smile healthy, or it may seem like a something you can just do later. In fact you may have been putting this off all year. But by delaying treatment, you may cause extensive damage to your smile, which costs more.

For more information on your dental benefits, or to take advantage of dental benefits before they expire contact Dr. Rice and her team.

Establishing A Routine

Do you find it hard to follow through with your dental routine? Maybe you visit the periodontist every six months and tell yourself you are going to do better. They evaluate your gum health and complete a deep cleaning, but in the end you go home and your toothbrush sits in the holder and the floss sits in a drawer by your bathroom sink. There is a danger in this routine and a missed opportunity to have a healthy dental routine that keeps your smile healthy for a lifetime.

How do you improve your periodontal routine and improve your smile? Set your alarm to go off at the same time every day. Give yourself a reward or take a selfie in order for you to see the changes with your smile as time goes on. If you brush your teeth and floss every day it will become a routine before you know it.

Purchase a toothbrush you love. If you do not like the regular toothbrush’s look, think about purchasing an automatic toothbrush. If you do not like the flavor of your toothpaste, find one you do like. And if your floss is not working for you, keep purchasing floss until you find one that does. Do not waste your time with dental products that do not motivate you to use them.

For more information on improving your smile, contact Dr. Rice and her team today.

4 Myths about Periodontal Disease

There are myths about periodontal disease floating out in the world. These myths can contribute to problems in your mouth that also cause problems for your body. Dr. Denine Rice discusses 4 myths about gum disease that could save your smile for a lifetime.

1. Myth: Brushing and flossing regularly is not needed.

o   Truth: Without regular brushing and flossing plaque builds up on your  teeth, causing periodontal disease, potential tooth loss, and decay.

2.     Myth: Bleeding gums are normal.

o   Even a little amount of bleeding when brushing and flossing is not normal. 

3.     Myth: Flossing causes bleeding gums.

o   Your gums bleed when you have gingivitis or periodontal disease.  Once you have taken care of the periodontal disease with your periodontist then your gums will be healthy and should not bleed.

4.     Myth: Periodontal disease is only caused by poor oral hygiene habits.

o   Hormonal changes and certain medications can also lead to periodontal problems. If your gums are bleeding, swollen, or if you have loose teeth this is a concern, and you should schedule an appointment.

For more information about periodontal disease contact Dr. Rice and her team today.