Don’t Brush Your Teeth …

I’ve heard it said many times, “You don’t need to brush and floss all your teeth; just the one’s you want to keep.”

So, I am not going to suggest you take any extra efforts to brush or floss after meals. Instead, I have listed the dental issues that will occur should you decide to follow the title of this article.

There is no guarantee circumstances will follow the order listed below. But chances are good you’ll experience all or some of the issues. Just determine how much money you want to pay and allow enough time to take place for the situation to occur.

Tooth brush and paste: Cost $5.50

Floss: Cost $1.90

Simple prophy cleaning from the dentist: Regular Cost $90 /ADP price $39

Full mouth debridement from the dentist: Cost $149.00/ADP price $98.00

Two surface filling, molar: Cost $230 /ADP price $102

Periodontal scaling/root planning: Regular Cost $275 per quadrant/ADP price $99 per quad (total of 4 quadrants)

Molar Root Canal: Cost $925/ADP price $589.

Porcelain crown: Cost $900 /ADP price $648

And, should you allow enough time to pass, and the periodontal disease is too advanced to save your teeth, just have all your teeth pulled (provided some haven’t already fallen out) and dentures made - here are the associated costs:

Extractions: $155+ per tooth/ADP price $86+ per tooth. (total of 32 teeth).

Dentures: $1300 per arch/ADP price $749 per arch.

Aside from the financial impact to your wallet, you will contend with constant bad breath, never ending toothaches, occasional infections with bleeding gums, and losing a tooth or two while attempting to eat a meal. (Just think how your new smile will look in the family photos)!

Eventually you will not be able to chew food, so that would be an advantage if you are trying to lose weight.

Should you decide to wait and have your teeth pulled and dentures made, you’ll actually help stimulate the economy. It will allow the dentist to pay for private school for his or her children, or maybe help pay for a summer home in the cool mountains of northern Arizona.

The silver lining in this story is by being a member of American Dental Plan, you’ll be able to save substantially on all your dental needs.

The choice is yours! (Suddenly the idea of brushing and flossing doesn’t seem like an inconvenience anymore). If you were to ask my advice, you have probably already guessed it would be in favor of brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and check ups.

Charles Jackson

American Dental Plan

Note: The above story is not designed to insult or offend anyone who may currently be wearing dentures or has experienced tooth loss. It is intended to help the general population understand the importance of dental hygiene and regular visits to their dentist. Be aware that the cost of dental implants is dramatically more expensive.

Dental Health: Online is the Best Place to Find Best Practices

In my recent search for topics relating to “best practices for better dental health” I ran across another blog, which sparked this one.

In her post, blogger, Lora Dodge, lamented about the lack of books educating people about oral health, and the correlations between dental hygiene and overall health. In recent years, it has become crystal clear to the medical and dental communities just how important oral health is to your body, shouldn’t there be many books to help others learn and understand how to properly care for their dental health, too?

In her post, she stated: “On a recent trip to my local library in search of books on healthy living, I discovered, to my surprise and dismay, that there were absolutely no books on proper dental care or any dental topic whatsoever. How could that be? Certainly these days' people understand the direct relation their teeth have to their total well-being right? And isn't everyone on the healthy lifestyle bandwagon now? Isn't that the trend?”

Apparently the answer is no. The notion is that people should be following healthier dietary and hygiene trends, but the truth is, reported cases of obesity, diabetes, oral cancer, gum disease, and dental decay are much higher than they should be, which means people have a lot to learn, and practice.

It always starts with healthy eating habits, and brushing and flossing, daily. This check list should be a constant.

She pointed out another interesting fact: there are plenty of books on beauty, fashion, skin care, headaches, mental disorders and other health-related topics, but not dental health care.
I am not surprised that there are many books on fashion, beauty and diets, because we are obsessed with how things look on the exterior. But it is the simple, daily routines that make a difference, like eating right and maintaining our health, from the inside - out.

The Internet is a great resource to learn information about anything, including proper dental health care and best practices for healthy living. Once you find it, learn it and live it for healthier outcomes.

During Kids' Dental Care Month: Get Their Check –Ups and Read Toothpaste Ingredients

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, so if your kids are due for a check-up, make an appointment. Keeping up with their dental health needs is very important, to avoid bigger issues down the road, and larger health issues that stem from poor hygiene and decay.

If your child has not seen the dentist due to income or money, then you may check with your child’s school to see if your child/children qualify for local dental programs. In addition, American Dental Plan and discount network programs, like ours, make dentistry affordable for parents.

Since this is the month to focus on kids and their oral health, this is an interesting piece of news you may find useful. Dentist and national oral health care expert Harold Katz is warning parents to take a look closer look at the ingredients in some commercial toothpaste brands.

Since toothpaste is a product we use frequently, there is a probability of ingesting it twice a day (if we are brushing twice a day), then take a look at the contents and here are some ingredients to avoid, according to Katz:

FD&C blue dye No. 2: This commonly used toothpaste dye is one of several on the list of additives to avoid, maintained by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. It's said to be linked to allergic and behavioral reactions and headaches.

Sodium lauryl sulfate: The American College of Toxicology reports this ingredient in cosmetics and industrial cleaning agents can cause skin corrosion and irritation.

Triclosan: An anti-microbial ingredient, the federal Environmental Protection Agency lists triclosan as a pesticide and regulates its use in over-the-counter toothpastes and hand soaps.

It may be beneficial to look for more natural ingredients, such as: aloe vera juice, which cleans and soothes teeth and gums and helps fight cavities and kill disease-causing bacteria in the mouth, Katz advised.

How To Make New Year's Resolutions Stick - Keep Them Simple

Now that 2012 is the New Year, many of you probably have a list of New Year's Resolutions in mind or written down. The psychology of resolutions are interesting, because it seems ritualistic to formulate a plan at the beginning of every year, only to find a month or two down the road that they have only been partially implemented or that they have been fully implemented, but by March or April, abandoned.

The best approach to resolutions is just to keep them simple, then abide by them all year-round, because your body is a long-term investment and by approaching it that way, you will get the best results. The only way to really modify behavior and habits is to one-by-one, replace old, unhealthy habits with new, healthier habits. It is simple.

As we know, the body comes as a whole package, so why not treat it holistically.

Here are the best four things we can do to make a difference, every day. Mind you, I am in the dental industry, so I am going to mention oral health and hygiene, but it really does matter. So here it goes:

1. Eat Healthy: Cut down on sugars and starches, high-fructose corn syrup, soft drinks and foods that are generally unhealthy and YOU WILL SEE A BIG DIFFERENCE. This alone can help obesity, weight issues, diabetes and your teeth.
   
2. Hydrate: Drink a lot of water, daily, and your body will be happier. Your joints, tissues and organs will perform much better and this also helps dry mouth conditions that cause oral health issues.
   
3. Activity: Do what you enjoy, walk, hike, jog, bike, play tennis, go to the gym, lift weights, stretch - whatever you can do, but be active at least three times a week for 20 minutes. A lot of times it helps to do this with a partner or friend. The added support makes it easier and more social.
4. Mind Your Mouth: Your mouth is the gateway to your body, so think about what you put in it and how you treat it. Brush, floss, rinse and repeat. And of course, visit your dentist and hygienist twice a year.

There, that wasn't so hard was it? All of these items are vitally important to your health. If you just do these four things on a routine basis, you may not need resolutions at all.

On that note, Happy New Year from American Dental Plan. We wish you success with your resolutions and your life, all-year-round. Enjoy.

Use Caution During the Holidays and Festivities

Recently, Dr. Oz discussed the number of heart attacks and emergencies during the holidays due to rich foods, excess, unhealthy eating habits and stress. All of these things can contribute to unfortunate outcomes during festivities with family and friends. Many people disregard symptoms and their first instinct is to wait to address their ailments, until after the holidays. This is not recommended, especially if you are in significant pain. Pain is the body's response to alert you that there is a problem. For example, many people who think they have indigestion may actually be experiencing heart problems that need to be addressed, immediately. Do not take your pain too lightly.

The same applies to oral pain. The holidays are a time to indulge. It is hard to turn down the home-baked goods, sweets, candy, fudge, cookies, fruit cakes and beverages that contain a lot of sugar. Most likely, your teeth will be under attack more than usual during the season, because of the foods we eat. So, make sure to brush, floss and drink a lot of water to neutralize the acids that are going to war on your teeth and gums.

If you should develop a serious tooth ache or experience some other painful oral issue, then call your dentist office to be seen. Do not wait, because more than likely, it will only get worse.

Even during the holidays, your dental office should have a dentist on call to listen to your symptoms, prescribe something if necessary, and help expedite your oral emergency.

Have a happy and safe holiday season and treat your teeth with tender-loving care for best outcomes.

National Association of Dental Plans Reveal: Positive Correlation Between Affordable Dental Care and Well Being

In the last decade, the dental and medical communities have made stronger correlations between oral health and overall health and well-being. There are many studies and articles that point out the many reasons why oral hygiene and regular dental exams are necessary to maintain well-being.

The risks are great for those who neglect their teeth and gums, such as heart disease, diabetes and a number of other illnesses that lead to systemic health problems.

Their efforts have increased consumer awareness, and while many consumers claim to understand the relationship between healthy dental habits and their general health, those with access to affordable dental care and benefits are 28% more likely to institute healthy practices and schedule visits to manage their dental health as revealed in a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP). The 28% rated their oral health as very good to excellent.

According to the NADP survey: people without dental benefit plans were 2.5 times less likely to visit the dentist than those consumers who did have access to coverage of some sort. More revealing was the fact that 48% of those without dental plans who had periodontal disease, which can be linked to heart disease and other ailments, had not received treatment, regardless of the potential health risks.

The NADP Consumer Survey received more than 6,000 consumer responses regarding dental benefits, behaviors and attitudes.

NADP Executive Director, Evelyn F. Ireland, responded to the results with this statement:

"Our survey found that people with dental benefits were more likely to have a regular dentist, visit the dentist more frequently, and receive dental treatment than those without. This included children's dental visits – when parents don't have dental benefits, the number of kids seeing a dentist twice a year drops by over 20%."

American Dental Plan provides affordable dental plans and benefits for individuals and families. Our plan is comprehensive and does not have many of the restrictions and pre-authorized requirements of a traditional dental insurance provider.

American Dental Plan also allows members the flexibility and freedom to visit a specialist within the network without obtaining a referral from a general dentist. Members can visit any dentist or specialist within our network of 650 providers in Arizona for dental care and certain endodontics, cosmetic procedures and orthodontics.

Why take the risk with your smile and your health when you can access affordable dental benefits and care when you can be one of the 28% who have the best ratings.

The High Tech of Teeth Straightening – The Evolution of Orthodontics

Crooked teeth are bummer, straight up! Aside from being targeted for teasing – over-crowded teeth also trap food and make them harder to clean every day and during hygienist visits.

I never met a person with an over-bit or an under-bite who did not want to correct the problem. Not only was it aesthetically uncomfortable, it can make for some physical discomforts as well or lead to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMJ syndrome.

Back in my days of youth, if you wanted to straighten out the oral problems, you had to have your cranium confined in captivity by a contraption for a decent part of your teen years. If you were lucky, your entire mouth was just bound and wired by metal brackets and rubber bands caging your chompers, and making eating a major event during a hunger-crazed growth spurt. Ah yes, the joys of head-gear and being called “brace-face” are not as common these days.

Traditional braces still exist, and they are widely used for certain cases, but there are significant new advances and the industry that evolved and streamlined smile artistry.

I have been involved with dentistry for 20 years and I am amazed at how it has been transformed and modernized.

Contemporary technologies deliver precise aesthetic results allowing for detailed, customized design. Dentists and orthodontists can now utilize innovative and sophisticated 3D imaging and CT scanning, hardware devices, software diagnostics, computers, tools and appliances at their disposal, making braces more attractive, comfortable and convenient for teens and adults who need and desire smile symmetry.

Now patients can maximize their results in a shorter time and dentists can devise a more comprehensive treatment plan using the latest techniques and solutions, such as: Invisalign® - removable and virtually invisible braces that are a clear alternative to metal braces and ClearCorrect™ another option that allows dentists or orthodontists to straighten and align teeth using a series of clear, custom, removable aligners. The severity of your dental situation, bone structure and alignment will dictate the orthodontic treatment and use of metal braces or clear braces, but at least there are more options – and varying price tags.

Personally, I had the old-fashioned version of braces as an adolescent - and a newer, invisible version as an adult, and I can honestly say advanced technology solidified my smile more precisely, and permanently.

For many, the investment can be an issue, which is understandable. Most braces cost between five and eight thousand dollars, depending on the type of treatment. With some of the newer options, like Invisalign and ClearCorrect, it can cost as little as $2500. In today’s economy, that is like buying a used car, and some people may suffer from sticker shock, but the outcome will make all of the difference in the world.

American Dental Plan allows members to take advantage of the many great benefits and 20% - 40% savings on all their dental needs, including orthodontics. If you do not have insurance and you do need a treatment plan, call 602-265-6677 or enroll online.