High Blood Pressure can be a “silent killer.” Often, patients go years without seeking the care of a primary care physician unless they feel ill. On the other hand, patients typically visit their dentist twice a year for dental checkups and cleanings. During the dental checkup, the dentist is most likely to take the patient’s blood pressure as a part of their complete exam. High blood pressure typically doesn’t present any noticeable symptoms unless dangerously high, which is why monitoring of blood pressure is important. The Direct Effect High Blood Pressure Can have on Dental Treatment: • May have to…
Author: Dr. Jacqueline Butler Mitchell, DDS
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an account you can set up through your employer. During open enrollment, you choose how much money to put into this account, and a portion of this amount is deducted from your paycheck. FSA’s usually will cover services for cleanings, fillings, and other dental services. FSA’s work like a debit card, you can use the card to pay for various dental and medical expenses. Tips for Making the Most of Your FSA • Plan carefully so you don’t put more money in your account than you will spend within a year on your dental…
When you’re looking for a new dentist its hard to know where to begin. Your dental health is such an important part of your overall health, so its important to find a dental home. Having a dental home will help you to feel comfortable when you go for your checkups and will give you a place to go to that you trust if you have a dental emergency. In this Tooth Talk I will discuss how to find a dental home. Basis Things to Look for in a Dentist • Is the location of the office convenient for you to…
It’s that time of the year where we start to think about what the New Year has in store for us and what we would like to accomplish in 2018. Like so many people, your resolution may be to lead a healthier lifestyle each year, but let’s also add to the list enhancing your dental health as a goal. Good dental health habits promote a beautiful smile and they contribute to your overall health as well. Let’s look at a few dental health tips to consider for the New Year. Tips on How to Step Up Your Game in 2018…
Maintaining good oral health is important to your overall health. In addition to daily brushing and flossing, you can help protect your oral health by seeing your dentist regularly for checkups. An attractive, bright smile is only one reason you need to be diligent in visiting your dentist twice a year. Poor oral hygiene can lead to many dental and medical issues that I will discuss in this Tooth Talk article. Why are Dental Checkups Important? 1. To prevent gum disease. Gum disease is one of the leading causes of loss of teeth in adults. If your dentist catches it…
The festive season is well and truly upon us. The holidays are a time for good company and good food. During the holidays we relax with family and friends and we indulge in sweets, chocolates, and holiday beverages. Snacking on sweets and sugary beverages throughout the day can increase the chance of tooth decay and gum disease. Let’s talk about 4 strategies to add to your holiday routine that will help to keep the cavity causing bacteria in check. 4 Tips to help Stay Cavity Free During the Holidays • Balance out your sweets with other foods. • Choose sweets…
Christmas is a time for good company and good food. The holidays are known for sweet treats and tempting goodies, but that doesn’t mean that you should end up at the dentist with a mouth full of cavities come January. We all know the negative effect that eating to much food has on the body, but have you ever considered the impact the holiday season might have on your teeth? What to avoid • Sticky Foods like caramel can stick to your teeth and can lead to tooth decay if not removed. The bacteria that already lives in our mouths…
When It comes to dental benefits, millions of people each year are busy bringing in the New Year but are leaving money on the table with unused dental benefits. Many insurance companies have a benefit deadline on December 31st, and this means any of your unused benefits don’t roll over into the New Year for most dental plans. 5 Reasons to use Your Dental Insurance Before the End of the Year 1. Yearly Maximum: this is the most money the dental plan will pay for your dental work during one full year. The yearly maximum usually renews every year on…
A PPO is a dental preferred provider organization type of a dental plan. PPO plans offer a network feature and dentist who work with this plan agree to accept contracted fees in full rather than their usual and customary fees. A PPO plan doesn’t require you to choose a primary care dentist. Instead, you can choose any dentist in or out of network, though your cost will be higher with an out of network dentist. When you choose a PPO plan you will know up front the most you’re likely to pay, which will help you to keep your out…
Have you ever noticed when you’re brushing your teeth you see a bit of blood when you spit out the toothpaste or you see some bleeding when you floss your teeth? Bleeding gums are usually caused by inadequate removal of plaque when brushing. Remember plaque contains bacteria that attack the healthy gum tissue around the teeth. Once this happens you will see the gums become inflamed and irritated, which will cause bleeding when you brush and floss. A Few Reasons Why • New Flossing Routine: If you haven’t been flossed in a few days you may notice some bleeding. This…