Open Enrollment for our Seniors Health Coverage is here for 2024. Open enrollment started on November 1, 2023 and continues through December 30, 2023 for most insurances. During open enrollment you can renew your current, existing individual/family health and dental plan and this is also the time you can choose a new insurance plan. Seniors let’s talk about why it’s important to have dental coverage. What are the Real Benefits of having Dental Benefits our Seniors may ask? As we age, our teeth and gums are more susceptible to decay, inflammation, and disease, therefore, our teeth may need more work…
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 and…
Use It or Lose It: Dental Insurance Benefits Left on the Table By Dr. Jacqueline Butler Mitchell, DDS When it comes to dental benefits, many people are leaving money on the table each year with unused dental benefits and flexible spending accounts. Many insurance companies have a benefit deadline of December 31st, and this means, any of your unused benefits will not roll over into the New Year. So it’s time now, to finish up dental treatments that haven’t been completed and to get your last dental checkup for this year. 5 Reasons to use Your Dental Insurance Before the End of…
A tongue scraper is a tool used to help clean your tongue. It is designed to clean the bacterial build-up, food debris, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. Cleaning your tongue, especially the back part of your tongue, helps to remove the bacteria that cause plaque, tooth decay, and disease. Why Use a Tongue Scraper? 1. Enhances Your Taste Buds. Your taste buds can be blocked by all the bacteria on your tongue and removing this build-up will enhance the flavor of the food you eat. 2. It Improves your Digestive Health. Tongue scraping promotes saliva production,…
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. Basic Things to Look for in a Dentist • Is the location of the office convenient for you to…
Although we may think that our teeth are in good shape because they look good when we look in the mirror, regular visits to your family dentist are still very important. Regular checkups and professional cleanings can help save your teeth, your health, and can also save you time and money. Dental Checkups in Children Taking children to the dentist at an early age is good for several reasons: • Can show the child as well as the parent the correct way to brush and floss. • Can discuss limiting the amount of sugars and junk foods in their diets.…
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that corrects teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly. Crooked teeth and teeth that do not fit together correctly are harder to clean, and are at risk of being lost early due to tooth decay. Malaligned teeth can cause extra stress on the chewing muscles that can lead to TMJ problems, neck and back pain. Teeth that are malaligned can also cause self- esteem problems. A specialist in this field is called an Orthodontist How do you know if you Need Orthodontics? Only your dentist and orthodontist can determine whether you need braces or not. Based…
A dental abscess is a buildup of pus that forms inside a tooth or gums. An abscess is characterized by a facial swelling in the region of the infected tooth. Bacteria exist in plaque, saliva, and the mouth in general which sticks to the teeth and damages them and the gums. If the plaque is not removed by proper brushing and flossing, the bacteria can weaken the enamel and cause a cavity to form and if the cavity goes untreated, it will eventually turn into a painful abscess. Symptoms of a Dental Abscess • Pain in the affected area. •…
X-rays, also called radiographs, are typically taken in a dental office by a dental specialist. X-rays help dentist be able to see areas inside your teeth and gums that can’t be seen with a simple oral exam. X-rays also help the dentist find and treat dental problems early before they become more serious, which can save you money, unnecessary discomfort, and maybe even your life. X-Rays are a Valuable Diagnostic Tool • Help dentist to see between and inside your teeth. • Can view the roots of the teeth. • Can detect cyst, abscesses, and any other masses. • Congenitally missing…
We have all heard the saying “Use it or Lose It”, well this is especially true when it comes to dental benefits. Each year you work hard to earn your benefits and before you know it, the year is gone and so are your unused dental benefits. If your dental insurance plan is on a calendar year, listed below are 5 reasons why you should make a dental appointment now. 1. Yearly Maximums: Your dental plan gives you a maximum of what can be spent on your dental care on an annual basis. The amount varies between insurance companies and…