Why You Need an Electric Toothbrush

It’s true! We FINALLY have electric toothbrushes available to purchase at our office! Before we get into the models we carry at the office and why we love them, let’s chat about why you need an electric toothbrush in your life.

1.       Reliability

Electric toothbrushes can produce thousands of strokes per minute, where as your manual toothbrush can only work as fast as your hand.  This means more plaque removed from your teeth and a more reliable clean.

2.       Special Features

Don’t lie to us, most of you do NOT brush for a full 2 minutes like we recommend! Lucky for you, most electric toothbrushes have built in timers so you always know you are brushing for the correct time.  Other features may include pressure sensors which are great for those of you who tend to scrub really hard which can lead to gingival recession, different speeds and modes.

3.       Long Term Savings

Electric toothbrushes are an initial financial investment, however long term, they end up saving you.  Electric toothbrushes do not need to be replaced as much as manual ones, only the brush heads need to be replaced.  The brush heads for electric toothbrushes can be used for more time than a manual toothbrush, therefore you are replacing them less often.

4.       Ease of Use for Everyone

Electric toothbrushes do the work for you so they are beneficial for children and teenagers who don’t quite get to their back teeth.  They are perfect for patients who have limited dexterity due to conditions like arthritis, etc and for our “young at heart” patients who have mobility issues.  Have a child in orthodontics? Electric toothbrushes make brushing around brackets, wires, or attachments a piece of cake.

Now that you know why an electric toothbrush is the way to go, let’s chat about the options you have available to purchase at the office!

Oral B 500 – $45 (Available in Black, Mint, Lilac)

Why We Love It:

·         Although marketed as an adult toothbrush, we think this toothbrush is perfect for anyone ages 7 and up - basically anyone with adult teeth.

·         The wider handle with perforations for better grip is great for both kids and any patients with mobility or dexterity difficulty.

·         The round head is great for accessing those hard-to-reach areas.  The size of the head is not too small or big - just right!

·         Signals every 30 seconds to ensure a 2 minute clean every time.

·         It has three different speeds however we recommend only using the first two unless you want toothpaste splattered all over your mirror!

·         Comes with 2 heads with different coloured bands to place on them so siblings can use one brush, no need to purchase two!

Philips Sonicare 4700 - $75 (Available in White, Pink, Blue)

Why We Love It:

·         It’s exclusive! This model is only available at dental practices and the lower model retails for more! We recommend it for patients ages 16 and up.

·         We love the slim, streamlined handle and the longer, slimmer oval brush head especially for those with smaller mouths. 

·         Three different speeds and two different modes ensures it is perfect for anyone with any type of periodontal status.

·         Signals every 30 seconds and when you are using too much pressure.

·         A travel case is included which gives you no excuse when you travel!

Now that you are a pro on electric toothbrushes, come on down and grab yours! If you have any questions, feel free to ask, we are always ready to help you with your oral care.

Happy electric toothbrushing!

The Niverville Heritage Dental Gals

Treatment Options for Cracked Teeth Part One: Crown

The pandemic changed all of our lives in many ways, including raising our stress levels enormously.  Since then, dentists all over have noted a significant increase in cracked teeth.  It makes sense: Increased stress = increased clenching and grinding = increased forces on teeth = increased incidence of cracked teeth.

A patient presents with chewing pain. When the tooth is opened a crack is detected along the floor of the tooth (the black line).

I have personally seen for myself a dramatic rise.  Patients will come in and say they have a particular tooth that hurts almost every time they chew.  They usually describe it as a “zing” that sends them through the roof that lasts a split second, but recurs every time they eat.  This is a classic presentation of a tooth with a crack.

A filling was placed over the crack as a temporary measure until our patient returned to have their crown done.

Cracks in teeth are tricky as most times, they can’t be seen visually or on a radiograph.  They are hiding somewhere in the middle, usually along the floor of the tooth.  Through various diagnostic tests a dentist can determine the likelihood of a presence of a crack and where it is located in the tooth.

One treatment option we may recommend is placing a crown on the tooth.  A crown provides full coverage of the tooth.  Now when chewing, the forces are placed on the crown rather directly on the tooth, therefore decreasing the chance of feeling pain when chewing, along with preventing the crack to propagate deeper.

At the first appointment of a crown, the tooth is shaved down to a smaller version of itself in order to make room for the crown to be placed. A margin around the tooth is created for the crown to sit.

The process for a crown usually requires two appointments.  In the first appointment, we shave the tooth to a miniature version of itself in order to make room for the crown to be placed on top of the tooth.  A scan is taken to send to the lab in order to fabricate the crown, as well as a shade is picked in order to ensure your crown blends in with the rest of your teeth.  A temporary crown is fabricated at the end of the appointment to place on your tooth.  A few days later at the second appointment, your temporary crown is removed and we cement your permanent crown.  We ensure the fit and the bite of your teeth are correct.  You are now a proud owner of a crown which obviously makes you royalty! (Worst dental joke ever).

Tada! A gorgeous crown is cemented on top of the tooth, protecting the crack from getting deeper and preventing chewing pain.

If you are having chewing pain then it may mean you have a cracked tooth and you need to get it checked before it worsens!

Remember, going to the dentist is not meant to be torturous.  If you’re looking for an office that feels like home, the Niverville Heritage Dental Gals would love to meet you (and your teeth).  Contact the office to book your appointment now! See you soon!

The Niverville Heritage Dental Centre Gift Guide!

It’s the most magical time of year - the holiday season! This means the hot chocolate is being poured, your tree is up, Mariah Christmas tunes are blasting and if you’re like us, endless cheesy holiday movies on repeat.

However, this also means the craziness of holiday shopping has begun. As most of us our moms, we get how crazy this time of year can be, finding kids gifts that are exciting, budget friendly, and fun.

Enter the NHDC gals.  We decided to do our first ever holiday gift guide! What if you could get your kids things they could be excited about AND promoted good oral health?! Sounds like a dream, right? Here’s some of our favourite picks for both gifts and stocking stuffers.

Kids Gift Ideas:

1. Kids Dentist Role Play Wooden Set

Who doesn’t want to play dentist? Imaginary play is so important for kids, so what’s better than pretending to be a dentist with this wooden play set.  Exposure like this also helps them become better prepared for coming to see us.  Who know, maybe your little will work here one day! Click here to buy!

2. Play-Doh Drill n’ Fill Set

We love play-doh for sensory play and this set is so fun! Sip your coffee while your kids are entertained making teeth and pretending to do some fillings.  You get a break and they aren’t bugging you.  It’s a win, win.  Click here to purchase!

Stocking Stuffer Ideas:

1.Character Battery Powered Toothbrushes

We all know the struggle of getting your little ones to brush.  Enter these Colgate, battery powered toothbrushes.  With a spinning head to reach those harder places and available in your child’s favourite character, this is an easy one.  Peppa Pig, Batman, Minions, Barbie, you name it, they got it.  Click here to buy!

2. Brushing Sand Timer

Let’s face it, none of our kids brush for two minutes straight cause it’s nearly impossible. Enter these adorable tooth, multicoloured, sand timers.  It comes in a set of 7 which means EVERYONE is getting one in their stockings! Click here to purchase!

3. Froggie Toothbrush & Toothpaste Holder

This froggie toothbrush and toothpaste holder is both so cute and practical.  It is only 6x6 inches so it’s perfect for sitting on the side of the sink.  It comes in a variety of colours and makes a great stocking stuffer! Click here to buy!

4. Unicorn Sparkle & Watermelon Toothpaste

Have a picky child when it comes to toothpaste flavours? Look no further than Hello’s unicorn sparkle fluoride that is bubble gum flavoured. Looking for a non-fluoridated toothpaste for your really young one? Try their watermelon flavoured one! Click here for unicorn sparkle and here for watermelon.

Still looking for more ideas? Lucky for you we now have an entire page on our website dedicated to oral health products we love and recommend.  We have everything on there from denture care, orthodontic products, oral hygiene products and so much more.  Everything is linkable and takes you straight to where you can purchase it! Click here for the products page!

Happy shopping!

The NHDC Gals

Dr. Sunayna's Spanish Adventure!

A little glimpse into our 9 weeks in Spain! Video edited by Madie Fraser of Made By Madie.

Hi everyone!

I am back from my 9 week family adventure to Spain and I can honestly say now it feels like I never even went! I jumped right back into the swing of things and I love seeing all of you again. Believe it or not, I really did miss this place when I was gone!

I wanted to tell you about our life changing experience in Spain. We flew into Valencia, a city close to the water which is the third largest city in Spain. We rented a small apartment and lived there for almost 7 weeks! We also visited Barcelona and the gorgeous island of Mallorca! To say we fell in love with Spain is an understatement.

We took Spanish classes as a family three times a week and I gotta say, we got pretty good towards the end! We also put the kids in art classes which they loved. The intent was to really immerse ourselves in a new country, language, and culture. We wanted to truly feel like we were living there and that’s exactly how it felt.

Every morning we would walk to the market and get fresh croissants, pastries and our produce for the day. We would walk to our local park, sit at a café and enjoy a glass of wine in the evening while our kids would play soccer with other kids they had just met on the street. It was pretty much a dream.

By the end of our 9 weeks we would be running into neighbors on the street and chatting, the owners of our favourite restaurants and cafés would smile and wave, and our favourite ice cream shop owners from Italy would see my kids playing and come out and hand them an ice cream cone on the house. It was just so lovely and the people were beyond kind.

Life there runs at a different pace. People work hard but what really got me is how everyone seems to truly and genuinely enjoy life there. I never saw anyone on their phone or even have their phone out at a restaurant or café once. Not one single time!

If there’s anything I learnt is how different the world can be, but how similar we all are at the end of the day. I hope to have taken with me their love for life and the ability to really be in the moment. It’s a lot harder than you would think!

I could not have had this experience without the girls here who held down the fort while I was gone and to all of you, my patients for being so supportive. Your well wishes, gifts, and messages were so incredibly encouraging.

As we gear up for the end of yet another Summer and the beginning of another school year, I hope you will take the time to enjoy the little things in life.

See you at the office!

Dr. Sunayna

Happy One Year Anniversary to Us!

Happy one year anniversary to us! It has been one year since we reopened after the first lockdown in our newly renovated space here at Niverville Heritage Dental Centre and boy, what a year it has been! Through the many ups and downs, we have come together as a team more than ever. We thought it would be a great way to celebrate by reflecting on the past year and letting you all in on what we think about the experiences, challenges and triumphs this year has presented, enjoy!

Lindsay

The past year has been a very unusual time for us all, especially since returning to work following the lock-down last Spring. We returned to a new office space, a bigger team and rigorous new protocols leading to a whirlwind of a time. Although it was tough to get there, the expansion of the office could not have come at a better time. It has been a joy meeting all the new faces from coworkers to patients and there is so much satisfaction to be had in helping and growing this community!

Bonny

 This last year has gone so quickly despite all the challenges.  I'm not one that likes a whole lot of change but this year has definitely challenged me between the lockdown, the ever-changing Covid regulations and trying to help my son with remote learning.  It's been wonderful being in our new space.  There's so much room and it's always wonderful to hear how much the patients love coming here too!  So grateful to everyone who made this last year enjoyable!

Rachele

Oh, what a crazy year this has been!! We have all had some challenges with the pandemic that we have been living through the past 18 months.  There has been a lot of learning curves but also good things that came out of this last year too.  The first few months were challenging as we weren’t sure when we would reopen, how we would book our patients and ensure they were safe to enter our doors. Now looking back, it’s hard to believe we were ever at that stage. Everything has run so smoothly! We have all our protocols in place to keep our patients safe, as well as us girls here in the office.

Being in the newly renovated office has been nothing but amazing!! Have we had to change some of our protocols to adhere to government regulations, yes, but this hasn’t stopped us one bit!  We have not only had a beautiful brand-new space to work in, but we have seen so many new and familiar faces come through our office.

I personally have a hard time remembering our old “front” desk space, staring at a wall unable to see who is walking through the door. Now we have this lovely bright, open space!  Our operatories are beautiful, bright and no long have boring terracotta walls!  Being able to make this new space our own has been amazing and will only get better!!! Thank you to all our wonderful patients, see you soon!

Ainsley

I know for a fact if we had foreseen having to shut down for 4 months due to a global pandemic our office renovation and expansion would have been postponed.   I am so very glad that we didn't know that and that the go ahead was given and ground was broken!  Over the past year I have seen a terrifying situation turn into an amazing opportunity for perseverance, hope and accomplishment!  I have seen our team grow both personally and professionally, including myself, and I have also had the pleasure of working more closely and personally with our patients.  I feel so blessed that we were able to provide our community with a beautiful space to accompany the already outstanding dental treatment they receive and I look forward to many more years to come!

Amanda

This past year has definitely been a year of change and growth. We’ve welcomed so many new patients to our office as well as more staff! We’ve had to learn how all the new equipment works, even the buttons to move the chairs! Yes, some of our patients got to go for an extra ride because we pressed the wrong button! 😂 We’ve had to learn new protocols due to Covid. I agree with you all, can’t wait to get rid of the prerinse!!  

I absolutely love the look of our new office! Sharing in the excitement with our patients when they see our new space for the first time brings so much joy!  The one thing I miss the most is seeing everyone’s smile. Coming in with a mask and then mouths wide open with a dental dam over it just isn’t the same. But we know you’re smiling under there, right?! Haha. I can’t wait to see what the future brings!

Kaitlin 

I can’t believe it has been a year already! This year has definitely been a roller coaster for everyone. Our family has gotten a lot closer and it has been nice enjoying the little things that in previous years we would have taken for granted. I loved that I was able to put lots of my time towards my two little kids who kept me very busy with all our activities (food coloring was our best friend), no time to learn the art of sourdough hahaha. I am enjoying the refreshing new look of the office and all the updated equipment we get to use for our patient care. I love how welcoming our place is with a beautiful entrance! I look forward to what is to come!

Sunayna

Covid has taught me many lessons – adaptability, patience, perseverance, when to ask for help, trusting in the process when you may not know the outcome and more kindness than ever. I certainly did not picture taking on a full renovation during a lockdown! Although not ideal, I knew everything happens for a reason and learnt quickly to trust myself and the unknowns.

It’s a pretty surreal feeling watching your dream turn into a reality. Designing and decorating the space that I envisioned was so much fun! I wanted a space that would reflect who we were as team, a space that both our team and patients deserved, and most importantly, I wanted it to feel like home.

Above all, ensuring the safety of my team and patients was my number one priority.  Although stressful, I am so glad we took the extra time to remain closed in order to ensure all our protocols were in place in order to provide dental care to our patients in the safest way possible.  It’s funny how we as humans may not like change yet adapt so easily.  Wearing our double masks, face shields and gowns have now become second nature!

This past year seems like the shortest and longest year of my life! I feel like I blinked and it’s already been one year in this new space.  Truly, where did the time go? You know that super cheesy saying, “Time flies when you are having fun?” That’s honestly how I feel. I wake up every single day grateful for my team and my patients. I truly love what I do, where I do it and whom I do it with and can’t wait to do it for many more years to come!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Cheers to all of us!

Heart Health & Oral Health - What's the Connection?

We are laughing into 2020!

People use the beginning of a new year as a time to press the restart button.  Although we gals think any day is a great day to set new goals and intentions, we are all for New Year resolutions in which you make it a priority to take care of yourself!

At the center of our overall health is our heart.  Did you know that for years researchers have been trying to solve the link between gum disease and heart disease? Let us break it down for you:

Gum disease is inflammation of the gums and the surrounding bone which houses your teeth due to bacteria.  Similarly, heart disease is the inflammation of the heart’s arteries.  In some studies, people with heart disease have been found with traces of oral bacteria in their arteries, leading researchers to believe the bacteria from your mouth can travel through your body to your heart vessels causing an increased risk for cardiac episodes such as heart attacks and strokes.  Findings such as these strengthen the relationship between gum disease and heart disease.

Here’s the conclusion:  Many studies have linked gum disease to heart disease, however further research is needed to confirm if gum disease can actually CAUSE heart disease.  From the way the research is heading, it seems likely.

Your heart is at the centre of it all, but taking care of your teeth means taking care of your heart.

Image via Pinterest.

What does that mean for you? Daily brushing and flossing along with regular hygiene appointments at your dentist can prevent and even reverse early stages of gum disease! Now if only you knew a fantastic dental office with amazing ladies that you could come to in order to have your teeth cleaned and help you control your gum disease… Oh wait! You do, us! Let us gals at Niverville Heritage Dental educate you about gum disease, help you combat it and show you the proper way of brushing and flossing.  We know now that oral health is somehow connected to overall health, so take care of your heart, teeth, and everything in between.  Click here to book an appointment.

References:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/gum-disease-and-heart-disease-the-common-thread

https://www.cardiosmart.org/News-and-Events/2016/01/Gum-Disease-Linked-to-Increased-Risk-for-Heart-Attack

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/Dental-Health-and-HeartHealth_UCM_459358_Article.jsp?appName=MobileApp

Crowns - What, Why, How

So we’ve told you that you need a crown on your tooth.  Congratulations! You are now royalty, haha.  That’s such a lame dental joke, but you can’t blame me for trying! All lame joking aside I’m going to chat about what a dental crown is, why you may need one, and how the process works.

Can you guess which tooth has the crown that Dr. Sunayna did on this patient?

WHAT IS A CROWN?

A crown is essentially a cap that provides full coverage over your existing tooth to prevent it from fracturing.  It is cemented (ie. glued) to your tooth permanently.

Crowns can be made of a variety of materials such as gold, porcelain, and porcelain fused to metal to name a few.  The right material for you will be discussed and decided upon between you and your dentist and is dependent on the situation. However, in 99% of cases a material is used that can be matched to the shade of the rest of your teeth therefore providing a natural look.

WHY DO YOU NEED A CROWN?

Here is a patient who presented with a fractured premolar.

There are many different situations that can warrant the recommendation of a crown.  The first is a broken tooth.  A tooth can break for multiple reasons such as a crack present in the tooth, the way your teeth meet together, grinding or clenching, or accidental just to name a few.  When this happens, a filling must be done in order to fill the broken or missing part of the tooth.  If the tooth ends up being more filling than actual tooth, the tooth is prone to fracture again especially when subjected to the natural forces of chewing and grinding, therefore a crown is recommended.

Another reason a tooth may need a crown is because the tooth has had a root canal.  When a root canal is done, the tooth must be filled in order to replace the amount of tooth lost.  Again, in most situations this means the tooth will be more filling than actual tooth, therefore being at risk for fracture.

As you can see, the fractured tooth has been filled resulting in a tooth that is more filling than actual tooth. Therefore, a crown is recommended to prevent it from fracturing again.

If a tooth has a large cavity, it will require a filling in order to remove the decay present.  If the size of the resulting filling is also large, a crown may be recommended in order to protect the tooth.

If a tooth is left without the protection of a crown for too long, the tooth can fracture beyond pair requiring the tooth to be extracted!

Finally, sometimes, a crown is done for esthetic purposes to mask the discolouration of a tooth or to cover a misshapen tooth.

HOW IS A CROWN DONE?

1. At your first appointment, we will pick a shade for your crown and have you approve it.  Local anesthetic is given and the tooth is filed down to a smaller version of itself.

2. An impression of the tooth is taken so that the lab can fabricate your crown.

A back molar has been prepared for a crown.

3. We will make you a temporary crown to cover your tooth until your permanent crown is ready. Your temporary crown will NOT be the same colour or shape as your permanent crown, so don’t worry when you see it!

4. At your second appointment the temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is placed.  We ensure the fit, shade, shape and colour are correct.  The crown is then permanently cemented to your tooth.

It is important to note that in some circumstances your tooth may need special procedures prior to doing a crown such as orthodontics, gum, or root canal treatment.

Don’t forget, you must treat a crown like a regular tooth! A crown can get a cavity underneath if it is not being taken care of properly! Be sure to brush, floss, and come for regular hygiene appointments in order to increase the longevity of your crown.

Well, you are officially a dental crown expert! If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to come by the office and ask me. See you at the office! -Dr. Sunayna

Fun at the Niverville Fair & Parade!

Photo by Meghan Corbett

Everyone here knows the second weekend in June can only mean one thing – time for the Niverville Fair & Parade! Every year we all gather to eat candy apples, scream our faces off on rides, sway to the music, and enjoy the Summer weather.

It’s become an annual tradition for us gals from Niverville Heritage Dental to take part in the parade.  We bring our kids along and sometimes even our husbands (thanks Stan for always being our driver!) as we set out to meet and greet all the people who have lined the streets and giveaway our toothbrushes! After all, you need to brush your teeth after all that cotton candy you eat at the Fair, right?

Photo by Meghan Corbett

For the past three years we have loved being apart of the parade and people have asked why we do it.  Here’s the real reason – we believe in COMMUNITY.  We don’t want to be just a regular dental office in town.  We want to be apart of the community.  We loved saying hi to all those familiar faces along the parade route, as well as being stopped and even photo bombed by some patients while we were taking photos at the Fair!

Whether it is sponsoring your child’s sports team or field trip, donating to your wedding social, or speaking at the Elementary school, we want be known as a community staple here in Niverville and in the surrounding areas. 

We’ve got some big plans in the works and we can’t wait to share with you what we have planned! In the meantime, check out this video by the super talented Onairam Studios of us doing what we do best – laughing and having a ball at the Fair this year.  Enjoy!

The Three C's - Cavities, Calcium, and Cheese

Photo by Bothwell Cheese

Let’s talk about some C words – cavities, calcium, and cheese.  Calcium is the main component of our teeth, which is why getting a proper amount of calcium is so important to keep our teeth healthy and strong.  How do we do this? By eating calcium rich foods, of course!

Dairy foods such as milk, cheese, and low fat yogurt are great sources of calcium (there are also non-dairy foods that are calcium rich as well) and contribute to our overall dental health.  However, did you know that studies have shown that cheese (yes, delicious cheese) can help reduce cavities? Cue rejoicing everywhere!

Photo by Bothwell Cheese

Cavities are one of the most prevalent infectious diseases present.  In fact, cavities among children is the most chronic childhood disease! Remember, cavities are 100% preventable! Cavities are formed when foods with carbohydrates are broken down into acids by the bacteria in dental plaque that are present on your teeth.  Although cavities are caused by multiple factors that work together, we know that diet and nutrition are important for prevention.

Cheese can help prevent cavities in a few ways.  It has been shown that chewing cheddar cheese after eating a sugary food makes the dental plaque less acidic within two minutes of consumption.  Other cheeses that have been shown to help in decreasing the acidity in plaque are Gouda, Blue Cheese, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, and Swiss.  Cheese can also increase your saliva flow, therefore helping wash away acids on your teeth.  Finally, aged cheese (one of our favourites), is recognized as having cavity fighting characteristics when either eaten alone or at the end of a meal or snack!

Photo by Ceone Taylor Photography

Now that we know the hero powers of cheese, we teamed up with our favourite cheese company, Bothwell Cheese! Why do we love Bothwell so much? Well, they are local and we are all about supporting local.  Their cheese is made in New Bothwell, which is the next town over from us here in Niverville.  Also, Bothwell Cheese is made with 100% Canadian Milk and all natural ingredients! There are so many options from Red Wine Extra Old Cheddar, to Jalapeno Monterey Jack, to Maple Smoked Extra Old Cheddar, there’s something for everyone!

Need an idea for your next family meal that’s healthy and loaded with cheese? We recommend Veggie-Filled Mac N’ Cheese by our favourite registered dietician, Nita Sharda of Carrots and Cake Balanced Nutrition Counselling.

Need some delicious Bothwell Cheese in your life? We are doing an epic GIVEAWAY! All you have to do is comment below with your favourite Bothwell cheese product and you will be entered to win a gift basket full of Bothwell Cheese products as shown here! We will be announcing the winner on Monday, April 8th on our social media accounts, so make sure you are following us on Instagram and Facebook!

So the next time you have a craving, reach for a piece of cheese! It’s delicious, satisfying, and good for your teeth.  It doesn’t get much better than that!

***Contest closes April 5th at midnight.  Winner will be announced on Monday, April 8th on our Instagram and Facebook accounts. This contest is in no way affiliated with Instagram or Facebook. Open to residents of Manitoba, Canada only.

Source: Kashket, S., & DePaola, D. P. (2002). Cheese Consumption and the Development and Progression of Dental Caries. Nutr Rev, 60(4), 97 - 103.

Use It or Lose It - Getting the Most Of Your Dental Benefits

Hi! This is Ainsley, and I'm the office manager here at Niverville Heritage Dental Centre.  I'm going to be talking to you about your dental insurance and how you can get the most of your dental insurance plan, especially since the end of the year is drawing near!

Hi! I’m Ainsley, our office manager!

Dental insurance is often renewed on a yearly basis, understanding your plan is the first step to making the most out of the benefits you could be receiving. 

Dental insurance, simply put, can take some or all of the cost associated with most dental treatments off of the patient and into the hands of the Insurance provider.  You pay a monthly premium to have these benefits at your disposal, why not make the most of them?!

The best way to ensure you are getting the most from your benefits is to schedule and keep your routine recare appointments (i.e. dental cleanings and exam).  During these appointments a full hygiene cleaning is done, as well as a thorough check up by your dentist. Having routine check ups with your dentist allows us to find any problems while they are small and address them right away before they have a chance to turn into larger problems.  With most insurance companies, routine maintenance and cavity treatments are often covered at a higher percentage compared to major dental work such as crowns, bridges, dentures, etc.  Most of the time, major work is needed when a small problem wasn’t dealt with and left to grow, so catching problems early on is key to making the most of your benefits!

You’ve all heard the saying “Use it or lose it.”  Well, the same applies for your benefits!  Each year every family member covered on any dental insurance plan has their very own limit to use and if you don’t use it, it is not carried over to the next year. Taking this into consideration when planning any routine or more extensive treatment needing done will help you use the benefits you are entitled to each year and ensuring you have the maximum funds allotted for the following year should you need them. 

We know dental insurance policies can be confusing, we can help with that!  If you are unsure what your plan entails we can help set you on the right track to deciphering it.  We can let you know who to call and even what to ask in order to help you better understand your coverage.  Once we are provided with the details of your personal plan we can even help track your coverage to make sure you stay within the limits and are aware of what portion you would need to pay if any for any treatment or preventative maintenance you may need.

The time of year when insurance benefits are resetting is drawing near!  Most dental insurance plans go by calendar year, which means your plan likely expires on December 31st, and renews for the new year on January 1st. This means if you have any pending treatment to do, make the most of your benefits and use it up before you lose that money by December 31st. Remember, this is the busiest time of year for us as everyone is trying to get in to make the most of their benefits! Don’t get left out! Book now to save your spot! Remember, help us help you make the most of the dental benefits you are entitled to!