Spirit Dental Resources

Updated May 2022 Orthodontic care involves the use of braces and other appliances to straighten teeth and align the bite. For example, if there are gaps between your teeth, they’re crooked, or you have an overbite, you can consult with an orthodontist to see what can be done to perfect your smile.  Although orthodontics can be used to achieve incredible results, many people find it hard to afford them because they’re expensive. Thankfully, there’s dental insurance for braces that can help reduce the out-of-pocket cost of orthodontics.  Does dental insurance cover braces? Yes! And, even though you might think braces dental insurance is for families with kids, the truth is some dental plans offer adult orthodontics too (Spirit does not offer adult orthodontia). Why should you bother paying for this type of coverage? Put simply, it can help you save a lot of money. Orthodontics, such as ceramic braces or Invisalign, might cost up to $8,000 or more, on average. So, if you enroll in a plan that covers orthodontics at upwards of 50%, you might save hundreds or even thousands over the course of the treatment.  What does orthodontic insurance cover?  You can find affordable dental insurance that covers braces, retainers, and other appliances that help with straightening teeth, correcting malocclusion, and addressing other concerns. You might even find plans that cover Invisalign so you can take advantage of the perks of using clear aligners instead of traditional braces.  In addition to covering the cost of orthodontic appliances, a good quality plan may also help you pay for exams, X-rays, and other treatments, such as extractions, that are necessary to ensure a patient will get the best results.  Things to consider when shopping for orthodontic insurance Not all dental policies will cover orthodontics, and some might only cover orthodontics for kids.  Some insurers might only cover orthodontics if they’re deemed medically necessary rather than cosmetic.  Check for restrictions, limitations, and out-of-pocket fees. For example, there might be a waiting period before you can receive orthodontic coverage, there might be pre-existing conditions exclusions, or you may be limited to choosing from a network of providers. When it comes to out-of-pocket expenses, there may be a copay, deductible, or coinsurance that you’ll be responsible for.  Check if there is an annual maximum and lifetime maximum that determine how much the insurer will pay for orthodontic treatment before you need to cover the balance.   Note: You might be able to add on this type of coverage as a supplement to another policy.  What do braces cost with insurance vs. without insurance? What you’ll end up paying will depend on factors like your location, the length of treatment, if any other procedures are necessary, and the types of braces used.  If you don’t have insurance, you’ll need to pay for orthodontic care completely out of pocket. This can be stressful because the average cost of braces might be anywhere from $3,000 to a whopping $10,000.  By enrolling in orthodontic dental insurance, you might potentially save hundreds or thousands, depending on the plan’s coverage details and limits, as well as the cost of the orthodontic treatment from start to finish.   Example: If you have a plan that covers half of a $3,000 bill, you’d need to pay the remaining half, or $1,500. But, again, it’s important to keep in mind that annual and lifetime maximums, as well as other out-of-pocket costs, can impact how much you’ll end up paying in total.     Spirit Dental offers the best dental insurance for braces At Spirit Dental, we understand how important and necessary orthodontic care is. That’s why we offer plans that provide this type of coverage. Check out our network plans, such as our Network 1200/2500/5000 plan, to get the right amount of support for ultimate peace of mind.  As an example, we offer plans that include a $1,200 orthodontia benefit that can help pay for an evaluation and treatments for dependent children. These have a $600 annual limit and a $1,200 lifetime maximum.  Our plans can also provide 10% coverage for the first year, 25% for the second year, and 50% for the third year. Plus, they come with a low, one-time $100 deductible, and there are no waiting periods.  Sign up for dental insurance for orthodontics today If you’re interested in learning more about what Spirit Dental has to offer when it comes to insurance for braces, contact us anytime. You can also easily get a quote online to see which plans are available in your area.      Sources: https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/understanding-insurance/orthodontic-insurance https://www.dentaly.org/us/dental-insurance-usa/insurance-for-braces/ https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-cost-braces   https://www.healthline.com/health/average-cost-of-braces https://www.orthodonticspecialists.net/our-blog/does-my-insurance-cover-braces https://www.orthodonticharmony.com/is-orthodontic-treatment-covered-by-insurance/   

A smile is one of the first things people notice about a person. If you help take care of your teeth and gums, they will help take care of you. Here are a few things you can do to keep your mouth in tip-top shape! Floss Like A Boss Both unwaxed and waxed floss will do the trick. It is suggested that you use wax floss if you have teeth that are spaced closer together as the wax provides a little more ease when fitting in tight spaces. Truthfully, the best floss is the floss that you’ll actually use. So whatever helps you maintain a consistent routine is the right option. One last pointer, when you do floss, make sure to use a “C” swipe motion. This motion helps get under the gums and along the edge of the tooth to capture anything your toothbrush might have missed. Go The Distance And by distance, we mean you need to brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. Make sure to scrub and get in between each crevice as best as you can. Soft-bristled brushes are typically recommended for both handheld and electric toothbrushes. Don’t dismiss your tongue, it too needs to be brushed as it can be a major component to bad breath. Oh, and don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months as the bristles can fray and become worn. Eat Well and Prosper An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Ok, not really, but a good diet and healthy exercise are essential to keeping your body in good shape. Did you know, 90 percent of all systemic diseases have oral symptoms? Yep, besides keeping those teeth smile-worthy, you’re keeping your whole body in better shape. Foods to avoid: those with lots of sugar. Think soda and highly-sweetened snacks. Also, some starchy foods can also raise acid levels which aren’t good for your teeth enamel. Visit A Dentist We’re sure you expected this one to be on the list! Regular visits to the dentist are recommended as your teeth need maintenance too. Dentist visits can also help with prevention which is key. How frequent should you visit? About twice a year. In between visits, it’s important to keep up with your daily oral care. Hopefully, the constant care makes your appointments go that much smoother. Be Good To Your Gums Ah, those gums… the sometimes forgotten stronghold of the mouth. They are in need of constant TLC (tender love and care). If you do bullets 1-4 on the list, your gums should be in good shape. Flossing, daily oral care, dentist visits, eating well, it can all help prevent gingivitis or worse, gum disease. Smiling is an international language, and it has more benefits than you think. A smile alone is said to be able to help relieve stress and send out those feel-good endorphins. Plus, it’s way easier to smile than it is to frown! Taking care of those pearly whites today only helps in protecting them against aging and the effects of other wear and tear. Tonight, grab that toothbrush and give your teeth a little extra love, they deserve it!

Updated July 2021 When hearing the words, “you need implants,” the dollar signs and panic can start to consume your thoughts. Your brain starts automatically rattling off things like, “how am I going to be able to afford this?” “How time-consuming will this be?” “Is it necessary?” After all, your dentist has recommended the procedure, so here we are. The next step to take is figuring out costs and how to make it all work. Check With Your Insurance Provider First, contact your dental insurance provider to see if they cover implants. You might want to ask how much they will cover in-network and out-of-network. If you don’t have insurance, it might be time to look up dental plans that can help offset some of the costs. For example, a PPO network plan can save you 20-30% off the retail cost of implants. That kind of savings can make a huge difference. Josh Purington from Oregon shared his story, “I shopped around for dental insurance coverage looking for a plan that would cover a tooth implant since my dentist said I needed one. Out of all the plans I looked at, Spirit Dental was the only one I found that had coverage for this type of procedure. There was a one-year waiting period but it was well worth the wait! For the tooth extraction and implant costs, Spirit Dental covered $1,051. For the replacement tooth procedure, Spirit Dental will cover a total of $1,175! That is a total of $2,226 in coverage! All this coverage for only $46 per month.” For Josh, having that insurance was well worth it. Talk to Your Dentist The next step is to talk to your dentist. Even with insurance, it’s best to look at all your options and see where else you might be able to minimize costs. Can your dentist perform both surgery and restorative work? If yes, that might allow you to cut back on the number of appointments. If your dentist can perform surgery, you might want to ask if they also handle the anesthesia themselves. That’s another cost that you might not be thinking about when putting together your budget. Once you’ve done your homework—spoken to both your dentist and insurance provider—if the price still comes out to what seems like an unmanageable cost, you can then ask your dentist to work out a payment plan. They will usually try and work with you if the procedure you’re having done is carried out over a long period of time. All of this may seem like a lot. If you don’t take care of yourself when the problem arises, not only can the issue get worse, but the bills to help reverse or fix what needs to be done later can get much higher. You got this. Insurance - Dentist - Budget. Figuring it all out is half the battle. Learn more about your insurance options and get a quote from Spirit Dental & Vision.

The real and nasty truth about the tiny bristled item that lives in your bathroom. 1. What’s Inside Your Mouth? Bacteria. Lots of it. At any given time, there could be up to 200 species of oral bacteria living in your mouth. In an article by the Huffington Post, Ann Wei, DDS, a prosthodontist based in San Francisco states, "In an unbrushed mouth, there can be as many germs as a dirty bathroom floor." * As dirty as the bathroom floor? If knowing that makes you nauseous, just wait till this fact pops in your head as you lean in for your next kiss. Yikes!  2. Toothbrush and the Toilet The title alone may have you cringing. One study found that fecal coliforms were seen on 54.85% of toothbrushes and that the odds of that fecal coming from another person using that bathroom were 80%.** Who do you share a bathroom with? Hopefully, your toothbrushes are placed far, far away from the toilet and that both you and the person you’re splitting the space with have good or above average hygiene habits. 3. Plastic Containers Camping, traveling, using one as a spare in your purse - you might want to think twice about how you travel with your toothbrush. Just think, you use your toothbrush, put it away, now it’s sitting in a sealed location, wet and unable to dry. It becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. In a story published by ScienceDaily, Lauren Aber, MHS (Graduate Student, Quinnipiac University) notes, "Using a toothbrush cover doesn't protect a toothbrush from bacterial growth, but actually creates an environment where bacteria are better suited to grow by keeping the bristles moist and not allowing the head of the toothbrush to dry out between uses." *** We’re sure you’ll think twice the next time you go to pack up your toiletries for a long weekend.  4. Sharing Is Not Caring Bacteria and viruses can live on a toothbrush up to three days. If you have the flu and continue to use the same brush, you won’t necessary re-infect yourself, but what happens if you start sharing? Our advice, buy each person in your household their own toothbrush and maybe keep a spare around for guests. If you want to take it a step further, you can buy each person their own toothpaste as well. This is one item that the “sharing is caring” phrase just doesn’t apply too.  5. Time For A Replacement Periodontal disease is caused by a major buildup of plaque that can eventually have repercussions such as gum disease and tooth loss if not properly taken care of. As one thing can lead to another, brushing with a toothbrush that has frayed or dull bristles can affect how clean you’re able to get your teeth. Essentially, it’s like cleaning a dirty pan with a soiled, worn down sponge. It isn’t going to help much. Replace the old with a new about every three months. *”The Disgusting Truth about Your Toothbrush.” Huffington Post, 21 April 2014. **American Society for Microbiology. "Toothbrush contamination in communal bathrooms." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2 June 2015. *** “If You Haven’t Replaced Your Toothbrush In 3 Months, You Should Read This.” Prevention, 23 February 2016.

Keeping up with oral care as you age is pretty darn important! The scary thing about aging is that you don’t know what lies ahead. The same is true at any age, but the older we get, the more susceptible we are to disease and the decaying of teeth and gums. Dry Mouth Can Wreak Havoc It may not come as a surprise, but dry mouth is a side-effect to over 500 medications.* Anxiety, asthma, and depression are among the many diagnoses which have medications that may have an effect that could potentially lead to cavities. We know yet another thing to worry about. We believe knowing what may or may not lie ahead helps you plan for those unexpected moments. Save on Out-of-Pocket Expenses Of all out-of-pocket health-care costs, 27% are related to dental services.** Between the potential need for dentures, implants, crowns, and having to deal with gum disease or oral cancer, there is such an array of possibilities, that having dental insurance can make all the difference. Not only can insurance help cover you for major services, but it provides multiple cleanings per year which can help keep you motivated to make it to the dentist on a regular basis. It’s best not to wait until the last minute to consult a medical professional about an issue but to stay consistent in trying to prevent the problem before it occurs. Keep Your Smile--And Body--Healthy Aging doesn’t have to be scary. Taking care of yourself should be a priority. Having the protection you need against financial burdens alongside a healthy routine can make a world of difference. Don’t forget to check with your dental insurance provider to make sure you understand your policy and what is covered. If you are in the process of looking for insurance, make it a point to compare coverage and find a plan that best suits your needs. *Concerns, Mouth Healthy, American Dental Association **

This article is taking it back to the basics. Keeping a consistent oral routine can help prevent future complications and will contribute to maintaining your overall health. You read that correctly; your overall health is connected to your oral care - which confirms why the below is so important. Brush. Floss. Rinse. Repeat To start, a rule of thumb you should follow, brush your teeth at least 2X a day or after every meal. Getting into a routine can help make the activity seem unforgettable. Brush first thing when you wake up, and before bed. Most dentists would recommend using a soft-bristled brush or electric toothbrush for the best results. Don’t skimp on the amount of time - spend at least 2 minutes covering every inch of your mouth. Also, don’t forget to brush or scrape the tongue as it holds bacteria and needs to be cleaned. Next up, grab the floss and attempt to get into every little crevice of your teeth. A simple up and down movement between each one, unfortunately, won’t do. Try to move the floss along each tooth as far up into the gums as it will go. This just ensures you are capturing what your toothbrush might not have been able to reach. If you haven’t flossed in a while, you may experience some bleeding along your gum line which should dissipate after a few sessions. Finish your routine with a swig of mouthwash. It’s just another vessel that can contain fluoride (which you want!) and helps kill unwanted bacteria. Nutrition Is Key Today’s nutritional approach is much more than "don’t eat sugar." Ensuring that you receive adequate nutrition is crucial. Lean proteins such as poultry, fish, milk, and eggs are rich in phosphorus which can help strengthen your teeth. Fruits and vegetables also help aid in more ways than one. They are rich in fiber and can help clean your teeth with their natural sugars, and when chewing, the active process helps generate saliva production which can help remove harmful food particles and acids from your teeth. A few things to stay away from are citrus fruits. Although they are packed with Vitamin C and other nutrients, their high acidity can erode teeth enamel over time. When it comes to your teeth, think about your body. Is what you’re choosing to consume good for you? Visit The Dentist Whether you have insurance or not, a yearly visit to the dentist is highly recommended. Taking steps to help prevent a major issue before it surfaces is both beneficial for your health and your pocketbook. If you do have insurance, most policies cover annual preventive care visits - making it an easy choice for you to not neglect your teeth. Thanks for the read, happy brushing!