With the theme "Healthy Habits are Easier than You Think" for its National Dental Hygiene Month (NDHM) celebration this October, the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA), in collaboration with Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, manufacturer of Orbit® sugarfree gum, promotes the idea that good oral hygiene habits are simple to establish and maintain, even for the person living an active lifestyle. read more
Spirit Dental Resources
Updated on February 11, 2021.
When you’re pregnant, your body goes through a lot of changes, including hormonal shifts. But did you know that those changes in hormones might end up affecting your oral health? That’s right: your gums can become more prone to gingivitis and gum disease, so it’s important to take amazing care of your teeth and gums while you’re expecting.
In addition to taking steps to keep your mouth healthy for yourself, there’s another great reason to pay extra attention to your gums when you’re pregnant. Keep reading to learn more about the potential effects that gum disease might have on your baby.
Can Gum Disease Affect Your Unborn Baby?
According to experts, you might be at a greater risk of certain oral health issues during your pregnancy, and those problems might then result in complications like giving birth to your baby prematurely.
It’s scary to think that something like gum disease could potentially have an effect on your unborn baby, but some research has shown that there is a possible link between premature birth and this oral health ailment.
How is this possible? Basically, the bacteria that are associated with gum disease, and that cause inflammation, might make their way into your bloodstream. Once that happens, the bacteria might affect the fetus, causing low birth weight or premature birth.
Should You Receive Treatment for Gum Disease While Pregnant?
Many pregnant women worry about whether seeing the dentist is safe, but experts generally recommend sticking to your appointments to keep a close eye on your pearly whites because pregnancy might end up affecting your oral health. Plus, the sooner your dentist notices a gum problem, the sooner it can be resolved with treatment, thereby helping to keep your whole body well.
Periodontal treatment may be safe for women who are expecting. So, if you have been diagnosed with gum disease while pregnant, or you had gum disease in the past and you’re worried about it recurring, it’s wise to work with your dentist to ensure you receive the appropriate treatments that can help prevent complications and keep your gums as healthy as possible.
Healthy Lifestyle Habits and Trips to the Dentist Are Important!
By taking good care of your teeth and gums, you can also take a smart step to help ensure you have a smooth pregnancy. And seeing your dentist is part of the process of keeping your gums free of disease. Just make it a point to let your dentist and dental hygienist know that you’re pregnant, so you can rest assured you’ll get the best and safest treatments available.
In addition to seeing the dentist, don’t forget to maintain a strict at-home oral hygiene routine (brushing, flossing, using a mouthwash) while you’re expecting.
Also, keep in mind that drinking alcohol and smoking can have harmful effects on your unborn baby, while boosting the risk of oral health problems like gum disease as well. It’s yet another reason to lead a healthy lifestyle before, during, and after pregnancy!
Dental Insurance Can Help You Get the Care You Need
You have enough to worry about while you’re pregnant, so you shouldn’t need to fret about paying for professional dental care. If you don’t already have dental insurance, consider signing up for a comprehensive plan. The right coverage can help you afford trips to the dentist both before and during your pregnancy, so you’ll never skip a beat when it comes to having your teeth and gums examined and professionally cleaned to prevent issues like gum disease.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/pregnancy-gingivitis-tumors#1
https://misuse.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/error/abuse.shtml
https://misuse.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/error/abuse.shtml
https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/dental-health-during-pregnancy.aspx
https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/study-highlights-link-between-gum-disease-and-premature-labour
Most people don’t think of their mouth as a source of disease. So what if I have bleeding of the gums or I offend because of bad breath? Both of these conditions are indicators of a disease process and they should be checked by your dentist. In fact, if your dentist or dental hygienist isn’t checking your gums at each of your dental visits; it’s time to look for a new dentist. The fact is that our mouths contain so many different forms of bacteria that it is literally a launching pad for disease in general. These bacteria will cause bad breadth, sore gums, bleeding when brushing and eventually the loss of teeth. It is a proven fact that gum disease can provoke heart disease, stroke, diabetes and may worsen osteoporsis. Gum disease is essentially a silent killer. Do not ignore it because more than your teeth may go away because of this disease
Oral health is essential and being unable to care for your teeth due to financial constraints can be frustrating. However, is there a meaningful solution to ensure this does not become a lifelong issue? Spirit Dental Network Insurance is an excellent option for dental patients craving high quality dental care at low rates. There are countless reasons for why Spirit Dental is considered an industry leader and a must for patients wanting to find the cheapest rates and best plans. Dental care does not have to be frustrating any longer as long as you have the right plan in place.
Defining Network Insurance
It is critical to better understand the meaning of 'network insurance' prior to listing benefits associated with it. Why is network insurance valued? The idea behind this concept is to have a network of local dentists, who join under one company (i.e. Spirit Dental) and assure all patients coming through this insurance plan a lower price on all treatments. This saves money and ensures you are able to receive appropriate and immediate treatment by the best dentists in town at affordable rates. It is a true 'win-win' situation and the reason why network insurance is loved.
Benefits Of Spirit Dental Plans
Let's assume you have decided to sign up and build a customized plan in accordance with your dental needs and wants. What are some of they key benefits, you are going to receive as soon as you sign up?
There are a number of excellent benefits associated with these dental plans. Some of these benefits include no waiting periods, three cleanings per year, ability to select your own preferred dentist, guaranteed acceptance, and many more.
The benefits are essentially endless as soon as you are signed up and ready to go. There are no hurdles as you are going to be accepted effective immediately.
Build Your Own Plan
Don't want to get trapped into a plan which does not suit your needs? Perhaps, you are looking for larger 'maximums'? Perhaps, you desire specific benefits on your plan? These are requirements each and every patient will have.
You will not have to get stuck with a plan that is not built in accordance with your desires. All plans have numerous 'changeable' parts, which are going to be discussed with to ensure you are signing up for a plan that is picture perfect for your dental needs.
The days of being forced into a particular plan are long gone.
Spirit Dental is an industry leader in the world of dentistry and is regarded for being an expert in dental care. Why trust resources, which are not going to provide a comprehensive and meaningful solution for all of your dental needs when you can go with the best? Spirit Dental assures all patients of the finest treatment for any dental concerns the patient may have. Receive the best treatment in the area and receive it as soon as you would like under your customized plan. It does not get easier than this.
We all know the importance of staying healthy, from head to toe, and this often comes with a price. Especially when we take preventative measures, like ensuring we have vision & dental insurance. Unfortunately, if you have to pay the full cost of dental care, you may have a hard time paying your dentist bills. Perhaps even more seriously, without dental coverage you may be tempted to skip regular cleanings and checkups, a decision that could lead to serious dental health problems.
One of the nuisances of insurance is having to pay the deductible. Most dental plans have a specific dollar deductible that you must pay annually. Therefore, during a benefit period, you have to satisfy a portion of your dental bill before your benefit plan will contribute to your cost of dental treatment.
Do you ever wish you could skip this annual deductible? Well now you can! Spirit Dental & Vision plans offer a $100 lifetime deductible. In other words, there are no annual deductibles. You pay $100 once and never again. Visit https://spiritdental.com/ for more details.
Missing teeth are nothing to smile about. But with dental implants, you can fill those gaps permanently, brighten your smile and boost your confidence. Unlike dentures or removable bridges which may be loose or uncomfortable, dental implants look better, feel better and give you back your biting power. Corn on the cob, anyone?
The Dental Implant Downside
Unfortunately, replacing missing teeth with dental implants isn't always an option. Why?
A basic dental implant typically costs $1,250 to $3,000 -- or as much as $60,000 for a full set of implants on both upper and lower jaws. Clearly, dental implants are a major investment.
Because implants are classified as cosmetic dental procedures, they are often excluded by dental insurance. Other dental insurance plans offer some coverage but require waiting periods of up to five years before implant coverage begins. Other insurance plans exclude implant coverage if it’s linked to a pre-existing condition.
All Spirit Dental Plans Cover Tooth Implants
With Spirit Dental, you don’t have to worry about exclusions buried in the fine print. Our policy is clear: Every Spirit Dental plan covers tooth implants. With Spirit Dental you also have more flexibility, more preventive care and more annual coverage.
Choose your own dentist
No waiting periods
Guaranteed acceptance
Implants and major services covered
3 cleanings per year
$1200, $2500, $3500 annual maximums
*Spirit Dental does not cover implants for teeth that are missing prior to dental coverage.
More Questions?
Why don’t all dental plans cover implants?
Implants first came into practice in the 1990s, and are still considered a cosmetic solution. Because implants are more expensive than bridges or dentures, dental plans often choose the most affordable fix. If you compare dental insurance companies, you’ll find Spirit Dental among the leaders in implant coverage.
What is reasonable and customary?
The term “reasonable and customary” refers to basic norms regarding procedural costs. While dental procedure costs vary by region, a generally accepted “reasonable and customary” cost helps guide reimbursement. Find out your cost with a simple Spirit Dental 30-second quote.
Are there any waiting periods?
Many dental insurance policies impose a waiting period on certain procedures. With Spirit Dental, there are no waiting periods. Period.
Updated May 2021Did you know that millions of people end up in the emergency room each year because of dental pain, and the number of people visiting the ER for oral health problems has been increasing? It’s true and, unfortunately, it leads to high costs. Continue reading to learn about why people visit the ER for oral health problems and how much it can cost. Why Would Someone Go to the ER for Dental Issues?Dental problems are common, and people of all ages are affected, from kids to seniors. But why would they go to the hospital instead of a dentist’s office? Put simply, the problem is often an inability to afford dental appointments and procedures. In other words, people lack the funds to pay out-of-pocket, and they don’t have insurance that will help cover the bill when seeing a dentist. Also, when people can’t afford to see the dentist, they’re more likely to let their dental problems worsen over time. Once the pain, decay, or infection becomes unbearable, they go to the ER for help. Tip: If you’re experiencing symptoms of an oral health problem, such as swollen and bleeding gums or tooth pain, it’s important to see a dental care professional as soon as possible. Waiting to receive care will only cause the problem to worsen and become more difficult and costly to treat. And, sometimes, people end up needing to be hospitalized because their condition becomes so severe. Yikes!The Problem with Going to the ER Instead of the DentistWhen it comes to tooth and gum problems, it really is best to go to a dentist’s office for diagnosis and treatment. If you end up going to the emergency room, you’ll probably discover that they don’t even have a dentist to help you. What, if anything, can hospitals do for you? Well, many times, people are just given antibiotics or painkillers to ease symptoms until they can receive proper care from a dental professional. But if you never go to the dentist to treat and resolve the problem, odds are you’ll end up at the hospital again. Another major problem with going to the ER for oral health problems: the high cost! According to the American Dental Association, if you have dental pain and you go to the emergency room, the average price might be anywhere from $400-1,500, which is much higher than what you’d typically pay at the dentist. And if you need to be hospitalized, the costs will be much higher. The Solution Is Simple: Affordable Dental Insurance and Preventive Steps!Compared to people who have dental insurance, people who don't get individual dental insurance end up in the ER more often because of oral health problems. If you thought this type of insurance is expensive, think again. These days, there are surprisingly affordable options, so you don’t need to go without dental care. Take the plans offered by Spirit as an example. You can find policies that will cover everything from cleanings to checkups, and we even have major restorative dental insurance. And you can rest assured that your whole family will be covered too! A strict at-home oral hygiene routine combined with regular trips to the dentist with the help of insurance can make a huge difference when it comes to preventing oral health ailments, as well as finding them in their earliest stages when they’re easier and less expensive to treat. Taking a preventative approach goes a long way, so don’t hesitate to look into the Spirit dental insurance plans available in your area!Sources:https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Public%20Programs/Files/ER_Utilization_Issues_Flyer.ashxhttps://www.dentistrytoday.com/news/industrynews/item/7226-emergency-room-visits-for-dental-problems-cost-2-billion-a-yearhttps://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-emergencies-and-sports-safety/seeking-treatment-for-oral-care-problems-in-emergency-roomshttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/06/29/er-dental-visits/29492599/https://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/action-for-dental-health/er-referral