The philosophy of our dental office is that Preventive Dentistry is as essential as supplying dental treatments. After all, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Preventing potential issues before they become problematic is better than treating them. And this is our goal as dentists. But to what extent can we protect ourselves from common oral hygiene issues?
Along with providing a range of dental services to residents of Brampton and nearby areas, we’re also firm believers in educating our patients on how best to maintain excellent oral hygiene and clean, healthy teeth. As a result, we’ve compiled our more popular and well-read dental blogs that address ways to protect ourselves from common dental issues. Read on to learn more.
The Benefits of Regular Dental Exams for Your Overall Health
Annual or semi-annual dental examinations are essential for excellent oral hygiene. After all, regular dental exams and oral health cleanings are critical for your well-being, helping to keep your teeth and gums in good condition while allowing dentists to detect problems early and enabling prompt intervention. Here are reasons why dental oral exams are considered essential to excellent oral hygiene:
Preventing Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
Regular oral exams can help to find signs of tooth decay and gum disease early on, among the most common dental problems resulting in significant complications if not treated early and promptly.
Maintaining Oral Health
During an exam, your dentist cleans your teeth to remove plaque and tartar, which can lead to cavities and gum disease. Thus, regular dental oral exams contribute to keeping good health and a bright smile.
Detection of Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is potentially life-threatening but often curable if treated early. Dentists can perform an oral cancer screening as part of a regular examination.
Prevention of Bad Breath
Regular dental examinations and cleanings help to prevent ongoing bad breath. Bad breath, or halitosis, results from food debris and bacteria, which a regular checkup and cleaning remove.
Detection of Non-Dental Health Issues
A dental examination often reveals signs of other health issues. For instance, conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease can manifest symptoms in the mouth.
Prevention of Loss of Teeth
Along with aging comes the risk of increased tooth loss. Regular dental visits prevent this by ensuring the health of your gums, which are necessary to hold your teeth in place.
Maintaining Dental Health
Poor oral hygiene may result in other health issues like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Regular checkups and teeth cleaning contribute to keeping your overall health.
Saving Money
Regular oral examinations can help you to save money. By finding and preventing potential problems early, dental professionals can detect the need for more expensive, complex treatments in the future.
Regular oral exams can also help develop a rapport with your dentist, ensuring comfort during visits and fostering a positive outlook towards excellent oral hygiene and health care.
As part of a holistic oral exam, your dental professional may recommend a dental cleaning, also known as teeth cleaning. Learn more about dental examinations.
The Benefits of Regular Dental Cleaning Schedules.
Wikipedia defines teeth cleaning as “a part of oral hygiene that involves the removal of dental plaque from teeth to prevent cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, and periodontal disease.”
Teeth cleanings can be done at home or in the comfort of your local dentist’s office if you want a more extensive treatment that removes stains and debris. Let us explain the difference.
At-Home Teeth Cleaning
Most people routinely clean their teeth at home by brushing and flossing, referred to in technical terms as interdental cleaning, which removes debris and interproximal dental plaque that collects between two teeth; dental floss and other interdental cleaners help cleanse these hard-to-reach surfaces and lessen the likelihood of gum disease and tooth decay.
In-Office Cleaning
Teeth cleaning, or prophylaxis, is typically done by your dentist or an experienced hygienist, removing hardened deposits (tartar) and tooth staining not removed by routine in-home brushing and flossing.
Note: Those with dentures and natural teeth may supplement their cleaning routine with a denture cleanser.
Six ways regular teeth cleanings help to support good oral hygiene:
- Prevent Cavities:
Dental cleanings help remove dental plaque, which can cause tooth decay. By preventing plaque build-up and addressing it early, you can reduce the risk of cavities.
- Stop Tooth Loss:
Gum disease, often started by plaque build-up, is a significant cause of adult tooth loss. Regularly scheduled cleanings can help find and treat gum disease early, preventing tooth loss.
- Brighten Your Smile:
Dental cleanings effectively remove stains from your teeth caused by smoking, coffee, tea, and other staining substances, resulting in a whiter and brighter smile.
- Freshen Your Breath:
Proper oral hygiene prevents bad breath and helps to reduce bacteria and plaque build-up, contributing to unpleasant breath odour, also known as halitosis.
- Boost Overall Health:
Research shows a strong correlation between oral and overall health. Regular teeth cleaning reduces the risk of systemic diseases, including heart disease and stroke. Additionally, dental professionals can detect early signs of various medical conditions during routine oral exams.
- Save Money:
Investing in good oral hygiene saves you money overall. You can avoid expensive and extensive dental treatments by reducing issues like cavities and gum disease before they start.
It’s also important to note that while at-home dental care is essential, professional treatments are necessary to address hardened deposits (tartar) that are difficult to remove with regular oral hygiene practices.
Regularly cleaning your teeth is crucial in keeping oral health, preventing dental problems, and contributing to overall well-being. It is a cost-effective preventative measure to ensure a healthy smile and detect potential health issues early on.
At Keshavarz Dentistry, we offer teeth cleanings in Brampton that leave your teeth and breath minty, clean, and stain-free! We clean teeth for families in or near Brampton, including kids, teens, adults, seniors, and new and existing dental patients. Learn more about the benefits of regular dental cleanings.
Do Dental Insurance Benefits Cover Dental Exams and Dental Cleanings?
Having worked hard to earn your dental plan coverage, remember that it’s there to help you keep good oral health, so why not use it before you lose it? After all, unused dental benefits do not roll over into the new year.
The arrival of 2024 and the New Year ushers in a reset of your dental plan and coverage. As part of our service, we will let you know what dental procedures are covered under your plan and for what amount. As a result, you can make an informed decision before proceeding with any recommended dental service or treatment.
The ABCs of Dental Plans
A dental plan is a financial tool to aid in paying for dental treatments. It is often provided by employers or health programs aiming to promote good oral health.
Some patients, for instance, self-employed individuals, will buy their dental coverage. However, most patients have dental benefits provided by employers. When employers choose your insurance plan, they consider its cost and how often employees use it.
Although they may choose the plan, your employer is not responsible for administering your dental program. Instead, they contract with an insurance company that acts as your plan’s administrator and reimburses you based on the dental insurance plan agreement.
Payment is based on a cost-sharing arrangement for dental services between you and your employer. For example, you pay for part of the cost while the plan pays for the rest.
*With more than 30,000 dental benefit plans in Ontario, there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
For Your Consideration:
- Most plans have limitations. Even though treatment may be necessary, your plan only sometimes covers it.
- Most dental insurance plans offer a specific amount of coverage that you can get annually. Annual maximums are usually around $1,000 to $1,500, reset yearly. Sadly, any leftover amount does not roll over into the following year.
Understanding Your Dental Coverage
If you have a dental coverage plan, it’s crucial to be proactive in understanding its details, including the following:
- Coverage: Know what treatments and procedures your plan covers annually.
- The extent of Coverage: Clarify how much routine care (like dental exams, cleanings and x-rays) and dental treatments (like fillings, root canals, bridges, crowns, dentures, and oral surgery) is covered.
- Deductibles and Limits: Be aware of any deductible amounts and the total dollar limit on your coverage.
- Flexibility in Treatment: Check if you can opt for procedures different from those specifically covered in your plan.
- Job Changes: Understand how a change in your employment status might affect your coverage.
- Choice of Dentist: Certain insurance plans may limit you to a network of approved dentists.
- Co-Payment: This is the part of the dental bill that your plan won’t cover.
Understanding the extent of your plan’s coverage is crucial to predicting out-of-pocket expenses.
Summarizing What You Should Know about Your Dental Plan:
- Which services are covered?
- What is the deductible?
- What is the limit on my coverage?
- Can I choose a dental procedure other than what my plan covers?
- Will I be covered if I change jobs?
- How much does my plan cover for cleanings and X-rays?
- What is my coverage for fillings and root canals?
- What about other treatments like bridges, crowns, and dentures?
- You should also be aware of your co-payment or co-insurance. Many plans have a percentage of the claim amount (typically 20% to 50%) not covered by the dental procedure.
Key Takeaways
- Partner in Oral Health: As a beneficiary, knowing how your plan works is good.
- Separation of Plans: Always remember that your oral health needs should guide your treatment plan, not what is covered.
- Communication with Your Dentist: Keep an open dialogue about your treatment needs and the specifics of your dental plan coverage.
This overview supplies a fundamental understanding of dental insurance plans, emphasizing the importance of being an informed participant while maximizing your coverage and oral health needs. Learn more about annual dental insurance plan coverage and insurance.
Are you new to Brampton and looking for a top dental office?
Discovering Optimal Dental Options
Finding the best dentist for you is essential for your specific needs. Here’s a list of dental office requirements to look for to help narrow down your choices:
- Location Matters: Consider practices conveniently nearby. If you’re looking for a dental office near Brampton, look for options that are easily accessible from home or work.
- Services Offered: Different dentists specialize in a variety of dental services. Identify your needs, such as dental exams and cleanings and checkups, and choose a professional who specializes in those dental services.
- Patient Reviews Speak Volumes: Use online platforms that supply detailed information about dentists in Brampton. Read recent reviews from patients to gauge their experiences and satisfaction.
- Community Connection: Ask friends and family for recommendations. Their personal experiences offer insights into finding the best dentist.
- Pros and Cons: List the pros and cons for each dentist you’re considering. Consider their experience, qualifications, and their overall reputation.
- Everyone’s Needs Are Different: Remember that what works for others may not work for you. Assess your needs and preferences when deciding.
- Call for More Information: If you have questions, call the dental office directly.
- New Patients: If you’re new to the area, find out if the dental office accepts new patients.
- ODSP: If you are searching for a practice and you’re on the Ontario Disability Support Program, find out if they accept ODSP benefits.
Are you looking for a dental office in Brampton? Look no further than Keshavarz Dentistry, a highly-rated dental practice serving Peel Region and beyond.
Yours in excellent oral health and hygiene,
Dr. F. Keshavarz
