Orthodontics For Dogs and Cats...Really?

  If you are a pet owner and, like me, your pet is your baby, it's likely you will spare no expense to ensure that they are healthy and happy.  Maintaining your pet's oral health is as important as making sure that they are vaccinated or that they are receiving regular veterinary care. (Goodness knows there are already twice as many vaccinations for dogs as opposed to humans, and medications can get pricey as well as just the simple costs of office visits for wellness check-ups.) 

Pets should have regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Animals are susceptible to many of the same physical ailments as humans, including dental issues! They can get cavities, periodontal disease, abscesses, broken teeth...just about anything a human can get, they can get, including crooked teeth! Of course they feel the pain of these ailments, just as we do. But did you know that your pet may actually be a candidate for braces? 

Now, braces are not for every dog or cat...it will depend on their age, type of malocclusion and their ability to tolerate the discomfort of wearing braces, but there are a variety of specialists available out there who practice veterinary dentistry, including canine orthodontics. Expect to pay a lot of money!  Canine dentistry is not cheap.  It may even be more expensive than what we would pay for our own braces!  A good option may be to find a good pet insurance plan and find out if it covers dentistry and orthodontics. Check with your veterinarian.  He or she can probably recommend one.

Keep your pet smiling and happy!!

Bet Ya Didn't Know These Fun Dental Facts!

 More endless research on the internet turned up these interesting trivial facts!

• In the year 1900, the tooth fairy would leave approximately 12 cents. In the year 1998, one dollar. Imagine, at the current rate of inflation....the year 2020...NICE! $$$$$
• You cannot conceal your smoking habit with mouthwash or brushing before a visit! That's right, your dentist knows :) Apparently, the smoke residue seeps into the tissue surrounding your gums....
• You would need to have more than 300 amalgam fillings to even come close to the amount of mercury that is considered dangerous.
• 100 years ago, 50% of adults in North America were toothless!
• The first electric toothbrush was introduced in 1939.
• The antibacterial properties in Black and Green Tea CAN help prevent cavities.
• Chewing gum that contains Xylitol can help prevent cavities by reducing the bad bacteria in your mouth!
• Mouthwashes containing alcohol are only temporarily effective, and the alcohol dries out your mouth.
• Snails have teeth! Thousands of them....
• Turtles are toothless!
• You will get more radiation from an hour in the sun than from a dental x-ray.
• Your dominant hand influences your chewing- righties munch on the right, while lefties savor their bites on the left.
• Ladies smile about 62 times a day, while the gents trail behind with a mere eight daily smirks.
• Just faking a grin can actually calm your heartbeat and ease tension.

One more....this one is great!

• A survey once done by Time Magazine concluded that 59% of Americans would prefer to sit in a dentist's chair than to sit next to someone on a cell phone!

Enjoy, and Keep Smiling!

Why We Celebrate Labor Day!

 

What Is Labor Day?

Labor Day is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. Labor Day serves as a recognition of the labor movement and the efforts to improve working conditions and worker's rights.  It is also seen as a symbol of the end of summer and a time for people to enjoy a day off and spend time with family and friends.

Why Do We Celebrate It?

Labor Day is celebrated to honor the achievements and contributions of workers in various fields. The holiday originated in the late 19th century during the Labor Movement in the United States. Workers at the time were facing long working hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions. They organized strikes and protests to demand better rights and fair treatment.

Labor Day became an official federal holiday in 1894 after intense lobbying and advocacy by the labor unions. It was a way to recognize and pay tribute to the hardworking individuals who contributed to the growth and development of the country.

Today, Labor Day is a symbolic end to the summer season and is celebrated with parades, barbecues, and gatherings. It also serves as a reminder to appreciate the achievements of workers and to advocate for their rights and well-being.

Now that we know a little more about Labor Day, our team here at Savon Dental Plan wishes everyone a Happy and Safe Holiday Weekend! Be sure to thank all of the hardworking people who keep our way of life functioning day in and day out!

Dental Sleep Medicine, Explained

 By definition, according to the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine,  Dental Sleep Medicine is an area of practice that focuses on the management of sleep-related breathing disorders, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, through the use of oral appliance therapy and/or upper airway surgery.

More and more dentists are entering into this field of treatment.  The way it works is this: A qualified physician diagnoses the condition through a series of studies done on the patient,  then the dentist provides treatment; ( i.e. usually a custom fitted oral device, worn during sleep and designed to keep the airway open by supporting the jaw and tongue.)

A loved one may notice heavy snoring or interrupted breathing patterns that can happen many times during the sleep cycle, however, if you live alone the following signs could be an indication that you may need to be checked out:

                  Mild to heavy daytime sleepiness
                  Morning headaches
                  Depression
                  Decreased libido
                  Inability to concentrate

Additionally, if you are overweight  you may have a higher risk for sleep apnea.  Essentially, through oxygen deprivation and lack of refreshing sleep, this disorder can wreak havoc on your body over time. It can put you at risk for high blood pressure, stroke and even heart attack, not to mention the risk of sudden death while sleeping due to the closing of the airway.

Many people have this disorder and are unaware of the danger it poses.  It is effectively a silent killer.  If you think you or a loved one may have this, contact your healthcare provider and arrange for a screening.  It could save your life!

Dental Insurance Is Not Always The Best Option!

If you can see yourself in the same position as this young man in the video, then it should be time to for you to evaluate your dental coverage. 

Being shocked by massive dental bill that you thought, or were even told that your dental insurance was going to cover is nothing new, and believe me when I tell you that you are not alone. This happens to a lot of people on a daily basis. You into the dental office, you pay your co-pay, they give you a treatment plan and they perform the treatment or procedure. Sound simple right? You paid your co-pay, everything is good, right? No so fast! A few weeks later you get a bill in the mail from your insurance company saying that you owe the dentist hundreds or even thousands of dollars for "uncovered procedures". It leaves you shell shocked and asking yourself "how can this be"? The easy answer is that is "in the fine print" of your insurance policy, also known your declarations page! Dental insurance companies have so many things in place that allow them to deny your coverage on procedures and leave you footing the bill. 

It starts with their "waiting periods". Every dental insurance policy comes with waiting periods. This requires you to have the policy for anywhere from 60 days to 1 year before certain procedures are covered. If you get that procedure done before the waiting period is up, then they will not cover that procedure.

Then it comes down to the actual procedure you are having done and what it takes to accomplish it. For example, if your insurance covers 1 vial of Novocain for a local anesthetic, you throughout the course of your procedure it determined that you need another one, you will be ponying up the dough for that extra vile and not even know it until weeks later. If your insurance covers a “free cleaning”, but your cleaning is determined to be a “difficult cleaning”, then guess what.. surprise, they may not cover that! They cover bite wing ex-rays, and your get a 3D X-ray, be prepared for that bill.

Lastly, it comes down to their classification of certain procedures. For example, dental implants are very popular and provide patients with a way of replacing a tooth that needs to be pulled or is lost. However, most dental insurance companies classify that is “cosmetic dentistry”, which means they do not consider it to be medically necessary, and it is only for cosmetic reasons, so they will deny covering it. You will be stuck with that bill and there is nothing you can do about it.

I will refrain from getting to the “you have not met your deductible” part of this. We all know how that works.

Insurance companies are in the business of collecting your premium, not paying claims. They have no problem collecting your dues, and then spending hours finding ways to deny your claim. That is what makes them profitable.

When you are considering dental coverage, I do invite you to look at a dental plan such as ours. With our dental plan, you have no waiting periods, no deductibles and all procedures are covered. With our fee schedule, your will know what you are required to pay at the dentist and be able to budget accordingly with your treatment plan. You will not have worry about getting a surprise bill from a dental plan, 2-3 weeks after your dental visit.

Insurance is not always the best option. People hear insurance and assume that it is the greatest thing to have. Years of marketing and advertising have programmed us to think that way. However, when you compare apples to apples on Dental Insurance and Dental Plans, you might just be surprised at how much you can actually save with a Dental Plan. Look at all areas that you have to pay with dental insurance, your down payment, your monthly premium, your deductible and your maximum out of pocket. Then look at the low annual payment of a dental plan and compare it to what you will actually pay at the dentist office. The results may just astonish you!

A Link Between Oral Bacteria and IBD?

 As you may know, oral health can affect more than just the inside of a mouth. Poor oral hygiene can cause other serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes but could it also be causing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Nobuhiko Kamada, Ph.D., assistant professor of internal medicine in the division of gastroenterology at U-M Medical School has been collecting and researching the different types of bacterias found in a person's gut. During his research, Dr. Kamada has found that the overgrown bacteria found within the gut of a person who suffers from IBD is also linked to bacteria that is normally found inside the mouth. 

Dr. Kamada contacted the dental school and asked them "do oral diseases affect the severity of gastrointestinal diseases?"

After further research, a study was published in Celi, which shows that oral bacteria found in the gut can worsen inflammation. 

If you would like to read more about the study click here!

Never Ignore Dental Pain - Even When it Involves Dentures or Bridgework!

 I recently heard about someone who went to the dentist with severe pain in the area of her bridge. This pain had been present for a couple years but only when she chewed, so she didn't think much of it. Eventually it got worse and worse until the pain was unbearable, she was sick, her face was swollen and she couldn't eat.

As it turned out, for 2 years the bridge was actually broken. There was decay in a tooth underneath it allowing for trapped food to get in, which led to a major infection. This made her really sick.
After almost 3 hours in the dentist chair and some oral surgery, they finally got her taken care of and had a new bridge on its way for her.

Just because a crown, implant or bridge is not "real" per-say, doesn't mean that it can be ignored! If something goes wrong, it should be treated and maintained just like a real tooth at all times.

If you have questions as to how to properly care for your bridge, be sure to consult with your dentist.

Keep Smiling!