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Did you know tooth loss may dramatically affect the shape of your facial structure permanently altering your overall appearance?
The entire structure of the jaw becomes unstable when a tooth is missing and if you don’t give it the proper attention, its impact is irreversible.
Mother - General Dentist - Blogger
There are many ways to lose a tooth, it usually involves poor oral care in combination with an unhealthy diet. However, postponing visiting your dentist and harmful behavior can lead to unexpected accidents.
I always tell my patients that the best way to save on dental insurance is to maintain proper oral care. Brushing and flossing regularly are essential to prevent bacteria build-up on and between your teeth.
Who doesn’t love candy? If you (like me) can’t resist the temptation of a delicious dessert, candy bar, sweetened drink or pretty much anything that contains sugar; then you are exposed to tooth loss.
Most people decide to cope with pain before seeing a dentist. This fear is mostly associated with the cost that dental procedures may incur.
But what you should consider is that visiting your dentist at the right time may help you prevent tooth loss or other major issues that inevitably will cost you a lot; which is why I always recommend having a dental insurance plan.
SHD’s Preventive PPO MAC Plan offers 100% coverage on preventive procedures at an affordable price. Click here to learn more.
These are “silent killers” of your teeth. We all have at least one of the following bad habits:
Grinding teeth, using teeth as tools to open things, smoking, chewing ice or tobacco and piercing the lip or tongue. These are all behaviors that can be harmful to your teeth and possibly lead to tooth loss.
You’ve probably heard the age-old saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, and although apples are healthy, if you bite into one that’s too hard, it can cost you a trip to the dentist.
Visiting your dentist can be fun when there’s nothing wrong with your teeth but can go south if your at-home dental care isn’t up to par (especially if you don’t have a good Dental Plan).
So what can you do to ensure that your teeth are in optimal shape and avoid a costly dental procedure on your biannual dental visit? Keep reading below to learn how to prevent tooth loss.
Tooth loss is no joke! It can have both, physical and even psychological effects on you.
It not only has a significant number of implications on your dental health, but did you know tooth loss may dramatically affect the shape of your facial structure, permanently altering your overall appearance?
Your body is incredibly smart; every time it finds an anomaly it will correct it. The same way it produces antibodies to fight viruses, or regenerate tissue after a scratch, it will try to fix the issue when you lose a tooth.
Since the body has no way to repair tooth loss, it will do the next best thing – Fill in the gaps. If left untreated for a long time, you will see how the adjacent teeth gradually shift in an attempt to close the gap.
Not taking care of it creates the perfect scenario for bacteria to build up and affect not only your other teeth but also your gums and even your bone structure. Keep in mind that teeth need to be in contact with other teeth to stay strong.
When a tooth is missing, the tooth in the opposite jaw will try to find its counterpart until it starts to separate from its socket causing sensitivity and loss of sturdiness. With time, if it doesn’t find a contact point it falls out.
The appearance of your face is determined by your bones (including teeth), muscles and skin. If you don’t prevent or address tooth loss on time, then the entire structure of your jaw will become unstable causing a drastic change on your looks which in most cases is irreversible.
If you recently lost a tooth then it’s very important that you see your dentist right away! SHD’s Comprehensive Elevate Plan offers coverage on major procedures. Click here to learn more.
Make sure to eat nutritious foods that are satisfying yet healthy. When you avoid eating too many sugars and carbs, you prevent those foods from sticking to your tooth’s enamel, becoming plaque and eventually, causing tooth loss.
Some of the best foods to adopt for a healthy smile are milk and dairy products because they help to strengthen teeth providing calcium, protein and vitamin D. Another food that benefits your smile is lean meat like fish and eggs.
Aside from protein, lean meats provides the body with phosphorus which works to protect the tooth’s enamel. Lean meats and proteins are also a great source of vitamin B3 which keeps gums healthy as well.
Leafy greens and crunchy produce are also extremely beneficial for healthy teeth. They’re rich in vitamins A, B2, and B12 which help prevent tooth loss. Crunchy produce helps with saliva production which removes acid and other debris from teeth.
Brushing your teeth is an integral part not only of your oral health but your overall health. When you skip brushing, you open the door for plaque and bacteria to take over your pearly whites, which can lead to tooth decay, and eventually, tooth loss.
You can avoid this by brushing at least twice a day (morning and night), with a soft bristle brush and make sure to use toothpaste with fluoride! You can kick it up a notch by brushing after lunch too.
Flossing is one of the best ways to prevent problems with your teeth; yet is the one practice most people skip. In order to avoid major issues later on, you should make flossing a regular part of your oral care routine. Let’s look at the facts.
When you floss, you’re more likely to remove the food wedged between your teeth. By doing so, it’s less likely that those particles will decompose in between your teeth, which reduces the chances of experiencing tooth loss.
When you take good care of your teeth, you don’t have to stress out about paying for costly implants or other dental procedures. You definitely won’t regret flossing!
This should go without saying, but you should be visiting your dentist at least twice a year. Not only will it help you maintain a healthy smile, but you can catch potential issues before they hurt your mouth and pocket.
During your checkup, your doctor will make sure your teeth are on the right track, and if they aren’t, they will come up with a treatment plan so that your oral health can improve. Poor oral hygiene can lead to cavities, broken teeth, tooth loss, and other major problems.
I know a dentist visit may be hard as some people can’t afford a dental insurance plan and don’t have an employer who offers dental coverage, but keep in mind that a small effort now can help you save a fortune in the future.
So now you know it! Preventing early tooth loss is as easy as taking good care of your teeth, keeping a healthy diet, avoiding harmful behavior and visiting your dentist regularly.
I know all of this might sound hard to keep up with; but in the long term it is much easier (and cheaper) than going through complicated (and expensive) dental treatments.
By following these 4 tips you will dramatically extend the life of your teeth and gums. Trust me, your mouth (and pocket) will thank you!
If you’re struggling to find an affordable dental plan; SHD offers great options for individuals, families and Seniors. Call now to get a free Quote!
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Smart Health Dental is a national dental plan that is dedicated to providing you with the best service in the industry. We are committed to developing quality dental products that provide consumers with the best value and choices in the insurance industry.
The Smart Health Dental PPO insurance policy is underwritten by Renaissance Life & Health Insurance Company of America, Indianapolis, IN, and in New York by Renaissance Life & Health Insurance Company of New York, Binghamton, NY. Products and services referred to may not be available in all states and jurisdictions. There is no ownership affiliation between Renaissance and Smart Health Dental. For complete coverage details, please refer to the certificate of insurance.
Membership in Communicating for America, Inc. (CA) is required to enroll for coverage under the Smart Health Dental PPO insurance policy offered. CA membership provides non-insurance discounts like prescription drug discounts and a vision discount program. CA will communicate member information to you via email or by directing you to their website. Should an individual decide to enroll in the dental insurance policy, he or she will be prompted during the enrollment process to confirm acceptance of membership in CA.
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DMPO DISCLOSURE:
This plan is a discount plan NOT a health insurance policy.
This plan provides discounts at certain health care providers for medical services.
This plan does not make payments directly to the providers of medical services.
The plan member is obligated to pay for all health care services but will receive a discount from those health care providers who have contracted with the discount medical plan organization.
The DMPO does make available an up-to-date list of all program providers which includes their name, city & state, and medical specialty prior to purchase, upon request.
That the range of discounts for medical services provided under the plan will vary depending on the type of provider and the medical services received.
The corporate name and the location of the licensed discount medical plan organization is: Access One Consumer Health, Inc. 84 Villa Road, Greenville, SC 29615; 1-800-896-1962; www.accessonedmpo.com
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