When you treat your teeth right, it can help the rest of your body feel good, too. We’ve long known that oral hygiene plays a role in our overall health, from brushing and flossing to regular dental visits. Even if you’ve sometimes been less than vigilant about taking care of your teeth and gums, it’s never too late to take steps towards a healthy mouth. Here at Accent Smile Center, we’re committed to giving patients the dental care they need. Let’s take a look at the connection between your oral health and total body health – and how we can help you improve both!
Keep tooth decay at bay
We’ll start with one of the most obvious benefits of caring for your teeth gums. While dentists tend to talk a lot about plaque, you may not know what exactly it is, or why we want to help you avoid it. Put simply, plaque is a sticky film that contains bacteria. When it’s allowed to build up on the teeth, it can eat away at the enamel and form cavities.
While we don’t like to see cavities anywhere, those that form in between the teeth often go unnoticed until there are symptoms you can’t ignore since they’re not as visible. This can cause inflammation, along with puffy, sensitive gums that may bleed while you’re brushing. A buildup of plaque can cause a lot of problems for your mouth, and if it’s left untreated for long enough, may lead to gingivitis or full-blown gum disease.
Brushing twice a day, flossing nightly, and seeing your dentist twice a year for a thorough cleaning are great ways to avoid a big buildup of plaque.
Help maintain cognitive function
The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which is relatively common and easy enough to reverse with dental care. Periodontitis is the more advanced form, but both can produce inflammation, slight bleeding, and tenderness in the gums. Some studies have linked gum disease and cognitive function, where adults with gingivitis performed worse on memory and cognitive skills tests than those with healthier mouths. Periodontitis has also been associated with cognitive impairment in older adults. By maintaining a good dental hygiene routine and scheduling regular dental visits, you can do your part in reducing the risk of developing gum disease, and any of its accompanying issues.
Reduce infection and inflammation
There’s also been research into a possible association between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis. This autoimmune disease causes inflammation of the joints, and some experts have suggested that the mechanism that destroys connective tissue in RA is similar to the mechanism in gum disease that causes the gums to pull away from the teeth. In addition to good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, a well-balanced diet is also beneficial in reducing your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease by keeping inflammation and infection to a minimum in your mouth.
Obtaining the care you need without dental insurance
You may have noticed a recurrent theme above: that when it comes to dental health, one of the very best things you can do is schedule regular check-ups with an experienced dentist like Dr. Gatgens. A trained, knowledgeable professional will provide you with a thorough examination, and can also keep an eye out for things you wouldn’t typically be able to see, like the start of a cavity or the beginning stages of gum disease. If anything of concern does appear, a dentist will be able to advise you on what further steps or treatment may be necessary.
According to the available reports, up to 40% of Americans go without dental insurance consistently. The reasons for this vary widely, but the bottom line is that many people forego the care they need because they lack coverage. This is unfortunate, because it delays preventative treatments, even those as straightforward as cleanings and yearly x-rays. This delay can allow existing dental problems to worsen, eventually developing into more serious issues like cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss.
Your smile is forever, and we don’t want anyone to miss out on the professional care they need because of a lack of dental insurance. That’s why we’re proud to offer the ASC Dental Health Plan to our patients!
What is the ASC Dental Health Plan?
This is an annual savings plan we have put together that allows individuals and families to receive premium dental services at greatly reduced prices without traditional insurance coverage. It is our hope that the ASC Dental Health Plan will help facilitate a lifetime of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental care for patients of all ages in Dickson and the surrounding communities.
How does the ASC Dental Health Plan work?
There is an initial enrollment fee of $99.00 per person, which is payable in full at the time of registration and is non-refundable. This fee includes your initial exam with Dr. Gatgens and is necessary in order to determine your personal Health Plan. The plan duration is for one year from the date of enrollment, and benefits begin immediately. Besides what is covered in the Health Plan you choose, you’ll receive an additional 15% discount on any other dental treatment that is completed within the plan year. This could include things like:
- additional x-rays and cleanings
- fillings
- extractions
- crowns
- veneers
- dentures or partials
- implants
- root canals
We have three ASC Dental Health Plans to choose from, which we’ve outlined below.
$250 Adult Health Plan (for patients 15 years of age and older)
$200 for each additional adult
Includes:
Two Hygiene Visits
Two Regular Exams
One Oral Cancer Exam
Annual Bitewing X-rays
One Emergency Exam
One Cosmetic Consult
$200 Child Health Plan (for patients 14 years of age and younger)
$175 for each additional child
Includes:
Two Hygiene Visits
Two Regular Exams
One Oral Cancer Exam
Annual Bitewing X-rays
One Emergency Exam
One Pediatric Fluoride Treatment
$430 Perio Health Plan (for patients with periodontal disease)
Includes:
Four Perio Maintenance Cleanings
Two Regular Exams
One Oral Cancer Exam
Annual Bitewing X-rays
One Emergency Exam
One Cosmetic Consult
Highlights of the ASC Dental Health Plan
• Each plan includes preventative dental care for a year.
• Each patient will receive a 15% discount on all additional dental treatment completed during the plan year.
• Patient’s family members are eligible for a plan as well, including spouses, dependent children under the age of 19, and full-time students under the age of 23.
• Membership begins the same day you enroll!
Although the ASC Dental Health Plan may work a little differently than you’re used to, it has a number of advantages, including high-quality dental care provided by an experienced professional dentist. By enrolling, you will experience a significant reduction in fees, and won’t have to deal with deductibles, claim forms, pre-authorizations, or waiting periods. Need even more incentive? There are no annual maximum limits on treatments, so you don’t have to stress about getting all the treatment you need for the best smile possible.
Call Accent Smile Center to set up your ACS Dental Health Plan
If you’ve been putting off the dental care you need because you don’t have insurance, there’s no need to wait any longer. Get in touch with us to learn more about enrolling in our ACS Dental Health Plan and access your benefits today!