Date Archives December 2018

A Letter to Patients with Anxiety at the Dentist

If you experience anxiety at the dentist, you’re not alone. Many dentists and hygienists understand that patients may fear going to the dentist, but they are here to help.

Below is a letter from Brooke Bodart, certified dental hygienist, to patients who experience anxiety at the dentist.

Dear anxious patient,

First things first, please don’t be afraid to come and see me! As a dental hygienist, my number one concern is making sure you are healthy and well taken care of. If you are really fearful and anxious about coming in, please share those feelings with me. If it helps, write them out and we can talk through them. That way, we can be sure to cover everything and help make you feel more comfortable. Please also know that it is not my intention to ever hurt you, but it is also not within my control sometimes. If you have an unhealthy mouth, I am trying my very best to get it clean for you, which may sometimes be uncomfortable.

I will also need to talk to you about how you care for your teeth at home, so please be honest with me and I will try not to make you feel bad. But remember – it’s a team effort! I can only do so much to keep your mouth healthy, so you must also do your part at home.

I love being a hygienist and without you in my chair, I can’t do the job that I love. So please, come by and see me. If it’s been a long time since you last visited, please be prepared to come see me more often. These appointments are necessary to get your oral health back, so let’s work on it together. I also have a lot of great ideas and ways for you to work on oral health at home, so please give me feedback on what does and doesn’t work for you. It’s not going to be easy, but we can find ways to make it more accessible for you to do.

I’m here to help! Please share with me how I can make this the best experience possible.

Thanks,

Brooke Bodart, RDH

To find a dentist in your area to help alleviate your anxiety, CLICK HERE.

How to Get Healthy White Teeth Naturally

Sometimes our pearly whites can become pearly off-whites or even yellow. Tooth discoloration can happen to anyone, but there are certain habits that can increase our chances. There are lots of products on the market that guarantee whiter teeth, but many are expensive and some aren’t safe.

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3 Healthy Party Pairings: Inspirations from Holiday Film Favorites

The holidays are notorious for nostalgia — from finger foods to must-watch movies. By combining the two classics, you can keep the cinema rich and the food light (and delicious!). Make new memories with these movie-inspired easy holiday goodies recipes.

Perfect Pairing Inspired by “A Christmas Story”

Official Red Cider

Easy Holiday Goodies Recipes

Ingredients

2 cups cranberry juice
2 cups apple cider
4 ounces vodka
2 tablespoons honey
Fresh thyme sprigs

Directions

In a large measuring cup, combine all ingredients (except thyme) and whisk together. Once the mixture is well combined, serve over ice. Add a sprig of thyme to the glass to garnish.

I Didn’t Say Fudge

Easy Holiday Goodies Recipes This mock-fudge recipe is so delicious, you’ll think it’s the real thing.

Ingredients
1 cup low-fat milk
¾ cup raw cocoa powder
5 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
1 cup water
¼ cup agave
1 teaspoon brandy extract

Directions
In a small saucepan, combine milk and cocoa. Whisk over medium heat, stirring until thick. In another small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over water and let soften for a few minutes. Stir over low heat until gelatin dissolves. Whisk into cocoa mixture. Stir in agave and remove from heat. Pour into a square baking dish. Let stand at room temperature several hours until firm. With a sharp knife, cut evenly in 10 one way and 10 the other way. Place in a container, cover, and refrigerate.

Party Pairing Inspired by “Elf”

World’s Best Cup of Coffee

Easy Holiday Goodies Recipes Not only is it the world’s best coffee, it’s the world’s healthiest — for your teeth, anyway.

Mix 8 ounces of coffee brewed with ½ cup low-fat milk. Milk contains vitamin D and calcium, which strengthen teeth and bones and prevent tooth loss. Top with a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. These spices add flavor, thus reducing or replacing the need for sweetener in your drink.

Choco-Headed Ninny Muffins

Easy Holiday Goodies Recipes Bonus points for chocolate — it’s one of the best sweets for your teeth. The flax seeds and prunes are secretly stashed into these decadent delights.

Ingredients
4 tablespoons low-fat milk
½ tablespoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon flax seed
½ cup pureed prunes
½ cup flour (almond, all-purpose, or your choice)
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons xylitol
2 tablespoons agave
¼ cup dark chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and grease a standard-sized 12-muffin pan or line with muffin liners. In a mixing bowl, combine first 5 ingredients and whisk. In a separate bowl, combine all remaining ingredients and stir until just combined. Don’t over-mix. Distribute batter evenly among 12 muffin cups. Bake 12 minutes. Cool 5-10 minutes before removing from the muffin tins.

Party Pairing Inspired by “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

Hearts 3-Sizes-Too-Small Berry Kabobs

Easy Holiday Goodies Recipes Berries are high in vitamin C, which protects gums from bleeding easily and becoming loose prematurely.

Ingredients

Strawberries

Grapes

Blueberries

Wooden skewers

Directions

Place a strawberry (with top cut off), a grape, and a blueberry onto a wooden skewer. Serve on a platter, or use to garnish the Pome-Grinch (below).

Pome-Grinch

 Easy Holiday Goodies Recipes Pomegranate juice can prevent the microorganisms that form plaque, according to a new study in the Journal of Ancient Science of Life.

Ingredients
2-¼ cups pomegranate juice
2-¼ cups vodka
1 cup lime juice
¼ cup ginger
2 tablespoons agave
Fresh rosemary sprigs

Mix ingredients well. Serve over ice and garnish with a sprig of rosemary or a berry kabob (above).

Happy Hosting!

Top 5 To-Dos for Your Year-End Dental Benefits Checklist

When the year is coming to an end, we think of planning for the holidays and what we’re doing to celebrate the new year. Besides thinking of New Year’s resolutions, take time to review the year-end checklist for your dental coverage. Consider what preventive care services you had during your dental plan year and what other dental work you have coming up.

If you haven’t seen your dentist this year, now’s the time to schedule that appointment. The end of the year marks the busiest time for the health care industry, as people are rushing to maximize their benefits.

Before year’s end, follow our top five to-dos to maximize your dental benefits before the new plan year:

1. See how much you have left in your annual maximum. 

Your annual maximum is the total amount of money your dental benefit provider, like Delta Dental, will pay toward your dental care in one plan year. If your dental plan is based on a calendar year (January through December), your annual maximum will refresh each January. If your plan is based on a contract year (starts and ends during a different 12-month period), your annual maximum will refresh after that plan year.

2. Understand if you have met your deducible.

A deductible is a specific dollar amount you pay before your dental insurance provider begins to contribute toward your dental care. For some plans, cleanings and checkups do not count toward your deductible. Sign in to our member portal to determine if you plan includes CheckUp Plus!

If you’ve met your deductible for this year, take advantage of that. By scheduling dental visits after you’ve met your deductible and before your plan year ends, you’ll save money. If you wait until your plan year starts over again, you’ll have to meet that plan year’s deductible all over again.

3. Put your FSA (Flexible Spending Account) to use.

An FSA is a special account that you may be able to enroll in through your employer. It allows you to save a portion of pre-tax income to help pay for certain medical and dental costs. Usually an employee must forfeit any unused funds at the end of the year, many are scrambling during the last few weeks to spend money still in the account.

Access your online portals for your insurance provider(s) and your FSA administrator to accurately review your spending year-to-date. As you determine what you have left to spend in your FSA account, you can also get an estimate for next year’s enrollment. Click to learn more about dental care and flexible spending accounts.

4. Consider how preventive dental care is covered.

Dental plans are designed to focus on preventive care, and many plans completely cover regular exams and cleanings. Take advantage of this coverage, as preventive care can benefit your oral and overall health and save you money in the long run.

5. Coordinate your dental care.

Are you up to date on your dental care? If so, pat yourself on the back. Maintaining oral health and having dental benefits is proven to save money. If your dentist has recommended more extensive dental treatment, consider the length of that process and if treatment will continue into the next plan year. A new plan year will see your annual maximum and your deductible reset, so take both into consideration when planning dental treatment.

Looking for next steps? Sign into your online dental plan account and get planning!

*Updated 2019