What is a Dental Predetermination of Benefits?

Before you agree to treatment, request a Delta Dental predetermination of benefits. Asking for this before you undergo a procedure gives you the power to know the costs before you commit.

Upon receiving your request, your dentist will submit their recommended treatment plan to Delta Dental. Your X-rays may come along for extra information. No need to worry about finding a dental estimate form, either – just ask, and your dental office will submit your information on your behalf.

Once Delta Dental has this information, we will review the documents, the recommended procedures, and your benefits plan.

The Predetermination of how your benefits will be applied to the suggested dental service will then be sent to both you and your dentist office.

When Would I Use A Predetermination of Benefits?

We encourage you to request a predetermination of benefits prior to the start of extensive dental work, especially if your treatment needs could exceed $400. Remember to discuss with your dentist what will happen versus what could happen so your expectations are clear. A Delta Dental predetermination of benefits is most often requested for costly procedures such as crowns, wisdom tooth extractions, bridges, implants, dentures, and oral surgery.

If Benefits Change, Your Predetermination of Benefits Will, Too

The predetermination of benefits that we provide is just an estimate. It is not a guarantee, but rather our best estimation of the costs for which you will be responsible. If your benefits change before the treatment is completed (or starts), the estimate won’t be accurate. The following actions will also render a predetermination of benefits inaccurate:

• Loss of coverage
• Changes in your dentist’s participation with us
• Benefits provided by other medical or dental plans
• Changes to dental codes or treatment made
• Changes in appointment location
• Changes to your dental provider

Don’t forget, if you’re a Delta Dental of Wisconsin member, you can log in to your account to get specific details related to your plan. If you have questions about your pre-treatment estimate, feel free to contact us.

It’s Halloween night, and your kids have returned from trick-or-treating with their sugary loots. Before digging in, consider the cavity-causing effects that candy can have on teeth. Enjoying sweets in moderation and managing your cravings can help you avoid tooth decay.

Start taming your sweet tooth by learning how much sugar is OK to eat. The Food and Drug Administration recommends no more than 12.5 teaspoons, or 50 grams, daily for those over the age of 3. Because the sugar contents of fun-sized candies vary from 2.4 grams to 14.5 grams, there’s no general rule for how many you can eat each day. Check the packaging and brand websites to calculate the number of candies you should limit yourself to. And remember to factor in the added sugars from all the other foods and drinks you consume. It adds up fast!

If you reach your daily limit but the candy bowl is still tempting you, try these tips to defeat the craving:

1. Chew sugar-free gum. Popping in a stick of sugar-free gum instead of a bonbon helps in a couple ways. A study by Louisiana State University found that chewing gum may reduce snack cravings. It’s also useful for cleaning your mouth. Gum washes away leftover food particles and reduces acids that threaten tooth enamel.

2. Distract yourself when a craving hits. Taking a walk has been shown to reduce the urge to eat treats. Plus, it gets you away from the candy bowl. You know what they say – out of sight, out of mind. And if you don’t feel like taking a stroll, do an activity like giving yourself a pedicure. Pick something fun that rewards you for skipping the sweets.

3. Keep sugar substitutes close by. When you really want something sweet but already ate too much sugar, choose naturally sweet foods like fruits and vegetables. Apples, cherries, bell peppers, carrots and others will give you the taste you want along with the nutrients you need.

4. Eat at consistent intervals. You might have heard the saying, “You’re not you when you’re hungry.” Well, that’s especially true when choosing foods. If your tummy’s grumbling, you might make unhealthy decisions like reaching for a candy bar instead of a nutritious snack. Eat every three to five hours to keep blood sugar in check and maintain a level head.

5. Power up with protein. Low protein levels can cause you to start craving sugar. Your body wants an energy boost and sugar is a quick source. Plan to get protein throughout the day with foods such as beans, eggs, nuts, fish and lean meats.

Even with moderation, good oral health habits are still essential for avoiding cavities. Clean your teeth and gums after consuming sugar by brushing for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and flossing. If you aren’t able to sneak away to the bathroom, chew sugar-free gum and drink plenty of water.

For other suggestions about what to eat that’s good for your teeth, check out this blog.

Are you thinking of adding a little something extra to your costume this Halloween? Colored contacts – available in red, white, cat eye, and probably any color you can think of – are a fun way to perfect your look. However, be sure you’re properly using colored contacts; if you choose a pair that isn’t safe for your eyes, there could be dire consequences.

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Illnesses can impact the health of your teeth, from stomach acid on teeth to excess sugar from medicine. When you’re sick, you may also be less inclined to keep your regular oral health routine. Here’s how some illnesses can impact your teeth and how you can take better care of them while you’re sick:

Stomach Illness and Stomach Acid on Teeth

Illnesses like the stomach flu can be particularly hard on your teeth. When you have the stomach flu and you vomit, stomach acid splashes against your teeth and gums.

Stomach acid, also known as gastric acid, contains strong acids like hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride, and sodium chloride. Stomach acid on teeth is bad news. Since this acid breaks down the contents of your stomach, it can do the same to your teeth.

Even though your teeth may feel yucky, it’s not great to brush right after vomiting. It’s best to swish water around your mouth with a touch of baking soda. We recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before brushing. Brushing immediately afterward rubs the stomach acid on teeth and expands the surface area that the acid touches, unnecessarily causing the acid to eat away at more enamel.

Sore Throat and Cough Drops

You avoided the stomach flu like the plague. But, you still caught a cough or sore throat. Keep this important tip in mind: soothe your throat with sugar-free cough drops.

Many of the popular cough drops on the market have added sugars to cut the taste of medicine. Sugar builds up on your teeth as you pop one cough drop after another. It might help to curb your cough, but it will wreak havoc on your teeth.

If you examine popular “natural” cough drop ingredients, the first ingredient is often sugar. Be sure to read the packaging thoroughly before committing to a cough drop regimen – it could be no better than sucking on a candy all day. If you’re looking to cut out any type of cough drop, another option to sooth a sore throat (without your teeth being exposed for a prolonged period of time) is the concoction of hot water, honey, and lemon. Just mix the juice from half of a lemon and a teaspoon of raw, high-quality honey into a cup of hot water.

Now you can properly attend to both your illness and your teeth. We’re one step closer to discovering if brushing your teeth helps to fight illness!

Without proper hygiene, bacteria in the mouth can reach dangerously high levels, leading to tooth decay and gum disease. Learn more about the connection between your oral and overall health:

• Diabetes and Your Oral Health
• The Connection Between Your Dentist and Physician