We’ve long been aware that oral hygiene plays a role in our overall health, but it can be easy to let your guard down when it comes to dental care. While we know what it takes to keep our teeth and gums healthy—daily brushing and flossing, regular visits with a dentist—there are many things that can get in the way of achieving a truly healthy mouth.
One common example of this is a lack of dental insurance. If you’re one of the 74 million Americans who go without dental insurance every year, that doesn’t have to stand in the way of you getting the care you need. Let’s look at why dental care is so important and how our Keep Smiling Dental Plan can give you the coverage you need for the smile you want!
Keep tooth decay at bay
People talk a lot about plaque, but what is it? In the most basic terms, plaque is a sticky film that contains bacteria. When it builds up on the teeth, it begins to eat away at the enamel and form cavities. These cavities can be an issue wherever they pop up, but ones that form in between the teeth are especially problematic. They often go unnoticed until there are symptoms you can’t ignore because they usually aren’t visible to the naked eye.
Untreated cavities and tooth decay can lead to puffy and sensitive gums. You may even notice them bleeding a bit while you’re brushing. A buildup of plaque over a long enough time can result in gingivitis or full-blown gum disease, but there are a few simple ways to prevent a big buildup of plaque in the first place! Brush twice a day, floss every night before bed, and see your dentist twice a year for a thorough cleaning to keep tooth decay under control.
Protect your cognitive function
The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which is relatively common. Since it’s still early, gingivitis can usually be reversed with dental care. Periodontitis is the more advanced form. At both of these stages, you may experience inflammation, slight bleeding, and some tenderness in the gums.
The symptoms aren’t all physical, however. Some studies have linked gum disease with cognitive function, and shown how 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. You can do your part to reduce the risk of gum disease by maintaining your oral health and seeing your dentist regularly.
Reduce other infections and inflammation
Recent research has explored the idea that gum disease may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Some experts have suggested that the mechanism that destroys connective tissue in rheumatoid arthritis is similar to the one 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 can be beneficial in reducing your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease! This will help keep inflammation and infection to a minimum in your mouth, too.
No dental insurance? No problem!
When it comes to dental health, one of the best things you can do for yourself is schedule regular dental check-ups. An experienced dental professional will help keep your teeth clean, your gums healthy, and provide expert guidance on how to care for your smile at home. They’ll also be looking for any problems you wouldn’t typically be able to see, like the beginning stages of gum disease or a cavity that’s just started forming. If anything of concern does appear, they’ll be able to advise you on what further steps or treatment may be necessary.
People put off visiting the dentist for many reasons, but one of the most common is financial concerns. One study cited by the American Dental Association found that as many as one in five individuals forego dental care because they’re unable to afford it. This means they’re not getting any specific treatments they may need and also missing out on preventative treatments like cleanings and x-rays. This can allow existing dental problems to worsen, eventually developing into more serious issues like cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss.
You only get one smile, and you shouldn’t have to go without the professional care you need because you don’t have dental insurance. That’s why First Class Smiles is proud to offer the Keep Smiling Dental Plan to patients without dental insurance!
What is the Keep Smiling Dental Plan?
The Keep Smiling Dental Plan (KSDP) is a membership savings plan that allows individuals and families to receive affordable dental services without traditional dental insurance. Unlike traditional insurance plans, KSDP has no waiting periods, no annual maximums, and it’s been designed to help every patient fit dental care into their budgets with comfort. Our goal is to help facilitate a lifetime of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental care for patients of all ages in the Des Plaines community!
How does the Keep Smiling Dental Plan work?
We created the Keep Smiling Dental Plan to provide patients with quality dental care at an affordable price. The annual membership is $199 per person, which practically pays for itself at your first preventative visit! Coverage runs for a 12-month period from the time of purchase and will auto-renew. Your membership will include:
- two cleanings per year (in the absence of any gum disease)
- two oral exams per year
- one set of x-rays per year
- one fluoride treatment per year for children under age 19
- 20% off all basic and major procedures
- 10% off treatment with Invisalign clear aligners
- NO annual maximums
- NO deductibles
- special savings that start as soon as you enroll
The Keep Smiling Dental Plan can be used here at First Class Smiles for all your dental needs. Our patients will receive any dental work needed here at our office, eliminating the need to drive across town for a referral. We have an outstanding in-office team that specializes in preventative care, fillings, crowns, root canals, implants, sleep apnea solutions, sedation, periodontal dentistry, and more!
What are the advantages of the Keep Smiling Dental Plan?
While the Keep Smiling Dental Plan may look a little different than dental insurance, it has a number of advantages. There’s no “middle man,” so you’ll work directly with your dentist when it comes to payment for services. You’ll have access to high-quality dental care provided by an experienced dental professional. Enrolling in KSDP means you’ll experience a significant reduction in fees. Best of all? You’ll never have to deal with deductibles, claims, pre-authorizations, or waiting periods again!
If that’s not enough to convince you, remember that there are no annual maximum limits on treatments. That means you’ll never have to worry about getting all the treatment you need for the healthiest smile possible.
Let First Class Smiles take good care of your smile
If you’ve been putting off getting the dental care you need because you don’t have insurance, there’s no need to wait any longer! Get in touch with us today to enroll in the Keep Smiling Dental Plan and access your benefits immediately. Your smile will thank you!