No Dental Insurance? Five Reasons Why Patients LOVE Our Dental Savings Plan

Much has been said about the millions of American without health insurance. But often overlooked in these discussions is another vital medical statistic: the hundreds of millions of Americans without dental insurance.

For those without dental insurance, a toothache that turns into an expensive procedure like a crown or root canal will be more than a thousand dollars in out-of-pocket charges. Routine check-ups and cleanings will set you back hundreds each year. No wonder 35% of Americans have not visited the dentist in the past year.

That's why we created the St. Mary's Street Dental Savings Plan. It covers the cost for annual preventive care, at a discounted priced, and offers a significant savings off all other treatment throughout the year. Here are five reasons why patients love our Dental Savings Plan:

1. It's Not Insurance

The St. Mary's Dental Savings Plan is straightforward: there are no third parties, no yearly maximums, no deductions, no claim forms to file, no waiting periods, no age restrictions and no pre-authorization forms. Pretty simple.

2. Exclusive Savings Can Pay for the Cost of the Plan

You get a year's worth of preventive care for an up-front annual fee, as well as 15% discount off of all other care throughout the year. Need a crown? Night guard? A full smile makeover? Enjoy exclusive savings on all other care. If, for example, you need (or want) $5000 worth of dental care, you would save $750 - which will easily pay for the cost of the annual plan, providing you with all your preventive care for the year.

3. Say YES to Restorative and Cosmetic Care

Don't wait to have the care you need or want! Unlike insurance companies that have waiting periods or exclude certain procedures, you can receive all your dental care today. Have you been putting off having that crown or smile makeover? Sign up today and start saving! 

4. No Surprises

We offer a "no surprises" guarantee with our Dental Savings Plan. We'll let you know the exact cost of the procedure (minus the 15% discount) upfront, complete your treatment for the specified price, and we're done. When you have dental insurance, we bill the insurance company after we provide your treatment and you're never sure how much they will cover, sometimes leaving you with unexpected out-of-pocket costs. 

5. Better Dental Health

It's easy to put off your cleaning and check-up if you don't think you have any problems. The problem is that many dental problems don't cause concern until they are much more serious. Left unchecked, a small cavity that would cost about $100 to fill can turn into a $1200 root canal or crown. Skip those cleanings each year and you can be looking at $2000 in gum disease treatment. Finally, during the dental exam, we look for more serious problems, such as oral cancer. Early detection is critical to successful treatment. With the Dental Savings Plan, your preventive care is covered and your treatment is discounted.

Annual Membership Cost

Annual membership in the Plan is $375 per person. This covers twice yearly exams, cleanings, and x-rays and, for children up to age 14, fluoride treatments. Plan members also receive a 15% discount off all other dental care including crowns, fillings, bite guards, dentures, and cosmetic procedures. Flexible payment options are available, including CareCredit. 

A Thoughtful Gift Idea

Is there someone in your life without dental insurance who could use help maintaining their oral health? Maybe an employee? An older child no longer on your dental insurance? At Jeff M. Morrison & Assoc., DDS, we offer gift certificates for the St. Mary's Dental Savings Plan. The recipient will receive all the benefits of the plan, and you will be assured that the person you care about is getting great dental care, when they need it. Give the gift of dental health - contact our staff today for more information.

Ready for a Healthy Smile? 

Learn more about the St. Mary's Street Dental Savings Plan on our website or call our friendly staff with questions at 919.755.3450. Enroll at your next appointment and start saving.

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Bleeding Gums Are NOT Normal!

Even if you think you do a great job taking care of your teeth, chances are you've seen an occasional drop or two of blood on your gums after flossing, or in the sink. Not problem - right? Not so fast!

Bleeding gums are not NEVER normal and the cause needs to be determined. To put it another way - imagine if your scalp started bleeding after you brushed your hair - would you be concerned?  If your gums are bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth, you may have a problem and need to schedule a dental appointment to find out.

Here are some of the reasons that gums may start to bleed:  

Gum Disease

Chances are, your bleeding gums are caused by gum or periodontal disease. Gum disease is common. Really common. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, up to 80% of the adult population has some level of periodontal disease, while only about 10% are aware of it. Half of Americans aged 30 or older have periodontitis, the more advanced form of periodontal disease. This equals approximately 64.7 million Americans!

Gingivitis is the first stage of periodontal disease. Plaque on your teeth and at the gumline that is not removed by brushing and flossing can infect the gums and lead to the gingivitis. When gingivitis occurs, your gums may become swollen, tender and bleed during brushing. This early stage of gum disease responds well to good brushing and flossing habits and regular dental care. If not treated, gingivitis may progress to a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. The infection & inflammation associated with moderate and severe gum disease can result in tooth loss, and is also linked with other serious health issues and concerns such as stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.

Medications

Medications may also cause your gums to bleed.  The American Dental Association lists blood thinning medications, such as warfarin, aspirin, and heparin as one of the possible causes of bleeding gums. These medications decrease the blood's ability to clot, which can lead to easier bleeding.

Changes in Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Changing your flossing routine can also lead to bleeding gums. For example, if you haven't remembered to floss for a few days, or if you have begun to floss more frequently, then you may notice some temporary bleeding. Or, you've switched from a soft-bristled toothbrush to a firm brush may also result in gums that bleed. Again, this should be temporary.

Pregnancy Gingivitis

Some pregnant women experience swollen gums and bleeding during brushing. This is known as pregnancy gingivitis. Hormonal changes during pregnancy alter the body's response to the bacteria that causes gum disease. According to the American Pregnancy Association, symptoms should clear up after pregnancy. A dental checkup and regular brushing and flossing can help to prevent gum problems from becoming worse.

Poorly Fitting Dentures or Oral Appliances

People who wear dentures may also may experience bleeding of the gums from time to time. This is more likely when the dentures are too small or fit too tightly. People who wear retainers or other oral appliances may also experience bleeding from improper fit. Consult your dentist or orthodontist if dentures or other oral appliances are uncomfortable.  You may need to take new impressions to create a better-fitting mouthpiece. 

Medical Conditions

Frequent episodes of gum bleeding, however, can indicate more serious conditions, such as: leukemia (cancer of the blood) or hemophilia (lack of clotting cells).   Deficiencies of vitamins C and K can also cause gums to bleed easily. However, vitamin deficiencies aren’t often seen in people who live in developed countries, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. This is because healthy children and adults living in developed areas of the world have access to vitamins C and K through food and supplements.

Your best bet? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Morrison at Jeff M. Morrison & Associates, DDS to discuss your concerns and determine why you are seeing red when you brush and floss.  We can be reached at 919.755.3450 or you can schedule online. 

Stroke and Gum Disease: What's the Connection?

May is Stroke Awareness Month and we want to take this opportunity to share with you the connection between stroke and periodontal (gum) disease. 

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease  is a progressive, inflammatory disease that affects the hard and soft tissues supporting the teeth.  It starts as gingivitis, which is the mildest form of periodontal disease.  Gingivitis causes gums to turn red, swell, and bleed.  Dental plaque is the primary cause of gingivitis.  Plaque is a sticky, colorless film, composed mostly of bacteria and food particles, that develops on your teeth at and below the gum line. Bacteria found in plaque produce toxins that irritate the gums.  If left untreated, gingivitis will worsen to periodontitis.  At this stage, deep pockets form between the gums and the teeth. When the bacteria make its way below the gum line, it creates inflammation that can destroy tissue and bone in the mouth, leading to tooth loss. 

The Connection Between Stroke and Periodontal Disease

Strokes and periodontal disease may seem like strange bedfellows, but they have a lot in common, more than most people think.  Both diseases have serious implications for patients.  Both are prevalent in the U.S.; 80% of Americans will have with periodontal disease by age 45, and on average, every four minutes one American dies from a stroke. With both stroke and periodontal disease, patients may be unaware of their risk.   

Researchers have little doubt that the presence of periodontal disease can increase the risk of stroke.  Although the connection is not clear, here are two key factors:

• Inflammation – Periodontal disease causes severe inflammation in the gum tissue which elevates the white blood cell count and also the high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels. Studies have shown that elevated levels of C-reactive proteins have been linked to stroke.
• Oral bacteria affect the blood vessels – There are many different strains of periodontal bacteria.  Some of these strains enter the bloodstream and attach to heart blood vessels (coronary arteries) that have been weakened by age and high blood pressure.  This attachment then contributes to clot formation, which can lead to a stroke, or causes arterial ruptures in the brain leading to hemorrhages.

What You Can Do To Reduce Your Risk

If you have risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, heart disease, or a family history of stroke, it is especially important to prevent periodontal disease through regular dental cleanings and exams (which include periodontal evaluations), and proper brushing and flossing.  

If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, your dentist will discuss a comprehensive treatment plan, which may include deep cleaning treatments such as scaling and root planing to remove hardened calculus (tartar) deposits from the gum pockets, antibiotic treatment  to ensure that the bacteria is completely destroyed and the periodontal infection does not spread, or refer you to a periodontist for specialized treatment.   

Periodontal disease and stroke risk is one more area where your dental and medical health converge.  If you have questions or concerns about periodontal disease please speak with Dr. Morrison at your next visit.  As gum disease is a risk factor for diseases of the blood vessels and arteries, be sure to let your physician know if you have been given this diagnosis by your dentist.  

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