IT’S NOVEMBER

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Thanksgiving is almost here…that means Turkey trots, pumpkin pie, cornucopias, and Black Friday.  And the holiday music…don’t even get me started!  Are you a pre-Thanksgiving holiday music person or do you cringe at the thought of hearing Jingle Bell Rock 50 times before the fourth Thursday in November?  Anyway, now that the cold and crisp weather seems to be here to stay, I feel inspired…so inspired that I’ve come up with another Top 10 list.  The subject for this list is:

TOP 10 REASONS TO USE YOUR DENTAL BENEFITS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR

Here goes…

10.  Don’t throw your money away!  You pay for them…use them!  While there is a lot of deviation among plans, most pay for 2 cleanings and exams per year.  These appointments are very important because your hygienist can get to areas that your toothbrush and floss simply cannot reach, thus finding potential problems before they turn into major (and expensive) issues.

 9.  Unused benefits do not rollover.  Any amount left is lost on January 1st.  Imagine waking up after a New Year’s Eve celebration realizing you’ve lost money.  And not just because you bought way too much champagne.

8.  Prices never seem to go down.  (Just ask those of us in the process of re-enrolling in our health insurance plans.)  “Tis the season to plan in advance.  Consider NOT putting off dental treatment this year to help compensate for increased costs next year.

7.  Don’t waste that deductible.  Most dental plans have a deductible that resets every year.  It is the amount of money you have to pay out of your own pocket before your dental insurance will cover anything.  If you put off treatment and it resets, you will have to pay that money all over again before you can get any coverage in the new year.

 6.  You haven’t used your yearly maximum coverage amount.  As an example many dental plans have a yearly maximum of $1000 of coverage.  Let’s say you’ve already used $500 and now you need a crown (not the kind a princess wears.)  If you postpone that treatment and let the maximum reset at the new year, say “buh-bye” to the $500 you could have used toward that getting that crown done.

5.  Dental problems don’t get better over time.  You say to yourself, “It’s not hurting now, why should I get treated for something that doesn’t even hurt?”  Because…what may be a simple cavity now can turn into the dreaded root canal or extraction down the road.  You only have one set of teeth.  Take care of them now and they will thank you for it later on.

4.  FSA accounts.  These accounts are set up using pre-tax money and can be used to pay for various dental services including co-pays and treatments not covered by your dental insurance plan (think orthodontics needed for dental health reasons.)  Depending on the type of FSA you have, you may only have until the end of the year to use the money in your account.  Carefully check your plan benefits to be sure you are making the most of this tax benefit.

3.  You can beat the holiday rush!  With school holiday breaks, slots can fill up quickly in December.  When you make your appointments early on to ensure you can be seen before the end of the year AND maximize your dental benefits you become a master of multi-tasking!

2.  Delaying dental treatment WILL affect your overall health.  And not in a good way. Infection from the mouth can travel to the different parts of your body and cause serious problems (think heart disease and diabetes.)  Your mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body. Give it the respect it deserves.

And the #1 reason to use your dental benefits before they expire…

1.  Health is Wealth.  Wealth doesn’t just mean an abundance of money.  Wealth can be attributed to every dollar you save because you are not sick.  Avoid the stress of undergoing complex and expensive dental procedures by having regular dental cleanings and exams.  You will be so much better off in the long run.  And your mouth and body will thank you…click here to learn more.

We here at Brilliant Smiles are thankful for you, our patients.  We wish all of you a blessed Thanksgiving holiday filled with family, fun, and overflowing plates.

Photo Credit:  vetstreet.com

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