6 things a dental cleaning can do for you

1. Prevent cavities

The whitish film that builds up on your teeth is called plaque and is the leading cause of . This acidic substance eats away at the tooth enamel and, if left unattended, can lead to cavities. Plaque can be removed by brushing, flossing and dental cleanings.

2. Stop

Gum disease, which starts with built-up plaque, is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. As gum disease advances, plaque moves further down the tooth where it can destroy the supporting bone in your jaw, causing teeth to loosen and fall out. Luckily, the chance of this happening to you can be greatly reduced through regular dental cleanings combined with good habits.

3. Brighten your smile

Drinking coffee, tea and wine or using tobacco can stain your teeth. A dental cleaning can remove built-up stains and leave you with freshly polished teeth. The result? A whiter, brighter smile!

4. Freshen your breath

Good oral hygiene is the best way to prevent persistent bad breath. Even if you brush and floss regularly, getting a cleaning is a great way to keep your mouth healthy and odor-free.

5. Boost your overall health

Studies have shown a connection between oral and overall health. Regular dental cleanings may help lower your risk for some diseases, like heart disease and stroke. Many medical conditions, some of them life-threatening, can be detected in their early stages by your dentist during a routine oral exam.

6. Save money

Get the most value from your dental benefits. Most Delta Dental plans have low or no copayments/coinsurance for dental cleanings and oral exams. If you take advantage of your benefits now, you may be able to save money in the long run by helping to protect your oral health and potentially avoiding more costly and extensive procedures.

For these advantages and more, make an appointment with your dentist today.

https://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/teeth_cleaning.html How often should I go to the dentist for a teeth cleaning? Last updated on September 27, 2018 The "every six months" rule doesn't apply to everybody. Here’s how to know how often you need a teeth cleaning.

BY DR. BURHENNE

Q: How often do I need to get my teeth cleaned? Should the every six months rule apply to everyone?

A: How often do you get your oil changed? Every 3,000 miles? Or is it every 6,000 miles? Thanks to computers, most cars today will make that determination for you based upon the type of driver and the temperature extremes the car has to endure.

So why is it that you have been told to see the dentist every 6 months (or every 3 months if you have gum disease)? How can it be so for every human, without the predictable variability of life styles and environmental triggers being a factor? Who says you have to see the dentist every 6 months?

Well, we do, us dentists. We, in our infinite wisdom have decided, as a group of health care professionals concerned for the health of our patients, that it is in your best interest to come see us every 6 months. Every person, whether you have good teeth or not, whether your are healthy or not, whether you build up a lot of plaque and tartar or not, whether you are the world’s best brusher and flosser, or not. That’s right, everyone needs to see the dentist every 6 months. And we certainly are not about to the reward the patients that brush and floss regularly because the rules are the rules…

Is this sounding ridiculous yet?

I hope so, because it is. Let’s first discuss the origin of this insanity, as risible as it may sound. Afterwards, we’ll arm you with the knowledge to make the right decision in your own case. So are you a fast driver that drives in very cold weather or dusty conditions, or do you baby your car, warm it up every morning and drive like the owner of a Zamboni in an ice rink? How soon would your car’s onboard computer tell you to go in for service? And where (and when) did the profession of come up with that 6 month interval?

From Amos and Andy of course, a TV show from the 50s! I’m not joking. First a wildly popular radio show, a television adaptation ran on CBS-TV from 1951 until 1953, and continued in syndication though 1966. The show was sponsored by Pepsodent Tooth Powder. Toothpaste had not yet been invented (the procedure was to put some powder on the palm of your hand, wet your , and touch the powder with your brush) and in those days going to see the dentist was not a routine activity. In fact, most people went to see a dentist when they needed an extraction or when they were in pain. The Pepsodent ad campaign was quite successful, and in an attempt to appease dentists and gain their recommendation, stated in the ad that in addition to brushing twice daily, that they see their dentist twice yearly (or every 6 months).

Yes, the ad men of Pepsodent (clearly “mad men”) are responsible for determining the frequency of your dental cleaning visits today!

Tartar and plaque form in the mouth at different rates. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a patient for a recall cleaning visit only to see them two weeks later for a scheduled filling and already see tartar forming on the teeth. I also have some patients that need to come in for a cleaning only every 12 months. When dentists polish the teeth, the pellicle (skin of the tooth) is removed, but will reappear in 3 days. The sticky biofilm (plaque) will then stick to the pellicle.

Home care is vital in determining this rate of buildup of the product that is partially responsible for gum disease. Good brushers and flossers (determined by the frequency and quality of doing so) of course will fare better and last longer before needing another cleaning. It is extremely important to remember that gum disease is 100% preventable, but once seen in the mouth it is not 100% curable, and is less than 100% arrestable. So patients (and dentist) need to be armed with methods that properly address and pay for this degree of infection.

And the plot thickens: The insurance companies prefer the “Amos and Andy gig” by a wide margin. They like the steadiness of the 6 month recall concept. It means they have their providers, the dentists that have joined their plan, doing periodontal work for prophy fees! The insurance companies are then able to essentially reduce the utilization of the plan, which in turn increases profits. In the meantime the patient is being undertreated and the dentist is either committing malpractice or committing financial suicide.

The Amos and Andy rubber stamp of the 6 month recall has allowed the insurance carriers (their actuaries) to accurately predict their risk (the outlay of cash to provide for the utilization of the plan). By this quantifying of gum disease into absolute terms, they then know how much to add (to the bottom line) for profit.

The dentist is seeing something completely different. She is seeing a huge group of patients (80%) that need more than just 6 month recalls. Sure, the dentist can bill for SRP (scaling and root planning, otherwise known as “a deep cleaning”). However, it does not provide for the patient that is not yet inflicted with the disease but exhibits patterns that need more aggressive attention to prevent the disease.

Preventing the disease is the better model medically and financially. However, the insurance model is willing to wait for the disease to appear, as the actuaries have calculated exactly how many patients will and will not have treatment. And yes, even how many dentists will dutifully treat this disease at an inappropriate and inadequate pay structure.

How much more can I stress the importance of treating — no — preventing gum disease? If I were sitting at a table with Obama, the federal health commissioner and the health insurance commissioner, I’d point out that pregnant women who have may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small. I’d then hand them a pencil and paper and have them calculate the cost of supporting preemies in this country (26 Billion dollars per year). I’d also like to remind you of what President Obama said about flossing.

So what do I recommend you do?

1. If you are a woman, get a clean bill of health before you conceive. Learn how to maintain that state of gum health. Your child’s health depends on it. 2. Seek out a more individualized treatment modality from your dentist in regards to your own unique periodontal issues. Disregard what your insurance is willing to pay. You may spend more or less initially, but in the long run you will save more money. 3. Write a letter to your personnel/benefits department at work and copy them on this article. Force them to find a better plan before next year’s enrollment period that pays forward to reduce costs later. 4. Find a dentist that understands and agrees with what is written here, and plan to live your life with perfect dental health so as to make other aspects of your health, both mental and physical, much improved.

If you take one message home with you after reading this, please remember this: Gum disease is like a cancer. In the earliest form () it is curable. After that, it’s only possible to achieve remission.

Let your dentist help you to prevent gingivitis so that you never have to face living with regret for the rest of your life.

Gum disease is 100% preventable.

After all, the number one cause of gum disease is the predictable nature of humans. Just go ask the insurance companies.

Mark Burhenne DDS

https://askthedentist.com/every-6-months-teeth-cleanings/

DELTA DENTAL STANDARD INCENTIVE RATES Active Rescue Union SD 2017/2018 Plan Year Reimbursement is based on PPO contracted fees for PPO dentist, Premier contracted fees for Premier dentist and program allowance for non-Delta Dental dentists.

Basic, Crowns and Cast Restorations Co-Payment: 70/30 First Year, 80/20 Second, 90/10 Third, 100% Fourth

Prosthodontics and Implant Co-Payment *: 50/50

100% payment for dental services rendered in case of accident subject to separate $1,000 maximum $1,000 maximum per patient per calendar year. Three-Tiered Three-Tiered Three-Tiered Component Composite Employee Employee Employee Only + One + Family

Basic Rate: (Options below may be added at the listed rate)

$90.83 $44.75 $81.03 $116.49

$1,500 Annual Maximum $16.36 $8.08 $14.58 $20.98

$2,000 Annual Maximum $24.52 $12.07 $21.85 $31.45

$2,500 Annual Maximum $30.90 $15.21 $27.54 $39.63

$3,000 Annual Maximum $37.27 $18.34 $33.22 $47.80

Unlimited Annual Maximum ** $40.42 $19.91 $36.06 $51.81

3 Cleanings Per Year $1.33 $0.65 $1.21 $1.74

4 Cleanings Per Year $2.76 $1.35 $2.48 $3.55

100% Diagnostic/Preventive $1.22 $0.61 $1.11 $1.56

Prosthodontics & Implant 70/30 $1.22 $0.61 $1.11 $1.56

Prosthodontics & Implant 70,80,90,100% $9.97 $4.93 $8.89 $12.80

Nitrous Oxide $0.30 $0.16 $0.28 $0.43

12-Month Wait For Ortho -$0.33 -$0.15 -$0.28 -$0.43

* Prosthodontics base benefit includes implants ** Implant Annual Maximum - $2000/year

Tuesday, May 16, 2017 01 District 2375 Page 1 of 3 DELTA DENTAL STANDARD INCENTIVE RATES Active Rescue Union SD Ortho Adults & Children 2017/2018 Plan Year Three-Tiered Three-Tiered Three-Tiered Component Composite Employee Employee Employee Only + One + Family Ortho 50/50 Adults & Children $500 Lifetime Max $6.94 $0.98 $3.23 $11.54

Ortho 50/50 Adults & Children $700 Lifetime Max $8.04 $1.18 $3.68 $13.35

Ortho 50/50 Adults & Children $750 Lifetime Max $9.01 $1.29 $4.15 $14.92

Ortho 50/50 Adults & Children $1,000 Lifetime Max $11.12 $1.59 $5.14 $18.47

Ortho 50/50 Adults & Children $1,250 Lifetime Max $12.44 $1.80 $5.72 $20.66

Ortho 50/50 Adults & Children $1,400 Lifetime Max $13.78 $1.96 $6.33 $22.86

Ortho 50/50 Adults & Children $1,500 Lifetime Max $14.41 $2.07 $6.64 $23.93

Ortho 50/50 Adults & Children $2,000 Lifetime Max $17.79 $2.51 $8.16 $29.48

Ortho 50/50 Adults & Children $3,000 Lifetime Max $21.32 $3.03 $9.82 $35.39

Ortho 100% Adults & Children $1,000 Lifetime Max $15.29 $2.15 $7.03 $25.37

Ortho 100% Adults & Children $1,500 Lifetime Max $19.86 $2.82 $9.12 $32.96

Ortho 100% Adults & Children $2,000 Lifetime Max $24.42 $3.51 $11.24 $40.50

Ortho 100% Adults & Children $3,000 Lifetime Max $32.38 $4.60 $14.92 $53.77

Ortho 100% Adults & Children $4,000 Lifetime Max $35.38 $5.00 $16.24 $58.72

Tuesday, May 16, 2017 01 District 2375 Page 2 of 3 DELTA DENTAL STANDARD INCENTIVE RATES Active Rescue Union SD Ortho Dependent Children Only 2017/2018 Plan Year Three-Tiered Three-Tiered Three-Tiered Component Composite Employee Employee Employee Only + One + Family Ortho 50/50 Children Only $500 Lifetime Max $5.99 $2.19 $10.53

Ortho 50/50 Children Only $700 Lifetime Max $6.94 $2.51 $12.20

Ortho 50/50 Children Only $750 Lifetime Max $7.76 $2.89 $13.66

Ortho 50/50 Children Only $1,000 Lifetime Max $9.51 $3.55 $16.77

Ortho 50/50 Children Only $1,400 Lifetime Max $11.80 $4.36 $20.80

Ortho 50/50 Children Only $1,500 Lifetime Max $12.39 $4.58 $21.81

Ortho 50/50 Children Only $2,000 Lifetime Max $15.25 $5.66 $26.90

Ortho 100% Children Only $1,000 Lifetime Max $13.08 $4.84 $23.08

Ortho 100% Children Only $1,500 Lifetime Max $17.02 $6.31 $30.02

Ortho 100% Children Only $2,000 Lifetime Max $20.99 $7.78 $37.02

Ortho 100% Children Only $3,000 Lifetime Max $27.83 $10.29 $49.08

Tuesday, May 16, 2017 01 District 2375 Page 3 of 3