Consider CareCredit

Many dentist offices work with CareCredit, which is a third-party financer that will often finance your dental work for 0% interest. CareCredit can be used to pay for any dental work, not just cosmetic work.

If you don’t have dental insurance and are worried about getting check-ups and cleanings, CareCredit can help there too! CareCredit can help you to pay for out-of- pocket costs that your insurance can’t or won’t cover when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. From veneers to dentures, you can finance your cosmetic densitry. You can even use CareCredit for Invisalign and braces! Find out more about what CareCredit offers through your dentist’s office or through CareCredit.

Talk with Your Dentist Office

Your dentist office is there to provide you with the best care for your oral health. Your dentist office should work with you to finance any dental care that you need, whether it be a checkup or a cosmetic dentistry procedure. Talk with the receptionist at your dentist office whether you have insurance or not.

He or she can help you find out if financing is possible with your monthly budget and they can also help you navigate what your insurance will cover and what it won’t. You should never have to forgo dental care just because you can’t afford it, so talk with your dentist office about what you can afford and how they can accommodate you!

What Is Your Smile Worth?

It’s hard to have strong self confidence without a great smile. It’s often the first thing people notice about you! Don’t put off your dream smile just because you think you can’t afford the procedure that you need to make your smile healthy and beautiful again. Any cosmetic dentistry procedure you’d like to have done can be financed either through your dentist office or CareCredit. Although some procedures may be more expensive than others, consider how it will feel to have a gorgeous, confident smile when your cosmetic dentistry work is done. What is having a beautiful smile worth to you?

Cosmetic dentistry is more affordable than you think! Talk with your dentist about your monthly budget and what you can afford to pay for your care. Your dentist office may also work with CareCredit in order to help you finance any cosmetic dentistry work you’d like done. You always have options when it comes to paying for your smile, and remember—the end result will make your cosmetic dentistry totally worth it!

Image courtesy of nenetus at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Signs and Symptoms

It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of oral cancer so that you can visit your doctor or dentist if you notice any of the following:

– A sore in the mouth that doesn’t go away.

– Swelling or lumps inside the mouth (including lips or gums).

– White or red patches in the mouth.

– Bleeding from the mouth without a cause.

– Numbness or pain around mouth, face, or neck.

– Difficulty moving your jaw—this may include trouble swallowing, speaking, or chewing.

– Bad breath.

– Weight loss.

While mouth sores are the most common symptom, there are other symptoms you should know, including a change in voice, sore throat, or ear pain. This is why it’s always important to visit your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms!

Risk Factors

You can decrease your risk of getting oral cancer by adjusting your lifestyle. The biggest influential risk factors including smoking or using tobacco products, but did you know that frequent drinkers of alcohol increase their risk of oral cancer by more than six times? The risk increases if you smoke along with drink alcohol frequently. Men are also twice as likely as women to get oral cancer.

Risk factors also include having a family history of cancer or oral cancer, extreme sun exposure, and even human papilloma virus (HPV) may increase your risk for certain cancers. It’s also important to eat well: a diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits as opposed to one heavy in meat and processed foods could help prevent cancer!

What Can You Do?

Be knowledgeable about oral cancer. Know what the signs and symptoms are so that you can recognize them if they happen to you and visit your doctor or dentist. If oral cancer is suspected, a biopsy will be taken. Regular checkups with your dentist can help to ensure your mouth is healthy, and always talk with your dentist about any symptoms you’re experiencing. You can also manage any risk factors you have that could lead to oral cancer, such as using tobacco products, drinking alcohol often, or exposure to the sun.

Taking the best care of yourself includes knowing what to look out for when it comes to certain diseases, including oral cancer. Over 25% of people who get oral cancer don’t smoke and drink infrequently. Know the signs and symptoms. Manage your risk factors. Visit your dentist regularly. Treatment for oral cancer is most successful when it’s detected early and can save your life!

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1. Use Moderation – You are obviously going to be eating some things that you normally do not have. Rather than skipping on a piece of grandma’s famous pie, just be sure that you eat a balanced meal with lots of good nutrition. A second helping of vegetables during dinner can help balance out the pH in the mouth despite a rich dessert. Just don’t eat the whole pie.

2. Be Choosey About Treats – Certain sweets are far worse on your teeth than others. For example, chocolates that are filled with sticky caramel are likely to spend more time on your enamel than just some plain chocolate. Avoiding sticky treats will help your teeth to suffer less in between brushings.

3. Keep the Toothbrush with You – Whether it is a family gathering at someone else’s home or an office party, bring your toothbrush with you, and use it. Just one note of caution. If you have a glass of wine, or something else acidic like orange juice, you will want to wait half an hour before brushing. Highly acidic foods and beverages can weaken enamel. Brushing too soon can cause damage.

4. Maintain Your Routine – Keep your toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss in your toiletries bag. Then be sure to maintain your routine, even if you are travelling. Plaque hardens into tartar in about 24 hours, so even skipping one day of brushing is a big deal.

5. Drink Lots of Water – Whether you are drinking it or just rinsing with it, water is an excellent way to keep your mouth clean between brushings. Plus, water helps to even out the pH and reduces how quickly bacteria can spread in the mouth.

6. Use Good Technique – Brush and floss the right way to ensure that you are getting any extra debris clear of your teeth and gums.

By maintaining a good oral care routine and using moderation at parties, at home, and at the office, you can enjoy your holiday treats and still avoid cavities.

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