Eat Chocolate for Halloween?

Do you actually think Evergreen Dental would encourage you to eat candy? While we know you know your dental health would be much better if you avoided candy altogether this Halloween, we also know it’s not a reasonable expectation. Instead, we want to tell you what is a better choice when it comes to the sweets you may indulge in with what’s left from the Halloween festivities.

Why Chocolate?

When it comes to candy, chocolate is actually the best choice for a healthy set of teeth. Why?

• It is better than a sticky candy that will literally stick to your teeth and cause harm over the long term.


• It melts. Remember the old M&M commercial that boasts, “Melts in your mouth, not in your hands?” This is true. (Well, we’re not sure about the “hands” part!) Chocolate will not remain on your teeth as long as other types of candy because it will actually melt off.


• It is eaten more quickly. If you think about how long it takes you to eat a chocolate bar versus a lollipop, you quickly recognize the sugar exposure on your teeth is much less.


Don’t Forget to Brush

Brushing your teeth after eating sweets is important to remember throughout the year, but it is vital at Halloween. The removal of sugar from your teeth, is still a vital element to good dental health, even if the sugar is from chocolate.

A good rule of thumb during Halloween is to brush your teeth after each sweet treat. Not only will this help minimize the sugar left on your teeth, it may also help you limit your candy intake during the after Halloween candy indulgences.

Halloween does not need to be a dental nightmare. Instead, it can be a time where you practice moderation with good candy choices. It is also a time to be proactive, rather than reactive, with your dental health.

Save Money By Using Your Dental Benefits Now!

While some dental insurance plans run on a fiscal year, most run on the calendar year. If your dental plan is based on a calendar year, you only have a few months to use your dental benefits – or lose them.

Here are 5 reasons to use your dental benefits today:

Yearly Maximum

Your yearly maximum is the most amount of money your dental plan will pay for your dental work within a full year. This year usually follows the calendar year and will reset on January 1. Any unused benefits will not roll over to the next year. So, you must use them now or lose them completely.

Deductible

The amount of money you must pay out of pocket before your dental insurance will pay for any benefits is called your deductible. It varies from one insurance carrier to another. This deductible will start over again in the new year and you will need to satisfy it again to have your dental benefits kick in. Most likely you have already met your deductible for this year. Therefore, it is best to use as many of your dental benefits as possible once your deductible has been met to avoid further costs in the coming year.

Premiums

When you pay dental premiums every month, you are paying for the right to get as much dental treatment as you need. This includes prevention of dental problems. Make sure you get regular dental cleanings to detect the early signs of cavities, gum disease, and mouth cancer, just to name a few.

Fee Increases

Dentists are like any other businesses today and must occasionally raise rates to adjust to the increased cost of living, materials, and equipment. When this happens, it usually happens at the beginning of the year. Make your appointment now to avoid higher prices, and possibly higher co-pays in the coming year.

Prevent More Dental Problems

By delaying needed dental treatment, you are actually risking more expensive and painful treatment in the future. For example, a cavity can turn into a root canal if you wait too long for treatment.

Many employers, or other entity, provide dental insurance that covers up to $1,000, $1,500, or even $2,000 of annual dental benefits. Check with your dental insurance policy to know exactly how much coverage your plan provides.

Calling a dentist today is a wise choice to save money, time, and discomfort. By utilizing your dental benefits you have already paid for this year, you can prevent spending extra money on dental problems at the beginning of the year.