Dental Talk With Savon Dental Plan

The Evolution of Dentistry

noreply@blogger.com (walnutflwr) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:19:00 +0000

Can you imagine waking up with a toothache and visiting your local barber for treatment? Back in the 1700's, it was common for barbers to treat dental emergencies, and do extractions! They would also perform minor general surgeries and embalming services in addition to cutting hair! SCARY.

There is a link below to an article that documents the evolution of dentistry by era. This is really an interesting read.

http://www.desotofamilydentalcare.com/dental_information/millennium_of_dentistry.htm

Savon Dental Plan-A Wise Investment

noreply@blogger.com (walnutflwr) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:44:00 +0000

With the struggling economy and the unemployment rate increasing daily, people are very careful with how they spend their money. When it comes to Dental Coverage, people often look more into what they pay for the plan rather than what they save at the dental office. I understand the need to find a plan that a person can afford, but is a low monthly or yearly payment really worth it, when you are not getting a valuable discount when you visit the dentist? That's the reason why Savon Dental Plan is recommended by it's members, agents and most of it's dentists too. Savon offers a reasonable premium with the most comprehensive fee schedule that shows you the savings that you will get when you visit the dentist. Log on to www.savondentalplan.com today. Check out The Comparision Zone link on the home page and check it out for yourself. Savon will show you how they have the most reasonable rates and best savings around. Do not take my word for it. Log on today!

Original post by Music Man, May 2009

Use Your Dental Expenses As A Tax Deduction!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn_DA) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:17:00 +0000

With Tax Season right around the corner, people often find themselves scrambling to get their receipts together and in order, to get their taxes done. Did you know that the IRS allows for Medical and Dental expenses to be used as a deduction? That's right! So dig out those medical/dental receipts as well! The links I've provided below will give the guidelines as what may be used as a deduction.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5027212_dental-work-taxdeductible.html Offers up some useful insight as to what is allowed for Medical/Dental tax deductions, in layman's terms.

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502.html Is the actual IRS rules for using Medical/Dental expenses for tax deductions.

For those of you out there that are eligible, I hope this helps you out a bit! Wishing you a stress-free tax season!

Veneers Can Be Used To Cover Tetracycline Stains

noreply@blogger.com (walnutflwr) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:10:00 +0000

Many, many years ago..........the baby boomers will remember this.......the antibiotic Tetracycline was widely used to treat a variety of ailments in children as well as adults. It is still used today for more specific diseases but more is known now about the effects of the drug on permanent teeth of children in their formative years. Tetracycline has been known to cause a staining of the teeth in children whose teeth are in the formative stages. It attacks the teeth from the inside, and the discoloration begins before the tooth is completely formed. The stain then becomes encased in the tooth. These stains can range from very light to a very dark brownish gray color. Until recent advances in dentistry became available, the procedures to mask the stains included bleaching, which was essentially ineffective because the tooth is discolored on the inside as well as the outside, or placing a porcelain crown, which involved grinding the actual tooth and fitting a crown over it to cover them. In many cases, the dark portion of the tooth would still show through the crown. The newest and most effective procedure in dentistry by far is the porcelain veneer. Here is an article including some before and after pictures of people with tetracycline stains who have opted for the veneers. They are a bit pricey, but worth the cost when you see how easy it is and the end result. Amazing!

What 2 Minutes Can Do For Our Soldiers

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn_DA) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:04:00 +0000

At times, my insomniac nature beams through and I find myself perusing the Internet researching random things. I came across this website by mere accident, but it was a wonderful thing to stumble upon.

www.letssaythanks.com

Xerox has this website designed specifically to show our gratitude to our Troops overseas. Once at the website, you have the ability to pick out a card, add your greeting, name and location. Xerox will print it off and mail it to a recipient currently serving overseas. You're not able to pick out who will receive it, but it is guaranteed to be sent to someone who is currently serving in the Armed Forces.

Wouldn't it we wonderful if our soldiers received a bunch of these awesome cards? Whether you're for or against the war, have served or have loved ones serving, our guys and girls serving our country over seas need to know we are behind them.

Please take your spare 2 minutes to say thank you. It's just one more way to change lives, one smile at a time.

Savon Can Help When Your Dental Benefits Are Exhausted

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn_DA) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:38:00 +0000

That's right! For those of you who carry a dental HMO or PPO, you probably already know that you have an annual maximum of benefits every year. In most cases, if you're in good dental health, those benefits are sufficient enough to cover your routine cleanings, exams and the occasional fillings. But what happens if you need more dental work? The frustration of trying to schedule your treatment to coincide with the renewal of dental benefits can be exhausting an in a lot of cases a deterrent to patients scheduling extensive dental treatments.

Enter...Savon Dental Plan. Savon is an affordable discount dental plan that offers its members discounts up to 50% off their dental treatment. Memberships start as low as $49 a year! With benefits such as no waiting periods, no limitations, no exclusions and a steadily growing nationwide network of dentists, Savon can pick up where your dental benefits run out. Since there are no claim forms to be filed with Savon Dental Plan, your dental savings are immediate!

If you would like more information on how Savon can SAVE for you, please visit our website at www.savondentalplan.com or call our Customer Care Team at 1-800-809-3494! We would be more than happy to assist you in any way. Don't wait for a toothache, your smile savings are only one call to Savon away!!

Dentistry IS Affordable!!!

noreply@blogger.com (walnutflwr) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:24:00 +0000

Having worked in the dental benefit industry for 18 years, one of the most common reasons I've been given for people to avoid seeing a dentist is the expense. Let's face it, dentistry is costly. Well, I just found a website that offers some dental trivia facts and it really put things into perspective with respect to affordability. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.

DID YOU KNOW?

The average amount of money spent each year on DENTISTRY is $50 Billion.

Compared to:

The average amount of money spent on PET FOOD each year, which is also $50 Billion!
The average amount of money spent each year on HAIR CARE is $100 Billion!
The average spent on legal GAMBLING each year is a staggering $300 Billion!!!

It would seem that we have no excuse to put off a visit to the dentist, based on those facts!

Keep Smiling!

Dental Phobia-A Very Common Fear

noreply@blogger.com (walnutflwr) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:59:00 +0000

To begin, I think it's important to note that dental phobia is a very common affliction, with over 80% of the population having at least some level of anxiety and fear over dental procedures. So, to the dental phobics out there, please know that you are not alone!! Conversely, a higher percentage of women have reported having dental phobia than men. (Ok, I'll admit that this statistic surprised me just a little!) Having worked in this industry for the past 18 years, it occurred to me to write on this topic because I have witnessed so many people who have been diagnosed as needing major restorative work all because they were afraid to see a dentist for preventative care. Many have avoided seeing a dentist for 15 or 20 years! Anyway, I did a little hunting on the web and found some interesting ideas for overcoming dental phobias.

The first, and I think most important thing, is to find a dentist you can trust. The best method for this is word of mouth. Talk to a trusted friend or co-worker, or ask family member for a referral. Chances are if they've had a good experience, you will too.
Proceed with treatment at your own speed. (Except in the case of an emergency, of course.) Do not allow yourself to be rushed into treatment before you are ready. Mental preparation is important to your dental experience. Discuss all options with your dentist prior to the treatment. Knowing what to expect goes a long way toward relaxation.
Try to bring a spouse or trusted friend with you for treatment. Sometimes just knowing someone is there (even if they stay in the waiting room) can help to relax you and put your mind at ease. Also, sometimes talking about your fears with that person can help to alleviate and irradicate the jitters. You might even be surprised to learn that they have similar fears!
Predetermine a "stop signal" with your dentist. Most people will just raise a hand....that seems to be the most common signal, but the important thing is that he (the dentist) needs to know if you are experiencing discomfort at any level. Sometimes all that is required is to stop for a moment and let the feeling pass, or if you are in pain, to administer more anesthetic.
Bring an MP3 player or CD player with headphones to distract you. Music calms the soul, and consequently the mind and body. If you are in to motivational CD's or inspirational types of listening material, that is helpful as well. Many of the new state of the art dental facilities already have these things available.

These are just a few of the ideas that are available on the internet to help overcome your fear of the dentist. Hope this was helpful! Please comment if you have additional ideas that you think may help others. Keep Smiling!

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Did you know?

noreply@blogger.com (walnutflwr) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:41:00 +0000

I suffer from bruxism.....I have for many years now, and I thought I'd do a little research and blog about it because it affects your body in so so many ways. First, you should know that it is an unconscious, involuntary thing. When you are unconsciously grinding your teeth (clenching while awake, clenching and grinding while you are asleep) you are putting up to ten times the force on your teeth and jaws than when you are chewing food! Many people don't even realize they're doing it, and consequently, suffer from unexplained problems such as jaw pain, muscle fatigue, headaches, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, TMJ and a variety of other conditions, aside from the fact that it can fracture, shorten and cause your teeth to loosen, erode and decay. Long term effects are distressing; it can actually change your physical appearance! It can cause bags under the eyes, enlargement of the muscles around the joints of the jaw and curling of the skin around the lips. There are devices (night orthotics) that dentists can make for you to wear when you're sleeping to prevent this damage from happening! If you suspect that you are having this problem, ask your dentist today about a diagnosis and a night orthotic device to help correct the problem before it does long term damage.

Never Let an Abscessed Tooth Go Untreated!!!

noreply@blogger.com (walnutflwr) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:10:00 +0000

Of all of the dental problems one can have, abscesses are among the most dangerous and unpredictable. Often times, people will let tooth pain go for a lengthy period of time and will not see a dentist until their pain is severe and an abscess has developed. Other times, an abscess can develop seemingly overnight. In rarer instances, an abscess can be growing under a tooth without the patient suffering severe pain and the only symptoms may be too subtle to notice by the untrained eye.... The danger in letting an abscess go untreated is that serious complications can arise. The following list should make someone sit up and pay attention!

If left untreated, abscesses can cause:

Loss of the tooth
Fever, chills
Spread of infection to jawbone (serious infection can cause disfigurement)
Spread of infection to brain, heart or lungs (extremely dangerous, can cause death!)
Excessive swelling leading to blockage of airway or inability to eat or drink

You cannot be too careful with a toothache, or even a twinge...it can lead to an abscess.

If you or anyone you know has a toothache, don't let it progress to an abscess! If dental care is not immediately available, go to an urgent care center or the ER for treatment! Abscesses can become life threatening!

Safe and Happy Holiday Travels!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn_DA) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:41:00 +0000

I've decided to target this blog towards our Arizona members, in light of recent news stories.

This time of year, our weather tends to get a bit wacky.. Rain, hail, snow and dust storms are popping up all over the state and take a toll on our travel plans. If you have plans to travel, please check the traffic and weather notices at http://www.azdot.gov/knowsnow/index.asp . This site provides valuable information on road and highway closures, detours and severe weather alerts in your travel destinations across Arizona.

For any of you traveling this Holiday Season, I wish you Happy and Safe Travels.

On a side note: My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims and the injured persons from the tragic accident which happened as a result of a dust storm on I-10 North of Tucson, AZ today. This accident claimed the lives of 4 persons and injured dozens.

Gum: Go Ahead, Gnaw on This!

noreply@blogger.com (Savon Dental Plan) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:33:00 +0000

As a dental assistant, I would frequently be asked by patients if it's ok to chew gum. My answer "yes, chew gum!" came easily, but..with a few guidelines.

Dentists today are encouraging patients to smack, chomp, chew their gum for their dental health. Done in moderation and in a sugar free format (i.e., gums containing Xylitol), chewing gum has many proactive benefits. Not only does it instantly freshen breath, it helps clean the surface of your teeth while chewing and stimulates the saliva flow, which in turn helps fight tooth decay!

Dentists do offer a few guidelines when choosing your chewing gum. It's best to avoid gums containing sugar, as to chewing those can actually increase your chances of getting tooth decay. Excessive chewing of gum can also lead to potential problems with your temporomandibular joints which leads to problems such as TMD. Dentists suggest that chewing a piece of gum will freshen your breath after 3-5 minutes and shouldn't be chewed more than about 20 minutes.

Should you have doubts about what brands of chewing gum are right for you, ask your family dentist!

Happy Chewing!!

Hold On To Your Dental Coverage!!!

noreply@blogger.com (walnutflwr) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:21:00 +0000

Working in the dental industry, I've noticed the downtrend caused by the failing economy with respect to dental insurance, dental plans and even dental appointments. While dental health may not be on everyone's mind at the moment, you should still hold on to your dental coverage if you can. Unfortunately, prices for dental procedures have not gone down to match the economy, so it's as important as ever to make sure that your family is covered in the event that treatment is needed! Also, remember that a good dental plan is an excellent way to help keep the cost of dentistry down, and in most cases can be used as a supplement to dental insurance. Your dental insurance plan has limitations, and a good dental plan doesn't.
Here's a link to the best one out there (in my opinion, of course!)

Holiday Savings at Savon Q Print

noreply@blogger.com (Music Man) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:21:00 +0000

It is that time of the year again!! Savings, Savings and more Savings. Well...Savon Q Print is joining the fun! Place an order between now and December 31st, mention this blog, and receive 10% OFF that order.
Call Today! 602-449-7801 or email us at qprint@savondentalplan.com.

Talk to you soon and as always, have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Savon Dental Plan Gift Certficates Are Available!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn_DA) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:04:00 +0000

With the holidays lingering around the corner, Savon would like to offer all existing members the ability to purchase Savon Dental Plan Gift Certificates for friends, family and loved ones. Gift Certificates can be purchased for the price of the plan you choose to gift.

For more information, please contact Savon's Customer Service at 800-809-3494.

Give the gift of smiles and purchase your Savon Dental Plan Gift Certificates today!

Gift Idea for the Hard to Buy for

noreply@blogger.com (Savon Dental Plan) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:38:00 +0000

Do you live in the Phoenix, Arizona Metro area and want to buy a gift for someone that seems to have just about everything? Does that special person ever play golf? If the answer is yes then you are in luck. Dave Swartz of SwartzGolf is offering a special for the holidays. You can purchase a gift certificate for:

One - 1 hour private lesson for $35.00

Four - 1 hour private lessons for $100.00

Whether they're an avid golfer that could use a brush up or a weekend hacker that needs a lot of help, this is truly a great gift at an amazingly low price.

For more information about this great offer, please contact Savon's Customer Service Department at 602-841-3494 or Dave Swartz at 602-430-3379.

Holiday Depression-Has it Got You Down?

noreply@blogger.com (walnutflwr) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:43:00 +0000

This is the time of year when stress levels and anxiety are most prevalent.....It affects people young and old. The elderly are particularly susceptible. I did a little research and came up with some tips for dealing with Holiday stress and anxiety. Hope you find these useful! I did!

To manage the inevitable overload of tasks and events, make a daily list and stick to it! Keep it within reason...don't try to do too much in one day. Spread it out over the course of each week.

Set a reasonable budget and don't go over it! Money is the number one trigger of Holiday anxiety and depression. If money is a serious issue, consider giving of your time in lieu of gift giving.

Help others......it's a great way to forget your own troubles, and it's so simple. Visit an elderly person, donate your services to a charity food organization or a church.

Find time to be by yourself....even if it's only 15 or 20 minutes a day. Meditate (if you're into that sort of thing) read, sit in the sunshine, watch a movie that invokes feelings of goodwill, or a kids movie for a lift!

Share your feelings with a trusted friend or relative. Sometimes it helps to talk about your anxiety.

Exercise, exercise, exercise!

These were just a few of the remedies I found online. Hope everyone has a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!

Original Post Date 12/1/2008

The W.R.A.P. Makes it's waiting room debut!

noreply@blogger.com (Music Man) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:22:00 +0000

Savon Q Print is proud to announce the debut release of it's new publication! The W.R.A.P. (Waiting Room Activity Paper) is now available in the waiting rooms of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area Savon Dental Provider's Offices. It is filled with helpful information and games to help occupy the time that you spend in the waiting room. Have fun reading "The Blog of the month", doing a word search, or challenging someone in a competitive game of tic tac toe. Savon Dental's "Tommy the Tooth" and Savon Q Print's "Ink Splat" are hidden in an ad on the back page. See if you can find them. Also, be sure to take advantage of the great deals listed!
The W.R.A.P. is published once a month..so be sure to check it out. To inquire about advertising in the W.R.A.P., or find a distribution spot near you, email us at qprint@savondentalplan.com or call Savon Q Print at 602-449-7801.

Short for cash for the holidays? Become a Savon Agent!

noreply@blogger.com (MoobieDoo) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:59:00 +0000

Savon Dental Plan is currently seeking outside sales agents EVERYWHERE! This is a great opportunity for those of you who have been struck by the economy or even if you're just looking for some extra cash for the holidays! Being a commission-based position, there is NO LIMIT to the amount of money you can earn! Visit us online for more details or call 1-800-809-3494 NOW!

Can Turkey make you tired or is that another urban legend for the birds?

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn_DA) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:57:00 +0000

I'm sure at some point all of us have fallen prey to that post holiday feast snooze. I know for a fact that within hours after enjoying one of my family's feasts, I nap for a few hours while I claim to be "digesting". I'm sure we've all heard people say, "it's the tryptophan in the turkey, get's you every time"..right? Well is it?

I thought so until I read this neat little article I found through National Geographic. It states that that there are other meats consumed on a regular basis that boast higher levels of tryptophan than turkey does, siting "the slumber may be caused by the stressful hustle and bustle of the holidays, alcohol consumption, and the massive caloric intake of the year's biggest feast." So we know it wont be the tryptophan toting turkey that makes us drowsy this weekend!! Pace yourselves folks!

Check out the article below for more interesting facts http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/11/1122_051122_thanksgiving.html .

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Foods and Drinks to Avoid After Wisdom Teeth Extractions

noreply@blogger.com (walnutflwr) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:53:00 +0000

Many people leave their doctors office following a surgical extraction with a list of generic "do's and dont's", but alot of people don't have a clear understanding of which types of foods are good or bad. Here is a list of suggestions (straight from a dental assistant) to help with the decision making process!

AVOID THESE FOODS!

Chips of any kind
Rice
Popcorn
Nuts
Crunchy Cereal

A good rule of thumb is if it's crunchy, dont eat it!

AVOID THESE BEVERAGES!

Alcoholic beverages
Carbonated beverages (these can interfere with the natural clotting that occurs after the procedure and the clotting is important to protect the open socket.)
Piping hot beverages

In addition to these foods and drinks, smoking is an irritant and should be avoided following an extraction. Both smoking and drinking through a straw can be harmful as the sucking motion can cause the bleeding to begin again.

As with any surgical procedure, check with your doctor or dentist if you experience excessive pain or anything out of the ordinary.

Then, once you've healed, as always,

Keep smiling!

Advertising Space Available at Savon Q Print

noreply@blogger.com (Music Man) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:08:00 +0000

Savon Q Print is proud to introduce it's NEW Dental Fun Newsletter! The first issue is scheduled to be released on December 01,2009. The newsletter will be published once a month and will be available at Savon Dental Plan's Phoenix Metropolitan Area Provider's Offices.

Advertising space is available for the December Issue. With prices ranging from $15 - $50 a month, you can get your company's name out to multitudes of people at a really low cost

Call Savon Q Print at 602-449-7801 or email us at qprint@savondentalplan.com for more details.

Sugary Drinks Are Harmful to Babies Teeth

noreply@blogger.com (walnutflwr) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:47:00 +0000

We all know that some of the common kid's drinks on today's market are loaded with sugar...maybe even moreso than years ago, although I raised my children in an era when it was common to give them "jello water" in their baby bottles. Goodness knows we are much better informed today! However there are some misconceptions about healthy "fruit drinks" that you might not have considered. Fruit juices, (even the organic, naturally sweetened ones) still contain sugar in other forms. Additionally, the acidic content in fruit juices is harmful to children's teeth! Diet Soda is another culprit...the acid can eat away at tooth enamel, especially in children whose teeth are in the formative stages. It is recommended that in babies 6 months to 2 years that you dilute fruit juices with water and only allow these types of drinks with a meal. Never let them go to sleep with a sugary drink in their bottle or a sippy cup, and begin brushing their teeth as soon as the first one appears in their mouth, usually age 6 months. They do make baby toothbrushes, and toothpaste isn't really necessary...but the sooner you start the better. And starting them young helps to ensure that they will adopt healthy hygiene habits as they get older!

Keep them smiling!

Dental Hygiene for Men

noreply@blogger.com (btflbutterfly77) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:01:00 +0000

Here are some of the risk factors for developing gum disease:

Being male: Men are more likely to suffer from gum disease than women.

Being African-American: Black men are more likely than white men to develop gum disease.

Lack of funds and insurance: People at the lowest socio-economic levels tend to have the most severe gum disease. This is largely because they don't have access to (or can't afford) regular dental care.

Age: As we get older, our gums gradually recede, exposing the roots of the teeth to plaque. We also produce less saliva, which plays an important role in rinsing plaque out of the mouth.

Genetics: If your parents lost teeth to gum disease, you are at greater risk.

Neglect: Not brushing and flossing regularly.

Poor diet: Sugary snacks and drinks encourage the growth of plaque, and crunchy snack foods can damage enamel and teeth.

Clenching, grinding teeth: Chronic teeth grinding can sometimes result in a fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. The chronic grinding may also damage tooth enamel and wear teeth down. This kind of damage can lead to the need for a host of expensive dental work, including bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures.

Smoking: Recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of gum disease. In addition, following periodontal treatment or any type of oral surgery, the chemicals in tobacco can slow down the healing process and make the treatment results less predictable.

Article found here.

Halloween Safety Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn_DA) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:33:00 +0000

It's about that time for our little princesses, pirates, goblins and gremlins to strut their stuff for treats this week! Here are a few safety tips for our trick-or-treaters to help make the best of their night out!

Make sure your child is wearing a glow stick, reflective tape or has a flashlight when headed out to make them easily visible to other people and drivers!
Instruct children to only visit houses in familiar neighborhoods that are decorated for Halloween. These houses are usually kid friendly and prepared for the trick-or-treaters.
Make sure your children know to never enter someone's home or vehicle unless accompanied by a familiar adult.
If you have an older child going out alone, make sure they are going out in a group and have a planned route so you know where they are at all times.
Instruct your child to not eat any treats until they are examined by an adult.

And most importantly...Have Fun!!

You can find more helpful tips for Halloween at www.halloween-safety.com.

Wishing you all a safe and Happy Halloween!!