How Your Oral Health Affects Your Heart Health. Did you know the condition of your teeth and gums can significantly affect your overall health? Research has shown a strong association between poor dental health and other severe conditions, including heart disease. Poor oral health can increase the risk of a bacterial infection in the bloodstream, which will affect heart valves. And more recently, according to a health conference at the American College of Middle East, adults who have lost teeth may have an even higher risk of developing heart disease. Although the association between dent ..read more

Nearly everyone knows that braces can help accomplish straight, beautiful teeth. But did you know that orthodontic treatment can also improve the health of your teeth and gums? It’s true. So, if you’ve been considering orthodontic treatment, read on for three surprising ways that braces will keep you smiling from ear to ear. 1). Straight teeth are in general, healthier. Think about it, when your teeth are lined up correctly and straight, they are easier to keep clean and maintain. And we all know that good oral hygiene leads to less dental problems. 2). Orthodontic treatment can create a bette ..read more

Do you regularly get nervous before your dentist appointment? You are not alone. Visiting the dentist can be stressful for many people and mild fear is common. The good news is, that dental appointments are never as bad as they seem and there are effective ways to manage your anxiety. So as your next appointment approaches, keep these tips in mind to help overcome fear of the dentist:  Meet your dentist first. Before any treatment takes place, ask to meet your dentist in person. Dental offices are usually more than willing to schedule consultations.   Schedule an early appointment ..read more

How often do I need an eye exam? Unless otherwise directed by your doctor, it is recommended to see your vision provider once a year.   Who can I call for assistance? For an EyeMed vision plan, representatives are available at 844-225-3107 Mon-Fri 8am-8pm EST, for claims or benefit questions. For a VSP vision plan, representatives are available at 800-877-7195 Mon-Fri 5am-6pm PT, Sat-Sun 7am-5pm PT for claims or benefit questions   When can I change or cancel my plan, including adding or deleting dependents? You may make changes to or cancel your plan during your group’s open enrollm ..read more

The month of February is National Children’s Dental Health month – a month to recognize the importance of oral health for children. Established by the American Dental Association (ADA), this is a great opportunity for parents, teachers and caregivers to promote healthy habits that can help make a difference in children’s lives. For 2022, the campaign will focus on “Sealants Make Sense.” Tooth decay is a common chronic condition among kids in the United States. In fact, 1 in 5 school aged children have at least one untreated decayed tooth. At your next dental visit, you can ask your dental prov ..read more

Did you know that you can request a cost estimate for your next dental procedure before you even sit in the chair? We call this a pre-determination of benefits. A pre-determination of benefits is a great way to see what a procedure may cost and how much your dental plan will cover. You can request a pre-determination of benefits through your dentist at any time. Although it is not required, we actually recommend it for major procedures – just to avoid any potential surprises. Here’s how to request a pre-determination of benefits: 1 – Ask your dentist to submit a pre-determination of benefits f ..read more

With cold and flu season in full force, you’ve probably noticed more coughs and sniffles around you. Unfortunately, having a cold or the flu can also negatively affect your teeth. That’s because dental health and overall health are strongly connected. We want you to get and stay healthy, so, if you happen to get sick, we’ve put together some tips to help protect your mouth.   Pay attention to brushing your teeth. Spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth, twice a day. When you have cough drops in your mouth, the sugar left on your teeth makes more important to brush. Choosing sugar f ..read more

Congratulations, you just hired a new employee, and they are excited about their dental benefits (hey, we are excited for them too). But before they take a seat in the dental chair, they may need to complete the new hire waiting period first.     How Long is a New Hire Waiting Period? A new hire waiting period, is the required period of time that an employee will wait before their enrollment. The length of this waiting period can vary and is decided upon when your company applied for coverage with Dental Select. So, to avoid a lapse of coverage or unexpected expenses, it’s important ..read more

Independence Day is just around the corner, which means summer fun and one of the most patriotic times of the year. But before you fire up the grill and get your sparklers out, check out some fun July 4th facts. Enjoy your festivities this year! 4 Facts for 4th of July ..read more

Now we know that regular dental visits can decrease tooth decay, provide cost savings, help prevent costly procedures, improve your overall health and ensure early detection of oral cancer. But there still may be a time when an expensive procedure or major dental work comes up. So, what happens next?    Before you visit the dentist, we want to help give you peace of mind, knowing that you are financially prepared for your appointments. And if your dentist has informed you that you need a pricey procedure, it may be in your best interest to create a ..read more