Everyone loves a big, bright, white smile. And everyone can have a brilliant smile, thanks to the many whitening products and treatments that are on the market today. But what’s better: your typical over-the-counter whitening strips, or the professional whitening treatment that your dentist offers? We break down the pros and cons of each of these popular options below so that you can make the right choice for your teeth.

Millennials are now the largest generation, so you’d think that there would be a lot of dental patients to take care of. But experts are finding that the opposite is true.

Are you a millennial who has been putting off seeing your dentist? Well, you certainly aren’t alone.

Keep reading to learn more about millennials and dental care, including why they need it and how they can take the first steps towards a cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful smile.

Do you like to chew gum just about every day? Before you grab that next piece, keep reading for a few sticky truths about chewing gum and whether or not it is actually a good thing for your pearly whites.

When confronted with the option of getting a dental implant, you might wonder if it’s worth going through with this procedure. After all, getting an implant will take time, and it could be expensive if you don’t have the right insurance plan in place.

To help you make the right choice, we’ve compiled some information on the benefits, as well as the risks, that are associated with dental implants.

So your dentist has uttered that terrible phrase that you never want to hear: “You need a root canal.” And if this is your first root canal ever, you probably have a ton of questions running through your mind, combined with a lot of fear regarding the pain that you might have to endure. Well, we’re here to put your mind at ease.

Below are a few of the things that you should know prior to getting your first root canal. Hopefully, this information will help you prepare for this common dental procedure so it won’t be so scary after all.

Few things are more embarrassing than having bad breath. But combating those offensive odors in your mouth can be more of a challenge than you first anticipate. So how can you be sure your breath will always smell fresh and clean, and won’t cause people to take a step back when they’re talking to you? Check out the easy bad breath fighting tips below to get started.

Oral hygiene doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple steps that can be taken on a daily basis can help you maintain fresh breath, while also reducing your odds of developing cavities and gum disease.

Want to be absolutely sure that you’re covering all of your bases when it comes to your dental care routine? We’ve outlined the basics below to make taking care of your mouth a breeze.

Walk down the aisle of your local supermarket or drugstore and you’ll find an array of toothpaste options. Not only are there so many brands to choose from, but each brand also has several formulations to meet your dental health needs. There’s whitening toothpaste, fluoride and non-fluoride products, and toothpaste for sensitive teeth and gums, as a few examples.

But which toothpaste should you be using? After all, having so many choices can make things even more confusing, so we’ve compiled some information below to help you make the right decision.

After your dentist applies a filling to one of your teeth in order to restore its strength and preserve the tooth, you might think that the work is over. But the truth is that the filling won’t last indefinitely. Eventually, the fillings in your teeth will need to be replaced. The question that most patients ask is: when is the right time to replace dental fillings?

Rinsing with some minty mouthwash can be a refreshing way to conclude your daily oral hygiene routine at home.

But is mouthwash really necessary? Is it doing anything to promote the health of your teeth and gums?

Ahh! Nothing beats a warm cup of coffee. It’s energizing and likely an integral part of your routine to get ready for the day. You might even reach for a second cup when you’re feeling that afternoon slump. But how is all of that coffee affecting your dental health, and what can you do to reduce its negative effects on your pearly whites?

The thing about dental insurance plans is that you have to actually use the benefits they provide within the year; otherwise, you’ll lose those benefits that you paid for every month. No one likes to see their money wasted, so this year, plan to make the most of your dental plan by setting aside time to see your dentist.

It’s a new year, which means it’s the perfect time to make resolutions that will help you enhance your well-being. By applying the following easy tips to your everyday life, you can put yourself on the right track towards boosting your vitality, as well as the health of your entire mouth.

Did you know that flossing does about 40% of the work to remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth?*

Every time you visit the dentist's office, one of the first questions you’re asked is, “how often do you floss?” Either you're someone who flosses all the time and has an honest answer, or you're someone who responds with the generic, “at least a few times a week,” when in actuality you don’t really know how often you floss. If that’s you, it’s ok to admit; no one will shame you for it. Whether you do floss regularly or not, take note: flossing is an essential part of your routine although it might not provide instant gratification.

A smile is one of the first things people notice about a person. If you help take care of your teeth and gums, they will help take care of you. Here are a few things you can do to keep your mouth in tip-top shape!

The real and nasty truth about the tiny bristled item that lives in your bathroom.

What’s Inside Your Mouth?

Bacteria. Lots of it. At any given time, there could be up to 200 species of oral bacteria living in your mouth. In an article by the Huffington Post, Ann Wei, DDS, a prosthodontist based in San Francisco states, "In an unbrushed mouth, there can be as many germs as a dirty bathroom floor." * As dirty as the bathroom floor? If knowing that makes you nauseous, just wait till this fact pops in your head as you lean in for your next kiss. Yikes!

How long do you think it takes to form a habit? Well, on average, it takes more than two months before a new behavior becomes automatic — 66 days to be exact. Whether these tasks are already a frequent occurrence, or you need to start putting an emphasis on change, they’ll help your smile and health stand the test of time.

This article is taking it back to the basics. Keeping a consistent oral routine can help prevent future complications and will contribute to maintaining your overall health. You read that correctly; your overall health is connected to your oral care - which confirms why the below is so important.

The Spirit Indemnity Dental Insurance plan helps individuals and families cover the costs of dental care

Covered dental services include exams, cleanings, fillings and extractions, as well as crowns, root canals, bridges and dentures.

The policy pays for covered dental expenses based upon a percentage of the reasonable and customary (R&C) fees for those covered expenses after the deductible has been satisfied. 

The percentages are: 

• 100% for Preventive Services, 70% for Basic and 10% for Major Services in the 1st year.
• In the 2nd year of coverage, Basic Services increase to 80% and 50% for Major. 
• In the 3rd year, Basic Services increase to 90%

Highlights of the plan include: 

• The right to choose your own dentist.
• Calendar Year Maximums - $1,000, $2,000 or $3,000 per insured
• Two dental exams and three cleanings are included per calendar year
• One series of bitewing x-rays per year
• Space maintainers
• Sealants (children to age 16)
• One topical fluoride treatment per year to age 16

Major services include:

• Simple extractions
• Implants (endosteal only), up to the allowance for the lowest cost covered traditional procedure
• One diagnostic x-ray, full or panoramic in any 3 year period
• Oral surgery
• Endodontic treatment
• Periodontic services
• Restoration services; inlays, onlays and crowns
• Prosthetic services; bridges and dentures
• Basic fillings