5 Reasons to use Your Dental Insurance Before the End of the Year

Did you know that you could actually save hundreds of dollars by using your dental benefits before the end of the year? While some dental insurance plans run on a fiscal year, most run on a calendar year. If your dental insurance plan is on a calendar year, these 5 reasons will show you why you should make a dental appointment now.


1. Yearly Maximum

The yearly maximum is the most money that the dental insurance plan will pay for your dental work within one full year. This amount varies by insurance company, but the average is around $1,000 per year, per person. The yearly maximum usually renews every year (on January 1 if your plan is on a calendar year). If you have unused benefits, these will not rollover.

2. Deductible


The deductible is the amount of money that you must pay to your dentist out of pocket before your insurance company will pay for any services. This fee varies from one plan to another and could be higher if you choose an out-of-network dentist. However, the average deductible for a dental insurance plan is usually around $50 per year. Your deductible also starts again when your plan rolls over.

3. Premiums

If you are paying your dental insurance premiums every month, you should be using your benefits. Even if you don’t need any dental treatment, you should always have your regular dental cleanings to help prevent and detect any early signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer and other dental problems.

4. Fee Increases

Another reason to use your benefits before the end of the year are possible fee increases. Some dentists raise their rates at the beginning of the year due to the increased cost of living, materials and equipment. A fee increase can also make your copay higher.

5. Dental Problems Can Worsen

By delaying dental treatment, you are risking more extensive and expensive treatment down the road. What may be a simple cavity now, could turn into a root canal later. Call our office today 425-709-7171 and schedule an appointment to use those benefits.

Avoid Cavities from Holiday Candy

With the holidays coming up and all the tempting holiday candy, you may be worried about the health of your teeth and possibly getting cavities. It's not only kids who love to snack on holiday candy, as plenty of adults do it as well. It seems to all start on Halloween with all the trick-or-treat candy and go straight into Christmas with the candy canes. If you want to avoid cavities this holiday season but still enjoy your holiday candy, here are some tips to remember.

It may sound silly, but brushing your teeth right after eating holiday candy or cookies is the best way to avoid cavities. This may involve bringing a toothbrush with you to a holiday party, but it is surely the best way to prevent cavities. The longer you wait to brush your teeth after consuming the sugar in candy, the more damage that the sugar is doing to your teeth. When you are able to brush them right after eating the candy or cookies, you can get rid of the sugar and not have it eating away at your teeth all day or night. Store a toothbrush at your desk at work, in your purse, or even in your car if you have to.

Use a mouthwash to wash away the sugar from the holiday candy as well. If you can't brush your teeth, then the next best thing is fluoride mouthwashes that can help get rid of the sugar. You can easily store a small travel size bottle with you when you go to parties, work, or other places.

Avoid Cavities from Holiday Candy

With the holidays coming up and all the tempting holiday candy, you may be worried about the health of your teeth and possibly getting cavities. It's not only kids who love to snack on holiday candy, as plenty of adults do it as well. It seems to all start on Halloween with all the trick-or-treat candy and go straight into Christmas with the candy canes. If you want to avoid cavities this holiday season but still enjoy your holiday candy, here are some tips to remember.

It may sound silly, but brushing your teeth right after eating holiday candy or cookies is the best way to avoid cavities. This may involve bringing a toothbrush with you to a holiday party, but it is surely the best way to prevent cavities. The longer you wait to brush your teeth after consuming the sugar in candy, the more damage that the sugar is doing to your teeth. When you are able to brush them right after eating the candy or cookies, you can get rid of the sugar and not have it eating away at your teeth all day or night. Store a toothbrush at your desk at work, in your purse, or even in your car if you have to.

Use a mouthwash to wash away the sugar from the holiday candy as well. If you can't brush your teeth, then the next best thing is fluoride mouthwashes that can help get rid of the sugar. You can easily store a small travel size bottle with you when you go to parties, work, or other places.

We now offer UA Performance Mouthwear!

Brought to you by the brand that makes you better, the ArmourBite® Mouthguard is your new game-time essential. When you compete, your natural response is to clench your jaw and grit your teeth. But all that gnashing triggers the release of cortisol—a performance-sapping hormone that causes excess fatigue, stress, and loss of concentration. Not the best formula for success. But you can get your head (and jaw) back in the game with the ArmourBite® Mouthguard. It not only protects you from earth-shaking hits, it also reduces those nasty clenching side effects by pivoting your jaw to the optimal positioning with its patented ArmourBite® Power Wedges™. The result is a marked increase in strength, endurance, and reaction time. So unlock your power and unleash a better athlete with this game-changing mouthguard from Under Armour®.

Performance DNA:

Built for full-contact sports like Football, Hockey, Lacrosse, Rugby & Boxing.

Comfortable form-fitting EVA around double-shot ArmourBite® Power Wedges™.

Reduces the effects of cortisol - a performance-sapping hormone that's released when under stress.

Reduces G-force impact to the jaw by 20%.

Improves strength, endurance, and reaction time.

Cushions and protects teeth.
Patented ArchFit System delivers optimal fit and comfort.

Patented retention polymer shrinks for secure, locked-in fit.

Patented anti-microbulent secretes to help prevent the growth of germs.
Scientifically proven in independent, peer-reviewed studies.

Medium fits most youth athletes.

Spirit Day

Third Annual Football Spirit Day, September 14, 2011. We are sports fanatics here at Bellevue Dental Care and this is our way of welcoming the football season and the coming of school and fall. Patients enjoy our spirit supporting favorite teams. Lots of fun for everyone.

Mardi Gras

Happy Mardi Gras from the staff at Bellevue Dental Care!