Friday, February 27, 2015

Freshen Up Your Breath!



Let’s face it; no one wants to be around someone with bad breath! Yet, according to the American Dental Association, 50 to 65 percent of people suffer from halitosis. Of course, having good oral hygiene habits is the best way to keep your mouth clean and your breath fresh, but when we’re eating, drinking and talking during the day we might need a little refresher.

Here are our tips to keeping your breath fresh throughout the day:

·      Brush twice a day – Basic dental hygiene is the best way to keep your mouth clean and fresh!
·      Floss every day – Don’t overlook flossing, letting old food stay stuck between your teeth is a sure way to become a victim of bad breath.
·      Scrape your tongue – Scraping, or at least brushing, your tongue is a must when it comes to making sure your breath stays fresh. 
·      Use mouthwash – Mouthwash is another great way to combat bad breath; we recommend one with fluoride and a minty flavor.
·      Avoid pungent foods – We all know there are some foods and drinks you just have to avoid when you want to keep your breath fresh, i.e. garlic, onions, even coffee!

·      Drink lots of water – Not only does water keep you healthy, it keeps your breath nice by rinsing your mouth and promoting saliva production, which fights against plaque.
·      Try sugarless gum or mints – Sugarless gum is a great, temporary way to prevent bad breath, without consuming sugar, which can decay your teeth.
·      Snack on fruits or yogurt – Yogurt restores good bacteria in the mouth, freshening your breath and eliminating bad-smelling bacteria. Fruits like apples and pears also promote saliva production, freshening breath. Oranges and other fruits with Vitamin C are also good for freshening your breath and can prevent gum disease. 

The best thing you can do to keep your breath fresh and smelling great is take care of your teeth and your body as a whole. Make sure you are cleaning your teeth thoroughly and following oral health recommendations from your dentist. If bad breath persists, you may have or a more serious health issue that needs to be addressed. In that case, call a physician and get a more thorough health exam.

Remember, when you take good care of your teeth and gums it helps prevent more than bad breath!



Friday, February 13, 2015

CareCredit – Another Way to Get the Care You Need at Artistic Dental


CareCredit – Another Way to Get the Care You Need at Artistic Dental



At Artistic Dental we want you to be able to receive the care you need, when you need it. Dental issues can arise, and if they’re not treated they can become a more serious and costly problem. To help alleviate the stress of paying for dental treatments, we offer a variety options for you to cover the costs of care; one of these options is CareCredit. If you do not have dental insurance or a treatment you need or want is not covered under your plan it does not mean you must forgo treatment.

CareCredit is a credit card that allows you finance your health and wellness expenses for you and your family. Once you’re approved for CareCredit you can use it for any treatment you need and then pay off the expense with convenient monthly payments or all at one time when you are able. CareCredit is unique in that it offers short term financing to fit your healthcare needs without charging interest like you would incur with a traditional credit card, as long as you make your minimum monthly payments and pay off the bill by the end of the pre-determined  period.

Even those with insurance may find CareCredit beneficial. It can offer relief to those burdened with unexpected healthcare expenses not covered by insurance. It allows patients to take advantage of the latest in cosmetic treatments that insurance providers typically don’t cover. Care Credit can be used for major dental procedures like veneers, Invisalign, root canals, ceramic crowns, bite plates, braces, dentures or tooth repair, or for standard, preventative dental care. Using CareCredit for dental care you need, will help prevent more costly, invasive treatments later on. You can also use CareCredit for your preventative care like six-month check-ups, teeth cleaning, sealants, fluoride treatment, and periodontal disease prevention.  

While it’s easy to miss appointments or put off dental work because of cost, cutting corners by skipping care can end up costing more than just money. Poor daily care and skipping regular check-ups can and will lead to dental problems and dental problems that are untreated will not only lead to pain and long-term oral health problems like gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth decay, it can lead to more serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer. Ask about CareCredit or other  payment options in order to maintain proper care and treatments before more serious issues arise.