Last week, we welcomed more than 150 guests to an Open House event at our new headquarters in Sandy, Utah. This exciting move supports the direction by Dental Select to transform and simplify the dental experience for it’s members and clients.
Read our press release on Business Wire.
Still using paper forms? Let us help you reduce your paperwork and simplify your benefit management process with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
EDI is a secure digital exchange of employee benefit information. Basically, it provides means to accurately and easily communicate data from our system to yours. And if that’s not convincing enough, here are our top 5 reasons why we think you should take advantage of this feature:
Ready to get started? EDI is simple set up. To take advantage of this feature, contact your Account Representative for details.
We’ve grown a lot since our start in 1989. And we’ve outgrown our offices. Now the time has come that our work space grows too.
Dental Select’s mission is to make dental simple. And with our move to a new location we have completely revamped how our teams work together. We have incorporated more collaborative workspaces, created an inspiring atmosphere, and literally lowered the walls to allow for better team communication. All with the purpose of building better and simplified solutions for our members and clients.
Dental Select
75 W Towne Ridge Parkway
Tower 2, Suite 500
Sandy, Utah 84070
Items sent to our P.O. Box addresses will not be affected.
This move is very exciting, please bear with us as we take a couple of days to move our things into our new home.
Thursday, May 31st: Closing at 3:00 pm (last day at current location)
Friday, June 1st: Closed for setup
Monday, June 4th: Resume normal business hours (new location)
Thank you for your patience during this exciting time; this is just the beginning of greater things to come. Update your contacts with our address and follow us on social media for future updates.
We know by now that consuming too many sugary sodas, candy, fruit drinks and non-nutritious snacks can increase risk of tooth decay. But a common misconception is that going on a “diet” will fix this problem. We hear the word “diet” and think healthy, but this isn’t always the case. On the contrary, there are also down-sides to restrictive, extreme diets as they interfere with vitamin absorption and can weaken your teeth.
So, what’s a concerned patient to do? Read on to see how your diet is affecting your teeth and why a well-balanced diet will better support healthy teeth and gums.
As many people are already aware, having a poor diet can increase risk of gum disease. This is because too many carbohydrates and excessive sugar will increase production of plaque that will break down tooth enamel. Basically, when bacteria come into contact with sugar in the mouth, acid is produced that attacks the teeth. This will eventually lead to tooth decay and cavities. Yes, tooth decay is very common, but it is also very preventable. Click here to learn more about tooth decay and how to brush properly.
Watching your nutrition and consuming a well-balanced diet helps to make sure your body, and teeth, maintain health and wellness. We recommend choosing a variety of nutritious foods like raw vegetables, yogurt, fruit, cheese, complete protein sources and whole grains. Another helpful tip is to read food labels. Check for foods that are high in added sugars and try to only eat these in moderation.
Now let’s talk about diets. Low carb, no carb, low fat, whatever it may be, many Americans are turning to diets, thinking that this is a healthier option for their bodies. But have you thought how prolonged, extreme diets are really effecting your teeth? Think about it, if your eating habits continually lack certain nutrients, it actually becomes increasingly difficult for your mouth to resist infection. This can contribute to gum disease, tooth loss and possibly cause the disease to progress more rapidly.
Other problems become more apparent on certain diets. For example, on a low fat diet, you can start disrupting the absorption of Vitamin A, D, E and K. This will also impair the absorption of calcium, which can weaken your teeth and bones. Also, when on an extreme low carb diet, your breath can start to smell like acetone, which is a sign that your body is using fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. Learn more about beating bad breath here.
And lastly, on a low calorie diet, your body becomes deprived of minerals and vitamins. Missing out on these necessary nutrients can soften your enamel, weaken your jaw bone and make your gums more vulnerable to gum disease.
Bottom line is, before you start a new diet, it’s important to take into consideration how it will affect your oral health. It may not seem like it now, but depriving your body of needed nutrients can be detrimental to your future health. Instead, a balanced diet, rich in nutrients is always recommended to ensure proper health and overall wellness.
If you need more information, a good place to start is by scheduling a visit with your dentist. And if you haven’t signed up for a Dental Select plan yet, take a look at our current offerings here.
We know you are already enjoying your dental benefits, but are you taking advantage of your vision discounts too? With every Dental Select Dental Plan, you will receive the EyeMed Discount Vision Plan automatically – and for no cost.
That’s easy. First, look up a participating EyeMed vision provider here. Then at your appointment, let your provider’s office know that you are enrolled on the EyeMed Discount plan and they will verify your benefits for you. Once your appointment is finished, you’ll receive instant discounts off your services. That’s it. No claims to file, just instant discounts.
The Discount Vision plan is not an insured plan, but rather a program that provides discounts when you use participating providers. And finding a vision provider, won’t be an issue. With access to more than 22,000 locations nationwide, the EyeMed Vision Network will surely have you covered.
This includes major optical networks like:
With no waiting periods, vision discounts are available the day you enroll on your dental plan. EyeMed Discount Vision also includes unlimited usage, meaning you can go as often as you’d like. And with brand name frames included in your benefits, you know you are getting top quality products. Did we mention there are also discounts on laser correction surgery and convenient features like ordering contacts online? These are just a few more reasons why you should jump at this opportunity to take care of your vision needs.
Want to learn more about the discounts available to you? Check out the plan summary here.
Despite advanced research and advancements in the dental industry, oral health issues remain one of the most significant challenges faced by seniors today. An estimated 70% of seniors (ages 65 and older) experience gum disease, while only 47% of all adults have gum disease. Seniors also have higher tooth decay rates when comparing to children. Tooth decay and gum disease are the most frequent causes of tooth loss. Although the rate of tooth loss is actually declining, about a quarter of America’s seniors are missing all of their natural teeth.
Oral cancers (mouth, throat and tongue) are primarily diagnosed in the elderly. The American Cancer Society reports about 31,000 cases a year, 7,400 of these cases resulting in death. The average age for these cancers is 62 years old.
Senior dental health can be complicated, as older adults may suffer from several issues at once. Some of the most common problems that seniors experience from poor dental health include: darkened teeth from thinning tooth enamel, dry mouth (medication and disease side effect), diminished sense of taste, root decay from exposure to acids, gum disease, tooth loss, denture-induced stomatitis and thrush.[1]
Several reasons can contribute to inadequate dental care in older Americans. Often, seniors have more difficulty accessing care to prevent and control diseases than do younger adults or children. Many senior Americans do not have dental insurance and lack of dental insurance coverage affects treatment choices and the ability to seek clinical care. Consequently, senior Americans with the poorest oral health are those without insurance benefits. Taking medications, wearing dentures and other general health conditions are a few other factors that seniors face.[2]
Some of the most common problems from poor dental health include: darkened teeth, dry mouth, diminished sense of taste, root decay, gum disease, tooth loss, stomatitis and thrush.”
With proper care and regular check-ups, your teeth can last a lifetime. No matter your age, it is never too late to start caring for your oral health. Many seniors are at risk for a number of health problems; however, tooth loss is not necessarily an inevitable consequence of aging, but is actually the result of preventable oral disease. Learn how proper oral health is vital to living a healthy life.
Dental Select offers senior plans that are tailored to fit your dental needs. To learn more, click here.
[1] Friedman, Michael: “Dental Care for Seniors.” WebMD. May 22, 2014. <www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-care-seniors?page=3#1>
[2] “Oral Health for Older Americans.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 10, 2013. <www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/factsheet s/adult_oral_health/adult_older.htm>
As we grow into senior years, dental well-being is often an overlooked component of general health. In truth, dental health is linked and fundamental to the rest of your body’s functions. Mouth complications can cause immediate problems like oral pain, trouble speaking, and difficulty eating and swallowing. Additionally, research has shown a strong association between poor dental health and other serious conditions, including: heart disease, diabetes, mouth cancer, pneumonia and stroke. [1] Understanding the connection between dental hygiene and overall health is the first step to protecting yourself from conditions and diseases.
Research has shown a strong association between poor dental health and other serious conditions, including: heart disease, diabetes, mouth cancer, pneumonia and stroke.
Senior Health Tips
Practicing good dental hygiene habits, you can stay healthy, happy and improve your quality of life. Here are some tips that you can start doing right away.
Dry Mouth Tips
Many seniors take prescriptions and over the counter drugs, several of which can cause dry mouth, also known as xerostomia. Dry mouth can have a negative impact on oral health due to the reduction of saliva flow. Saliva contains essential antimicrobial components that help rebuild tooth enamel. Saliva can also prevent infections by controlling bacteria in the mouth. With many seniors experiencing frequent dry mouth, they are placed at a higher risk of oral disease and infections, including: gingivitis, tooth decay and thrush.
If you are experiencing dry mouth, learn what you can do to help stay more comfortable and minimize your risk of oral complications.
Dental Select offers senior plans that are tailored to fit your dental needs. To learn more, click here.
[1] “Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body.” American Dental Association. April 2006. <http://jada.ada.org>
Dentures are removable appliances that are used to replace missing teeth (also known as “false teeth”). Dentures are custom made to fit each individual’s mouth and look as life-like as possible. There are two types of dentures: full or partial. Your dentist will help you decide which kind and if dentures are right for you.
As you explore the decision to replace missing teeth, dentures can provide many benefits. They will act as placeholders to reduce pressure on any other teeth, reduce the chance of jaw problems (TMJ), help to chew, assist with speech, prevent change in your bite and will help you keep your smile.
Although dentures can be a great tool to those who need them, they can be difficult to become acclimated to and challenging to maintain. Many dentists will advocate that dentures should be a last resort because they simply do not function as well as natural teeth. For this reason, it will take time to adjust. Certain foods, like lettuce, may become difficult and time consuming to eat. It is not uncommon to re-train yourself to chew. Dentures are not permanently attached. Although adhesives can work to a degree, they can still get dislodged easily as they plainly sit on top of the gums. Dentures can also alter speech, come loose when talking, or create unwanted clicking and whistling sounds.
Many dentists will advocate that dentures should be a last resort…they simply do not function as well as natural teeth.
The process to get dentures will take a few weeks and several appointments. Caring for dentures is important because they are relatively easy to break and can be expensive to replace. Dentures will need to be taken out at least once every 24 hours and cleaned. Food gets easily stuck on the adhesive and in turn, can create unpleasant odors.
It is important to understand that dentures may cause complications in the mouth. If they are not looked after properly, they can cause harm to teeth or gums, including sores on or around the mouth. As a result to not having teeth, jawbone resorption, where the bone naturally begins to shrink, can occur. In regards to esthetics, they can cause wrinkles around and above the mouth and lips over time.
Contrary to what many may believe, it is still recommended that patients see their dentist regularly (at least once a year) after having all or some of their teeth removed. Over time, dentures will need to be relined, remade or rebased due to normal wear.[1]
At your appointment, your dentist will also have the opportunity to:
Dentures can be life-enhancing for those who need them, but if you have a choice, there may be better alternatives. Consult your dentist for advice and be prepared to talk about your options.
Dental Select offers senior plans that are tailored to fit your dental needs. To learn more, click here.
[1] “Full Dentures, Partial Dentures, Denture Care – Learn More.” Colgate. May 2015. <http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles>