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In a word, yes. Flossing is very important. What is the first thing we hear when we visit our dentist and/or dental hygienist? “Have you been flossing?” If flossing is part of your daily dental hygiene routine, that’s great. If not, here are some strong reasons why you should include flossing your teeth in your daily routine.

Flossing is Important to Prevent:

1. Plaque: Brushing and rinsing are great for cleaning the outer surfaces of teeth. Flossing provides inter-dental cleaning that helps dislodge plaque and food deposits that become trapped between teeth and fillings causing decay and halitosis. According to the American Dental Association (ADA) this is where most cavities form.

2. Halitosis: Dental plaque results from hardened debris that forms on teeth when that debris is still soft. It creates bad breath, or halitosis, which is not only unpleasant but may be a harbinger of tooth decay. Flossing will help prevent this condition.

3. Tartar Build Up: Dental plaque can combine with saliva and calcify into tartar. If the soft plaque is not removed by flossing and tartar forms, it can cause gum disease. Flossing delays the formation of tartar. Only routine professional dental cleanings will remove dental tartar.

We hope these facts about why flossing is important prove helpful to you. Remember, professional dental care should never be avoided. Key Dental Plan offers an affordable option that will enable you to get the dental care you and your family need. Contact one of our knowledgeable customer care representatives at (800) 539-4550 or join online now. This is not insurance.

Systemic good health begins in our mouths, and the well-being of their patients is the strongest reason dentists advise sound dental hygiene practices in tandem with scheduled professional visits. Since childhood, we’ve been taught to brush our teeth after every meal; but should we really? According to the American Dental Association (ADA) it’s actually best to brush in the morning after we wake and again at night before bedtime.

Most would assume that brushing several times a day would stop any chances of developing gum disease or inflammation issues that contribute to poor health. However, that would be overdoing it. The ADA explains that brushing a maximum of twice a day (no more; no less) is necessary to allow a substance called biofilm to be formed then removed. What is this substance and why must it be removed?

Biofilm develops when a specific sequence of bacteria begins to stack on top of one another in our mouths. Different bacteria always form in the same order and the first two strains to stack cannot cause periodontitus. These early bacteria are considered beneficial however they also serve as a base layer for later bacteria formation. It is these later bacterial colonizers that cause gingivitis and periodontal disease.

When the first layers of biofilm are not brushed away completely and the successive layers are allowed to form, within a few weeks they take over and gum disease is likely to develop. The goal is to allow the early bacterial stacks to form and to minimize the formation of the later colonizing, harmful bacteria. Therefore brushing in moderation is the best way to prevent gum disease.

This way, biofilm production is made to start over and over so that just the beneficial bacteria are present. Perform the ritual of brushing twice daily and the later colonizing bacteria are unable to take hold.

To Summarize:

• Biofilm forms on teeth and initially presents a barrier to disease-causing bacteria.
• Over time, if not removed by brushing, harmful bacteria attach themselves to the degrading biofilm.
• If you brush too often, you will not allow the biofilm to form, and if you don’t brush enough, you would be allowing harmful bacteria to form in your mouth.
• Bacteria can take hold in the mouth as gum disease and create inflammatory issues in the body that contribute to a greater risk for systemic diseases.
• According to the ADA, brushing twice daily will reduce your risk!

Brush Twice Daily and See Your Dentist Twice a Year

Happily, sound dental hygiene habits at home coupled with routine visits to your dentist are all most of us need to achieve and to maintain sound dental health. Need affordable dental care? With the Key Discount Dental Plan, regular dental care is affordable. For more info, contact one of our knowledgeable customer care representatives at (800) 539-4550 or join online now. This is not insurance.

If you used Key Dental’s convenient “Find a Dentist” tool right on our site and have scheduled an appointment with a new dentist or specialist, you may want to ask a few key questions during your first visit. Rest assured, the question as to whether your new practitioner is highly qualified is a resounding YES, as Key Dental pre-screens all of its providers. So what’s left to ask your dentist? Read on…

Ask Your Dentist the Following:

1. How do you communicate with patients? You’ll want your new dentist to be available whenever you have a special concern, so make sure their preferred method of communication is also yours. For example, do they answer questions via phone or email? Do they return inquiries in a timely fashion? Find out.
2. Do you have after-hours urgent care? This is important if you have a raging toothache or dental emergency, such as a knocked out tooth. Also, find out who the covering dentist will be when your regular practitioner isn’t available.
3. How do you accept fees and payment? Ask your dentist when charges and payments will be made, what fees apply to you and how you can get the most value for your money (i.e., the best treatment options). Fortunately, with Key Dental Plan, patients can save 20%-60% right off the bat!

Check out the dentist’s website prior to your visit and take notice of the new office once you arrive. You should feel it’s clean, hygienic, safe and of course, welcoming. Bring along your old dental records or ask the new office to help access them so they have a clear picture of your dental history.

If you any have questions about Key Discount Dental Plan’s participants, please contact our knowledgeable staff today at (800) 539-4550. If you want to get started, simply join online now. This is not insurance.

Believe it or not, affordable dental plans are right within your reach! Spending less for dental services does not mean accepting cut-rate care. In fact, it’s top quality with Key’s affordable dental plans, delivering significant dental health savings on nearly every dental procedure, including specialist services from Oral Surgeons, Orthodontists, Periodontists, Pedodontists, Endodontists, or Prosthodontists.

Orthodontic procedures such as braces and retainers for children and adults are charged at a 20% reduction of that participating specialist’s regular fees for that particular case. Members benefit from savings of 20% to 60% for dental maintenance and corrective procedures, including routine exams, unlimited cleanings, root canal and crowns.

Key Dental Plan is a “reduced-fee-for-service” program where members will pay a specified, pre-negotiated fee for the dental services received. With Key’s Discount Dental Plans for singles, couples and families, oral care services cost less than most dentists’ standard fees. Plus, there are there no inconveniences or random restrictions.

For more info on affordable dental plans for absolutely everyone, contact one of our knowledgeable customer care representatives at (800) 539-4550 or join online now. This is not insurance.

Tooth enamel is the tough outer shell that protects the surface of each tooth. Acidic drinks, such as wine, fruit drinks, coffee and soda, can erode and stain the enamel on your teeth, so to preserve its integrity, it’s important to try to limit these beverages or drink them through a straw, avoiding direct contact with the teeth.

If you’re worried about tooth enamel loss, take this quick quiz:

• Do you have more sensitivity to hot, cold and sweet foods and drinks?
• Have you noticed increased chips and cracks in your teeth, or have they become more jagged or rough?
• Are your teeth getting noticeably more yellow? Yellowing teeth result from the dentin showing through from behind worn tooth enamel.
• Are there an increasing amount of indentations on the surface of your teeth?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above, it’s time to visit your dentist. In the meantime, you can take a few proactive measures to help preserve precious tooth enamel. Be sure to brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and floss daily, but wait 30 minutes after eating food or drinking anything acidic, as enamel is temporarily softened during this time. Drinking more water also helps to increase saliva output, which can help protect enamel.

If enamel is already damaged or unsightly, inquire about procedures to restore enamel appearance, such as bonding and crowns when you visit your dentist. These procedures can make dramatic improvements.

Key Discount Dental Plan enables you to see regular dentists and dental specialists to help preserve the enamel on your teeth. Contact one of our knowledgeable customer care representatives at (800) 539-4550 or join online now. This is not insurance.

Untreated tartar and plaque can create a domino effect of dental health problems, such as periodontal disease and tooth loss. Unsightly plaque is bacteria that adheres to the surface of the teeth, and while brushing or flossing can get help remove it, without regular cleanings it can develop into tartar. Hardened tartar must be scaled off by a dentist or dental hygienist.

If left to fester, inflammation of the gums, or gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease, can develop. With gingivitis, gums become red, swollen, can bleed easily and advance to periodontitis. This can cause gum recession, which may result in tooth sensitivity when eating cold or hot foods. With periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that can become infected and the bones, gums, and tissue that support the teeth are gradually destroyed. Eventually, the teeth may eventually become loose and have to be removed.

At this critical point, patients must prevent further damage and dental problems with gum grafting procedures, such as connective-tissue grafts, free gingival grafts or pedicle grafts. Your dentist will help determine which treatment is best. By taking gum tissue from one area of the mouth and placing it in another, gum grafting can help prevent the damaging effects of gum recession and loss of teeth caused by periodontitis. Receding gums may also start to look unattractive so many individuals choose to have gum grafts to also improve their smiles.

You can help avoid this unpleasant domino effect by receiving regular dental care. Treatment from a specialist, such as a periodontist who performs gum grafting, is accessible and affordable with the Key Discount Dental Plan. Start saving your teeth today! Contact one of our knowledgeable customer care representatives at (800) 539-4550 or join online now. This is not insurance.

Quality dental care shouldn’t depend upon whether or not your employer or organization provides insurance. Fortunately, Key Discount Dental Plan provides large and small families with access to a broad selection of regular dentists and dental specialists, offering quality services at significant savings.

How Key Discount Dental Plan Benefit Families:

• No Restrictions. Believe it or not, there are no annual limits on visits, screening processes or forms with Key Discount Dental Plan. Absolutely everyone who applies is accepted, both families large and small!
• Skip the Waiting. With Key Dental Plans, you can see a dental professional right away – even on the same day you apply online, which is especially helpful when you or your child is experiencing mouth pain.
• You’ll Love Your Dentist. Your current practitioner may even participate, which is important for kids who are comfortable with their existing dentist. If not, you’ll find a dentist or specialist you love among thousands of pre-qualified professionals.
• See Dental Specialists. If you or a loved one needs orthodontic treatment or a special procedure such as dental implants, Key Dental Plan has variety of pre-screened and qualified specialists from which to choose.
• Affordable. Receive top-notch care and 20%-60% savings on nearly all dental procedures, including routine exams, unlimited cleanings, root canal and crowns and 20% savings on orthodontic procedures, such as braces and retainers for children and

Whether you’re a single parent or part of a large or small family, you can receive regular and specialized dental care regardless of employment, marital status or previous conditions with a reasonably priced Key Discount Dental Plan.

Moderate to severe pain in the mouth, cheek, face, jaw, face or neck can be debilitating and bring your day to a screeching halt. Depending on severity, pain may indicate a more serious dental problem. If you’ve experienced any of the below symptoms, you may require immediate dental care and attention. See a dentist right away to help save a tooth or prevent a larger issue from surfacing!

• Sharp Pain after Biting Down: There’s probably nothing worse than feeling a rush of pain after taking a bite of delicious food. Tooth decay, a cracked tooth or a loose filling may be the culprit. Time is of the essence if your tooth needs saving; make an appointment to see a dentist.
• Ache and Pressure in Sinus: Sinus discomfort and actually stem from the upper back teeth. Clenching or teeth grinding can worsen dull, persistent pain, and a dentist or specialist may help to treat the cause.
• Swollen Gums: Puffy, irritated gums can make even smiling painful. A tooth may have an infection or abscess that has spread from the pulp into the surrounding periodontal tissues. This requires an immediate visit to the dentist or endodontist for a possible root canal.
• Temperature Sensitivity: If hot or cold tooth and gum sensitivity lasts for more than a few moments and is persistent, it may be due to an exposed root surface due to gum recession, a small area of decay in a tooth, or a loose filling.

Until you can see a dentist, keep any sensitive area clean from plaque and debris by gently brushing the area. If pain persists, rinse with warm salt water and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, until you can make an appointment.

Don’t ignore unpleasant symptoms from the neck up! Fortunately, both regular and emergency dental care is affordable and accessible with the Key Discount Dental Plan. For more info, contact one of our knowledgeable customer care representatives at (800) 539-4550 or join online now. This is not insurance.

A healthy diet not only keeps you feeling good on the inside and looking great on the outside, it can help strengthen teeth and gums, whiten teeth, help build enamel, and kill tooth-decay causing bacteria in your mouth.

These “power foods” can help strengthen teeth and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile:

Grapefruit: The natural acids and astringent properties in grapefruit can help boost gum health, aid in wound healing, and decrease gum bleeding. Rich in vitamin C, grapefruit can help preserve the collagen in your gums from breaking down around the teeth.

Celery and Carrots: Crunchy veggies help slough off plaque and kill bacteria that cause bad breath. They “scrub” teeth clean by increasing saliva production, which serves as the mouth’s self-cleaning agent.

Strawberries, Apples, Oranges and Pineapples: Sweet and tart fruits cause the mouth to produce more saliva, which washes teeth clean naturally. All of these fruit contain bacteria-busting vitamin C. Strawberries also contain malic acid, which acts as a natural astringent to help remove surface stains.

Yogurt, Milk and Cheese: Dairy products contain lactic acid, which can help protect teeth against decay. Rich in calcium, they also help to strengthen enamel and the bone around the teeth. By forming a temporary coating, calcium also deflects natural mouth acids and helps prevent decay.

Check with your dentist to find out about even more natural foods that will enhance your oral care regimen. Of course, regular checkups and cleanings will keep your smile healthy and strengthen teeth for a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime.

With Key Discount Dental Plan, regular, dental care is affordably within reach. For more info, contact one of our knowledgeable customer care representatives at (800) 539-4550 or join online now. This is not insurance.

Stained, discolored teeth can worsen with age. To brighten your smile and help rid grey and yellow stains on a tooth’s surface, perhaps you’ve turned to whitening toothpastes, mouthwashes, over-the-counter whitening kits and do-it-yourself strips. But did you know that you can help improve stains with food and drink that naturally whitens teeth?

1). Brush or Rinse with Water: Brushing after eating or drinking is the simplest way to prevent the accumulation of stains, but sometimes circumstance can prevent you from doing so. A quick solution is to rinse or brush with water, especially after eating items such as dark berries or drinking beverages like coffee or red wine.

2). Baking Soda: Slightly gritty baking soda naturally whitens teeth. Some toothpastes even have it right in the formula, but they’re not as concentrated. When your smile starts to lose its sparkle, brush your teeth with baking soda straight from the box or sprinkle a little right on top of your toothpaste.

3). Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar naturally whitens teeth when used consistently after several weeks. First, brush with apple cider vinegar. Then brush regularly and rinse well to protect enamel from the vinegar’s natural acids.

4). Citrus Fruit Peels: Lemon and or orange peels also contain natural acids to help lift stubborn coffee and nicotine stains. Rub the peels gently on stained teeth, and then brush and rinse very well after — too much of a good thing can damage enamel. Citrus fruit also helps promote fresher breath!

These natural stain removers also help increase saliva production. Saliva serves as the mouth’s self-cleaning agent and will help restore the sparkle in your smile.

As always, an ounce of prevention also goes a long way. To preserve your bright smile, try to use a straw when you drink coffee or red wine, avoid tobacco products, and be sure to brush twice per day and floss daily. Regular cleanings will also keep your smile bright! With Key Discount Dental Plan, it’s more affordable to keep regular appointments. For more info, contact one of our knowledgeable customer care representatives at (800) 539-4550 or join online now. This is not insurance.