Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Holidays!



Wishing you and yours all the joy of the Holiday Season!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 Herald Square Dental 
& The Denture Center Team

Friday, December 13, 2013

Use 'Em or Lose 'Em: Top 5 Reasons to Take Advantage of Your Dental Insurance Benefits Now!

Greetings from Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia and Dr. Song!


Ever feel like you funnel money into a dental insurance plan that you'll never see again? Don't let your dental policy become a black hole! Take advantage of all the benefits they offer – benefits you're already paying for. Need a little motivation? Here are 5 very good reasons to use your benefits to the fullest!
  1. Yearly Maximums. Dental insurance plans put a maximum on the amount of money they're willing to pay for your dental care. Maximums vary from one company or policy to the next, but typically fall between  $1000- $1500. Sounds like a lot of money, doesn't it? Insurance companies consider this amount to be a good investment. Allowing you to get regular dental care, your carrier can prevent the need for more serious (and more expensive) dental procedures down the road. Why not do you both a favor and use it, ensuring your mouth is in tip-top shape when next year rolls around?
  2. Premiums. You're probably paying a monthly premium to keep your insurance. Even if you don't need extensive treatment, you should use that money for regular check ups and cleanings to prevent costly procedures in the future. Don't throw your money away!
  3. Deductibles. Insurance companies typically expect you to pay a certain amount of money for your dental care each year. If your smile isn't in good shape, our office can create a treatment plan to put you back on track. Deductibles begin anew each year, so spreading out this care over more than 1 year will mean you have to pay more out-of-pocket.
  4. Inflation. It seems everything becomes more expensive from one year to the next, and dental materials and equipment are no exception. Putting off necessary dental care could mean that you'll have to pay more down the road.
  5. Dental Problems Escalate. If your pearly whites are anything but, they're only going to get worse. That is, of course, unless you take advantage of your insurance benefits and tend to your teeth and gums. A little cavity that isn't bothering you one year may become a major  toothache (or a headache!) the next.
If you haven't yet taken advantage of your dental insurance benefits for this year and would like to schedule an exam to verify everything is ok with your dental health, call our office at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today. We'll help you find which treatments are and  which ones are not covered by your policy!

Best Regards,

Herald Square Dental and Staff

P.S. If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our services, please don't hesitate to have them call us. We'll be sure to take good care of them.

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References:www.idanewsletters.com

Friday, December 6, 2013

A Holiday Survival Guide for Your Smile

Greetings from Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia and Dr. Song!

The holidays are upon us, and it is the season for a bit of togetherness (and a lot of indulgence). We don't all celebrate the same holidays or adhere to the same belief systems, but there is one thing that seems to unite us all: comfort food.

Cold weather and sweets go hand-in-hand. What's a good snowball fight without a warm cup of cocoa to come home to? Even in warmer climates, it's difficult to dissuade dreams of sugar plums after a good night of classic movies with your family. So, while this "soul food" may be good for your spirits, take a moment to think about what it's doing to your teeth.

How Could Something So Good Be So Bad?
Sugar can wreck havoc on your pearly whites. It's a complicated process, but here's the scoop. Bacteria in your mouth use your sweets as energy, growing and multiplying faster than they would otherwise. Some bond with the sugar to form a sticky glue called plaque. Plaque, in turn, produces acid. The acid dissolves the minerals that make your tooth enamel hard, and the surface becomes porous. The acid causes these tiny holes in the enamel to become bigger until one large hole appears. This is a cavity.

Does This Mean No More?
While ideally we would never expose our teeth to sugar or anything else that promotes tooth decay, that's just not realistic. All we can do is try to minimize the damage. Don't let your holiday routine interrupt your dental care regimen. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste (unless you're a young tyke), and floss at least once.

If you decide to indulge in more sweets than usual, it's a good idea to brush more often. If you don't have your toothbrush on hand, rinse your mouth out with warm water. Certain sugar-free gums can help as well. Choose those with Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can help prevent tooth decay. And finally, try to mix up your snacks. If you're eating a sugary treat, try to also eat a bit of cheese (or a similar protein) as well.

Nothing warms a chilly night like a big smile, so be sure to protect yours! Please do not hesitate to call us at (212)689-0024 if you have questions regarding proper dental care, or would like to schedule a check-up or cleaning. As always, your continued good health is our top priority.

If you have questions regarding dental health, please call our office at (212)689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today.

Wishing you a very  happy holiday season,

Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center

P.S. If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our services, please don't hesitate to have them call us. We'll be sure to take good care of them.
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References: www.idanewsletters.com