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My dental hygienist once told me to get 3 cleanings a year. I told her my insurance covered 2. She told me that it was like chemotherapy- you should do what's m

My dental hygienist once told me to get 3 cleanings a year. I told her my insurance covered 2. She told me that it was like chemotherapy- you should do what's medically necessary whether or not your insurance covers it.

Spooky23 9y ago
That's probably good advice. The extra $80 for a cleaning is cheaper than many of the dental procedures that many folks will need.
- extra88 9y ago
  I find it hard to believe that a two month difference between cleanings (4 months vs. 6 months) is going to prevent any more serious dental procedure.
  - Spooky23 9y ago
    It all depends on you. If you develop plaque more quickly, you want to go more to prevent gum disease. Gum disease never goes away and always requires more intervention and more $$$. The recommendation that you go twice a year literally originates from a toothpaste ad in the 1950s. It was an arbritary number intended to encourage you to get preventative care, aided by their toothpaste. (In those days dentists were mostly tooth pullers)
  - dghughes 9y ago
    I have GERD but before diagnosis the acid from coughing was terrible on my teeth. My dentist with many years experience diagnosed it. I went to the doctor who confirmed it was GERD. I lost my job but when I was working the insurance paid for two cleaning per year. I chose to keep the insurance but it's a lesser plan that only covers one cleaning every nine months. Twice per year was good for me since I got lazy about three or four months after visiting the dentist. I needed the twice yearly pep talk. And I should also say that 75% of people who are diagnosed with IPF a fatal lung disease have GERD. My father has IPF and GERD I have GERD but I hope I don't develop IPF. My grandfather died of emphysema at 52 I really hope there's no connection! So yeah a dentist could point you in a direction that may help you more than you realize.
- passivepinetree 9y ago
  Or you could spend a fraction of that on decent floss, toothpaste, and a toothbrush. If you have decent home care, you really don't need to be getting cleanings three times a year.
robbies 9y ago
Incidentally, people undergoing cancer treatment tend to go into debt and file for bankruptcy at a significantly higher rate than the genpop http://www.newsweek.com/many-cancer-patients-must-face-bankrupty-or-die-489596 http://www.newsweek.com/many-cancer-patients-must-face-bankr...
1123581321 9y ago
If your dental office is recommending 3-4 cleanings a year and you have dental insurance that covers two, there is a good chance that they may cover more. My Delta Dental (a popular dental plan in the US) lets you add a free* rider via the website to cover four cleanings a year. It has a menu of medical reasons for the extra coverage from which you choose one. I'm told diabetes and maternity are the most common reasons people access the additional cleanings. * I realize this is priced into the default premiums.

Spooky23 9y ago

That's probably good advice. The extra $80 for a cleaning is cheaper than many of the dental procedures that many folks will need.

extra88 9y ago
I find it hard to believe that a two month difference between cleanings (4 months vs. 6 months) is going to prevent any more serious dental procedure.
- Spooky23 9y ago
  It all depends on you. If you develop plaque more quickly, you want to go more to prevent gum disease. Gum disease never goes away and always requires more intervention and more $$$. The recommendation that you go twice a year literally originates from a toothpaste ad in the 1950s. It was an arbritary number intended to encourage you to get preventative care, aided by their toothpaste. (In those days dentists were mostly tooth pullers)
- dghughes 9y ago
  I have GERD but before diagnosis the acid from coughing was terrible on my teeth. My dentist with many years experience diagnosed it. I went to the doctor who confirmed it was GERD. I lost my job but when I was working the insurance paid for two cleaning per year. I chose to keep the insurance but it's a lesser plan that only covers one cleaning every nine months. Twice per year was good for me since I got lazy about three or four months after visiting the dentist. I needed the twice yearly pep talk. And I should also say that 75% of people who are diagnosed with IPF a fatal lung disease have GERD. My father has IPF and GERD I have GERD but I hope I don't develop IPF. My grandfather died of emphysema at 52 I really hope there's no connection! So yeah a dentist could point you in a direction that may help you more than you realize.
passivepinetree 9y ago
Or you could spend a fraction of that on decent floss, toothpaste, and a toothbrush. If you have decent home care, you really don't need to be getting cleanings three times a year.

robbies 9y ago

Incidentally, people undergoing cancer treatment tend to go into debt and file for bankruptcy at a significantly higher rate than the genpop http://www.newsweek.com/many-cancer-patients-must-face-bankrupty-or-die-489596 http://www.newsweek.com/many-cancer-patients-must-face-bankr...

1123581321 9y ago

If your dental office is recommending 3-4 cleanings a year and you have dental insurance that covers two, there is a good chance that they may cover more. My Delta Dental (a popular dental plan in the US) lets you add a free* rider via the website to cover four cleanings a year. It has a menu of medical reasons for the extra coverage from which you choose one. I'm told diabetes and maternity are the most common reasons people access the additional cleanings. * I realize this is priced into the default premiums.