Tag: Christmas

A Gift You Can Give All Year Long

Holday SmileFor most of us, gift-giving is just a holiday thing. Every year, we spend the time between Thanksgiving and December 25 looking for the perfect gift for those who are most special to us. But did you know there’s a very simple gift you can give your loved ones, and even strangers, any time you want? It’s your smile!

Believe it or not, smiling can have a remarkable impact on you and those around you.  According to scientific studies, it can improve one’s mood and even relieve stress.

Here’s how it works. When you smile, particular muscles in your face are stimulated. These muscles will, in turn, stimulate the part of the brain responsible for creating warm and pleasant feelings. Meanwhile, for those around you, a smile is simply hard to resist. Smiling at someone who’s having a hard day may inspire them to smile back, triggering those same pleasant feelings in them. That’s how smiling can easily become a gift you give someone else.

So, is the busy holiday season starting to wear you down? Practice your smiling. You may find that you start feeling better in no time. And why not make a New Year’s resolution to smile more throughout 2014. Just like regular brushing and flossing and twice-yearly checkups, committing to smiling throughout the year will help you enjoy better overall wellbeing and confidence.

Use Your Current Dental Benefits Before the Year Ends

general dentistryWith November underway, there are less than two months until the start of 2013. Before you know it, Thanksgiving will be here, and then Christmas and New Year’s. With everything that’s coming, the last thing on the minds of most people is dental insurance. But keeping dental insurance in mind is important. Here are a few reasons why:

Yearly Maximum

Every year, insurance companies help patients by paying for a certain amount of important dental work. But this amount doesn’t rollover at the end of the year. Instead, it’s renewed. That means if you don’t use what you have now, you’ll lose it when 2013 comes.

Deductible

With a new year comes a new deductible. Often, this amount is around $50, and it must be paid before insurance companies will start covering care. Have you paid your deductible for 2012? Make the most of your insurance by reserving an appointment with your dentist today.

Insurance Fees

A new year might also bring difference premiums or co-pays. Because you don’t know what these will be for 2013 yet, it’s a good idea to see your dentist this year. That will allow you to pay this year’s fees instead.

Emergencies

Sometimes there’s nothing you can do to avoid a dental emergency. Other times, though, a regular checkup and cleaning can actually prevent an emergency from happening. Avoid a dental emergency this holiday season by using your benefits to see your dentist now, rather than later.

The New Year is on its way, but there’s still plenty of time to take advantage of your current dental insurance benefits. Call your local dentist today to schedule a visit.