Time comes and goes before another year over give some time to reflex on your goals. Many people during a new year want to lose weight or get in better shape. Eat better or take better care of their health. Many more people are trying to start up a new budget in order to save money in the coming year. All of these are good goals to have. However, also give a thought to your dental and oral health care. Like did you know, that eating right is not only good for your body but good for your teeth as well.

Share on Facebook

The British Dental Health Foundation is looking to educate the public on good oral health after scientists discovered severe gum disease could be linked to an increased risk of head and neck cancer cases caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The study1 found patients with HPV-positive tumours had significantly higher bone loss, a key factor in the development of severe gum disease, compared with patients with HPV-negative tumours.

Share on Facebook

When you are choosing a new dentist it is a good idea to have some basic criteria that are important to you. Below is to help get you started

Share on Facebook

You might be new to your dental insurance plan and want to select an in-network dentist of the plan, or maybe you have been enrolled for some time but you have decided that it is time to change dentists. For many people, choosing a new dentist comes down to simply polling friends and neighbors for a recommendation.

Share on Facebook

According to two separate studies done by Pia Gabre and her colleagues at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, only one in ten brush their teeth in a way that effectively prevents tooth decay. They studied the tooth brushing habits of 2013 Swedes aged 15-16, 31-35, 60-65 and 76-80 – how often and for how long, how often fluoride toothpaste is used, how much toothpaste is put on the toothbrush and how much water is used during and after the tooth brushing. The results show that only ten percent of the population use toothpaste in the most effective way. According to Pia Gabre, most of the interviewed subjects learned to brush their teeth as children, by their parents, even if they have been informed about more effective techniques later in life, they continue to brush their teeth like they always have.

Share on Facebook

Before having orthodontic care check your dental insurance plan to under stand your coverage’s. Many dental insurance plans are limited in the coverage provided for orthodontic services. Such as some dental insurance plan may only cover minors up to age 19, where others plans may limitations the amount they cover up too or the type of braces that are covered. Understanding your plans benefits for orthodontic care will prevent any unexpected surprises later.

Share on Facebook

Children dental care is important so you want to avoid over doing certain foods that are more likely to cause tooth decay. Sweets such as fruit juice, soda, candy and even foods such as peanut butter and jelly. Too much starchy food is not good either which would include bread, crackers, pretzels, and pasta like your mac and cheese.  Both sweets and starches can contribute to cavities. Also avoid sticky food such as dried fruit or food that tends to stick to their teeth.

Share on Facebook

If a child has dark stains on their baby teeth, it may be due to the iron in the multivitamins. Though rare for a child that is susceptible to this type of stain, the parents need to be vigilant about brushing regularly and thoroughly in order to stay on top of it. Once these types of stains have taken root, they’re very difficult to get off, even with a professional scrubbing from a dentist. However, this type of stain will not affect the health of the child’s teeth though they will not look good. It still advise though to see a dentist to confirm the reason for any tooth discolorations and to receive a treatment plan if needed.

Share on Facebook

Regardless of what type of dental insurance plan you have or choose to by it will have their limitations and exclusions that you should read and fully understand. Dental plans are designed to help with part of your dental expenses and may not always cover every dental need.

Share on Facebook

If a child’s teeth looks yellow or orange, The odds are they are not being cleaned thoroughly and have plaque build-up that is stained with food debris. If this is the case usually the stains can be removed by brushing the child teeth with a little bit of adult toothpaste or baking soda and water. Even though stains do not necessarily indicate tooth decay, plaque build-up on teeth can cause gum disease. Therefore seeing a dentist for a proper check up and cleaning would be advised.

Share on Facebook

It is important to understand that regardless of your dental insurance plan it is up to you to know your coverage’s and what is and what is not covered. Many people just assume that the dentist is only providing dental services based on what their plan offers. This is not always true. In fact many dentist do not even know what their patients have for dental insurance. The dentist job is not to worry about your insurance but to provide the best dental care to patients.

Share on Facebook

Although tooth loss has decreased over the last four decades, US adults with diabetes lose twice as many teeth as adults without diabetes, according to a new study by researchers at Duke University. Moreover, the researchers found that black Americans with diabetes are at greater risk of experiencing tooth loss as they age than white or Mexican Americans with diabetes.

Share on Facebook

It is a good idea to get a pre-treatment estimate from the insurance company, if your dental care will be extensive. You may want to ask your dentist to complete and submit a request for a cost estimate, sometimes called a pre-treatment estimate. This will allow you to know in advance what procedures are covered, the amount the benefit plan will pay toward treatment and your financial responsibility. However it is important to note that a pre-treatment estimate is not a guarantee of payment. When the services are complete and a claim is received for payment, the insurance company will calculate payment based on your current eligibility, amount remaining in your annual maximum and any deductible requirements.

Share on Facebook