Having Good Oral Care for Babies May Prevent Future Cavities. 

Parents have another excellent reason to pay attention to their baby oral health care. Even for babies not yet cutting their teeth, it is crucial to maintain oral health care. A recent study by the University of Illinois confirms the presence of bacteria associated with early childhood caries in infant saliva.

Periodontal Gum Disease, Tooth Loss and a Possible Cancer Risk. 

Several prospective studies suggest that gum disease and tooth loss may increase the risk of various cancers. The study adjusted for known risk factors such as smoking and dietary factors. The finding of the study shows that periodontal disease was associated with a small but statistically significant increase in overall cancer risk, which persisted among non-smokers

Diabetes Patients and Oral Health Closely Linked to Cancer Risk and Heart Disease. 

In a report on Oral health awareness in adults with diabetes, researchers state that several people that have diabetes are not aware that their oral health is closely connected to their risk of developing other complications. The study says that inflammation from gums that are swollen can increase the severity of diabetes, increase deaths from oral cancer as well as pre-malignancies, and make the cardiovascular disease worse.

Find an Inexpensive Dental Insurance plan. 

It is possible to find an inexpensive dental insurance plan. There are many good low-cost dental insurance plans and dental plan options. It only takes patience and knowing what types of plans you want. When wanting a low-cost dental insurance plan, search for dental HMO plans in your state. Another good low-cost dental plan option is a dental discount plan. Dental discount plans are not insurance, but for a low monthly cost, they can help to reduce your dental care needs by up to 50 percent or more.

Knowing your Individual Dental Insurance Options. 

There are several dental insurance options to choose from when you shop for individual dental plans. HMO network dental insurance plans, PPO dental plans, Free choice of provider plans, and Dental Discount plans. Each plan type can fit different dental needs depending on what kind of coverage you want and what you can afford to spend on a plan. You can review dental HMO plans or Dental Discount plans for lower-cost dental plan options. These programs have fewer limitations and lower monthly costs but require that you stay within the plan network of the dentist. If you want dental insurance plans to stay with a dental office or give you a free choice to choose your dentist, then you will want to review dental PPO plans or Indemnity plans which are your free choice of provider plans. These plans are more open to providers; they have more limitations that should be reviewed carefully.

Does anyone have the Aetna Access dental discount plan?

I have been reviewing Aetna Access dental discount plan. I understand it is a discount plan, so you are getting the discounts from the dentist who takes the program.? Is it an alternative to having dental insurance? How well does it work? I want to avoid waiting periods, so I noted that this plan says it starts the next business day. Is that correct? 

Reply: Regarding the Aetna dental discount plan called Denta Choice Plus, it does start the next business day from signing up. It has no waiting periods, and you can get discounted saving for all dental work done by their providers. The main thing to make sure of before buying this or any other dental plan is to ensure the dentist listed in the network is still accepting the program. 

I need dental insurance to help me get replacement teeth.

Question: I require dental insurance to get new dentures for my top and bottom. My old dentures are just too old and are breaking apart. I have had them now for over ten years. I do not have dental insurance since I have no teeth, but now that I need replacement dentures, what can you advise me to get?

Reply: You would want to look into dental HMO insurance plans since they usually do not have waiting periods. One thing to check is that many dental HMO insurance plans may require proof that you have had the current dentures for five or more years before covering the cost of new dentures. Therefore, read each plan’s terms and conditions carefully to verify the available benefits you need. Another option to save money on new dentures would be a dental discount plan. Discount plans are not insurance but would help to reduce your dental care cost at plan providers. 

Question: I have no money and my teeth hurt. Where can I go to make a dentist fix my teeth for free?

Reply: You stated you have no money. Is it that you have no money to spend at a dental office? Cause dental care services can be costly, especially if you do not have current dental insurance. If you can afford to pay around $10.00 – $20.00 a month for a low-cost dental HMO insurance plan, it would make your dental care cost much lower and more affordable. 

If you can’t afford that, then look into any dental schools that may be near you. Dental schools are only sometimes free, but you can get low-cost dental care services provided at one. Some dentists offer free dental care services throughout the year at special events. To find out if you have any of these dental care events near you, visit the ADA (American Dental Association) website or your state dental association website, such as California Dental Association. These types of websites will typically post any free dental care location sites. 

We offer serval dental insurance plans for individuals, couples, and families. What is affordable depends on each person’s needs and requirements in a dental insurance plan. Dental HMO insurance plans are the more affordable option based on the monthly cost. However, some individuals want a plan that lets them choose their dentist or the freedom to pick a dentist without network provider restrictions. In those cases, they may want to review dental PPO insurance plans even though they may be more costly than HMOs. We off both types of dental insurance plans in most states. We can help you choose the best plan for your budget and dental care needs. Call our office at 310-534-3444

I do not have any real issues with my teeth and just saw the dentist about two months ago. However, I had to pay for everything since I did not have dental insurance. I am looking for a cheap low-cost dental plan for an individual.

Reply: Review dental HMO insurance plans as a low-cost insurance option. HMO plans run around $10.00 – $20.00 a month for an individual, and they generally come with two free cleanings a year and free office visits and essential X-rays.

While your fingernails may look clean, they can harbor dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. Nail-biting and infection can go hand-in-hand because you transmit these bacteria from the fingers to the mouth and gut, where they can cause severe gastrointestinal disorders.

Habitual nail biters can also develop paronychia, a nasty infection of the fingertips that leads to redness, swelling, and pus and requires surgically draining from the nail bed.

In addition: According to the American Dental Association, nail biting can chip or crack teeth. They can also increase the risk of root resorption and tooth loss for people who have braces.

Also, nail biters are more likely to develop bruxism, the unintentional act of grinding the teeth, which can cause headaches, facial pain, recessed gums, tooth sensitivity, and even tooth loss.

Question: I burned the roof of my mouth terribly. I have a big blister on the top of my mouth and am in great pain. What can I do to stop the pain?   

Reply: For quick relief, suck on something cold like ice cubes. Food like yogurt, milk, or honey can help by coating the burned area. You should also rinse your mouth with warm salt water, as salt is an antiseptic that will help clean and disinfect the area. It will take some time for your burn not to hurt, but on the brighter side, your mouth does heal fast. 

Question: What is the difference between porcelain fused to metal and all metal crowns?

All Metal Crowns: Metal crowns have the advantage of being strong since they are made from stainless steel or various metal alloys. However, they can’t be matched to the color of your teeth. Metal crowns are generally not used as often as they once were due to the way they look. 

Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns: A common alternative to all-metal crowns is crowns made by fusing porcelain to metal. With porcelain fused to metal crowns, they have the advantage of having the strength of metal, but with the porcelain overlay, it can be color-matched to your teeth. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are a good choice for someone who wants a color-matched crown but still can withstand significant biting or chewing force.