I do not really understand how dental discount plans work.  Why would a dentist give you dental discounts off their work?  Are they raising their prices then just saying they are giving you a discount when they are not really?  How do you make sure you are getting discounts that the plan says you should get.    

Answer: General/Family dentist have agree to the fee schedule that is listed under the plan. So it not like on those services they are raising their rate since it is a set cost for the services listed.    for the services not listed they are to give you a 20 percent discount off their own cost so I guess they could raise their cost. However you can also ask for a price list for the cash services so that you know what they charge for thing ahead of time.

Mouthrinse/Mouthwash is an oral rinse that can be used to freshen your breath, as well as help prevent or control tooth decay, reduce plaque, prevent or reduce gingivitis, reduce the formation of tartar, or a combination of these effects.

Dental Benefit Dental Implant is an artificial tooth root that dentists put in the jaw bone. The dentist can put an artificial tooth (or crown) on the implant, or you can use implants to hold bridges or dentures in place.

I am not having any dental pain but I have not been to the dentist in over four years since I got drop from my parents dental insurance policy. I think my teeth are find but my mom has been getting on me about seeing a dentist, saying I could have cavities and not even know it until it is too late. Is that true? Or is there a way for me to know then go to the dentist if needed.

Reply: Cavities are funny they can be there but may not hurt you until they become a larger issues. So yes, your mom is right. Going to the dentist at least once every six months for your dental check up and cleaning is important in order to avoid having larger dental issues latter on. If it is about cost You can get a low cost dental plan like an HMO which in most cases provides free preventive dental care services.

It is important to take care of your dentures and to keep them clean. There are many different types of denture cleansers such a creams, pastes, gels and solutions that are made to clean both full dentures and removable partial dentures. If you are not sure what is best for you talk to your dentist.  By taking good care of your dentures will prolong their life span and save you money on buying new ones too soon. 

Question: I was looking at your California dental and the Primecare dental plans, but do not really know which one I should get.  They both look good but what are the differences?  Why should I get one over the other.  What should I be looking for when buying dental insurance?  

Answer: What many people like about dental HMO plans is that their coverage’s and cost are all laid out for them. You know what you are covered for and how much you are going to have to pay for the dental services listed.  Therefore when comparing dental two HMOs dental plans you want to compare their coverage’s and your cost for the dental services you feel you currently need.   Another factor for you could be their provider list. Compare dentist that are listed in the plans network. Make sure you have a dentist you want to go to under an HMO. I would advise giving the dentist a call before making the final decision on which plan to buy.

Tooth Enamel: The hard calcified tissue covering the dentin of the crown of the tooth. Tooth enamel is one of the four major tissues that make up the tooth in humans.  It makes up the normally visible part of the tooth, covering the crown. The other major tissues are dentin, cementum, and dental pulp. It is a white ‘parasol’ that protects the teeth but can easily decay and be destroyed.

Ibuprofen is a medicine that help to relieves pain. Ibuprofen is sometimes suggested after having dental work such as a root canal or extraction.  You can buy it without getting a prescription from a doctor/dentist. Advil and Motrin are both examples of ibuprofen. 

Question: How do I know if I have an dental abscessed? I been having this pain behind my last tooth on the bottom right side of my mouth.  When I try and look in my mouth it does seem to be redder then normal.  Also I can feel a little bump that was not there before.  I am not sure if it is a wisdom tooth coming out since I never had mine pulled.  Or if it is a dental abscess.  Before I just go to the dentist since I do not have a lot of money I would like to have some idea what it is.  I do not want to go to the dentist over nothing. 

Answer: An abscessed is normally a painful infection at the root of the tooth or sometimes it is in between the gum and the tooth. You can get an abscessed tooth due to untreated tooth decay. However you can also get an abscessed if you have trauma to your tooth, such as braking or chipping your tooth, or if you have gum disease or gingivitis.  If you think you have a abscessed tooth it is very important that you see your dentist right away. The abscessed or an infection may spread from the tooth root to the bone causing a much large oral health issue. If you need dental insurance there are many affordable dental plan available that can address your dental needs.

Gum disease is a disease that may cause gums to be red, swollen and bleed easily. If left untreated, gum disease can get worse and damage the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It is also called gingivitis or periodontal disease, depending on the severity. 

If you buy a dental plan monthly can you cancel at any time.   I only need a dental insurance plan for a short term.  Less then six months.   The reason is that I will not be stating in the US after that time frame.  Can you buy dental insurance for only six months?  Or if I do buy it monthly will they lock me into a year or more contract?   How do you get just a short time dental plan?

Answer: I would first suggest reviewing either a monthly dental HMO insurance plan option or a dental discount plan.  I say this because most PPO or free choice of provider plans will have waiting periods so even if they do cancel your plan at your request you may not have received any benefits do to the waiting periods. 

With that said in most cases HMO and or dental discount plans will let you cancel their monthly plans with a 30 day written request. Otherwise if you are required to keep the plan for a year it will be stated in whitening before buying the plan.  Therefore just read the plan terms and conditions prior to buying a dental plan.

I have two boys under 13 and they both look like they may need braces in the future.  The dental insurance plan we have under my husband dental does not cover much for braces.   Can I get a dental discount plan when needed to get the saving in addition to my current dental insurance plan that only pays out $1500.00 towards the cost of braces 

Reply: It would depend if you are able to find a dentist that takes both types of dental plans and be willing to still offer you the discounts and bill your dental insurance carrier.  I would make sure that you have a dentist that knows that you are wanting to combine a discount plan to your current insurance. Do not forget under dental discount plans you have to choose a dentist that takes the plan for it to be valid.

Dental floss is a thick string used to remove food trapped between your teeth and remove bacteria that cannot be reached by brushing alone. It is usually made from nylon filaments or plastic monofilaments and may be treated with flavoring agents to make flossing more pleasant.