I need to get affordable braces for my 12-year-old

My dentist told me my son should get braces for an overbite. I am in no rush, but I would like to get him the braces he needs. My dental insurance plan does not offer coverage for braces. The dentist told me not to start orthodontic treatment until I have dental insurance. Where can I find dental insurance for kid braces? If I can find something affordable, I can get my son the necessary braces.

Reply: I understand your concern about finding affordable dental insurance that covers braces for your 12-year-old son. Dental insurance plans vary in coverage options, but some low-cost dental insurance options cover orthodontic services, including braces.

You can start by researching dental insurance plans that specifically include orthodontic treatment. You may also want to check with your employer, as some companies offer dental insurance as part of their employee benefits package. Additionally, you can consider dental discount plans, which can provide reduced rates for orthodontic services.

It’s important to note that some dental insurance plans may have waiting periods before orthodontic treatment is covered, so be sure to review the plan details carefully before enrolling. With some research and careful consideration, you should be able to find an affordable dental insurance plan that covers braces for your son.

I am currently residing in Kentucky and will be moving to California shortly. I am searching for a dental insurance plan that requires a low monthly payment. The plan will cover myself and my child. Can you advise whether I should opt for a family plan or a couple plan? Also, can you suggest some affordable dental insurance plans with good coverage and a low monthly premium?

Reply: With most insurance plans, you can buy a couple plan for two people (in your case, you and your child). For a low monthly cost dental insurance plan, I suggest you review dental HMO insurance plans, as they are the more affordable option for dental insurance.

Some of the popular dental insurance plans with low monthly rates we offer are Delta Dental and California Dental. You can compare their plans and choose the best suits your needs and budget. It’s always a good idea to read the terms and conditions carefully before making a final decision.

I do not have dental insurance, and I need two dental crowns. My dentist also told me that I should have a small cavity filled before it became a more significant issue. I just do not have the money needed. My dentist quoted me $1500.00 for two crowns and fillings. Where can I get the necessary dental work for half that cost? Because that is about all the extra money I have right now to spend on my teeth care.

Reply: Here are a few options to think about.

1) You can buy dental insurance before starting any dental work. Dental insurance will help reduce the cost of dental care. Just ensure there are no waiting periods for the services you need. 

2) You can shop out your dentist and see if there are dentists in your area that would be more affordable.

3) You can see about going to a dental school if there are any in your area. Dental schools would be much more affordable, but they may have restrictions, so calling and confirming their process is essential. 

4) Ask your dentist if he offers a payment plan option so you can make payments. Or see if other dentists provide payment plans. 

5) Look into dental discount plans and see if dental providers in your area accept them. You may not save 50% for the services you need, but discount plans are a low-cost option, and they will help reduce your dental costs, hopefully making them more affordable for you.

6) Looking into seeing if you have any dental clinic near you. Dental clinics are typically more affordable and charge based on your ability to pay.

My mom is 74 and has all her teeth. She gets health benefits, but it does not seem like she receives much dental care for her teeth. I do not understand why her dental care is so lacking in her Medicare. Few dental providers take her Medicare, and it covers only the small stuff. She has no significant dental needs, but I do not want her to get any in the future, and I know she has not seen a dentist for at least a year now. What can I do for my mom’s dental care?

Reply: If you feel your mom’s Medicare benefits for dental care may not be sufficient, you can consider purchasing an individual dental insurance plan separately. Buying an individual dental insurance plan will provide her additional coverage for dental services that may not be covered under her Medicare plan. You can research different available dental insurance options and choose a plan that best suits your mom’s dental needs and budget. It is also a good idea to consult with her dentist to see what services and treatments she may need in the future and choose a plan that covers those procedures. Investing in a dental insurance plan ensures that your mom receives the best possible dental care and prevents any future dental problems.  

I have an abscessed tooth that is just killing me. There is no way I can have a root canal because they want $1500.00 plus the crown cost, and there is no possible way I can afford that. I would like to know if I go to the dentist to get the tooth pulled. Will it affect my other teeth all that much? The tooth I want to pull is in the back. 

Reply: It’s essential to seek immediate treatment for an abscessed tooth to prevent further complications and protect your oral health. With that said if you decide to have the tooth pulled, it shouldn’t affect your other teeth significantly, especially if the tooth is located in the back. However, it’s always best to discuss your concerns with your dentist and ask any questions you may have about the procedure. A dentist can also provide you with options for affordable dental care that fit within your budget.

You may want to find a dentist that will provide the correct dental services to save the tooth but offers a payment plan option. Another option would be looking into buying dental insurance. I suggest reviewing HMO insurance plans as they typically do not have waiting periods for the services you will be needing. Dental insurance will help make cost of dental care much more affordable.  

An abscess is a painful infection at the tooth’s root or sometimes between the gum and the tooth. You can get an abscessed tooth due to untreated tooth decay. However, you can also get abscessed if you have trauma to your teeth, such as breaking or chipping your tooth, gum disease, or gingivitis. If you have an abscessed tooth, you must see your dentist immediately. The abscess or infection may spread from the tooth root to the bone, causing a significant oral health issue.

Treatment of an Abscessed Tooth

The treatment for an abscessed tooth depends on the severity of the infection. Your dentist may need to drain the abscess and prescribe antibiotics to eliminate the infection. In severe cases, a root canal may be necessary to remove the infected tissue and save the tooth. Sometimes, the tooth may need to be extracted if it cannot be saved. It’s essential to seek immediate treatment for an abscessed tooth to prevent further complications and protect your oral health.

It may seem hard to believe, but many people do not floss, let alone floss daily. Yet flossing is even more critical than brushing when preventing gum disease, gingivitis, and tooth loss. Flossing your teeth is not so much about removing food bits that are between your gums, though it does do that. Flossing is more about removing dental plaque. Dental plaque is what causes tooth decay, gingivitis, and gum disease. Flossing every day between each tooth is an effective way to remove plaque and provide good oral health. 

Here are some tips to help you floss effectively:

1. Use about 18 inches of floss, winding most of it around your middle fingers and holding the rest between your thumbs and index fingers.

2. Gently insert the floss between your teeth, using a back-and-forth motion.

3. Curve the floss into a C-shape around the base of each tooth and gently slide it beneath the gumline.

4. Use a clean section of floss for each tooth, and be sure to use a fresh section for the upper and lower teeth.

5. Remember to floss behind your back teeth.

6. Be gentle and take your time to avoid injuring your gums.

By following these tips, you can help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

I need to have a few teeth pulled, and I don’t know if I should have a partial or single-tooth implant. Will dental insurance help me save money on these types of services? 

Reply: The procedure will be less invasive if you only need a single tooth replacement. For one, you will only need one fixture, so there will be less stress on the jawbone and you. Here is the procedure. A hole is drilled for implant insertion. A titanium screw-type device is placed in the above-mentioned hole. The jawbone will heal and adhere to the implant during the healing time. A device called an abutment is attached to the implant. A crown is placed on top of the abutment. 

Several dental insurance policies offer discounts for dental implant procedures to help you reduce your costs. Before you purchase a dental plan, you will want to ensure it will provide coverage for the dental services you like. Call the company and verify. Then, call the dental office and confirm they offer implant services. Sometimes, you need to see a dental specialist; many plans have restrictions, waiting periods, and limitations.

My son is ten, and I have to get him dental insurance. I can not add him to my current plan offer through my job since I live in a different state, even though I am only a twenty-minute drive from him. I have been fighting to no avail with my current dental plan, but since he has not lived with me for more than half the year, they will not add him.

Where can I get dental insurance just for my son? Can I buy a dental insurance plan with only my son as the plan member? Or do I need to add my X to the plan?

Reply: Understandably, you want to get dental insurance for your son, and, unfortunately, you can’t add him to your current plan. However, there are options available for you to explore.

Whether or not you need to add an adult to the plan depends on the dental insurance company and the specific plan you are looking at. Some companies offer plans allowing you to buy coverage only for your son, while others may require you to add an adult. It’s important to note that some plans may not state the option to buy only for your son when reviewing the information online or in brochures. Therefore, it’s always best to call the member services for the plan you are interested in to verify the details.

When you call the member services, you can ask about the different plan options available and if any allow you to buy only for your son. You can also inquire about the coverage provided by each plan, including deductibles, co-insurance, and any exclusions or limitations.

It’s important to carefully review the coverage options available and choose a plan that meets your son’s dental needs and fits your budget. Additionally, you may want to consider if the plan has a network of dental providers in your area, as this can affect the cost and convenience of care.

I hope this helps you in your search for dental insurance for your son. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to ask.

I am getting tired of looking for dental insurance. The dental insurance I will get through my job will not start for another seven months. In the meantime, my wife wants me to find a family dental insurance plan just in case something happens. Truthfully, I would rather wait until my open enrollment. I am tired of her nagging me about it, so I tried to find something online that can work, but it all just goes over my head since it is not something I am into. Please advise me on a good short-term plan since I can get dental through work.

Reply: I completely understand the frustration of looking for dental insurance, but it’s great that you’re taking the initiative to find a plan that works for you and your family. 

An HMO dental insurance plan may be a good option based on your situation, as it typically doesn’t have waiting periods. This means you can start using your benefits right away. Another benefit of an HMO dental insurance plan is that it is generally low-cost, making it more affordable for families. 

An HMO dental plan can range from $20 – $45 a month for a family of three or more, significantly lower than other dental insurance plans. Additionally, most HMO dental plans are monthly, though you may have to commit to a year term, so make sure you read the plan terms and conditions to verify. 

I hope this information has helped you. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to call our office at 310-534-3444 between 8 and 4 M-F. We are happy to help you choose a plan that best fits your needs.

Here are some good pros and cons of using Water Flossers instead of flossing.

Pros: Water Flossers are effective; they can be faster to use the flossing. Water Flossers usually come with multiple wands and colors so different family members can have their own, just like a toothbrush. Great for braces. Flossing with braces can be difficult. Orthodontic dentists often suggest Water Flossers. Adjustable water pressure: You can get cordless Water Flossers. Water Flossers suit people who may not floss well or have gum issues. Anything that will make you take care of your teeth and gums better is helpful.

Cons: Cost can be a factor since they can run as high as $50 – $60. Depending on how well you care for them, they break down, some not even lasting a year. It takes work always to see what you are doing, which can cause you to make a mess. Looking in the mirror can also be difficult as the spray tends to go where you are looking. They can be too noisy. Water Flossers take up too much counter space, which is terrible if you have a small bathroom. If you are not careful, you spend more time cleaning the sink and countertops from water mess. If you are not careful, they may, over time, loosen bridge and crown work. Overuse, like anything, can cause more harm than good, so make sure you use it as directed. If you are trying to determine what is best for oral health care, talk to your dentist and see what they suggest. Having sound advice from your dentist is worth taking in and thinking about as a deciding factor.

Tooth decay destroys a tooth’s outer surface from acid-forming bacteria produced by food containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches).

Tooth Decay Prevention: Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Preferably, brush after each meal and before bedtime to help prevent bacteria from staying on your teeth for a certain length.

Consider these helpful tips: Floss your teeth daily to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Check with your dentist about using supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth and helps prevent tooth decay. Consider dental sealants; sealants are placed on the top of the molars to protect the teeth from decay. Use mouthwashes with fluoride. Many kill 50% or more of the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Chewing gum with the ingredient Xylitol © may also kill some of the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Dental health care is critical, and there are many ways to ensure you do all you can for your oral health care. There are many ways to ensure you are doing all you can for oral health care: simple things like brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, using tarter control, and gum care mouthwash. The primary dental care you do for yourself is low-cost and takes very little time each day.

The next step is to see a dentist at least twice a year for check-ups and cleanings. Cost can be a factor, but it does not have to be. One way to control dental costs is through a low-cost dental insurance plan. Many dental insurance plans offer free to low-cost preventive dental care. The money you spend on dental insurance is well worth it. And by seeing your dentist regularly, you will avoid any major dental issues. However, dental insurance will also help control your dental costs if you need more extensive dental services. Be thoughtful about your oral health and think ahead. Good dental care now makes for good dental care in the future.