If your are only brushing your teeth you are only doing half the job needed to maintain health dental care habits at home. Cleaning between your teeth every day can have a crucial impact on your oral health, that is why it is important to make sure to floss daily. if you have a tough time reaching certain parts of your mouth to floss, ask your dentist about interdental brushes, floss aides, or water or air flossing devices

Flossing your teeth should be a fundamental part of your at home dental habit. Flossing is important part of keeping your teeth and gums clean. However many people fail to floss and and bushing your teeth alone is only to half the job that needed for good dental healthcare.

Dental Erosion is When: The tooth enamel is worn away by exposure to acid, when that happens it leaves the sensitive dentine area of the tooth exposed.

Dental erosion of the enamel can result in pain, particularly when consuming hot or cold food. The enamel on the tooth becomes softer and loses mineral content when we eat or drink anything acidic.

However, this acidity is canceled out by our saliva, which slowly restores the natural balance within the mouth. But if the mouth is not given enough time to repair itself (because these acid attacks are happening too often) the surface of the teeth is worn away

Question: I do not want to get dental that has me waiting six months to a year for dental services. I also do not really want an dental discount plan because I am looking for something more then that. Cost is not too much of an issue but what can I get that has the coverage’s effective right away ?

Reply: Depending on the state you live in we offer both dental HMO’s insurance plans that do not have waiting periods as well as some PPO’s plans that do not have waiting periods. PPO’s with no waiting periods are more costly then your HMO dental insurance plans. Not know your budget, I would say review our insurance plan option we have available but entering in you zip code in the quote box provide. Then please call our office at 310-534-3444 if you have any questions about our dental insurance plans as we be happy to help.

What is the difference between Delta dental DD54 and DD55?

Question: I am on your website reviewing the different dental plans. I like to get an HMO due to cost factors and I notice you have Delta Dental which I know I like Delta Dental since I had them in the past many years ago. Can you explain to me the difference between the DD54 and the DD55 plans. They both look good and there is not much difference in prices.

Reply: Both the DD54 and DD55 are Delta dental HMO plans that are available in California. There is not much difference between the two. What you would want to compare, is the cost of the plans which is a minor difference and the fee schedule for dental care services listed.

You well note that the DD55 fee schedule is a little higher in your cost for dental services render then the DD54. So even though the DD54 HMO insurance plan may cost a little more it offer slightly better cover cost to you for dental services render.

Also there may be different dentist that take each plan so dental offices may be a buying factor for you as well, as you need to choose a plan provider

Sensitive teeth, what is the best toothpaste to use ?

Question: My teeth have always been really sensitive to hot and cold. My dentist says my teeth are fine that he could put on dental sealants if it really bothers me but that costly since my plan will only cover sealants for children baby teeth. I see different sensitive toothpaste that says for sensitive teeth but want works the best? Or are they all the same?

Reply: It comes to really a matter of trying out different ones until you find one that works well for you. I would not say they are all the same or that one better then the next. Just make sure you do buy a toothpaste that says for sensitive teeth

Question: I have a dental HMO plan though my job that I thought would be very helpful to me since I have not been to a dentist in a while. However, it seems whenever I go to the dental office I am being told I need dental services that are not covered under my plan.

Which I would think things like crowns and cleanings would be covered they show on my plan that they are. I call the insurance company and they stated can not confirm plan benefits without knowing the ADA codes. Where do I get ADA codes so I can check with the company that what the dental office is telling me is true.?

Reply: You would have to call the dental office as aske for all the ADA codes for the services they provided and or quoted to you so you can compare them with your plan benefits. Although you current HMO plan may cover for crowns there are many different types of crows and they many not provide benefits for all of them. That is why knowing the ADA codes for the services render is important in making sure you are having dental care services that are actually covered by your plan.

Dentist typically do not care what type of insurance you have and how it may or may not benefit you. They are out to fix your teeth. Sometimes suggesting higher cost crowns or crowns that are not offered under your insurance plan.

This is not done to charge you more, it is what they feel is best needed. It is up to you to make sure that they are providing or quoting you services that are provided under your plan and if not they provide you with a good enough reason as to why so you can make the best choices for you and what fits your budget

Broken Tooth and Gum Issues

Question: Over a year ago I broke one of my molars in the middle top right side of my mouth. It never really hurt or anything so since I did not have dental insurance and I was not working I never did anything about it. Now, however that tooth is really starting to hurt me and the gum line around the tooth is red and sore too. I now have a job but I still do not have much money. Will getting dental insurance really be worth the cost?

Reply: I would suggest looking into buying a Dental HMO insurance plan as they are low in cost and will help you save money on your dental care needs. Also most dental HMO plans do not have long term waiting periods for coverage’s to be effective for you that is important as you have current larger care dental needs.

Call our office at 310-534-3444 M-F 8am-4pm Pacific Standard Time. We be happy to help you with the different dental insurance plans we provide so you can get one that best fits your current dental care needs

Question: I would like some help understanding some of your dental insurance plans. First does all your dental insurance plan have waiting periods? Can I pick my own dentist since we have a family dentist we would like to keep.

Also I see there are many Delta Dental options, but not sure how they are different other then cost. I am not computer wise I guess and I get tired looking at everything without really understanding them. Can you brake them down a little to help me go though them thanks.

Reply: We do have PPO’s/Free choice of provider insurance plans that do not have waiting periods depending on the state you are in. We do offer a few different Delta dental plans as well but it be easier to go over each option over the phone as it can be explained clearly to you. But in general you will see that they have different yearly maxium limiations run from $1000 – $3000 (again depending on the state you are in) and the benefits also differ as some do have waiting period as others do not.

I suggest call our office at 310-534-3444 M-F 8am-4pm Pacific Standard Time. We be happy to help assist you in finding a dental insurance plan that best fits your dental care needs.

In order to get the most from your toothpaste, consider buying toothpastes that exclude ingredients reduce fluoride bioavailablity like SLS. Also buy your toothpaste in smaller containers, and at more frequent intervals so that your toothpaste stays fresh. This simple trick will help your teeth stay strong and is especially important for individuals at a high risk for cavities

Question:I do brush twice a day and floss most days but lately my gums have been red and sore. They also bleed a little when I am brushing my teeth. I am not sure why this has been starting in but my friend told me it could be that I have gingivitis.

Reply: It’s possible that you may have the start of some gum issues. However, only a dentist can confirm with you if you have gingivitis issues. I suggest that you visit your dentist for a dental check up and see what they would have to say about the issue.

There are many people that deal with bad breath issues, if your doctor ruled out any health issues for your bad breath then it may just be a diet issue.

You do not need to be eating onions to have bad breath just foods that may not be agreeing with you. Eggs,cheese, coffee and even milk, can be a problem for many people. That could be your breakfast and bad morning breath issues.

Trying to change some of your eating habits and see if that makes any difference. If you eat foods and they upset your tummy, gasses will want to come out one way or another.

If not that then try checking with your dentist even if you are brushing and flossing it is still a good idea to check and make sure you do not have any cavities or gum issues since they are some of the reasons why you may have bad breath.

Another thing is try brushing your tongue if you are not already. You tongue can hold onto germs and bacteria that can cause you to have bad breath

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.

However, when you choose a new dentist, you are making an important decision for you and your family. You are entrusting a key part of your overall wellness to someone with whom you have had no prior experience. Some careful observations and a little homework can pay off with a successful patient-dentist relationship that will last for many years. Take your time in choosing your dental provider ask questions check out the office and see if it a change you will want to make.