Short-Term Dental Insurance 

Question: Right now, I have a toothache, but with my job, I will not receive my dental benefits until another four months. I would like to find dental insurance on a short-time basis. I have been trying to hold out until my benefits kick in at work, but I can’t make it. Do you have any dental plans I do not have to keep for a year or more?   

Reply: Most insurance plans you pay monthly will let you cancel the insurance with a 30 notice. For example, if you want to cancel your plan on April 1st, you need to send the request to cancel by March 1st so the company can cancel in April. With that said, you want to avoid any PPO insurance plans as they will typically have waiting periods that will affect your immediate dental care needs. 

Weight Loss May Improve Gum Health. 

A study done by Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine researchers found the human body is better at fighting gum disease when fat cells, which trigger inflammation, disappear. The pilot study of 31 obese people with gum disease. Half of the group with an average body mass index (BMI) of 39 had gastric bypass surgery and had fat cells from the abdomen removed. That half fared better than a control group of obese people with a BMI of 35 who also were treated for gum disease but did not have the gastric bypass surgery or fat removed.

Treating periodontal disease makes for a healthier mouth and freshens breath. Researchers treated 102 people with gum disease—everyone in the study also had bad breath. Dentists used a device that measured the levels of three chemicals that commonly cause bad breath. In the study, some people were randomly assigned to get periodontal treatment first, followed by tongue cleaning. The rest of the people got tongue cleaning first and then periodontal treatment. Everyone’s breath was tested twice. This was done after the first type of treatment and again after the second. Tests showed that both types of treatment helped bad breath. For patients with periodontal disease, the periodontal treatment improved people’s breath more than tongue cleaning did. This study appears in the July 18th issue of the Journal of Periodontal Research.

Oral Health and Depression in the Homeless. 

According to Scottish researchers, homeless people with tooth decay or missing teeth are more prone to depression than those with healthy teeth. The study was done on about 850 homeless. The research found that people with poorer dental health were more likely to be depressed. In addition, homeless people with decayed and missing teeth also tended to have a lower quality of life and more dental anxiety. Both of these could lead to depression, said the authors.

Children who have Asthma may have a high risk of having more Cavities. 

According to a Brazilian study that included 160 Children ages 3 – 15, children with Asthma had higher levels of S. mutans. Those with a long history of Asthma tended to have higher levels of these bacteria. The study did not find that levels of S. mutans were linked with asthma drugs or other treatments. Researchers also did not find a link between higher levels of S. mutans and more tooth decay.

Dry Mouth is more common in those over the age of 50. 

A long-term study suggests that Dry Mouth is common in those over fifty, particularly older women. In the Swedish study, which started in 1992, researchers sent questionnaires to every 50-year-old in 2 Swedish counties. Fifteen years later, they sent the same questions to every 65-year-old in those counties. They also sent them to a sample of 75-year-olds. The study showed that dry Mouth was more common in women than in men in every age group. The authors speculate that the higher prevalence of dry Mouth in women may result from decreased saliva production in the Mouth following menopause. Dry Mouth occurred more often as people got older and more at night than during the day

Poor Oral Health Tied To Chronic Disease And Worse Overall Health. 

In Ontario, 45% of people 65 and older did not see a dentist last year. Studies show a lack of regular dental care increases their risk of chronic diseases and reduced quality of life. Poor oral health can contribute to many severe medical conditions and affect a person’s ability to chew and digest food properly. With dental services not covered under the universal health-insurance program and many older adults not visiting dentists regularly, the study findings suggest that there should be more thought given to services provided to seniors to keep them healthy as they age.

Are you brushing your teeth correctly? 

Many people may not be brushing their teeth correctly, which can cause tooth damage. Abrasion is damage done to teeth by incorrect brushing habits. First, do not use hard-bristle toothbrushes since they are one of the most significant contributing factors to tooth abrasion. Use a soft bristle brush, place the brush at a 45-degree angle toward the junction of the gum and tooth, and move the brush in a gentle circular motion. Also, stay away from abrasive toothpaste.

Three major ways that teeth can wear down. 

Here are three major ways how a tooth can wear down. 

• Attrition: Bruxism or teeth grinding, also referred to as attrition, can be caused by stress. You can also grind or clench your teeth while you sleep. One way to prevent teeth damage is by wearing a night guard. 
• Tooth Erosion: Dental erosion is caused by acid. Many food and drinks are highly acidic and can cause the tooth enamel and dentine to break down or erode. Health issues can also cause acid, such as acid reflux. To try and prevent tooth erosion, you will want to do your best to limit your exposure to acidic foods and drinks. Chewing sugar-free gum can help to dilute acidity by increasing saliva flow. 
• Tooth Abrasion: Tooth abrasion can be caused by a hard-bristle toothbrush, but even a soft-bristled brush can be harmful and cause tooth abrasion. Correctly brushing is recommended to reduce tooth abrasion.  A dentist can repair tooth abrasion damage by dental bonding.

Free consultations for dental care. 

Many dental offices will provide free consultations for dental care, including general and cosmetic dentistry. How can you find this dentist? By searching online. Many dentists now have their websites, and to get new patients, they provide free consultations to first-time patients that visit their sites. By taking advantage of first-time patient savings that you can find online, you will save money on your needed dental care.

Trust is always a big issue, and you need to know whether or not you can trust your dentist and the advice on the dental care you are receiving. Does your dentist fully answer your questions to where you understand the services they suggest? When primary dental care is required, you may want a second opinion to verify all the dental services suggested. That usually is and is encouraged among dentists. However, not all dentists will advise the same treatment. So when comparing the two opinions, if you have questions about why the two do not match up, inquire into it with your dentist before just thinking one is a bad dentist. Cost may also be a factor. If you have dental insurance, make sure your dental insurance plan covers a second option. Some dental procedures may not substitute for additional services already done. You should know the cost ahead of time to make sure it is something you can afford to have done.

Getting a second opinion is advised when it comes to your health. But what about dental care and treatment? When should you get a second opinion, and why? Here are a few tips that may help you when thinking about getting a second dental opinion. Do your research before deciding whether you need a second opinion. If you need clarification on what your dentist advises, go online and search for information on your dental needs. See if doing so helps you understand and matches up with what your dentist is telling you. Then before going to another dentist, if there are still things you do not understand, call your dentist and discuss your concerns. If you are still left unsatisfied, then go get that second opinion

Cancer Patients and why Receiving Proper Dental Care is Important. 

Cancer treatment can consist of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Cancer therapy may have side effects, some of which can be devastating but preventable or manageable with proper precautions and care. The most common side effects for head and neck cancer patients who undergo radiation therapy are: 

• Dry Mouth 
• Post Radiation Tooth Decay
• Inability to open the mouth wide
• Necrosis of soft tissue and bone and Impaired ability to heal from wounds in the oral cavity. 

When fighting cancer, you should talk to your dentist and ensure you receive proper dental care.

Making sure your child is covered. 

Many U.S. children only see the dentist occasionally. Even though most parents know that dental and oral healthcare is essential, one reason for this is that many people do not receive dental benefits through their employers. They feel that they can not afford private dental insurance. Some lower-income people state even with dental care benefits, their co-pay for dental care is still too costly for them to afford. However, dental care for children must not be out of reach. Many people need to learn all the resources that are available to them.

In most states, there is low-cost dental insurance plan (such as HMOs) with affordable co-pays. Also, most of these dental insurance plans offer free preventive care, which is more the half the battle when it comes to oral health care. If even the more affordable, lower-cost dental insurance plans are still too costly, then use your state resources: Each state across the USA has a particular program for kids from low-income families. Under the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), each qualified kid that falls under its income requirement bracket is either covered for free or provided a low-cost insurance

How do You find the Best Dentist for Your Child? 

Dental professionals stress the importance of taking your child for a dental checkup at least twice a year (once every six months.) Many parents worry about finding the best dentist for their children, especially for children ages 1-6, since it is sometimes difficult to find a dental professional who knows how to behave with younger children. 

Here are some tips that may help you find the right dentist for your child.

• Consider recommendations of the pediatric dentist from other mothers. 
• Go to the dental office and talk to the dentist. You can take your child in for a consultation if everything is alright. 
• If you have dental insurance, find out if it covers specialists. Since pediatric dentists are specialists, you want to ensure you have benefits for specialists under your plan. 
• If this is your child’s first dental appointment, let the dentist know that is the case. Most pediatric dentists keep their waiting room kid friendly. Which will help the child stay in a good mood and make them feel like going to the dentist is a fun place to be.

Drink Less Sugar. Sugar consumption is at an all-time high. 

Sports drinks and sodas may taste good, but they can wreak havoc on teeth. The American Dental Association is prompting their members who participated in focus groups to name sports drinks and sodas as culprits of dental decay and disease.

Why Should You Floss Daily? 

There is a reason why your dentist nags you about flossing daily. Proper flossing habits will help remove plaque and debris that sticks to teeth and gums in between teeth, as well as help control bad breath. Plaque is a sticky layer containing bacteria that builds up on your teeth, including places where toothbrushes can’t reach, which can lead to dental decay and gum disease. By flossing your teeth daily, you reduce your risk of having dental decay and gum disease.

When will a Dentist Prescribe Medication? 

A dentist will prescribe medications for several reasons. You may get a prescription to help prevent infections after surgical procedures like tooth extractions and gum surgery. A dentist may also prescribe pain medications after major dental work, such as tooth extractions and gum surgery. Though usually, a prescription for pain pills is only for a few days

Understanding Orofacial Pain and why you may have it. 

There is serval reason why one may have orofacial pain. Some clinical problems include temporomandibular joint discomfort (TJD), muscle spasms in the head, neck, and jaw, migraines, or pain with teeth, face, and jaw. Other reasons for Orofacial pain to cure can be due to missing or poorly aligned teeth. People who grind or clench their teeth can experience orofacial pain and any head and neck trauma. A dentist can help determine why you may be experiencing orofacial pain.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, Are You Biting off More Than You Can Chew? 

Those Super sized burgers and sandwiches that are sold regularly at fast food restaurants may be too big to eat. Many of them are often made larger than the human mouth. They are forcing many people to take bites too big to chew. The Academy of General Dentistry states that doing this can harm your jaw and teeth. People at particular risk are those that have a temporomandibular joint disorder. (known as TMJ) TMJ can restrict the range of acceptable bite sizes. People with TMJ should avoid opening their mouths too wide since taking large bites of food can aggravate the condition.