CHIP or Children’s Health Insurance Program helps to provide free or low-cost health coverage for more than 7 million children up to age 19. CHIP provides coverages to U.S. citizens and eligible immigrants.    CHIP is Available in Every State and in general children in families with incomes up to $44,100 year (for a family of four) are likely to be eligible for coverage. However, in many states, families can have higher incomes and their children can still qualify.

Each state designs its own CHIP program, which includes eligibility, benefits, premiums and cost-sharing, and application and renewal procedures. States can decide on the benefits provided under CHIP, but all states cover routine check-ups, immunizations, hospital care, dental care, and lab and x-ray services.  Children get free preventive care, but low premiums and other cost-sharing may be required for other services.

There are many people that have worries about dental x-rays being taken on an annual basis. This worries are compounded if they had recent medical x-rays also taken.

It may help to understand that a complete series of dental X-rays emits as much radiation as does an hour in the sun. Many dental offices now offer digital x-rays which produce 1/10 the radiation that the old style x-rays produced.

However, if x-rays are not taken, the dentist can examine only about 50% of the tooth structure. It would be like asking the dentist to work with one hand tied behind their back. However, talk to your dentist about any X-rays worries you may have. If you have a history of good teeth they may be able to do X-rays less often.

Generally under most dental insurance plans a limited oral evaluation is consider preventive service. A limited oral evaluation is problem focused, which is an evaluation that is limited to a specific oral health problem. This may require interpretation of information acquired through additional diagnostic procedures. Definitive procedures may be required on the same date as the evaluation. Typically, patients receiving this type of evaluation have been referred for a specific problem and/or present with dental emergencies, trauma, acute infection, etc.

A course it goes almost without saying that smoking or chewing tobacco is in no way good for your health.  However with regards to oral health, if you smoke or chew you have a high risk of gum disease and oral cancer.  Men are affected twice as often as women and 95 percent of oral cancers occur in those over 40 years of age.  More then 8000 people die each year form oral an pharyngeal diseases. If you use tobacco it is very important to see a dentist frequently though out the year.  Your dentist can perform a thorough screening for oral cancel to help ensure your mouth remains healthy.

Research led by Priyanshi Ritwik, DDS, MS, LSUHSC Associate Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, reports important findings about side effects and how long they linger after discharge of common oral drugs used to sedate some children during dental procedures. The results of the study, published in the current issue of Anesthesia Progress, provide pediatric dentists and parents with new information on this previously little-investigated aspect of children’s dental health care.

Men oral health care is just as important as women oral health care however, men are less likely then women to take care of their oral health needs.  Even though good oral health as been linked with longevity, the common factors associated with infrequent dental checkups is just being male.  Men are less likely then women to seek preventive dental care from a dentist and often neglect their oral health for years.  Only visiting a dentist when larger dental issues arises from neglect.  According to oral health statistics men will lose 5.4 teeth by the age of 72 and are more likely to develop oral and throat cancer as well as periodontal disease.

There are many good dental discount plans available in California.   On our website we offer.  Dental discount plans though Aetna, and  Careington. Dental discount plans are a good low cost dental plan option.  They do not have many of the limitations that dental insurance plans may come with.

Many of our dental discount plans start within the next business day of your on line enrollment. Which is very good for those people that are in dental pain since they can see a dentist right away.  Dental discount plans are not for everyone.  But they are a good way to reduce all your dental needs at a very affordable cost.

When deciding between dental discount plans carefully review their fee schedules.  The fee schedules show the discount prices on what you pay for each dental service listed.  You also want to make sure there is a dentist in the dental plan you want to go to.  Since there is no outside network benefits. I suggest calling the dentist listed and confirming they are still accepting the plan as well as new members.

There is a new ingredient in toothpaste, developed by dentists, called Novamin. Novamin can reduce teeth sensitivity. Many times teeth become sensitive when gum tissue recedes, exposing a tooth’s roots. Roots contain small holes or tubules that lead directly to the tooth nerves. Novamin plugs up the holes cutting off contact with nerves and eliminating pain.    It is made from a compound from elements naturally critical for bone and tooth mineralization: calcium, phosphorus, silica and sodium. In their common forms, these elements have very limited value in tooth healthy. But in their rare ionic form, they can make teeth stronger and help eliminate tooth sensitivity

A report published as the lead article in the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants shows that dental implants offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional treatments for tooth replacement. The report, which is also cited on PubMed, the US National Library of Medicine located at the National Institutes of Health, is based on a systematic review of all available studies published in English between 2000 and 2010 relating to the cost-effectiveness of various tooth-replacement options

People may think that dental exams are about X-rays and teeth cleanings.  Maybe a filling here or there if they are unlucky.  However, dentist may be able to recognize and diagnose numerous other potential health problems.  According to Dawn West, DMD, RN with Tuffs University School of Dental Medicine, when you go for a dental checkup you might actually be saving more than just your teeth and oral health, because the mouth is the gateway to your entire organism and there might be several important signs of other diseases existent in there that a dentist may be able to see.

For some people shopping for dental insurance can become confusing.  They do not know if the dental services they want to have is cover under the plan they may be reviewing.   How can you make sure that you are buying a dental plan that covers the dental service you may need.

Know your ADA codes.  ADA codes are codes use by the dentist and the dental insurance company so that the insurance company knows what dental services is being provided.   So when you are shopping for dental insurance ask your dentist for the dental ADA codes that they may be quoting for you whenever possible. Also it is possible that not all the ADA codes are listed on the company fee schedule so if you do not see call the company and confirm if it covered prior to buying the plan.

Significant link between smoking and gum disease.  According to a new study done at Ohio State University, smoking causes the body to turn against its own helpful bacteria.  The study shows how cigarette smoke also wipes out good bacteria in the mouth making the tissue much more susceptible to attack from bad bacteria, which leaves smokers more vulnerable to gum disease, and tooth decay.

The ground breaking use of Intraoral Welding to improve the placement of dental implants has been successfully performed for the first time in the UK, by Dr Peter Sanders of Dental Confidence in Southampton. Following intensive training in 2012 with Dr Marco Degidi in Bolgna, Italy, Dr Sanders is now the first dentist in the UK to practise the advanced technique that enables the immediate loading of a fixed prosthesis supported by an intraorally welded titanium framework

While many people many know the basic tips for staying healthy and feeling well is by having a balanced diet and exercise.  However did you know your oral health can play a big roll in your overall health?  By having good oral health care habits you can maintain not only good oral health but over all wellness.

When looking for dental insurance that offer braces for adults make sure you read each plans terms and conditions carefully.  Although there are dental insurance plans that will offer adult braces there are still many dental insurance plan that only offer Orthodontic dental services to minors.

Another thing to keep is that many dental insurance plans only offer coverages for basic metal braces.  Metal braces may be find for a child but not so much when it comes to an adult.   If you are looking for clear braces or  invisaligns  or any other specialty braces that are not covered under dental insurance then you may want to review a dental discount plan for your Orthodontic needs.

With a dental discount plan they offer dental saving off any type of braces for any age group.  Therefore a dental discount plan would save you money on your Orthodontic needs as long as there is an Orthodontic dentist in the plan that does the type of services you are looking for. It is a good idea to call the dentist and confirm they are still taking the dental plan you may be reviewing.

A new study published in the European Journal of Oral Sciences reports that losing your teeth as you get older could be responsible memory loss in old age.   The study was jointly conducted by researchers from universities in Sweden and Norway who followed 273 people between 55 and 80 years of age and who had an average number of 22 natural teeth with 70 percent of all missing teeth being molars. The researchers asked the participants to undergo a series of memory tests.  The researchers found that those who had more number of natural teeth were found to have on an average four percent better memory compared to those with least number of natural  teeth.

According to new research, it suggests that just a glass of milk after sugary cereals and snacks can change the mouth environment and possibly prevent cavities in children.

There are many people that have some aspect of their smile that they would like to improve.  Cosmetic dentistry is a way to achieve a beautiful as well as healthy smile that you can feel confident about.  If you do not like to smile simply because of the way your teeth look consult a cosmetic dentist about the possible smile improvements that can be made.

You want to make sure and brush your teeth immediately after vomiting or coughing up any mucus whenever possible.  The germs, acids and food particles dislodged during your ailment can ruin your teeth.

Prevention is key to good dental health in babies. To avoid early childhood caries while nursing, avoid at will breast feeding after the first primary teeth begin to erupt.  Babies should not fall to asleep with a bottle containing anything other then water.  Fruit juices or soda should not be provided in a baby bottle.  Offer these types of drinks in a cup and only with meals or snack time.