When shopping for dental insurance for yourself or family it is important to know if the plan you are buying has any maximum limitations.  Generally maximum limitations are common to PPO and Indemnity insurance plans.   A maximum limitations is the dollar amount that the company is willing to spend per person per year.  Such as if you get a PPO plan with a $1000.00 this is the dollar amount the company is going to pay up to in claims per person per year.  Therefor if you have large dental care issues that are high in cost you may want to find a plan with a higher maximum limitation such as $2000.00.

A maximum limitation can also be applied to a dental services. When this is the case make sure you know what the terms are. Many plans have have limitations on orthodontic services. (such as the plan may pay out X dollar amount per person per year up to X dollar amount a life time.) Another example of a maximum limitations on dental services: Prosthetic services (crowns, bridges, partial and complete dentures) for members of age 65 or older benefit is limited to X dollars per person per year regardless of the maximum limitation on the plan. Such as if you have a 2000 yearly max but over 65 and need dentures you may only have $600 maximum limitation per year for that type of dental service under the plan.  Make sure you read each plan terms and conditions carefully before buying. All plans should have their terms and conditions disclosed.

Because I am a diabetic it is very important that I maintain dental insurance.   I have to see my dentist every three months just so I can keep my teeth in good shape. Will there be any problems with me buying a dental insurance plan because I am a diabetic?  I would also like to be able to keep my current dentist since he knows about my diabetes and I like the way he takes care of me.

Answer:  Most dental insurance plans will not have a problem with you being a diabetic.  Pre-Existing dental conditions that are normally not covered would be any dental work currently in progress, missing teeth, replacement of bridges and dentures(depending on how long you had them) and dental work done prior to plan effective date.  There can be more exclusions depending on the plan so just read the plan terms and conditions carefully.

This website also offers many good PPO’s or Indemnity (Free choice of providers)  insurance plans that will  let you keep your current dentist.

Dentist warns:   That brushing at the wrong time, particularly within 20 minutes of finishing a meal can drive the acid deeper into your teeth, corroding them far faster than they would have rotted by themselves.

Did you know you can spread dental decay to your child?  Though poor diet and hygiene patterns, adults can develop cavities. If the adult has a history of cavities, they can then pass the destructive oral bacteria on to their children.  However research does show that once parents are aware that they can spread tooth decay, 91 percent of new mothers stop sharing spoons, cups, utensils, and other items with their young child.

With the rise of more more sports and energy drink being consumed, related problems has emerged.  According to a new study it find that these types of drinks can cause  irreversible damage to teeth.  The study shows that the high acidity levels in these types of drinks can erode tooth enamel.

When shopping for dental insurance for orthodontic services it is important to read the plans terms and conditions. Many dental insurance plan will have lifetime orthodontic services clause.

Lifetime orthodontic services is the maximum amount payable (for each covered person) for eligible charges related to treatment. No further benefits are payable after the maximum is reached.

I am a part time student and part time worker.  I do not have any dental insurance and need to have an estimated cost idea.  Need dental help ASAP since I am in pain so I would need to get an insurance plan that is not only low cost but provides benefits right away.

Answer: In California this website provide over sixty different dental insurance and dental plans for your review.  Cost start as low as $7.00 a month and can be as high as $60.00 – $70.00 depending on your zip code.

I would suggest reviewing either the dental HMO’s insurance plans or our dental discount plan options. These types of dental plans are not only low in cost but do not have any long term waiting period for dental services to be render.

Sadly many people do not start looking for dental insurance until they have a larger dental need such as a dental crown.  However when only buying dental insurance to fit the need at the time you do limited what insurance plans that will be able to help you.   If you are a person that wants to keep their own dentist or choose their own dental provider, then you be better off buying dental insurance before you have larger dental issues.

Many PPO and Free choose of provider plans (Indemnity Insurance plans) come with long waiting periods for both basic and major dental services.  This means, wait to buy these types of dental insurance plans and you may be waiting for dental services to be covered.

A study, published in the journal Microbiology suggests that Stripping some mouth bacteria of their access key to gangs of other pathogenic oral bacteria could help prevent gum disease and tooth loss. Oral bacteria called Treponema denticola frequently gang up in communities with other pathogenic oral bacteria to produce destructive dental plaque. This bacterial access key could be a drug target for people who are at high risk of developing gum disease.

According to a 2012 study in the  American Journal of Medicine, older adults who get thorough dental cleanings may have a lower heart attack risk than people who follow a less-stringent oral health regimen.

Daily brushing is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia later on, according to a recent study from the University of California.

The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society study included 5,468 people with an average age of 81, who were part of a retirement community in California between 1992 and 2010. Over the 18-year study period, 1,145 eventually developed dementia.

Researchers found that female study participants who didn’t practice daily brushing had a 65 percent greater chance of developing dementia than those who did. Similar though less pronounced results were found for the men,  those who didn’t brush daily had a 22 percent greater chance of developing the disease than those who kept up their dental habits.

Dental restorations such as veneers, crowns, implants and even resin based filling can be expensive.  Protecting your investment and making it last longer just makes good  sense. Therefore with proper care and regular dentist visits you can look good and your crowns, veneers and other restorations will be able to last for many years.
Normally when you have cosmetic dental services your dentist will provide you with a list of dos and don’t but here are some tips to keep in mind.

* Do not use hard bristle toothbrush: Hard bristle toothbrushes are abrasive and can scratch the surface of your restorations there by dulling their polish and luster.

* Do not use highly abrasive toothpastes:  For the same reason as why you do not want to use hard bristle toothbrush, abrasive toothpaste can also scratch the surface of your restorations.  An a example of a non abrasive fluoride toothpaste would be Rembrandt toothpaste, but there are others and you can talk to your dentist to see what he or she may advise.

* Flossing:  Good for your teeth and good for your restorations.  By flossing regularly you are removing debris and plaque from your teeth. This is good for your teeth but flossing will also increase the lifespan of your restorations since it  helps prevent tooth decay.

* Use alcohol-free mouthwash:  Studies show that mouthwashes that contain alcohol have a negative effect on composite fillings. In addition, the alcohol content in mouth rinses, over time, can degrade the bond between your restorations (crowns and veneers) and your teeth.

* Food and Drinks.  Try to either limit or avoid food that are high in sugar in order to prevent cavities. Also limit the and consumption of coffee, soda, tea and other stain-able drinks.

* Do not bite and or chew on hard objects such as pens and do not use your teeth as tools to open or bit off objects.

* If you grind your teeth make sure to wear a fitted night guard  Treat your teeth and dental restorations well and your resin-based restorations (such fillings) can last anywhere from three to nine years or longer and your porcelain restorations (such as veneers and crowns) can last 10 years or more before they need to be replaced.

There are health benefits to seeing your dentist regularly, according to new study it found a link between regular visits to the dentist, and having a professional scaling (or tooth scraping) and a decreased risk of stroke.

According to a recent study it suggest that not enough dentist are using dental sealants to help protect back teeth.  Temple University’s dental school researchers who did the study, surveyed 595 general dentists and 176 pediatric dentists. The dentist were asked about whether they would use sealants on teeth with different signs of early decay. They also were asked how they felt about using sealants in different groups of people.

In 2008 the ADA endorsed the use of sealants n teeth with the earliest stages of decay. In these stages, a molar or premolar is discolored on its chewing surface, but there is no cavity in the tooth yet. Research has shown that sealing teeth like this can prevent cavities. However the new survey found that many dentist do not either know about the ADA panel’s advise or the dentist that do know do not agree with it.  It also show that Pediatric dentist were more likely to follow the recommendations then general dentist. This study appears in the September issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.

Women have hormonal fluctuations though out their life that can affect their gum health.  Periodontal disease is often a “silent” disease, many women do not realize they have it until it reaches an advanced state. However, at each stage of your life, there are steps a woman can take to protect her oral health.  Make sure to see your dental regularly for oral health check ups and practice good oral health care habits.

Did you know that studies indicate that gingivitis is nearly a universal finding in children and adolescents. However, advanced forms of periodontal disease are more rare in children than adults, but can it can occur.

Research in the prevention of tooth decay goes on. At the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland,  researchers reported at the Society for General Microbiology’s autumn conference at the University of Warwick, England.  According to the study done Coconut oil, a natural antibiotic when digested, destroys the bacteria that cause tooth decay. They added that the antibiotic component in digested coconut oil could be added to dental care products.

After having one or more teeth extractions, you will want to take proper care in order to heal quickly and smoothly. Once a tooth is removed a blood clot is formed.  The blood clot covers the extraction site which allows the area to heal.

It will be normal for the extraction area to be tender for the first few days after the extraction.  In many cases a simple over the counter pain relief will be enough to relive any discomfort.  After having the extraction take it easy for the rest of the day. When you sleep for the first night do your best to keep your head up with pillows.

In the first day after the extraction you may have some bleeding.  Your dentist will usually provide a few gauze pads for this.  Just place the pad in the area and you should try and keep firm pressure on it.  Slight bleeding for the first day or so is normal, but if you still bleed more heavily after an hour or two, contact your dentist.

Do not rinse your mouth during the first twenty-four hours, after this period you can gently rinse your mouth using warm salt water.  You will want to rinse after every meal and snack in order to remove any bits of food around the extraction area.

After having a wisdom tooth or other tooth remove proper aftercare is important in order to have a quick recovery.  You dentist will normal provide aftercare instructions but here are some helpful tips to keep in mind.

Be mindful of the blood clot.  The blood clot covers the extraction site and helps the healing process.  You do not want to dislodge the blood when brushing near the extraction site.  Also avoid drinking though straws of smoking the sucking action can loosen the blood clot before the extraction has time to heal.

For the first day or two stick to a liquid and soft food diet, such as soups yogurts, mash potatoes anything that dose not require much chewing.  Avoid hot food or drinks as well since you do not want to irritate or burn the extraction area.

Your dentist may prescribed antibiotics in order to avoid any infections. Make sure to follow the instructions and finish the prescribed amount.

After having a tooth removed you may experience swelling. This is normal.  The worst of the swelling, pain and jaw stiffness will normally be within the first two to three days after surgery. You may want to apply ice packs for 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off until bed time for the first day.

Developed by a Japanese scientist is a new microscopically thin film which helps to prevent tooth decay,  make the tooth appear whiter, and put and end to sensitive teeth.

The “tooth patch” is a hard-wearing and ultra-flexible material made from hydroxyapatite, the main mineral in tooth enamel.   Shigeki Hontsu a professor at Kinki University’s Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology in western Japan stated The “tooth patch” is the world’s first flexible apatite sheet, which we hope to use to protect teeth or repair damaged enamel.