Dental Insurance for replacement dentures. Tips you should know about insurance for dentures. If you already have dentures but need to get a new set, make sure you understand the dental insurance terms and conditions for the denture’s cost. Many dental insurance plans come with waiting periods. Dentures falling into major dental services. In this case, you may have to wait a year or more before the dental insurance plan will start to cover dentures since the insurance company has to earn a premium on the plan before they can begin to pay out for a high-cost dental service. Otherwise, you can see where one could get dentures and then cancel the plan within the next month after only paying a month or two in premium. Also, some dental insurance plans want proof that you had your old dentures for X years. (Generally, five years but can vary depending on the plan) Before they will cover out any replacements for new dentures. So make sure you know ahead of time the dental plan term and conditions before buying the dental plan of your choice. Picking the right dental plan from the start is always a good idea.

Dental care for Dentures Dos and Don’t when not in use. 

Dos: When not wearing your dentures, keep them in cool water or the dentist-advised denture solution. 

Don’t. Do not use hot water or put your dentures in a dry place, as this can cause your dentures to warp or dry out, making your dentures ill-fitting. Don’t put your dentures in a paper towel, as not only will a paper towel absorb the moisture, but it can also be mistaken for trash and tossed out. (I remember my grandmother would do this and stick them in her dress pocket. Little to say, she ends up losing them quite a bit) Do keep your dentures safe from small kids and dogs. Kids love to play with almost anything they find. Dentures in a child’s hands tend not to hold up well. Also, pets like dogs may find your dentures if they are not in a safe place, and you may as well start saving money for a new set of dentures. In conclusion, ensuring you take good care of your dentures will make them last longer and save you money from getting new ones sooner than necessary.

Handling Dentures with Proper Care: One should remember that dentures are fragile and careful handling is needed to avoid breaking them. Dentures do not like to droop, and there is a high chance that they will brake when you do. So be careful when cleaning them. When cleaning your dentures, stand on a soft towel or rug, so if you accidentally drop them, the chances are lower that they will brake. When cleaning, you want to ensure the sink is full of water so that if you drop them, they are safe. You can wrap your dentures in a hand towel or keep them in their hard cover case when you are moving around your house with your dentures. As soon as you finish cleaning your dentures and want to put them aside, ensure you keep them soaked in warm or cold water or in your denture solution. 

Proper denture care is essential. Even when covered by dental insurance, dentures can still be costly, so taking appropriate care of your dentures will help them last longer and save money in having them replaced sooner than necessary. You will want to use a soft bristle toothbrush to avoid damaging your dentures. You still need to brush your dentures carefully. Make sure you are careful not to damage the surface of your dentures or bend the attachments. You can clean your dentures using over-the-counter cleansers available in most food stores. Although you can use regular toothpaste, avoid them since dentures are sensitive, and you can easily damage their surface with abrasive toothpaste. Another cleaning option for dentures is by using an ultrasonic denture cleanser. However, make sure you buy one that has been proven safe. DON’T. Do not use bleach when cleaning your dentures. Also, do not use vinegar, as it can cause your dentures to dry out. Do not use household cleaners. Though some people will use mild hand soup or dish soup, I don’t suggest doing so. If you do, rinse them thoroughly under the faucet with warm to cool water.

California Dental insurance coverage, I am looking for a broad coverage dental plan: I currently live with my boyfriend and looking for a good overall or comprehensive coverage dental plan. Can your office provide some advice on which plan to buy?

Reply: You should start reviewing HMO insurance plans as they have fewer limitations/restrictions and exclusions. They are also the lower-cost dental insurance option. However, with an HMO insurance dental plan, you do need to choose and go to a plan provider as there are no outside provider benefits. 

Space maintainers are appliances made of metal or plastic that custom fit your child’s mouth and are small and unobtrusive in appearance. Most children easily adjust to them after the first few days. Space maintainers hold open the space left by a lost tooth. They steady the remaining teeth, preventing movement until the permanent tooth takes its natural position in the jaw. It’s more affordable — and easier on your child — to keep teeth in normal positions with a space maintainer than to move them back in place with orthodontic treatment.

Dental Checkup Cost

Hello, I would like some advice, please. I went to the dentist on Friday for a routine checkup and cleaning. They did X-rays, too, which cost me a total of $225.00. $225.00 was a lot of money for me, but since I have not been to the dentist in over three years. Does this sound right that I should have to pay this much?

Reply: If you do not have dental insurance in place and are paying cash out of pocket, then the cost you stated you paid for preventive services sounds about right. Price can vary between dentists; some may be less, some more. However, if you want more affordable dental care, consider looking into dental HMO insurance plans that cost around $8.00 and $20.00 monthly. Most HMOs provide free preventive care. In this case, it would have saved you from that $225.00 bill.

What to do for healthy teeth eat healthy foods. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheese, and milk are foods for strong, healthy teeth. Foods with a lot of sugar can be bad for teeth. Sugars in food stick to the teeth, and bacteria (germs) gather in the sugar and cause plaque. Plaque can melt the surface of teeth and cause decay. Brushing and flossing teeth keeps them clean and healthy. Brushing and flossing remove bits of food and plaque. Plaque is germs that can make teeth rot or decay. Brush your teeth at least twice daily, and after each meal is an excellent time to brush or floss your teeth. Water Drink plenty of water during the day to help wash your teeth.

Cow milk Tooth Decay First, there is a big difference between fresh cow’s milk and formula milk. (Also, soy milk is not safe for teeth). Anyone who has prepared formula milk knows how sticky it can be on your fingers. The different sugars in formula milk will not be safe for a child’s teeth during a nap or before bedtime. Cow’s milk is completely different. Cow’s milk is protective of teeth and can be classified as safe. Research shows that milk will be protective if you consume cow’s milk in combination with products that would otherwise damage teeth (cookies, perhaps ).

Dental HMOs Insurance plans, picking a California plan dentist

When you get a dental HMO and have to choose a dentist in the network, how do you choose the best one? I can only afford a dental HMO insurance plan. Since I do not have a current dentist, choosing one in a network is not a big deal other than ensuring stuff gets done.

Reply: You want to start with calling the dental office in the plan network of providers and confirming that they are still accepting the plan and new patients. Once you confirm that, the next step would be asking for some basic questions that may be important to you. Such as hours of operations, how long they have been in business, if you have any special needs, can the office address your needs, do they have a website that you can review for any additional information about the dental office.  

You should check review sites such as yahoo, google, and yelp, to name a few. Keep in mind that people tend to want to leave reviews when they have a terrible experience but only sometimes when they do not. However, if one office has excessively bad reviews, you may want to rethink picking them as a provider.   

Risks of Breastfeeding and Smoking

Heavy smoking can reduce milk supply. A study on breastfeeding and smoking states that cigarette smoking significantly reduces breast milk production. On rare occasions, cigarette smoke has caused symptoms in the breastfeeding baby, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Smoking has been linked to early weaning and can stop or inhibit the milk let-down reflex. Smoking can cause fussiness and colic. Nicotine levels in the breastfeeding mother’s blood and milk can increase and decrease over time. It takes 95 minutes for half of the nicotine to be eliminated from the body, otherwise known as the half-life. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid smoking just before nursing and should never smoke while feeding their babies.

For teething, give your baby a cold teething ring or frozen washcloth. You can also rub your baby’s teeth and gums with a clean finger. You should use Baby Orajel to help numb the baby’s gums. And you can also ask your doctor for some baby Tylenol. However, you never want to give your baby any aspirin since aspirin may cause Reye’s syndrome, a severe illness. While the cause of Reye’s syndrome remains unknown, some research has established a link between Reye’s Syndrome and the use of aspirin. It has been advised by the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Academy of Pediatrics that aspirin and combination products containing aspirin not be given to children under 19.

Baby Teeth Care: You will want to start cleaning your baby’s teeth twice a day as soon as the first tooth appears. Until your child is older, around one, you can use a soft wet cloth to clean your baby teeth and gums. Once your child is around a year, you can then use a baby toothbrush. Make sure you use a non-fluoride toothpaste, and you only need to use a dab. I would not use any toothpaste with fluoride until your child can spit and knows not to eat or swallows the toothpaste. It’s suggested that you take your child to see the dentist at or around their first birthday

My sister does not have good oral and dental health care. Her teeth look yellow to me, and when I ask if she has seen a dentist, she says she can not afford to see one. Are there cheap dental insurance plans out there?

Reply: You should review dental HMO insurance plans, as they are the lower-cost insurance options. Most HMO plans will provide free to low-cost preventive dental care. Under HMO plans, the dental services covered are listed on a fee schedule, so she knows her cost for needed dental care ahead of time. The fee schedule will make budgeting for dental care more manageable. 

Partial or Single Tooth Implant:  If all you need is a single tooth replacement, the procedure will be less invasive. 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. During the healing time, the jawbone will heal and adhere to the implant. 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 cost. Before you purchase a dental plan, be sure it will cover you. Call and ask. Then call the dental office and confirm they will do the implant. Sometimes you need to see a dental specialist, and many plans have restrictions, waiting periods, and limitations.

Pros and Cons of using Water Flossers: 

Here are some good pros and cons to consider when using Water Flossers instead of flossing. Pros:  Water Flossers are effective; they can be faster to use the flossing. Water Flossers usually comes with multiple wands and different colors so different family member 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 are suitable for 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. They brake down, some not even lasting a year, depending on how well you take care of them. 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 to 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 figure out 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

Is the Aetna Dental Access a Good Dental Plan?

Aetna Dental Access is a network dental discount plan available in each state, including California. You can transfer your dental benefit services to another state if you move. It is beneficial in California because there are a lot of dentists in the network and the Aetna name is reasonably well known.

There is a different ADA schedule for each state, so be sure your zip code is correct; otherwise, you may show up at the dental office, and their charges may differ from what you have. Here are some of the limitations or the fine print:

This schedule will only be used as a guide to determine approximate prices for dental services in the area noted. The fee schedule amount reflects the average fee information currently available on the Aetna Dental Access system. Individual dentist fee schedules may differ. We make no guarantee as to the accuracy of any particular fee amount. To determine the specific rates for a dental provider, you should contact the dental provider directly.

Dentists participating in the program network have agreed to make certain dental services and supplies available to you on a discounted service basis. The term discounted service means a dental service available to you at a reduced cost from fees customarily charged by the dental provider and for which you are solely financially responsible. All payments to dental providers are due and payable at the time of service unless another payment arrangement is mutually agreed upon between you and the treating dental provider. You shall be subject to the treating dental provider’s late payment and other office policies. THIS PROGRAM IS NOT AN INSURANCE PLAN, and we do not make payments directly to healthcare service providers. It is a discount program, and you are obligated to pay for all healthcare services at the time of service. You will receive discounts for healthcare services from those providers who have contracted with the plan.

What is Tooth Decay? Tooth decay is the destruction of 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 which cause tooth decay.

California Delta Dental Plan DD54 HMO DeltaCare

The California Delta Dental Plan DD54 HMO DeltaCare policy is an excellent plan to consider in California. California Dental Insurance website sells this plan for individuals and families. The cost to join runs as low as $8.90, but you will need to pay the full year upfront as the dental company requires this.

Some exclusions and limitations are on the website, but here are a few: This dental insurance plan provides coverage for one year. You pay the annual premium and a one-time enrollment fee to enroll yourself or other eligible dependents. You choose your dentist from the online dentist directory during enrollment. Coverage is effective for 12 months, and renewal is required to continue coverage.

How do you know if you have a cavity?

I have no tooth pain, but I have not been to the dentist in over two years since I got removed from my parent’s dental insurance policy. I think my teeth are fine, but my mom told me to see the dentist, saying I could have cavities. Should I go?

Reply: Short answer yes, you should see a dentist regularly to maintain good oral health. Just because you have not been to the dentist in two years does not mean you have cavities. However, only a dentist can confirm if you do or not. Think about getting a low-cost HMO dental insurance plan. Having dental insurance will help make your dental care more affordable.