Dental Insurance and Teeth Night Guards. My current dental insurance denied coverage for me to have night guards. I grind my teeth when I sleep, and the dentist advised me to wear one. However, their cost for night guards without my insurance help is $400.00. I see teeth night guards online for around $25.00 – $50.00. I know they are not custom fitted but will they work just the same? I am not going to spend $400.00 since that is just too much for me right now. 

Reply: There are over-the-counter night guards you can buy that do work and are fit to your teeth if you follow the directions provided. However, talk to your dentist. Let your dentist know that cost is a factor and what counter product could he or she suggest for you to try.

What are my options for dental insurance in California? I am 20 with a newborn. I am not getting much help with the care of my son, and my son’s dad does not have any benefits that he can add to our son too. I work from home and go into the office when needed; though I do get medical for my son and me, I do not have benefits for dental either. Having to get dental insurance is new to me since I did not give it much thought until my son was born. He is not teething yet, but I like to get something in place for him and me both to use. What are my dental insurance options? Trying to keep the cost low so please advise. 

Reply: The lower-cost insurance option would be a dental HMO insurance plan. HMO insurance plan for a couple (you and your son) can range around $13.00 – $30.00. However, with HMO plans, you have to choose a plan provider. Therefore it is important to call the providers to make sure they provide dental care for children under five, as some dental offices do not. Another option we provide is a dental PPO. PPO plans are good in that you can choose your own provider, but they are a more costly insurance option. You may want to look at the PPO plans that have a low yearly max limitation, such as $1000.00 per person. Hopefully, you will not need larger dental care services if you take your son in for regular checkups. 

I am looking for Dental Insurance Plans for Families that offer Immediate Coverage. My family and I live in Florida, and I am looking for dental insurance that offers Immediate coverage. Cost is a factor since I need more money to afford a higher-cost plan. I do not want to wait out long-term waiting periods before my kids can even start having dental care. 

Reply: In California, we have a few dental insurance plan options that do not have waiting periods. You can review our HMO insurance plan options, which have a lower monthly cost ranging from $16.00 – $40.00 a month for a family, and all our HMO plans have no waiting periods. However, if you prefer a PPO insurance plan without waiting periods, we also have two plan PPO options that do not have waiting periods ranging from $155.00 – $200.00 and up (depending on your zip code) for a family plan. As you can see, PPO plans are more costly, and ones that do not have waiting periods are also higher in cost. They let you stay with your own dental provider’s office if that is a factor for you. If you have any questions about our dental insurance plan options, please call our member service line at 310-534-3444 M-F 8 am-4 pm. 

Eating potato chips can harm your dental health. The starch in the chips can get stuck in your teeth, providing a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause cavities. Additionally, the high salt and acid levels in the chips can erode tooth enamel over time, leading to sensitivity and decay.

Limiting your consumption and adopting a good oral hygiene routine is best to avoid the negative consequences of indulging in potato chips. After eating chips, it is advisable to rinse your mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum to help remove any leftover particles. It would help to brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly to remove plaque and debris, and visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. These preventive measures help you maintain your dental health and enjoy your favorite snacks without compromising your smile.

I am looking for an affordable Dental Insurance plan for my three-year-old son and me. I have seen dental plans are too costly, with long-term waiting periods. I can afford to wait, but I do not want my son to put off dental care if needed.  

Reply: There are PPO plans that do not have waiting periods. We offer Delta dental insurance PPO with no waiting periods in most states. We also provide many HMO insurance plan options that do not have waiting periods. Give our office a call at 310-534-3444, as we are happy to go over our dental insurance plan options. 

California Dental Health Insurance Plans, Keeping Dental Cost Low

I need dental insurance so I can better afford to take my two children to see the dentist as they should. Right now, I am paying cash for everything, and it is getting too costly to continue this way. I need help. I do not have dental insurance through work.

Reply: Many good dental insurance plans will help you control your family’s dental care cost. If you are looking for a lower-cost family dental plan to stay within a budget, consider reviewing a dental HMO insurance plan, as they are the more affordable insurance option. However, with an HMO plan, you will want to remember that you have to choose a plan provider, and no outside network benefits are available. 

When choosing your family dentist, consider reviewing dental PPO insurance plans. PPOs are more costly than HMO plans but have more flexibility when choosing your own dentist. PPO insurance plan has network providers, but they also let you go to a dentist, not within their plan providers.  

Dental Insurance Alternative for Individuals: When you are on a low or fixed income, sometimes buying dental insurance can be out of your budget. However, that does not mean you have no other options. Take the time to review dental discount plans and see if they fit your dental needs. A dental discount plan will save you money on all your dental services and care needs. They offer discounted savings with no waiting periods, yearly max limitations, and deductibles. Also, you do not have the hassle of dealing with claims forms. Dental discount plans have low monthly costs and can benefit you by staying within your budget. 

Your Dentist and Dental Insurance plans, Options When Choosing a Dental Plan. Tips on shopping out dental insurance or a dental discount plan when you already have a dentist you want to keep. Shopping for dental insurance when trying to stay with a dentist can get a little overwhelming. Many people will find a dental insurance plan online before knowing what plans their dentist accepts. 

Knowing what type of dental plans your dental office accepts will save you time searching and reviewing insurance plans; that is not acceptable. Ask your dental office if they are in the network of any dental HMO insurance or dental discount plans, as there are no outside-network options. Therefore, if they are not a provider of these plans, getting one will not work for you. If they are, find out what plans, so you are saving time by just looking for and reviewing the acceptable options. 

If our dentist is not a provider of any HMO or dental discount plans, your next option would be to get a Dental PPO or a Dental Indemnity insurance plan. These plans either have no network of providers, or they do allow you to go outside their provider database. However, it still helps to know if your dentist is a provider of any dental PPO plan because inside network coverages can be better than outside network coverages. Knowing this can be a helpful factor when reviewing dental PPO and Indemnity plans.

Is there any good Low-cost dental insurance for extractions in California?

I need to have two impacted wisdom teeth removed ASAP. The dentist also said that I should remove the other two wisdom teeth while I am at it before they, too, start to give me problems. I want to find a good dental insurance plan with no waiting periods.

Reply: You would want to review HMO insurance plan options for low-cost dental insurance options. HMOs typically do not have waiting periods. However, make sure you read each plan carefully to confirm. 

Senior Dental Health Care, Seeing your dentist Regularly. Did you know that as a senior, you must see the dentist more often than twice a year for oral health checkups? Cavities can be more frequent in seniors for many reasons. Fluoride is in community water supplies today, but that was only sometimes the case for some older seniors. 

Older adults are also more likely to have tooth decay around older fillings if not regularly checked by a dentist. Cavities in the tooth root are more common in seniors due to receding gums lines. Receding gums exposes more of the tooth root surface to decay. Seniors also can have dry mouths due to either age or different medications they may have to take. A dry mouth can lead to a higher risk of tooth decay because plaque-producing acids can’t be neutralized without adequate saliva. Seniors often put off their dental care needs due to many factors. Such as not having transportation, No dental insurance, other health issues that keep them from seeing a dentist, and the cost of dental services. 

There are steps you can take to help with these issues. There may be some ride-care services available for seniors. By buying dental insurance, you can control the cost of dental services. If there are other health issues keeping you away from a dentist, that can be difficult to address. But many times, these same health issues make it even more important to see a dentist regularly.

I hit my tooth. Should I be worried?

I hit my tooth while messing around with a few of my friends. I hurt for about five minutes, but now it feels fine. It does not seem to be loose or anything. Should I still tell my mom about it, or am I making a big deal over nothing?

Reply: I suggest telling your mother about your tooth so that if something is wrong, she is aware of it instead of letting things get worse. However, if your tooth is not loose and seems not to be troubling you, you are probably okay, but let your mom decide if she should take you to a dentist.

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 ).