People can get upset with their dental insurance plan when they do not fully understand the plans limitations and exclusions before buying it. Most dental insurance plans includes limitation and exclusions which means the plan does not cover every aspect of dental care.  Understanding that dental insurance plans are designed to help with part of your dental expenses and may not always cover every dental need you have, is an important part of shopping out dental insurance and buying what best fit your overall dental needs.

Limitations and exclusions can relate to the type or number of procedures, the number of visits or age limits, when certain benefits may be effective under the plan and how much is to be paid out per person per year. However these limitations and exclusions are carefully detailed, therefore before buying a dental insurance plan make sure to read the plans limitations and exclusions.  By fully reading each plans limitations and exclusions, it will help you develop realistic expectations of how dental insurance can work for you.

Understanding the difference between a routine cleaning (Prophylaxis) and a Deep Cleaning.    Routine/Prophylaxis Cleaning:  focuses on preventive dental care and the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums by the removal of calculus, plaque, and common stains. Normally performed twice a year by a dental hygienist or dentist along with your dental check up.

Deep Cleaning:   is a procedure designed to help avoid periodontal disease (gum disease) Periodontal disease is caused by a buildup of calculus,and plaque on the crowns and root surfaces of teeth. It can begin as localized gingival inflammation and progress to serious disease that results in major damage to the soft tissue and the bone that supports the teeth. Left untreated, this disease progresses to the ultimate loss of teeth.

An Endodontist dentist is a dental specialist who limits his/her practice to treating disease and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions.

If you have a toothache you want to use warm water to rinse your mouth out.  Use floss to remove any particles around you teeth and gum. You will also want to keep your mouth closed as much as possible due to cold air will cause your tooth to hurt more.  a coarse see your dentist right away.

Many dental insurance plans (such as PPO and Indemnity) offer three classes or categories of coverages (Preventive, Basic, and Majors). Each class provides specific types of treatment and typically covers those services at a certain percentage. Reimbursement levels can vary from plan to plan, so once again reading each plans benefits, limitations, and exclusions is very important in order to buy the plan that best fits your dental needs.  However here is an example of how a dental insurance plan may brake down the three levels

* Class 1 (Preventives):  Preventive services normally include diagnostic, office visits, X-rays and cleanings.  Class 1 procedures are typically covered at the highest percentage such as 80-100 percent up to the plans maximum allowance.

* Class 2 (Basics): Basic services normally include fillings, Space maintainers and re-cementation of crowns. Class 2 procedures typically covered at a little less such as 60-80 percent up to the plans maximum allowance.

* Class 3 (Majors):  Major services normally include root canals, treatment of gum disease, oral surgery and crown, bridges, partial and dentures.  Class 3 procedures are usually reimbursed at the lowest percentage, such as 40-50 percent up to the plan maximum allowance. Many plans also have waiting periods for class 1 and 2 in addition to deductibles. Keep in mind the above is only an example and each dental insurance plan can vary in both coverages and reimbursement levels

Some times while eating we can get food lodged between our teeth that just does not want to come out easily.  If you are eating out at the time this can also be irritating to you and your gums.

However never use a sharp object to remove anything from between your teeth. If this technique doesn’t work, and you can end up cracking or chipping a tooth.  Best advise, carry dental floss with you at all times. I do not suggest flossing at the table but you can do so in the restroom.

A periodic oral evaluation is an evaluation performed on a patient of record to determine any changes in the patient’s dental and medical health status since a previous comprehensive or periodic evaluation. This may require interpretation of information acquired through additional diagnostic procedures. Report additional diagnostic procedures separately.  Generally under most dental insurance plan it is a type of preventive dental care service that is normally covered at 100 percent.

Dental treatment can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the dental care you may need to have.  Without having dental insurance your dental cost can quickly exceed what you can afford to spend on your dental care.

However having proper dental care is vital for both your oral and dental health and your over all medical health care. Dental care should not be ignored.  If you have been delaying your dental care due to cost. then you may want to consider buying a dental plan to help reduce your dental costs making dental care more affordable.

There are many different types of dental floss and it is important to pick one you like so that you are more likely to floss regular. Oral-B has the Glide Pro-Health Clinical Protection Floss which is clinically proven to help reverse gingivitis in two weeks as part of a comprehensive dental health routine.

Dental plans such as PPO and indemnity plan have a coinsurance provision. Coinsurance means, the plan benefit pays a predetermined percentage of the cost of your dental treatment, and you are responsible for paying the balance. Your part of what you pay is called the coinsurance, and it is part of your out of pocket cost.  This is paid even after any deductible is reached.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s (AAPD) as revised their guidelines on infant oral health care and now recommends that infants 6 to 12 months old should be seen by a dentist.

According to studies done, children that experience tooth decay in their baby teeth, are more likely to develop tooth decay in their permanent teeth.  However by establishing the relationship between family and dentist, parents will be able to learn how to take care of their baby’s teeth.  Parents that take a proactive approach to their infant oral health care can make a difference that will last a life time

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.

In a 2006 study, researchers compared the effects of brushing alone vs brushing and flossing on bleeding gums in 51 sets of twins. One of each twin pair brushed his or her teeth twice a day and the other brushed and flossed twice a day. After two weeks, the twins who flossed had 38 percent fewer bleeding gum areas.

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.

Most dental insurance plans offer benefits for crowns, bridges, veneers, and orthodontic care as long as it is necessary. However when it for a cosmetic dental need make sure you know your dental plan terms and conditions.

Such as: Dental insurance plans may cover for braces but only for children. Dental crowns may be covered, but it may not cover for full porcelain crowns. Basic cleaning covered but not teeth whitening, Bridges and partials covered but not Implants.

If you have dental insurance make sure you know what is covered under your plan before starting cosmetic dental services.  If you are looking for dental insurance make sure it covers for the services you may be wanting.

An dental option to reducing cosmetic dental care would be a dental discount plan. Under most dental discount plans as long as there is a dentist that does the type of dental services you are looking for you will get a discounted savings.

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.

Cleaning teeth is normally part of most people oral hygiene habits which involves the removal of dental plaque.  Generally people routinely clean their own teeth by brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily.

However only a dentist or dental hygienists can remove hardened deposits not removed by routine cleaning. A dentist does more then just a basic cleaning they also check for signs of tooth decay, and gum disease which is included in the  routine check up they provide.

Flossing should be a regular, daily part of your dental care routine in order to maintain the health of your teeth and gums. By flossing regularly you you are more likely to keep your teeth ad less likely to need dentures later in life.

While periodontal disease is not the primary cause for pulpal death, chronically unhealthy gums can increase your risk of losing your teeth or needing a root canal. And even though twice-daily tooth brushing is essential for good oral hygiene, brushing alone may not protect you from gum disease and the tooth loss that can result.

Believe it or not you do not just wake up one day with a dental cavity.  It does take some time for your tooth to decay.   Cavity is a word no one really to hear at their dental appointment.  A cavity is a hole that can grow bigger and deeper over time. This happens due to tooth decay.

However even before it gets to that point, tooth decay starts with plaque build up.  Plaque is a sticky,substance that is made up of mostly germs which causes tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth make acids and when plaque clings to your teeth, the acids can eat away at your tooth enamel.

If you are not seeing a dentist regularly for your cleanings then the plaque is not being removed.  The acids can continue to make their way through the tooth enamel, and the inside parts of your tooth can begin to decay causing a cavity.

Although preventive care at home like brushing twice a day and flossing daily is a good start to preventing plaque build up. However seeing a dentist is the only way to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy. Also only a dentist can detect small cavities and stop them from turning into large dental issues.

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