Studies indicate that older adults have a higher risk of periodontal disease and need to do more to maintain good oral health. Dental health care is important at any age but when you take in account that almost one out of four people over age 65 have lost most to all of their teeth and that receding gums tissue affects the majority of older people proper dental care for seniors is an important issue to address. Seeing a dentist only twice a year many not be enough.

That said many seniors still do not get the proper dental care they need do to factors such as no means of transportation to a dental office. Cost of dental care (many seniors are on fixed incomes and can not afford the added expense) as well as a lack of dental insurance. Many seniors feel they do not need dental care even though poor dental health care has been link to other health risk factors.

Improperly maintained swimming pools can be hazardous to your teeth.

Did you know that improperly maintained pools can cause severe and rapid erosion of dental enamel. Maintenance by a professional pool service can be costly that is why many pool owners will do the work themselves however If the chemical levels are not properly maintained, pool water contact with teeth can cause serious enamel erosion damaging your teeth permanently.

Evidence-Based Clinical Recommendations regarding sugar free chewing

Evidence-Based Clinical Recommendations regarding sugar fee chewing gum. A panel of multi-disciplinary experts convened by the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs issued a report containing clinical recommendations that ugar-free chewing gum, lozenges and hard candy including xylitol or polyol combinations, and a prescription varnish with chlorhexidine and thymol could be beneficial in preventing cavities when used as adjuncts to a comprehensive cavity prevention program which includes the use of fluoride-containing products.

Dental Implant Offers an Improvement Over Dentures.

Due to baby boomer aging the number of older adults are increasing. Therefore more people are facing tooth loss more commonly among the elderly. One Survey taken estimates that 37 millions Americans will need dentures by 2020.

In an article taken from the Journal of Oral Implantology reports on an alternative treatment to dentures. The “All-on-Four” therapy uses four implants to support a fixed prosthesis, and the patient’s new teeth can be put in place the day of surgery. The All-on-Four treatment maximizes the use of available bone and allows immediate functionality. Four implants are placed two near the front and two near the back of the dental area. These support a fixed, full-arch prosthesis that is put in place the same day as the surgery. The success of this therapy is judged not only by its comfort and usability for the patient, but also by its longevity.
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Mercury amalgam filling or other wise know as silver filling are made up of almost 50 percent mercury which can make some people sick. Having mercury filling replaced with porcelain fillings makes for a healthier and stronger restoration option.

Many dentist are no longer using the old amalgam filling option but in the past these filling were commonly used. If you have questions about your silver or amalgam filling talk to your dentist and see if replacing with porcelain is a good option for you

The problem I am having is that I am in a area with only three local dental office all of which are not affiliated with any dental insurance plans. So I have to find dental insurance that offer coverage’s for out of network dentist. All I can find are in network dental plans only. Can you please advise.

Reply: You will want to review dental PPO plans or dental Indemnity plans. PPo dental insurance plans will typically let you choose your own dentist even if they are not a plan provider (note: sometimes at a reduce benefit so make sure you read the term and conditions carefully ) A dental Indemnity insurance plan has no provider you get to chose whom you want to go to. These plans can be slightly more costly then PPO insurance plan, yet both will help you in keep with a current dentist.

When you get a dental HMO and you have to choose a dentist in they network how do you go about picking the best one? I can only afford to get a dental HMO since I do not have a dentist right now choosing one in a network is not big deal other then the fact that I want a good one right from the start. Any tips?

Reply: Here is a few tips on choosing a plan provider

1) Call the dental office that is a part of the plan and confirm they are still accepting the plan and new members.

2) Ask the dental office anything that may be important to you and your dental care needs. Such as business hours, location, how long them been in business, that in general speaking term they provide the dental care services you may be wanting to have. Ask if they have their own website you can check out or if they have any patient review. Really anything that may be important to you

3) Use the internet: You may want to see if the dental office has any online reviews, but using sites like yelp, yahoo and google reviews.

How Cavity-Causing Microbes can Invade your Heart

Scientists have discovered that bacteria, normally found in our mouths, is a tool that can be use to invade heart tissue, causing a dangerous and sometimes lethal infection of the heart known as endocarditis. S. mutans is a bacterium best known for causing cavities.

The study done raises the possibility of creating a screening tool – perhaps a swab of the cheek, or a spit test to gauge a dental patient’s vulnerability to the condition.

Normally, S. mutans normally confine themselves to the mouth, but sometimes, after a dental procedure or even after a vigorous bout of flossing, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream. Our immune system usually destroys them, but occasionally – within just a few seconds – they travel to the heart and colonize its tissue, especially heart valves. The bacteria can cause endocarditis – inflammation of heart valves – which can be deadly. Infection by S. mutans is a leading cause of the condition.

The cost is going to depend on the type of Insurance Plan you have. Sometimes the cost of X-rays for Orthodontic treatment is not covered at all so you need to review your plan benefits. If you do not have Insurance then the cost of any X-rays would depend on what the dentist is charging. Dentist to dentist cost varies and would be hard to say what one charges and why. That would be something you would need to shop out.

If you are looking for a discount plan to help off set the cost of your orthodontic treatment most discount plans will save you about 20% for that type of service. You do need to go to a dentist in their network. There is no out side network so if you are trying to stay with a current dentist make sure they are in the plan before buying one.

I have listed a good web site for dental insurance and dental discount plans. I hope you can find what you need.

Do orange peels or banana peels whiten teeth?

All the researched I have put into this question and questions like this seems to me comes down to this. Although all the home remedies that are listed may help to whiten your teeth only a dentist can get your teeth the whitest.

Here are some suggested home remedy that may help to whiten your teeth.

1)Brushing with Lemon Juice
2)Brushing with Baking Soda
3)Brushing with Hydrogen Peroxide
4)Brushing with Salt
5)Rubbing Strawberries on your teeth then Brushing off.
6) Orange Peels
7) Banana Peels

All though the above may help whiten your teeth they can do damage as well. They contain sugar and acids and are abrasive, all of which can damaged your enamel that helps protects your teeth

I can understand with all that been said that many people can not afford to go to the dentist to whiten their teeth. I would advise if you are going to try any home remedy to understand that you run the risk of doing more damage to your teeth in the along run.

Trying looking into some of the over counter products that are not so costly. Like tooth paste with whiting, mouth wash with whiting, gum with whiting. Maybe even just speak to your dentist and get advise on what he/she may advise for you. A good dentist will advise you on what you can use to help whiten your teeth. They may still tell you only they can do it the best (which would be true) but they still will tell you other ways if asked.

How teenagers are putting their teeth and oral health at risk.

Dentist are worried that teenagers are putting their teeth and oral health at risk by trying dangerous do-it-yourself teeth-whitening techniques found on the Internet. Too many teenagers uses online tips of do it yourself teeth whitening since money and access to proper dental whitening care may not be in their reach.

However Children who are mixing up quantities of different chemical and applying them for long periods of time are at risk of eroding their tooth enamel and damaging their gums. In turn increasing their risk of oral infection. The best course of action is to talk to your dentist about safely whiting your teeth or what over the counter product they my suggest to be use

In a new research of a study of over 1,000 post-menopausal women it was forecast that over one in four post-menopausal women have a higher risk to suffer from tooth loss over a five year period. This risk increases to nearly 90 per cent if other risk factors are present, especially diabetes and if they smoke. Having proper dental care and maintaining good oral hygiene reduces the risk factors.

A study has revealed that dentists avoid giving appointments to children in the combined Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program. Joanna Bisgaier, MSW, from the Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and team intended to check out the influence of insurance status on dentists’ keenness to allot an appointment for children. Their research revealed that only 36.5% of Medicaid/CHIP beneficiaries were given an appointment

How Vending Machines can Influence a Child Diet and Oral Health Care.

Although many school are changing what foods choices are provide in their vending machines many more vending machines still provide sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, and non-nutritious snacks that can affect children teeth. In the younger grades, schools are either removing vending machines altogether or putting in healthier snacks options.

Though in the high schools and collages junk food in vending machines are still wildly offer. Many dentist are concerned that their patients are still consuming too much of the sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, and non-nutritious snacks that are found in many vending machines. These types of snacks normally have very little if any nutritional value and over time they can take a toll on ones teeth. Food choices among children and teens are important factors that affect how quickly they may develop tooth decay.

There are many people that are dealing with Gastroesophageal reflux disease which is relatively a common condition. Acid Reflux is when the stomach acid are refluxed up, which may cause problems to your esophagus as well as your oral health and teeth if left untreated.

With regards to the one oral health care acid reflux can cause enamel erosion. Which can lead to tooth decay and other dental issues. Acid reflux can also cause bad breath issues. It is important to speak to your medical doctor as well as your dentist, when dealing with Acid Reflux disease.

Let your dentist know that you are dealing with acid reflux. That way the dentist will know to check more carefully for signs of tooth enamel erosion as well as wear on fillings. You may want to see a dentist more the just twice a year if you have constant acid reflux issues. Stomach acid will quickly damage teeth if you do not stay on top of your oral health care. See a doctor to get help in controlling your acid reflux and see a dentist regularly to maintain your teeth health.

Here is a good tip that may help you when you do get acid reflux and it comes up in your mouth. Immediately after do not brush but rinse with baking soda. Baking soda will help neutralize the effects of the stomach acid that comes up into your mouth.

You may want to start keeping a record of food that make you more sensitive to getting acid reflux and try to limit yourself on those foods.

Did you know that as a senior you need to see the dentist some times more then just twice a year for your oral health check ups? Cavities can be more frequent in seniors for many reason. Although fluoride is in community water supplies today that was not always the case for some of the older seniors. 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 mouth due to either age or different medications they may have to take. Dry mouth can lead to a higher risk of tooth decay because without an adequate amount of saliva the acids produced by plaque can not be neutralized

Seniors often put off their dental care needs due to many factors. Not having transportation, No dental insurance, other health issues that keeps them from seeing a dentist and cost for dental services.

However these issues can be address. There may be some ride share services available for seniors. Buying dental insurance can control your cost for dental services. If there are other health issues keeping you way from a dentist that can be difficult to address. But many time it is these same health issues that make it even more important to see a dentist regularly. Bad teeth issues can cause over all health problems.

Visit Your Dentist if you are Struggling With Headaches

If you have a headache, quite often the first port of call is the medicine cabinet for pain relief or a visit to the Doctors. However, if the problem persists it might be something you should mention to your dentist as the persistent cause may lie inside your mouth.

Dentists are worried that teenagers are putting their teeth and health at risk by trying dangerous do-it-yourself (DIY) teeth-whitening techniques found on the Internet.

Children who are mixing up quantities of chemicals and applying them for long periods are at risk of eroding tooth enamel, damaging gums and increasing risks of infection. Ironically the erosion may expose the yellow-colored dentin that lies beneath the enamel.

Dentist are Opening Their Dental Practice to the Online Community

Something to think about when trying to find a dentist. More dentist are opening their practice to the online community. By doing so it not only helps them get new patients they might not had have otherwise but provides added service to people who visit their sites. Many dental office websites provide information on not only their practice but provide for for increased knowledge of dental healthcare. Dental offices may also provide specials on their website for dental services you may not get otherwise.

Question: I do not have current dental insurance and very little money. I am told that I need some dental work on my teeth so I started looking for dental insurance. Right now insurance seems too costly for me but a few of my friends are telling me to stay away from dental discount plans because they are all scams. Is that so?

Reply: No dental discount plans are not scams. The problem sometimes is that people think that they may be buying dental insurance only to find out after the fact that it is a discount plan.

Now that can happen only because the person buying the plan did not read what it was they were buying. Most website will clearing state that it is a dental discount plan if that is what they are selling.

Sometimes it can be unclear on the website. People are searching for dental insurance only to pull up dental discount plans. This can get confusing but it still comes down to just knowing what it is you are buying.

Discount plans do help save you money off dental services. Just make sure if you are going to buy one to confirm that you have a dentist in the plan you want to go to. I suggest calling the dental office to confirm all that is important to you before buying any plan.