Is seeing your dentist twice a year for checkups necessary? 

The rule of thumb has been that one needs to see a dentist at least twice a year for dental checkups. Is that necessary for everyone, or is it possible that a person should see a dentist more than twice a year? Professionals from the medical field agree that this dental rule would mean that everybody is exposed to the same risk of developing diseases, which is invalid. Dental statistics relating to the health status of the middle-class US population have revealed that most of them are not even struggling with decay or gum disease. Yet other people with different health issues may need to see a dentist more than twice a year. Such as a person who has diabetes has a higher risk of tooth loss, so seeing a dentist more often would be necessary in maintaining dental health. Seeing a dentist twice a year when it is not necessary will not hurt, but not going to the dentist when needed can cause both dental and overall health issues. In short, speak to your dentist and see how frequently you should go and what is best for you.

Don’t let your smile be more important than your dental health care. 

In today’s looks is everything attitude, we tend to forget what may be more critical. Having nice white teeth is essential to many people. However, white teeth do not always mean healthy teeth. You can have white teeth but also have gum disease or tooth decay problems that go unfixed. So before spending $100.00 plus on teeth whitening, talk to a dentist first and make sure you are addressing your dental health needs first. White teeth mean nothing if they fall out due to untreated gum disease.

Amalgam fillings may be poisonous to your health. 

Mercury leaks from amalgam filling can be a health risk. Many studies have pointed out that mercury vapors from amalgam fillings can end up readily in the bloodstream. Over time it could cause damage to your health. Talk to your dentist about alternatives to any old amalgam fillings you may have.

How to Choose the Right Cosmetic Dentist? 

Once you choose to see a cosmetic dentist finding the right one for your dental needs is the first step. You want to ensure that the cosmetic dentist is highly skilled and professional and has good communication and interpersonal skills. Here are some valuable tips to help you find a cosmetic dentist. 

When looking for a cosmetic dentist, do your homework. A little research goes a long way in choosing a cosmetic dentist. Make sure the dentist is properly licensed and accredited. 

First impressions: Before a cosmetic dentist starts dental work, you will have a dental exam or consultation. This first impression will tell you much about the dentist and the dental office. (Note many cosmetic dentists will offer free consultations throughout the year.)

Make sure you ask any questions you feel are necessary to understand the suggested dental services. A professional will go over everything until you have a complete understanding. Choose a cosmetic dentist that has good communication skills. In short, if the dentist you are seeing can not explain everything so that it is clear to you or seems bothered by your questions, look for a different dentist. 

Cost: Cost is always a factor. Cosmetic dentistry can be costly, especially when most dental insurance does not offer benefits for cosmetic dental services. When seeing a cosmetic dentist, beware that there may be a cost factor to consider. Before starting any dental services, make sure you know your cost and find out how the dental office handles payment, such as if they offer any payment plan options. Cost is only a real issue when it is unclear from the start, and you are left to pay more than you may have thought.

Dreaming of Bright White Teeth for the Summer. 

Many people’s teeth are not as white as they would like them to be. Over-the-counter products sometimes fail to work, or they do not get the result one is hoping for. Only a dentist can get your teeth the whitest. With summer coming, many dentists offer discounts on whitening treatment, so talk to your local dental provider and see what they can offer.

Getting a Smile Makeover.

If you are a person that is dealing with Chipped, stained, misshapen, and missing teeth seeing a cosmetic dentist may help you get back the smile you want. Did you know that many cosmetic dental offices offer free consultations? These consultations can typically run $100 or more and are the first step in finding out the dental care treatment that would be best for you.

Why is it Importance to Maintain Healthy Gums?

Preventive dental care is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Most people know brushing and flossing at least twice daily helps support dental health. Regularly seeing a dentist is essential for preventive dental care and preventing more significant dental issues. However, gum health is also vital for your overall health care. Having poor gum not only increases your risk of tooth loss and major dental care needs, but it can also affect other health issues such as heart disease, respiratory illness, and diabetes.

Dental Implants help to provide more options for people. 

No one wants to lose their natural teeth, but it can happen. Dentures, partials, and bridges were the only options in the past. Dental implants bring another opportunity for people that a healthy smile without having dentures. Talk to your cosmetic dentist and find the best choice for your dental needs.

Poor Oral and Dental Health is Tied To Chronic Disease and Worse Health. Even though studies are coming out that suggest that Poor oral health can contribute to much more severe medical conditions as well as affect a person’s ability to chew and digest food properly, 45% of Ontarians ages 65 and up have not seen a dentist within the last year.

Medicaid and SCHIP are good sources for low-income children to receive dental care. 

Dental decay is one of the most common chronic illnesses among children. However, it has been established that poor dental and oral health care is also an integral component of children’s overall health and well-being. Still, many children do not receive the dental care recommended. Difficulties in obtaining dental care disproportionately affect low-income and minority children. Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) are significant sources of dental coverage, reaching millions of low-income children, but inadequate access to dental care among these children remains a critical health policy challenge

Good Oral and Dental Health Care -Tips for you and your children.

Dental habits from home are the first important step for your child to have good oral health care. Here are some tips you will want to teach to show your child good oral and dental health care at home. 

• Ensure your child is brushing their teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and one more time in the evening. 
• Your child should brush their teeth for at least three minutes. If your child likes music, that is about one song worth. 
• When your child is old enough to spit, you will want to use fluoride toothpaste. Never overuse toothpaste. From child to adult, you need no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. 
• Teach your child to floss. You may have to floss your child’s teeth until they are old enough to do so correctly, but showing them how each time is essential. Daily flossing helps their teeth and is vital for their gum health. 
• When your child is brushing their teeth, you want to make sure they have a soft toothbrush and make sure they are not brushing too hard, as this can damage their gums. 
• Good food habits are crucial for their teeth and overall health care. 
• Finally, make sure you and your child visit the dentist regularly. (Normally twice a year but more if advised by your dentist.)

Dental Health Care a Forgotten New Year Resolution. 

At the start of each year, many people make new resolutions hoping to change or do something for the better in the following year. Whether it is to lose a few unwanted pounds, eat better, exercise, and get into a healthier shape, many people focus on healthcare issues for the up upcoming. However, one resolution that is often forgotten is dental care. Even though many studies have shown that better care of your oral and dental health positively impacts your overall health care, give dental and oral health care a thought when planning out your new year’s resolutions and how you want to help improve your general health care for the following year.

Homeopathic Teething Remedies Are They Safe?

While some parents may swear by homeopathic teething drops and tablets, many pediatricians claim that the risks of homeopathic treatments far outweigh any potential benefits. While the US FDA requires homeopathic remedies to meet specific standards for strength, purity, and packaging, they’re not rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness the way prescription and over-the-counter medications are. Therefore before using a homeopathic remedy, one should check with your child’s doctor or the FDA, which has recalled certain homeopathic products due to safety concerns.

Teething remedies that help to treat teething pain. 

Teething is something all babies generally go through within their first year. For some, the teething process is not too difficult, but for other babies, teething can be a painful experience. Here are some teething remedies that may help your baby through its teething process. For teething use, cold things such as a wet washcloth in a plastic bag and chill it in the freezer for an hour or so. You can also soak the washcloth in chamomile tea before freezing, which will help calm fussy babies as well as help them sleep. You can also refrigerate pacifiers or teething rings. However, you do not want to freeze these things since they are too hard when frozen and can damage baby gums. Chewing on a room-temperature teething ring may work if your baby does not like cold items. There are also teething rings that vibrate, and many babies like the feel of the vibration on their gums.

Baby Teeth and Keeping your child’s Teeth Healthy. 

By the time your child is one year old, they should have had their first dental appointment. Even babies can have dental decay when parents do not practice good oral health habits with their children. Baby teeth are no different from adult teeth. Brushing and flossing is a daily habit that needs to be maintained for good oral health care. Talk to your pediatric dentist for instructions if you need help with how to brush or floss your child’s teeth.

Parents can spread cavities to their babies. 

Studies have been done regarding the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria from parent to baby and have been published for over 20 years. The main culprit is Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that can pass from person to person through the transfer of saliva, such as sharing utensils, blowing on food, and, yes, even kissing your baby.

The economy is still poor, but dentists are helping patients through tough times. 

As our economy continues downward, the effects have impacted dental practices. According to an ADA survey, 6 out of 10 dentists that responded said their net income in the third quarter was lower than in the second quarter. About three in 10 said it remained the same. Even with the decrease in income, dentists are dealing with patients who are also trying to deal with a lousy economy and have their own financial worries. Many dentists are trying to help their patients with the cost of dental care by offering discounted services and payment plan options through their practice or a third-party financing company and providing extended treatment durations to help patients pay for care.

Dental Insurance plans for any dentist. 

Finding dental insurance can be difficult, but the task may have just gotten harder when you are trying to find and stay with your dentist, which is why we offer more than just one type of dental insurance in most states, dental plans. Giving you the option to choose from dental discount plans to HMO, PPO, and free choice of provider insurance plans. It allows you to choose your dentist or a plan that provides its network of providers. The option is yours to make.

Whitening your teeth and what you may want to know first. 

Many people are striving for the whitest, brightest teeth possible. With the variety and availability of dental whitening methods having bright white teeth is easy. However, before running out and getting that over-the-counter whitening kit or heading to the mall to zoom-whiten your teeth, you should make a dental appointment for basic dental cleaning. Having your teeth cleaned by the dentist will remove surface stains that need to be removed before whitening your teeth for optimum results. Also, this allows you to talk to your dentist about teeth whitening products. You may not know this, but not everyone can whiten their teeth, or they may need to whiten only by a dentist. Talking to your dentist first will help you determine what is best for you. Dental restoration, like veneers, bridges, and crowns, can not be whitened with Hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. As well as teeth that have internal staining, discoloration from developmental conditions, or by a root canal may not be affected by the typical whitening process.

Will my dental insurance premiums be affected if I smoke?

No, generally, concerning standalone dental insurance plans for individuals/families, smoking is not a rating factor. So although your dental insurance rates are typically not affected if you smoke, you may still have a high cost in maintaining your dental health because you smoke. Smokers have increased oral health risks and are more prone to diseases of the gums and teeth. Due to those factors, you may need to see a dentist more often than non-smokers. Having to see a dentist more often due to smoking will cause you to spend more on dental healthcare.