When you have dental insurance that requires you file claims (PPO and Indemnity Plans) it is important to know ahead of time how your dental office is going to file any claims made and what is expected from you. Many dental office required you pay for dental services at the time they are render and that you wait for your money back from the insurance company where as other dental office may file the claim for you then bill you for any remaining balances.

ne common mistake people make when buying dental insurance is not confirming if their dentist accepts the plan they are wanting to buy. You need to make sure you are seeing a dentist that is either a provider of your dental plan or that you have a dental insurance plan where you can see any dentist if staying with your current dentist is important to you

The ingredients of mouth washes vary, but some contain high levels of alcohol ranging from 18 to 26 percent. This may produce a burning sensation in the cheeks, tongue, and gums, or may cause intoxication if swallowed or used excessively. For children, even small doses of these over-the-counter rinses can potentially be lethal. While mouthwash with alcohol has not been directly linked to oral cancer, alcohol is the most important risk factor for oral cancer in non-smokers.

Although mouth rinses may leave your breath feeling fresh, some mouth rinse formulas may actually be doing your mouth more harm than good. Mouth rinses do provide a fresh, crisp feeling after use, and many help to prevent cavities and plaque buildup, but, for some people, mouth rinses can be harmful. They may actually be masking the symptoms of an oral health disease or condition. With some conditions such as periodontal disease, bad breath and a unpleasant taste in your mouth are the first (and sometimes only) indicators that something is wrong.

Dental sealants are thin, plastic films bonded to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars) and are highly effective in the prevention of tooth decay. Dental sealants are particularly effective on the back teeth, as the back teeth contain more hard-to-reach pits and grooves that serve as a host to food debris and bacteria. Sealants are especially beneficial for children because their newly erupted, permanent teeth are most susceptible to cavities and least benefited by fluoride.

Flossing tools, such as a pre-threaded flosser or floss holder, may be helpful for people who are just learning how to floss, individuals with limited dexterity in their arms and/or hands, or persons who are flossing the teeth of someone else (particularly a child or disabled person

Consistent flossing is an important weapon against dental plaque and tooth decay. Although there are different types of floss the health benefits still remain the same. The different types of dental floss include: Waxed and unwaxed, Flavored and unflavored, Wide and regular, Textured and smooth. Which floss you choose to use is up to you and what you feel best works for you.

Although brushing your teeth properly and consistently will help to remove most dental plaque, brushing alone is only doing half the job. Brushing alone can not remove plaque that is located in between teeth or where a toothbrush can not reach. In addition to removing plaque, flossing also helps to: Remove debris that adheres to teeth and gums in between teeth as well as helps to control bad breath. To floss effectively one should floss at least once a day for two to three minutes each time.

Proper care of a child’s deciduous (baby) teeth is very important as these teeth hold space for the future eruption of permanent teeth. Here are some facts to keep in mind.

1) If a baby tooth decays or is removed too early, the space necessary for the permanent teeth is lost and can only be regained through orthodontic treatment.

2) Infected baby teeth can cause the permanent teeth to develop improperly resulting in stains, pits, and weaker teeth. Primary teeth are important in speech development. Primary teeth aid in chewing food properly, promoting healthy nutrition.

Most children begin losing their baby teeth around the ages five or six–usually the front teeth first. They continue to lose baby teeth until the age of 12 or 13 when all of the permanent teeth finally come through, except for the third molars (wisdom teeth). These molars begin to appear around age 17 to 21.

Most pediatric dentists will agree that regular dental care should begin by one year of age, with a dental check-up at least twice each consecutive year for most children. Here are some dental care tips.

1) Follow the schedule of dental examinations and cleanings, as recommended by your child’s pediatric dentist. Generally, dental examinations and cleanings are recommended every six months for children and adults, but can be more or less as advise by your dentist.

2) As your child learns to rinse his or her mouth, and as most deciduous/baby teeth have erupted by this age, brushing with a pea-sized portion of fluoridated toothpaste becomes appropriate.

Most dental PPO and Indemnity plans have an annual dollar maximum. This is the maximum dollar amount a dental plan will pay toward the cost of dental care within a specific benefit period (usually January through December). The patient is personally responsible for paying costs above the annual maximum. When buying dental plan make sure to know what the maximum limitation is on average it can range between $500 – $2000 though plans can very.

If you or your child has any dental fears let your dentist know ahead of time. If you do not inform the dentist about any fears you or your child may have, the dentist can not help to address them. When booking a dental appoint let them know that there are dental fear issues that need to be address and that extra time may be needed for the dental appointment and for them to book accordingly.

For your dental care some of the worst food choices are: Candy, cookies, cakes, crackers, breads, muffins, potato chips, french fries, pretzels, bananas, raisins and other dried fruits. These foods provide a source of sugar that certain bacteria can use to produce acid. The problem can be worse if the foods stick to teeth or get caught between them.

If you want to prevent cavities, how often you eat can be just as important as what you eat. That is because food affects your teeth and mouth long after you swallow. Eating cookies with dinner will do less harm to your teeth than eating them as a separate snack. Of course, overall poor nutrition can contribute to periodontal disease. It also can have other long-term effects on your mouth.

All water-fluoridation systems are checked daily to maintain safe fluoride levels for drinking. Parents should supervise the use of all fluoride products in the home. Fluoride-supplement tablets should be stored safely away from young children. In 2010, the American Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs recommended fluoride supplements only for children who have a high risk of caries. This advice applies regardless of the amount of fluoride in the child’s drinking water. Dentists limit the amount of tablets they prescribe at one time to reduce the risk of overdose. To avoid any chance of overdose, do not stock up on fluoride tablets in your home. If you have any questions regarding fluoride risks, talk to your dentist or physician.

Fluoride is safe and effective when it is used properly. All water-fluoridation systems are checked daily to maintain safe fluoride levels for drinking. Parents should supervise the use of all fluoride products in the home. Fluoride-supplement tablets should be stored safely away from young children. In 2010, the American Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs recommended fluoride supplements only for children who have a high risk of caries. This advice applies regardless of the amount of fluoride in the child’s drinking water. Dentists limit the amount of tablets they prescribe at one time to reduce the risk of overdose. To avoid any chance of overdose, do not stock up on fluoride tablets in your home. If you have any questions regarding fluoride risks, talk to your dentist or physician.

Children between six months and sixteen years old should take fluoride supplements if: They do not drink water fluoridated to optimum levels They also are at high risk of cavities (caries/tooth decay) Fluoride supplements are available as liquids for younger children and tablets for older children. Either your pediatrician or your dentist can prescribe them. If your child has had cavities or is at high risk of tooth decay, he or she should use extra fluoride. This will promote remineralization. Fluoride mouth rinses are recommended for children over the age of six. They are found in the mouthwash section of most stores. Your dentist can prescribe fluoride rinses and gels if your child needs a higher level of fluoride. Carefully supervise your children when they use any fluoride product. Keep fluoride out of reach of young children.

Plaque is a soft, gooey substance that sticks to your teeth. Plaque is a type of biofilm which contains large numbers of closely packed bacteria, components taken from saliva, and bits of food. Also in the mix are bacterial byproducts and white blood cells. Plaque grows when bacteria attach to the tooth and begin to multiply. Plaque starts forming right after a tooth is cleaned. Within an hour, there’s enough to measure. As time goes on, the plaque thickens. Within two to six hours, the plaque teems with bacteria that can cause cavities and periodontal disease.

 Your mouth and teeth are constantly bathed in saliva. Most people never give much thought to their spit, but this fluid is remarkable for what it does to help protect our oral health.   Saliva keeps teeth and other parts of your mouth moist and washes away bits of food. Saliva contains minerals that strengthen teeth. It includes buffering agents. They reduce the levels of acid that can decay teeth. Saliva also protects against some viruses and bacteria

You can never get rid of all the bacteria in your mouth. However you can take steps to control and disrupt the bacteria so that it does not attack your teeth and cause dental health issues such as tooth decay. To do this make sure to brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily and reduce the number of times each day that you consume fermentable carbohydrates.  Some mouthwashes reduce bacteria in your mouth. This can help prevent decay. Chewing sugarless gums, especially those with xylitol, can help reduce the number of bacteria that cause cavities and increase the flow of saliva. Also you need to make sure that you visit your dentist regularly. The dentist can find and treat any decay before it causes larger dental issues.