Learn more about California dental insurance plans. You can do that by exploring or website DentalOpinions.com. We over over 50 different dental insurance and plan options for your review. The more you learn about your current dental needs and wants the better your will be able to choose a dental insurance and or plan that fits those needs. If you have any questions about the available dental insurance and plan options, please call our member service line at 310-534-3444 as we will be happy to help you.

It is important to visit a dentist regular in order to prevent gum disease and other oral health problems. Therefore make sure to schedule regular dental cleanings and exams. In the meantime, you will want to contact your dentist if you notice any signs or symptoms that could suggest oral health problems, such as:

*   Red, tender or swollen gums
*   Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
*   Gums that begin pulling away from your teeth
*   Loose permanent teeth
*   Changes in the way your top and bottom teeth align with each other
*   Unusual sensitivity to hot and cold
*   Persistent bad breath or an unusual taste in your mouth

Early detection and treatment of oral health problems with your gums, teeth and mouth can help ensure a lifetime of good oral health.

Question: I am going to the dentist and I am scared. I know I have to go have not been in a while but any helpful tips

Answer: One suggestions I can make is when you go to your appointment make sure you address your fears and concerns with your dentist. Make sure that you fully understand that “something” he is going to do. Not knowing what is going to happen makes your fear worst. When you have a understanding of the process and or procedures it will help remove your fears. Working well with the dentist and understanding what is being done will go a long way,

In order to get the most out of flossing, here are some flossing tips that may help you maximize your flossing.

1) Length of Floss: Do not be skimpy on the amount of floss you use. Brake off about 18 inches of dental floss. Wind most of the floss around the middle finger on one hand, and the rest around the middle finger on the other hand. Grip the floss tightly between your thumbs and forefingers.

2) Be Gentle: Do not snap the floss into your gums or be rough when flossing. You want to guide the floss between your teeth using a rubbing motion, when the floss reaches your gumline curve it against one tooth

3) Take your time: Flossing should not be rush. Make sure to take one tooth at a time. Slide the floss into the space between your gum and tooth. Use the floss to gently rub the side of the tooth in an up-and-down motion. Unwind fresh floss as you progress to the rest of your teeth.

4) Keep it up:  Flossing like brushing should be done at least twice a day every day after eating. Yet many people forget this important part of their daily dental care habit. There by only get half the benefit need for good oral health care.

Our California Dental Insurance HMO plans offer three plans for individuals, couples and families. California Dental Insurance offers the 460, 411 and their 595 plans ranging in cost from $7.95 – $18.95 for individuals, $11.95 – $ 28.95 for couples and $16.95 – 39.95 a month.  You can see how all plans are affordable and since they are HMO insurance plans they do not have any waiting periods for services that are covered under the plan nor do they have any maximum dollar limitation per person per year, like most PPO insurance plans.

Compare all our dental insurance and plan options on DentalOpinions.com,  in California we over over 40 plan options for your review.  Letting you choose which plan best fits your dental care needs.

Flossing is an important part of your daily dental care habits. Do not stop with brushing your teeth or you are just doing half the job. You can not reach the tight spaces between your teeth and under the gumline with a toothbrush. That is why brushing alone is not good enough, and brushing and flossing is necessary in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums

Question: If you schedule an emergency dentist appointment to see an orthodontic dentist, how fast till the can see them? I made an appointment to an orthodontic dentist but I was told that I may need need to have a referral from the insurance company in order for me to have any benefits.  Wondering how long dose that take?

Reply:  Since you are looking for a referral for orthodontic I am guessing you have some dental insurance in place. Or you would not need a referral just to go to the orthodontic. If that is the case, you will need to call your insurance carrier for the referral. They would advise you on the step you would need to take under the plan you have.

Your toothbrush is not meant to last a life time, that why it is important to know when to replace your toothbrush. Invest in a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric or battery-operated toothbrush every three to four months, sooner if the brush bristles become frayed.

At DentalOpinions.com we offers free dental insurance quotes and information on California dental insurance providers, allowing customers to compare over 40 different insurance plan options so that you can best choose the plan that fits your dental care needs.  If you have any questions about the available plan options please call our office at 310-534-3444 as we will be happy to assist you.

It is important to take proper care of your toothbrush. You want to always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing your teeth. Store your toothbrush in an upright position, if possible, and allow it to air-dry until using it again. You do not want to routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers, doing so can encourage the growth of bacteria.

Question: My teeth are not as white as I would like them to be. However I can not afford to get them whiten by the dentist. Thinking about using whitening strips but worried about my teeth becoming overly sensitive after using the strips.

Reply: Any whiten strips can make your teeth sensitive. Specially if you have never used them before. You can try to look for a lower dos of whiting for starters. Or leave the strips in for less time. The sensitivity should go away after use. However stop using the strips if it bothers you to much.

Sometimes in order to do something well it does take some practice. Make sure you are brushing your teeth correctly and if not practice brushing you teeth so you can have good technique.  Brushing Your Teeth: You will want to hold your toothbrush at a slight angle, aim the bristles toward the area where your tooth meets your gum. Gently brush with short back-and-forth motions. Remember to brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue.

Compare dental insurance plans as well as dental discount plans from leading CA dental insurance carriers and apply for dental coverage online. At DentalOpinions.com we offer over 40+ dental insurance plan options and a few dental discount plan options for your review. Compare our plans and choose which one will best fit your dental care needs. If you have any questions please call our member services at 310-534-3444 as they be happy to help.

Your oral health starts with clean teeth. By keeping the area where your teeth meet your gums clean you can help to prevent gum disease. Keeping your tooth surfaces clean will help you prevent cavities. Consider these brushing basics from the American Dental Association:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush. The size and shape of your brush should fit your mouth allowing you to reach all areas easily
• Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
• Make sure to use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.

  The proper brushing technique is to:

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
• Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes.
• Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
• To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.
•    Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh.

Supplemental Dental Insurance

Supplemental dental insurance is an individual or family insurance policy purchased to cover a portion of the dental costs. Supplemental dental insurance will normally not cover the entire dental care procedure.

If you have a primary dental insurance plan that you purchased or your employer provided, the supplemental dental policy typically covers the remaining dental bill.  For example, if the dental plan policy covers half of the dental cost, the secondary or supplement dental insurance plan should cover the remaining balance of your dental procedure.

A supplement dental insurance plan may also be purchased to cover the dental charges when there are annual dental benefit plan limits or exclusions.

In order to get the job done right you must first start with using the right tools for the job.  The same can be said about your oral health care. Make sure to use toothpaste with fluoride and a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth comfortably.   You may want to consider using an electric or battery-operated toothbrush, if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush effectively. A side benefit is they can help to reduce plaque and a mild form of gum disease (gingivitis) more than manual brushing dose.

Question: I am a minor with yellowish looking teeth.  I hate to smile because I do not have white teeth and my mom will not pay to have my teeth whiten at the dentist.  I also ask to use whiten strips but she says she was told they can make your teeth sensitive and would prefer for me not too. Is that true? And can I still buy them if I am a minor.

Answer:   Whiten strips can make your teeth sensitive. You may wish to find a product that has a lower dosage, or use them for a shorter time. If you find your teeth are getting sensitive to the strips you may wish to stop treatment for a while.

However that being said, it is still something your mother would need to approve of before you go ahead and use any whiten strips. Maybe ask your mother if you can first start off with using a toothpaste product with whiten. I not addressing weather or not you can still buy them since I would suggest not going behind your mother back and do what she told you no to already.

You can obtain quotes for more affordable dental insurance plans from companies online and through your local insurance agent or broker. Please keep in mind that there are many web sites who give the appearance of selling dental insurance but instead only offer a dental discount plan which is not insurance.

Your dentist may also have affordable dental plan options available to patients.  Ask the receptionist if they partner with a dental plan company and see if one might be right for you.

Question: How much does a bridge cost and is it permanent?

Answer:  The average cost of a single fixed bridge depends on many factors, from which region you’re in to how many and which type of bridges are needed. Typically dental bridge cost ranges from $500-900 per tooth. Dental insurance typically pays for about half of the cost of the bridge. This is a cost per tooth in the bridge, and doesn’t include the costs for any anchoring crowns on either side of the bridge.

Affordable dental insurance plans from an HMO have a limited pool of dentist to select, but it is a more affordable insurance plan. If you are self employed and looking for a more affordable dental plan, a discount dental plan may be an alternative.

Discount dental plans are not dental insurance plans. A discount plan partners with dentists to provide customers with a savings on visits to the dentist office. The downside to discount dental plans is that they are not regulated and you have limited recourse if you experience dental plan problems.