When it comes to your dental health, it would help if you started using the right tools to do the job correctly. Use toothpaste with fluoride and a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth comfortably. 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 reduce plaque and a mild form of gum disease (gingivitis) more than a manual brushing dose.

Here are some additional brushing tips to help maintain your dental health:

1. Brush at least twice a day for two minutes each time.
2. Use gentle circular or back-and-forth motions to clean all surfaces of your teeth and gums.
3. Remember to brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
4. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if the bristles become frayed.
5. Avoid brushing too hard, as this can damage your enamel and irritate your gums.
6. Consider using a mouthwash or dental floss to clean hard-to-reach areas between your teeth.

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

Answer:  Dental bridges are an excellent option for restoring missing teeth and improving the appearance of your smile. The cost of a bridge can vary depending on several factors, such as the number of teeth being replaced, the type of bridge, and the region you’re located in. A single fixed bridge can cost anywhere from $500 to $900 per tooth. Remember that this cost is per tooth and doesn’t include the expenses for anchoring crowns on either side of the bridge. 

It’s important to note that dental insurance can help cover the cost of the bridge, typically paying for about half of the total cost. However, insurance policies vary, so it’s best to check with your provider to see what’s covered. 

As far as permanence goes, dental bridges can last for many years with proper care. With regular visits to the dentist and an excellent oral hygiene routine, a dental bridge can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years or more. It’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions on how to care for your bridge to ensure it lasts as long as possible. 

I hope this information helps! Let me know if you have any further questions. You can call our member service line at 310-534-3444. Our team of experts can explain each plan’s various options and benefits and help you select the one that best fits your needs and budget.

My son has terrible teeth enamel on his baby teeth. He is seven and has already had five fillings done. This is going to be very costly. Even though I have dental insurance for him, it does not pay out that much, and I have to pay the difference. 

Does anyone know how to slow him down from getting cavities? As it is now, he is brushing three times a day and using toothpaste that is supposed to help tooth enamel, but I don’t know how much that is working.

Reply: Has your son’s dentist talked to you about dental sealants? Dental sealants are a thin protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars. They can help prevent cavities by smoothing the grooves and pits on the teeth where food and bacteria can quickly accumulate. Dental sealants are a safe and effective way to protect your child’s teeth from decay and cavities. 

Most dental insurance plans provide benefits for dental sealants for children, so it could be a cost-effective way to prevent future dental problems. If your current dental insurance does not provide coverage for dental sealant or has limited coverage, you may want to start shopping it out for a plan that will fit your and your son’s current dental needs better. 

I am a 23-year-old part-time student/worker—no kids and not married. I have not been to the dentist since I got dropped from my dad’s insurance. How much dental insurance is available for a part-time student? Is there any discount for being a student even if you are only part-time?

Reply:  It’s great that you are considering getting dental insurance. While your school may provide some insurance options for students, it’s not a guarantee that they offer discounts for part-time students. So, check with your school’s insurance office to see if they offer dental insurance plans that could work for you.

If you cannot find an insurance plan through your school, you can purchase individual dental insurance independently. However, most individual dental insurance plans don’t offer student discounts. That being said, you should look into dental HMO insurance plans, which are typically low-cost and can provide you with necessary dental coverage. 

I hope this information helps you make an informed decision about your dental insurance options. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns!

My son who is five year old just had three baby teeth removed do to bad dental carries. He was very good while the dentist removed his teeth. However when the dentist was done with the extractions my son really just wanted to go home.

Now I know I should have taken more time to ask the dentist about his aftercare but I was only thinking of my son at the time. My son needs to go back to the dentist in a week to be fitted for space maintainers.

I guessing his gums will be heal by then. But since I forgot to ask about the aftercare I am not really sure. So besides trying to keep his mouth clean is there anything else I should be doing for him?

Kids dental care, Pulling out baby teeth.  My son has two baby teeth that are really loose.  You can see the adult teeth coming in but the baby teeth have yet to come out.  Should I take him to a dentist to have them pulled?  Or will they come out if I just leave them alone.  I do not have much money but I take him to the dentist is need be.   Helpful advise please

Buying Dental Insurance Online for kids and families.   I do not know much about how to go about buying dental insurance for myself and my two boys.   My insurance agent does not sell dental insurance and told me to go online and get some since dental insurance plans are cheap and easy to get online.   I do not know where to find the cheap and easy  dental insurance plans and hoping you can help.

Family PPO Dental Insurance Plans in California.  I am single mom in Los Angeles California.  I have two children and right now we do not have any dental insurance in place for our dental care needs.

I am working a full time job but it does not offer dental benefits and my children need to see the dentist twice a year.   There dentist does not take HMO plans and I was told to get a dental PPO plan if I was wanting to get dental insurance.  I do not know much about insurance matters but I do want my kids to stay with the dentist they know.  Can you help me find a good plan?

Kids dental specialist, need dental insurance in Florida:  My son is four and he needs a lot of dental work.  I found out by our family dentist that due to his age and all the dental work that is needed he needs to see a child specialist in which my current dental insurance does not offer any coverages for.  I need help and do not know where to get a plan that can help my son.

How Can I Get Dental Care for my Kids in Texas?  Ever though I have a full time job I do not get dental benefits.  I have two kids and a very small income left after rent and utilities bills.  It is truly a struggle to get though each day.

My kids are very important to me so I did get them private dental plan but with the amount of dental care they need my share of cost even with the dental insurance is well over $1000.00 which for two kids I can not afford to have the dental work done.

I tried to qualify for the financing through the dental office I was going to but did not get it.  Each day that goes by without them having the needed dental is making me sick.  Where can I go for lower cost dental care? Or where can I get a better dental plan that will not make me wait out waiting periods again for more affordable dental care?  At a loss please help

Ohio dental care for kids.   I live in a real small town with one dentist with in a 50 miles radios.  So acorse he is our family dentist.  My problem is he cost for my family is going up all the time and I do not have dental insurance because the few dental plans I look into he is not a provider of.   I do not think he takes any plans since he is the only dentist in town it not like he has too.  What can you suggest that will help me low my kids dental bills?

I am looking for either some place I can take my five year old daughter too that offer low cost dental care.  Or I need a low cost dental insurance dental plan that will greatly reduce my cost for her dental care.  

She needs to have four fillings done and I just do not have the money to afford what the dentist was quoting to me.  Need help.  thanks.

Hello I our family is in need of so dental care and I do not know where to turn to get additional help needed.  We are a family of five  living in Kentucky.  My husband got laid off from the job he had for over 10 years. 

His new job pays less and does not offer dental benefits.  But right now that is the best he can fine. I am working but since it is only part time I do not get benefits.  We have not been to the dentist in over a year and if it was just my husband and I…  well I would not care but I do not want my kids to have bad teeth. 

We do not have much so I really could use your help in finding a low cost dental plan that  will make sense to get and be affordable for us.

I am a signal mom and I have a four and a two year old.  I have not taken either yet to see a dentist and I my self have not see a dentist in over five years.  I just do not have the money.  I work part time so that I can be home with my kids but I get very little benefits and help from the state. 

I am on my own when it comes to dental and would like to get something that can help me with the cost of going to the dentist.  Do you have any low income dental plans that can help me in my time of need?  Thanks

I would like to know can a baby just have rotten baby teeth?  My friend son is just now cutting his teeth at eight months old.  His first few baby teeth look like they are rotten.    His teeth are grayish white in color.  She does not know why this is happening.

Since I have two boys she came to me for my opinion and I told her she should take him to see the dentist.  Both of  my sons baby teeth were white.   I told her that I am not sure if  babies can be born with bad teeth or bad teeth color.

I think she will be taking him to see a dentist but I did let her know that I would look into it some more and see what I can come up with.

I have a two and  a five year old that I have to start taking to the dentist.  The medical help that I get for them is  not helping me with dental and I am not working right now so it has been hard for us.  I living with my mom but she does not have much either so I do not want to keep getting money from her so my kids can see the dentist.  Where can I take my kids to get some cheap dental care.

Please I need good advise.  I am poor with little money so my dental care as been getting put off.  I have this on and off toothace that I been putting up with for some time now.  Now it is really starting to hurt all the time and I have to be very careful not to eat on that side of my mouth.

I want to fix my tooth but I am guess at this point we are talking a lot of money to get it fixed.  What can I do?   Any tips on stoping the pain without having to spend every last cent I have?

Let me start by saying I do not have kids nor am I pregnant I have no disabilities and I am not collecting any type of state aid.

I do live in So CA and I do have a terrible toothache.  I do work full time but do not get dental insurance though my job.  I live off a very fixed income and have no one helping me out on with my bills.   I am upset because dentist will not even help me out a little by giving me a payment plan.

What the heck is someone like me to do about getting affordable dental care when there seems to be no help in site.