Question: My child is three and is going to the dentist for the first time what can I do to make it less scary for her.

Answer: Since your child is old enough to understand about going to the dentist, there are several things you can do to ease any anxiety she may have. Such as:

• Give her a sneak peek. Take her with you to your next checkup to get her used to the sights and sounds, and let her watch you as you have your mouth check and or teeth cleaned. She will see that though the tooth polisher is noisy, it does not hurt.
• Make sure to choose a kid-friendly dentist. Pediatric dentists are trained in child development and understand how to make kids comfortable. Besides having an upbeat, patient manner, the dentist should add kid-friendly elements to the exam. Some provide sunglasses to block out the bright examining lights and toys to keep their minds off their mouths. Others use puppets to teach proper brushing, and offer post-exam treats like stickers. Ask your pediatrician for a referral.
• Make sure book the dental appointment at a time when you and your child are well rested. If you need to rush back to work or she is tired, the visit will be off to a bad start before you even arrive.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry they recommend that you take your child in for an initial dental visit at around 12 months. Other experts recommend waiting until she’s closer to two. Talk with your pediatrician about what is best for your child. Once she starts going to the dentist, you should aim for a checkup twice a year. Just remember: The main goal is establishing good habits early.

Normally babies get their first tooth around six months, but it can appear as early as three months or as late as 14 months. Typically, babies get teeth in pairs and they generally emerge in this order:   

*  The bottom front teeth (incisors)  
*  The top front teeth (incisors)  
*  The bottom side teeth (incisors) and the upper side ones   
*  The first molars (grinding teeth at the back of the mouth)  
*  The canines (pointed teeth next to incisors)  
*  The second molars  But every child is different. By age two 1/2, most children will have about 20 teeth.

Cutting a tooth does not always go hand in hand with discomfort and sleepless nights. Many parents scarcely notice their child is teething until they spot a tiny pearl poking through their baby’s red gum. But some babies provide plenty of warning that teeth are on the way. Common symptoms in the weeks before teeth sprout include excessive crankiness, frequent crying, a change in appetite, lots of drooling, gnawing, and even ear pulling. Swelling in the gums is the source of the pain. You can alleviate your baby’s discomfort by providing something to chomp on, such as chilled washcloth, cold teething toys, or rings filled with water. Distraction can also work. Give your baby a little extra one-on-one playtime, and lots of cuddling.

A pacifier can be very soothing to a teething baby. But sucking on a pacifier past age of three can make a bad overbite or cross bite worse. Also, some experts think that children with speech impediments (like lisps) should avoid pacifiers altogether since they may aggravate the situation. To figure out what is best for your child, talk with your baby dentist.

When buying a dental insurance plan make sure to look at the carrier’s dental “in-network providers.” Ask how many dentists are in the network of approved providers. You want a wide selection of professionals in your region, so that if your want to change providers you will have that option available to you.

With dental insurance you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on the cost of your dental care needs. However, there is no reason to pay more than needed to ensure adequate coverage. When comparing individual/family dental insurance and dental discount plans consumers can save money.

By simply entering a zip code at the top of the page individuals can receive dental insurance quotes for their state. If you have any questions please call our member service line at 310-534-3444

It is important to know where to go for answers in case of emergencies. Dental emergencies can happen at any time. To ensure you get the most from your individual dental insurance plan, you should program your dentist’s and insurance carrier’s customer service phone numbers into your mobile contact lists and bookmark important sites in their mobile browsers. In addition, when traveling, consumers should know how to quickly find a local dentist that is covered by their plan if needed.

With PPO’s and Indemnities dental insurance plan they tend to brake down the coverage’s in three main categories.

1) Preventive/Diagnostic: Generally includes – Office Visits, Oral evoulations, Bitewing X-Rays and Basic Cleaning
2) Basic Restorative: Generally includes – Fillings and Dental sealants
3) Major Restorative: Generally includes – Crowns, Bridges, Dentures, Oral surgery and treatment of Gum Disease

Some plans provide a fourth category which would typically be braces/orthodontic services and some limited cosmetic

However it is still important to review each plan coverage’s carefully to verify under that plan benefit what fall under want category for that plan.

One way to control your expenses is by having a “predetermination” or “pre-treatment” review. Consumers who are considering an expensive dental treatment are wise to have their dental carrier confirm coverage in advance. Often, dentists’ receptionists are able to do this for patients during their visits. Not only will consumers know in advance what portion of the costs their dental plan will pay, but the carrier or dentist may also be able to recommend less costly options.

Dental insurance plans such as PPOs normally have waiting periods before certain dental services are covered under the plan, as well as annual maximum limitations. To avoid avoid exceeding annual maximum benefits or having services before benefits are effective try delaying dental work, if advisable by your dentist.  

As part of dental planning, consumers should consult with their dentists and, if possible, delay work that would push costs over what they are covered for by their dental insurance plan. Individual dental insurance plans may work on a calendar year basis or they may be subject to other start and end dates. Consumers should check with specific carriers for details.

Your dentists should be able to develop a personalized dental plan that goes beyond regularly scheduled checkups and exams. A personal dental plan may be as simple as brushing and flossing on a regular basis, or it may include corrective care and the steps needed to carry it out efficiently and effectively within the terms of the consumer’s current or anticipated dental plan.

Understand the your dental insurance benefits to get the most for your money. As with all investments, it is in consumers’ best interests to understand what they are paying for. Fortunately, the law requires that consumers with dental coverage receive a description of their benefits. They can therefore fully research the coverage, limitations, and exclusions of their plans and use the benefits to the maximum.

Dental insurance is rarely for emergencies dental services only. After selecting an individual dental insurance plan, the most basic way to ensure you get the most from your dental insurance, is to visit your dentist regularly. by maintaining regular dental visits, it will help to ensure you get the preventive care needed to stay healthy.

Although you may have dental insurance do you know what is covered in your plan? If not you are not alone. Many people do not go over their dental insurance terms and conditions to know if they have benefits for services they may want or need in the future.

In general dental policies cover some portion of the cost for preventive, basic and Major services. which can include services like basic cleaning, X-rays, fillings as well as services such as crowns, root canals, and tooth extractions are typical benefits. They might also cover orthodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics, such as dentures and bridges.

However to what extent is where your policy terms and conditions. Dental insurance plans are different and they offer different benefits. Knowing what and how much you are covered for will help you to avoid surprises after the fact.

When buying dental insurance make sure to review the details to find the right plan for you and your family. The availability of information online to help individuals find high-quality, affordable dental care. Which means individuals can protect their dental health in spite of a struggling economy. Before consumers select a dental insurance plan, they should use a trusted insurance websites to obtain all the facts they need to make the best choice. For example, consumers should compare coverage, exclusions, and the calculation and payment of benefits.

Warm water mixed with some salt is a good solution to gargle with when you have a minor toothache. Use this trick until you see your dentist for the needed dental care.

HMO and PPO dental insurance plans are the most common types of dental health insurance.   With an HMO plan you will have to pay your entire dental bill if you visit a dentist who is out of network. This is because there is no outside provider coverage and prices for dental services have only be negotiated with the plan providers.   

With a PPO plan, you can normally visit an out-of-network dentist, but you may have to pay a higher co-payment and you are at a high risk of UCR (Usual Customary and Reasonable) fees.  Because each dental insurance plan is different, it is essential to understand all the terms of your dental insurance plan prior to scheduling an appointment with a dentist. Be sure to talk to the dental office staff about your individual dental insurance so you will understand what care is covered and what is not.

Keeping cloves in your house is a good dental tip to know. Cloves are one of the best emergency remedy for a toothache. You can rub the clove oil on the tooth or chew the clove. Chew and keep the clove on the affected area for some time and you will get relief soon. Clove releases oil while chewing that gives relief from pain. This is a way to help pain but it does not fix the causing factor. You will need to see your dentist to do that.

More people today have dental insurance plans than ever before. Which is a sign that proper dental care is not only important to your oral health but to your overall health care, too.  

With individual dental insurance, it is easy to stay on top of your dental health. Most dental insurance plans will generally cover the cost for preventive dental care treatments ranging from dental exams, X-rays and dental cleanings.   

Basic services such as tooth filling and simple tooth extractions are offer at a low cost, and oftentimes, a more extensive treatment such as a dental crown or a root canal is partially covered, too.