When shopping for dental insurance whether online or though an agent know all the facts about each type of dental plan before buying one. Mistakes happen when you are not clear on how a dental plan works. Buying dental insurance online is very easy and convenient but many times people do not read and understand just what it is they are buying.

Before hitting the submit button are you sure you understand the terms of the plan. Does the dental plan have waiting periods or yearly max dollar amount limitations. Is the plan in network dental providers only or can you go outside the network of dental providers. When is the plan effective. Did you call the dentist to confirm they are still accepting the dental plan in question? Is the plan you are reviewing a dental insurance plan or a dental discount plan? What are you dental needs and are you getting a dental plan that best fit them? Just taking the extra time to fully understand the dental plan  you are buying will save you from headaches and being upset latter on.

Dental PPO plans let you choose your own dentist.

Dental PPO’s and Indemnity plans let you choose your own dentist, for many people that can be a deciding factor on buying those type of dental insurance plans. For people that want to stay with their current dentist or to be able to choose their own dental provider these types of plans aloud for that.

Dental PPO and Indemnity plans are normally more costly then HMO’s dental insurance plans.  Are dental PPO’s and Indemnity insurance plans worth the cost? The answer is yes. If you know your own dental needs and understand the plans terms and conditions many people are quite happy with their PPO plans. Trouble comes when you buy any dental plan without fully understanding the plans limitations.

Are Individual PPO Dental Insurance Plans worth buying?

Some people may feel that getting dental insurance is not really worth the cost of having the plan. That may be true for some dental insurance plans if the person wanting it only wants the dental insurance for short term use.

Many people put off their dental care until they are in pain or having major dental issues. In turn getting upset when they find out that many PPOs or Indemnity insurance plans have limitations that will not be able to help them with their major dental needs right away. A dental PPO plan is not for those people that only only wants to buy a dental insurance plan to fix a current dental issue then turn around and cancel the plan once the dental issue if fixed.

Reason being is that dental PPO are designed to be long terms plans and not for sort term. The thing to try and keep in mind when thinking about buying a dental PPO or Indemnity plan is your long term dental needs. When getting these type of plans it would be a dental plan you would want to keep for at least a few years.

Safe and effective way to prevent cavities in kids are buy having dental sealants.

Dental sealants is a plastic coating which is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where decay mostly occurs.  By going to a dentist a dentist would be able to put on dental sealants in order to help protect your children teeth. However even knowing this only about one-third of children ages 6 – 19 have sealants. Cost can be a factor and is why having a dental insurance and or plan in place will help out many people and their families. 

Flossing daily is very important in your oral health care.

Brushing is only half the job. You can brush all you want but if you are not flossing you are running a high risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing only takes a few minutes out of your day and is a very low cost way of maintaining your oral health. Floss your children teeth until they can learn out to do so correctly on their own.

It hard to believe that many children and adult still do not take simple measure that have been proven to be effective in the  fight against oral diseases and another dental care issues.  By making these changes you are not only preventing oral diseases but reducing your dental care costs. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes.  Make sure you are brushing your teeth correctly. Brush you teeth in small circles and not up and down or back and forth. Make sure you are brushing all your teeth including the back ones.  (What kids as they are learning to brush.  They tend to only brush the front teeth) Using toothpaste with fluoride as it is good way to prevent tooth decay and is cost-effective.  With young children however make sure you keep the toothpaste out of their reach. Use only a pee size amount of toothpaste or less if younger.  Otherwise do not use fluoride toothpaste until they learn to spit and not swallow.

When looking into getting dental insurance for bridges there are a few things to make sure of first. Whenever possible do not pull out teeth prior to having dental insurance.  Once you have teeth pulled it can be hard to find dental insurance that will cover for the bridge.  This is because many dental insurance plans have missing teeth clauses.  Meaning that if the teeth were missing prior to the plan effective date they do not cover for a new bridge to be put in. A good tip is whenever you do have a dental bridge put in keep your receipt.  That way if any time latter on you ever need to have the bridge replace it will be good to show just how long ago the old bridge was put in.  Some dental insurance plan will replace bridges, partials and denture only after you had your old one in for five or more years (Therefore they will normally ask for proof. )

If you have current missing teeth it does not mean you can not find dental insurance to help you fix  your smile.  Just read the terms and conditions carefully. Make sure the dental insurance plan you are buying is going to cover for the dental services you want.

I also suggest not to rule out dental discount plans.  With dental discount plan preexisting is not excluded including missing teeth. So for a low monthly cost of a dental discount plan you can have some saving off getting a dental bridge without any waiting periods or exclusions.  Whether you to have a bridge, partials and or dentures we are here to help you find the best dental plan that will work for you.  So please call our member service line at 310-534-3444 if you have any questions about any of our dental insurance dental plan options.

When looking for dental insurance that offer braces for adults make sure you read each plans terms and conditions carefully. Although there are dental insurance plans that will offer adult braces there are still many dental insurance plan that only offer Orthodontic dental services to minors.

Another thing to keep is that many dental insurance plans only offer coverage’s for basic metal braces. Metal braces may be find for a child but not so much when it comes to an adult. If you are looking for clear braces or invisaligns or any other specialty braces that are not covered under dental insurance then you may want to review a dental discount plan for your Orthodontic needs. On a dental discount plan they offer dental saving off any type of braces for any age group.

Therefore a dental discount plan would save you money on your Orthodontic needs as long as there is an Orthodontic dentist in the plan that does the type of services you are looking for. It is a good idea to call the dentist and confirm they are still taking the dental plan you may be reviewing.

For some people shopping for dental insurance can become confusing. They do not know if the dental services they want to have is cover under the plan they may be reviewing. How can you make sure that you are buying a dental plan that covers the dental service you may need. Know your ADA codes.

ADA codes are codes use by the dentist and the dental insurance company so that the insurance company knows what dental services is being provided. So when you are shopping for dental insurance ask your dentist for the dental ADA codes that they may be quoting for you whenever possible. Also it is possible that not all the ADA codes are listed on the company fee schedule so if you do not see call the company and confirm if it covered prior to buying the plan.

When you have a dental insurance plan were you are dealing with the filing of claims it is important to understand the claims process.  Know how your insurance company handles claims and how the dentist your pick files out your claims. Problems arises when you do not have a clear understanding of your dental insurance and how claims are paid. As well as when you do not know how the dental office is going to make you pay and how they file out claims.

Many PPO plans or free choice of dentist plans state they pay out a certain percentage for preventive, basic and majors services.  However that percentage is still normally up to what the UCR rates are for dental company. Knowing that is important and it is a good idea to submit dental services to the claims department as a quote only before any dental work is started.  That way you always know your true cost for the dental services before committing to it.    

It is equally important to know how the dental office is going to file out your claim.  Do not assume that the dentist will not charge  you the full amount for the dental services. Making you wait for your refund back from the dental office. This is a mistake often made and normally it is after the fact. Causing many people to be upset. Ask the dentist what they expect you to pay and how before work is started.  Do they file the claims for you or do you need to file them. Knowing all this ahead of time will keep you from any unexpected billings  and from getting upset with the dental claim process.

When one is looking for what they think is “Full Coverage Dental Insurance” it is important to determine what “Full Coverage” means to you.  As it can mean different things to different people.

So what does many people think full coverage means? Simply put, they would pay X dollar amount monthly (whatever that would be) and all their dental services are fully paid for. Also there would be no dental service render that would not be covered for and they only have to pay the monthly cost for the plan. However there is no one dental insurance plan where all dental services are covered and you have zero co-pay for all dental services.  That is why the term full coverage can be miss leading to many people who tends to use the term.

Instead try and find out what you or your family, current and future dental needs may be. Then fit a dental insurance plan that will best addresses those dental care needs. 

My best advise when looking for dental insurance is to read, then read some more.  Make sure you know what it is you are going to get from the dental plan in question.  If there is still something you do not understand then call the company up and ask all the needed questions so you can feel good about the dental plan you decide to get. Forget about looking for full coverage and instead look for a dental plan that will fit your dental needs the best.  Some times in order to do that you may have to get more the just one dental plan you may want to combine plans that make the best sense for your needs.  

We are hear to help you with any of the dental insurance and or dental plan that this web site has to offer in your state.  If you have questions we look forward to your calls. So please call member services at 310-534-3444 CA time 8-5 M-F  We be happy to help

Did you know if you are missing one or more teeth you may see a difference in your chewing as well as speaking. You may even notice a difference in your face and profile.  For many people missing teeth can cause low self esteem. Making them smile and laugh less for fare of people seeing their teeth. 

Proper dental care can and will help fix your teeth.  Bridges will not only fix the gap cause by missing teeth but will restore the shape of your face as well as alleviate the difference in your bite.   A dentist could also advise fixed or partial dentures when needed.  Bridges and partial will look just like your normal teeth and give you back the smile you want to have.   Another option though be it normally a more costly option would be dental implants. 

Dental implants are artificial teeth that attaches directly to the jaw. Not everyone can have implants but a dentist can advise if that is an option for you. Talk to a dentist over all your dental options and see which one you feel will be best for you.  Most dental insurance plans will cover a portion of the cost for dental bridges, partials and or dentures.  At this time it is still hard to find dental insurance that offer coverage’s for dental implants. Therefore when it comes to implants you may want to review dental discount plans for cost savings.

However read your dental insurance plan terms and conditions and when in doubt call the company so you can know for sure what you are and are not covered for.  Keep us in mind for any of your dental insurance dental plan needs.   We are hear to help you get the best dental plan for your current dental needs.

There are many people that are dealing with Gastroesophageal reflux disease which is relatively a common condition.  Acid Reflux is when the stomach acid are refluxed up, which may cause problems to your esophagus as well as your oral health and teeth if left untreated.  

With regards to the one oral health care acid reflux can cause enamel erosion. Which can lead to tooth decay and other dental issues.  Acid reflux can also cause bad breath issues.  So it is not only important to speak to a doctor when dealing with acid reflux but also talk to your dentist.  Let your dentist know that you are dealing with acid reflux. That way they will know to check more carefully for signs of tooth enamel erosion as well as wear on fillings. You may want to see a dentist more the just twice a year if you have constant acid reflux issues. Stomach acid will quickly damage teeth if you do not stay on top of your oral health care. So see a doctor for help in controlling your acid reflux and see a dentist regular to maintain for your teeth health.

Also here is a good tip that may help you when you do get acid reflux and it comes up in your mouth. Immediately after do not brush but rinse with baking soda.  Baking soda will help neutralize the effects of the stomach acid that comes up into your mouth. Keep a record of food that make you more sensitive to getting acid reflux and try to limit yourself on those foods.

Although fillings can last many years they may not always last forever.  Without knowing you can wear down a filling by constant pressure from chewing when eating. Other people also may grind or clench their teeth knowingly or not which will also cause wear on a fillings. People that grind their teeth when they sleep should wear a night guard in order to protect their teeth.   You may not be able to see the wearing down on your fillings but a dentist can. 

Normally a dentist will be able to spot weaknesses in fillings during your regular check ups. Without regular check ups filling wear will go unnoticed. If the seal between the tooth and the filling breaks down then you are leaving your tooth open to new decay, which can get under your filling. If left untreated the decay can progress to  the dental pulp and may cause infection and or abscessed.  In which case can lead to larger dental services such as a root canal.

You can see the importance of  regular dental visits. Many times people do not know any of this is going on until they start to have tooth pain.  Preventive dental care not only saves you from unwanted dental pain, but in the long run will save you from having higher cost dental services.   Keep in mind that there are many low cost dental insurance plans such as HMO dental insurance plans that offer free office visits, check ups, X-rays and cleanings. By buying and using dental insurance you can save money and help keep a beautiful smile.

Amalgam fillings are the most thoroughly researched and tested restorative material among all those in use today. Amalgam fillings are durable, highly resistant to wear and they are the lower cost filling option.    Amalgam filling are made by combining elemental mercury, silver, tin, copper and possibly other metallic elements. 

Although amalgam filling are still considered to be safe the concerns that was  raised were about the mercury content in amalgams.  However the mercury when combined with the other metals is renders stable and safe for use in fillings.   Since amalgam filling are able to withstand high pressure they become useful for filling in molars where chewing load is higher. Amalgam filling are well tolerated by most people with only rare occurrences of allergic response.  Some people may have short term sensitivity to hot and cold after an amalgam filling as been done.  Course amalgam filling are silver in color which may be okay for back teeth not easily seen but might not be want you would want to have towards the front of your mouth.

Amalgam fillings are useful in baby teeth.  If a child still has baby teeth but needs a filling you may not want to spend the cost for white color fillings, on teeth that will soon come out when your child start to get their adult teeth in.   In the end amalgam filling still have their place and it should be something to consider when having filling done. Talk to your dentist and find out all your filling options then decide what you may feel is best for you and your family  And remember all dental services are less expensive when you have a dental insurance or dental discount plan in place.  So keep us in mind for your dental plans needs. 

In Babies Often time oral thrush goes away on its own generally within a few days. Your provider may prescribe anti fungal medicine to treat thrush. You paint this medicine on your baby’s mouth and tongue. Also if you have a yeast infection on your nipples, your provider may recommend an over-the-counter or prescription anti-fungal cream

Question: My son just turn four month old and I think he is already teething. This is our first child, so we are not sure when a baby will normally start teething. Can they teeth at four month? Should I take him to see a dentist or a doctor?

Answer: There are babies that do start to teeth as soon as three months so do not be too worried if your baby it teething at four months.

Some of the signs of teething would be: Drooling, Sucking on their hands and fists, fuss more, sleep less and all kinds of good stuff like that. There are teething products you can get at most stores, or if you have it Baby R Us that is a good place to go too. If you are worried about the teething process you can either go to your babies doctor or pediatric dentist either one should be able to help you. Go to the one you feel best about.

Dental Prophylaxis: Under most dental insurance plans preventive dental services such as general or basic cleanings are covered at no cost to you. The common dental term used for this type of cleaning is dental prophylaxis, which is a scaling and polishing procedure performed to remove coronal plaque, calculus, and stains.

Kids dental Insurance

Question: I went to the dentist the other day and I had no cavities which I though was good since I have not seen a dentist in many years prior to this point. I was told by the dentist that I do have gum disease and that I need to see a Periodontist. Why would I need to see a Periodontist? I am not too sure what that is but I am guessing it has to do with my gums. Why can not the dentist just do a deep cleaning that I thought you would get when people have gum issues. I do not have dental insurance and I know if I go to one of those Periodontist people it will cost me way more then I can afford. Is it really all that important that I go? After all my teeth are just fine and my gums do not hurt me.

Reply: One thing you may want to keep in mind is that when you go to a dentist the dentist is not thinking about whether or not you can afford to do what they suggest to you. The dentist is telling you only what he/she feel is the best thing for your oral health care. One would not refer you to a specialist if they did not believe that would be the best thing for you.

At some point you need to tell the dentist that you can not afford to go to a specialist right now so you need to do the next best thing. The dentist may tell you how important it is to see a specialist, however if comes down to it they know it would be better for them to do what you can afford to have done then for you to do nothing at all. Dentist are not mind readers if you do not explain to them what you can and can not afford to do then do not get upset because they are telling you something that is costly and you can not afford it.

Dental Insurance Kids – Dental Laboratory Accountability Bill Signed into Law

The Washington State Dental Association and Washington State Dental Laboratory Association worked together to lead a successful legislative effort to implement ADA policy on dental laboratory registration.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed the dental laboratory registration and disclosure bill into law April 19, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2020.
Commencing on New Year’s Day, all dental labs serving dentists in Washington state will be required to:

• Register with the state department of health.
• Disclose in writing to the dentist what materials are in each device or prosthetic.
• Disclose in writing to the dentist the city, state and country where each device or prosthetic was made.
• Have at least one lab technician annually complete 12 hours of continuing education or who is a certified dental technician.
Source: ADA