If you have young children and have a dental HMO insurance plan and or thinking about getting a dental HMO plan, it is important to make sure there is a dental provider in the plan network, that accept children of young age.  Many family dentist will not provide services to children that are under the age of five or six years old.

Treating a common gum condition in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients could significantly reduce their risk of potentially fatal heart disease, researchers say. Over 10% of the adult population have CKD and those affected often have poor health outcomes due to an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease compared to the general population. CKD progressively worsens kidney function, raises blood pressure, and can cause progressive vascular injury and heart disease.

Brushing your teeth and regular flossing is the best way to help reduce dental plaque and prevent the mildest form of gum disease, gingivitis. Make sure to teach your children the importance of having and maintaining good oral health care habits at home.

Physicists from Israel have shed light on the intricate dynamics underpinning a mysterious tongue condition that has been puzzling the medical community for decades.

In their study published today, 1 April, in the Institute of Physics and German Physical Society’s New Journal of Physics, the researchers performed a number of numerical simulations to closely examine and visualise the development of the condition, and have devised a new way of identifying the severity of individual cases.

It is hoped the research will lead to a practical assessment that doctors can use to diagnose GT, as well as inspire further research to ultimately find out what causes the condition.

Question: I have a molar that has need to be pulled out because it is decayed and chipped but I will have to wait four years before I can get a dental implant. Is there anything I can do instead of getting it pulled?

Answer: I am not sure why you would need to wait four years to get an implant unless it is about cost and it will take you that long to save for the money. Either way though, it is very risky to leave such a tooth in your mouth. Since you stated that the tooth has started to decayed, doing nothing will only make the decay worse.

If you are not in pain now it will not take long before you will be. Also it can lead to an abscess which is an infection. Any infection is not good but in your mouth it can quickly cause other larger health issues if not treated ASAP.   You can pull the tooth and deal with having a gap. Or you can pull the tooth and talk to your dentist about other non implant options until you can afford it latter on.

Please think twice about doing nothing for four years the issue will only get worse and more costly.

Nanoparticles release drugs to reduce tooth decay.  Therapeutic agents intended to reduce dental plaque and prevent tooth decay are often removed by saliva and the act of swallowing before they can take effect. But a team of researchers has developed a way to keep the drugs from being washed away. Their findings have been published in the journal ACS Nano.

Question: Not too expensive because I will pay it myself.

Answer: The truth is no one dental insurance plan is the best for all... What would be best would depend on your own dental needs and what you would want from a dental insurance plan. Cost seems to be a factor for you so you may want to review dental HMO insurance plans. Since dental HMO’s plans are normally the more affordable plan type that can fit into tight budgets. I also like that all the dental services/benefits are normally based on a fee schedule. Laying out your cost for each dental service covered by the plan. This also help you maintain a budget since you know your cost before having any dental service render. Another benefit is that most dental HMO plans do not have any long term waiting periods before certain dental services are covered.

However what you are giving up is a wider selections of dental providers. In and HMO plan you have to choose a dentist within the plan network of providers. This may mean that you would have to change dental providers if the dentist you want to stay with is not a provider of any HMO dental insurance plans.

In that case you may want to review dental PPO insurance plans. Yet be very mindful of the fact that dental PPO plans will normally have waiting periods yearly maximum limitations and deductibles. They also tend to be more costly dental insurance plans. However these types of plan will not only have a net work of providers but will normally provide benefits for going to non providers or out of network provider giving you a broad range of dental offices to choose from.

My best suggestion is to take your time and read each plan fully if you have any questions call member services that selling the plan. Do not be afraid to call and ask questions that is what they are there for.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 14th,  A new study from the Forsyth Institute is helping to shed more light on the important connection between the mouth and heart. According to research recently published online by the American Heart Association, scientists at Forsyth and Boston University have demonstrated that using an oral topical remedy to reduce inflammation associated with periodontitis, more commonly known as gum disease, also results in the prevention of vascular inflammation and can lower the risk of heart attack.

Having dental fears is one of the main reasons why many people do not maintain their regular dental visits.  However delay or deferring dental care can often time result in having larger dental issues that will need to be addressed as some point.   Dental fears are very common, yet dentist to day are better trained and have tools and techniques to handle dental fears and minimize any discomfort during treatment.

Here are some additional tips that may help reduce your dental fears.  

1) Find a good dentist.  You want to make sure you are going to a dentist that fully understand about your dental fears and will work with you to help increase your comfort.  Also by liking your dentist you will be able to have more trust and therefore reduce your fears.

2) Sedation can be an option. Talk to your dentist to see if they provide any sedation options.

3) Keep in mind you do not have to do everything at once.  Try scheduling your dental examinations so that you can meet the dentist then come back for a basic cleaning. A few successful low stress experiences with the dentist may help you when address larger dental care needs.

4) Bring you music. Take your MP3 or IPod device with you so that you could distract yourself with your favorite music during the appointment

5) Think positive thoughts. Remember that when you get through your dental appointment, you will prove to yourself you are a strong person, who takes care of your body. Make sure to reward yourself afterward.

Oral infections are the most common diseases of mankind and are also a key risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death worldwide. In a review article published in Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism on April 16, researchers summarize the latest clinical evidence supporting a link between oral infections, which are caused by the bacteria in our mouth, and heart disease, and they emphasize the important role of inflammation in both of these conditions.

Question: I just got a panoramic x-ray where they take an x-Ray of your whole head with radiation. The lady did not put the lead vest on me. What will happen now? Should I be worry about this?

Answer: The office should have put the apron on you when taking an X-ray, You should point that out to them and let the dentist know this was not done. However there is no need for you to worry about it, the radiation you received from the panoramic x-ray is about the same amount you would get from two days out in the normal sun.

According to new research done by the Universities of Bradford and Durham, baby teeth from children who died during the 1845-52 Irish famine could help us predict the future health of children born today.

The team analysed the teeth of children and adults from two 19th century cemeteries, one at a Workhouse in Ireland where famine victims were buried and the other in London, which holds the graves of some of those who fled the famine. They found that the biochemical composition of teeth that were forming in the womb and during a child’s early years not only provided insight into the health of the baby’s mother, it even showed major differences between those infants who died and those who survived beyond early childhood.

Researchers have taken an important step in research on stem cells and dental repair by isolating dental stem cell lines and describing the natural mechanism by which they repair lesions in the teeth. This fundamental discovery will make it possible to initiate unprecedented therapeutic strategies to mobilize the resident dental stem cells and magnify their natural capacity for repair.

Having to pay for dental health care can put a considerable strain on household finances in many countries, according to an international study led by King’s College London.

The new study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, assessed the extent of household ‘catastrophic dental health expenditure’ (CDHE) in 41 low and middle income countries. Expenditure was defined as catastrophic if it was equal to or higher than 40% of the household’s capacity to pay.

Up to 7% of the households surveyed in these countries had incurred catastrophic dental health expenditure in the last month.

Dry socket is a painful dental condition that can occur after you have a permanent adult tooth extracted.  Here are some signs and symptoms of dry socket.  If you feel like you have dry socket seek out your dentist asap to address your dental health.

* Severe pain within a few days after a tooth extraction
* Partial or total loss of the blood clot at the tooth extraction site, which you may notice as an empty-looking (dry) socket
* Visible bone in the socket
* Pain that radiates from the socket to your ear, eye, temple or neck on the same side of your face as the extraction
* Bad breath or a foul odor coming from your mouth
* Unpleasant taste in your mouth
* Swollen lymph nodes around your jaw or neck
* Slight fever

Treating gum disease reduced symptoms of prostate inflammation, called prostatitis, report researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and the Departments of Urology and Pathology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center.

Previous studies have found a link between gum disease and prostatitis, a disease that inflames the gland that produces semen. Inflammation can make urination difficult.

“This study shows that if we treat the gum disease, it can improve the symptoms of prostatitis and the quality of life for those who have the disease,” said Nabil Bissada, chair of Case Western Reserve’s Department of Periodontics and the new study’s corresponding author.

Question: I was told by my orthodontist that I have gum disease but I really do not believe him. Other then my gums being swollen (I think due to having the braces on) I do not have any bleeding and my gums do not hurt.

Answer: I would say that if your orthodontist is telling you that he or she feels you have gum disease you should see your general dental to verify.  There is no reason for your orthodontic dentist to miss lead you.

If you grind your teeth while you’re asleep, you may need to wear a mouth guard  at night. Mouth Guards even out the pressure across your jaw and create a physical barrier between your upper and lower teeth to protect them from further damage. They can also reduce any grinding noises you make at night. Make sure to talk to your dentist if you find yourself grinding your teeth.

New research shows that anxiety experienced in social circumstances elevates the risk of bruxism (teeth grinding) causing tooth wear, fractures, and jaw pain.

A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers, published recently in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, finds that anxiety experienced in social circumstances elevates the risk of bruxism — teeth grinding which causes tooth wear and fractures as well as jaw pain. According to the research, led by Dr. Ephraim Winocur of the Department of Oral Rehabilitation at TAU’s School of Dental Medicine and conducted by TAU doctoral student Roi Skopski in collaboration with researchers at Geha Mental Health Center in Petah Tikva, Israel, interaction with people is likely to trigger bruxism in the socially anxious.

Question: I just had all four wisdom teeth pulled out yesterday and I guess I  underestimated out rough the recovery would be.  My jaw is swollen and it really hurt to eat anything other then soup or very soft foods. How long will ti be before I start to feel better ?

Answer: You just had your wisdom teeth pulled, and everything you talked about is normal at this point. The healing process is different for people depending on how well they take care of their mouth afterwords and how well they normally heal and deal with pain.

However, your mouth does tend to heal faster then any place else and if you follow your dentist after care instructions correctly you should be felling better in four to five days. If you have additional concerns you should talk to your dentist most of your questions could be answered over the phone if they office is not busy at the time you call.