One of the first steps in having good oral health is in understanding your own oral and dental health needs.  Your oral health depends on many factors that can include what your eat, your habits, and your oral and overall health hygiene routine. When there are changes in your overall health status, it often results in changes in your oral health as well.

Many medicines, can reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth, which can cause dry mouth. Pregnant women also go through oral changes. These changes often includes inflammation of the gums, which is called pregnancy gingivitis. People with asthma often breathe through their mouths, particularly when sleeping. This can result in dry mouth and increased plaque formation and gingivitis.

Your mouth has three major pairs of salivary glands. The Parotid, Sublingual and Submandibular Glands, as well as many smaller glands. Salivary glands produce and secrete saliva. In addition to helping you swallow and digest food, saliva promotes oral health by: Flushing food away from your mouth, Stopping acids that can attack tooth enamel,Replenishing minerals in tooth enamel and by Killing or reducing disease-causing organisms

In order for your child to recover from teeth grinding is noticing the problem.  Many times parents do know even know their child is grinding their teeth. Here are some the the symptoms of teeth grinding.

* Sensitivity in the teeth. Take note if your child complains about hot or cold food or drink items hurting their teeth.

* Tightness or pain in the jaw.  Clenching and grinding can cause jaw pain and normally it is more noticed in the mornings when waking up, or when chewing food.

* Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain

* Chipped, worn down or loos teeth.

Seeing dentist regularly and informing your child dentist about any possible warning signs of teeth grinding is important in order to maintain your child dental and oral health.

Teeth grinding (Bruxism) is a common problem in adults as well as children.  In fact according to a study three out of ten children grind or clench their teeth.  This is usually due to losing teeth, jaw growth or other discomforts such as allergies. Kid also grind their teeth in response to stress and by taking measure to reduce or stop stress can help solve the problem.  However make sure you talk to your child dentist and inform him or her that your child is grinding or clenching their teeth.

Your tongue is needed for many functions such as speaking and move food for chewing and swallowing. Small bumps called papillae cover your tongue’s upper surface. Your taste buds are located in the papillae. These taste buds allow you to enjoy specific tastes, such as bitter, sour, salty and sweet.   However did you know your tongue also plays a role in oral health. Food particles can stick to your tongue, causing bad breath and promoting tooth decay. To take good care of your tongue, simply brush your tongue whenever you brush your teeth.

Teaching your child good dental habits right from the start it important for their dental and oral health.  Yet it can be difficult to make sure they are keeping up with their daily dental care.  Make sure even if your child is brushing their teeth on their own spot check every once in a while to make sure they are correctly brushing and maintaining their dental habits. Doing this is not only helpful in maintaining your child dental health but will in the long run save you money on their dental care needs.

Your gums surround your teeth, and they help hold your teeth in place. In order to keep your gums healthy, you need to practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, floss your teeth once a day and making sure to have regular dental visits. If your gums become red and swollen or bleed easily, they could be infected. This is known as gingivitis. Prompt treatment can help restore good oral health. Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to severe gum disease (periodontitis) and possible tooth loss.

I have a 15 year old son, and his teeth are in very bad shape.  I worried that if something is not done his teeth may fall out.  I do not have dental insurance for him and can not afford the dental care he needs.  Is there any free dental insurance plans that are available.

Answer: There is no dental insurance plans that are free that I know of.  However we do offer very low cost dental insurance plan starting at around $10.00 a month. Yet you be advise dental insurance does not provide all dental services for free.  Dental insurance make having dental care more affordable.   You may want to look into either a dental click or dental school. They will normally base their cost on what you can afford to pay.

Including wisdom teeth adults have 32 permanent teeth. Each tooth has two main parts known as the crown and the root.  The crown is part of the tooth is is visible  and the root is the part below your gums.   There are other parts of our tooth that include, Tooth enamel – the outer coating that helps protect the crown of the tooth, Dentin – Which is the hard substance beneath the enamel that makes up the bulk of the tooth, Pulp – The soft tissue of the tooth which is in the middle  and Cementum – the hard tissue that covers the root of the tooth and attaches it to the jawbone.

A common test used to determine mercury exposure from dental amalgam fillings may significantly overestimate the amount of the toxic metal released from fillings, according to University of Michigan researchers. Scientists agree that dental amalgam fillings slowly release mercury vapor into the mouth.

I am current unemployed right now and have been without dental insurance for some time. My six  year old needs to see the dentist but I really can not afford it without some dental insurance in force.  Can I get dental insurance when I am not employed.

Answer:  Yes you can. When buying dental insurance on your own you do not have to have a job. You only need to be able to afford the cost the the insurance plan.  We offer many good low cost dental insurance plans you may want to take the time to review. Just enter your zip code in the quote box provided so you can review all our dental insurance plan options.  And remember we are happy to help if you should have any questions about the dental insurance plans we sell.

Young kids can often bite the inside of their lip cheek or tongue, when that happens apply ice to injured areas to help control swelling. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a gauze or cloth. If bleeding cannot be controlled by simple pressure, call a doctor or visit the hospital emergency room.

Question:  I failed to enroll my baby to my current dental insurance plan I received though my employer. The next open enrollment to add her is not until January 2014. By then she will be a little over a year old. Should I wait it out or buy a dental insurance plan just for her?

Answer: The American Dental Association advises that a child should see a dentist by their first birth day or when they cut their first tooth.  With that said, it can be difficult to find a dental insurance plan for just a minor. Most dental insurance plan will not write and individual dental insurance plan on a minor.  This means you would need to buy a couple plan.  Whether or not you decide you should buy a plan for three to four months is up to you. However keep in mind many insurance plan also have waiting periods or required that you keep the plan for at least a year.

New research published in the January/February 2013 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), indicates that the use of a germ-killing mouthrinse in addition to regular toothbrushing can significantly reduce plaque and gingivitis, more so than brushing alone.

When making out your monthly budget, do not forget to budget in your dental care needs.  Dental care should not be viewed as a luxury, So make sure items like toothpaste containing fluoride,  mouthwash, toothbrushes, dental floss and a check-up at the dentist find their way into your budget.

One way to help save money on your dental care needs for your budget is by having dental insurance.  If you budget the cost of dental insurance it will save you money on your dental care needs.  In most cases preventive dental care is free under dental insurance and with proper preventive dental care you can avoid having larger more costly dental services.

Generally speaking people think that they need only to see a dentist twice a year, and for the most part that can hold true.  However opinions on that are starting to change.    Then National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines state the recommended interval between dental check-ups should be determined specifically for each patient, and tailored to meet their needs, on the basis of an assessment of disease levels and risk of or from dental disease.

Meaning you should see a dentist not by a standard stated time but what is best for your own oral health care needs.  Talk to your dentist and see what is best for you, if you have not been to a dentist within the last year or more, make sure to make a dental appointment. Oral health  is very important to maintain and poor oral health can also have negative effects on your over all health.  Also by having dental insurance it will help keep your dental care cost low.

Oral health care is important and that does include brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two to three minutes.  However try and beware of the water that is being used.    With kids it is very easy for them to run the water the whole time while brushing there teeth.  Teach them how only very little water is needed and to turn off the tap while the are brushing. Have a small cup out filled with water for them to rinse with and turn on the tap just to quickly wash the sink clean when done

Teething is a stressful time for you as well as for you baby, one of the first things to know are the teething signs. In most cases these signs will become apparent before the tooth breaks though and will normally cause the most pain.

Although teething can vary the signs include:

1) Swollen or red gums where the tooth is coming through.
2) Redness on the cheek or the side of the mouth
3) Disturbed sleeping pattern.

Other noticeable signs may include

1) Dribbling,
2) Desire to bite on objects and for the child to put things in their mouth

There are a range of safe products available, which can help ease the pain and misery of teething. Such as special teething gels, for even greater relief put teething rings and gels into the fridge, the cold will help to numb pain.  As with any medicine or device however people should always check the label and read the instructions. If there are any doubts it is best to check with a dentist, doctor or health care adviser.

Tip Seven of choosing a dental office that will work well for you and your family dental needs.

7) Location: Ideally you want to go to a dentist that is not too far from home or work. If the dental office is too far out of your way you may put off your dental care.  You also want to choose a dental that is in a location you can feel safe.  If you have to worry about your vehicle while at the dentist, it may not be a good location for you.   What matter most is that you are able to go to a dentist you like in an area you know well and feel comfortable in.

Tip six of help you choose the dentist that best fits your needs.

6) See a dentist that is right for your age.   Many general dentist will start seeing  patients from ages five and up.  It is a good to ask the dental office staffing what the dentist is more geared for.   As an adult you may want to go to a dental office that  does not have a play room for kid instead of a waiting room.   Yet if it is your child your are taking to the dentist then a more kid friendly environment is always helpful.  Finding a dental office you can feel comfortable with is important in order to maintain your regular dental office visits