Answer: I am 19 and a full time student. I looking to get dental insurance only. I talk to the company I had with my parents but they said they would not be able to just to give me a plan of my own since it is a group plan though my dad’s job. If I buy my own dental insurance plan is there any discounts for full time students?

Answer: All our dental insurance plans and dental discount plan have no special discount for students full time or part time. However with that said, we do have lower cost HMO dental insurance plans, in addition to lower cost dental discount plans you may want to review.

It is advised that you clean your baby’s gums daily. Until teeth come in gently wipe a damp washcloth over the gums to clear away harmful bacteria after each feeding.

Question: So my dentist said that I would need to get braces in order to close up some gaping issues I have with my teeth. I talked to my dental insurance company and they said they do not cover for adult braces but advise me to look for a discount plan such as Aetna Denta Choice which would at least give me a discount off the cost of braces for an adult and not have waiting periods. Is that true if so how much of a saving do I get.

Answer: The Aetna dental discount plan this website has to offer, all services are effective the next business day from signing up on line. Even braces. You can go straight to any Orthodontic dental office that takes the Aetna dental plan. Your saving for braces is 20% off the dentist normal charges.

For good dental health you will want to start brushing your child teeth at the first tooth. Begin brushing your baby’s teeth when you see one coming in with an infant toothbrush. Use water and a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice).

Question: I have dental insurance though work I think it is an HMO any way I get two cleaning a year for free. I have not yet used the plan and was thinking about going in for my cleaning because I have not seen a dentist in over two years. My teeth are stained even though I brush and floss daily. I do not drink coffee or tea nor do I smoke but I do eat food that may stain my teeth. If I go in for a good cleaning will that help remove the stains and make my teeth brighter?

Answer: You should just go to the dentist for your free cleaning anyway since you need to do that to maintain good oral health. However yes a cleaning should help make your teeth look a little. You can also ask the dentist about having your teeth whiten if that is something you want to do

Question: I am eighteen, and my teeth are in very bad shape. I always had bad teeth even my baby teeth were cavity ridden. Now with my adult teeth I have already have had seven cavities that needed to be filled. My mom was paying for my dental work out of her pocket since we never had any dental insurance but she told me today that she is no longer going to be paying my dental bills and that I better start taken care of my teeth. The thing is I do brush three times a day most days. It is not like I do not try and take care of my teeth they are just week or something. Right now I my teeth are okay since I just seen the dentist three months ago. But what if I keep getting cavities like I have in the past. How am I going to pay my own dental bills?

Answer: Well since you are now 18 you can get your own dental insurance plan that will make having dental work affordable. You do not have to do what your mom did and pay out of pocket for your dental services when there are so many affordable dental insurance plans available to you. You may want to look at dental HMO insurance plans as a starting point. Just key in your zip code at the top of the screen to get a dental insurance quote and to be able to review all the plans that is available to you in your state.

Children ages two though six should use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. You should always supervise kids younger than six years of age while brushing, as they are more likely to swallow toothpaste. Children should brush their teeth at least twice a day for two minutes

You will want to begin flossing your child’s teeth once your child’s teeth touch.

You will want to limit the amount of fruit juices, sports drinks, fruit snacks, and sticky candies which all pose serious threats to your child’s dental health. You will want to give your kids calcium-rich snacks like cheese or low-sugar yogurt. If you do want to have a candy option – a chocolate bar is preferable to gummy or sticky sweets that can get lodged in between the teeth, even after brushing.

When it comes to your child dental health it is suggested that you will want to avoid sugary drinks and stick to good old-fashioned water. Drinking water helps to rinse away any sugar or particles that can lead to cavities. Also many municipal water sources also contain fluoride, which is recommended by the ADA and U.S. Surgeons General, as an efficient way to prevent tooth decay.

It is best to replace your child’s toothbrush every three to four months, your when your toothbrush starts to fray which ever is sooner.

Question: I need to get dental insurance for my self and my 10 year old son. I use to have dental insurance though work and never had to get in on my own before. My question is when getting a dental insurance quote would I be looking at the family rates? Since it is for my son and I. Or would I be able to get the couple prices since there is only the two of us. Not sure if couple mean that you need to be husband and wife.

Answer: Generally speaking dental insurance and dental plans would yet you choose the couple pricing for you and your son. Couple being two people. Husband and wife but also an adult with a dependent child. However, you should make sure by reading the plans summary, exclusions and limitations or by calling the customer service line and checking to make sure that the dental plan you are reviewing does what you want it to do.

Question: I am looking for a low cost dental insurance plan. I want to have the normal cleaning twice a year with X-rays. Since I feel I really only ever need preventive dental care, I do not want to have to spend $30-$50 a month for dental insurance for to get two free cleaning a year. Is there any dental insurance where it has a low monthly rate for people that are really only going to be using it twice a year?

Answer: What you may want to look into would be a dental HMO insurance plan. Generally HMO dental insurance plans offer a low monthly cost. HMO dental insurance plans are good over all dental plans and many do offer free office visits, X-rays, and dental cleaning’s. Make sure you read the policy terms to confirm plans coverage’s.

I have not been to see a dentist in over ten years when I was a kid.  I do not have any major dental issues that I know of but I want to start seeing a dentist regularly what should I expect?

Answer: Since you have not been to a dentist in years it hard to say what dental care you may need.  However for just a basic first dental appointment it can go some thing like this:

If the office has a dental hygienist, the hygienist will clean your teeth, do an evaluation and sometimes take X-rays. Then the dentist will check the X-rays and your teeth for signs of decay, check your gums for changes, and check for signs of oral cancer or other diseases.

From time to time, however, your dentist should do a more thorough exam. This is called a comprehensive examination. It includes a thorough look at your entire mouth, head and neck area. The dentist also will ask about your medical history, and you will get X-rays if indicated.

The soft tissues of the mouth include the tongue, the inside of the lips and cheeks, and the floor and roof of the mouth. Your dentist will normally check for spots, cuts, swellings, growths or other abnormal areas.

Bad oral and dental hygiene habits will lead to problems with your teeth and gums.  Continue bad oral and dental hygiene habits will over time lead to decayed and tooth loss.   Here are some good oral and dental hygiene habits that will help keep your teeth and gum healthy

1) Brush your teeth every day twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste

2) Clean between your teeth every day with dental floss

3) Snack smart and limit the amount of sugary snacks

4) Don’t smoke or chew tobacco

5) Do not forget to see your dentist regularly

Mainly bleeding gums are caused by inadequate plaque removal from the teeth at the gum line. This can lead to a condition called gingivitis, or inflamed gums.   If plaque is not removed through regular brushing and dental appointments, it will harden into what is known as tartar. Ultimately, this will lead to increased bleeding and can lead into a more advanced form of gum and jawbone disease known as periodontitis.   Other causes of bleeding gums include:
Any bleeding disorder
Brushing too hard
Hormonal changes during pregnancy
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Ill-fitting dentures
Improper flossing
Infection, which can be either tooth- or gum-related
Leukemia
Scurvy
Use of blood thinners
Vitamin K deficiency

A survey of dentists in Massachusetts suggests that their confidence in treating patients with scleroderma may be related to their familiarity with the autoimmune disease. Dentists who reported feeling knowledgeable about scleroderma felt more prepared to provide care to patients with scleroderma, when compared to peers who did not feel as knowledgeable. Providing education to dentists may improve patient satisfaction and access to care, while simultaneously increasing dentists’ knowledge and comfort.

With more and more studies providing links between oral health and over all health care it is becoming clear just how important having good oral health is for your overall well being.  Brushing Tips to good oral health

1) Most people know to brush daily at least twice a day. However you also want to make sure you are using proper equipment to get the job done to the fullest.  Use toothpaste with fluoride, brush your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush unless advise by a dentist to use a medium to hard bristled toothbrush.  Make sure the toothbrush you use fits your mouth comfortably.  You may want to use an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrush are often time advise if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush effectively.

2) keep your toothbrush clean.  Make sure to always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. Store your toothbrush in an upright position, and allow it to air dry until using it again. Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers, which can encourage the growth of bacteria.

3) Keep your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible! There are 3.2 million microbes per square inch in the average toilet bowl. When you flush, aerosolized toilet funk is propelled as far as six feet, settling on the floor, the sink, and even, your toothbrush. Therefore you will want to put anything that goes inside your mouth behind closed doors (such as your medicine cabinet).

4) It is important to know when to replace your toothbrush. You will want to buy a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric or battery-operated toothbrush every three to four months, sooner if the bristles become frayed