Gum disease has not been proven to cause heart disease or stroke, and treating gum disease hasn’t been proven to prevent heart disease or stroke either,  this according to a new scientific statement published in Circulation, an American Heart Association journal. Keeping teeth and gums healthy is still important for your overall health care.

However, an American Heart Association expert committee – made up of cardiologists, dentists and infectious diseases specialists found no conclusive scientific evidence that gum disease, (periodontal disease), causes or increases the rates of cardiovascular diseases.

I have two children under the age of seven.  The last time they seen a dentist was a little over a year ago when we receive dental benefits.  Without our benefits dental care cost was just to high for us.  Where can we go to get affordable dental care for our family again.

Studies show a protein involved in cellular inflammation may increase the risk of plaque containing blood vessels associated with inflammatory gum disease, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2012 Scientific Sessions in Chicago. The protein, CD36, is found in blood cells, as well as many other cell types.

As you may already know cavities are caused by plaque build up. Plaque is a thin film of bacteria that builds up on  your teeth. So the more food and or drinks your children have that contain high sugar content the higher risks are of plaque developing and leading to cavities. Protect your children’s  teeth by providing a well balance diet with low sugar.  Not to say they can not have those sugary sweets once in a while but try to limit them and remember to have them brush their teeth twice a day and floss daily in order to help reduce plaque build up.

Smiling Schools, is a dental care program that is being implemented for underprivileged children in Kentucky. Kentucky governor Steve Beshear announced on August 25 2011 a dental care program intended to help bring dental health care to underprivileged children.  This is a pilot program that plans to run throughout the 2011-2012 school year.

My 12 year old son stated that when he yawns that he could sometime year a popping noise.  He said it is happening more often so I took him to see the doctor. His doctor told me he seemed fine but may have a TMJ issue and that I should see his dentist to confirm.

I looked up on line what TMJ is and it seem to fit what is happening to my son. My problem is I only have medical benefits though my job and not dental. If I buy a dental insurance plan will it cover for TMJ treatment?

It is important to keep in mind that by having proper dental care habits at home  and seeing a dentist regularly, not only helps to reduces the risk or tooth decay and gum disease, but save you money in the long run.

Preventive dental care services such as, office visits, X-rays and cleanings are much more affordable then filling, root canals and crowns. Take into account that even lower cost dental insurance plans offer free to very low cost preventive dental care, it makes no sense not to maintain your dental health. By taking care of your teeth with good dental habits and seeing your dentist you decrease your chances of developing larger more costly dental issues.

Many parent do encourage their children to practice proper dental care habits at home.  But having the right dental health care products for your children to use is important as well.    For children who do not brush their teeth on their own yet, you may want to avoid toothpaste with fluoride until they know not to swallow.  However for older children, the Center for Disease Control recommends that parents get their children toothpaste that contains fluoride in order to protect their teeth.

Also with regards to using mouthwash parents may want to avoid using mouthwash that contain alcohol.  There are many kid friendly mouthwashes that do not contain alcohol just read the label to make sure.

Flossing is an important part of dental care, however your child needs to know how to floss correctly.  Make sure you or your dentist correctly shows your child how to floss.  A parent should floss their child teeth until they are able to do so on their own.

More then 130 million Americans do not have dental insurance.  Those that are lacking insurance tend to put of dental care due to cost.  Even though early childhood is a critical time period for kids to learn effective dental health care habits, many parents can not afford their needed dental care.

Many schools in effort to help children build strong dental health care habits, reach out to volunteer dental hygienists and dentist that are willing to visit their school and provide dental education and free dental screenings.  See if your child school is active in having such programs available.

What I am wanting to know is, if  I buy a typical dental insurance plan for my ten year old son,  what types of benefits would he get?  I know some plans say free cleaning and X-rays but is that really all he would get?  Would I be able to get him filling at an affordable cost  too? What about the rest of the dental services do all dental insurance plan make you wait until you can have anything beyond a cleaning?   How can a ten year old wait for dental services if he needs to have them now?

Healthy Families is a low cost insurance for children and teens. Healthy Families provides health, dental and vision coverage to children who do not have insurance and can not qualify for free Medi-Cal.

The Federal Government has recently issued the 2012 Federal Income Guidelines. Healthy Families has new income guidelines this year.  For a child to qualify for Healthy Families, one of the requirements is that the family’s monthly income (after applicable deductions) must fall within the program guidelines. Applications received on or after April 1, 2012 will be based on the new 2012 FIGs.

Having good dental care habits established early on could help avoid dental issues in the future.  Good oral health care is more the just having healthy teeth. According to the Surgeon General oral health is integral to general health care. However, sadly many parents may not realize proper dental care, like traditional medical care should begin in infancy to prevent the development of disease.

The American Dental Association advise new parent to have the first dental visit before the child first birthday. Pediatric dentist are specialist in treating children dental care needs. The dentist has the same goal in mind for your child dental health care “Prevention.”  With maintenance, routine check-ups and cleanings on a regular basis it will help prevent larger dental care needs.

What I do  know is that on a dental discount plan you get discounted saving off your dental services.  But want I do not know is would I be lacking in coverages or benefits if I buy a dental discount plan over dental insurance?   I am leaning towards a dental discount plan simply because they are within my budget.  However if I am going to lose out on coverages on the back end then the money I saving with regards to cost will not matter.

Dental care cost can be high even just preventive dental services without dental insurance can cost over $150.  Where as most dental insurance plans provide preventive dental care for free.

Keep in mind you have an obligation to pay as agreed to the dentist any dental service provided. If you can not afford dental treatment do not agree to have any dental care until you are able.  Dental insurance helps in making dental care more affordable so you do not have to put of needed dental care services

My son needs to have all his wisdom teeth pulled, however, there is one that is really starting to hurt him.  The problem is that I do not receive dental benefits though my employer. Up till now I been paying for his dental care out of pocket to help him out.  He is 21 but also does not have any dental insurance.  I am not sure what to get to help him now with his wisdom teeth. What dental insurance plan will offer him the most in coverages for having the wisdom teeth extracted?

It is important to understand that your family dentist is not a mind reader.  You have an obligation to be truthful with your dentist.  What you do not reveal they can not know.  If you have additional information tell them and do not hold back on your opinions and or feeling this go for positive as well as negative.  Keep in mind most dentist want you to be happy.  If you do not let them know you are displeased about something how can they tek measures to correct the issue.

I am undecided on which is a better dental plan type to buy for my family.  Since I would like to be able to see a dentist right away without having all the waiting periods that are in the dental insurance plan I’ve seen, a discount plan seems good.   However,  what am I missing if I get a discount plan instead of dental insurance?  If I wait out the waiting periods would I have better coverages therefore in the long run having  dental insurance would be better then a discount plan?

When taking your child to see a dentist here are some tips that you should know.  Make sure that the dentist provide you complete information about any dental care services being advised.  Make that the dentist explains things to you in a language you can under stand.  (Note Many dentist have their own language “dental talk” that many people may not completely understand)

Make sure the dentist is providing you with all available options. It is hard to make an informed choice unless you know all your available options.  Ask you dentist to understand why they are suggesting one option over another.

Don’t forget you always have the right for a second opinion any time you want additional information from another source.  Do not be afraid to get a second opinion a good dentist will not get insulted.

Make sure you have a dentist that treats you and your child with respect at all times.  A dentist should not be rude because you are asking questions about your child dental care and or dental treatments.  Respect also includes the privacy and security of your records and the privacy of your discussions with the dentist and staff members.

It should go without saying but the dental office that you choose to go to for you and your family dental care should be clean. Cleanliness and sterility is what you are looking for if you do not see that leave.

It is important that children’s dental and oral health care needs are met.  Having healthy teeth and gums is also important to a child over all health care. In order to meet a child dental care goals it is important to have proper preventive dental care habits at home, as well as a dental care provider.  Seeing a dentist regularly is just as important as seeing your doctor regularly.   Talk to your child dentist, go over some healthy dental care habits to have a maintain from home