| |
Selecting
an Appropriate Plan Deciding on whether to purchase
dental coverage and selecting from countless regional
and national dental plans can seem like a daunting
task. Whether you are considering small business,
group, individual or family dental insurance,
the information that follows can help guide you
through the decisions. This article offers an
overview of why dental insurance is important
and cost effective and explains the different
types of dental plans, including direct reimbursement,
indemnity, preferred provider organization (PPO)
, dental health maintenance organization (DMHO)
, discount/referral or reduced fee for services
(RFFS) and point of service (POS) plans.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
The
easiest and least costly route to good oral health
is often the most overlooked. Brushing and flossing
require just a few minutes of each day, yet few
of us take the time to establish healthy oral
hygiene habits. Both mechanically remove bacteria
build-up from the teeth and gums. Removing bacteria
is the primary goal of good oral health. If the
bacteria is not removed plaque forms. Over time,
this plaque turns into a hard substance called
tartar. The levels of more dangerous type of bacteria
build up within tartar. These bacteria produce
toxins which irritate and cause inflammation of
the gums. This is known as gingivitis. Untreated
gingivitis leads to periodontal disease - a condition
where bacterial toxins invade not only the gums
but also the bones and the structures supporting
the teeth. This can lead to bone loss, loose teeth,
and teeth that fall out. Periodontal disease often
requires more extensive and expensive treatment.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
2.
Oral Hygiene for Children -
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Do you avoid seeing a dentist even when you
have dental insurance to cover the cost? An
important step toward conquering your fear is
to educate yourself on the many options available
today that help allay dental anxiety. Even before
the first tooth appears of your kid , use a
soft, clean cloth to wipe your baby's gums and
cheeks after feeding. As soon as the first tooth
appears, begin using a small, soft bristled
tooth brush to clean the tooth after eating.
Don't cover the brush with toothpaste. Young
children tend to swallow most of the toothpaste,
and swallowing too much fluoridated toothpaste
can cause permanent spots on their teeth called
dental fluorosis. Every day plaque forms on
the inner, outer, and chewing surface of teeth
and the gums. Tooth brushing is one of the most
effective ways to remove the plaque. Young children
do not have the manual dexterity to brush properly.
Your child will need your supervision and help
brushing until he or she is 8-10 years old to
ensure a thorough brushing has been done. When
the bristles become bent or frayed, a new brush
is needed. Start flossing your child's teeth
when the teeth touch each other and you can
no longer brush in between them.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
3. Proper
care of Dentures- |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Daily cleaning of your denture is necessary
to prevent build-up of plaque, food, calculus
(tartar), and stain which can cause:
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
- Problems with appearance or esthetics
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
- Irritation to the tissues under the denture
|
|
| |
- Infections in
the mouth |
|
| |
|
|
| |
PREVENTION
- |
|
| |
|
|
| |
- Rinse the denture
under water after meals to remove loose food debris.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
- Brush regularly after each meal, or at least
before bed. This removes the plaque and some
stains.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
- Brush with water, soap, or a mildly abrasive
toothpaste, or denture paste. Scouring powders
or other abrasive cleaners should not be used
because they scratch the denture. Scratches
make the denture more susceptible to collecting
debris, plaque and stain.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
- You can use a denture brush or a regular
soft toothbrush to clean the denture, but use
a separate brush for cleaning any natural teeth
you have. Make sure you reach all areas of the
denture.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
- The denture can be soaked in a solvent (such
as Efferdent, Polident) or a detergent with
a chemical action that removes or loosens light
stains and deposits. Rinse the denture with
water afterwards. Chemical immersions can be
done daily or several times a week. Ultrasonic
cleaning is done during a dental appointment
to remove heavy stain and calculus (tartar).
The most effective way to keep your dentures
clean is by daily brushing, in combination with
soaking the dentures in a chemical solution.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
4. Dental
Emergencies - |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Most visits to the dentist are for routine
care, but in emergency situations, seeking immediate
care may be the most important dental visit
you’ll ever make. Emergencies that are
specifically addressed include teeth that are
knocked out (evulsed), forced out of position
(extruded), or broken (fractured). Other emergencies
include cuts to lips, gums or cheeks. This article
points out emergencies that require immediate
dental care within 30 minutes and provides guidelines
for those that should be referred to a hospital
emergency room. Whether or not you have dental
insurance or some other form of dental coverage,
dental emergencies should be treated as seriously
as any other health emergency. In some cases,
regular health insurance coverage will cover
medical care for injuries sustained to the mouth
and teeth, but may not cover restorative procedures.
Before an emergency arises, have your dentist’s
emergency number handy and check with your individual,
family, group or small business dental insurance
plan for procedures to follow. Or get dental
insurance free quotes and compare dental plans
to discover which plan might serve you best
in case of an emergency.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Recent studies show that more than 90 percent
of the adult U.S. population—literally
millions of people—suffer from some form
of periodontal disease. Are you one of them?
Periodontal diseases affect the tissues that
support and anchor the teeth, and left untreated,
can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal
literally means "around the tooth."
Periodontal diseases are serious bacterial infections
that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting
bone that hold your teeth in your mouth. Left
untreated, these diseases can lead to tooth
loss. There are many forms of periodontal disease:
Gingivitis, Aggressive periodontitis , Chronic
periodontitis , Periodontitis as a manifestation
of systemic diseases and Necrotizing periodontal
diseases.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes
in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of
periodontal disease and in the placement of
dental implants. Periodontists receive extensive
training in these areas, including three additional
years of education beyond dental school. Periodontists
are familiar with the latest techniques for
diagnosing and treating periodontal disease.
In addition, they can perform cosmetic periodontal
procedures to help you achieve the smile you
desire. Often, dentists refer their patients
to a periodontist when their periodontal disease
is advanced. However, you don't need a referral
to see a periodontist. In fact, there are occasions
when you may choose to go directly to a periodontist
or to refer a family member or friend to your
own periodontist.
|
|
| |
|
|
