I WANT TO KEEP MY TEETH – DO YOU???

Thank you for looking at this information that will answer some questions about

your dental hygiene. In this information you will find ways to help protect your

teeth with traditional as well as natural methods.

You will also get some of your questions answered about Dental Insurance.

I hope you enjoy this information.

Protect those Pearly Whites

Bad oral hygiene like failure to brush or floss teeth, gargle your mouth after meals, or eating foods like chocolate or sugar can harm your teeth. This gives rise to many dental problems like bad breath, gingivitis, bleeding gums, and dental cavities. This means a visit to a dentist could leave a hole in your pocket. At times, a normal checkup can set you back by $100 without undergoing any treatment. Besides, good oral health is important for our appearance. Also, dental problems can signify underlying health problems like heart disease. But going for dental insurance will ensure that the insurer pays for the costs. Here we explain briefly how dental insurance works. Good dental health is not only important for our appearance, it is important for our overall health too as problems in the mouth can often be a sign that something else in the body needs attention. Why do I need dental insurance? A dental insurance plan is useful in paying for the costs of both normal and emergency dental treatments. You need not worry about paying your dentist's fees to take care of your oral health. Where do you get dental insurance? There are various healthcare cash plan insurers who cover the dentistry fees to a determined limit. Now some companies offer independent dental insurance. The cover will vary from insurer to insurer, but both the cash plan and an independent dental insurance policy will cover the charges for normal checkup, emergencies and any unintentional injuries to the teeth. Recently, an insurer has started providing cover for major dental problems like reconstructive surgery, which can include a plastic surgery after injury to the teeth or oral cancer. Where should I buy dental insurance? You can get the best insurance that fits your budget by shopping around. Visiting the websites will offer you detailed information on the dental insurers and their policies. This gives you adequate time to compare the terms and conditions of various policies. You can also find out about any discounts on dental insurance.

Is Bleaching the Right Option for You?

A lot of people desire to have a brilliant smile with shiny and sparkling bright teeth. To achieve it, they

consume lots of money on teeth whitening products. Teeth bleaching is just one of the few teeth

whitening treatments.

Bleaching is an excellent teeth whitening treatment. It is the most widely known treatment for

whitening teeth because it is cheaper compared to laser treatment. The treatment is done without

taking away any of the tooth surface.

Each of us has distinct tooth color. Naturally, a lot of smokers have stained teeth. But others are blessed

with pearly white teeth.

Typically teeth bleaching is suited for those who have discolored teeth like smokers and those who are

eating but fail to brush properly. It is recommended that you seek an advice to a dentist before applying

these teeth whitening product.

Dentist will tell you if it's appropriate for you to undergo a teeth whitening treatment and will

recommend it if you are. First the dentist will apply a gel or rubber shield on gums so that the soft tissue

will not be damaged. Then they will apply the bleaching product to the teeth by means of a tray which

will fit the shape of your mouth. After this the dentist would just give you some instructions and you'll

continue the treatment at home.

The active ingredients of bleaching products such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide makes

the teeth white. When the active ingredient starts to break, the oxygen goes inside the enamel of the

teeth and then the tooth color made lighter. Treatments like this are usually done in three to four

weeks.

There are new products that can be applied for eight hours at a time. You can perform the treatment

when it is time for you to sleep. The result can be achieved for at least one week only.

You still have another option for whitening your teeth which is laser teeth whitening. In laser teeth

whitening a rubber dam will be placed over the teeth so as to shield the gums from being damaged, and

then a whitening product is applied to your teeth. A laser is used to trigger the chemical applied to the

teeth. It boosts the chemical effect of the bleaching product so that the change of color can be achieved

quickly.

The dentist needs to check your teeth to ensure that you're suitable to undergo the treatment. It is the

fastest procedure that may only take for about an hour.

The effects of bleaching teeth can last up to three years and may differ from one person to another. Of

course if you keep on smoking and drink or eat products that can stain your teeth the effect is less likely

to last long. During or after the treatment you'll fell your teeth become sensitive to cold. But these

symptoms are usually disappears within a few days after the treatment is done.

There are lots of whitening teeth products that are made available. These are effective in removing stain

and enhance the entire appearance of your teeth but it would not affect the natural color of your teeth.

Once your teeth undergo a whitening treatment, a whitening paste can be helpful to make the effect

last longer.

There are many ways to keep your teeth white. Try cutting down the amount of food that you eat or

drink that causes a stain or discoloration of your teeth. Also stop smoking and make a habit to brush

your teeth three times a day to prevent staining or discoloring of your teeth.

Be Sure You Get all the Information

Many of the insurance plans do cover dental health but it would still leave out many expenses for which you'll have to shell out money from your own pocket. So, assuming that your insurance plan is taking care of your dental health can be a big mistake. Not just that, there is also the possibility of your dental insurance plan not covering the entire cost of your dental treatment. This happens because most of the insurance plans focus on covering bigger treatment expenses. In doing so, they leave out the minor expenses, which pile up into a considerable amount. It is in this situation that supplemental dental insurance helps. Supplemental dental insurance is not another kind of dental insurance by another name. You need to have a proper dental care insurance besides the supplemental one because the latter helps one cover the cost of such dental needs that are not covered either by your primary health insurance or the dental insurance. One of these are dental discount plans, which are carefully devised to reduce dental costs by making the dentist lower their rates for individual clients in lieu of the volume of patients they get. Now, these are not actually dental insurance plans but since they pass a part of the benefit to the patient, much of the treatment cost is absorbed. You pay a regular fee to the company providing such services. The amount you pay is far smaller than what you save. The financial burden is thus reduced. Such a plan can cost one as little as $5. For college students in particular, there are discount dental plans, which work much the same way as any other discount dental plan. The only difference is- many colleges opt for such plans for their students. These plans normally have limited benefit and cover things like regular cleanings, fluoride treatment, x-rays, and emergency dental

treatment for pain relief. Another popular supplemental dental insurance is the preferred provider network, which has a list of dental professionals for you to choose from. If you go to any one of them, the charges are heavily discounted. The plan pays a fixed fee to the dentist for the services rendered and whatever is left is paid by you. So, they pay for the service and you pay the additional cost. These are some of the choices you have. The plans may differ on finer points, but basically they are either one of them or a combination of one or more.

Some Information about Dental Insurance

When it comes to taking care of your teeth, purchasing the proper dental insurance is essential. Dental insurance really comes in handy for those who cannot deal with the increasing costs of seeing a dentist. The decision to select dental insurance that is right for individuals or families (depending on the situation) becomes an important task to conclude. Whether you are buying dental insurance through your place of business or looking for independent options, it is vital to analyze a variety of plans to ensure you are getting the best deal. Many different factors listed below may come into play when making a final selection. Affordability When selecting dental insurance, it is important to compare yearly maximum coverage on a regular basis. The amount in benefits that a plan will pay in one full year is one of the most important aspects to choosing the best dental insurance plan. Yearly maximums also renew on an automatic basis every year. It is also important to know that anything not used within a year will not roll over into the next. Many dental insurance companies only allow an average yearly max of $1000. Dentists In the case of independent dental insurance, most plans will only cover your dental services if they are administered from a dentist that is contracted or participating in their network. It is important to find out if you are required to receive your dental work from a participating dentist. Some plans may allow individuals to stay with their current dentists, but checking the policy for these allowances is essential. Major Coverage Dental insurance companies separate their dental procedures into three different categories. When comparing plans, you should ask about their policies regarding preventative, major, and restorative work. Varying dental companies will view different dental procedures in many different ways. For example, one dentist may consider root canals and crowns a major procedure while another will not. This is important to know before choosing a dental insurance plan. Waiting Periods The length of time that an insurance company will make you wait before you can enjoy coverage is called the waiting period. For example, some plans hold policies that make you wait 12 months or longer before you are covered for a crown. Cosmetic Dentistry If you are interested in seeing your dentist for any cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening or bleaching, you should know dental insurance companies rarely cover cosmetic dentistry. For the few that do, prepare for high rates.

Some Other Preventative Measures

So you think you need harsh chemicals to fight gingivitis, bad breath or tooth plaque? Not so! Natural therapies for oral hygiene can boost your gum disease fighting power both inside and out. Let's examine a few of the most popular

natural therapies used today. Herbal Natural Therapies for Oral Hygiene Certain herbs have antibacterial properties and can aid in your oral hygiene routine as well as make your breath smell a little sweeter. Essential oils of almond, peppermint and spearmint, for example, may all be rubbed around the base of the gums as therapies for oral hygiene. Tea tree oil has even more bacterial-fighting agents than the essential oils previously mentioned as therapies for oral hygiene. Adding a few drops of tea tree oil to your toothbrush during regular brushing will leave your gums feeling clean and invigorated. Green tea has been credited for centuries as one of the best natural therapies for oral hygiene. The Chinese have long used green tea as an oral rinse for daily mouth care. Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that also help boost the immune system. Vitamin Natural Therapies for Oral Hygiene Vitamin C is known to boost your immune system, and can aid in fighting the growth of anaerobic bacteria that cause plaque on your teeth. Of all the therapies for oral hygiene, vitamin C therapy also helps fight off other illnesses such as colds and flues. More Natural Therapies for Oral Hygiene Ordinary baking soda is often accounted one of the best oral antibacterial substances out there. When brushing with baking soda, make sure the soda is thoroughly moistened, and that you aren't pressing too hard on the brush. For extra cleansing power, rinse your toothbrush in food grade hydrogen peroxide before brushing. Common Sense Natural Therapies For Oral Hygiene 1. Brush after meals. 2. Floss between teeth every day. 3. Swish water between teeth to rinse food particles out, or better yet, use a water pick or oral irrigator designed for the job. 4. Replace your toothbrush every six months, and consider getting the electric kind for efficient cleaning. Battery-powered toothbrushes are inexpensive and easy to find if you're not ready to invest in a countertop solution. While all of these natural therapies for oral hygiene are helpful in preventing gum disease, you should still see your dentist twice a year for a thorough oral check up

Some Causes and Treatments for Bad Breath

When you know you have a bad breath, and it's keeping you from socializing or interacting with other people because you fear that your bad breath will blow people away; then get rid of these fears. You are not the only one suffering from it. It is a very common problem and can be caused by very minute problems like not cleaning your teeth properly, digestion problems, smoking, and more. In medical terms it is known as halitosis. Causes of Bad Breath: Some of the main causes of bad breath are: - It is caused by a particular type of bacteria which resides on the soft tissues in the mouth, mainly the back of the tongue. These bad breath bacteria reside under a blanket of mucous. Dead bacterial cells produce sulfur gases which causes the bad odor. Unfortunately, no mouthwash can clean these bacteria, no matter how frequently you use it, and toothbrushes are also of little help.

- Food debris which accumulates on the back of the tongue cause bad odor. - Poor oral hygiene also leads to bad breath. If you do not wash your mouth properly after eating, the food particles in your mouth can rot and start to smell. They begin to collect bacteria which cause the bad odor. - Our teeth attract bacteria containing plaque very easily, so if we do not brush our teeth regularly and thoroughly, large amounts of bacteria get accumulated, which results in bad breath. - If you have periodontitis then you may often experience bad breath, as the bacteria gets accumulated in areas that are not cleaned easily, such as deep pockets around teeth. - Drinking alcohol and smoking. - The decrease in saliva may also be the cause. When you are sleeping, the flow of saliva almost stops. Thus the reduced cleaning action of the saliva allows bacteria to grow, causing bad breath - Bad breath is also seen in people who are dieting. The fact is that when you are not eating, the saliva decreases and bacteria growth increases; causing bad breath. - Dehydration will lead to dryness of the mouth, and the reduced cleaning action of the saliva will allow bacteria to grow, causing bad breath. - Other infections in our body, especially in the sinuses, lungs, or throat can also cause bad breath. - Diabetes mellitus, kidney failure and malfunction of the liver. - Metabolism disorder is another factor causing the odor. - Gum infection which may cause a metallic breath odor. - You may also experience bad breath when fasting, as your body is not provided with fuel in the form of food, and so fat and protein will begin to break down resulting in bad odor. Treatments: It is advisable to go to your dentist for your treatment. The various treatments involve: - A complete oral examination and health history. The dentist may ask you to have an "odor-meter" test done. This test can accurately measure the volatile sulfur gases and the extent of a halitosis problem. - Periodontal disease and cavities would be treated. - If there is an impacted tooth it would need to be removed, and other oral infections would be treated. - Good oral hygiene is a must. Mouth washes and toothpastes are effective in managing oral odor. You must ask your dentist for a product that may be helpful to you. These are some oral hygiene tips that you must follow to get rid of bad breath: - Use floss at least once a day - Watch your diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. - Avoid alcohol and smoking. - Do not skip meals as decrease in saliva will cause bad breath. - Always clean your orthodontic appliances at least once each day. Pieces of food and germs can collect on these appliances and cause bad breath. - Have regular dental checkups. If you are not sure if you have bad breath, the best thing is to ask your friends for their honest opinion. Follow these routines and you will be free from bad breath!