Gum disease is can be caused by plaque build up, use of tobacco products, poor fitting bridges partials and dentures, poor diet and certain diseases such as anemia, cancer, and diabetes. However by having good oral hygiene habits and by seeing a dentist regularly you can help to lower the risk of gum disease.

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Because dental insurance is usually acquired as part of a job benefit package, most persons lose their dental insurance coverage when they retire. In some states, Medicaid provides limited dental coverage for routine dental care for low income and disabled elderly persons.

Medicare, on the other hand, does not cover routine dental care for older adults, but provides a few, very limited services considered to be “medically necessary.” With only 22 percent of the adults 65 years and older covered by private dental insurance in 1995, most dental care expenses for the elderly were paid out of pocket.

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It is important to understand with most dental insurance plans there will be out of pocket costs. Out of Pocket costs is any amount the enrollee is responsible for paying, such as coinsurance or co-payments, deductibles, and costs above the annual maximum.

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Dental Bonding is a composite resin applied to a tooth to change its shape and /or color. Bonding can also refers to how a filling, orthodontic appliance or some fixed partial dentures are attached to teeth.

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Ear pain is often a warning sign of TMJ as it is a pretty common symptom. Nerves around the TMJ affect the nerves in and around the ear, and down the neck, so they can manifest pain anywhere in those general regions. Make sure to visit your dentist if you have unknown ear pain

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Many dental insurance will have a limiting age of coverage clause. This is the age at which a dependent covered by a dental insurance plan is no longer eligible to receive benefits. However, most dental insurance plans offer an extension of benefits beyond the limiting age of coverage to student and handicapped dependents. Therefore make sure to read the plans terms and conditions if you have an older depending living in the household.

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It is important to understand that dental insurance plans typically do not cover every dental procedure. Each insurance plan contains a list of terms and conditions that limit or exclude dental services from coverage.   Limitations may be related to time or frequency such as the number of procedures permitted during a stated period. For example, no more than two cleanings in twelve months or one cleaning every six months. Exclusions are those dental services not covered by the dental insurance plan

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Periodontal diseases other wise know as gum disease is an infection of the supporting structures of the teeth. When not treated, periodontal diseases can result in the loss of teeth. The occurrence of periodontal diseases increases with age, from six percent among persons 25-34 years and to 41 percent among those 65 years and older.

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According to national data 7 percent of adults 65 years and older reported having tooth pain at least twice during the past six months.  Oral pain is not something to defer. Oral pain is a sign of an advanced problem in either your tooth or gum tissues.

Oral pain and health problems, whether from missing teeth, ill-fitting dentures, cavities, gum disease, or infection, can cause difficulty eating and can force people to adjust the quality, consistency, and balance of their diet.  Therefore professional dental help is needed to effectively manage and treat any oral pain and dental problems. Make sure to see a dentist at the first sign of any oral or dental pain you may have.

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Questions to Ask When Picking a Potential New Dentist Part Two 

In a prior post we talked about questions to ask a dentist when choosing a new potential dental office. Here are some more questions you may wish to ask and keep in mind.  

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Questions to Ask When Picking a Potential New Dentist Part One 

Find a dentist that is right for you and or your family does not have to be difficult if you know what you what to look for in advance.  Before calling any dentist make a list of items that are important to you. Doing this will help you to be clear in asking questions and finding the answer you want.  

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Bitewing radiographs (dental X-rays) Are generally consider preventive dental care and under many dental insurance plans bitewing radiographs are free to little cost.  When reviewing different types of dental insurance plans see what is consider preventive services and compare cost. You want preventive care to be either free to little cost so that you are more likely to maintain your dental care needs and see a dentist as advised 

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Facial pain can be a warning sign of TMJ. With the central facial location of the joint, pain can easily spread across your face. If you start to have ache or pain in you face without knowing a direct cause, talk to your dentist and see if it is a TMJ issue

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There are a group of gum diseases that affects the periodontium (periodontium is made of the alveolar bone, the gums, the periodontal ligament and the cementum) at different levels.   The first stage is gingivitis: Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums on the surface and does not touch the alveolar bone. Gingivitis can be treated by a dentist along with having proper at home dental care habits.

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The quality of today’s dental prostheses (dentures and partials) can help persons who have lost some or all of their natural teeth improve their quality of life by restoring lost function and esthetics.

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What are Bitewing Radiographs ?

Bitewing radiographs are X-rays that are used to reveal the crowns of several upper and lower teeth as they bite down. Dentists use radiographs for many reasons such as to find hidden dental structures, malignant or benign masses, bone loss, and cavities.

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