While most dental insurance coverage will only cover a percentage, usually 50% to 80%, of these fillings. Dental Insurance can be rather expensive to opt for and it mostly becomes difficult to pay for expensive dental insurance premiums. What you need a dental treatment done by dentists that include specific types of insurance.

Scientists have made a discovery that could lead to improved treatment for asthma sufferers. They have found that blocking a certain signalling molecule can alleviate symptoms such as mucus production, swelling (edema), and constriction of the airways in the lungs.

They have found that blocking a certain signalling molecule can alleviate symptoms such as mucus production, swelling (edema), and constriction of the airways in the lungs.

The international study, led by Dr Stephan Caucheteux, from Cardiff University’s School of Medicine, believes their work could ultimately help asthma sufferers around the world.

Did you know hat one of the prime causes of bad breath is plaque, the sticky buildup in your mouth that harbors bacteria. Also food that gets caught between your teeth adds to the problem. All of us should brush at least twice a day and floss daily. If you are concerned about your breath, brush and floss a little more often. But do not overdo it. Brushing too aggressively can wear down enamel, making your teeth more vulnerable to decay.

Information about Cavity Fillings: types, costs, pros and cons. Disadvantages: cost more than dental amalgam, material shrinks when hardened, may leak over time. Disadvantages: Cost is similar to Composite resin, not recommended for biting surfaces and permanent teeth, could increase chance of periodontal disease. Disadvantages: conducts heat and cold, may irritate sensitive teeth, high cost, may cause wear to opposing teeth.

Disadvantages: is not tooth-colored, may cause tooth sensitivity, high cost, requires at least 2 office visits. Your dentist can help you choose which type of tooth filling is best for you based on the size of the space to be filled, aesthetics, durability of dental filling materials and dental filling costs. Patients love them because they’re more durable than most dental fillings and less costly than a dental crown.

A) Composite fillings usually cost more than dental amalgam fillings. As a basis of comparison, the cost of a dental amalgam filling will usually be on the order of about 25% to 30% less than the cost of a comparable dental composite filling. This price difference reflects the relative cost of the materials involved and the relatively greater amount of time it takes the dentist to place a white filling as compared to a dental amalgam filling.

Although costs vary across the country and by dental office, the cost of typical metal filling ranges from approximately $75 to $145 per filling, whereas a composite resin fillings range from $150 to $200 for a single surface white composite filling. Types of dental fillings, methods and costs all differ depending on the specific case and the dentist performing the procedure.

This avoids repeat dentistry and is the cost-effective option for the long term. The main disadvantage of metal fillings is the high cost of the fillings, and it requires at two visits tot eh dentist. Composite filling is most costly and most accurate dental filling material. The dental insurance company in turn provides coverage against any occurring dental costs. But since different types of fillings are better for different dental conditions, your dentist will help you decide which type of filling is right for you based on factors including the location and severity of the decay, the cost of the filling, and your insurance coverage.

But gold fillings can cost as much as 10 times more than silver amalgam fillings, and it takes more than one office visit to fit them properly. Composite Resin Tooth-Colored Fillings Aesthetics shade/color can be matched to existing teeth well suited for front teeth use Versatility in uses in addition to use as a filling material for decay, composite fillings can also be used to repair chipped, broken or worn teeth Tooth-sparing preparation less tooth structure may need to be removed compared with amalgams.

Durability may not last as long as amalgams on average Increased treatment time because of the process to apply the composite material Chipping depending on location, composite materials can chip off the tooth Expense composite fillings can cost up to twice the cost of amalgams.

Did you know that our senior population is the fastest growing population group in America? And that worldwide the age group of 80+ is expected to more than triple between 2015 and 2050, growing from 126.5 million to 446.6 million?! By the year 2017, the world — for the first time — will have more people 65 and older than children younger than 5. With so many people coming into “elderhood”, celebrating and honoring our older adults and empowering them to contribute and live rich, quality lives in their golden years will benefit all of society.

Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) provides one way to do this, as it historically has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons in our country, in particular those who defended our country. Every President since Kennedy has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. Older Americans Month is celebrated across the country through ceremonies, events, fairs, and other such activities.

How will you celebrate this month? We encourage you to connect with the elders in your life — your grandparents, teachers, mentors, seniors in your community and find out what events are happening in your area. You can also host an event or gathering yourself.

The Administration for Community Living has a number of outreach materials. This year’s OAM theme is Blaze a Trail. We all blaze our own path in life and as an elder, what is the legacy you’ll be leaving? ACL has some tip sheets on blazing trails in the areas of civic engagement, finances, reinvention and wellness. Listed below are some past Older Americans Month themes.

Here’s to all the elders in our country and the many contributions they have brought forth throughout their lives and the wisdom they shine in their golden years.

 A woman’s mouth can say a lot about osteoporosis.  If you are a woman, your dentist may be the first health professional to suspect you have osteoporosis and refer you to a physician before the disease advances. Symptoms of tooth loss or gum (periodontal) disease could indicate early stages of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis weakens bones by reducing their density.

Although the disease may strike any gender at any age, the vast majority of sufferers are women over age 50. Osteoporosis is difficult to detect, and most patients are not diagnosed until their bone density has decreased to the point that a fracture occurs.

However, your dentist may detect the onset of the disease based on oral symptoms, your medical history and results of a clinical and x-ray examination. This is why it is important to visit your dentist regularly and to provide him or her with your complete medical history, even if you do not think it relates to oral health.

Gold fillings are well tolerated by sensitive patients and are resistant to corrosion, tarnishing, and wear and tear but are among the most expensive filling materials. Gold fillings are often requested by patients for their aesthetic appeal. Gold fillings require more work on behalf of the dentist, and thus the prices of these fillings are much higher then for plastic resins and silver fillings.

Gold fillings also take much longer to produce, and several visits to the dentist are required for tooth moldings and fittings. Gold fillings which are defective from imperfect adaptation to an enamel margin, from recurrence of caries, or from fracture, are often susceptible to repair. Gold fillings give the tightest seal to the tooth. Gold fillings have excellent durability, wear well, and do not cause excessive wear to the opposing teeth, but they do conduct heat and cold, which can be irritating.

Gold fillings are usually quite expensive, although they do last a very long time. When you have gold fillings, you can expect them to last at a minimum of 15 years with proper oral care. The dentist will recommend gold fillings for your teeth if they will not be visible when you smile or talk. Restoration of gold fillings is considerably more expensive then that of its counterparts.

There are two categories of gold fillings, cast gold fillings (gold inlays and onlays) made with 14 or 18 kt gold, and gold foil made with pure 24 kt gold that is burnished layer by layer. Recent advances in dental porcelains and consumer focus on aesthetic results have caused demand for gold fillings to drop in favor of advanced composites and porcelain veneers and crowns.

A range of diseases,  from diabetes to cardiovascular disease, and from Alzheimer’s disease to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — are linked to changes to genes in the brain. A new study by UCLA life scientists has found that hundreds of those genes can be damaged by fructose, a sugar that’s common in the Western diet, in a way that could lead to those diseases.

However, the researchers discovered good news as well: An omega-3 fatty acid known as docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, seems to reverse the harmful changes produced by fructose.

 An apple a day may keep the dentist away. Well, not really but it is part of good part of eating healthy, which is a good for preventive dental care.   Parents can help themselves as well as their children prevent tooth decay and cavities by monitoring their eating habits. Lead by example, offer children healthy snack alternatives such as apples, bite-size carrots or other foods that are naturally sweet, and instruct children to avoid candies, chocolate, and other foods that contain refined sugar.  If your children see you eating healthy they are more incline to eat healthy too

Silver mercury fillings that were placed years ago, before bonding technology, may need to be replaced to prevent fractures. Silver weakens the teeth, making them more susceptible to breaking. Silver fillings have a longer history of use than mercury-free fillings, thus some feel that they are more tried and tested.

Silver amalgams used in large class II molar restorations; invariably cause a tattoo phenomenon of permanent tooth discoloration to a violet-gray/green tinge and even brown/black tint, this is quite evident when a clinician attempts the removal, replacement or repair of a failing old silver-amalgam restoration. Silver fillings (“Amalgam”) are becoming a thing of the past.

Silver fillings the most common type of dental filling are not actually pure silver, but a combination of silver, mercury, tin and copper. Silver Amalgam is the most commonly used material in the restoration of decayed teeth in the world. Silver amalgam is a popular dental filling that has been used extensively worldwide for over 200 years.

Point 3: Know the type of providers you should see.

Original Medicare, you should receive preventive care services from providers who accept assignment. Assignment is an agreement by your provider to accept the payment amount Medicare approves for your health service or item, and not to bill you for any more than the Medicare- approved deductible and coinsurance. Part B now pays for most covered preventive and screening services at 100 percent of Medicare’s approved amount, so if you receive these services from a provider who accepts assignment, you will have no out-of-pocket costs. If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, your plan should not charge you for preventive care services that are free for people with Original Medicare, as long as you see in-network providers. In-network providers accept your Medicare Advantage Plan as insurance. If you do not see a Medicare-participating provider who accepts assignment or an in-network provider, charges will typically apply to your preventive care service.

Note: You play a vital role in protecting the integrity of Medicare and can help detect fraud by carefully reviewing your summary of claims from Medicare or your plan. Always call your provider’s office to ensure they did not make a billing mistake. If your call is unsuccessful or if your provider is uncooperative, call our California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-855-613-7080.

Point 2: Know how to prepare for your Welcome to Medicare and Annual Wellness Visits.

Medicare covers a one-time, initial examination (also known as the Welcome to Medicare preventive visit) within the first 12 months you enroll in Part B. All people new to Medicare qualify for this visit. After you’ve had Part B for longer than 12 months, you can begin receiving Annual Wellness Visits. During each visit your provider will ask you to fill out a questionnaire, called a “Health Risk Assessment.” Answering these questions can help you and your provider develop a personalized prevention plan to help you stay healthy and get the most out of your visit. Note that you cannot receive your Annual Wellness Visit within the first year you are enrolled in Medicare or within the same year you have your Welcome to Medicare exam.

Before your visit, make a list of illnesses that run in your family, surgeries, medical problems, treatments, injuries, allergies, and vaccines you’ve had, especially if you’re seeing a new provider. You should also make a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements you use, including the doses and how often you take them. Remember to bring your lists with you and discuss them with your provider during your visit. Speaking with your provider is one of the best ways to make sure you receive the preventive and screening services you need.

How should you take care of your mouthguard tips

* Make sure to clean your mouthguard by washing it with soap and warm (not hot) water.
* Before storing, soak your mouthguard in mouthwash.
* Keep your mouthguard in a well-ventilated plastic storage box when not in use. Make sure the box has several holes so the mouth-guard will dry.
* Heat is bad for mouthguards, so do not leave it in direct sunlight or in a closed automobile.
* Do not bend your mouthguard when storing.
* Do not handle or wear someone else’s mouthguard.
* Call your dentist who made the mouthguard if there are any problems with your mouthguard

Amalgam is one of the best filling materials when dentists need to place fillings in areas of the mouth that are difficult to keep dry, such as molars (back teeth) or cavities below the gum line. Amalgam or composite resin are the most common materials. Amalgam and composite fillings are the most popular but glass ionomers are gaining recognition and my dentist went over those with me last time I was in his office. Amalgam fillings are the cheapest and the cast gold fillings have the longest durability (up to 15 years).

Amalgam fillings have a silver coloring which some people don’t want in their mouth in which case they choose the tooth colored composite style. Amalgam is a metal, which expands and contracts with hot, cold and biting. Amalgam fillings also raise a red flag because they contain mercury, which is a very toxic element. Amalgam Fillings Amalgam fillings may contain mercury, and are often referred to as metal fillings.

Amalgam fillings are a mixture of mercury liquid and small pieces of silver and other metals such as copper, tin and zinc. Amalgam fillings are made up of a composition of metals containing silver, copper, tin and zinc and mercury liquid. Amalgam: A silver/mercury mixture, which is used for fillings.

Amalgam tends to be self sealing which means that once it is placed, a small amount of corrosion takes place underneath the filling and this corrosion fills microscopic voids between the tooth and the filling. Amalgam fillings must engage undercuts within the cavity preparation so they will not dislodge. Amalgam also requires a minimum depth of a millimeter and a half in order to form its crystalline structure while composite fillings have no minimum depth. Amalgam fillings are normally fitted onto the back ‘chewing’ teeth.

Amalgam, gold or porcelain fillings cannot be used with laser or air abrasion prepared fillings. Amalgam fillings, like other filling materials, are considered biocompatible they are well tolerated by patients with only rare occurrences of allergic response. Amalgam is widely used for direct fillings, and done in single appointment. Amalgam fillings expand with age, possibly cracking the tooth and requiring repair and filling replacement. Amalgam removed from teeth is classified as toxic waste in various countries, but in many countries it is not regulated, including the United States.