Question: I have a 13 year old son that need some dental care but I do not have any dental insurance in force. Since I am not looking for dental care for myself can I buy a dental HMO insurance plan for just my son?

Answer: That would really depend on the plan you are reviewing some dental HMO plans will let you buy a plan for a minor only where other will required you to have at least one adult listed as head of household. Forcing you to buy at least a couple plan for you and your minor son. I would suggest buying a couple plan if you also do not have dental insurance the cost different between a couple and an individual plan on an HMO is generally not large normally around $10.00 – $15.00 more a month. Your dental health care is also important and you should see a dentist for at least your preventive care.

With most HMO plans preventive services are free to little cost to the member. However if you have any questions about the different dental insurance plan options we provide on our web site please call our member services at 310-534-3444 as we will be happy to help walk you though our plans so that you can pick the right plan and coverage for you and or your son.

Understanding some terms that define locations on and around the teeth. Sometimes dentist will use terms that we may not know or understand when they are talking about one or more of our teeth. There are several terms that that are used, that help to define locations on and around the teeth. These terms are used often to refer to specific areas of the mouth when describing conditions there. Here is a list of some of those terms.

     * Posterior: Towards the back of the mouth.
    * Anterior: Towards the front of the mouth
    * Mesial: Towards the midline of the mouth.
    * Distal: Away from the midline of the mouth
    * Buccal: Any area on the cheek side of the teeth
    * Lingual: Any area on the tongue side of the teeth
    * Facial: Any area on the cheek or lip side of the teeth. Is often used interchangeably with buccal but mostly in the anterior portion of the mouth.
    * Palatal: Any area on the tongue side of the maxillary teeth
    * Occlusal: Any area on the chewing surfaces of back teeth.
    * Incisal: Any area on the biting surfaces of the front teeth.

The healthcare industry believes there is a high correlation between heart attack, stroke, diabetes, bone loss and lung disease and your oral health. By taking proper care of your oral health you also help to prevent other overall health issues. See your dentist at least twice a year for your regular dental check ups

Did you know that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults? Yet it is also highly preventable and reversible when treated by a dental professional. See your dentist regularly in order to maintain good dental health. Have dental insurance in place in order to maintain lower cost for your dental care need

Statistics reveal that one person dies every hour from oral cancer, and that number is increasing. However did you know that your dentist can help identify oral cancer early so treatment can begin fast to improve the prognosis. In addition people that have dental insurance are more likely to visit their dentist regularly. Make sure to see your dentist at least twice a year and to save money on your dental care needs make sure to have a good dental insurance plan.

It is important to know how dental insurance works and how it help you save money. Here are a few facts to think about when buying dental insurance so you buy the right plan for you and or you and your family.

1) Dental insurance is not designed to pay 100% of all dental services render. Dental insurance is designed to help aid you in the cost of dental services, there by making dental care more affordable.

2) Not all dental insurance coverages are the same. Some plans pay out by percentages up to UCR whereas other plans provide a fee schedule for dental services covered, stating the amount you pay for each service. It is up to you to read the plans terms and conditions to understand the plans benefits.

3) Generally PPO’s or Indemnity insurance plans base their coverages by percentages up to UCR rates. Such as 80% paid for basic dental services up to what is Usual, Customary & Reasonable. UCR is the common term for fee guidelines insurance companies use to pay claims. UCR guidelines were put in place to help control dental inflation. Generally with PPOs plans when you stay with in the plans network of providers you have a lower risk of having UCR fees.

4) Most dental insurance plans provide coverages for routine dental services. However that is not always the case when it comes to cosmetic dental care treatment. If you are wanting cosmetic dental care make sure the dental insurance plan you are buying covers those types of dental services or you may want to review dental discount plans that can provide up to 20% off cosmetic dental care services.

In order to reduce your risk of chipping or cracking your teeth you want avoid munching on ice or hard candies, grinding or clenching teeth, and using your teeth as tools to hold or open items. Even exposing teeth to heat and cold can lead to chips, cracks, and breaks in your teeth. Tiny chips or cracks may not be a bother. But anything more could lead to pain or permanent tooth damage. Your dentist can offer dental bonding, tooth contouring, porcelain veneers, and crowns to fix badly damaged teeth.

A few symptoms of oral cancer could be, mouth sore that does not go away. Unexplained numbness in the face, mouth, or neck. Problems chewing, speaking or swallowing. Causes of oral cancer, can include smoking cigarettes and using smokeless tobacco, drinking heavily, overexposure to the sun, and a family history of cancer.

Oral cancer has also been linked to the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Do not let fear keep you from the doctor, oral cancer that is caught early is treatable and curable. Often times your dentist will also look for any signs of oral cancer when you have your regular dental checks. Just another good reason to make sure to make and keep your regular dental appointments.

Leukoplakia is a reaction to an irritant, like rough teeth, badly fitting dentures, smoking, and smokeless tobacco. It can show up as white patches or plaques in the mouth, is usually painless, and can not be scraped off. Leukoplakia can also be a precancerous condition. Persistent patches or other changes in your mouth need a dentist’s evaluation.  See a dentist if you think you may have Leukoplakia for an evaluation and treatment.

You do not get cold sores and or ever blisters, from fevers or colds but they can be triggered by them. The virus that causes cold sores is usually passed via a kiss, shared utensils, or other close contact. Over-the-counter creams and ointments may help discomfort and speed healing. Frequent sores may require a prescription.

Your gums and bad breath issues Keeping your gums healthy is an important part of having good oral health but it also helps to control bad breath issues. Gum disease, is a common cause of bad breath. Bacteria gather in pockets at the base of teeth, creating bad odors. If you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend a periodontist, who specializes in treating this condition.

After Dinner Mints VS Chewing Gum

Often times people will have an after-dinner mints after a meal. However, sugary candies promote the growth of bacteria in your mouth and adds to bad breath issues. Instead, chew sugarless gum. By chewing gum it stimulates saliva, which is your mouth’s natural defense mechanism against plaque acids which cause tooth decay and bad breath.

Avoid foods that sour your breath. If you worry about your breath one way avoid bad breath issues is by avoiding food that sour your breath. Onions and garlic are the prime offenders. Unfortunately, brushing after you eat them does not help.

According to dentist Richard Price, a spokesman for the American Dental Association, “The volatile substances they contain make their way into your bloodstream and travel to your lungs, where you breathe them out, The only way to avoid the problem is to avoid eating them, especially before social or work occasions when you are mindful of your breath”.

Scrape your Tongue. One dental care habit that often goes undone is scraping your tongue after brushing you teeth. It is important to clean you tongue daily because the coating that normally forms on the tongue can host foul-smelling bacteria.

You want to gently brush your tongue with your toothbrush. If it is too big to comfortably reach the back of your tongue, try a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is designed specifically to apply even pressure across the surface of the tongue area, removing bacteria, food debris, and dead cells that brushing alone can not remove.

Brush and floss your teeth more frequently. 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.

Woman’s Dental Care and Osteoporosis

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.