Dentures should not be worn while sleeping to allow the gum tissue to rest and normal stimulation and cleaning by the tongue and saliva.

Remove and brush your dentures with a tooth brush and denture cleanser designed for dentures. When the dentures are not used, soak the dentures in a denture cleaner solution or in water.

Full or partial dentures replace your teeth when you have lost your natural teeth, from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury. They will help your appearance and your health including support for facial muscles sag which makes a person look older. Dentures normally take one month and 4-5 appointments which include the initial exam, wax bite impressions, and final denture adjustments.

There are plenty of dental insurance plans that will cover dentures, but you need to plan ahead. Many but not all dental insurance plans have waiting periods from 6-18 months.

As an example: Replacing teeth with dentures is classified as major dental services. The average benefit is 50% co-insurance for your dentures. Dentures are covered by some dental discounts dental plans. Remember discount dental plans are not insurance dental plan.

Seniors know what to expect at your dental visit

Your senior dental visit will likely consist of the following:

* X-rays: Normally given at least one a year though they may be needed sooner depending on the status of your dental health. They are used to spot problems undetectable to the eye such as bone deterioration below the gum line.

* Dental Exam: During a dental exam your dentist will check your mouth, teeth and gums for signs of cavities, a loose tooth filling and gum disease. He or she will also look at your neck, lymph glands, cheeks, tongue and lips to check for signs of infection or oral cancer.

* Dental Cleaning: You will also normally have a basic dental cleaning where the dentist or dental hygienist will scrape off any dental plaque or tartar from above and below your gum line, then polish and floss your teeth.

* Treatment Plan: Depending on what the dentist observes during the exam, he or she will recommend a dental treatment plan. Your dentist can also review proper self-care tips for brushing, flossing and caring for dentures.

Over bleaching can lead to a permanent translucent blue appearance on the teeth. A cosmetic dentist can help correct this discoloration by applying veneers or a bonding agent to the teeth which can be an expensive dental procedure. Finally, the teeth can become more vulnerable to stains since the chemicals remove a protective layer on the teeth call the pellicle.

Teeth whitening can cause damage to the gums and teeth. Many over the counter whitening products and dentists use a hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide base solution to whiten teeth. These acidic chemicals can destroy the gums and enamel of the teeth. A tooth with a crack or cavity is more susceptible to damage and may even require a root canal.

You need to use extreme caution when using teeth whiteners. Over exposure to sensitive gums and teeth by the acids in the whitening agents eat into the gums and teeth. Sometimes this process may damage the teeth. The sensitivity is usually temporary, lasting only for a couple of days.

Some families are considering alternative teeth whitening options instead of buying expensive commercial products. Some studies have suggested one can whiten their teeth buy combining 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1/2 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide in a small glass of water while brushing the teeth for 5 minutes with the mixture. Make sure you thoroughly rinse and do not do this more than two times a month.

Helps to see Invisible Tooth Decay and Plaque.

Improving dental care though improving technology. A team of scientists from the University of Liverpool has won an award for developing a device that can identify early tooth decay and plaque before it is visible to the human eye. The innovation, “iDentifi” comprises a clinical digital camera which incorporates qualitative light induced fluorescence technology to take images of the mouth using blue light and special filters which can show up cavities and plaque

Here are a few simple steps you can take to save guard your kids and or grand kids from your Prescription Medication.

1) Keep prescription drugs in a secure and safe place. Locked or hidden areas are a good option.

2) Make sure to dispose of used medication in a safe manor

3) Close the lids and secure with tape

According to The University of Michigan Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, nearly 1 in 4 grandparents keep prescription medications in places children can easily access. Each year, more young children visit the emergency room for unintentional medication poisonings than for car accidents. The poll asked parents and grandparents of children, aged 1 to 5 years old, whether medicines were present in their homes and if so, how they are stored. Matthew M. Davis, M.D., M.A.P.P., director of the C.S.

British consumers are considerably misjudging how much sugar supposedly “healthy option drinks” contain, researchers from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, revealed in a new report. The investigators asked 2,005 individuals across the country to estimate how much sugar some popular drinks contained. They found that, in general, people tend to slightly overestimate the sugar content of sodas (fizzy drinks), while seriously underestimating levels in milkshakes, smoothies, energy drinks and several fruit juices.

If you belong to a professional association, you might be eligible for a dental insurance or discount dental plan. Many associations partner with a PPO to provide their members with dental plans that offer very comprehensive insurance coverage at more affordable prices.

Finally, dental schools may offer affordable dental services. Dental schools seem to be safe, but can be inconvenient and treatment for one problem may have to be addressed in multiple office visits.

You can obtain quotes for more affordable dental insurance plans from companies online and through your local insurance agent or broker. Please keep in mind that there are many web sites who give the appearance of selling dental insurance but instead only offer a dental discount plan which is not insurance.

Your dentist may also have affordable dental plan options available to patients. Ask the receptionist if they partner with a dental plan company and see if one might be right for you.

Affordable dental insurance plans from an HMO have a limited pool of dentist to select, but it is a more affordable insurance plan. If you are self employed and looking for a more affordable dental plan, a discount dental plan may be an alternative.

Discount dental plans are not dental insurance plans. A discount plan partners with dentists to provide customers with a savings on visits to the dentist office. The downside to discount dental plans is that they are not regulated and you have limited recourse if you experience dental plan problems.