I am 27 and although I have dental insurance though work I really do not use it as I do not like going to the dentist. So is there a way to make sure that I never have any real dental issues?

Reply: You can have the best at home dental care habits, by brushing your teeth twice a day flossing regularly, and using germ killing mouthwash. However, doing all that may not keep the dentist away. You want to make sure you keep your teeth healthy then a key part of doing that is seeing a dentist, typically twice a year.

I am in need of two dental crowns. I am trying to find a dental insurance plan that will cover at least 50 percent or more on a crown and one that will start right away since I am need of the crowns now. Is there dental insurance like want I need?

Reply: There are PPO insurance plans that do not have any waiting periods. However, then tend to still limit the benefits you receive right away. Either in the percentage covered such as only 10-15 percent for major services (ie: crowns) is covered in the plans first increase in benefit the next. Or sometimes the plan reduces the Maximum Limitation with in the plans first year. Such as the plan max limitation is only 500.00 the first year then increases the next. therefore it is important to read and understand the plans terms and conditions so you know what type of benefits you are going to receive.

Why is my Delta Dental insurance deductible so high? I just got my dental insurance package that I get though work and I am trying to make sense of it. I do not understand why it shows on the dental insurance that the deductible is $3000.00. When the medical insurance I get though work I only have a $20 co-payment per visit.

Reply: Though we do sell Dental dental insurance plans for individuals and Families on this website, we do not see group plans which is what you have though work. However, it think is is safe to say that what you are looking at is not the plans deductible but it max limitation amount. A max limitation is the dollar amount the insurance company going to pay out in claim cost per person per year. I can not tell you want your plans deductible really is but it can typically be something like a co-pay of around $20.00 per office visit or a annual deductible of around $50.00. Yet you will need to re-read you plans terms and conditions to confirm what it is for you. If you stll do not understand, I suggest talking to the person that handles your insurance though work.

I never bought dental insurance yet alone dental insurance on line. My insurance agent does not sell dental insurance and told me to look online for some. It is a little bit scary. I was told that discount plans pass themselves off as insurance and that is a scam. Where can I get a real dental insurance plan?

Reply: First let me say that dental discount plan are not scams. they can help you save money on your dental care cost by providing you discounted savings at a plan provider dental office. Dental discount plans however are not insurance. They are required to let people know that they are discount plans. People tend to buy these types of plan without full reading thinking that they are insurance. That dose not make the plan a scam.

Secondly we offer many good dental insurance plan options on this website. You can review the Insurance plan options we have my just entering you zip code in the box box provide at the top of the screen/page. Please call our member services line at 310-534-3444 if you have any questions about our insurance plans options.

I have been at my current job now for six months and I got my packet information about the available benefits. I never had dental insurance before now and I have to let them know if I want both medical and dental or just medical. The dental will cost me $20.00 more month?

Reply: If you do not currently have dental insurance then picking it up for $20.00 more a month seems like a good deal. Yet you should review the benefits provided by the dental plan they are offering. If you are not sure you understand the information provide ask to speak to your company insurance rep so he or she can go over the plan information with you and help you make a choice in what you what to do

I would like to know if cosmetic dental services such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers or dental implants are covered under most dental insurance plans.

Reply: No many dental insurance plans do exclude many cosmetic dental services especially for dental implants. It is very important when searching for dental insurance and you want to have cosmetic benefits that you read the plans terms and conditions, limitations and exclusions. Also make sure that if you have current missing teeth that the plan you buy dose not have a missing tooth exclusion that would effect the benefits you receive under the plan.

I have yellowish teeth and would very much like to have a much whiter smile. The question I have is my teeth have always been some what sensitive to hot and cold items. The dentist says my teeth are fine and to use sensitive toothpaste.

Reply: Over the counter whitening products can make your teeth sensitive for a few days after using. Normally it is not much of an issue as long as you use according to the directions and do not over use it. However, with your teeth currently being sensitive, it may not be a good idea to use whitening strips. Yet you can use sensitive toothpaste as your dentist advised whiten your smile. As there are sensitive toothpaste with whitening. See if by using that it helps to whiten your teeth without sensitivity issues. Also you may want to speak to your dentist and see what he or she suggest to use to whiten your teeth,

How much are tooth extractions in Los Angeles, California, when you do not have dental insurance.

Reply: It varies depending on what type of extraction you need to have done. such as an Average tooth removal can cost between $75-$300 that is for a non-surgical, gum erupted tooth. Yet for a surgical extraction using anesthesia cost goes up greatly ranging from $200-$700 or more. The ranges does aloud for you to do your shopping and finding a dental office with the best cost for what you want to have done. Yet, keep in mind, having dental insurance can reduce your cost even more so I suggest looking into that option.

I am looking for supplemental dental insurance plan. Right now I have dental PPO insurance with my job. I need to have two wisdom teeth pulled and a root canal on my back molar. My current dental plan has a $1000.00 max yearly limit. The dental work I will be needing is much more costly and a $1000.00 max will not get much paid at all. So I am looking for a way to help off set my additional dental cost. I will still need a supplemental dental plan to help with the cost of the wisdom teeth extractions.

Reply: You want to be aware that many PPO or free provider insurance plans will have waiting periods for the services you stated you needed. Some up to a year or more. So although you maybe able to coordinate two plans buying a addition plan that has such a waiting period would not make sense as you would not be able to receive benefits for your needed dental services until after the plans waiting periods.

There are PPO insurance plans that do not have waiting periods but those can be costly and typically still have reduce benefits within the first year. Typically providing around 10-15 percent in coverage’s for major dental care. For those plans you want to average out the cost of the plans and the plans benefits to make sure you are saving money buying a secondary plan.

There is another option however. You may want to review any available dental HMO insurance plans as they typically do not have waiting periods. You will not be able to use both plans. In this case you are looking for a better coverage plan that will save you money off your dental care needs at a lower cost for the plan. HMO insurance plans maybe the answer here. Note though with an HMO you will need to choose a plan provider, therefore you may need to change your dentist if you choose this option.

Tooth decay is the destruction of the outer surface of a tooth from acid forming bacteria that is produced by food containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches). Tooth Decay Prevention: Brush your teeth twice a day with a tooth paste that contains fluoride. Preferably, brush after each meal and before bedtime to help reduce the bacteria from staying on your teeth for a certain length of time. You may wish to consider these helpful tips as well: Floss your teeth daily to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Check with your dentist regarding the use of a supplemental fluoride which strengthens your teeth and helps prevents tooth decay. Consider dental sealants which is a plastic like substance placed on the top of molars to protect the teeth from decay.

Use mouth wash with fluoride. Many of them kill 50% or more of the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Chewing gum with the ingredient Xylitol © may also kill some of the bacteria which causes tooth decay.

Question: Will antibiotics help treat my dental pain?

Reply: If you have a fever, an infection may have spread beyond its original source and an antibiotic can help. If you have an infection that hasn’t spread, it might be treatable at the original source. For example: A contained toothache probably won’t require antibiotics, but you might need dental treatment, such as a root canal, depending on the severity of the infection. However, antibiotic is not pain meds and will not necessarily help with pain

One way of coping with dental anxiety is by distraction.

When you are nervous it may seem impossible to distract yourself from your dental exam. Yet there are some things that that can do to help distract your thoughts.

Such as: Wear headphones. If the sound of the drill bothers you, bring headphones so you can listen to your favorite music or audio-book. Some dental offices even have televisions or show DVDs. Just make sure to work out hand signals to your dentist if you need to have a brake or to let her or him know about any issues.

Occupy your hands by squeezing a stress ball or playing with a small handheld object. Imagine your happy place and visualize yourself at a relaxing beach or garden.

As a Senior it is even more important to take good care of your teeth and dental health. It is not true that losing your teeth is inevitable. If cared for properly, your teeth can last you a lifetime.

Your mouth changes as you age. The nerves in your teeth can become smaller, making your teeth less sensitive to cavities or other problems. If you do not get regular dental exams, this in turn can lead to these problems not being diagnosed until it is too late.

If you want to feel good, stay healthy, and look great throughout life, you might be surprised what a difference a healthy mouth makes

Visit your dentist. Visit your dentist regularly (generally at least twice a year for basic check up more if addition dental care is needed)

Quit smoking. Besides putting you at greater risk for lung and other cancers, smoking increases problems with gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss.

If you wear full or partial dentures, remember to clean them on a daily basis. Take your dentures out of your mouth for at least four hours every day. It’s best to remove them at night.

Make sure to clean between your teeth once a day with floss or another flossing tool. Keeping your teeth clean by flossing is an important part of your dental health care habits.

Brush twice a day with a toothbrush with soft bristles. You may also benefit from using an electric toothbrush. Make sure to thoroughly brush your teeth. Doing so takes only two minutes a day twice a day.

For good oral and dental care health her are a few tips to keep in mind.

• Brush twice a day with a toothbrush with soft bristles. You may also benefit from using an electric toothbrush.
• Clean between your teeth once a day with floss or another flossing tool.
• If you wear full or partial dentures, remember to clean them on a daily basis. Take your dentures out of your mouth for at least four hours every day. It’s best to remove them at night.
• Quit smoking. Besides putting you at greater risk for lung and other cancers, smoking increases problems with gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss.
• Visit your dentist. Visit your dentist regularly (generally at least twice a year for basic check up more if addition dental care is needed)

By maintaining healthy oral habits at home, making smart choices about diet and lifestyle, and seeking regular dental care, you can help your teeth last a lifetime

As a Senior it is even more important to take good care of your teeth and dental health. It is not true that losing your teeth is inevitable. If cared for properly, your teeth can last you a lifetime.

Your mouth changes as you age. The nerves in your teeth can become smaller, making your teeth less sensitive to cavities or other problems. If you do not get regular dental exams, this in turn can lead to these problems not being diagnosed until it is too late.

If you want to feel good, stay healthy, and look great throughout life, you might be surprised what a difference a healthy mouth makes.