First there is a big difference between fresh cows milk and formula milk. (Also soy milk is not safe for teeth). Anyone who has prepared formula milk knows how sticky it can be on your fingers. The different sugars in formula milk will not be safe for a child’s teeth during a nap or before bed time.  Cow’s milk is completely different. Cow’s milk is actually protective of teeth and can be classified as safe. Research shows that if you consume cow’s milk in combination with products that would otherwise damage teeth (cookies perhaps ) the milk will be protective.

Heavy smoking can reduce milk supply.  A study done on breastfeeding and smoking states that cigarette smoking significantly reduces breast milk production. On rare occasions cigarette smoke has caused symptoms in the breastfeeding baby such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.

Smoking can stop or inhibit the milk let-down reflex. Smoking has been linked to early weaning.  Smoking can cause fussiness and colic.   Nicotine levels in the breastfeeding mother’s blood and milk first increase and then decrease over time. It takes is 95 minutes for half of the nicotine to be eliminated from the body, otherwise known as half-life. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid smoking just before nursing and should never smoke while feeding her baby.

What I am wanting to understand is if say I buy a typical dental insurance plan what would I get out of it?  I see some that say there is no charge for X-rays and cleaning but is that really all I get out off it.   I do not see how much basic filling cost, yet most plans are making you wait around six months before you receive any benefits for fillings. As far as crown and extractions you are out waiting even longer periods before they will even start to cover those type of dental services.

Answer:  Seems like you have to been reviewing PPO dental insurance plans. Dental PPO insurance plans are good if you are wanting to stay with a certin dental office that dose not take HMO or dental discount plans.  HMO dental insurance plans are normally very affordable and provides benefits with no waiting periods. PPO dental plans are often offer though ones employor since many jobs offer PPO to fit all there employees locations.  However once you are shopping it out on your own cost and limtations may become a bigger factor

It is important to start flossing your child teeth as soon as they start to touch each other.  Around two to two and half years old.  Flossing makes a big difference in the prevention of cavities.  Normally by the time your child start kinder garden he or she should be able to start flossing their own teeth.

Though they may not have the skills yet to do a good job, you should supervise and give tips and pointers now and then to encourage good oral health care.    Just like adults a child should floss their teeth every day.  A good time is right before they go to bed but as long as they are flossing each day that is what is important.

When comparing dental insurance with dental discount plans what are the real dental coverage difference?  I shopping out my current dental insurance plan because it is costing me more and more each year and I only have a $1000.00 max pretty soon at the rate it is going it will not even be worth having at all.

Answer: Dental discount plans do not have any waiting period, deductibles or yearly max limits like some dental insurance plan do.
They also will give you a discount saving off or any dental service you have render as long as you are going to a plan provider. I would suggest looking more into dental discount plans if you are currently not happy with the dental insurance plan you have.

You can give your baby a cold teething ring or frozen washcloth.  You can also rub your baby’s teeth and gums with a clean finger.  You may want to use Baby Orajel to help numb baby’s gums.  And  you can also ask you doctor for some baby Tylenol.   However what you never want to do is give your baby any aspirin.  Since aspirin may cause Reye’s syndrome  which is a serious illness. While the cause of  Reye’s syndrome still remains unknown, there as been some  research done that has established a link between Reye’s Syndrome and the use of aspirin.  It has been advise by the U.S. Surgeon General, and the American Academy of Pediatrics  that aspirin and combination products containing aspirin not be given to children under 19.

I have three children. Two boys three and six and one girl who is Eight.  Both my husband I and work.  I work part time from home and my husband full time. However neither of us have dental insurance. We been just paying cash up front for our children when the see the dentist.  However, cost is starting to be a factor for all of us to go. We live in Ohio and would love some advise on dental insurance.

Answer: In the state of Ohio we offer 15 dental plans and dental insurance for your review.   The first plans options would be our dental discount plans though Careington POS and 500 series and the Aetna Denta Choice + These are our low cost plans that will reduce your dental cost 20% to 60% on dental procedures including routine oral exams, unlimited cleanings, and major work such as dentures, root canals and crowns.

The remaining dental plan options are dental insurance plans. You may like those since you can stay with or choose your own dentist.
To review all our dental plan choices just enter your zip code in the box above. All plans can be order right on line. But please do call member services if you have any questions about any of the plan choices.

You want to start cleaning your baby’s teeth twice a day as soon as the first tooth appears.  Until your child is older around one you can use a soft wet cloth to clean your baby teeth and gums.  Once your child is around a year you can then use a baby toothbrush.

Make sure you use non fluoride toothpaste and you only still need to use just a dab. I would not use any toothpaste with fluoride until your child can spit and knows not to eat or swallows the toothpaste. It is suggested that you take your child to see the dentist at  or around their first birthday.

I would liked to have my teeth whiten and my smile area veneered.  I know this would be consider cosmetic dental services and my current dental insurance will not cover any part of cosmetic dental work.   Are there any dental insurance plans I could buy that would help me with the cost of the dental work I would like to have done.

Answer: Many dental insurance plan do not cover for cosmetic dental services so there is no surprise in the fact that your current dental insurance will not cover for what you want. In order to get some saving off cosmetic dentistry you may want to look towards getting a dental discount plan. A discount plan will offer you discounted prices on all dental services render by providers in the plan.

On average the saving for cosmetic dental work is 15 to 20 percent. Not bad when dental discount plans are as low as $9.00 a month depending on the plan you get.  May I suggest to you to review the dental plans this web site has to offer. Just by entering your zip code in the quote box above you will be able review all the plans available to you in your state.

Symptoms of an Abscessed Tooth: Severe and continuous toothache, Fever, Sensitivity to hot or cold, Having a bad taste in your mouth or having bad breath and redness or swelling of your gums.  Theses are just a few symptoms to having a tooth abscess.   Note you do not need to have all of the symptoms to have a tooth abscess.  I would advise seeing a dentist to confirm if it is an abscessed tooth or your wisdom tooth coming in. Either way a dentist will need to address the issues with you.

Two days ago I had a cavity filled.  Ever since that time that same tooth really hurts when I chew foods on that side of my mouth. Is it normal to have pain after having a filling?

Answer: It can be normal to have some pain after a filling since your tooth may be a little senative. However if it is still hurting you after a few days or you are in a great deal of pain see your dentist.  It is best to have it checked out then to be in unnessary pain.

An abscessed is a painful infection at the root of the tooth or sometimes it is in between the gum and the tooth.  You can get an abscessed tooth due to untreated  tooth decay.  However you can also get an abscessed if you have trauma to your tooth,  such as  braking or chipping your tooth, or if you have gum disease or gingivitis.  If you think you have a abscessed tooth it is very important that you see your dentist right away. The  abscessed  or an infection may spread from the tooth root to the bone causing a much large oral health issue.

It may seem hard to believe but many people do not floss let along floss daily.  Yet flossing is even more important the brushing when it comes to preventing gum disease gingivitis and tooth loss.   Flossing your teeth is not so much about removing food bit that are such between your gums though it does do not.  Flossing is more about removing dental plaque.  Dental plaque is what causes tooth decay, gingivitis and gum disease.  Flossing every day between each tooth is an effective way to remove plaque and provide you with good oral health.

I would like to get some dental implants for my front teeth.   My current dental insurance plan will not cover for dental implants. I would like to get a dental plan that could help me with the cost of dental implants.

Answer: I would suggest reviewing a dental discount plan.  If there is a provider in the plan network that does implant services the dental discount plan can save you between 15 – 20 percent.

When thinking about using a waterpik instead of flossing here are some good pros and cons to consider.

Pros: Waterpiks are effective,  They can be faster to use the flossing,  Waterpik normally come with multiple wands and different color so different family member can have their own just like a tooth brush.  Great for braces, Flossing with braces can be difficult waterpiks are offer suggested by Orthodontic dentist. Adjustable water pressure, You can get cordless waterpiks. Waterpik are good for people who may not floss well and are having gum issues.  Anything that will make you take care of your teeth and gums better is helpful.

Cons:  Cost can be a factor since they can run as high as $50 – $60 dollars. They do brake down some not even lasting a year depending on how well you take care of it.  Hard to always see what you are doing which can cause you to make a mess.  Looking in the mirror can also be difficult as the spray tends to go where you are looking.  They can be too noisy.  Waterpik take up to much counter space which is bad if you have a small bathroom.  If you are not careful the time you save in flossing is taken up by have to clean sink and counter tops from water mess.  If you are not careful they may over time loosen bridge and crown work. Over use like anything can cause more harm then good so make sure you use as directed.  If you are not sure what is best for your oral health care talk to your dentist see what they suggest. Having good advise from your own personal dentist is worth taking in and thinking about as a deciding factor

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.

Your dental health care is very important and there are many ways to make sure you are doing all you can for your oral health care.  Simple things such as daily care like brushing your teeth at least twice a day making sure you flossing daily, using tarter control and gum care mouthwash.  Your basic dental care you do for yourself is low cost and take very little time to do each day.

The next step is buy seeing a dentist at least twice a year for your check up and cleanings.  Now cost can be a factor but it does not have to be.  One way to control your dental cost is by getting a low cost dental insurance plan. Many dental insurance plan offer free to very low cost preventive dental care.

The money you spend on dental insurance is well worth it.  And by seeing your dentist regularly you will hopefully avoid any major dental issues.  However if you did need larger dental services having dental insurance in place will also help control your dental cost.  Be thoughtful about your oral health and think ahead.  Good dental care now make for good dental care in the future.

One simple way to help your baby with teething pain is to massage their gums with your finger.  This help to alleviate the tooth pain.  Other teething idea is letting your child chew on a pacifier keeping a few in the freezer so that is is cool can also help to reduce teething pain. Other people also like to use a cold wet baby washcloth they are easy for baby to hold and they help to absorbs some of the drool that baby have while teething.  Pain gel is another good option which help to numb baby gums for a short period of time.

I have dental insurance though the Military and to tell the truth it does not seem to be a very good plan for my wife’s dental needs.  Since I only get cleaning when I can it is not an issue for me. Where can I get a dental plan either for just my wife or my wife and myself that is affordable but offers better coverages for larger dental care needs.

Answer: This web site offers dental insurance options. In most state there are many different plan types to choose from. Depending on your wife dental needs will depend on whether or not she would like to get a dental PPO or and HMo or even a dental discount plan.  I suggest reveiwing the different dental plan oppitions we provide then calling our member services line at 310-534-3444 if you have any questions about the dental insurance options we provide.