The health insurance exchanges scheduled to open for business in 2014 should maximize competition among dental plans and assure transparency in benefits information, a coalition of national dental organizations will tell the Obama administration, which is writing rules for employers, insurers and the states.

I been online searching for dental insurance and trying to do my best with comparing all the different quotes that come up online for an individual dental. There is just so many dental plans in California I am not sure how to determine which would be the best for me and my dental needs.

Many people want brighter whiter smiles but they may not understand the limitations or risks of the treatment.  Before having your teeth whiten either with an at home kit or by a dentist, ask your dentist for a teeth whiten brochure.

Many dental office will be able to provide  brochures on teeth whitening that  explains the difference between at-home and in-office whitening.   They will normally provide details the active ingredients and relative strengths of various products.    The brochure  will discusses possible side effects and cases when bleaching is not advisable, as well as show before and after photos of teeth whiting services.

I am 23 full time student and I need dental insurance for myself.  Looking to see a dentist within the next month or so.  However my mom and dad they also need to have dental insurance so I tried to help them find dental insurance as well.

My question would be when shopping online for dental insurance could I get a family dental insurance for all three of us since I am a full time student or do I need to by two plans one for them and an individual dental plan for myself.

Many extreme  makeover shows made people become aware of the dramatic changes that veneers can make on a person smile.  They brought to life just how but cosmetic dental care can help a person smile.  However many makeover shows commonly use porcelain veneers or laminates for quick results that the show needed.  However veneers may not be the best choice depending on the dental issue at hand.

Such as if teeth are not straight, then orthodontics is usually the preferred choice because they do not require irreversibly changing the tooth structure. Also, veneers may not be the best choice for someone who clenches or grinds his teeth, as this will cause premature failure of the veneer.  It is a good idea to be informed of all your options in dental correction.  Speak to a Cosmetic dentist and decide what is the best option for you.

I am single and looking for a dental insurance plan that will make dental care more affordable.  I been wanting to go for just a dental check up and cleaning and without insurance the prices I being told run between $100.00 – $200.00.  I afraid to go see a dentist because if there is any dental issues that need to be address I would not know how to afford them at these rates.

Tooth decay in young children baby teeth is on the rise.  A worrying trend  that preschool crowd is eating too much sugar and may not be maintain good dental habits.  Another reason to the increase in tooth decay among children could be the lack of dental benefits though employment.

Frequently consuming foods with a low pH value, such as soft drinks, fruit juices, pickles, fresh fruit and yogurt can lead to irreversible dental erosion. This according to a report in the January/February 2005 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry’s.

Dental erosion is the breakdown of tooth structure caused by the effect of acid on the teeth. Dental enamel is the thin, outer layer of hard tissue that helps maintain the tooth’s structure and shape while protecting it from decay.  When acidic food or drink is consumed the enamel will soften for a short amount of time. Typically, saliva slowly helps to restore the natural balance of the acid in the mouth. If foods high in acid are consumed on an excessive basis, the mouth can’t repair itself and there is a greater chance for dental erosion.

The Holidays is a time for giving, however it is important to remember yourself.  This holiday season make sure to maintain good dental hygiene.  During the holidays people can become very busy and have increase stress levels. Sometimes due to that oral hygiene can suffer.  In addition the holidays tend to lead people to consume more sugary treats and drinks then they normally do.

If you are having extra treats during this time of year, try and to remember to drink water or chew on a piece of sugarless gum afterwords. By doing so it will boost saliva flow in the mouth and help wash away bacteria.

Holiday anxiety or stress can cause some people to grind or clench their teeth.  Clenching or grinding your teeth can cause jaw pain, headaches, and teeth damage.  Try finding ways to relieve your stress, such as yoga, walking, relaxing and so on.  If you see that you are still grinding or clenching your teeth talk to your dentist about getting a custom night guard.

Parents should make sure their child woodwind and brass instruments are properly cleaned after playing.  One such study done looked for germs in a total of 117 distinct testing sites, including mouthpieces and reeds, internal chambers and cases of the instruments and found more than 400 bacteria, 19 yeasts and 58 molds that could risk a musician’s health.

According to an online poll of 289 general dentist  and consumers confirms that men are less likely to visit the dentist then women.  That nearly 45 percent of respondents felt that men do not see a need to go to the dentist. About 30 percent polled reported that men may be afraid or embarrassed to go to the dentist. Around 18 percent revealed that men just do not have the time for a dental visit, and about 5 percent felt that men don’t even have a regular dentist.

With people turning to alternative medicine, more people are finding out that clove oil may help to alleviate toothache pain. If  you choose to use clove oil it can be applied with a cotton swab or q-tip to the affected area.  You can normally find clove oil in most health food stores.

Although clove oil is safe to use in small amount,  in large quantities it can be hazardous causing liver and respiratory problems.  One should also keep in mind that it may help to relieve toothache pain but does not fix the problem as to why your tooth is hurting in the first place. Whenever you are experiencing toothache pain you should see your dentist

1)    Carbohydrates:    Chips, bread, pasta, or crackers can be as harmful to the teeth as candy.
2)    Sticky, chewy foods:   Raisins, granola bars, jelly beans, caramel, honey and syrup stick to teeth and make it difficult to wash the sugar away
3)    Sugary snacks:   Cookies, cakes or other desserts contain a high amount of sugar, which can cause tooth decay.
4)    Gum and candy:  When chewing gum and eating candy, the sugar coats teeth, which can lead to cavities.
5)    Carbonated soft drinks: Regular and diet sodas contain phosphorous and carbonation, which wears away the enamel on teeth.
6)    Fruit or vegetable juices: These beverages tend to be high in sugar, which can damage tooth enamel and lead to decay.

With moderation and proper dental care you reduce the harmful effects this types of foods can have on your teeth.

1) Brush your baby teeth twice a day using a child tooth brush
2) Use only a smear of children toothpaste
3) You can get a child tooth brush in many places such as local pharmacy/drug store or a large supermarket.
4) An easy way to brush you child teeth is by having them sit on your knee with their head against your chest.
5) Brush their teeth like you would your own in small circles. Making sure to brush each tooth
6) Have you child watch you brush your teeth. This set a good example and shows them how to start brushing their teeth on their own when they are ready to do so.
7) When taking your child to the dentist make it a fun day and keep things light.  It will make it easier for them to go to the dentist and lessen any chance of dental fears.

There are still some people that do not feel baby teeth are all that important to worry about.  Therefore they do not always give proper dental care to their child/baby.  Where as other people do not know that dental carries on baby teeth can cause tooth decay on their underlying adult teeth yet to coming in.

Baby teeth play an important role in your child development because they aid in chewing, reserve space for permanent teeth, help with speech development, and help the face retain its normal shape.  It is estimated that 90% of people in the US have at least one cavity and that 75% of people had their first cavity by the age of five.

According to the Academy of General Dentistry, deficiencies of vitamin C have been shown to significantly slow the healing process. That for patients who neglect nutrition they might be tacking extra days onto their recovery time.

You will want to take care of your baby teeth and gums even before your baby teeth start to come in. Gently cleaning you baby’s gums twice a day. Babies start teething around six months but  teething times can vary.  Normally the bottom   incisors are the first to erupt, with other teeth following after.  It is very important to take proper care of your baby teeth. Baby teeth are necessary in development because they aid in chewing, reserve space for permanent teeth, help with speech development, and help the face retain its normal shape.

Food and drinks such as soft drink, fruit juices, fresh  fruit and yogurt as well as pickles and lemons can lead to irreversible dental erosion if not consumed in moderation.
According to the Academy of General Dentistry’s dental erosion is the breakdown of tooth structure caused by the effect of acid on the teeth. Dental enamel is the thin, outer layer of hard tissue that helps maintain the tooth’s structure and shape while protecting it from decay.

The dental clinic will be open two days a week from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Dental appointments can be made though the Licking County 211 information line.  Initially the dental clinic will be focusing on acute and critical care, but they hope to expand quickly to routine dental health care as well. To help support the clinic you can do so though volunteer services or donations. You can contact the county 211 line or Hopewell Dental Care online at Facebook.com/HopewellDentalCare.