Dental health

Dental plans are not included in basic health insurance plans as most of the dental treatments are elective and to a degree, cosmetic. Some medical plans take account of dental coverage as an added feature. Dental disease is often preventable; with the exclusion of injury or damage due to an accident. Only the initial diagnostic procedures such as exams and x-rays in dental treatment are relatively low-cost. Otherwise the treatments are considered to be expensive.

Low cost dental insurance is necessary for anyone who cares about their teeth and also doesn?t like paying the full price for dental work. You will have peace of mind with a low cost dental health insurance as you can be safe in the knowledge that you and your family are covered for any eventuality and will obtain the best dental care, whenever you need it for a relatively small monthly or annual payment. Low cost dental health insurance is available from top rated companies like Blue Cross and Blue Shield, PacifiCare, MetLife Dental, HealthNet and Kaiser. You should identify how your plan is designed, since this can considerably affect the plan’s coverage and your out-of-pocket expenses.

A low cost dental health insurance has many different levels of cover. You can opt for basic dental health maintenance which will cover a portion or in certain cases the whole cost incurred of dental procedures such as fillings, root canal work and general maintenance. Other affordable extensive policies that cover periodontics, orthodontics, all sorts of filling, tooth and bridge work, as well as check-ups and cleaning are also available. Each low cost dental plan is different. Accordingly it is advisable to check the terms, conditions and coverage of each prospective insurer before taking a decision. With several options available, you can choose a low cost dental health insurance that is right for you and your family.

The medical name for bad breath is halitosis. Causes can range from poor oral hygiene habits and foods you eat to various other health problems and unhealthy lifestyles.

If you eat foods with strong odors like garlic or onions you basically have to wait until the foods have passed through your body before the odor is completely gone. You can mask it with brushing and mouthwash to cover up the odor temporarily. All food you eat begins the breaking down process in your mouth. As food digests and is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is eventually carried to the lungs and given off in your breath.

Poor dental hygiene habits promote bacteria growth between teeth, around the gums and on the tongue, which causes bad breath. If you don?t brush and floss your teeth daily, the food particles that remain in your mouth begins to promote bacteria growth on teeth, gums and the tongue. If dentures are not properly cleaned, bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath.
Other unhealthy lifestyles that include smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can cause bad breath, stain the teeth and irritate gum tissues.

Health problems associated with bad breath include:

?Gum or periodontal disease
?Poorly fitting dental appliances
?Yeast infections of the mouth
?Dental cavities
?Dry mouth (dry mouth may be caused by side effects of medications, salivary gland problems or continuous breathing through the mouth)
?Respiratory tract infections like pneumonia or bronchitis
?Chronic sinus infections
?Postnasal drip
?Diabetes
?Chronic acid reflux
?Liver or kidney problems

Tips on how to prevent or reduce bad breath include:

?Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and brush after you eat
?Always brush your tongue
?Replace toothbrush every 2 to 3 months
?Use floss or interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between your teeth once a day
?Remove dentures at night and clean thoroughly before placing in your mouth the next morning
?See your dentist at least twice a year.
?Stop smoking/chewing tobacco-based products
?Drink lots of water to keep your mouth moist
?Chew cinnamon flavored, sugar free gum (read the food label for the ingredient Xylitol. Studies show Xylitol in sugar free gum can help to destroy the bacteria in your mouth and give you that just brushed clean feeling as well. The flavor ?cinnamon? has also been shown in some studies to be the best flavor to combat against bad breath.
?Mouthwashes you buy over-the-counter generally provide a temporary way to mask unpleasant mouth odor. There are some antiseptic brands of mouth-rinse products that do help kill the germs that cause bad breath. Ask your dentist which product is best for you.

In most cases your dentist can find and treat the cause of bad breath. If your dentist determines the odor is due to gum disease you may be referred to a periodontist. A periodontist specializes in treating gum conditions. If the dentist finds your mouth to be healthy you may be referred to a family physician, internist or some other specialist to determine the odor source and an appropriate treatment plan.

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article written 4-2007.

About the Author:

Author: Connie Limon, Trilogy Field Representative. Visit http://nutritionandhealthhub.com and sign up for a weekly nutrition and health tip. The article collection is available as FREE reprints for your newsletters, websites or blog. Visit http://www.healthylife27.com to purchase an array of superior quality, safe and effective products inspired by nature, informed by science and created to improve the health of people, pets and the planet.

There is a belief in some areas that good oral hygiene can offset the destructive effects of spit tobacco. That belief could not be farther from the truth. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a government agency dealing with oral health, “there is no evidence that brushing and flossing will undo the harm that dip and chew are doing to your teeth and gums.”

Spit tobacco can be many different forms. It may be in powder form such as snuff. It could be “chew” tobacco in a leaf form, loose or twisted, dry or moist. But whatever the name, it is still tobacco.

The tobacco industry prefers to call it smokeless tobacco. The name gives lulls you into the feeling that this type of tobacco consumption is not as bad as cigarettes or other types of tobacco smoking materials. Do not be fooled. This type of tobacco can be devastating to not only your dental hygiene, but also your health in general.

Consider some of the things that spit tobacco can cause.

Cancer of the mouth tops the list as the most dangerous of the effects. It is no respecter of age. This self-induced disease attacks the young as well as the old.

The U.S. Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, M.D., in 1986 declared that “smokeless tobacco represents a significant health risk. It is not a safe substitute for smoking cigarettes. It can cause cancer?”

Since those that chew or dip leave the tobacco in their mouth for extended periods of time, usually in the same place, this can cause the gums to pull away from the tooth in that area. When the gums pull away from the tooth, sensitive tooth roots are exposed providing an access to the root for any number of problems; sensitivity, decay and infection just to name a few.

Another of those problems is the side effect of the sugar contained in spit tobacco. The longer sugar remains in the mouth the more damage it will do. The extended periods that spit tobacco remains in the mouth provide a perfect opportunity for the sugars to work on the tooth root, causing massive tooth decay.

Many sports figures, as positive influences to youth, are speaking out against spit tobacco. Torii Hunter, Minnesota Twins American League winner of the Gold Glove award, six years in a row has come out strong against spit tobacco. Olympic gold medal winners, Picabo Street (alpine skiing) and Dominique Dawes (gymnastics) have lent the weight of their names to the campaign against spit tobacco along with the mega-star Jackie Chan.

Spit tobacco does cause harm, sometimes deadly, to whoever may use it. No matter how much we brush or floss; the effects cannot be overcome unless the habit is stopped.

If you are currently using spit tobacco and want to quit, there are some excellent guidelines given by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Check out their website for a step-by-step guide: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DiseasesAndConditions/SpitTobacco/QuittingGuide

Follow the guidelines, quit or help someone quit and let me know so that I can celebrate with you. This is a dental problem that we have the power to end.

About the Author:

Don Robertson is co-founder of Benefit Discount Services. Through his company he provides low cost Dental Savings to his customers. You can learn more by going to http://www.webenefityou.com.