Having fast food once in a while is not  really an issue per say, the problem comes to children that life revolves around Fast Food.  Daily eating habits are important to not only your teeth but your overall health care.

Eating too much fast food can result in obesity, diabetes and problems related to the heart.  Studies have shown that obesity and diabetes can cause larger dental issues with teeth and gums.  Bad teeth and gums in turn can also cause heart problems.

For young children still growing fast food normally lacks nutritional value and does not have enough calcium. Lack of calcium can cause harmful effects on new teeth coming in which could be unhealthy and lack strength.

This is not to say have no fast food but to balance out your children diet and make sure proper dental hygiene is being followed

Question: I had a baby girl back in September 12th of last year. I added her to my health insurance policy that I receive though work. I had to buy my own dental insurance plan since dental is not part of my benefits. I am not really sure if it is nessary to pay the additional cost to add my daughter to my dental insurance at this time.  At what age should I add my daughter to my dental insurance plan?

Answer:  A child should see a dentist as soon as the first tooth starts to come in. That can be around six to twelve months. By adding her on to your dental insurance plan now, it will give you time to find a good pediatric dentist.   Something else to keep in mind. Once her baby teeth erupt they are at risk for tooth decay. So the sooner she see a pediatric dentist the better.

When thinking about  dental hygiene we would normally include brushing our teeth twice a day and flossing daily.  However the tongue often gets over looked, even though it is a source of bacteria that can cause bad breath. When brushing your teeth gently brush your tongue and use a mouthwash that kills germs this will help keep your tongue clean as well as your breath fresh. Teach your kids this additional dental care habit as well in order for them to not only have fresh breath but to maintain healthy teeth and gums

Question:  I am searching for dental insurance plan that provides benefits for dental surgery without having long waiting periods.  My son needs to have his wisdom teeth pull.  He is 18  and two of the four wisdom teeth are starting to hurt him but he does not have dental insurance currently.  I been looking around for a plan to get him, however all the plans I have reviewed will make him wait a year of more before they offer benefits on oral surgery.  Where can I find a dental insurance plan that will help him right away.

Answer:  You have two options:  The first one would be getting a dental discount plan.  Even though a dental discount plan is not insurance it will save you 20 percent off the cost of any specialist in the plan including oral surgeons.   You son can buy a dental discount plan and in most cases see a dentist with in the next business day of buying the dental discount plan.   There are no waiting periods for any dental services under a dental discount plan.

The second option would be a dental HMO insurance plan.  Under most dental HMO insurance plans there are also no waiting periods for dental services.  However you do need go the the general dentist you pick under the plan and get refer out to a specialist.  Like a dental discount plan you have to choose a dentist that is a provider of the plan you pick.

More than 75% of Americans over the age of 35 have some form of gum disease. In its earliest stage, your gums might swell and bleed easily. At its worst, you might lose your teeth. The bottom line? If you want to keep your teeth, you must take care of your gums. However according to a poll of 1,000 people over 35 done by Harris Interactive Inc, it found that 60% of adults surveyed knew little, if anything, about gum disease, the symptoms, available treatments, and more importantly the consequences.

My daughter is four and has two small cavities on her small two front teeth. Her dentist is out of network provider. I have to pay $65 month for my insurance already and to fill her teeth it will cost me $560 since she needs to be sedated. I do not have that kind of money and not sure what to do and I do not qualify for assistance. I figured they will fall soon, but will this damage her teeth?

Answer:  Even baby teeth need to have filling when there is a cavity.  You do not want the cavity to start hitting the nerve and causing you baby additional dental pain..  Even though baby teeth do fall out taking care of them is important for your daughter overall health in addition baby teeth are needed to help guild  your adult teeth into the correct position. Taking them out too soon can cause future problems with her adult teeth.  Talk to her dentist see what can be done and what may be able to be deferred until you can better afford the services advised.

Missouri, Columbia Following nearly a year of discussions that originated with a request from a private citizen to stop fluoridating the city’s water supply, the Columbia City Council voted unanimously November forth to continue fluoridating.

Oral irrigators are are electrical devices. They pump water in a steady or pulsating stream. They do not seem to remove plaque that is attached to the tooth. But they are great for flushing out food and debris in pockets between teeth, or in braces.

Flossing at lease once a day. Generally dentists will recommend that you floss at least once a day. However if you tend to get food trapped between your teeth you can floss more often. Flossing daily is important so do not just rush though it. Floss when you have the time and are not feeling rush to get it done. Many people find that they prefer to floss just before bed time. However it is best to find the time that is most convenient for you so that you are more likely to floss regularly

An Endonontists specialist are dentist who have at least two additional years of advance education in diagnosis and treatment of root canal services. Even when your family or general dentist provides limited root canal services, they often times will refer you out to a specialist.