Discount dental plan assist orthodontic treatment patients

More and More Adults Getting Wired with Braces by Jenny McCoy

Braces aren't just for teenagers anymore.

With adults accounting for 20 percent of U.S. orthodontic patients, it's apparent that many adults are now taking care of dental problems that were either overlooked or postponed during childhood.

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, more than 1 million adults are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment. The number of adult orthodontic patients has risen 33.5 percent in the past decade.

Reasons Adults are Getting Wired

A healthy, straight smile is often seen as an indicator of good overall health. This conception has led many adults to straighten their smiles even when it's not absolutely necessary.

Braces can be used to fix many dental problems, including:

* Spacing * Over bite * Cross bite * Under bite * Crooked Teeth * Crowding

In recent years, the options for orthodontic patients have increased, allowing patients to choose between several orthodontic treatment methods. Some methods allow patients to reduce visibility of their braces and the length of time they spend in them.

New, clear orthodontic treatment options are especially attractive to adult patients because they allow them to get the same benefit without sporting the metal and rubber bands often associated with the awkward years of adolescence.

Increase in adult patients makes life easier for orthodontists

The new wave of adults getting braces may decrease stress for orthodontists.

Everyone remembers the kids with braces who secretly indulged in popcorn and candy after their mothers dropped them off at the movie theatre. Luckily for orthodontists, an increase in adult patients will likely reduce the number of guilty patients coming in early to fix self-induced problems caused by abandoning eating restrictions.

Whereas younger orthodontic patients are usually plopped into the orthodontist's chair by their parents, adults who enter the orthodontist office bring a different mentality. For adults, this is often a procedure they have wanted to have done for many years, so they are more willing to follow rules in order to get the best benefit from their treatment, and their money.

Reducing the cost of braces

Braces cost upwards of $4,000 depending on which orthodontic treatment method is chosen. While some dental insurance companies cover the full cost of orthodontics, many only cover a portion of the cost.

For those who want braces but are either without dental insurance or need help in addition to their dental insurance coverage, a discount dental plan can help alleviate costs.

DentalPlans.com is the industry's leading provider of discount dental plans and select plans from the company's offering of more than 30 regional and national plans offer discount on specialty services such as braces.

About the Author

Jenny McCoy is a copywriter for DentalPlans.com

Discount dental plan for Healthy Baby Teeth

Healthy Baby Teeth Important for Future Dental Health by Jenny McCoy

While the tooth fairy's gift is the last memory most children have of their baby teeth, these temporary teeth leave a lasting impression on their future dental health.

Healthy baby teeth allow children to chew food easily, learn to speak properly, and start life with a healthy smile. Additionally, baby teeth are the placeholders for permanent teeth, so preventing early disease and tooth loss can help prevent future orthodontic issues.

Fortunately, dental disease is easily preventable. Here are two simple ways for parents to help their children start life with a healthy smile.

Promote healthy eating and healthy habits

Promoting healthy eating habits from day one is essential.

Many dental caries in baby teeth are caused from incorrect infant feeding practices. Putting your baby to bed with a bottle can lead to early dental health issues. Once you notice your baby is done feeding, it is best to take away the bottle to prevent exposing teeth to liquids with sugar for long periods.

Follow meals with water

It's not recommended to start brushing your children's teeth until they are eating mostly table foods, but simply rinsing a baby's teeth with water after meals can wash away many food particles that lead to tooth decay. Once your children's teeth start coming in it is good to introduce a toothbrush, even if you're not actually brushing their teeth. This will help prepare your children for future brushing practices and it can help remove debris left over from sugary or sticky foods.

First Dental Visit by First Birthday

Many parents wait until their children are three or older to take them in for a dental checkup. However, the American Dental Association recommends that parents take their child for his first dental visit six months after the first tooth comes in or on his first birthday.

Parents who have postponed this first dental visit due to budget concerns can save money and help prevent future dental issues by signing up for a discount dental plan. These plans allow individuals and families to save valuable money on most dental services and select plans offer two free cleanings per year.

DentalPlans.com is the industry's leading provider of discount dental plans and select plans from the company's offering of more than 30 regional and national plans offer discount on specialty services such as braces.

About the Author

Jenny McCoy is a copywriter for DentalPlans.com.

Dental Health care recommendations during menopause

Menopause: A Time to Pay Close Attention to Dental Health by Jenny McCoy

Hot flashes and mood swings are among the most well-known symptoms of menopause.

But lesser-known issues such as bone loss, gum disease and bleeding gums are also known to make an appearance, and because of this, women should pay particular attention to their dental health as estrogen levels begin to drop during menopause.

For women between the ages of 45 and 55, menopause may be just a few short months or years away. The average age for the onset of menopause is 51 and while there is no way to predict when women will enter it, most women follow the same pattern as their mother.

Whether women are already in menopause or are nearing the average age of onset, below is valuable information about dental health signs and symptoms related to menopause that women should look for.

Bone loss and Osteoporosis

A decline in estrogen levels often leads to a decline in bone density. This is a cause of concern for a woman's dental health because this decrease in bone density may alter the structure of the jawbone - ultimately leading to a loss of teeth.

Fortunately, there are several ways for women to prevent bone loss and osteoporosis. Here are a few simple ways women can be proactive about bone loss:

1. Increase intake of calcium and vitamin D 2. Participate in weight-bearing exercise at least three times per week 3. Avoid smoking and large consumptions of alcohol

Inflamed and bleeding gums

In addition to bone loss, changes in hormones can also cause discomfort in gums and make gums more susceptible to bleeding. It is important for women to report signs of discomfort in their gums, as most gum disease is almost always reversible if caught early.

Early detection may not only help women reverse gum disease, but it may also help prevent other ailments such as heart disease that have been linked with gum disease from developing.

In addition to early detection at home, frequent visits to the dentist are another way for women to stay on top of their dental health.

Dental care recommendations during menopause

During menopause it is especially important to maintain daily dental health practices such as brushing, rinsing and flossing at least twice a day and, when possible, after meals. Because menopause-related hormone changes make women more vulnerable to several dental health issues, it is also important for women to stay current with dental checkups and cleanings.

In today's economy, however, some women may find it difficult to squeeze the cost of preventive checkups and cleanings into their budgets. For these women, discount dental plans are a money-saving solution and an alternative to dental insurance.

A discount dental plan allows women to stay up-to-date with regular dental health care check-ups without breaking the bank. DentalPlans.com offers over 30 national and regional plans that allow members to save valuable money on most dental services.

DentalPlans.com is a leader in the discount dental plans industry, offering more than 30 plans that help members save valuable money on most dental procedures. Plans start at just $79.95 per year and select plans allow members to get two free checkups, two free cleanings and four free x-rays per year.

Visit DentalPlans.com and enter your ZIP code or call 888-632-5353 to find a money-saving plan in your area.

About the Author

Jenny McCoy is a copywriter for DentalPlans.com.

discount dental plans

Men Who Avoid the Dentist Now May Pay More Later by Jenny McCoy

Are you one of the many men who avoid the dentist? If so, you may end up spending much more money on dental care than men who make regular visits to their dentists.

A recent study by the American Dental Hygienists' Association showed just how much can be saved by keeping up with preventive dental checkups and cleanings.

The study estimated that $8 to $50 could be saved on restorative and emergency dental care procedures for every dollar spent on preventive dental care like regular checkups and cleanings.

These findings are especially relevant in today's economy. Taking better care of your teeth today could save you money in the future.

Most Americans are looking to trim budgets and, unfortunately, preventive dental care is sometimes viewed as a cost that can be cut. However, avoiding the dentist now may mean having to pay even more later for comprehensive dental care that could have been prevented. Most dental diseases and their accompanying dental care treatments can be prevented by regular dental checkups. It's estimated that early detection and treatment of dental problems could save Americans $4 billion each year.

In addition to saving money, it is important to visit the dentist regularly for checkups because of the link between dental health and overall health. Dental disease has been linked to overall health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Recent studies have also shown a link between dental health and longevity.

For those who want to maintain good oral health but can't fit regular dental checkups into their budget, discount dental plans are a quick and easy money-saving option.

Whether you lack dental insurance or you want additional savings at the dentist, a discount dental plan can help make you stay in your budget and, most importantly, protect your smile and dental health.

DentalPlans.com is a leader in the discount dental plans industry, offering more than 30 plans that help members save valuable money on most dental procedures. These regional and national plans start at just $79.95 per year and select plans allow members to get two free checkups, two free cleanings and four free x-rays per year.

About the Author

Jenny McCoy is a copywriter at DentalPlans.com.