Medicare insurance in California is a type of health insurance that provides coverage to people eligible for Medicare in California. The federal government administers Medicare in California, but the state of California can provide additional benefits and programs unavailable in other states. There are several different types of Medicare insurance plans in California, including Original Medicare, which is a fee-for-service plan that allows you to see any doctor or provider that accepts Medicare; Medicare Advantage, which is a type of health plan that provides all of your Medicare benefits through a private insurer; and Medicare Supplement, which is a type of insurance policy that helps pay for some of the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover.

Partial or Single Tooth Implant: The procedure will be less invasive if all you need is a single tooth replacement. For one, you will only need one fixture, so there will be less stress on the jawbone and you. Here is the procedure. A hole is drilled for implant insertion. A titanium screw-type device is placed in the hole mentioned above. The jawbone will heal and adhere to the implant during the healing time. A device called an abutment is attached to the implant. A crown is placed on top of the abutment. 

Several dental insurance policies offer discounts for dental implant procedures to help you reduce your costs. Before you purchase a dental plan:

  1. Be sure it has benefits for dental implants
  2. Confirm coverages for a dental implant
  3. Call the dental office and confirm they will do the implant.
  4. Sometimes, you need to see a dental specialist; many plans have restrictions, waiting periods, and limitations.

Here are some good pros and cons of using Water Flossers instead of flossing. 

Pros: Water Flossers are effective; they can be faster to use the flossing. Water Flossers usually comes with multiple wands and different colors so different family member can have their own, just like a toothbrush. Great for braces. Flossing with braces can be difficult. Orthodontic dentists often suggest Water Flossers. Adjustable water pressure: You can get cordless Water Flossers. Water Flossers suit people who may not floss well or have 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. Depending on how well you care for them, they break down, some not even lasting a year. It takes work always to 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. Water Flossers take up too much counter space, which is terrible if you have a small bathroom. If you are not careful, you spend more time cleaning the sink and countertops from water mess. If you are not careful, they may, over time, loosen bridge and crown work. Overuse, like anything, can cause more harm than good, so make sure you use it as directed. If you are trying to determine what is best for oral health care, talk to your dentist and see what they suggest. Having sound advice from your dentist is worth taking in and thinking about as a deciding factor.

Tooth decay destroys a tooth’s outer surface from acid-forming bacteria produced by food containing carbohydrates (sugars and starches). Tooth Decay Prevention: Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Preferably, brush after each meal and before bedtime to help prevent bacteria from staying on your teeth for a certain length. Consider these helpful tips: Floss your teeth daily to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Check with your dentist about using supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth and helps prevent tooth decay. Consider dental sealants; sealants are placed on the top of the molars to protect the teeth from decay. Use mouthwashes with fluoride. Many kill 50% or more of the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Chewing gum with the ingredient Xylitol © may also kill some of the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Dental health care is critical, and there are many ways to ensure you do all you can for your oral health care. There are many ways to ensure you are doing all you can for oral health care: simple things like brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily, using tarter control, and gum care mouthwash. The primary dental care you do for yourself is low-cost and takes very little time each day. The next step is to see a dentist at least twice a year for check-ups and cleanings. Cost can be a factor, but it does not have to be.

One way to control dental costs is through a low-cost dental insurance plan. Many dental insurance plans offer free to low-cost preventive dental care. The money you spend on dental insurance is well worth it. And by seeing your dentist regularly, you will avoid any major dental issues. However, dental insurance will also help control your dental costs if you need more extensive dental services. Be thoughtful about your oral health and think ahead. Good dental care now makes for good dental care in the future.

I have no tooth pain but have not been to the dentist in over two years since I got removed from my parent’s dental insurance policy. My teeth are fine, but my mom told me to see the dentist, saying I could have cavities. Should I go?

Reply: Short answer: yes, you should see a dentist regularly to maintain good oral health. Even though you have not been to the dentist in two years, you still have cavities. However, only a dentist can confirm if you do or not. Think about getting a low-cost HMO dental insurance plan. Having dental insurance will help make your dental care more affordable.

Parents are frequently concerned about the noise they hear their kids’ teeth making at night. There are several theories surrounding why kids often grind their teeth at night. The two most common are; stress due to changes in the environment (home, school, etc.) and pressure in the inner ears at night. Either way, most kids with teeth-grinding issues do not need dental treatment. If there is evidence of excessive wear on your child’s teeth, your dentist may recommend a night guard. Most children will outgrow this condition between the ages of 9-12, and it will decrease over time as they reach the 6-9 age range.

What are the benefits of dental X-rays?

In a prior post, we discussed dental X-rays and their low radiation levels. Knowing the low dose may help put into perspective the importance of dental X-rays and how they help the dentist provide you with the best dental health care. With X-rays, the dentist is about to detect hidden tooth decay, the presence of a cyst or tumor, determine the presence of permanent teeth, see oral cancer problems and root involvement with the sinuses, and help determine whether or not to remove primary teeth

The annual maximum occupational exposure for radiation workers in the United States is 5,000 millirems (measure for radiation). When you spread low doses out over a period of time, it is not as destructive to the body because it has time to recover. To help put this in perspective to dental X-rays, you would need 2,000 dental X-rays to equal the radiation in 1 mammogram. To reach that maximum safety dose, you would need to have to take approximately 10,000 dental X-rays. On average, people receive three dental bite-wings worth of radiation daily from being outside in the sun or around concrete buildings and roads.

How to apply for Medicaid in California: Contact your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office: You can Call the Medi-Cal Helpline: at 800-541-5555 or 916-636-1980 or visit these websites for information:

  • https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/dhcs_contact.aspx
  • https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/eligibility/Pages/Beneficiaries.aspx
  • https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/Pages/Keep-Your-Medi-Cal.aspx

For states other than California, you may want to visit: https://www.medicaid.gov/about-us/beneficiary-resources/index.html#statemenu for helpful information

Pediatric dentists specialize in taking care of babies and young kids. After dental school, they do extra years of training to dedicate themselves to working with children. Babies, toddlers, and adolescents all need unique approaches to dental care, and seeing a Pediatric dentist provides them with the added dental care services they may need.

Sippy cups are good training tools to help your child transition from a baby bottle to a cup. However, like with a baby bottle, if your child continues to use a sippy cup throughout the day, fill it with water only (unless at mealtime). Prolonged exposure to liquids containing sugars will promote the cavity-causing bacteria in your child’s mouth.

Baby bottle tooth decay, or BBTD, is a severe condition resulting from prolonged exposure of your infant’s teeth to liquid containing sugar. These liquids include milk, breast milk, formula, juice, and other sweetened drinks. Putting your infant to sleep, whether for a nap or bedtime, with a baby bottle containing anything other than water can result in severe and rapid tooth decay. The sugar pools around the teeth, allowing the plaque to produce acid that attacks their tooth enamel.

Question: What does Medicaid helps pay for?

Reply: If you have Medicare and qualify for full Medicaid coverage:

  • Your state will pay monthly premiums for your Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance).
  • Depending on the level of Medicaid you are eligible for, your state might pay for your share of Medicare costs, like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Part A (Hospital Insurance) premiums, if you have to pay a premium for that coverage.
  • You’ll automatically get Extra Help with your drug costs. Learn more about Extra Help.
  • Medicaid may pay for other drugs and services that Medicare doesn’t cover. 

When babies are born, they typically have around 20 teeth partly formed inside the gums. The front two, lower first and then upper, are the first to erupt between 6-12 months of age. By age 3, most kids have a set of 20 primary teeth in their mouths. The American Dental Association recommends scheduling your child’s first appointment between the arrival of their first tooth and their first birthday.

Did you know that mothers with poor dental health could be at a higher risk of passing bacteria that causes cavities to their children? However, many things can be done to help decrease this risk, such as:  

  •  Having regular dental visits 
  •  Daily brushing and flossing 
  •  Having a healthy diet that is low in sugars and starches  
  •  Choosing a toothpaste with fluoride  
  •  Rinsing daily with an alcohol-free rinse. 
  •  Do not share eating utensils or things that can transmit bacteria with your children. 
  •  If you chew gum, choose something with xylitol, which can decrease your and your children’s caries rate.

Question: How do you qualify for Medicaid 

Reply: Generally, you must meet your state’s rules for your income and resources and other rules (like being a state resident).

You might be able to get Medicaid if you meet your state’s resource limit, but your income is too high to qualify. Some states let you “spend down” the amount of your income above the state’s Medicaid limit. You do this by paying non-covered medical expenses and cost-sharing (like premiums and deductibles) until your income is lowered to a level that qualifies you for Medicaid. For more details, call your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office and ask about medical help for people with limited resources.

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