Archive for the ‘Medicare News’ Category

A study suggests there is an increase in tooth decay in young children. Even with the beneficial effects of fluoride and increased dental care, the study suggests that the increased use of sugary drinks and food in young children may cause tooth decay.

Are you asking the right questions regarding your kid’s dental health care?

Whether for your kids or yourself, it is crucial to communicate with the dentist. When dealing with your dental health, there are no dumb questions, yet some people feel embarrassed to ask even simple questions to the dentist about the suggested treatment plan. 

If you need help understanding the recommended treatment plan the dentist is advising, make sure to ask questions until you do. You will feel much better and be able to make better decisions for yourself and your family. If you do not ask questions before dental services are started, the dentist will think that you already understand the services and the cost of care.

Original Medicare coverage is automatically renewable each year you are eligible. Thus, you do not need to renew your Medicare parts each year.

Medicare Supplement plans work the same way. Once accepted, the plan is automatically renewable as long as you continue to pay the monthly premium.

Medicare Advantage plans work similarly. However, you can change your plan each year if you do not like the benefits of your current plan.

Dental checks are the standard twice a year but not always the rule. Many people see a dentist twice a year since most dental insurance plans provide free preventive care, including basic cleanings and checkups. Your oral health needs depend on how often you or your child go. The main goal of checkups is to catch minor dental problems early on. Usually, this means twice-a-year exams, typically once every six months. Depending on your dental needs, your dentist may suggest you visit more or less depending on how well you take care of your teeth and gums.

Question:  Is it necessary to take kids to see a dentist every six months? It seems overkill and just a way for the dentist to make more money. My kids go to the dentist once a year and, so far, are cavity-free. Even for myself, it has been more like three years since I saw a dentist, but I do not have any dental issues. I do not have current dental insurance for my family, but even if I did, I do see going to the dentist twice a year as necessary.

Reply: At the end of the day, you choose what you want to do for yourself and your kids. It is advised to see the dentist at least twice a year to maintain good oral health. It takes a short time for tooth decay to happen. Most insurance plans offer free to very low-cost preventive dental care so that you can visit the dentist at the recommended times. 

You will automatically be enrolled in Medicare at age 65 if you are receiving Social Security benefits or railroad retirement board benefits at least four months before you enroll in Medicare.

However, suppose you are not receiving Social Security or railroad retirement board benefits. You will need to contact your local Social Security office to enroll in Medicare up to three months before your 65th birth month.

If you must contact your local Social Security office, you can sign up for Part A and Part B simultaneously. Once you complete the application and provide the required documentation, you will begin receiving benefits on the first day of your 65th birth month.

Stress can do more than rattle your nerves. Stress can cause forgetfulness, lack of sleep, hair loss, and headaches. However, did you know it can also cause you to have dental problems?

People that are under Stress can tend to clench or grind their teeth. Teeth grinding can happen while you are awake or even in your sleep. Grinding or clenching your teeth over time can cause dental problems such as wear down, cracking, or breaking of your teeth, and even sometimes cause temporomandibular joint problems.

One often thinks of dental hygiene as brushing twice daily and flossing. However, the tongue can often be overlooked, 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. Brushing your tongue will help keep it clean and your breath fresh.

To be eligible for Original Medicare, you must be a permanent legal resident (green card holder) or an American citizen who has lived in the United States for at least five years AND one of the following:

  • Age 65 or older
  • Under age 65 and receiving Social Security Disability Income for 24 months
  • Diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

To enroll in Original Medicare, you may be required to reach out to your local Social Security office in some circumstances.

Medicare Card – How do you know if your child is getting enough fluoride?

For this question you will want to have your pediatric dentist evaluate the fluoride level of your child’s primary source of drinking water. If your child is not getting enough fluoride internally through water (especially if the fluoride level is deficient or if your child drinks bottled water without fluoride), then your pediatric dentist may prescribe fluoride supplements.

Medicare Card and Sealants

Under many dental insurance plans dental sealants for kids under the age of 13 are not only a covered benefit but will normally fall under preventive services therefore in most cases not having any waiting periods. If your child need dental sealants and you do not current have dental insurance it is a good time to buy dental insurance in order to save money off the cost of your child dental care needs including dental sealants.

How dental sealants work – Medicare Card

Dental sealants work by filling in the crevasses on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This shuts out food particles that could get caught in the teeth, causing cavities. The application is fast and comfortable and can effectively protect teeth for many years.

Oral |Cancer is a type of cancer that is typically found in people who have poor oral habits, such as smoking tobacco products.

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that the 5-year survival rate is approximately 61%, but early detection and intervention can lead to more promising numbers.

Medicare Card: How do you injure your mouth?

Mouth trauma can results from injury to the teeth or mouth, with many cases linked to sports injuries. However there are preventive measures you can take such as wearing a mouth guard and helmet which can reduce the likelihood of sustaining a mouth injury when playing sports.

When you are wanting to buy a dental PPO plan for you and your family it is important to review each plans terms and conditions carefully. With a new baby you may be starting to look for dental insurance if you do not already have any in place. With regards to dental PPO insurance plan the sooner you buy it the better due to plan waiting periods.

Many people do put of buying dental insurance until it is time for their baby’s first dental appointment but, doing that may be a mistake if you need dental services that are within the plans waiting periods. Therefore think about buying a dental PPO plan ahead of time so that hopefully you will be past any waiting periods if there is needed dental care beyond preventive services.

When nursing you want to avoid nursing a child to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bed-time bottle. Also, learn the proper way to brush and floss your child’s teeth. Take your child to a pediatric dentist regularly to have his/her teeth and gums checked. The first dental visit should be scheduled either when they cut their first tooth or no latter then their first birthday.

What is Gum Disease how Can you Treat it ?

Gum disease will start to develope when there is a buildup of bacteria on your teeth and beneath the gum line, which can cause inflammation and infection. Also people that has a chronic health condition such as heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis, their risk of gum disease increases.

In most cases of gum disease can be treated by having a deep cleaning and you may be prescribed medications such as antibiotics to help fight the infection.

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