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Dental Care For Seniors: Frequently Asked Questions

Seniors are the fastest-growing age group in the U.S., in part because medical advances and preventive care are extending life and the quality of it. As the baby boomer generation ages, the senior population is swelling, along with their interest in maintaining healthy bodies and lifestyles. Good oral health is important to overall health and seniors must stay on top of their dental care. It is now possible to keep natural teeth and good dental hygiene plays a vital role in keeping that smile.

Dental Decay and Gum Disease

Talk to your dentist about the proper care of your teeth. Brushing twice a day and flossing regularly are the most important steps you can take to keep your teeth and gums healthy and maintain that smile. If age is causing your gums to recede, clean your teeth thoroughly, but be careful not to irritate or tear the gums. A receding gum line may also expose sensitive portions of teeth; careful brushing is important, as are toothpastes that offer sensitivity protection. If you have difficulty using a toothbrush or floss because arthritis or a stroke has impaired your agility, ask your dentist to recommend commercial products that will make the tasks easier. Bleeding or sensitive gums, constant bad breath, receding gums, and loose teeth are all symptoms of gum disease, which can hasten tooth loss. If you spot these symptoms, talk with your dentist about them before they cause pain and deterioration.

Watch Your Mouth!

After a lifetime of chewing and biting, many seniors have dentures, bridges, crowns, and, of course, their fair share of fillings. Over time, even the best dental hardware can wear out. If you feel changes in your mouth, particularly when you are eating, brushing, or flossing, bring them to your dentist's attention. You may take medications or have a medical condition that results in dry mouth. Saliva production is important to good oral health: it keeps the mouth moist, washes away food particles, and protects against decay from plaque. Enlist the help of your dentist, and ask about artificial saliva products so that you don't have to worry about giving a big smile.

Maintaining Your Dental Investment

Don't stop caring for your teeth and mouth at this stage of the game! Keeping your teeth healthy means greater comfort and enjoyment as you eat, laugh, and speak. Good preventive care will give you something to really smile about!

Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICO

Facts You Should Know About Dental Insurance

What is the best dental insurance plan for financing health care for me?

Choosing a dental expense plan can be a confusing experience. Although there is no one "best" dental payment plan for financing health care, there are some plans that will be better than others for you and your family's dental payment plan needs. We will try to guide you in simple terms. However, rather than just giving you answers, the best thing we can do is to make sure you are equipped with the right questions for the dentists.

There are three major things to consider, each with their own unique set of questions. By considering the questions thoroughly, you will arrive at the right dental payment plan for you and your family.

• How affordable is financing health care (cost of financing health care)?
• How much will a dental payment plan cost me on a monthly basis?
• Should I try to insure just major dental expense or most of my dental expense?
• Can I afford a policy that at least covers my children?
• Are there deductibles I must pay before the insurance begins to help cover my costs?
• After I have met the deductible, what part of my dental expense is paid by the dental plan?
• If I use dentists outside a plan's network, how much more will I pay to get financing health care?
• How often do I visit the dentist and how much will my dental payment plan be each visit?
• Do the included services match my needs (access of health care)?
• What other dental providers are part of the plan?
• Are there enough of the kinds of dentists I want to see?
• Where will I go for financing health care? Are these places near where I work or live?
• Do I need to get permission before I see a dental specialist?
• Are there any limits to how much I must pay in case of a major illness?
• Is the prescription medication which I need covered by the dental plan?
• Have people had good results when covered by a specific dental payment plan?
• How do independent government organizations rate the different dental plans?
• What do my friends say about their experience with a specific plan?
• What does my dentist say about their experience with a specific dental payment plan?

If you consider these elements carefully when choosing a dental financing plan, you can be assured the best possible outcome and minimize dental expense paid by you.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.