Month: January 2023

It is important for parents to carefully monitor certain conditions affecting children’s teeth. Just like adults, kids also need proper dental care to maintain their overall health. But children’s oral care needs are different from ours in many cases. 

Therefore, we must pay great attention to the dental care products we are giving them to use. For example, baby teeth decay more rapidly than adult teeth because they are softer. So, preventing such issues is very necessary. Also, it is vital that you choose a good toothpaste for them.

But how do you know the toothpaste your toddlers are using is safe? Or it will not harm his/her oral health? Well, there is always an ongoing debate on whether a fluoride-based oral care product/toothpaste is suitable for children or not.

So, in this article, we have decided to cover all things fluoride with regard to toddler dental care. But before jumping on to that, let us see what fluoride is.

Several dental products contain fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth condition and prevents decay or cavities.

What is the need for fluoride in kids’ dental care routine?

There is always a risk for cavities among children because according to some studies, most of the kindergarten students or preschoolers suffer from cavities and decay. 

Therefore, introducing your child to a fluoride-based product in his/her growing years will help reduce the risk of cavities, limit the growth of bacteria, prevent decay, protect teeth from mineral loss, etc.  But with every pro, there comes a con, and the same is with fluoride-based products. 

Fluorosis is one such condition that can occur in young kids if they take or use too much fluoride in their oral care routine. Therefore, parents must pay attention to whether their toddlers are spitting out the toothpaste or not.

It is very vital to make sure that kids do not use too many fluoridated dental care products because it can lead to neurological health conditions. Though, in most cases, fluoridated products are harmless. But a constant habit of swallowing such products can pose a problem with concern to kids’ overall health.

How to ensure your toddlers are using the right amount of dental care products?

With fluoridated products, one thing that really matters is the quantity we use. And the same goes for our little ones. So, here are some tips which you can use as a parent to ensure your child is taking the right amount of fluoridated oral care product to stay away from any health concerns:

• Keeping toothpaste out of reach of children and supervising them while they brush can prevent any future health risks.
• Children with fully developed spitting and swallowing reflexes can safely use fluoridated toothpaste.
• Brushing should be done under adult supervision for children under six years old, and younger children should be watched as they still have a tendency to swallow things.
• Giving your children a pea-sized amount of toothpaste at 3 years of age is recommended.
• It is essential to prevent your child from swallowing more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste continuously, as this can upset their stomach.

Can you give your child alternatives to fluoride-based products?

Although non-fluoridated toothpaste can replace fluoridated toothpaste in some cases, it will not be able to control tooth decay, so it should be used more frequently.

‍It is generally safe for children and adults to use fluoridated toothpaste. However, it should be used in the correct proportion.  In addition, toddlers and babies should be carefully monitored when using this product.

Lastly, if you want to find a replacement for such products, you must consult a pediatric dentist because they help you find a solution to this after listing all the pros and cons for the same. 

Invisalign is a relatively new treatment that straightens teeth. You have certainly heard about all of the advantages that Invisalign offers. Compared to the old metal braces, it is less painful. Moreover, it is more aesthetically attractive since it is “invisible.” 

Certainly, you’ve also heard about its drawbacks, such as the fact that it may take longer for your teeth to straighten than with metal braces. However, despite its reduced pain, the procedure isn’t completely free from discomfort. Apart from the discomfort you initially experience, there could be some drawbacks to it that can affect your social life, for example, difficulty speaking. 

Though in most cases, Invisalign does not affect the way you speak. It’s a legitimate concern when it comes to teeth straightening treatment. Therefore, you must know that any orthodontic device in your mouth has the potential to influence the way you talk or say certain words.

Thankfully, any concerns that may arise with Invisalign can usually be fixed efficiently! You can reduce any potential speech impediments by reading below about what to expect from this treatment.

How does Invisalign affect the way you speak?

The Invisalign system gradually shifts your teeth into place with thin, clear, plastic aligners. You won’t notice any difference in your speech since the trays are so slim. In the beginning, you may hear a slight lisp, and nothing serious. Making sounds like “sh”, “s”, or “z” will most likely reveal or grab your attention toward any speech issue. Once you get used to the aligners, it will dissipate.

During treatment, you might also notice a change in your speech style. Because you’re not used to having something in your mouth limiting your motion, you may speak slowly and slur words initially. The quicker you get used to aligners, the faster you will be able to correct any alterations. Speech impediments can fade in as little as a few hours to as many as several weeks, depending on the individual.

How can you keep speech problems away when wearing Invisalign?

There are some tips that you can follow to keep speaking issues at bay when wearing aligners for the very first time. Here are some tips for the same if you can follow: 

• Wear your aligners as much as possible: If you want to see any difference in the way you speak with aligners, then you must wear them as much as possible. Make sure only to remove it when you are eating or brushing. Wear it for at least 20 hours daily to get used to it quickly. 

• Converse as much as possible: You can easily get rid of any speech impediment if you try to talk as much as possible when wearing Invisalign. In order to say words clearly without any discomfort, you are saying letters or words that you find difficult to talk about again and again while wearing aligners. This will help you get in the habit of conversing more.
• Try reading loudly to others: Practicing pronunciation and reading newspapers or books loudly to others will help you with your speech problem.  Developing your pronunciation and enunciation of words can help you adapt to your new dental appliance and overcome a slight lisp. 

During the start of the treatment, most patients experience lisps. But when it does not disappear within a few weeks, it may be concerning. You should contact your dentist if your speech does not return to normal after trying the tips above. This could indicate that the mold does not fit or is not placed correctly in your mouth. 

Dental insurance covers orthodontic treatment costs as part of the oral health plan. Such policy covers dental treatments only in cases of injuries, accidents, illnesses or when directed by your dentist. 

Under dental insurance, procedures are classified as diagnostic, preventive, or cosmetic, depending on your plan type and what kind of treatment is covered under it. But to fully take advantage of your orthodontic insurance, you must know how the insurance works.

Most dental insurance pays 100% for preventive care procedures, 80% for basic procedures, and 50% for other major teeth-related procedures. So, commonly such plans work by the 100\80\50 rule. And anyone who hasn’t seen a dentist in a while can attest to the importance of preventive care. 

Therefore, you must visit your dentist regularly and take maximum advantage of your insurance before it expires. There are many advantages to using your dental plans at the correct time. For example, most plans give 100% preventive care coverage, so if you visit your dentist regularly during the cleaning process, multiple teeth-related issues can be identified at an early stage and can be prevented before it gets out of control. 

Before your dental insurance expires, you should make it a priority to use it fully. You can save your healthy smile with the help of your medical care plan, and here is how you can do that. 

Why should you use your dental insurance before it expires?

Dental insurance is essential to keep your oral health in check. It saves you hard-earned money and gives you reasons to visit your dentist often and look after your oral hygiene. Below are a few reasons that you help understand how you can take advantage of your plan before it expires: 

• Dental insurance helps you stay healthy financially: We all know keeping oral health in check can be very expensive, which is why people can’t look after it most of the time. But a dentistry-related plan helps you save money while giving multiple benefits. You will not only save yourself from paying huge sums of money, but you will get full penetrative and cosmetic care assistance. One of the most crucial factors to consider as healthcare costs continue to rise is to use your plan fully before it expires.
• You can prevent multiple dental issues early: Dentistry-related plans prevent oral issues and lower overall treatment expenditures. Maintaining good oral health by visiting your dentist twice a year can prevent life-threatening teeth-related complications, and it is only possible while your dental care plan lasts.  You can get routine oral care with the help of your insurance. A small co-payment can get you 100% preventive coverage to see your dentist twice a year with a monthly premium. And you can more frequently visit your dentist and prevent major oral issues like cavities, sore gums, plaque build-up, etc. Additionally, your plan will cover your second hygiene appointment before the end of the year.
• Use your dental insurance because the benefits don’t roll over: Most people must be aware that the annual benefits the dentistry plan covers do not roll over after the year ends. Hence, using them on time is vital. And it is one of the main reasons you should keep track of your insurance‘s start and end date and take full advantage of it accordingly.

Hope this article has helped you understand all the aspects of dental insurance. In addition, keeping the above-mentioned points in mind will help you take advantage of your plan before it expires in a more comprehensive way.