Felix Said:

To promote dental health, children should be taught to:?

We Answered:

I'm a dental hygienist....here's your answer: 5- A and C. The reason is because the more often you expose your mouth to sugary foods (and nearly every food has some chemical form of sugar in it), the higher the risk of getting decay. So limiting in between meal snacking is obvious. Snacking on dried foods is bad because they are often sticky and chewy and when they lodge in the teeth or between teeth, they just sit there and give bacteria something to feast on. It's this combination of bacteria and a food source that allows the bacteria to secrete an acid that eats away tooth structure (causing decay). Sugar in and of itself is not bad...it's when it is digested by oral bacteria that the bacteria secrete that acid they generate. You are never going to be able to get rid of all your oral bacteria so it makes more sense to limit sugar intake or at least brush or rinse the mouth as soon as possible after intake. That's also why the other part, about eating food that's swallowed quickly is correct. The less time the food sits in the mouth, in contact with the bacteria, the better. Even a sugary soda is a better choice than a Snickers bar. The soda is in your mouth then down your throat (assuming you don't sip it continuously for an hour!) but the Snickers bar will likely stick to your teeth and leave some bits behind for hours.
Sorry if this answer was far more detailed than you may have wanted! I just believe that education is more than getting the answer right, it's knowing WHY it's right! Good luck!

Colleen Said:

Does anyone health benefits that covers a dental spacer for a child??

We Answered:

You have to wait till you are covered

Patricia Said:

Does Medi-Cal (public assistance health/dental coverage) pay for braces if my child needs them?

We Answered:

Can you please add what state you are in? Are you married, divorced or single? Although intrusive, these are the questions they will ask you. When will your daughter turn 18? I will assume you are single/divorced but if you are married, it will be a completely different set of rules but still possible. I am a government worker and am familiar mostly with foster child benefits which may differ a bit. You will have trouble if they find out you are entitled to Cobra benefits. Whatever you do, make sure that they know this or it could be considered fraud. I don't know your financial situation but the extended benefits Cobra offers are so terribly expensive that I suggest you reject the policy altogether if you cannot afford it based on inability to pay and opt for strait Medi-Cal/Medi-Caid or risk depleting your savings (if you even have one) in order to "spend - down" your budget. If you have been laid off, you don't need this burden anyway. Also, where is your daughters father? They will ask this too. If you are not married and depending on your circumstance, he can be liable and court ordered to pay for half the cost of the treatment depending on the severity of your daughters need. 18 is the cut off age unless they are foster children, illegal immigrants, or your daughter becomes pregnant (which I doubt you would want to happen)! - then the cut off age is 19-21 depending on those factors. My son needs braces too and I have dental insurance that I pay a hefty premium for but the co-pay is so high that it will take 2 tax refunds (two years) to save for it. The most Medi-Cal can tell you is "no" in which isn't quite the end of the world just yet... they MUST send you what is called a "Notice of Action" on the back of that notice you will be offered a chance to appeal the decision within 30 day's - do it no matter what and be prepared to provide documentation relevant to her need. If that doesn't work - I don't know how your credit is...sometimes when we struggle it isn't perfect but many places will offer payment plans with less than stellar credit. I don't think braces should be considered "cosmetic" since abnormally placed teeth can cause other dental problems including TMJ and social/ socioeconomic problems later in life - like obtaining employment. Afterall - Medi-Care pays for Viagra. In which I may be greatful for in another 20 years lol ;) Good luck to you and my sympathies go out to you for your job loss. Please keep posted. I am curious to find out what happens.
Sorry so long...I would have e-mailed it but you don't accept email. I believe every child and adult should have access to dental/health treatment regardless of income or employment status. Gets me to talking/typing too much girl!

Kurt Said:

Cavities and bad dental health in child?

We Answered:

Some kids do have weaker enamel than others. My daughter was born with a cleft lip/palate, and I have learned that cl/p affected children do have the weaker enamel.
It is something that does happen. JP is very wrong, and claims that she/he/it is a dental assistant. My kids go to the head of pediatric dentistry at Children's, he happens to be part of the cleft lip/palate team. My best friend is a dental assistant and she and her boss have told me the same. Yes, some kids DO have weak enamel, not the cause of poor dental hygiene.
I should mention that my daughter's oral surgeon says the same thing.

Danny Said:

do brita water filters retain enough fluoride for the dental health of a child?

We Answered:

"The BRITA Water Filter System does not remove fluoride from tap water. Fluoride is a negatively charged ion and does not react with the components of the BRITA Filter Cartridge."