California Oral health care, Red and sore gums

I recently noticed that my gums have been hurting slightly and seem redder than usual. I brush twice a day and floss almost every day. They do not bleed when I am doing that but they just kind of hurt when I do. Could I have gum disease?

Reply: Some of the start signs of gingivitis (gum disease) would include but are not limited to, Swollen or puffy gums, Dusky red or dark red gums, and tender gums. I suggest visiting your dentist as soon as possible, so if you have the start of gingivitis, your dentist can treat it before it becomes a more significant issue. Consider buying dental insurance if you do not have any current, as it will help to keep your dental care cost more affordable.

* There are no deductibles and no yearly limits on services, and there are no claim forms to fill out. Your savings are in place when you visit a network dentist. You just show up for your dental appointment and make your payment – what could be easier? The dentists must meet the Plan’s standard of quality and service. All have agreed to provide dental care at an affordable price to its members. Since there is no waiting period for your dental services to begin, pre-existing dental conditions are covered and best of all, the dental plan services starts on the first day of next month if the application is received by the dental plan on or before the 20th of this month. Review the sample schedule below and see how easy it is for you or your entire family to enjoy these quality dental services.

The fees shown are a sample of some frequently used dental procedures. When you enroll for the plan, you will pay reduced fees called copayments. These reduced fees are only available from providers who participate in our network. After you enroll, a complete list of copayments will be mailed to your home along with your Individual Dental Service Agreement. The sample demonstrates potential savings with the Secure Choice plan and may not reflect your actual results.

SECTION I: PLAN DENTIST SERVICES: (Subject to Exclusions and Limitations Listed in Agreement)

Plan Benefits are provided for the dental services listed in this Plan Dentist Services Section of the Copayment Schedule only when services are provided by Member’s selected Plan Dentist. Limited benefits for Emergency Services from other Plan Dentists are provided as specifically stated in the EMERGENCY SERVICES Article of Agreement. Plan Benefits are not available for dental services that do not appear on the Copayment Schedule.

Member is responsible for paying the amount listed in the Member Copayment column, plus any additional laboratory (“lab”) fees for certain dental services. Payment may be due at the time the service is received or in accordance with Plan Dentist’s billing procedures. Lab fees may apply to asterisked (*) services. For such a service, the lab fee is that Plan Dentist’s normal retail lab fee for that service.

The most current dental terminology may not be reflected in the Copayment Schedule. However, Plan Benefits will be based on the most current dental terminology. Company reserves the right to update the Copayment Schedule to reflect the most current dental terminology, with at least thirty (30) days written notice to Subscriber.

The Plan Dentist selected by Member may not perform all listed services. To fully understand payment responsibility for dental services, Member should discuss availability of services, the proposed treatment, and cost with selected Plan Dentist prior to treatment. Availability of any specific general dentist as a Plan Dentist is not guaranteed.

Payment for all services received from a Non-Plan Dentist (at the Non-Plan Dentist’s entire normal retail charge) is the responsibility of Member, except for limited benefits for Emergency Services as specifically stated in the EMERGENCY SERVICES Article of Agreement.

Are Dental clinics good low cost option to having dental care?  I live in Massachusetts and only working a part time job right now.  I do not have much money and I do need to have some dental care done by a dentist.    I found one dental clinic near me but I am told the waiting period to get in can be hard since so many people go there.

I just not sure if I would really get good dental care there if it is so busy but I afraid that it may be my only affordable option in having dental care.   What is it like going to a dental clinic do you know of any other places I could go to for lower cost dental services?

Dental Care in Florida, What Causes Sensitive Teeth. My teeth have always been slightly sensitive to hot and cold items. However lately my teeth seem more sensitive then normal. I been putting up with it but I would like to know what are some of the causes for having sensitive teeth? It is really troublesome to me and I would like to know why my teeth are so sensitive. Also any advise on making my teeth no so sensitive would be helpful as well.

Inexpensive Dental Care Plans For Children in Pennsylvania. I live in Pennsylvania and I would like to get a inexpensive dental care plan for just my six year old son. I do not have much money so right now I am only looking to get something for my son dental health care since what I do have on him does not offer any thing for dental.

My son has only been to the dentist once and I worry that he may have cavities or something not be check up on and fixed. Can you advise if you have any dental plan that can help me afford proper dental care for my son.

Dental insurance plans for children in Colorado. I have three kids and myself that need to have some dental benefits to at least help me with their cost for all their check ups and cleanings. My X husband is not helping me much right now and I really do not want to have to fight with him all the time over things. If you have a good low cost family dental plan I could get for my kids that would be great please advise.

Short Term or Temporary Dental Health care Insurance for Tennessee. I have a job that in another six months I will get both dental and major medical benefits. However I need to have a short term or temporary dental plan that can help me out on a few of my current dental needs. I been trying to hold out until my benefits kick in but I do not think I can make it since one of my teeth are really staring to hurt me. Can you advise if you have any dental plan that I do not have have to keep for a full year or more? Thanks.

Where Can I Get Information on Dental Plans for Small Businesses in Connecticut? I run a small bakery with three non family member employees. I been calling around a few insurance companies to see about getting them some dental benefits but I am being told that four employees are too small and I need at least six to ten employees to get a group dental plan though them. Do you have any dental plan that can help me our advise on what I can do to offer them some dental benefits?

CA Dental & Vision Insurance Plans. I live in San Pedro CA I am 19 and although I am still on my parents medical they do not have dental or vision and I really need both right now. I do not want my parents having to pay for my dental and vision needs but I really could use some help.

I working part time but live at home so I do have some money I could spend on dental and vision insurance I just new to all this and not sure where to look or what plan type would be best for me to get. Any helpful advise you can offer me so I can make the best decision. Thanks

Does Dental clinics provide good oral care for low-income families? I do not have much money and I have a three year old son. I have no dental insurance and my son should see a dentist soon since he has yet to see one. I been thinking about going to a local dental clinic but I just not sure if he would really get good dental care there. If you have any other suggestions that could help me with my son dental care can you please advise. Out here in Washington DC.

Maine Individual Dental plans, I need dental care fast:  I am 22 and dealing with a very large dental problem.  My gums and and bleed when I am brushing my teeth.  They are also red and inflamed which seems to make the hurt even more. 

I do not have dental insurance because what I seen is more the I can afford right now.  The only way I can help numb the pain of my gums is with ice water or by using Orajel.

Also my teeth seem to be an issue too. They have gotten to the point to where it hurts to eat sometimes, and I am scared to eat anything hard since it may  involve me taking a risk of  breaking my already eroding teeth.   I need dental help ASAP but with little to no money I do not know what to do

Massachusetts Looking for Cheap to free dental care for my family.  My family does not have any dental insurance.  My mom has rotting teeth and is in a great deal of pain.   She would go to the dentist but know she can not afford the dental care needed.

She works two jobs but neither of them offer any dental benefits nor pays her enough to pay for major dental care treatments that she needs to have done.   She always puts herself last so even though my sister and I do go to the dentist twice a year she does not go herself.

 Since I am only 14 there is not much I can do to help but try to find a place she can afford to go to for her dental needs.

New Jersey dental care for my family: I have two boys and my mom and we have not really been going to the dentist like we should.  I want to get a dental insurance plan for all of us but I am finding it too costly for me to afford. 

Also my mom can not be on our family plan even though I am the one taking care of her.  So that means having to get two plans so she can have dental care too.   I am really trying to keep cost low do you have anything that can help me do that?

I have current dental insurance though my job though the dental benefits are not all that good for myself or my family.  I am shopping out dental insurance plans on line and I am wanting a dental insurance plan that does not have to long of waiting periods for their services.

I willing to start over if it is a better plan that what I currently have but can not seem to find one. Are all dental plan costly and do not offer much in coverages.  Or is that only what I seem to be finding.   Tired and just wanting a decent dental plan for my family

Lately I feel nothing is affordable any more.  My wife just go back from the dentist and since we do not have dental insurance the cost was a little over $300 and that was just for her to get X-rays and a cleaning. Oh and a course they had a $50 office charge included. 

Lucky for me I guess she has good teeth and does not need any more dental care for a while.  However there is no way I want to pay that much for basic dental care.  Where can I get an affordable dental plan on a monthly payment option.

My mom is 74 and has most her teeth anyway.  She has not see a dentist in too many years.  I would like her to go to the dentist for at least a oral check up and cleanings.  I will be paying for everything so is there any dental plans dental insurance that I can get for her that will help me with her dental cost?

We live in LA CA and we need to have some dental care for at least our basics.  My son has not been to the dentist in over eight months and and my husband well I do not even know when the last time he as seen a dentist. 

I told him I was going to look for a low cost family dental plan we could at least get to start saving some money when we go to the dentist.  I just did not know at the time there would be so many choices.   I am not sure what is better a dental HMO or a dental discount plan.  The both seem to be within our budget.  Can  you advise

I live in the state of New Jersey and would really like to know where I need to go to get dental for less.  I not sure if I just live in a high cost area with regards to dentist but really $175 for a basic cleaning is a joke and there is no wonder why people do not go to the dentist.

I need affordable dental care.   Like so many people I have a very fixed amount of money and there is not much left after paying all my bills I need to pay in order to live.   I have bad looking teeth though I have no cavities.   I want to be able to smile more but I am always  aware of how my  teeth look. Can you offer up some advise as to where I can go for low cost dental care or what I can get to make the dental care I need more affordable.

Pennsylvania Dental Care Reminder: On Halloween if your kids are going out and collecting candy and sweets you may want to have them brush a little longer and take care flossing while they are eating the extra sweets.  Chewy candy loves to stick on teeth so flossing will be very important to make sure teeth stay clean and healthy.

Otherwise have a happy and safe Halloween

New Jersey Teeth Care: Happy Halloween.  I would like to know if I am the only one that will be handing out sugar free candy this year?   We get many kids all day on Halloween treat or treating the little ones during the day and older kids at night.  My kids only have junk candy on this day because my husband says they do not get any of it during the rest of the  year and once in a while is fine.  But it be nice to see more and more people offer a sugar free choice.

My Son is  seven and he has a large size cavity in one of his back molars.   I want to just have it filled since fillings under my dental insurance plan is covered.  However the dentist is saying that my son should have a baby root canal done and have the tooth crowned.

Since my plan is new.  Just got it from my job four months ago I do not yet have coverage for that type of dental care.  Which then would cost me about 800.00.   I either want it pulled for $100.00 or for the dentist to do a filling.   I am a corse being advise against both.  Is this dentist just trying to make more money off of me?  Has anyone crown baby teeth before.

I brush my teeth after dinner.  Sure I am not going to bed right afterwords.  I normally stay up about five to six hours after having dinner.  However it now like I am eating after I brush my teeth yet when I wake up my teeth just does not feel as clean as they were when I went to bed.  I do not think I am sleep eating or I would be fat or something.

I went to the dental and was told I have a hole in my back molar.   I am to go back in two weeks to do a full evaluation but right now it looks like I will be needing a root canal and crown done.  I did not have it done at the time because I only went in for a cleaning and had very little time left before I had to go to work.

I am not in any type of pain from this tooth but I am worried that the tooth decay will get worse and cause my molar to brake for the next dental visit to fix it.   Is there anything I can do to protect the tooth until then ?  Advise please.

Since I first got my adult teeth I had some white spots on my teeth.  I am 21 now and really do not know why they are there.  I tried using whiten strips thinking it would whiten up the rest of the teeth making so you do not see the white spots but it really did not work.

My dentist never says anything about the spots so I guess they are not bad and I have good teeth with no cavities.  Is there any way to make the white spots leave?  Just wondering if there is anything I can do about them.