INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You can qualify for dental insurance in two ways: through your employer or through a government assistance program. You can also qualify for healthcare if you are a war pensioner or if you are retired and have a pension. You can enroll in private healthcare on your own, but this is often expensive and only done if you cannot get health care through an employer or through the government.  In the U.S., most health insurance does not cover basic and preventive dental work. Only dental work that is determined to be "medically necessary," such as certain dental surgeries and endodontic procedures. Separate dental insurance is necessary for basic and preventive dental coverage.  In the UK, you can qualify for free dental treatment if you are under 18 years old, are 19 or younger and a full time student, or are pregnant or have had a baby within the last 12 months.  In the United States, you may qualify for Medicaid, which covers basic dental care, if you are 21 years old or younger, if you are 21 or older and a full time student, or if you qualify under other Medicaid requirements. Medicaid is a health benefit program available to some low-income individuals and families based on eligibility. Medicaid is only available to those who qualify based on income and family size. Call your insurance provider to check if they will cover your dental work. Most dental insurance covers basic dental work like cleanings, fillings, and check-ups or dental work to a certain dollar amount. More extensive procedures like dental surgery or dental appliances may not be covered by your provider or only partly covered by your provider. Find out exactly how much you are expected to pay for your dental work, as you will need to budget for a partial or full payment. Many dental plans provide a list of dentists recognized under your insurance, known as preferred providers. These dentists have a contract with the dental benefit plan you are enrolled in. When booking a dental appointment, you should try to go to a preferred dental provider, as your insurance company will then be required to cover all or some of costs of your visit. If you go to a dentist outside of the preferred providers, you may have to pay for your dental work out of pocket. If your dental insurance company can provide coverage for your dental work, you can give your dental insurance card to your dentist's receptionist when it is time to pay for your appointment. The receptionist will then use your dental insurance number to charge your insurance company for the dental work. Some insurance companies arranged through an employer may require you to pay for the dental work upfront and then submit a receipt to be reimbursed for the cost of the dental work. If so, you may need to pay for the dental work and then send in a receipt so your dental insurance company can reimburse you. Contact your dental plan if there are any discrepancies or issues with your dental bill. It can be useful to check with your dental insurance company before you arrange any dental work to confirm your plan will cover your expenses. That way, you will not be surprised by a large dental bill after you have already had your dental work done.

SUMMARY: Check if your dental insurance covers your dental work. Ask your dentist if he is a preferred provider with your insurance company. Provide your dental insurance card to your dentist. Confirm the payment with your dental insurance company.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Dental professionals recommend oral irrigation as a great way to really clean teeth and gums. Brushing and flossing will not get under the gums where the bacteria have set up housekeeping. Oral irrigators get what tooth brushes and floss don’t, so plaque and tartar never come back.  Oral irrigators flood the mouth with a jet of water under pressure to flush offending food particles and bacteria from the mouth. They can remove any debris leftover after brushing. They also give you a good gum massage, which improves blood circulation and prevents inflammation. Oral irrigators, such as Oral Breeze or WaterPik can now be found that attach to your shower-head or your bathroom sink faucet and are very easy to use. Oral irrigators should never be used as a replacement for flossing. If your diet is heavy on sweet sodas, candy, and other sources of sugar, try cutting back on these foods to decrease the buildup of plaque on your teeth. Even fruit juices have enough sugar to cause plaque to grow, and starchy foods like pizza create the same problem. When you do eat or drink sugar, follow it with a glass of water. Swish the water around in your mouth before swallowing to clean off the sugar. Consider brushing your teeth after a sugar or starch heavy meal, even if it means brushing three times a day instead of two. Carry a toothbrush in your car, office or bag so you can use it each time you feel a film start to form on your teeth.  Be aware that brushing your teeth immediately after meals can potentially help to erode the natural enamel on your teeth, so make sure you only do this after eating meals that will contribute to bacteria buildup. There are some foods that have high acid contents. These acids wear away the enamel of your teeth and promote the growth of bacteria, putting you at higher risk of forming gingivitis. Some foods and drinks that are high in acid are:  Citrus juices and fruits Alcohol with a high phosphorus content Certain types of meats, like corned beef or turkey Some cheeses, like parmesan, are also high in acid content

SUMMARY:
Use oral irrigators. Avoid eating sweets. Brush after meals. Eliminate acidic foods and drinks.