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People don’t often think about how valuable their teeth are until problems arise. At that moment of difficulty, it’s very important to have a family dentist who trust and who can take care of all your family’s dental needs. Getting to know your dentist is very important – as it is critical to trust them and feel confident in their services and advice.

Helpful tips To consider:

Your dentist is an important person in your life – and the decision to select a dentist should not be taken lightly. What should you look for when choosing a dentist? There are several things to consider:

	Is the dental office easy to access and close to your home or job?
	Does the office appear clean, orderly, and professional?
	Is the appointment schedule convenient?
	Do your medical and dental history records get placed in a permanent file?
	Does your dentist explain proper dental health suggestions?
	Does your dentist explain techniques that will help you prevent problems?
	Are fees and payment information clearly explained and well scheduled?
	Are you offered options for treatment?
	How does your dentist interact with your child?
	Is the dentist available for after-hours emergency care?

You and your dentist should work together to promote your oral health. Take time to ask questions and take notes if that will help you remember your dentist’s advice.

What type of dentist are you looking for?

There are several different types of dentists to consider if you have special problems with your teeth. It’s important to keep in mind that many general practicing dentists do not do specialty work such as dental surgery. As a result, it may be important for you to understand the different roles and types of dentists out there today. Here are some examples:

	Orthodontist: Prescribes and places corrective devices, such as braces, to align teeth and improve heath and appearance
	Endodonist: Works with patients in regards to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and injuries of the internal soft tissue of the tooth
	Maxillofacial Surgeon: Treats injuries and deformities. This specialist also extracts teeth and performs surgery of the mouth, jaw, and face
	Pediatric Dentist: For those with small children, this specialist deals with the dental health of children from birth to adolescence
	Periodontist: Treats diseases of the gums and helps prevent tooth loss

Get to know your dentist

Familiarize yourself with what type of dentist you and your family will need. There are many online directories and helpful tips on where to find the right dentist for you. Protect your teeth – find yourself a dentist you can trust.

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For those people who dread visits to the dentist, the future looks bright. There have been many recent advancements in dental technology that may make visits to the dentist a thing of the past. While eliminating the dentist for surgery may be impossible, there are at least advancements in technology to help cut back on those visits for teeth cleaning and other maintenance. There are several new and exciting products entering the market today that will make taking care of your teeth easy and free of hassle.

Who Needs Toothpaste?

With so many different toothbrushes on the market today (electric toothbrushes, buzzing toothbrushes etc.) how could anyone improve on the already abundant toothbrush market? Well, the latest and greatest toothbrush to emerge from Japan is called the ‘natural toothbrush’.

This toothbrush is different: there is no fluoride toothpaste needed; instead, the manual toothbrush uses a special metal inserts in the head of the toothbrush to provide extra ionic cleaning power. These two dissimilar pieces of metal, copper, and magnesium create a small electrical thermocouple. Then, when the saliva in the mouth electrically connects the two metals, the connection between the two becomes complete. In the end, the electric potential created by combining precious and base metals in the toothbrush helps provide better plaque removal than conventional toothbrushes.

Are You A Toothpaste Lover?

The no-paste brush may be for you it you love the feeling of toothpaste on your teeth. Yet, future of dental technology can still have some surprises for you. Do you like curry? If so, you’re in for a real treat. Scientists are working hard right now, according to the BBC, on a curry-flavoured toothpaste. This is just one of the many exciting new flavours.

For those people looking for more practical uses of toothpaste, scientists are working on toothpaste that cleans your teeth as well as a dentist does. According to scientists, future toothpastes may work so well that you won’t be able to notice a difference between brushing your teeth and visiting the dentist.

Fluoride Treatment or Visit to the Candy Store?

For many people, fluoride treatments are a horrible-tasting experience. Today, however, a different story is emerging. Ever aware of the difficulties associated with fluoride, dental scientists have developed so many flavours of dental fluoride that it has almost become a candy store of fluoride. Whether it’s bubble-gum, butterscotch, peppermint, candy apple, chocolate, or vanilla, fluoride isn’t quite what it used to be. Many dentists already have these different flavours into place and allow their patients to select their favourite.

When you are at your next visit to the dentist, if they do not have a selection of flavours, ask them if they would start – it will make your cleaning experience a whole lot better.

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Health care fraud deprives UK citizens of their money and their health. These scam artists are interested in taking your money by taking advantage of your unawareness. From small-time crooks to large organized operations, it is important to understand what types of scams are out there and what you can do to prevent yourself from becoming a victim.

Miracle Health Cures

Although some “too-good-to-be-true” products are almost laughable in their absurdity, there are some ‘miracle health cures’ that can be very convincing and deceptive. Many of these slick scam artists offer pills, lotions, and other products that will supposedly cure baldness, impotency, and other ailments. However, in many situations they have not been properly tested or proven medically effective by a recognized medical journal.

Many of these medically ineffective or dangerous products are often sold by fraud artists with no medical training. These con artists use fake testimonials from customers who are often lying. Don’t be misled by fraudsters; protect yourself using the following tips:

	Always be sceptical about claims that a product contains a special or ‘ancient’ formula that will provide instant cures
	Be wary of items that are available only by mail
	Don’t believe false claims that the medical establishment is ‘hiding’ a scientific breakthrough
	Ask yourself: Does this sound realistic? If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is
	Consult with your doctor or pharmacist before you buy any medicine over the internet

Be Aware, Be Vigilant

The best way to fight health scams is to be aware and beware. There are certain patterns that many fraudsters use in order to steal your money. Always be aware of the common language associated with health scams:

	‘Natural, Time-Tested Guarantee’
	‘Money-back guarantee’: This is probably not going to happen – purveyors of fraudulent products rarely stay in the same place for long. Because consumers won’t be able to find them, the marketers can afford to be generous with their guarantees
	‘Hunger Stimulation Point (HSP)’: Watch out for jargon that doesn’t make any sense – it’s usually associated with someone trying to deceive you

Health Care Fraud: In the News

Health care fraud doesn’t just exist within the small-time scam artists. There are huge health care frauds taking place every day that involve a large operation. In fact, health care fraud is one of the most challenging concerns to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in the UK.

Recently, nine people and five companies were charge with conspiracy to defraud the NHS over drug prices and supply. The criminal case involved the drug warfarin and several penicillin-based antibiotics. The SFO alleged that the these people were involved in price-fixing scams that happened between 1996 and 2000 – involving money in upwards of £150 million. The reason that this is such a concern is because the annual sale of all drugs – both generic and branded – to the NHS was just over 10 £ Billion.

Even the NHS can be a victim, so always pay attention to scams – it may just stop you from being another statistic.

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Do you completely understand your health plan? If not, you’re not alone. Many people throughout the UK do not fully understand the benefits or limitations of their health coverage.

Most importantly, however, is that people simply are not aware of the questions they should be asking when it comes to understanding their health plan. Although NHS provides useful information on their website, it is important to understand what questions you need to directly ask your doctor or health plan associate.

Helpful Resources

There are many resources available to you online that will allow you to find the information you’re looking for. The NHS website (www.NHS.uk), for example, can help you find all of your health related questions. On their website you can find:

	The latest information on UK health stories
	Information regarding health promotion
	Reference guides to show you how the NHS works and which services are provided
	Guides to treating health problems in your own home
	Useful information on illness, treatments, and where to go if you require help

The large quantities of useful health care knowledge online will help you with many of the basic concerns or questions you have regarding your health plan.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

The best resource for most of your healthcare questions is your doctor. If you don’t have a family doctor, get one. The UK has some of the hardest working, most dedicated doctors in the world – and they are interested in helping answer any questions you may have. It is important to come prepared with questions for your doctor, in order to pinpoint exactly your concerns. Here is a list of helpful questions to consider when visiting your doctor:

	Am I required to help with healthcare costs?
	Do I have a right to a second opinion?
	Do I have the right to refuse treatment?
	How do I access my health records?
	How do I get a referral to see an NHS specialist?
	What can affect the way I receive NHS treatment?
	When do I have to pay for NHS treatment?

All of these questions are critical to understanding your healthcare plan. There are many services available to you, through NHS and your own healthcare plan, that will allow you to be better informed. Also, make sure that your doctor explains to you, clearly, all of the things you need to know before making a critical decision regarding your or your family’s health.

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Everyone understands the importance of proper dental care – for example, brushing your teeth has become an everyday aspect of your life. Yet, dentists are still struggling against a war with bacteria and tooth decay. If everyone’s brushing twice a day, how can there be a problem?

To avoid difficulties associated with visits to the dentist, it is important to maintain a proper dental hygiene schedule. In fact, by becoming pro-active in your dental care you will avoid making unnecessary extra trips to the dentist, which can save you a lot of money.

Tips to Protect Your Teeth

Before making any significant changes to your dental routine you should always ask your dentist to see what is most appropriate for you. Here are some helpful tips to consider when you brush your teeth:

	Use a soft-bristled brush: Make sure you replace your toothbrush every two to three months to make sure your toothbrush is working at its optimal level
	After a cold: always replace your toothbrush if you’ve been fighting a cold – the toothbrush will merely collect germs and bacteria that you need to get rid of
	Place bristles at a 45 degree angle to the gum line: make sure you slide the tips of the brush under the gums
	Brush your tongue: the tongue is a favourite place for germs that cause bad breath – by brushing your tongue you will help freshen your breath for others!
	Brush at least twice a day: Many dentists agree, brushing your teeth on a regular basis will prevent dental problems in the future
	Take your time: make sure, when brushing your teeth, to take the time to do a proper job. Brushing your teeth should take at least three minutes
	Don’t brush too hard: if you brush your teeth too hard, your gums can recede and expose root surfaces. This can also wear down tooth structure – which could ultimately lead to tooth sensitivity

Do you floss?

If you’re one of the many people who admit to their dentist that they don’t floss, you should reconsider! Flossing helps prevent tooth decay and removes items from between your teeth so that your toothbrush can get at. Here are some tips to consider when you are flossing your teeth:

	Hold the floss tightly, but not too tightly
	Don’t snap the floss into your teeth, as this can cut the gums
	Be gentle: gently scrape the side of the tooth with the floss
	When the floss is at the gumline, curve the floss against one tooth, and gently slide it into the space between the gun and the tooth
	Repeat this flossing technique with all of your teeth

Brushing and flossing your teeth will help you to limit extra trips to the dentist and ensure that you have a better experience at each check-up. Your teeth and your wallet will thank you.

Tags: Dental care, Dentist, General Health and Health Cover, Health Care Cover, Health Insurance, Pru, Pru Health, Teeth, Treatment