Canadian Dental insurance

Do You want to know more about your dental insurance? What kind of options are out?

This is a rather large topic. We are writting just a snippet of an overview to help people being to understand their dental heal insurence options. The adoption of the Canadian Health Act in 1984 meant Canadians across the country were given access to basic health services. There were some notable exemptions against the vast array of services offered most especially dental. Canadians either pay out of pocket for dental services or contribute to a health plan. These plans are acquired through a group plan from employers or personally.

According to the latest Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), 62% of Canadian have private dental insurance. This means that a third of Canadians do NOT have dental insurance. For families in the lower income brackets in British Columbia, who qualify for MSP premium assistance, they have access to the Healthy Kids program which covers $1400 of basic dental services every two years.

Shifting towards private health insurance options, Pacific Blue Cross has a stand-alone dental insurance that lower cost monthly but only covers 60% of cost for the first year. Though this coverage increases to 80% by the third year. The rate starts at $29 for a single person to $96 for a family. Comparing insurance quotes is not the focus of this article.

       

There is no one-size-fits-all approach since everyone is in a unique situation. Each family needs to evaluate how their budget can fit the plan as well as emergencies. Comparing the monthly cost to the coverage stated in the plan will help families decide. Some plans may be more expensive monthly but have no wait time before they are enacted which may be helpful depending on the circumstances. Thankfully insurances websites make it easy to have multiple quotes open so families can quickly compare and find the best plan for them.

By Homer Dental

Mercury A HeavyMetal and A Poison. Should We Still Be Using Mercury Fillings?

Mercury A HeavyMetal and A Poison. 

Should We Still Be Using Mercury Fillings?

Do you still have Mercury fillings in your teeth?  Heavy metals–like mercury are toxic to our bodies. High levels of mercury can contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle pain, twitches, insomnia and anxiety to name a few. In the past 100 years Mercury levels have dramatically increased in the environment. Industrialization was a major contributing factor.

Mercury is lipophilic, which means that it concentrates in fatty tissues. As the brain is mostly fatty tissue Mercury seems to concentrate there. Inorganic mercury from dental fillings (amalgams) can affect and does affect the body once this mercury is in your body it is primarily distributed in the kidneys and brain. Although mercury can be dispelled from the body it has an affinity for sulfur-containing molecules and can bind to them causing a build up in the fatty tissue.

Mercury from silver dental fillings (amalgam) is constantly absorbed into your body from chewing, brushing, grinding, and even slow corrosion. There is a large question about these silver fillings causing toxic levels of mercury in our bodies. Mercury has a long half life and sticks around for up to 18 years after fillings have been removed from the body. The American Dental Association states that the use of amalgam fillings is   safe. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) believes old mercury fillings (removed from the body) are toxic waste and therefore, has to be disposed of in such a way as not to contaminate landfills.  So mercury fillings our mouths are still considered a normal practice but they cannot be throwing in the garbage due to safety concerns. That doesn't seem to make sense.

Research forces us to question the safety of certain types of fillings.  Silver filling can be removed safely and effectively if done by a trained dentist. Have you asked your doctor about your mercury fillings and if so, what was their response?

Contact us with any questions 

www.homerdental.com

604-408-2408

homerdental@shawcable.com

References

(i) Lindh U. Removal of dental amalgam and other metal alloys supported by antioxidant therapy alleviates symptoms and improves quality of life in patients with amalgam-associated ill health. Neuroendocrinology Letters 2002; 23(5/6):459-482.

(iv) Prochazkova, J., et al. The beneficial effect of amalgam replacement on health in patients with autoimmunity. Neuroendocrinology Letters. 2004; 25(3): 211-218.

(v) Stejskal, J. and Stejskal, V. The role of metals in autoimmunity and the link to neuroendocrinology.Neuroendocrinology Letters.1999; 20: 351-364.

http://drhyman.com/blog/2010/05/20/mercury-get-this-poison-out-of-your-body/

http://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/dental/preventing-treating-common-dental-problems

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_restoration

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/procedures/fillings/article/what-is-a-filling

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dentistry

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/toothache/article_em.htm

https://www.deltadental.com/Public/Dentists/Dentists.jsp

http://blogs.cbn.com/healthyliving/archive/2010/03/19/mercury-in-our-bodies.aspx

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/f/fillings-silver-colored

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DentalProducts/DentalAmalgam/ucm171094.htm

Improved Technology: Visiting your 

Dentist in the 21st century

As summer ends and school starts up again it is time to catch up on your to-do list. Visiting the dentist for your bi-annual cleaning and checkup is a great way to check on your overall health as well as maintaining your smile and oral health. Technology is at the centre of how your dentist makes your visit comfortable and quick.

Long gone are the days of pulling teeth to fix your toothache. Dentistry continues to evolve every year so that adults barely recognize the dentist’s office from their youth. Improvements in preventative care, sedation, pain relief, cosmetics, and restorations revolutionize nearly every procedure so that more reliable and safer than ever imagined. Even visiting 123 Dentist clinic has improved from check-in to transferring your files.

Your Teeth before Retirement

The easiest way to have good oral health in the future is to take care of them now. Flossing once a blue moon and skipping brushing once a day are habits that you need to change now. Taking care of them presently means they will be within your twilight years. Watch out more damaging your enamel, keeping gum disease in check, and keeping receding gums in check.

Dry Mouth: Lack of saliva can be a factor of some medical conditions such as diabetes and cancer treatments. It is also normal to lose saliva as you age which can cause other dental issues

Darkened teeth: A lifetime of staining food and drink will show their effects over time and change the dentin

Diminished taste: Medications, diseases, and other effects of aging can change your taste

Root Decay: While not a new problem it becomes more difficult to manage as you aged. This is especially if you did not take care of your teeth when you were younger.

Gum Disease: Plaque buildup means decay and receding gums. This can lead to loose teeth with means

Tooth Loss: Take care of them or lose them. It is that simple.

Oral Health for Seniors: Your Teeth beyond Retirement

Getting older is something we all experience and people are living longer than ever. This means you need to keep your teeth maintenance more rigorous to keep your oral health up through your longer and fuller life. For the most part, dental health is slowly increasing vigilance rather than an abrupt change at some particular age. Just like diet and exercise, oral health is important to have healthy and rich life.

Contact us if you have any questions

www.homerdental.com

604-408-2408

homerdental@shawcable.com