AFFORDABLE CARE ACT'S DENTAL COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN LOSES ITS BITE

Photo by NJSSpotlight

Dental care for children was supposed to be one of the basic benefits that all health insurance plans would have to cover under the Affordable Care Act.

But a change in the rules means that the coverage is now optional and that many families will have to pay extra if they want dental plans for their kids.

“It was originally included as one of 10 essential healthcare benefits, but it seems to have evolved into being a ‘non-essential’ essential benefit,” said Arthur Meisel, executive director of the New Jersey Dental Association.

When the law was approved in 2010, it listed pediatric dental care as an “essential” benefit.

But last year, when the federal Department of Health and Human Services explained how the ACA would actually be implemented, the agency issued a rule allowing insurance companies in New Jersey and most other states to leave out pediatric dental coverage.

Dental coverage has almost always been offered through separate, stand-alone insurance plans,rather than directly by medical insurers.

Some of those same dental insurers lobbied to be allowed to sell their stand-alone plans on the new healthcare exchanges, a right they won in an amendment sponsored by Sen. Deborah Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat.

However, the amendment did not require federal subsidies to help people pay for the stand-alone dental plans, which could have increased the cost of the ACA law. In addition, the amendment could have resulted in low-income Americans being hit with a tax penalty for not buying separate dental coverage for their kids, despite the lack of subsidies.

So the HHS decided that, in states like New Jersey that use the federal healthcare exchange, parents would face no penalties if they didn’t buy pediatric dental plans, effectively making the coverage optional.

The decision to separate out pediatric dental also followed lobbying by insurance companies that wanted to keep premiums affordable while including the range of benefits required by the law.

“It's the age-old question of comprehensiveness versus affordability,” said Wardell Sanders, president and CEO of the New Jersey Association of Health Plans. “There's certainly a strong case for folks having dental coverage, and dental health is clearly connected to your physical health. It does cost more money to have the dental benefits, too.”

Meisel said the impact on how many people will sign up for pediatric dental coverage is still unclear. Dental insurer United Concordia, which operates nationwide, says it has sold “several thousand” plans in the state so far.

“We’ve actually seen the greatest enrollment for us in the New Jersey marketplace,” said Kurt Shook, the company’s director of core partnerships. “We’ve seen a lot of interest in New Jersey for pediatric, and frankly our adult stand-alone dental products as well.”

Healthcare experts said many lower-income families who need subsidies will not be affected because they will be directed to NJ FamilyCare, which provides Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage, and includes dental insurance for all participants.

NJ FamilyCare covers children in families that earn up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level, which amounts to $82,425 a year for a family of four. Under the ACA’s Medicaid expansion, the program also covers adults with income below 138 percent of the poverty level, or $31,322 for a family of four.

However, no help is available for families who earn more than 350 percent of the federal poverty level. For example, a family of four earning $83,000 would have to pay at least $672 a year, in addition to their medical premiums, for dental coverage for two children on New Jersey’s exchange, based on the lowest-cost policies offered.

“NJ Family Care is one package of coverage, and pediatric dental is there,” Sanders said. “So I think a lot of this discussion is probably more about folks in higher income brackets than lower income brackets.”

Federal subsidies to buy health insurance are available to families with income below 400 percent of the poverty level, which amounts to $94,200 for a family of four. But under an IRS rule issued last year, the subsidy calculation, which depends on both income and the cost of insurance, does not consider the added cost of stand-alone dental plans.

When the ACA was being crafted, health advocates pushed for pediatric dental coverage. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, and untreated cavities can cause pain, school absences, difficulty concentrating and other problems. In rare cases, untreated dental problems have contributed to deaths of children.

Under New Jersey’s rules, dental plans for children up to age 19 cover the full cost of oral exams and cleanings twice a year. They also offer full or partial coverage of x-rays, fluoride treatment, fillings, root canals, extractions and emergency care. Orthodontics are generally covered only if deemed medically necessary. Benefits are based on the benchmark plan selected by the state, in this case the NJ FamilyCare CHIP plan.

By 2018, an additional 181,000 children in New Jersey could gain dental coverage compared to the number enrolled in 2010, according to projections by the American Dental Association. About 66,000 of those would have coverage purchased through the exchange and 34,000 through NJ Family Care. Another 81,000 would gain coverage as their parents obtain dental coverage through employer-sponsored health insurance.

While the law does not mandate adult dental coverage, expanded Medicaid does provide dental insurance for all participants, and other adults are expected to voluntarily buy coverage. Some 201,000 more adults could have dental insurance by 2018, with 181,000 enrolling in NJ Family Care and 19,000 getting insurance through the exchange, according to the ADA.

Insurers are allowed to offer pediatric dental benefits embedded in their medical plans, but those in the marketplace for New Jersey do not, instead offering add-on coverage or allowing customers to opt for stand-alone dental plans. AmeriHealth New Jersey, one of the three insurers offering medical plans in the marketplace, sells coverage provided by United Concordia at an additional charge.

“We’re giving people the choice to enable them to make the best selection for them, and for them to have an understanding of what the costs are,” said Mike Munoz, AmeriHealth’s senior vice president for sales and marketing.

Stand-alone dental plans for children that are offered by United Concordia and Dentegra cost $28 to $51 a month on the marketplace, with more expensive plans covering a greater portion of costs or offering additional benefits, according to data from Healthcare.gov. The companies also offer adult dental coverage.

On their own websites the insurers offer less expensive dental plans, which are not certified to be sold on the exchange and may have less generous benefits, fewer in-network dentists or other differences. For example, AmeriHealth offers one stand-alone United Concordia plan for $14 a month.

Insurers say allowing stand-alone dental plans in the exchanges preserves competition, giving consumers options other than their medical insurer’s offering.

But the decision to not include the cost of pediatric dental in subsidy calculations has drawn fire from legislators and insurers, who have asked the federal government to change the policy.

“That would certainly make the dental benefits more affordable for more Americans, so we're very supportive of that effort,” Shook said. “There have been conversations with various parties to encourage the IRS to do that.”

One other nuance of the law, which Shook called a “drafting error” in the ACA, has also caused confusion, even among experts on the legislation.

Americans are not required to buy stand-alone dental plans, according to the HHS. But when insurers sell policies off-exchange — as AmeriHealth and others do on their websites — they are required to offer pediatric dental. And if a parent buying a plan off-exchange declines to buy pediatric dental at the same time, the parent must give the insurer “reasonable assurance” that he or she is buying the dental coverage elsewhere.

It is unclear whether that means the parent has to provide the medical insurer with a copy of the pediatric dental policy, or is allowed to fib about having bought it elsewhere. The state Department of Banking and Insurance did not immediately respond to an email requesting clarification.

Seton Hall University health law professor John V. Jacobi, who has testified before the state Legislature on legal issues related to the ACA, described the pediatric dental coverage situation as “a mess.”

Read more:  http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/01/20/change-in-aca-rules-means-fewer-kids-will-have-dental-coverage/

Tips to Help Kids Form Healthy Dental Habits

Oral care and cavity prevention are crucial for overall health, and getting kids to put that knowledge into practice is a must. With National Children’s Dental Health Month occurring this February, it’s a great time to motivate kids to take better care of their smiles with these top teeth tips:

Good Practices

The Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives recommends brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day. If you aren’t able to brush between meals, swishing water is a great way to help reduce bacteria that can build up.

When choosing toothpaste, look for the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance to indicate it has been rigorously tested for cavity protection.

Take a minute to check what’s inside your toothpaste. Many contain ingredients like artificial sweeteners, dyes or preservatives on the label. If you prefer a more natural option, Tom’s of Maine makes the top-selling natural kids toothpaste without any artificial ingredients and no animal testing.

Encourage kids to make healthy nutritional choices that promote good dental health, including calcium-rich foods like yogurt, cheese, almonds, oatmeal, and oranges. While skipping all sweets may not be realistic, encourage kids to limit sugary beverages and candy, and to brush after treats.

Get Creative, Give Back

A new free downloadable coloring book called “Brushing Fun,” is now available to help introduce kids to healthy habits. Each free download will trigger a donation of 10 tubes of Tom’s of Maine Wicked Cool! natural toothpaste to Oral Health America (OHA), a non-profit dedicated to increasing access to oral health care, education and advocacy for all Americans.   “Brushing can be fun and it’s never too early to talk with your kids about their oral health, or too late to try to help shape healthy habits,” says Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom’s of Maine.

The coloring book, which can be personalized with a child’s name, offers games, puzzles, tips and facts about oral care, as well as a story that encourages kids to appreciate nature. To show off your family’s creativity, share a page from the coloring book using the hashtag #NaturalSmiles on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for   a chance to win a natural oral care gift pack and Utretch Art Store gift card. The free coloring book is available for download at www.TomsofMaine.com.

Go Natural

While you’re caring for your teeth, don’t forget to also take care of the earth. According to the EPA, by turning off the tap while you brush your teeth in the morning and before bedtime, you can save up to eight gallons of water! Parents and kids can also visit www.terracycle to learn how to recycle or upcycle toothpaste tubes.

It’s simple to show kids that a healthy smile is an important component of overall health. These smart oral health habits can last a lifetime.

Photo Credit: (c) Oksana Kuzmina - Fotolia.com

Source: http://scoopsandiego.com/online_features/health_and_wellness/tips-to-help-kids-form-healthy-dental-habits/article_d7d94004-5c52-5066-a9d1-359d979636b6.html

Tips For Keeping Your Child's Visit To The Dentist A Safe One

While going to the dentist is vital because oral health affects overall health, parents should be aware of specific precautions to take to protect their children during visits to the dentist and orthodontist.

There are a number of infection control measures that should be standard in every office for every patient:

• Dental and orthodontic professionals should wash their hands and put on fresh gloves and a new mask before beginning work in the mouth.

• All single-use items should be disposed of. If offices reuse these items, they risk the possibility of spreading disease.

• After every patient, the treatment area and all equipment should be cleaned and disinfected with a hospital-grade disinfectant, not just household cleaner. Plastic barriers should cover as much equipment as possible.

There is equipment customized for kids that can create a safe and comfortable environment for ju-nior patients. “One key to encouraging children’s participation at dental and orthodontic checkups is to make the experience more pleasant and less scary,” says Noel Brandon-Kelsch, a registered dental hygienist and the infection control columnist for RDH magazine. She suggests parents make a few simple requests of their dental and orthodontic professional:

• Request a disposable bib clip for your child. Metal bib clips are cold on the neck and can harbor bacteria. Researchers at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and the Forsyth Institute found that 20 to 30 percent of bib clips still had bacteria on them even after being disinfected. The same study found that bib clips from orthodontic offices had 11/2 to two times as many bacteria on them as clips from an endodontic dental clinic before disinfection. The researchers speculated that young patients might be more prone than older ones to touch the bib clip during treatment. A disposable bib clip is guaranteed to be bacteria-free.

• It’s imperative to make sure your child receives an X-ray apron with a built-in thyroid guard to use during X-rays. Although there is no specific research indicating a correlation between thyroid cancer and dental and orthodontic X-rays, according to the American Cancer Society, people who receive head or neck radiation treatments in childhood are at increased risk for thyroid cancer. Built-in thyroid collars are required to shield the thyroid from unnecessary radiation during X-rays of the mouth. Recent innovations in the design of X-ray aprons have also made them lead-free, and thus 30 percent lighter than leaded aprons while offering the same level of protection. Brandon-Kelsch adds, “Parents should request a kid-sized X-ray apron that covers small bodies appropriately. The apron should be clean and not have any tears or creases that would compromise the protective layer of the apron.”



Source: http://www.yumanewsnow.com/index.php/news/health/5083-tips-for-keeping-your-child-s-visit-to-the-dentist-a-safe-one

Children's dental coverage included in health law — but questions remain

Image by TimeFreePress

This is the second in an occasional series on the 10 essential health benefits required by the Affordable Care Act.

A child's poor dental health can start a domino effect of decay.

It is not uncommon for chronic toothaches to hurt children's school performance, says Dr. Jonathan Jackson, a pediatric dentist and executive director of the Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

And oral decay can create larger health problems.

"That's why it's so important to get these kids access to care," Jackson said. "It's just not a luxury."

Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease -- five times more prevalent than asthma.

But until this year, pediatric dental insurance coverage had to be purchased on separate health plans, at additional cost.

"We still have a situation where about half the kids entering kindergarten experience tooth decay," said Colin Reusch, the senior policy analyst at the Children's Dental Health Project, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit organization. "Oral health is integral to overall health. The mouth is part of the body. If you don't have coverage for that part of the body, your coverage is lacking."

The Affordable Care Act is intended to help cover that particular gap -- but questions remain about how that coverage will fit in with other benefits.

Pediatric dental insurance, together with children's vision coverage, is listed as one of the 10 "essential health benefits" new health insurance plans must include as of 2014. The coverage includes basic or preventive services, like teeth cleaning, X-rays and fillings.

Major plans in Tennessee and Georgia are now offering pediatric dental insurance bundled with new medical plans being offered both on and off the new health insurance marketplace, which could pave the way for thousands of children in both states to have dental insurance for the first time.

But not all insurance plans are offering the coverage in the same way, Reusch explains.

Unlike the other essential benefits like maternity care and pediatric vision care, children's dental coverage can be sold on the marketplace as a stand-alone plan. That means not all insurers will package the benefit in their new medical plans after all.

While the law requires insurance companies to offer the benefits, it does not require families to purchase them-- effectively making the "essential" benefit an optional one.

"A family can purchase a plan that doesn't include dental, and still not be able to purchase stand-alone coverage," Reusch said.

The loophole means stand-alone coverage may not be eligible for the tax credits and cost-sharing offered for plans bought on the new marketplace.

States have been given leeway to determine how the dental benefit is handled. Several have required families with children to purchase the coverage. Other states have required insurers not to bundle it with their other medical coverage.

But most states, including Tennessee and Georgia, are allowing insurers to offer both, state officials said.

"As long as there is one stand-alone pediatric dental plan, insurers do not have to embed pediatric dental into their policies to fulfill that benefit," said Kate Abernathy, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

Though the state does not require it, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee opted to embed children's dental insurance in all of its new individual and small group plans.

Cigna, the other Tennessee insurer offering insurance on the marketplace in the Chattanooga area, also is offering a "bundled pediatric dental benefit," as well as stand-alone dental plans. Across state lines, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia is doing the same.

Alliant Health Care, the other North Georgia insurer on the marketplace, did not return requests for comment.

David Yoder, vice president of Chattanooga insurance broker American Exchange -- which specializes in the new marketplace and has national reach -- said the majority of the plans his company has encountered include pediatric dental coverage bundled in the regular health plan.

"We don't have people who call seeking it out specifically, but when I tell them it's included in their health plan, they are often very excited," Yoder said. "It is fantastic for parents who previously faced paying $13.50 or more a month for dental insurance for their kids, and they just couldn't afford the extra expense."

But Yoder also hears from people who complain that pediatric dental is included on their prospective plans. They don't need it, they say, and they don't want it included in their costs.

The law does not change how dental and vision insurance works for adults. Those services will still require supplemental insurance.

And grandfathered plans -- purchased before March 23, 2010 -- do not have to include the essential benefits like pediatric dental care.

Current plans that are nongrandfathered do not include the added benefits at this time -- but members will "eventually need to switch to a new plan with benefits and coverage to meet the law's requirements," said BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee spokeswoman Mary Danielson.

It's still too early to make a call on how the changing coverage structure will impact children's dental health across the nation, said Reusch.

The American Dental Association had originally estimated that 8.7 million children could gain dental coverage through the Affordable Care Act -- about a third of those through marketplace plans, a third through Medicaid, and a third through employer-provided plans.

But that was before it was determined that the benefit would be mandatory; now that number is not so clear.

"We expect that we'll see a significant expansion in dental coverage for kids under the ACA despite these complications," Reusch said. "But it's hard to say until we start seeing enrollment numbers."


Source: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/jan/17/childrens-dental-coverage-included-in-health/

Oil Pulling Heals Gums & Whitens Teeth, Naturally

When I first read about oil-pulling, it set off just about every skeptic alarm bell in my brain. See, I’m a hippie, tried and true. I was raised by hippies and spent my childhood burning sage in dry river beds while dancing to the rhythmic pulse of a spiritual drum circle.

But now I’m all grown up, and as it turns out, I’m a scientist. So I love my natural, holistic, alternative therapies. But I need them to make good logical sense, too.

And when I first read about oil pulling? Well, it didn’t make so much sense.

Oil pulling is the ancient Ayurvedic technique that basically involved swishing a tablespoon of cold-pressed oil around in your mouth every morning for 20 minutes. Because purportedly, this swishing will pull the “toxins” out from all over your body, drawing them into the oil and therefore cleansing your whole system. Which heals your gums and whitens your teeth. Because the oil pulls the “toxins” out of your tongue.

So, no. That doesn’t make any sense.

But at the time I was investigating all this, I was pretty desperate. I’d just had a baby, and that had left me with pregnancy-induced gingivitis (which occurs in roughly 50% of pregnant women). My gums would sometimes bleed, and my teeth were super sensitive. And due to an out of control coffee and green juice habit, my teeth were abysmally stained.

So yes, I was desperate. And that desperation led me to dig deeper. I read testimony after testimony of people who had restored their oral health using oil pulling, and I just couldn’t help but wonder. Was there something to this? Was there something more, maybe something scientifically sound, going on there?

Yes! What I finally found, to my delight, was a totally plausible explanation of how oil pulling might actually impact oral health in a positive way. Essentially, a rational explanation for all these amazing and seemingly-mystical results. It goes like this:

Plaque accumulates along the base of your teeth, causing little pockets to form under your gums. These pockets become home to harmful bacteria. The bacteria produce toxins (real ones, not “woo woo” mystical ones) that irritate your gums, causing inflammation and bleeding. This is gingivitis. It’s basically a factory of toxicity in your mouth, happily tucked away up under your gums, overloading your immune system with bacterial exotoxins and endotoxins every single time you swallow.

And how does oil pulling fit in? Well, that’s an interesting question.

It appears that the key to successful oil pulling is in the duration of the swishing. See, oil is viscous, so it’s “sticky.” And it spreads. Given enough time (like, say, a full 20 minutes), it will slowly seep all the way up into those bacteria-filled pockets. Tooth brush bristles can’t get up there. Toothpaste is foamy and runny, not sticky at all, so it won’t get up there. Mouthwash isn’t viscous at all. But oil – oil creeps into every nook and cranny. It seeps in everywhere, and then as you swish, it’s drawn back out. Oil pulling is the only way to reach, and dislodge, those harmful bacteria that are buried so deeply under your gum line.

You want to know the best part? Science agrees! Oil pulling leads to a reduction in oral bacteria: See here and here.

So, are we dealing with mystic body detoxification? Or simply a sticky oil that’s able to go where no cleanser has gone before? Or maybe a better question – does it really even matter?

I was curious enough and convinced enough to give oil pulling a try, and I am so glad that I did. Oil pulling completely cleared up my gingivitis, and it absolutely whitened my teeth, all in under two months. I could hardly believe it!

But I couldn’t deny it.

So whether you’re a tried-and-true crystal twinkie, or a die hard rationalistic skeptic, it doesn’t really matter. If you want to improve your oral health, then oil pulling can help you. Period.

How to Try Oil Pulling:

• Every morning, first thing in the morning, before brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth out, measure one tablespoon of virgin cold-pressed sesame, coconut, sunflower, or olive oil (sesame and coconut are the most reputed).
• Swish this oil around in your mouth, letting it pass over your tongue, your gums, and all your teeth, and trying your best to move it between each tooth, for a full 20 minutes. I usually do this while I make breakfast and get dressed.
• The oil will turn white and frothy. Don’t gargle it or you’ll risk swallowing it. When the 20 minutes is up, spit it all out.
• Gargle, preferably with salt water, and thoroughly rinse your mouth out. Brush your teeth as normal. Go about your day.
• Repeat daily for a minimum of 30 days, but ideally 45-60 days.

Good luck, and here’s to your oral health!



Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/oil-pulling-heals-gums-whitens-teeth-naturally.html#ixzz2qI3tvxUy

PREHISTORIC TEETH SHOW ROTTEN ORAL HEALTH

Stone Age hunter-gatherers could've used some toothpaste. 

The rise of tooth decay in humans is normally associated with the beginning of agriculture around 12,000 years ago. During this time, known as the Holocene Period, people started to consume more carbohydrate- and sugar-heavy diets.

However, in a recent study of Stone Age human mouths dating between 15,000 to 13,700 years ago, archeologists discovered some of the earliest evidence for widespread tooth decay. The findings revealed that cavities were common much earlier than researchers previously believed.

The skeletons were recovered from Grotte des Pigeons, a Moroccan cave, by a team of researchers from the Natural History Museum in London. The group examined the jaw remains of 52 adults who were buried together in the cave. All but three had severe cavities. As decay goes hand in hand with other oral health problems like gum disease and constant dry mouth, we can only imagine how bad their breath might've been.

This frequency of dental caries were comparable to that of modern societies with diets full of refined sugars.

"This evidence predates the first signs of food production by several thousand years," reads the study, which was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The Agricultural Revolution heralded a new method of processing wheat and barley into sugar-rich foods, such as bread and porridge. Although many of us can't imagine the existence of food without a simple loaf of bread, the Holocene Period is when our wheaty staple came about, putting a dent in humans' oral health. But this new study highlights that humans suffered from decay thousands of years before this.

"This is the first time we've seen such bad oral health in a pre-agricultural population," Isabelle De Groote, who co-authored the report, told New Scientist. "These people's mouths were often affected by both cavities in the teeth and abscesses, and they would have suffered from frequent toothache."

So, the big question is: What were these hunters and gatherers eating? According to the study, the early North Africans likely consumed wild plants, such as acorns and pine nuts. 

"We infer that increased reliance on wild plants rich in fermentable carbohydrates and changes in food processing caused an early shift toward a disease-associated oral microbiota in this population," the authors explained to the International Business Times. "A heavy reliance on certain plant foods well before people started to rely on cultivated plants could, in certain circumstances, lead to significant [tooth decay] levels."  

Long story short, the hunter-gatherers were in some serious need of cavity treatments and dry mouth solutions.


Source: http://www.therabreath.com/articles/blog/fresh-breath-happenings/prehistoric-teeth-show-rotten-oral-health-32426.asp

Tips to help you be your best in 2014

If you, like many, are looking to create a new you for the new year, Anna Griffin, editor-in-chief of Coco Eco Magazine, says you needs to start on the inside.

From the inside out
The first step in getting to a healthier you is finding yourself a routine to follow. For your diet, instead of fueling your day with the carbohydrates that are weighing you down, like cereal, bagels and even fresh "green" juice, splurge on protein packed shakes like David Kirsch's Sculpting Green Drink. This delicious shake offers a filling and healthy meal that clocks in at under 225 calories with 25g of protein.

A healthy routine
GoodMouth.com, a subscription-based toothbrush delivery service dedicated to improving health and preventing disease, offers a subscription-based service that regularly delivers fresh toothbrushes perfectly for less than $3 a month! The company also gives back, with every subscription purchased the Giving Goodness program donates two brushes or the equivalent in dental care to someone in need through healthcare nonprofits.

Jump start - shrink to fit
This lower-body firming serum by Soap and Glory called, Sit Tight ($38 at Sephora and www.sephora.com) battles the bulge while you sit! Formulated with an exclusive, patented, pressure-sensitive microsphere technology that releases more caffeine when you're stuck sitting down, this is a must-have product for anyone with desk jobs or anyone who spends a lot of time balanced on their bottoms. 
   
Wardrobe essentials
Build a strong foundation of timeless pieces this new year by incorporating must have items that can be paired with almost anything in your closet for a timeless wardrobe. For must have items, you can splurge a bit on great items with true materials that will last you for years.

The perfect up-do'
2014 will see its fair share of the up-do trend. Stick with the classics, for the effortlessly chic look. The Conair® Bun Maker ($5 at mass retailers nationwide) is soft, lightweight and comfortable, with all-day hold. It's so easy to create a bun - just gather your hair into a ponytail, slide the donut-shaped form to the base, spread your hair around it and pin for a fresh take on the traditional bun. And of course, the sleek ponytail - Conair Perfect Pony 4 PC Kit ($5 at mass retailers nationwide) creates volume and lift for your ponytail and is made for all hair types, is easy to use, secure and comfortable. 

Spa day, every day
Everyday stressors from both your personal life and professional life have such high demands - making no \\room for the much needed 'me time.'


Source: http://www.azfamily.com/good-morning-arizona/Tips-to-help-you-be-your-best-in-2014-239121561.html

'People in denial about their dental health'

Four out of five Irish people think their teeth and gums are healthy and look good - however, the reality is somewhat different as people are now visiting the dentist far less often than they used to.

A new survey has found 23% of people are visiting the dentist less often since 2010 while nearly 60% of those surveyed said they would only consider visiting the dentist in an emergency.

According to the survey of 750 adults, which was carried out for the Irish Dental Association (IDA), 46% of Irish people are spending less on dental health while 41% rarely if ever think of visiting their dentist.

IDA Chief Executive Fintan Hourihan said the survey showed the impact the recession was having on dental health as well as a 'disconnect' between what people think and how they act.

"One in four Irish people are attending the dentist less often. In population terms this equates to 760,000 adults. It's clear this is having a hugely negative impact on the dental health of the population. While over 80% believe their gums are healthy, according to the most recent national oral health survey, 80% of Irish people have some form of gum disease."

The survey found that while 94% of respondents said they thought dental health was important almost 60% said they would only attend a dentist when they really need to or in an emergency.

"Financial pressures are definitely a factor here but so also is the lack of information from the HSE. The survey shows that only half of Irish adults are aware of their State dental entitlement of a free check up and only one in three have availed of it," Mr Hourihan said.

He called for a restoration of the dental cover benefits which were previously available under the medical card and PRSI schemes but were withdrawn due to Government cutbacks.




Source: 
Irish Health / http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=23069

New Year's Beauty Resolutions: Tips For Healthier Smiles For 2014 From Dr. James Goolnik

(Photo : Tumblr)

As we inhale another fork of stuffing or drink yet another glass of wine, let's spare a thought for our poor old mouths over this fun, festive period. It is often said that your mouth is a window into your overall health and during the holidays especially, that window is in need of repair. Top London dentist, Dr. James Goolnik was asked by Beauty4Media for a few good dental tips this season that can help us to be a bit kinder to our oral cavities. Here's what the expert had to say:

1. Most of us a like a drink or two around the holidays even more so. However, most alcoholic drinks contain sugar, which combined with bacteria in your mouth, can lead to tooth decay. Many drinks - especially those with carbonated mixers, are very acidic and can dissolve tooth enamel. Vomiting to relieve the occasional hangover can also bring stomach acid into your mouth leading to the enamel being dissolved.

Mouth Savers - Dr. Goolnik says to swish your mouth with water between drinks. Chew sugar-free gum on the way home too. And leave your toothbrush on your pillow before you go out so you don't forget to brush before you go to bed.

2. Even if you are keeping the alcohol in check, soft and fizzy drinks also contain a large amount of sugar - and even the sugar-free ones are almost as bad, as they contain lots of acid.

Mouth Savers - Dr. Goolnik recommends reducing your overall amount of these drinks and if you can, drink through a straw. Don't brush straight after drinking - chew with sugar-free gum to neutralize plaque acid. And try to and limit these drinks to mealtimes only.

3. Sweets? Plenty of those around for the holidays. Nuts? These types of foods can crack your teeth. What's a gal to do?

Mouth Savers - Dr. Goolnik says to suck sweets! Ideally Xylitol ones, as they are good for your teeth.

4. Smoking and Drinking. The festive season can see a few more of those 'social' smokers come out of the woodwork as the cigars are handed round. Smoking can hide the warning signs of gum disease, but when combined with drinking, it is much more dangerous as alcohol aids the absorption of tobacco into the mouth; those who smoke and drink in excess are up to 30 times more likely to possible develop mouth cancer.

Mouth Savers - Of course Dr. Goolnik says to avoid smoking if you can. And if you can't, see your dentist regularly to check for early warning signs of mouth cancer.

5. It would be fair to say that our diets are not generally at their best at this time of year. Snacking, sweets, and crisps - you name it, most of us do it and it can be hard on our teeth and oral health.

Mouth Savers - The dental expert said if you can keep to mealtimes as much as possible, this can help a lot. Chew sugar-free gum or xylitol containing mints, and make sure that you brush twice a day and floss!
So there you have it - 5 tips to look after your mouth so that it smiles its way into 2014 in good shape!
Taking any of these tips with you into the New Year? Let us know with a note below!


Source: http://www.beautyworldnews.com/articles/7229/20131226/new-years-beauty-resolutions-get-tips-for-healthier-smiles-for-2014-from-dr-james-goolnik-teeth-veneers-oral-care-dental.htm