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Need individual supplemental dental insurance?

If you live in Maryland there's no doubt that we have your two best options with the Maryland Preventive Dentistry Program and Superior Dental Group.

But if you don't live in Maryland one particular competitor of ours, DentalInsurance.com, is probably worth checking out simply because of the wide variety of plans and programs they carry. We once tried to line up a lot of different programs ourselves in order to compete with them but it turns out we don't have the resources necessary to negotiate the rates they came up with.

DentalInsurance.com has national plans as well as a number of regional plans that might be just what you're looking for today. But, remember, if you live in Maryland no one has a program good enough to beat ours!

Dental & Heart Disease (2)

1. Dental Disease
Tim Friend USA Today PHILADELPHIA - The most common strain of bacteria in dental plaque can cause blood clots that induce heart attacks when they escape into the bloodstream, researchers reported Monday. Mark Herzberg of the University of Minnesota said the findings are the first to link bacteria to the formation of potentially fatal blood clots. Previous studies had found the incidence of heart disease is about twice as high in people with periodontal disease, but scientists didn't know why. "Now we show a potential biological reason," Herzberg told the 150th annual meeting of American Association for the Advancement of Science. In lab tests, Herzberg and colleagues injected bacteria from dental plaque into the bloodstream of rabbits. The bacteria caused blood clots to form within minutes. Rabbits are a proven model for testing hypotheses about human heart disease and heart attacks. Chronic inflammation of the gums due to plaque could also be involved in the inflammation of the lining of the blood vessels that is known to lead to the build-up of plaque in the arteries, Herzberg said. Additional studies presented at the meeting show that bacteria in plaque are also linked to: A potentially fatal disease called infective endocarditis in which the sac around the heart becomes inflamed. Lung infections in people with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A weakened immune system that can slow wound healing and diminish a person's response to vaccines against hepatitis B and influenza. A higher risk of giving birth to premature, low birth weight infants. Reducing risk of diseases linked to dental bacteria is a common lesson approached by dentists: Have the teeth cleaned regularly and floss daily. If necessary, have bone implants to replace dental bone lost from periodontal disease, says researcher Frank Scannapieco, State University of New York, Buffalo. Bacteria reside in pockets caused by bone loss where the teeth are attached. By John Tuohy USA Today Evidence is mounting that a newborn's perfect health may depend in part on a mother's pearly whites. Early results from a study of 3,000 pregnant women in Alabama show that pregnant mothers with severe gum disease are up to eight times more likely to have underweight, premature babies than moms with healthy mouths. "We found very high levels in women in the most severe cases of periodontal disease," said the study's lead researcher, Marjorie Jeffcoat, chair of periodontics at University of Alabama at Birmingham School of dentistry. The findings in the National Institutes of Health study bolster others that showed low-weight, preterm birth risks to be about seven times higher for women with dental disease. The three-year study will be completed by the end of 2001. Of the 700 women who have so far delivered, 22 percent had gum disease. Gum disease is caused when bacteria build up on tissues around teeth. Dentists advise people to have their teeth cleaned regularly and floss daily.

2. http://mpdprogram.com
Previous studies have found the incidence of heart disease is about twice as high in people with periodontal (gum) disease, but until recently no plausible cause had been suggested. Now, studies indicate that the most commons train of bacteria in dental plaque may cause blood clots. When blood clots escape into the bloodstream, there is a relation to increased risk of heart attacks and other heart illnesses. People with periodontal disease (over one half the adult population) have an infection that causes chronic inflammation of the gums. Also, it is a path for these bacteria to enter the bloodstream. A recent study describes the association between heart disease and gum disease to be at least as strong as the linkage of heart disease to cholesterol, body weight, or smoking. Incidence of Periodontal Disease Unlike most diseases that give us early warning signs, gum disease progresses silently, often without pain. It may develop slowly or progress quite rapidly. More than half of all people over 18 have at least the early stages of periodontal disease. Even more frightening, after the age of 35, three out of four people are affected to some degree. Periodontal disease is an infection that destroys the gum surrounding your teeth and also destroys the supporting bone that holds your teeth in place. What Other Health Concerns are Related to Gum Disease? Bacteria in plaque have also been linked to: Inflammation of the lining of the blood vessels that is known to lead to constriction in the arteries. Infective endocarditis, a potentially fatal disease in which the inner lining of the heart becomes inflamed. Lung infections in people with chronic lung diseases. A weakened immune system that can slow wound healing and diminish a person's response to hepatitis B and flu vaccines. A higher risk of delivering premature, low birth weight infants. Tooth loss. Evidence is mounting relating gum disease to a variety of health concerns, some that are life threatening. By keeping regular recare appointments with your dental team, you help increase your chances for a long and happy life. Attack Plaque Bacteria with Professional Homecare and Regular Dental Visits Plaque bacteria threatens your teeth, gums, restorative and cosmetic work; possibly even your life. Attack plaque bacteria with the Rota-dent Professional Homecare Instrument. Rota-dent: Removes plaque bacteria as well as brushing and flossing. Journal of Periodontology Removes plaque twice as fast as a manual brush. Swedish Dental Journal Cleans surfaces between teeth better than other leading power brushes. Journal of Clinical Dentistry Regular recare appointments with your dental professional and daily use of the Rota-dent will help you maintain your oral health and keep your teeth whiter for a lifetime. The ADA Early Warning Signs of Periodontal Disease Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth. Gums that are red, swollen, or tender. Gums that are pulled away from teeth. Pus between teeth and gums when gums are pressed. Permanent teeth that are loose or separating. Change in the way your teeth fit together when biting. Any changes in fit of partial dentures. Persistent bad breath. Determining Periodontal Disease Your dental team can help you better understand periodontal disease and how you can prevent it. They can quickly and painlessly check and monitor the condition of your gums during your recare appointments. Your examinations may show signs of infections, such as bleeding or pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that are deeper than normal. Your dentist may suggest a course of treatment that will help stop any further damage to your gums and bones. Your dental team will then design a homecare regimen for your specific needs!

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