Are you pregnant or planning to get pregnant? Your dental health is more important than you might think – and it matters for both you and your baby. Many moms-to-be don't know that pregnancy can cause changes to their teeth and gums. The good news is that taking care of your mouth is safe during pregnancy. How Pregnancy Affects Your Teeth and Gums When your body changes during pregnancy, so does your mouth. Your pregnancy hormones (progesterone and estrogen) can increase your risk for dental problems . ...
Is your child ready for eyeglasses? Texas Medicaid covers it. Do you need a pregnancy checkup? Texas Medicaid covers that, too. In fact, Medicaid has a long list of services to help you and your family stay healthy and well. Medicaid benefits include: dental care allergy medicine vaccinations (shots) birth control hearing tests rides to the doctor and more! Top Medicaid Benefits for Children Dental Care You should take your child to the dentist every six months, starting when they are 6 months old. Your...
Moms and Dads—it’s time to get your child ready for back to school. Whether that means daycare, preschool, or K-12, Parkland STAR and CHIP plans can help! Your STAR or CHIP coverage offers: well-child checkups vaccines sports physical exams vision exams and eyeglasses dental checkups ADHD and behavioral health hearing tests and hearing aids Well-Child Checkups Babies and toddlers should see the doctor several times a year. After age three, most children will need a checkup only once a...
You know to take yourself and your children to the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. However, where would you go for treatment of injuries, infections, pain and other symptoms in your teeth or mouth? Parkland Community Health Plan covers certain types of dental emergencies, including care you or your children receive in a hospital or ambulatory surgical center. (Medicaid members can get routine dental care through their Medicaid dental plan – check your dental ID card to see which dental provi...
Taking good care of your teeth and gums is important for your dental health. It’s also important for the health of your entire body. Brushing and flossing removes bacteria on and between your teeth. During professional cleanings, your dentist removes bacteria more thoroughly, including the areas just under your gumline. Bacteria can cause infections inside your teeth and gums. Harmful bacteria can then spread from your mouth to your bloodstream, creating problems throughout your body. A few of these hea...
Want to help your children build dental care habits that last a lifetime? Start when they are young. From brushing to flossing, children can learn the basics in ways that are easy and fun. That means the habits are more likely to stick. Here are a few tips to try: Use colorful toothbrushes Toothbrushes are sold in a variety of colors. Some even feature cartoon or movie characters on the handle. Let your child choose their own toothbrush at the store. Buy fun floss picks When your child's teeth start to ...
Healthy teeth are an important part of your overall health. After all, none of us want to feel discomfort or pain when biting, chewing, brushing, flossing—and smiling! The best way to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible is to visit your dentist for routine checkups and cleanings. Ask your dentist if you should come once a year or more often. Reasons to schedule a dentist appointment Even if you do not notice any symptoms, you might have a tiny cavity in a tooth or plaque or tartar beneath yo...
Visiting your doctor isn’t the only way to stay healthy – it’s important to see your dentist and eye doctor, too. Parkland Community Health Plan offers a number of benefits for dental and vision care. Dental Benefits Your child’s Medicaid dental plan cover services that help prevent tooth decay and services that fix dental problems. You do not need a referral from your doctor to visit a dentist. It’s a good idea to visit the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Call your child’s Medicaid...
Did you know that good oral health (the health of your mouth, including your teeth and gums) is an important way to keep the rest of your body healthy? For example, cavities (tooth decay) are usually easy for a dentist to treat. But if the decay is left untreated, it can get worse, leading to an infection in the gums (also known as gum disease). From there, the infection could spread to other parts of the body and cause more problems. Gum disease is caused by plaque, a type of bacteria that sticks to yo...
Are you afraid of the dentist? It’s a common fear . For many people, dental anxiety starts in childhood. Adults or children who are afraid of the dentist might be tempted to skip cleanings and other routine care. When cavities and other problems are caught early, they are much easier to treat. Best of all, regular visits to the dentist can prevent cavities, infections, and other problems from starting in the first place. Does your child have anxiety at the dentist? Here are a few ways to help them feel ...