I have gingvities, I have insurance but.....?!
Question: Ok My husband is in the military. Since I have insurance I have been going to the periodontist to get my teeth cleaned and fix some gum problems I have. I have been going every 2 months for the cleaning, but when my husband gets out next year I am not sure if I can still go, or get good insurance. You think I will be ok. I guess it runs in my family...I was adopted..so I have no idea. Just very worried about my teeth.
Answers: Ok My husband is in the military. Since I have insurance I have been going to the periodontist to get my teeth cleaned and fix some gum problems I have. I have been going every 2 months for the cleaning, but when my husband gets out next year I am not sure if I can still go, or get good insurance. You think I will be ok. I guess it runs in my family...I was adopted..so I have no idea. Just very worried about my teeth.
Gingivitis is not usually something that runs in families but rather is is usually caused by poor nutrition (lack of vitamins C or B), poor oral hygiene, some medications (some reduce saliva production which then helps promote gingivitis), or conditions like pregnancy or diabetes. Here is a really good website all about gingivitis; be sure to read all the pages:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gingivi...
Gingivitis just about always clears up after a good, deep cleaning if the patient then follows up with regular brushing and flossing perhaps along with an antibacterial mouthwash.
The best thing you can do now is find out what causes your gingivitis, because the gingivitis should not be an ongoing thing that never stops and needs 6 cleanings a year from a dentist or hygenist. I don't want to be mean or anything, but there are doctors out there who like having you come back because it's good for their business, so..... if your dentist doesn't tell you the cause of your gingivitis so that you can end it, then you should switch dentists while you still have insurance.
Also are you sure you have gingivitis and not periodontitis? Periodontitis is more serious (read the whole article here at the Mayo website:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/periodo...
If you have perio you should still be able to get it under control by next year and then just have yearly check ups or a checkup every 6 months if you follow a careful diet / cleaning / health regimen.
Good luck-- and by the way, its REALLY GOOD that you are taking care of yourself and thinking ahead.
You'll have to arrange further cover. You should have your husband get advice from the current provider. They probably do a deal on extending it after he leaves the mil.