Dental Health is Important for Children’s ‘Baby Teeth’

 By StatePoint

Parents and caregivers may be underestimating the importance of dental care for children’s “baby teeth.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 63 percent of children ages two to four see the dentist at least annually.

Most dental benefits cover preventive care visits twice a year with no out-of-pocket costs, and these visits are important for small children.

Baby teeth, (also known as primary teeth), play an important role in a child’s overall healthy development. If cavities begin and are left untreated, they can become painful and possibly infected. Loss of these teeth prematurely may impact eating, speaking, learning and self-esteem. Baby teeth help guide the way for permanent teeth to erupt into proper position.

“Tooth decay is preventable. The investment of only a few minutes each day on the part of parents and caregivers, coupled with regular dental checkups, goes a long way in creating healthy smiles to last a lifetime,” says Dr. Diane Monti-Markowski, clinical program director for Cigna Dental.

She offers these oral hygiene tips for those caring for small children:

• Plan to have your child visit the dentist by his or her first birthday or within six months after the first teeth appear.

• As a child’s teeth start to come in, brush them gently twice a day with a child-sized toothbrush and water.

• Begin flossing a child’s teeth daily when there are two teeth that touch.

• Do not put your baby to sleep with a bottle of formula, milk, juice or any other liquid other than water.

• Consider introducing toothpaste for children who are two and older and are able to follow directions to spit after brushing. The American Dental Association recommends using fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice for children younger than three years old and a pea-size amount for children three to six years old. By age three or four, your child should be able to brush with your supervision.

• Make brushing fun. Let your child pick out the color of his or her toothbrush. Play a favorite song or set a timer to help children understand that good brushing takes about two minutes twice a day.

Find more tips at Cigna.com/dental-resources. For detailed questions or concerns about a child’s oral health, it is important to consult a dentist.

“Adults can also reinforce the importance of oral health by their attitudes,” adds Dr. Monti-Markowski. “Encouraging good habits and showing a positive manner when visiting the dentist can lay the foundation for children to maintain healthy teeth throughout their lives.”

By StatePoint

When looking for their next set of wheels, car shoppers have choices that extend beyond the vehicle. The buying experience should meet their needs and wants, too.

“Shoppers should consider buying from an independent dealer, which can open up a world of additional options,” says Marcus Dame, senior director, Product Management at Autotrader.

Here are five reasons to consider an independent dealership:

• Variety: Independent dealers have greater flexibility to carry more makes and models in their inventory, giving shoppers an ability to test drive a wide variety of vehicles in one location. Each vehicle is carefully chosen by the independent dealership for its particular attributes and consumers have an opportunity to speak to the person that acquired the vehicle and find out what makes it special.

• Personal Service: When shopping at an independent dealer, you benefit from personal service provided by individuals that take time to understand the right vehicle for your needs. Most independent dealers are interested in selling you what you need, as opposed to pushing a model that they want to get out of their inventory. In fact, consumers can easily meet with the dealership owner or manager to discuss their purchase.

• Pricing: Independent dealers have a better selection of vehicles in a wider price range than a typical franchise dealership. Independents do not have huge overhead expenses, so they can afford to sell cars with lower sales prices. The sticker price on a majority of cars (besides classics) on an independent lot is $10,000 or less. So it should be easy to find a reasonably priced daily driver, a great car to take to college or a new driver’s first car.

• Financing: Many financing options are available for consumers with all types of credit. When purchasing a vehicle from an independent dealer, some buyers like the convenience of securing a loan at the same place from which they purchase their car. Some independents are “Buy Here, Pay Here” (BHPH) dealers. BHPH puts credit-challenged borrowers in a car when no other traditional lender will allow it. On-time payments can help rebuild a positive credit history.

• Trade-ins: Consumers usually receive quicker, and often better, trade-in allowances with independent dealers that provide an instant valuation, such as Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer. Based on what make-models the dealership needs on the lot to meet customer demand, an independent dealer might even pay a premium for your vehicle.

You can locate an independent classics dealer at classics.autotrader.com. Details on financing through a BHPH dealer can be found at buyherepayhere.autotrader.com.

When shopping for a vehicle, customers have many options for what to buy and how to buy it. Before making your decision, consider visiting an independent dealer.