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Tasty Summer Treats Serve as a Reminder to Brush up on Dental Care Basics

^{Published on 2010-06-28 05:35:44 - Market Wire}
 

LOS ANGELES--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--From corn on the cob to cotton candy, tasty summer treats serve as a reminder that a" in order to enjoy lifea™s yummy pleasures a" daily dental hygiene must be a year-round priority. And thata™s precisely the point of National Dental Awareness Day a" recognized this year on July 9 a" an occasion that Health Net, Inc. (NYSE: HNT) is using to increase awareness regarding the crucial connection between good dental health and good physical health.

"Thata™s why we took the initiative of restoring dental benefits for our adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries in Los Angeles County when their coverage was eliminated due to state budget cuts."

aToo often, we see people with deteriorating dental conditions go on to experience significant medical problems,a explains Robert Shechet, D.D.S., director of dental programs for Health Net. aIn fact,a he adds, aindividuals with poor dental health have been shown to have a higher incidence of heart attacks, strokes, premature or low-weight deliveries, diabetes complications and other serious medical issues.a

For more information

[ Health Net, Inc. Online Newsroom ]

[ Health Net Member Web Site ]

[ Health Net Insurance for Individuals ]

[ Health Net Medicare Plans ]

Brush up on dental-care basics

aHealth Net firmly believes that dental benefits are just as essential as medical benefits,a Shechet notes. aThata™s why we took the initiative of restoring dental benefits for our adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries in Los Angeles County when their coverage was eliminated due to state budget cuts.a

Equally important as having dental benefits is adhering to the basics of good dental care every day. Toward this end, Shechet shares the following tips that are recommended by the American Dental Association:

• Brush a" Brush your teeth at least twice per day.
• Tools a" Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. If you have arthritis or other limitations of your fingers or arms, consider an electric or battery-operated toothbrush. Replace your toothbrush, or electric-toothbrush head, every three to four months; sooner, if the bristles become frayed.
• Technique a" Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth; brush with short, back-and-forth motions. Brush the inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue.
• Floss a" Floss daily. Start with about 18 inches of dental floss; wrap most of the floss around the middle finger of one hand, and stretch the remaining floss around the middle finger on the other hand, leaving about 1 inch to floss your first tooth. Using your thumbs and forefingers, pull the floss from the gum line to the top of the tooth. Unwind fresh floss as you move from tooth to tooth.

Symptoms of dental problems

To ward off gum disease and other oral health problems, Shechet recommends twice yearly dental exams and cleanings. Between visits, however, Shechet says a dentist should be contacted if any of the following symptoms are observed:

• Red, tender, or swollen gums.
• Gums that bleed when you brush or floss.
• Gums that appear to be pulling away from the teeth.
• Loose teeth.
• Changes in the alignment between your top and bottom teeth.
• Teeth that are unusually sensitive to hot and cold foods or liquids.

Dona™t become a dental statistic

Shechet goes on to caution, aAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly one-third of all adults in the United States have untreated tooth decay.a Adding, aBy practicing good dental hygiene and seeing a dentist regularly, you can avoid being included in this group and help stave off a host of serious medical problems.a

About Health Net

Health Net, Inc. is among the nationa™s largest publicly traded managed health care companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. The companya™s health plans and government contracts subsidiaries provide health benefits to approximately 6.0million individuals across the country through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Health Neta™s behavioral health subsidiary, MHN, provides mental health benefits to approximately 5.9 million individuals in all 50 states. The companya™s subsidiaries also offer managed health care products related to prescription drugs, and offer managed health care product coordination for multi-region employers and administrative services for medical groups and self-funded benefits programs.

For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit the companya™s website at [ www.healthnet.com ].

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