Dental Insurance For Your Newborn: Is It Necessary?

As a new parent, you may be wondering if your newborn needs dental insurance. While it's not a requirement, there are several reasons why you should consider it. Firstly, baby teeth are susceptible to cavities, which can cause pain and impact your child's ability to chew and talk. Untreated cavities can also lead to secondary infections and affect the growth of permanent teeth. Regular dental visits can help prevent these issues and establish healthy habits for your child. Additionally, dental insurance can provide coverage for routine check-ups, cleanings, and certain procedures, making it more affordable to maintain your child's oral health. However, it's important to carefully review different insurance plans and their limitations to determine the best option for your family's needs.

Baby teeth and cavities

Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, start to appear when a baby is between six months and two years old. They are important for nutrition, as they help babies to chew their food, and for speech development.

Baby teeth are more susceptible to cavities than adult teeth. This is because the layer of enamel covering baby teeth is significantly thinner than that of adult teeth. All cavities begin with a process called demineralization, which is a softening or weakening of the hard outer shell of enamel. Cavities also grow faster in baby teeth.

Cavities can be painful and may cause children to avoid eating certain foods, resulting in nutritional issues. They can also lead to infections that can affect adult teeth. If left untreated, cavities in baby teeth can cause significant problems such as dental infections, requiring treatments like root canals. This can affect the adult teeth and cause long-term issues for a child's oral health. Children with untreated cavities in their baby teeth are also more likely to require orthodontic treatment in the future.

Cavities can be prevented through good oral hygiene, proper nutrition and regular dental visits. It is recommended that babies see a dentist by their first birthday or within six months of getting their first tooth, whichever is earlier.

Oral health beyond teeth

While it is not necessary to have dental insurance for a newborn, it is a good idea to look into it early on so that you're covered before their first appointment. Babies usually start teething around six months old, but a baby's first tooth can show up earlier or later.

Oral health is an essential part of a child's overall well-being and can impact their development as they learn to talk and chew solid food. Taking care of a child's gums and teeth from birth can help prevent dental issues later on. Here are some tips for oral health beyond just the teeth:

• Breastfeeding: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfeeding is the recommended choice for most babies' overall health. Studies have shown that babies who are breastfed for at least their first six months are less likely to develop teeth alignment issues such as open bites, crossbites, and overbites. Breastfeeding can also help decrease the risk of baby bottle tooth decay, which occurs when babies' teeth are exposed to drinks containing sugar, such as formula, milk, or fruit juice.
• Gum Care: Before teeth first appear, it is important to clean and care for your baby's gums. Use a clean, moist cloth or gauze pad to gently wipe your baby's gums after each feeding. This helps remove bacteria and promotes healthy gum development.
• Healthy Habits: Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle, propping it in their mouth, or allowing them to feed at will. These practices can lead to tooth decay and should be avoided. It is also important to familiarise yourself with the normal appearance of your child's gums and teeth, regularly checking for any signs of dental decay, such as small white or brown spots.
• Parental Oral Health: Taking care of your own oral health is crucial, as bacteria can be transferred to your baby's mouth through shared utensils or cleaning their pacifier with your mouth. Be sure to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, staying hydrated, and scheduling regular dental checkups.
• Nutrition: Offering your child a healthy and balanced diet is essential for their oral and overall health. Avoid giving them sugary drinks, juice, or water, and do not add sugars like honey to their drinks. Instead, provide them with breast milk or formula. As your child gets older, offer more raw, crunchy fruits and vegetables, cheese, and yogurt for snacks, and limit starchy soft foods that can stick to their teeth.

Healthy habit formation

While it's not mandatory to have dental insurance for your newborn, it's a good idea to look into it early on so that you're covered before their first appointment. In the meantime, there are several healthy habits you can instil to ensure your baby's dental health is on the right track.

Firstly, cleaning your baby's gums with a damp washcloth after feeding is crucial, even before their first tooth appears. This helps to keep their mouth healthy and can be done during the first few days after birth. Once the first tooth comes in, usually around six months of age, it's time to schedule that first dental visit. It's recommended that this appointment takes place within six months of the first tooth appearing, but no later than your child's first birthday.

To prepare for this first visit, you can start brushing your child's teeth twice a day with a child-sized toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. It's important to supervise this process to ensure they're using the right amount of toothpaste and not swallowing it. Additionally, when your child has two teeth that touch, it's time to start cleaning between them daily.

As your child grows, continue to encourage good oral hygiene habits. For children aged 3 and above, it's beneficial to help them brush twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Teach them to spit out the toothpaste, and once their teeth start touching, assist them with flossing once a day. By the age of 10, children usually can take ownership of their oral hygiene and brush and floss on their own. However, it's still important to remind them to maintain good habits by brushing twice a day for two minutes each time and flossing daily.

In addition to oral hygiene at home, regular dental visits are essential for maintaining healthy habits. As your child gets older, they should visit the dentist regularly, typically between every three months to once a year, depending on their dentist's recommendation. These visits will include thorough teeth cleanings and examinations to ensure your child's dental health is on track.

By prioritising dental insurance and instilling healthy oral hygiene habits from an early age, you can set your child up for a lifetime of healthy and confident smiles.

Cost savings

The cost of dental insurance for a newborn is a significant consideration for parents. The average cost of dental insurance is $47 per month, which is affordable for many new parents. This cost can be further reduced by choosing an appropriate insurance plan that suits the family's needs.

Dental insurance can significantly reduce care costs for babies. Many dental plans cover most routine preventative care, such as cleanings and check-ups, with some plans requiring only a small copay or coinsurance. These routine visits are essential for monitoring the development of the baby's teeth and addressing any concerns early on.

Additionally, many dental insurance plans also cover a percentage of the cost of basic and major dental procedures. This can include fillings, oral surgery, root canals, and crowns. These procedures can be costly without insurance, so having coverage can provide significant financial relief for parents.

Furthermore, dental insurance can also provide coverage for emergency dental care. Accidents can happen as children become more mobile, and a chipped or knocked-out tooth requires immediate attention. With dental insurance, parents can have peace of mind knowing that their baby can receive prompt emergency dental care without the added financial burden.

When choosing a dental insurance plan, it is essential to consider the cost of premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. Comparing different plans and their coverage options is crucial to finding a plan that fits within the family's budget while providing adequate coverage for the baby's dental needs.

In addition to private insurance plans, low-income families may also consider government-sponsored programs such as Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs offer low-cost or free dental coverage for eligible families, ensuring that all children have access to essential dental care.

Dental insurance types

While it is not mandatory to have dental insurance for your newborn, it is a good idea to consider getting one before they turn one, as that is when their first visit to the dentist is recommended.

There are several types of dental insurance plans available, each differing in terms of out-of-pocket costs, benefits, deductibles, and so on. Some plans offer a wider network of dentists for a higher monthly premium, while others may be more affordable but restrict coverage for certain procedures. Here are some of the most common types of dental insurance plans:

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)

Dental Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) offer a network of dentists who accept reduced fees for covered services. The insurance company also shares a portion of the reduced fee, resulting in lower out-of-pocket costs for members when receiving treatment from an in-network dentist. Members can also receive care from out-of-network dentists but may experience higher out-of-pocket costs. PPO plans are the most common type of dental insurance plan in the US market.

Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO)

A dental HMO provides lower-cost coverage with a focus on preventive care, typically including cleanings, periodic oral evaluations, x-rays, and sealants. Members must use in-network dentists to obtain coverage, and there is usually no reimbursement for individual services. DHMO plans tend to have a smaller network but lower costs compared to PPOs.

Dental Discount or Dental Savings Plans

Dental Discount or Savings Plans allow members to choose from a panel of participating dentists who offer discounted fees for their services. These plans typically have lower premiums than PPOs, and members pay an annual amount to access the discounted fees. There is no reimbursement paperwork, and members pay the discounted fees directly to the dentist at the time of treatment.

Managed Fee-for-Service Plans

Managed fee-for-service plans offer a large network of dentists for members to choose from. Similar to a PPO plan, members pay a certain percentage for each service, and the plan pays the remainder up to the deductible and annual maximum. The out-of-pocket cost varies based on the service received, and members in these plans generally pay a higher amount compared to PPOs.

Embedded Plans

Embedded plans include dental coverage along with all other health benefits at no extra cost.

Bundled Plans

Bundled plans offer different types of insurance, such as dental and vision, sold separately by the same carrier as add-ons to the basic health insurance policy. Individuals can choose the options they want to add to their bundle.

Stand-alone Plans

Stand-alone plans are purchased separately from a health plan and may be available through a medical or stand-alone dental insurance carrier.

Frequently asked questions