Even though your baby may have only one or two teeth, it is critical that you start establishing healthy dental practices at a young age. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, once a child begins eating or drinking anything other than breast milk, any teeth above the gums are at risk for decay. The Academy recommends not allowing a child to fall asleep with a bottle of anything except water and, specifically, avoiding allowing a child to drink juice out of a bottle. In regard to thumb sucking, it is important to take your child to a pediatric dentist if this habit is continued longer than age 3. Long-term thumb sucking can lead to crooked teeth and bite problems, so make sure this habit is ended before any damage can be done. Finally, the Academy recommends starting to clean your baby’s mouth and teeth as soon as possible. Even if a baby does not yet have any teeth, parents can still use either a soft toothbrush made for infants or a cloth to clean the baby’s gums. Once teeth erupt, parents should use a soft-bristled toothbrush (in an age-appropriate size) to clean the child’s teeth twice a day with a tiny bit of toothpaste. By starting your child on a path of good oral health as an infant, you can set her up for a lifetime of healthy teeth. True Care Advantage will help you achieve this goal without breaking the bank.

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Summertime can be one of the most fun and active seasons for your child, but it can also be one of the most dangerous seasons when it comes to dental injuries. It is not uncommon for children to fall off a bike or get injured during a sport and realize they have lost a tooth. If this happens, don’t panic. Teeth can be saved in most cases when an adult can quickly jump into action. First, though, check two things: make sure your child does not have any other serious injuries that may require an ambulance, and determine if the tooth that was knocked out was a baby tooth or an adult tooth. If the tooth was a baby tooth, don’t worry about finding the tooth or getting it placed back into the mouth. It is still a good idea to see the dentist to make sure no other damage was done, but it is not vital to save the tooth when an adult tooth will soon be erupting anyway. If, however, it was an adult tooth, there are several things you can do to preserve the tooth and increase the chances of it being successfully replanted into the mouth. Just remember that the faster you locate the tooth and get your child to the dentist, the more likely it is that the tooth can be saved. If a tooth is knocked out:

• Do not let the tooth dry out, and do not soak it in water. If the tooth is dirty, put it in milk immediately.

• Do not scrape or touch the root surface.

• After making sure the tooth is clean, put it back into the socket and hold it in place on the way to the dentist. If it cannot be put back into the socket, keep it in a glass of milk to prevent it from drying out.

• Go straight to your True Care Advantage dentist or a hospital immediately. During treatment, a dentist will give your child a “splint” to keep the tooth in place while it heals.

It is important to remember that knocked-out teeth can often be prevented by reminding your child to wear a mouth guard during recreational and sporting activities. Teeth are surprisingly easy to damage, so it’s always better to be overly cautious and protect your child’s beautiful smile.

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It is essential that anyone who regularly takes certain medications keep track of each of these drugs and all their associated information. The FDA strongly recommends making a list all medications – including vitamins, dietary supplements, herbals and over-the-counter medications – and showing it to your doctor, pharmacist and hospital attendant at every visit. Staying vigilant about your medication will help your health care professionals know what they can prescribe you and keep them alert for any negative side effects of medicinal interaction. To help patients stay organized, the FDA developed a chart called “My Medicine Record,” which can be found online at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/ucm079489.htm. In addition, it is also a good idea to have your True Care Advantage plan doctor check out all of your prescriptions, supplements and over-the-counter medications in person each year. Just put all of your medications into a bag and bring it in with you to your visit. Once you have confirmed that everything is safe, make a permanent copy of the list and keep it with you at all times in your wallet or purse. It’s also a good idea to share the list with a trusted friend or family member so the information can be accessed in an emergency. When the list changes, be sure to update it and keep the newest copy with you.

Visit True Care Advantage for more health care tips, advice, and ways to save money!

It is essential that anyone who regularly takes certain medications keep track of each of these drugs and all their associated information. The FDA strongly recommends making a list all medications – including vitamins, dietary supplements, herbals and over-the-counter medications – and showing it to your doctor, pharmacist and hospital attendant at every visit. Staying vigilant about your medication will help your health care professionals know what they can prescribe you and keep them alert for any negative side effects of medicinal interaction. To help patients stay organized, the FDA developed a chart called “My Medicine Record,” which can be found online at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/ucm079489.htm. In addition, it is also a good idea to have your True Care Advantage plan doctor check out all of your prescriptions, supplements and over-the-counter medications in person each year. Just put all of your medications into a bag and bring it in with you to your visit. Once you have confirmed that everything is safe, make a permanent copy of the list and keep it with you at all times in your wallet or purse. It’s also a good idea to share the list with a trusted friend or family member so the information can be accessed in an emergency. When the list changes, be sure to update it and keep the newest copy with you.

Visit True Care Advantage for more health care tips, advice, and ways to save money!

The most common cause of decreased vision after age 60 is age-related macular degeneration, according to the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. ARMD comes in two different types: dry and wet. Dry is more common, while wet involves the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina. These abnormal vessels leak fluid and blood, which interferes with macular function in the eye. Generally speaking, according to the foundation, ARMD encompasses several conditions that all involve the deterioration of the macula – a small area of the retina surrounding the fovea. This deterioration then results in the loss of sharp central vision.

You are probably aware of the seriousness of glaucoma, but did you know that it is possible to have an elevated level of pressure in the eye without any symptoms? Ocular hypertension refers to the increase in pressure in an eye that is above normal, yet not high enough to cause detectable damage. This means that people with hypertension do not have glaucoma, but they are at higher risk for developing this degenerative disease. According to the American Optometric Association, ocular hypertension is most common in African Americans, people over the age of 40, and those with family histories of glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension.  In addition, people who have diabetes or are extremely nearsighted are at increased risk, as well. Although there are no outward signs of hypertension, eye doctors can check the pressure in patients’ eyes with a tonometry test. It is important to visit your optometrist regularly so he or she can continue to monitor the pressure in your eye and recommend treatment when necessary. In many cases, being vigilant can prevent you from developing a far more seriouPeople often think about the dentist as a professional that deals with teeth. In reality, however, dentists are concerned with the entire mouth – including your tongue. For this reason, he or she may talk to you about the appearance of your tongue and why your tongue affects your overall health. One of the biggest problems people experience with their tongue is having it be sore and bumpy. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, there are several causes of a sore tongue, including trauma, canker sores, smoking, and oral cancer. The most obvious cause, trauma, can be a result of biting your tongue or burning it on something that’s too hot. When this happens, the tongue may continue to be sore until the injury heals. Smoking, however, is a more permanent habit that causes damage through irritation; people who smoke frequently may find that their tongue feels unpleasant. Canker sores – or mouth ulcers – can also cause temporary pain and bumps on your tongue. No one knows what causes these sores, but stress is thought to be a trigger. Finally, although not common, sores/bumps that do not go away after a couple weeks could be a sign of oral cancer. Talk to your dentist about any tongue abnormalities you notice so you can get started on a treatment plan if necessary. By taking care of your tongue, you can improve your overall health. condition, like glaucoma.

Before approving a drug for use in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration tests it to determine its risks and benefits.

The company that created the drug must submit data about the tests it has conducted in the laboratory and in people to prove that the drug has a real health benefit. If the FDA determines that the drug does, in fact, have a health benefit, they will then weigh that benefit with any possible risks or side effects of the drug.

The FDA compares the frequency and seriousness of any side effects to the seriousness of the disease being treated. Generally, very serious and rare diseases, like cancer, are permitted to be treated with drugs that have more risky side effects. If it is indeed determined that the benefits are shown to outweigh the risks in proportion with the seriousness of the condition, then the FDA will allow the drug to be sold/used in the

U.S. For more information about the FDA’s approval of drugs, or to find out if a drug you are considering has been approved by the FDA, go to www.fda.gov.

You are probably aware of the seriousness of glaucoma, but did you know that it is possible to have an elevated level of pressure in the eye without any symptoms? Ocular hypertension refers to the increase in pressure in an eye that is above normal, yet not high enough to cause detectable damage. This means that people with hypertension do not have glaucoma, but they are at higher risk for developing this degenerative disease. According to the American Optometric Association, ocular hypertension is most common in African Americans, people over the age of 40, and those with family histories of glaucoma and/or ocular hypertension.  In addition, people who have diabetes or are extremely nearsighted are at increased risk, as well. Although there are no outward signs of hypertension, eye doctors can check the pressure in patients’ eyes with a tonometry test. It is important to visit your optometrist regularly so he or she can continue to monitor the pressure in your eye and recommend treatment when necessary. In many cases, being vigilant can prevent you from developing a far more serious condition, like glaucoma.

One of the benefits of taking your child to see the dentist regularly is that he or she can monitor your child’s teeth and alert you to the need for orthodontic treatment. Parents can also look for warning signs so they are prepared to ask the dentist about any problematic teeth or mouth structures. The American Association of Orthodontists suggests all children should be evaluated by the age of 7 to determine the need or timeline for orthodontic treatment. It is important to talk to your child’s dentist about your options if you notice any of the following signs:

• Crowded/overlapped teeth or highly separated teeth

• Upper and lower teeth do not touch when chewing

• Upper front teeth fall behind the bottom teeth when chewing

• Upper front teeth extend too far over the bottom teeth when chewing, or protrude at an odd angle

• Lower jaw shifts to one side when chewing

In addition, if your child still sucks his or her thumb after age 6 or so, there may be an increased risk for crooked teeth. The same goes for people who experience early or late loss of baby teeth and consistently breathe through their mouths. Ask your child’s dentist if it’s time for an orthodontic review. By staying aware of these signs and communicating with your dentist, you can make sure your child gets the treatment she needs at the correct time.

Even the simplest action, like walking, is affected by a person’s sense of balance. This balance comes from a complex combination involving the visual system and kinesthetic senses, along with one other important area: the inner ear.

According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, without those three parts working in concert, a person becomes dizzy and loses their sense of balance. The inner ear plays a critical role in balance, and any disturbances, such as calcium deposits, can affect a person’s balance. Some other causes of dizziness include Meniere’s Disease, certain drugs, and head trauma.

 In order to determine what is causing a person to lose their balance, a doctor may conduct a balance assessment to monitor any changes and detect the site of the problem. Symptoms of balance issues include having rapid, involuntary eye movements; vertigo and dizziness; and difficulty or awkward walking/running.

 If you suspect you may have problems with your balance, talk to your doctor about the health of your inner ear. He or she can assess your condition and determine the existence of any abnormalities.