Ram's blog

Kids are mostly lazy when it comes to oral hygiene. While regular dentist checkups are good for oral care, there is a lot more that needs to be done to have perfect teeth and gums. This February is Children's Dental Hygiene Awareness Month. Make sure your kids follow proper dental hygiene and have good oral health.

Here are some tips that would help you keep your kids’ gums and teeth in perfect condition:

Brush twice daily

We all know it, but do we make our kids follow it? It is a good practice to brush before going to sleep and after waking up; and if possible, after each meal. Also, make sure that your kid flosses his teeth. While most people skip flossing because it is plain boring, it is actually very important as it pulls out food debris and plaque from between the teeth.

Brush in the right way

Teach your child the right way to brush his teeth. Make sure he does not brush too hard or too soft. Also, the correct way to brush is in circular motion. If your child is too young to brush on his own, sit him on your lap so that he doesn’t wriggle much. Once he gets older, you can stand beside him.

Get braces if required

If your kid’s teeth are crooked, it is best to get him braces at an early age. Braces are essential tools to help your child get the right bite. Also, they make it easy for him to clean his teeth. Braces used to be unattractive a few years back, but with advanced technology, there are different types of braces that you can use. You need to talk to your dentist to know the type that would be best for your child. Braces give long term effects, and their use is not limited to just the aesthetic factor. In fact, wearing them can also have a fashion appeal. And if your kid doesn’t support the idea of braces, you can get Invisalign braces that can be worn and removed each day.

Avoid sodas and other soft drinks

Sodas will rot away your child’s teeth before you know it. The carbon dioxide present in soda is bad for teeth as it eats away the tooth enamel. Also, these drinks are loaded with sugar. Sugar supports the growth of plaque which gives rise to several gum diseases like gingivitis. Plus they are made with tons of chemicals which makes them unhealthy. There are several reasons why your kids shouldn't drink soft drinks. Prefer fresh juices instead.

Apart from all these tips, keep an eye on your child’s eating habits. Make sure he is not eating a lot of sweets. Also, get a dental checkup every six months. It’s a good way to make sure that he has proper oral hygiene and good dental health.

Dental health and social security disability

Although it is very rare for dental health issues to qualify for disability, it is not unheard of. If you are wondering whether your dental health problems qualify for SSD benefits, fill out the form on this site for a free evaluation.

When an individual applies for Social Security Disability benefits and are eventually awarded the benefits they have applied for, they may be entitled to back pay from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The question often arises as to how much back pay a person can receive and whether or not the SSA limits the amount of back pay a person may be entitled to.

Ever since the SSA had first introduced its first listing of Compassionate Allowances conditions, more and more conditions have been being added to the list. The Compassionate Allowances program allows those who suffer severely debilitating diseases to be awarded benefits in a matter of weeks, rather than having to wait months or years before benefits can begin. As each new condition is added, it’s another victory for the people who suffer from the particular ailment that is being included.

Leukemia and Lymphoma are two potentially devastating forms of cancer that can strike individuals of any age. Some forms of these two types of cancer fall under the Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program of the Social Security Administration (SSA) and therefore qualify for expedited claims processing for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.

Designated as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, September is an appropriate time for looking at the application process for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits after being diagnosed with this disease. Prostate cancer qualifies for SSD benefits under the standard “bluebook” definition of the disease. The “bluebook” is the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) manual for qualified disabilities. It contains definitions of the diseases that are generally considered disabling and is utilized by the staff at the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office to review claims for SSD benefits.

Disability Application with Prostate Cancer

The initial application for SSD benefits can be completed online or with a hardcopy form. To complete your application online, visit the SSA’s website. To obtain a hardcopy form, you can contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, visit your local SSA office, or print forms from the SSA’s website. If you need help finding your local SSA office, visit our SSD Office Locator Page.

Ensure you complete all the necessary forms and that your application is as thorough as possible. Submitting as much medical documentation as you can along with your initial application can shorten your wait for a determination on your eligibility. Documentation should include all of your medical records and statements from your treating physician(s) as well. Any gaps in your documentation may result in delays as the SSA must contacts your physicians to obtain medical records and other information.

Qualifying for SSD with Prostate Cancer

In order to meet the SSA’s bluebook definition for a qualifying case of prostate cancer, you must either have recurrent or progressive cancer in spite of hormone therapy, or have cancer that has spread from the prostate to other internal organs. In addition to these condition-specific requirements, you must also meet the SSA’s standard eligibility guidelines. These include having a clearly defined and diagnosed condition that is expected to last at least 12 months or which is terminal, and that severely limits your ability to maintain gainful employment. You must also have sufficient work credits built up over the course of your employment during which you contributed to the SSD fund.

With an illness like prostate cancer, you should not only document the effects the disease has on you, but you should also include documentation in your application of what the required treatments for dealing with the disease do to you as well. Prostate cancer can prevent you from working, but the side effects of the required treatments can also reduce your ability to maintain gainful employment. Ensuring your application truly reflects your current abilities and overall condition is crucial to seeing a favorable determination on your eligibility for SSD benefits.

Assistance in Applying for Disability Benefits

When you apply for disability, you should work closely with your doctor to ensure your medical documentation meets the SSA’s bluebook definition and that it accurately reflects how the disease impacts your life and your ability to work. You may also want to consider seeking legal assistance from a Social Security Disability attorney familiar with handling applications filed with a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

An attorney can assist you in collecting the necessary documentation for supporting your claim and can review your initial application to ensure it’s as complete and thorough as possible. If you’re initially denied benefits, a lawyer can help you file an appeal and can help you prepare for the appeal hearing as well.