Oral Health Blog

• Nourishing your body and your smile

  August 01, 2023

  Healthy eating habits are a key part of maintaining great oral health. This month let’s continue to prioritize our well-being by choosing nutritious options and staying active.

  It’s no secret that a balanced diet is important for feeling your best, but it also shapes the trajectory of your oral health. Continue reading for some tips on keeping your body and your smile healthy.

• Easing Dental Anxiety in Adults and Children

  June 14, 2023

  May recently marked Mental Health Month, so we want to spend some time discussing how mental health is closely connected to oral health. One common phenomenon that many battle is dental anxiety. If you or any family members resonate with fear, avoidance, or a phobia towards dental visits – you’re not alone and we have some tips for working through it.
   

• Staying ahead of your health: Oral Cancer Awareness

  April 03, 2023

  Oral health is overall health, and oral cancer represents just one example of the systemic connections between the mouth and body. As April signifies Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we want to help guide you through why this matters, what preventative steps you can take, and what to expect in an oral cancer screening.
   

• Creating a lifetime of smiles: Healthy hygiene habits

  February 14, 2023

  A lifetime of good oral health starts during childhood.
   

• Periodontitis Diagnosis and Treatment

  December 20, 2022

  Most people occasionally have some inflammation and bleeding of the gums. This usually isn’t a major problem, at least at first. However, when left untreated, this inflammation, otherwise known as gingivitis, may worsen and cause damage to the soft tissue and bone responsible for keeping our teeth anchored. This more severe form of gum disease is an infection referred to as periodontitis. Over time, periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen or be lost.

• Four steps to choosing the right toothbrush

  July 14, 2022

  When shopping for toothbrushes, do you put much thought into what’s best for you or your children? Here’s why you should: Your toothbrush can be a major factor in helping you brush more effectively and making your oral hygiene routine more pleasant.
   

• What is a dental insurance annual maximum?

  January 21, 2022

  An annual maximum is the maximum dollar amount your dental insurance will pay toward the cost of dental services and/or treatment in a benefit plan year, typically a 12-month period.

• What is periodontitis?

  January 21, 2022

  Periodontal disease refers to any infection of the soft tissue and bone that holds your teeth in place. 

• Keep Your Smile Happy and Healthy Over the Holidays

  December 08, 2021

  The end of the year is often synonymous with food, drink, friends, and family — whether you’re choosing last minute gifts or which favorite treats to serve at your holiday party. One thing that few people think about though, is the impact our favorite holiday indulgences have on our teeth. Most people know the dangers excessive sugars have on oral health, but did you know even the simple choice of red or white wine can have a surprising impact on oral health?
   

• How long can I stay on my parents' dental insurance?

  November 16, 2021

  Now that you are a young adult and out on your own, don’t forget about your teeth. Dental insurance can help protect your mouth and your wallet. 
   

• Chew on this — sugarless gum can be good for teeth

  November 16, 2021

  Chewing gum can be traced back to ancient Egyptians and is still popular today. In modern times, we have a great advantage that our ancestors didn’t enjoy: Today’s selection of sugarless gums can actually help our smiles!
   

• The negative effects of soda can be hard to swallow

  October 08, 2021

  The debate continues. Should you call that fizzy carbonated drink pop or soda? Whichever side you’re on, there’s one thing that’s not up for debate: Soda is not good for your health. It contains no essential nutrients — no vitamins, minerals or fiber — and regular soda is full of calories. Drinking sugary soft drinks has been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, weight gain, fatty liver disease and an increased risk of heart disease and cancer.
   

• Dental insurance deductibles – explained

  October 08, 2021

  A dental insurance deductible is the dollar amount you must pay for covered dental services before your dental plan starts to pay.
   

• Biting your fingernails can harm your mouth

  September 29, 2021

  People who bite their nails often try to quit because it’s hurting the appearance of their nails. But nail biting can also spread harmful bacteria, viruses and more from your fingers to your mouth. This can increase your risk of colds and other infections. The risk is particularly high in children because they have less developed immune systems than adults and may not always wash their hands properly.
   

• How often should I see my dentist?

  September 29, 2021

  You consider yourself to have great oral hygiene and regularly brush and floss your teeth to keep your mouth clean. Your excellent oral hygiene habits may lead you to wonder if you still need to visit your dentist on a regular basis.
   

• The timeline for teeth

  August 12, 2021

  Your teeth do more than help you flash a nice smile — they also work together to help you chew and speak properly, and shape the appearance of your face.

  To do all that important work, your teeth took an interesting journey that began before you were even born. Here’s how they developed every step of the way. 

• Sports mouth guards to protect against dental injuries

  August 12, 2021

  Sports mouth guards are intended people of all ages who participate in an activity that poses a risk of damaging the mouth, whether competitively or recreationally.
   

• Common causes of gingivitis

  July 16, 2021

  Gingivitis is the mildest form of gum disease that most commonly occurs when bacteria in plaque (a sticky, colorless film that forms constantly in the mouth) builds up for a sustained period of time along and below the gumline. Accumulated plaque bacteria secrete toxins that irritate and inflame the gum tissue above where it attaches to the tooth. If plaque is left long enough, it can cause gum deterioration and more serious complications, like bone loss from around the tooth (periodontitis) and eventual tooth loss.

• You can eat a vegetarian diet and keep a healthy smile

  July 16, 2021

  Some research shows eating a vegetarian diet can help prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, reduce weight and decrease the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. These diets frequently contain less fat and fewer calories, along with more fiber and nutrients like potassium and vitamin C. In spite of those advantages, there can be potential risks to your oral health. 

• Why bacteria aren’t always bad for your mouth

  June 15, 2021

  You’ve likely heard that probiotics can be good for gut health. But did you know they may also have benefits for your smile?
   

• What are the benefits of root canal treatment?

  June 15, 2021

  Aside from easing pain and discomfort, you may wonder what the benefits of a root canal treatment are.

• Dealing with Dental Anxiety

  May 03, 2021

  What keeps people from getting the preventive dental care they need for a healthy smile? More than 1 in 4 Americans (27%) who’ve bypassed care admit they were scared of going to the dentist. ⁽¹⁾

• How To Keep Kids From Grinding Their Teeth

  May 03, 2021

  Regular teeth grinding or clenching, also known as bruxism, can begin as soon as a child’s teeth appear. It occurs more frequently in children, adolescents and young adults than in middle-aged and older adults — and is particularly common in toddlers and preschoolers.
   

• Decoding the Oral Health Aisle: What to Look For in Toothpaste, Floss, and Mouthwash

  March 15, 2021

  When you walk down the oral hygiene aisle at the store and are staring at the many dental products available, it can be overwhelming to know what to choose. 
   

• Get the Most Out of Your Dental Benefits

  October 13, 2020

  When your dental health is directly linked to caring for your overall health, making sure you have comprehensive dental coverage should be on the top of the priority list.

• The reasons behind your dentist's advice

  March 18, 2020

  By now you are likely familiar with dentists’ recommendation to brush twice a day for two minutes, floss daily and pay regular visits to their office. Here are the reasons behind these important nuggets of wisdom. 

• Do these 3 things after wisdom teeth removal

  March 18, 2020

  Wisdom teeth — a third set of molars in the back of your mouth — usually appear between ages 17 and 25. Some people have them taken out, while others never have the need. In fact, about 5 million Americans have theirs removed in the course of a year.⁽¹⁾

• Smile! There's a way to create a more positive workplace.

  March 18, 2020

  Do you help make your employees smile? Happy workers make for a more successful business. When workers feel respected and valued, they’re more likely to be happy and engaged. Workplaces that lack a positive atmosphere have higher absenteeism, more accidents, increased errors and defects, decreased productivity and lower profitability.⁽¹⁾

• Temporary baby teeth have a long-lasting effect

  February 21, 2020

  Baby teeth aren’t meant to be permanent. They emerge from about the time a child is 6 months old until around their third birthday. But they already start to fall out around age 6.

  Because they’re temporary placeholders for permanent teeth, issues with baby teeth may seem like no big deal. But baby teeth actually serve critical purposes.

• Is your children’s dentist their new action hero?

  February 21, 2020

  Lasers can be endlessly fascinating for kids — from their favorite movies to laser tag.  While lasers have been used by some dentists for more than 20 years, they are becoming an increasingly popular choice for making dental visits more pleasant — and cooler — for children (and their parents).

• The Benefits of Healthy Baby Teeth Can Last a Lifetime

  November 14, 2019

  When you’re a new parent, there is a lot to learn about children’s health and development, and oral health is no exception. Did you know that good oral health practices begin before the first baby tooth even emerges? Here are a few tips on how to baby your little one’s baby teeth and begin good oral health habits at a young age.
   

• Don't Let These Treats Play Tricks on Your Teeth this Halloween

  October 16, 2019

  Along with carving pumpkins and picking out a costume, candy is a big part of Halloween activities. Among those parents whose children have visited a dentist three or more times to have a cavity filled, 71% said their children eat too much candy around Halloween.
   

• What You Need to Know About the Vaping Epidemic

  October 16, 2019

  It's no secret that the biggest public health concern in the US right now is the teen vaping epidemic. Vaping has been overwhelming the news cycle in recent months and the statistics prove why.