Preventive Care
Acid attack!
Carbonated beverages, fruit juice and acidic foods can harm teeth. Acid in our food can cause enamel to wear away.
All about mouthguards
For those playing contact sports, using a mouthguard can protect teeth, concussions, cerebral hemorrhages and injuries to the neck and jaw.
An apple a day may keep the dentist away
Parents can help children prevent tooth decay and cavities by monitoring their eating habits. Offer children healthy snack alternatives such as apples, bite-size carrots or other foods that are naturally sweet, and instruct children to avoid candies, chocolate, and other foods that contain refined sugar.
A woman’s mouth can say a lot about osteoporosis
If you’re a woman, your dentist may be the first health professional to suspect you have osteoporosis — and refer you to a physician before the disease advances.
Bottled water: Cause of cavity comeback?
Tooth decay is making a comeback abetted by an unlikely culprit — bottled water. If you are used to drinking bottled water, you should drink fluoridated water or add more fluoride to your diet.
Brush and floss regularly for good oral health
Brushing and flossing are important parts of your daily routine. But it’s not enough to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day - you have to do it correctly.
Brushing, flossing still best bets to fight plaque
Plaque is responsible for both tooth decay and gum (periodontal) disease. Brushing and flossing are still the best ways to fight against it.
"Brushing up" at the office
You brush at home but what about after lunch at work? Follow some tips to help make brushing at work a regular habit.
Can your toothbrush make you sick?
Although over-the-counter products to sterilize your toothbrush don’t do any harm (studies show they do succeed in removing germs), a simple regimen for toothbrush care will be just as effective.
Causes of "dry mouth" and how to relieve it
Did you know that medications are the most common cause of dry mouth? Check out how to relieve the symptoms.
Chewing tobacco, boys and baseball
Just because chewing tobacco is smokeless does not mean it is harmless
Choosing a toothpaste
Tartar control. Baking soda. Whitening action. With so many toothpastes on the supermarket shelf, how do you choose the one that’s most effective?
Cough syrup and cavities
Cough syrup can contribute to tooth decay. There are several things you can do to lessen its effects.
Cut back on coffee and doughnuts
Sugars in doughnuts have been identified as a risk factor for gum inflammation and cavities. The amount of sugar and cream in your coffee also can have a direct effect on the amount of cavity-causing bacteria.
Diet, diabetes and tooth decay
You’re probably aware that diabetes can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body. What you may not know is that diabetics are more susceptible to developing oral infections and gum disease than those who do not have diabetes.
Discussing cost & treatment options
Learn how to be prepared to discuss the cost of dental care with your dentist. Delta Dental has a pre-treament estimate service that can assist you in determining your cost.
Don’t give in to gum disease
Gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Regular brushing, flossing, dental exams and diet can help keep gums healthy.
Don’t try this at home! Avoid over-the-counter dental instruments
There are many do-it-yourself dental instruments on the market. Do you know that using many of these instruments can lead to gum or tooth problems?
Facts about flossing
How important is flossing? According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), flossing is the single most important weapon against plaque.
Facts about fluoride
How does fluoride protect your teeth? Is it safe to have fluoride in your drinking water? What if you drink mostly bottled water? It’s time to learn more about the safe, effective cavity-fighting properties of this mineral.
Fighting bad breath
Bad breath or halitosis is something almost all of us suffer at one time or another. Possible causes to watch are infected gums, dirty teeth, foul tongue, empty stomach, and smoking.
Five tips for choosing a dentist
Learn what to consider when selecting a dentist.
Flossing once a day helps fight gum disease and tooth decay
Plaque is responsible for both tooth decay and gum (periodontal) disease. Brushing and flossing are still the best ways to fight against it.
Fluoridated water credited for improved dental health
Fluoridated water is credited as one of the reasons why Americans’ dental health has improved over the years. Fluoridated water protects against cavities and helps remineralize early carious lesions.
Fluoride and bottled water
Many bottled waters contain fluoride, and by law are labeled as such. About two-thirds of the U.S. population that relies on public water systems drinks fluoridated water from the tap.The surge in popularity of bottled water has led to concern that anyone who avoids tap water and drinks
Gum chewing: helpful or harmful?
When chewing gum, it’s the type of gum you chew that makes a difference in whether it’s helpful or harmful to your teeth. Find out more about the best kind of gum for protecting your smile.
Gum-chewers have a reason to smile
There’s a low-calorie sweetener called "xylitol". It has a sweet-as-sugar taste, and studies show that it may help reduce and prevent cavities.
Healthy lifestyle, healthy smile
People who have healthy, active lifestyles seem to have fewer dental problems, while those who smoke, eat poorly and consume alcohol on a regular basis have increased periodontal pocketing, reports the Academy of General Dentistry.
Healthy smile, healthy you: The importance of oral health
Regular dentist visits can do more than keep your smile attractive — they can tell dentists a lot about your overall health, including whether or not you may be developing a disease like diabetes.
Holiday parties? Keep your breath sparkling fresh and your smile shining bright
Get ready for parties and mistletoe with these tips for a healthy mouth and sparkling fresh breath.
Hot and cold: What to do when you have sensitive teeth
If a taste of ice cream or a sip of coffee registers tooth pain, you may have sensitive teeth. This condition is common and it is treatable.
How many teeth are in that cigarette pack?
If you start smoking at age 18 and smoke one pack a day, you are likely to lose 4 or 5 teeth by the time you are 35 years old.
How to make the most out of a visit to the dentist
With dental care, prevention is often the best medicine — starting with regular checkups and dental cleanings. Here are some tips for taking the pain out of a visit to the dentist.
How to select a toothbrush
With a variety of toothbrushes on the market – angled heads, raised bristles, oscillating tufts – which toothbrush will work best for you?
How vegetarians can ensure good oral health
While a vegetarian diet can have great overall health benefits, vegetarians need to be aware of how this lifestyle choice can affect their oral health. By eliminating certain food groups, vegetarians can risk missing out on some key nutrients that are essential for good oral health.
Keep your teeth safe this summer: Avoid dental injuries when playing sports
Some popular sports can expose your teeth to danger. Here are some tips that can help you avoid dental injuries and keep your smile safe.
Knowing how to use the players is part of the game
Toothbrush, toothpaste, fluoride and floss all help fight plaque, tartar, decay and cavities.
More kissing equals fewer cavities
It may not be as effective as flossing and brushing, but kissing increases saliva flow, which helps prevent tooth decay.
Mouth rinses don’t always wash with dental experts
Over-the-counter mouth rinses may leave your breath feeling fresh for several hours, but their effectiveness in preventing tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontal (gum) disease is limited.
New year, new you: New Year’s resolutions for a healthy smile
Why not make one of your resolutions improving your dental health? Here are a few tips for a brighter, healthier smile in the coming year.
Raisins may help fight — not cause — cavities
Countering a longstanding public perception that raisins promote cavities, a recent study suggests that compounds in the popular fruit snack may in fact fight tooth decay.
Six great reasons to have your teeth cleaned
Check out the benefits of a routine dental cleaning. Not only do you get a clean mouth but it also prevents bad breath and improves your overall health.
Stressing out this holiday season?
Economic pressures, family visits, holiday shopping – believe it or not, these stresses may show up in your mouth. Learn more about maintaining your oral health when stressed.
Take the Toothpaste Quiz
Find out how you score in your knowledge about a product you use daily – toothpaste.
Tea is terrific for teeth (and great for gums, too)
Try tea! Hot or cold, tea has been shown in recent studies to be beneficial to your oral health.
Think you’re not at risk for oral cancer?
Each year about 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer. An early diagnosis is important in successfully treating this disease. Most dentists provide oral cancer screening as part of a regular dental checkup.
Tobacco use and oral health
Learn about the impact tobacco use has on overall health, including gum disease and tooth loss.
What is a dental cleaning?
Teeth cleanings can be much more than just having plaque and tarter removed. Other services that may be provided include oral cancer screening, fluoride applications, and teeth polishing.
What is plaque?
Since plaque is constantly growing in your mouth, the best way to remove it and to prevent tartar build-up is to brush and floss your teeth every day.
What to eat to keep your teeth
Nutrition is important to oral health. Antioxidants and other nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts strengthen immunity and help protect the teeth and gums.
Why is oral health important for men?
Good oral hygiene and regular dentist visits are important for everyone, but studies and surveys consistently show that men quite often neglect these important aspects of maintaining oral health.
