facebook tracking pixel

Preventive Care

4 reasons to get an oral cancer screening

Protect yourself from oral cancer by getting a screening the next time you visit the dentist.

4 spring tips for a healthy mouth

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your house. Adopt these helpful habits to keep your mouth in tip-top condition.

4 tips for braces care

Metal mouth doesn’t have to mean cavity mouth. Keep your teeth and braces clean with these dental hygiene tips.

5 dental health tips for cold and flu season

Being sick can be exhausting, but make sure to take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing.

5 reasons to floss every day

Here’s why flossing every day should be an essential part of your dental routine.

5 summer sports that require mouthguards

Although high-contact sports, such as football and basketball, typically come to mind when we think of mouthguards, pearly whites need protection during warm-weather sports as well.

5 summer tips for healthy teeth

What you drink to stay cool can affect your teeth. This summer, follow these tips for a healthy mouth.

5 things to look for in a dentist

If you’re looking for a new dentist, here are five tips to keep in mind.

5 tips for choosing a dentist

Learn what to consider when selecting a dentist.

5 tips for dental care when you can’t see your dentist

If your scheduled dental appointment has been canceled or delayed, it’s more crucial than ever to take proactive steps at home to safeguard your oral health.

5 tooth-savvy travel tips

Going on a trip? Follow these tips to keep your teeth healthy as you travel.

5 work habits that can wreck your teeth

Your everyday habits on the job can spell a disaster for your teeth. Find out the top dental no-nos and how to avoid them.

6 things a dental cleaning can do for you

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.

All about gum disease

Gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Regular brushing, flossing, dental exams and diet can help keep gums healthy.

All about mouthguards

For those playing contact sports, using a mouthguard can protect teeth, guarding against concussions, brain hemorrhages and injuries to the neck and jaw.

Avoid dental injuries during summer 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.

Baseball behavior to avoid

Want to keep your teeth? Here are three dangerous habits baseball players should stay far away from.

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.

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.

Brush 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.

Brush up on brushing and flossing techniques

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.

Can swimming hurt your teeth?

Find out the risks posed by water sports and how you can protect yourself.

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.

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?

Choosing your floss

There are many types of dental floss. Find one that is comfortable for you and floss every day.

Coffee and donuts: Beware this quick fix

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.

Cough syrup and cavities

Cough syrup can contribute to tooth decay. There are several things you can do to lessen its effects.

Create a dental budget and save

Keep your smile in mind year-round by including dental insurance in your financial plan and allotting a budget for dental care.

Dental health for athletes: 3 strategies to up your dental game

Whether you shoot hoops or score goals, being mindful of your mouth is important for any athlete. These tips will keep your teeth healthy and strong.

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 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.

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

Game plan for healthy teeth

Toothbrush, toothpaste, fluoride and floss all help fight plaque, tartar, decay and cavities.

Go for a green dental routine

From recycled toothbrushes to biodegradable floss, these tips offer an eco-savvy spin on dental hygiene.

Got dry mouth? What you should know

Did you know that medications are the most common cause of dry mouth? Check out how to relieve the symptoms.

Green tea may boost dental health

Try tea! Hot or cold, tea has been shown in recent studies to be beneficial to your oral health.

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.

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 the common cold can affect your teeth

Here are four ways having a cold can impact your oral health.

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.

Is your job bad for your teeth?

Find out which industries are linked to oral health risks — and what you can do to protect your mouth.

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.

Sensitive teeth: Do hot and cold bother you?

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.

Show your mouth some love this Valentine's Day

These Valentine's Day tips may surprise you! Keep your mouth fresh during date night with a few easy do's and don'ts.

Stop acid erosion

Sugar isn’t the only concern when it comes to your diet Acid in our food can cause enamel to wear away.

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.

Tobacco use and oral health

Learn about the impact tobacco use has on overall health, including gum disease and tooth loss.

Watch your mouth

Keep your smile healthy for a lifetime with good habits and proper oral hygiene.

What causes 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.

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.

What's in your toothpaste?

Ever look at the ingredients on your tube of toothpaste? Here's what those chemicals are and why they're in your toothpaste.

Why your dental hygienist is valuable to your oral health

Your hygienist can be your best friend when it comes to staying healthy. Your relationship with your hygienist is much more than just talking about flossing.

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.

SmileWay Wellness Program

Watch Your Health

Preventive care for a healthy smile
02:13
Preventive dental care: Beyond the basics
03:27
Dentistry Decoded: Dental Exams
01:10
Dentistry Decoded: Dental X-rays
01:23
Dentistry Decoded: Cleanings
01:13

© Delta Dental.This website is the home of Delta Dental of California; Delta Dental Insurance Company; Delta Dental of Pennsylvania; Delta Dental of New York, Inc.; Delta Dental of the District of Columbia; Delta Dental of Delaware, Inc.; Delta Dental of West Virginia, Inc. and their affiliated companies. Delta Dental of California and Affiliates is a part of Delta Dental Plans Association. Through our national network of Delta Dental companies, we offer dental coverage in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. Pending regulatory approval, we offer vision coverage through DeltaVision in 15 states and the District of Columbia.