Safe and Happy Holiday Travels!

I've decided to target this blog towards our Arizona members, in light of recent news stories.

This time of year, our weather tends to get a bit wacky.. Rain, hail, snow and dust storms are popping up all over the state and take a toll on our travel plans. If you have plans to travel, please check the traffic and weather notices at http://www.azdot.gov/knowsnow/index.asp . This site provides valuable information on road and highway closures, detours and severe weather alerts in your travel destinations across Arizona.

For any of you traveling this Holiday Season, I wish you Happy and Safe Travels.


On a side note: My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims and the injured persons from the tragic accident which happened as a result of a dust storm on I-10 North of Tucson, AZ today. This accident claimed the lives of 4 persons and injured dozens.

Gum: Go Ahead, Gnaw on This!

As a dental assistant, I would frequently be asked by patients if it's ok to chew gum. My answer "yes, chew gum!" came easily, but..with a few guidelines.

Dentists today are encouraging patients to smack, chomp, chew their gum for their dental health. Done in moderation and in a sugar free format (i.e., gums containing Xylitol), chewing gum has many proactive benefits. Not only does it instantly freshen breath, it helps clean the surface of your teeth while chewing and stimulates the saliva flow, which in turn helps fight tooth decay!

Dentists do offer a few guidelines when choosing your chewing gum. It's best to avoid gums containing sugar, as to chewing those can actually increase your chances of getting tooth decay. Excessive chewing of gum can also lead to potential problems with your temporomandibular joints which leads to problems such as TMD. Dentists suggest that chewing a piece of gum will freshen your breath after 3-5 minutes and shouldn't be chewed more than about 20 minutes.

Should you have doubts about what brands of chewing gum are right for you, ask your family dentist!

Happy Chewing!!

Holiday Savings at Savon Q Print

It is that time of the year again!! Savings, Savings and more Savings. Well...Savon Q Print is joining the fun! Place an order between now and December 31st, mention this blog, and receive 10% OFF that order.
Call Today! 602-449-7801 or email us at qprint@savondentalplan.com.

Talk to you soon and as always, have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Savon Dental Plan Gift Certficates Are Available!

With the holidays lingering around the corner, Savon would like to offer all existing members the ability to purchase Savon Dental Plan Gift Certificates for friends, family and loved ones. Gift Certificates can be purchased for the price of the plan you choose to gift.

For more information, please contact Savon's Customer Service at 800-809-3494.

Give the gift of smiles and purchase your Savon Dental Plan Gift Certificates today!

Gift Idea for the Hard to Buy for

Do you live in the Phoenix, Arizona Metro area and want to buy a gift for someone that seems to have just about everything? Does that special person ever play golf? If the answer is yes then you are in luck. Dave Swartz of SwartzGolf is offering a special for the holidays. You can purchase a gift certificate for:

• One - 1 hour private lesson for $35.00

OR

• Four - 1 hour private lessons for $100.00

Whether they're an avid golfer that could use a brush up or a weekend hacker that needs a lot of help, this is truly a great gift at an amazingly low price.

For more information about this great offer, please contact Savon's Customer Service Department at 602-841-3494 or Dave Swartz at 602-430-3379.

Holiday Depression-Has it Got You Down?

This is the time of year when stress levels and anxiety are most prevalent.....It affects people young and old. The elderly are particularly susceptible. I did a little research and came up with some tips for dealing with Holiday stress and anxiety. Hope you find these useful! I did!

• To manage the inevitable overload of tasks and events, make a daily list and stick to it! Keep it within reason...don't try to do too much in one day. Spread it out over the course of each week.
  


• Set a reasonable budget and don't go over it! Money is the number one trigger of Holiday anxiety and depression. If money is a serious issue, consider giving of your time in lieu of gift giving.
  


• Help others......it's a great way to forget your own troubles, and it's so simple. Visit an elderly person, donate your services to a charity food organization or a church.
  


• Find time to be by yourself....even if it's only 15 or 20 minutes a day. Meditate (if you're into that sort of thing) read, sit in the sunshine, watch a movie that invokes feelings of goodwill, or a kids movie for a lift!
  


• Share your feelings with a trusted friend or relative. Sometimes it helps to talk about your anxiety.
  


• Exercise, exercise, exercise!
  

These were just a few of the remedies I found online. Hope everyone has a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!

Original Post Date 12/1/2008

The W.R.A.P. Makes it's waiting room debut!

Savon Q Print is proud to announce the debut release of it's new publication! The W.R.A.P. (Waiting Room Activity Paper) is now available in the waiting rooms of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area Savon Dental Provider's Offices. It is filled with helpful information and games to help occupy the time that you spend in the waiting room. Have fun reading "The Blog of the month", doing a word search, or challenging someone in a competitive game of tic tac toe. Savon Dental's "Tommy the Tooth" and Savon Q Print's "Ink Splat" are hidden in an ad on the back page. See if you can find them. Also, be sure to take advantage of the great deals listed!
The W.R.A.P. is published once a month..so be sure to check it out. To inquire about advertising in the W.R.A.P., or find a distribution spot near you, email us at qprint@savondentalplan.com or call Savon Q Print at 602-449-7801.

Short for cash for the holidays? Become a Savon Agent!

Savon Dental Plan is currently seeking outside sales agents EVERYWHERE! This is a great opportunity for those of you who have been struck by the economy or even if you're just looking for some extra cash for the holidays! Being a commission-based position, there is NO LIMIT to the amount of money you can earn! Visit us online for more details or call 1-800-809-3494 NOW!

Can Turkey make you tired or is that another urban legend for the birds?

I'm sure at some point all of us have fallen prey to that post holiday feast snooze. I know for a fact that within hours after enjoying one of my family's feasts, I nap for a few hours while I claim to be "digesting". I'm sure we've all heard people say, "it's the tryptophan in the turkey, get's you every time"..right? Well is it?

I thought so until I read this neat little article I found through National Geographic. It states that that there are other meats consumed on a regular basis that boast higher levels of tryptophan than turkey does, siting "the slumber may be caused by the stressful hustle and bustle of the holidays, alcohol consumption, and the massive caloric intake of the year's biggest feast." So we know it wont be the tryptophan toting turkey that makes us drowsy this weekend!! Pace yourselves folks!

Check out the article below for more interesting facts http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/11/1122_051122_thanksgiving.html .


Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Advertising Space Available at Savon Q Print

Savon Q Print is proud to introduce it's NEW Dental Fun Newsletter! The first issue is scheduled to be released on December 01,2009. The newsletter will be published once a month and will be available at Savon Dental Plan's Phoenix Metropolitan Area Provider's Offices.

Advertising space is available for the December Issue. With prices ranging from $15 - $50 a month, you can get your company's name out to multitudes of people at a really low cost

Call Savon Q Print at 602-449-7801 or email us at qprint@savondentalplan.com for more details.

Dental Hygiene for Men

Here are some of the risk factors for developing gum disease:

Being male: Men are more likely to suffer from gum disease than women.

Being African-American: Black men are more likely than white men to develop gum disease.

Lack of funds and insurance: People at the lowest socio-economic levels tend to have the most severe gum disease. This is largely because they don't have access to (or can't afford) regular dental care.

Age: As we get older, our gums gradually recede, exposing the roots of the teeth to plaque. We also produce less saliva, which plays an important role in rinsing plaque out of the mouth.

Genetics: If your parents lost teeth to gum disease, you are at greater risk.

Neglect: Not brushing and flossing regularly.

Poor diet: Sugary snacks and drinks encourage the growth of plaque, and crunchy snack foods can damage enamel and teeth.

Clenching, grinding teeth: Chronic teeth grinding can sometimes result in a fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. The chronic grinding may also damage tooth enamel and wear teeth down. This kind of damage can lead to the need for a host of expensive dental work, including bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures.

Smoking: Recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of gum disease. In addition, following periodontal treatment or any type of oral surgery, the chemicals in tobacco can slow down the healing process and make the treatment results less predictable.

Article found here.

Halloween Safety Tips

It's about that time for our little princesses, pirates, goblins and gremlins to strut their stuff for treats this week! Here are a few safety tips for our trick-or-treaters to help make the best of their night out!

• Make sure your child is wearing a glow stick, reflective tape or has a flashlight when headed out to make them easily visible to other people and drivers!
• Instruct children to only visit houses in familiar neighborhoods that are decorated for Halloween. These houses are usually kid friendly and prepared for the trick-or-treaters.
• Make sure your children know to never enter someone's home or vehicle unless accompanied by a familiar adult.
• If you have an older child going out alone, make sure they are going out in a group and have a planned route so you know where they are at all times.
• Instruct your child to not eat any treats until they are examined by an adult.

And most importantly...Have Fun!!

You can find more helpful tips for Halloween at www.halloween-safety.com.

Wishing you all a safe and Happy Halloween!!

Cash for candy!

More and more dentist are now encouraging their patients to bring in their Halloween candy for money. I know my son's Orthodontics office does it every year. They pay so much per pound.
With all the different types of candy out there it is like a nightmare for dentist and especially the kids in Orthodontic treatment. So check with your local dentist and see if they offer the cash for candy. (:

Halloween Activity Sheets

Limiting exposure to decay-enhancing sweets is a good step to preventing cavities. PDA has created some fun, Halloween-themed activity sheets to help preserve your smile. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files. Good luck!

Click here to view activities!

Top 15 Halloween Candies Your Dentist Wishes You Won't Eat!

With Halloween just around the corner, every year dentist offices across the country encounter a rush of patients experiencing Halloween candy related dental emergencies!! No joke!! It's very common for patients to present themselves to the dental staff with crowns or bridges that have been pulled off, fillings that have been pulled out, teeth that have been chipped or cracked all by these innocent sweeties we consume every year!! I've compiled a list of the most common offenders that can be found in your candy bowl!

Top 5 Worst Culprits

(these are known to extricate crowns, bridges and fillings with ease)

1. Sugar Daddy


2. Milk Duds


3. Dots


4. Bit-O-Honey


5. Good n' Plenty

Top 10 Accomplices

1. Jolly Rancher


2. Laffy Taffy


3. Caramel


4. Gummy Bears


5. Toffee


6. Tootsie Rolls


7. Sugar Babies


8. Now & Laters


9. Super Bubble Gum/ Dubble Bubble Gum


10. Slowpokes

There ya have it! For those of you who have any type of dental work done, watch out for these sneaky little candies...or you may find yourself in the dental chair bashfully blaming your missing filling on one of these sweet little criminals!

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

Holiday Shopping? Think Savon!

October is finally here and people are now starting to think about shopping around for the holidays. When I look for a gift for someone, I try to make sure it is something that they can use, something that is of value to them, and something that will help make their lives easier.
A Savon Dental Plan membership will do just that. Show your loved ones that you care about them and are willing to help them save money on their dental care by purchasing a membership in America's Dental Plan, Savon Dental Plan. For as little as $89.00 per year, they can have their dental work done at 50% OFF!
Visit our website at www.savondentalplan.com or call us at 1-800-809-3494 today and see how you can get a great gift for the one you love!

Do not delay...Savon your Dental Work Today!

Children's Museum exhibit focuses on dental hygiene

The highlight of the new ToothaSaurus pediatric dental exhibit at The Children's Museum of Wilmington are the microscopes magnifying saliva samples and sharks' teeth.

The exhibit's goal is to teach children about dental hygiene and the tie between eating healthy and strong teeth.
Pint-sized visitors can practice brushing with oversized teeth, see dental X-rays and play dentist with stuffed dinosaur patients.

Read full article here.

Now is the time to advertise!

With the economy starting to turn around, consumer are looking for the best deals that they can get. The best thing that any company can do is advertise, advertise, and keep advertising. There are many forms of advertising, much more than every before.
One way that I have noticed that is working for the small business, is print advertising. Fliers, Door Hangers, Business Card placement etc. etc.
Advertising is costly, but Savon Q Print can help lower that cost. Contact Savon Q Print today at 602-449-7801 or email us at qprint@savondentalplan.com and ask about our Express Advertising Sale!

Ways to keep a healthy smile even without dental benefits

Many dentists will work with their patients, to make sure they maintain their oral health, even if they can't make it to the office. Dr. Betor says there are 3 things you can do, to help you through tough times.

First, if you have a healthy smile you can stretch your cleanings from every 6 months, to once a year. But talk to your dentist about over the counter products that will help keep your gums healthy, and cut down on placque between visits.

Second, you can schedule cleanings with a local dentist school or program that trains dental hygienists. They are must less expensive. The downside is that appointments generally take longer, and the student isn't as aware of your dental history.

Third, postpone elective dental procedures. That includes whitening, braces for you or your children, and even replacing mercury fillings, as long as your teeth are healthy.

Dr. Betor says problems that you can't ignore include any pain, swelling, infection or broken teeth.

Read more here..

Your Pets Need Dental Care Too!!

At some point or another, most of us have owned pets. Even myself as a pet owner wasn't quite aware of the importance of maintaining my pet's dental care until I read up on it.

According to the American Veterinarians Association, dental disease in dogs and cats can set our pets up for a whole smorgasbord of maladies. According to petdental.com "The inflammation and infection associated with periodontal disease may damage other organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys, or lead to other serious health problems."

For more interesting facts and information about your pet's dental care, please check out the following website at http://www.petdental.com/pd2/displayContent.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302025934&bmUID=1253035171750

Savon Q Print makes printing simple.

You have came to your office on a Monday morning only to determine that you are running out of an important office form. Frustrated, you get in your car, drive to the nearest "copy center", stand in line, buy a "copy card", attempt to figure out their machines, and then lose your mind when you see how much you have to pay for those copies. Does this scenario sound familiar?

Believe it or not, there is a simpler way to get your printing done.

Call Savon Q Print at 602-449-7801. We will come to your office, pick up that form, print them, and bring them back to you. All for LESS that you will pay to do it yourself somewhere else!!

No hassles, No copy cards. Just fast and friendly service at a low price!

Call Savon Q Print, Where the "Q" Stands for Quality at 602-449-7801 today!

How to Manage Dental Costs, With or Without Insurance

MUCH has been said and written about the tens of millions of Americans without health insurance. But often overlooked in these discussions is another vital medical statistic: more than 100 million Americans go without dental coverage.
For most people, a toothache that turns into an expensive procedure like a crown or implant means thousands of dollars out of pocket. Routine checkups, cleanings and fillings can set you back hundreds. No wonder 35 percent of Americans have not visited a dentist in the last 12 months, according to a Gallup report in March.
The health care bills circulating in the House and Senate include dental care provisions for children, which is good. But it also means that for most of us relief from dental bills is not likely to come soon. That leaves it up to consumers to find smart ways to reduce their dental care costs without sacrificing their oral health. So we asked experts and patients for advice.
Read more on it here…

Suffer from Dry Mouth?

Well there is hope for you yet!

Several people suffer daily from a condition known as Xeristomia or Dry Mouth. Dry mouth can be brought on by any number of medical maladies and various prescription drugs. Most sufferers have found little to no relief from this condition and find themselves constantly drinking more water in hopes of quenching it.

New studies have shown that gums, candies, rinses and sweetners containing Xylitol offer comfort to those suffering from dry mouth. The xylitol coats the soft tissues of the mouth sealing in moisture and stimulates saliva flow.

There is a plethora of amazing over-the-counter products endorsed by dentists for treating dry mouth. Some products to check out are Biotene, Oasis and Sensodyne for Dry Mouth.

To learn more about this condition and it's treatments, please check out the following link from http://www.drymouth.info/consumer/default.asp .

Games and Activities for Kids

This is just for fun.....it's a website sponsored by Colgate that has games and activities for kids to teach them about oral health for themselves and their pets! Pets can have dental problems too, so this is a fun way to get kids involved in the care of their pets. The earlier the better, and hopefully they'll carry on their own good oral hygiene habits and grow into responsible pet owners as well!
Click here to play and have fun!

Dental News ~ S.C. woman gets $2M settlement after 13 teeth yanked by mistake

It was one painful - and unnecessary - dental procedure that cost a dentist and his clinic millions.
A South Carolina woman who had 13 teeth extracted by mistake won a $2 million jury verdict this week.
Plaintiff Elizabeth Smith, 28, is now looking forward to getting her teeth fixed, said her lawyer, Robert Ranson.
"She now sees [the] opportunity [to] move on with her life, and, in her words ... 'get back to being what she was' before this all happened," Ranson said.
Smith is still missing all of her top teeth, and the cost of reconstructive surgery is estimated at $80,000.
In 2006, when Smith sought treatment at the Sexton Dental Clinic in Florence, she agreed to have a dentist pull just three teeth.
Somehow, the dentist mistakenly removed all 16 of her top teeth.
Clinic employees then tried to cover up the mistake in her chart, Ranson said during trial. The clinic still denies the charge.
Sexton Dental Clinic CEO Ruan Westraad declined to comment, but noted the clinic has served tens of thousands of patients every year.
The clinic was founded in 1923 to provide dental care to people who couldn't otherwise afford a dentist. Clinic officials and their lawyer are weighing an appeal.

Article found here!

Lack of Vitamin D in Children

About 70 percent of U.S. children have low levels of vitamin D, which puts them at higher risk for bone and heart disease, researchers said today.
The cause? Poor diet and lack of sunshine, the researchers conclude today in the online version of the journal Pediatrics.
Vitamin D supplementation can help. In the study, children who took vitamin D supplements (400 IU/day) were less likely to be deficient in the vitamin. However, only 4 percent of the study population actually used supplements.
Read more on it here

Baby Teeth Worth More Than What The Tooth Fairy Can Offer?

It just might be the case! Researchers have discovered that baby teeth contain a rich supply of stem cells inside the nerve tissue found in exfoliated baby teeth!

There are laboratories that harvest these potentially life saving cells from the baby teeth and store them for future use. The stem cells obtained are the child's own tissue, so they can be used later on, behalf of the donor, to treat maladies such as, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, juvenile diabetes, spinal cord injury, and even cancer and heart disease without any fear of tissue incompatibility or transmission of infection from another donor.

To learn more about this invaluable information, please visit http://www.bioeden.com

Why Savon Dental Plan over any other plan?

When you are looking for dental coverage, you have a lot of options. One that we ask you to consider is Savon Dental Plan. Often we are asked the question, "Why Savon Dental Plan over any other plan"? The answer is simple. Savon is the most comprehensive, reasonable, cost effective and customer friendly plan around.
When you call Savon Dental Plan, during normal business hours, you will not have to navigate through those complex automated systems to find the answer you are looking for. A customer service representative is there to answer the phone. That is just an example of the level of service that we provide our customers.
When you join Savon Dental Plan, you are given a list of the Savon Fees for Services, and that can help you to keep your needed dental work within your budget.
There are many reasons why Savon Dental Plan is the plan for you, but I am not going to list them here.
Visit our user friendly, all access website at http://www.savondentalplan.com/ today and see for yourself. If you have questions about while reviewing the plan, please feel free to click on the Live Help link on the upper right hand corner of your screen. One of our friendly representatives will be glad to help you.

Where have all the patients gone?

Unfortunately, with the economy upside down, the dental industry has become a discretionary luxury for most people. In many cases, routine visits are being put on hold, cosmetic dental work is being postponed and only those in need of care are visiting the dentist. The Dental Plan and Dental Insurance industries have also suffered as a consequence. There was an article posted on Yahoo this morning about the economic indicator and a positive statement about an upswing that is predicted for the fall.
Let's hope this is a good sign and to those of you in the industry, keep the faith!
You can read the article HERE!

Poor Oral Hygiene & Brain Surgery

Hopefully you won’t need brain surgery anytime soon, but if you know someone who does, it would be a good idea for him or her to go to the dentist beforehand to prevent issues like pneumonia.
After a major operation (especially brain surgery), the elderly generation runs a 20% risk of getting pneumonia. This is because brain surgery weaknes the gag and coughing reflexes, thus making it easier for patients to breath in bacteria from their mouth and nose.
A research study done among 23 people has found that proper oral hygiene before a surgery makes a difference. There were five people who developed pneumonia within 48 hours of their operation, and each of them had poor oral health, like gingivitis, prior to the surgery. It is estimated that the risk of infection after surgery in those with poor oral health is increased by at least threefold.

Article found here..

Book Binding, A Hard Decision To Make.

There are many different ways to bind books or booklets that you have printing. For a lot of customers, that decision is hard to make, mainly because they are unsure of the which type of book binding will work for them.
Here are 4 types of book or booklet bindery and the scenario in which they would be best:
1. Saddle Stitch: This is good for booklets that are "half folded" They are usually ran on a larger piece of paper, with paged printed on both sides. Then, once folded, the pages all match up. The paper is folded, stapled on the fold and then trimmed at the edge for neatness.
2. Comb Binding: This is good for books or booklets that have pages that consistently change. The "comb" is easily removed and is not hard to replace.
3. Spiral Binding: This is good for booklets that have pages that will not change, or a workbook that the pages can open all they way around on.
4. Thermal Binding: This is great for bigger books. This uses a glue strip that is heated and sealed to the spine of the book and is very durable.
For more information on binding types, please Email Savon Q Print at: qprint@savondentalplan.com !

New Painless Treatment For Receding Gums

ScienceDaily — Tufts dental researchers conducted a three-year follow-up study that examined the stability of a treatment option for receding gums and found that complete root coverage — the goal of the surgery — had been maintained. This specific tissue regeneration application, developed at Tufts, reduces the considerable pain and recovery time of gum grafting surgery.
The case study of six patients is published in the July 2009 issue of the Journal of Periodontology.
“Patients have a less invasive treatment option for receding gums and we now have evidence to support the stability of this relatively painless procedure. Instead of leaving the dental office with stitches in the roof of their mouth, a patient leaves with a small bandage on the arm that can be removed in an hour,” said Terrence Griffin, DMD, associate professor, chair of the department of periodontology, and director of postdoctoral periodontology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.
“One of our previous research studies showed that all of the post-operative bleeding and most of the post-operative pain were related to the gum tissue removed from the roof of the mouth for use as a graft,” he continued.
Traditional gum grafting surgery requires surgically excising tissue from the roof of the mouth (the palate) to replace the gum tissue lost around the teeth. Unfortunately, removing tissue from the roof of the mouth extends recovery time and is a major source of patients’ discomfort or pain. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, periodontal disease is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults aged 35 and older. Periodontal disease includes gum recession, also called gingival recession, which can result in tooth root decay and tooth loss.
The new tissue regeneration application from Tufts uses platelet concentrate gel applied to a collagen membrane as the graft instead of using tissue from the roof of the mouth. The graft is soaked in the patient’s platelets, using blood drawn in the same visit. Placed over the receding tooth root, the graft is then surgically secured.
In order to examine three-year efficacy of the treatment, measurements were taken from six patients in the gum recession area at baseline, 6, and 36 months after surgery. At six months, 24 out of 37 teeth from the six patients had complete root coverage (65 percent). At 36 months, 21 out of 37 teeth from the six patients had complete root coverage (57 percent). The authors said that the recession over three years was minimal and that the results are comparable to traditional gum grafting surgery.
“Our previous research determined that pain and discomfort were barriers to receiving traditional gum grafting surgery. We have also shown previously that this treatment for gum recession results in proper coverage of the tooth root, better esthetics than those found with traditional gum grafting surgery, and enhanced patient satisfaction with the results,” said co-author Wai Cheung, DMD, MS, assistant professor in the department of periodontology at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.
Over the last decade, Griffin and his colleagues, including Cheung, have studied alternatives to traditional gum grafting surgery and have more than 20 publications on the topic.
“Gum disease affects most American adults and research is linking periodontal disease to other health problems, including heart disease. Encouraging patients to undergo surgery to fix receding gums can be difficult because the mere thought of this dental surgery is often associated with considerable pain. This treatment, while only marginally more expensive for the patient, is more time-consuming and technically more difficult for us but the end result — improved esthetics, reduced pain, and, most importantly, improved oral health for the patient — make it a valuable and important alternative,” said Griffin.
Article found here.

Dental care providers can help in early detection of HIV

Common-sense solutions to common challenges define much of Massachusetts’ history. Basic social institutions like public education and our subway system exist because a group of Bay Staters worked together to strengthen our community.The systems we created here in Massachusetts have helped our communities and our country thrive and grow. In honor of last week’s National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) on June 27, we have the opportunity to demonstrate our sense and creativity again by integrating our health care systems to accomplish something extraordinarily important: earlier detection of HIV. Early detection of HIV can give individuals more years, more options, and more hope. The dental community can join this important fight by being the first line of defense in identifying possible signs of HIV. Dental teams have a unique opportunity to identify individuals who may be HIV-positive and unaware of their status. There are oral conditions which may indicate the existence of HIV and, if identified, can provide an educational moment for oral health practitioners to discuss, counsel, and offer referral to HIV testing. Early diagnosis and linkage to medical care can significantly improve health outcomes. Increasing the number of people who know their HIV status can also help reduce the number of new cases, as once people are aware of their infection, they are significantly less likely to put others at risk of transmission. The CDC has suggested that each year, a significant portion of the population will visit a dental office, but not a medical office. In some states, dental offices are conducting rapid HIV testing and this may be an appropriate venue in a public health facility or a private practice in a region with higher reports of HIV infection. According to the CDC, one of every five people living with HIV in the U.S. is unaware of their HIV status. By building a system that better integrates services, health care practitioners across the board, including oral health care providers, can help to increase the number of people who can say: "I know. I took the test." So let’s work together in Massachusetts to better connect our systems of care. By joining forces, we can improve the health and quality of life of all residents of the Commonwealth.
Article found here..

Get Connected with Savon Dental Plan!

Did you know Savon Dental Plan is on Twitter and Facebook?

Get connected and get the latest news, blogs, specials and promotions!

Visit us on Facebook.com and become a fan and make sure to follow us on Twitter.com!

Don't forget to subscribe to our monthly newsletter!

Savon Q Print, Your Flyer Headquarters

Do you use flyers to promote your business? Do you create them on your own? Do you take them to a "quick copy" center to have them photo copied? Do you pay too much for them?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then Savon Q Print is here to help!
We will create your flyer, print it, ship or deliver to you, (depending on where you are at) and do so at the lowest possible price.
Great Service, Low Price. There is only one way to describe it: Savon Q Print "Where the Q Stands for Quality".
Let's get started on your flyer today, contact us at qprint@savondentalplan.com.

Sunscreen....For Your Lips?

It's a hot, sunny day.... You've slathered yourself from head to toe with SPF 45... you're ready for some fun in the sun...BUT WAIT! You forgot to protect your smile!

According to the CTCA ( Cancer Treatment Centers of America) sun damage (among other contributors) is the leading cause of Lip Cancer. People with repetitive exposure to the sun are more likely to exhibit symptoms that can potentially lead to lip cancer.

For more valuable information about lip cancer and how to protect yourself from it, please check out http://www.cancercenter.com/lip-cancer.htm .

So on your way out to enjoy our beautiful summer weather don't forget sunscreen for your smile! Several companies offer lip balms with SPF 15 or greater and you can never use too much!

Should you fill rotten baby teeth?

Filling rotten baby teeth may be an unnecessary as well as uncomfortable experience for children to endure, some experts say.
About 40% of five-year-olds have tooth decay and at least one in ten is treated with fillings. But evidence from the case notes of 50 dentists suggests fillings may not offer significant benefits.

Read more here..

Free Children Dental Clinics in NYC Losing Funding

It's still up in the air, but hope is dwindling for 46 free in-school dental clinics in NYC who may be losing their funding. These clinics serve roughly 17,000 children who may not otherwise have any kind of dental care available. The reason for the cut-off? Cutting cost to save on budget. Dentists have argued that this is a major health risk to the children of the community, however city officials have stated that this cut will save about $2.5 million. They also go on to explain that families can get dental care through Medicaid. However, dentists fear that the inconvenience of having to remove their children from school will result in skipped appointments and check ups, which could also result in more emergency room visits...

Click HERE For the full article

Great Money-Making Opportunity! Become a Savon Agent!

Need some extra cash?? Have friends or family in need of dental coverage?? Become a Savon Dental Plan agent! Whether you have no income or if you're just looking to make some extra money, Savon can help!

There's nothing to lose and a world of possibilities! Click HERE for more information, or visit us at www.savondentalplan.com!

What is a Dental hygienist?

A dental hygienist is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive medical care, typically, but not limited to, focusing on techniques in oral hygiene.

Common procedures performed by hygienists include cleaning, scaling and root planing, taking of prescribed radiographs, dental sealants, and provide instructions for proper dental care.

Educational and licensing requirements in U.S. To become a dental hygienist in United States, you must graduate from a dental hygiene program, with either an associates degree (most common), a certificate, a bachelor's degree or a master's degree from a dental hygienist school that is accredited by the American Dental Association (ADA).

The dental hygiene process of care has five steps:

Assessing the patient: This includes, but is not limited to, a full review of the patient's medical history, necessary x-rays to be taken, a clinical exam, and a periodontal assessment.

Dental hygiene diagnosis: Assessing of data pertaining to a client's condition in terms that will help identify problems so as to lead to a creation of an order to apply available professional therapies. The diagnosis of disease in most jurisdictions may only be performed by the doctor.

Planning: creating a sequential treatment plan for the patient. The treatment plan will vary based on the patient's immediate needs.

Implementation: Carrying out the plan.

Evaluation: Determining the effectiveness of the work that was performed.

Over a period of months or years a dental hygienist may have his or her work evaluated several times, altering the diagnosis and plan numerous times as the client's condition changes.

What is a printing bleed?

Bleed is term often used in printing and the customer often obtains an additional charge for a bleed. The reason for that is not get more money out of the customer, rather to cover the cost for the difficulty of running a job that contains a bleed.

First off, let me answer the question of what a bleed is: A bleed is a printing term that refers to printing that goes beyond the edge of the sheet of paper. In other words, the color runs off the end of the page and there is not a border.

Why is there an additional charge for a bleed? Running a job that contains a bleed adds a degree of difficulty to the job. It requires more steps, such as cutting and also requires the job to be ran on a larger sheet of paper. For example, if there a job that requires an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper, with a full bleed, that job must be ran on an 11 x 17 sheet of paper and cut down so that the bleed exists. The charge is a result of having to use an 11 x 17 sheet of paper and the cost to cut that sheet of paper to correct size that the customer wants.

There a variations of bleeds:

Full bleed, (bleeds on all 4 sides)
3/4 bleeds, (bleeds on 3 sided)
1/2 bleeds, (bleeds on 2 sides)
1/4 bleed, (bleed on 1 side)

Regardless of the bleed variation, the larger sheet of paper is needed to run the job and it will need to be cut down.

If you have any questions about a bleed, or want to know if a job that you would like ran contains a bleed, please feel free to contact Savon Q Print at qprint@savondentalplan.com.

Get rid of Morning Breath...

CloSYS Toothpaste contains a unique combination of ingredients that kills the harmful bacteria that causes plaque and also neutralizing odor-causing compounds. The formula also contains mild polishers that whiten teeth by removing tough stains like tobacco, wine, coffee, tea and sodas. Click here to read more.

The World’s Greatest Liquid Vitamin & Mineral Supplement

With the Superior Advantage of Super Age-delaying Antioxidants; Immune Enhancers; Digestants; Whole Body System Support & a Whole Lot More!
10 Formulas in One Bottle!
Check it out here! http://bit.ly/7F1Bw

Do I Need X-rays Again?

I'm sure you all wonder that everytime you hear your hygenist or dental assistant tell you it's time for another round of dental x-rays. Believe it or not, we aren't trying to torture you. There are actually good reasons why your dentist requests films as frequently or infrequently as they do!

Check out my article Chairside Chat with Dawn Lawler at http://www.savondentalplan.com/May_June%202009_Newsletter.php#2 to read more about this!

Door Hanger Special

Savon Q Print is running a special on custom made door hangers. Customers that have ordered them are excited about the response they are getting. Contact Savon Q Print at qprint@savondentalplan.com so we can start making them for your company today!

Looking to get away?

We are pleased to offer you Cruise Perks, a new way to receive great rates and value added amenities on cruise vacations. Members, family and friends can save from 10% to 60% on leading cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Cunard, NCL, Princess, Carnival and Holland America.

Go here to view more!

Current Events: Zip Code Changes in Pinal and Maricopa Counties

That's right. ZIP codes on the East Side are changing... Again. This change primarily affects those who reside in Pinal County, however certain unincorporated areas of Maricopa County will change as well. The change is scheduled to go in to effect on July 1, 2009.

Click HERE for more information from Fox 10 News.

A dentist just having a little fun!

This dentist gets down - he's a super freak! :)

http://tinyurl.com/d5gzbk

Recipe for Homemade Toothpaste

For those of you who prefer Old Home-Style concoctions...and who would like to stay away from artificial and (in some cases) potentially unsafe ingredients that are added to commercially marketed products, here is a recipe I found while searching online for something homemade. Of all the recipes that I looked at, I liked this one best.

Mix together:
2 tablespoons Coconut Oil
3 tablespoons Baking Soda
5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
5 drops Spearmint Essential Oil
A pinch of Stevia powder (as a sweetener)

These are all completely natural ingredients and tasty too!

Here is a link to the web page that I found the recipe on. It is an intersting blog site.

What is the CMYK Process in Printing?

Anyone who has spoken to a printing salesman about a job has probably heard a reference to CMYK or the 4 Color Process. As salesman for Savon Q Print, I am often asked about how the 4 Color Process Works.
The CMYK color system is used in printing inks for paper. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. (K is the printing code for the color Black.)
These 4 colors strategically mixed can create any color that you want. For example, the color Maroon to most people is a standard color. For that color to be used in a print job it must be mixed.
To make Maroon, the formula would be:
C=0%, M-100%,Y=100%,K=50%. That translates to No Cyan, 100% of Magenta, 100% of Yellow and 50% of Black. This formula is used by the press operator to correctly mix the desired color prior inking the press.
Most of the time these colors are mixed by running the paper through the press multiple times, applying a CMYK with each pass.
So next time you read the newspaper or magazine, look really close and at times you will be able to see the CMYK colors and how they are applied.
If if you would like to get costing on a 4 Color Process job, Please contact a Savon Q Print Account Manager at qprint@savondentalplan.com.

Become a provider for Savon Dental Plan

With the way times are right now a lot of people are putting their dental work they may need on the back burner. So many people go without any kinda of dental coverage and most of the time makes it impossible for them to afford dental work on their own.
Being a provider for Savon not only helps the patient out by saving them money but also saves the provider from loosing another patient due to the cost of dentistry.
Visit Savon Dental's web-site to view our fee schedule for your area & information about maybe becoming a provider. There is no cost to you, so there is nothing to loose.
http://bit.ly/1Fikq

Down in the mouth: Can your dental exam reveal osteoporosis?

Your teeth have been cleaned, x-rayed and examined. You're ready to schedule your next 6-month check-up and be on your way. But instead, your dentist delivers some surprising news: you may have osteoporosis.
You may think your dentist is kidding, but that's probably not the case. Signs of osteoporosis can often be seen on dental x-rays and exams. Oral health and bone health can be directly related. Your dentist can find possible signs of osteoporosis by examining your jawbone, gums and teeth.
Although your dentist may suspect the disease, you can't tell for sure from an x-ray alone. To diagnose osteoporosis, you will need to see a doctor for a bone density test.

Read more on it here!

Foods and drinks that stain your teeth

Coffee ~ There is nothing like hot coffee early morning. Coffee however has quite a discoloring effect on your teeth.

Tea ~ Black tea is a terrible teeth stainer just as its cousin coffee.

Soy Sauce ~ It contains very strong discoloring agents and the sauce tends to stick to the teeth which allow the leeching of staining pigments deeper in to the teeth.

Curry ~ The herbs and spices used in the Indian curries are extremely chromogenic (color imparting) and are very likely to stain your teeth.

Red wine ~ Red wine contains polyphenols that stain your teeth. The alchohol in red wine is very acidic and also wears the enamel of the teeth.

Cola ~ Cola drinks not only stain and discolor your teeth but also erode enamel and cause tooth decay due to the harmful phosphoric acid, citric acid and sugar content in them.

To read a little more, information was found here...

What you should look for when choosing a toothpaste..

You want to avoid anything that has SLS (sodium laurel sulfate) and abrasive (or gritty) toothpastes.

Try and look for toothpaste that can help break up plaque, that may kill strep (streptococci) and that can eliminate volatile sulphur compounds.

I found this information here.

How Long Do I have To Wear Retainer?

When you get your braces taken off, you want your teeth to stay put, however in most cases without a retainer, the teeth will shift. This is why an exact mold of your teeth is made a couple weeks prior to taking off your braces and a retainer is made. The Hawley retainer is one of the more traditional types of retainers that allow your orthodontist to adjust the retainer as needed for your post braces treatment. The first couple months are the most crucial and you will need to wear the retainers at all times except when eating of course. Soon you will be wearing your retainers only at night, but you can expect this to go on for quite some time. Many users who feel they spent a lot of money on their teeth and appreciate the good work, will want to wear their retainers for several years and maybe even decades! We have known adults that still wear their retainers from when they were teenagers! Why not, it won't hurt and will only help make your teeth stay put.

Beat the Heat!

It's coming into that time of year again in Arizona where the temperatures are beyond HOT! With record breaking temps that began in January, Arizonans beware!!! It's gonna be another REALLY hot summer! I'd like to take a moment to remind you all that even though we are lucky enough to still be enjoying 90 to 100 degree temperatures, it's still important to remember to STAY HYDRATED! One of the leading causes of heat stroke in AZ is over-exposure to the sun/heat and dehydration (insufficient water/fluid intake). This doesn't just apply to us adults who are brave enough to venture out into the heat, but for you little ones and pets too!

Also, please remember, with these climbing temperatures it's never safe to leave children or pets unattended outdoors or in vehicles. It only takes several minutes to cause a lifetime of regret.

So with that said...Lather yourself up with sunscreen, grab a bottle of water and stay cool! Enjoy your Arizona summer!!

~~~~PLEASE WATCH YOUR KIDS AROUND WATER!! ~~~~

Memorial Day, A Time of Remembrance and Thanks.

Savon Professional Services is closed on this Memorial Day as are a lot of other businesses. While some people look at it as a day off from work, others celebrate and take in the true meaning of the day. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, thankfulness and a day to show appreciation to the men and women are risking their lives to defend our country; and those that have lost their lives doing so. Employees of Savon Professional Services have friends and family in all branches of the Untied State's Military. We are thankful for the sacrifices that they make and the work that they do. On this Memorial Day, Join Savon in saluting our troops and the families of those are fallen. Happy Memorial Day!

Savon Q Print can save you money.

Savon Dental Plan is proven to save people money on their dental bill. Well, Savon Q Print, the in house print shop at Savon Dental Plan, can save you money on your printing bill.

That's right, you can have your documents printed here and pay less than you would somewhere else. Please email us at qprint@savondentalplan.com for a competive no obligation quote today.

We do, business cards, letterheads, envelopes, flyers, brochures, door hangers, scratch pads, typesetting, graphic design, black and white or full color, NCR forms and so much more.

Savon your printing today!!

American Idol..

So another season of American Idol came and went. This was my first year actually watching it. I am pretty happy with who won. I would have liked to see someone else win who was voted off earlier, but I am happy with the end results.
Curious to see what you all thought about it and who you were voting for??
Until next season!

Savon on Twitter.com

Hey guys! Savon Dental Plan is officially on Twitter.com! Come follow us for the latest news and special offers you'll find only on twitter!!!

Simply visit http://twitter.com/savondentalplan and follow us!

Have a great Thursday everyone!

A little Tuesday humor...

You might be a redneck if...


You re-use dental floss to save money.

You've ever drunk mouthwash just because you're too lazy to walk down to the liquor store.

Your homecoming basketball game was rained out.

Your baseball bat "ain't never been used on a ball, but it's sure hit plenty of other things."

Your kids learned to shoot before they learned to walk.

You place a classified asking less than $1.

You think the freeway is the back door of the movie theater.

Higher math means counting over 10.

The lake has to be restocked after you take a bath.

Savon Dental Plan, A Wise Investment

With the struggling economy and the unemployment rate increasing daily, people are very careful with how they spend their money. When it comes to Dental Coverage, people often look more into what they pay for the plan rather than what they save at the dental office. I understand the need to find a plan that a person can afford, but is a low monthly or yearly payment really worth it, when you are not getting a valuable discount when you visit the dentist? That's the reason why Savon Dental Plan is recommended by it's members, agents and most of it's dentists too. Savon offers a reasonable premium with the most comprehensive fee schedule that shows you the savings that you will get when you visit the dentist. Log on to www.savondentalplan.com today. Check out The Comparision Zone link on the home page and check it out for yourself. Savon will show you how they have the most reasonable rates and best savings around. Do not take my word for it. Log on today!

United Auto Workers Retirees---Lost your benefits? --MUST READ

If you're losing your benefits or if you've already lost them, Savon Dental Plan can help, and no, this isn't an ad. Savon understands the importance of having good medical and health benefits, and this post was written directly for those of you who have fallen victim to this plummeting economy.

Savon Dental Plan is not insurance, wait a second, don't click off this page just yet, this is a good thing, I promise.. See, with Savon, everything is covered immediately, and all year long without limit.. Of course this sounds too good to be true, I mean, insurance companies don't even do that.. But this is just one of many reasons why Savon is actually BETTER than most dental insurance. Wanna know another reason why we're better? You can get Savon as an individual. It's a rare thing to find individual dental insurance, but if you do, you'll end up paying more for one month of coverage then you will for an entire year on Savon!

So, here's what we're all about.. With Savon, we're talking:

-50% savings off all dental work--including cosmetic dentistry (even specialty work is discounted!)

-Premiums as low as $49/year (we have a few different plans to choose from, and transitional plans are available)

-Quality dentistry at prices the average American can actually afford

-Immediate coverage

-No exclusions

-No limitations

-No reason NOT to join!

Join for yourself or put the whole family on. It's fast and simple and seriously NOT too good to be true.

If you're interested or know someone else who is in dire need of a good dental plan, simply visit (or refer them to) our website at www.savondentalplan.com. We have conveniently provided you with all the information you will need to make your decision, such as: our full schedule of fees and benefits, our complete listing of providers, all our guarantees and policies. This is information most plans won't provide until AFTER you join! In fact, we'll even let you in on a little secret. If you visit our website, click on the link that says "unraveling the mysteries of dental coverage." Here, you will find a link to try us free for 30 days, as well as a good education on why dental plans should be your preferred source of dental coverage from now on. If you're one of those who doesn't like to sit and read websites, CALL US!!! We'll be happy to explain and answer any of your questions! 1-800-809-3494

What is plaque?

Plaque is a complex biological soil that can lead to dental problems like tartar, gum trouble and tooth decay. It's a soft, sticky bacterial coating that is constantly forming on your teeth-every day. When plaque comes into contact with the sugars and starches in the foods you eat, it produces acids that can cause cavities.

The best way to avoid problems often associated with plaque is by making regular visits to your dentist. See your dentist at least once every 6 months for a complete checkup and a thorough cleaning.

Toothbrushing is the most effective way to remove plaque at home. It is recommended that you brush your teeth after every meal, and especially before you go to bed at night. Also try and replace your toothbrush every 3 or 4 months -using an old or worn toothbrush is less effective. It is also recommended that you use dental floss to remove additional plaque below the gum line and between teeth areas where a brush cannot reach. A pre-brushing rinse might help to loosen and detach plaque for easier removal during brushing.

What you thought you knew about dental: Myths uncovered!

**This information was gathered from various online sources**

Myth: Brushing more than once a day can harm tooth enamel.

• Well, sort of. Brushing multiple times a day with anything other than a soft toothbrush could possibly harm your enamel. That's why most dentists recommend you use a soft bristle toothbrush, and brush preferably after each meal.

Myth: There's no need to take a child to the dentist because their baby teeth will fall out anyway.

• As soon as your child develops a tooth, it's time to pay attention. Neglecting your child's baby teeth can cause major and even painful problems for them presently, as well as possibly causing major issues for them once the permanent teeth come in. It is never too early to teach your children about the importance of proper oral hygiene.

Myth: Chewing sugarless gum is the same as brushing.

• Nothing replaces actual brushing (with a toothbrush) and flossing. Chewing sugarless gum in between meals can help clean the surface of your teeth and may also freshen your breath, however, it does not remove plaque and food that may be stuck in between your teeth. Also, it does not effectively remove plaque and build-up around the gum line which is what a toothbrush and floss are designed to do.

Myth: Women should avoid the dentist altogether while pregnant.

• Due to the amount of vitamins and nutrients the baby needs, pregnant women often find that they develop more dental problems during this delicate period. It is for this reason that regular dental visits should continue and are, if anything, more important during pregnancy. Of course, there are certain dental procedures that pregnant women should avoid, such as x-rays and dental surgery, but your dentist will advise you properly and this should be no reason to skip out on your dental care.

Myth: I can't see any problems with my teeth, so I don't need to go to the dentist.

• Not all dental problems are visible. You could have a cavity the size of Texas and never see it because it could be on the back side of a molar or in between two teeth. Too many people go by the notion that "if I can't see it or feel it, it's not there." As with many health related issues, you don't always know that there's a problem until it's too late. If you could physically see every problem in your mouth, what would be the purpose of dental x-rays?

These are just a few myths I found and did a little research on, but all comments or additions are welcome!

Top 5 Tooth Whitening Myths Uncovered!

MYTH #1: TEETH WHITENING IS HARMFUL AND CAN RUIN THE ENAMEL
TRUTH: Modern methods of teeth whitening, including laser teeth whitening or Air Flow technique, have minimal harmful effects. Nevertheless, one must remember that teeth whitening may not be recommended for all people, especially for those who have extremely sensitive teeth, problematic enamel, underdeveloped tooth tissues, or facial composite restorations and crowns.

MYTH #2: AFTER ANY BLEACHING PROCEDURE TEETH DO NOT REMAIN PEARLY WHITE FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
TRUTH: In average, the effect can last for about a year or so, but after every additional bleaching procedure the duration of the effects usually decreases. Generally most patients will "touch up" bleach their teeth periodically to maintain their pearly whites.

MYTH #3: IT IS NOT HARMFUL TO WHITEN YOUR TEETH WITH SODIUM BICARBONATE OR BETTER KNOWN AS BAKING SODA.
TRUTH: It is, actually, very harmful, because sodium bicarbonate we use for baking has very strong abrasive effects. If you want to whiten your teeth in an easy way, the use of special whitening toothpastes with bicarbonate contain much smaller particles of bicarbonate and they do not damage teeth as much.

MYTH #4: HYDROGEN PEROXIDE WILL WHITEN MY TEETH IF I SWISH WITH IT DAILY.
TRUTH: While Peroxide MAY slightly lighten your teeth if swished with, it CAN however cause serious chemical burns to the soft delicate tissues inside your mouth. This route is highly discouraged by dental professionals.

MYTH #5: IF MY TOOTH ENAMEL IS WHITE, THE TOOTH MUST BE CONSIDERED HEALTHY.
TRUTH: This is absolutely not true! A tooth can look healthy and white, but, at the same time, it can have cavities, problems with the root or other abnormalities that require treatment.

Savon Dental Plan Charity Golf Classic, A BIG SUCCESS!

The Savon Dental Plan 2009 Charity Golf Classic was held April 25, 2009 at Coyote Lakes Golf Club. All the proceeds benefited The Salvation Army's Inner City Youth Character Building Programs and approximately $2500.00 to help their cause.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the event and to all of the volunteers.
I would also like to take a moment to thank the following companies that sponsored a hole for this event:

PGA Superstore
Desert Security AZ
Hellion Industries (who also made our polo shirts)
Zrii
Sigma Contracting
Blazing Glazing Glass and Mirror
Sterling Home Mortgage
Alley Kat Tattoo
Dave Parker Auto Repair
M. Design and Photo (who did the photography for the event)
Savon Q Print
Day Graphics

Also, A special thank you to the following places that donated items for the raffle:

Arizona Cardinals
Phoenix Coyotes
Vans Pro Shop
Glen Lakes Golf Coarse
Athem Country Club
Legends At Arrowhead Country Club
Coyote Lakes Golf Club

Thank you to everyone who helped with press releases, item purchases and event planning. With out your "behind the scenes" help, this event would not be possible.

I can not wait to see the result of next year's Savon Dental Plan Charity Golf Classic. I hope to see you there. For more information on Savon Dental Plan Events, please visit our website at www.savondentalplan.com

Something sweet for Mother's Day!

Most of us tend to give flowers for Mother's Day. They may look pretty and smell great but why not try something she would enjoy in a different way. Try sending an edible arrangement! Their bouquets are made fresh with premium fruit arranged in a variety of stunning displays. They not only look good and smell yummy but you can also eat them!

You can view their web-site here.

Could obesity raise the risk for perio disease?

I was on my favorite dental website today and I came across this article pertaining to obesity and perio disease. Basically, a study was done over the course of 16 years to determine if your body mass index has anything to do with perio disease. They found that it does, or at least they think so at this point. More studies will have to be done to be completely sure, but check out the details anyway. Very interesting article.

Article found on www.drbicuspid.com

or click HERE to get to the exact article.

Attention Athletes: A mouth guard protects more than just teeth!!

I was in a sporting goods store early today and over heard the statement that "my kid does not need a mouth guard, he never uses it anyway". It got me thinking about the importance of a mouth guard and what the exact purpose of it is.

The biggest misconception is that a mouth guard is only designed to protect the teeth that is covering. That, being the reason that most young athlete's often neglect this piece of equipment. However, the mouth guard is more that just a cushion between the teeth. This inexpensive piece of plastic that takes 2 seconds to put in, can protect an athlete from: Mouth injuries such as biting the tongue or cheek, Tooth injuries, TMJ Disorders, Jaw Fractures, and Brain Concussions. An athlete that is hit in the lower jaw, can get a concussion from that hit.

Now, I am not saying that a mouth guard is guaranteed to prevent an injuries like these, but it can reduce the seriousness of them.

A couple of key factors to remember when selecting a mouth guard that will best protect your athlete.

1. Make sure it covers all of the teeth.
2. Make sure that it is fitted properly.

If you are unsure how to correctly fit a mouth guard, instructions are available in this website: http://www.rapidsraptors.org/Mouth%20Guard%20Instructions.pdf

Let's keep the young athlete's safe during the season. Make sure they wear that mouth guard!

What's In A Smile?

A great smile can help you to look and feel your best. A smile radiates beauty, and a dazzling smile has the power to boost your self-confidence and project a picture of health. There's a reason why the smile is the universal language. The original form of instant messaging, a smile is ageless and it never goes out of style. In the past few years, the smile has taken center stage as the ultimate symbol of beauty-more than beautiful eyes, great hair, even more than a sexy body. If you are one who wants to improve your smile or freshen it up and need some dental work to do that, check out Savon Dental Plan to help get you that smile you want and deserve!

How to nurse a weekend toothache

So it's the weekend and everyone is busy.. And where are you? At home with a toothache, wishing Monday would hurry up and arrive so you can get to a dentist. Here's a few tips on how to make it throughout that painful weekend with out suffering completely:

- Try rinsing your mouth out first. Take a mouthful of room-temperature water and rinse vigorously. Many times, a painful toothache can caused simply by trapped food.

-If that doesn't work, try flossing GENTLY. This should get rid of the problem, unless your problem is something other than just stuck food.

-Numb the pain- Take a shot of whiskey (do not swallow it), and hold it in your mouth right over the painful tooth. Your gums will absorb the alcohol and it will numb the pain.

-Rinse with salt water- Make sure the water is room temperature. This is very soothing and cleansing and will help keep it from getting any worse.

-Massage your hand- No, I'm not kidding. Rubbing an ice-cube in the V-shape between your index finger and your thumb for 5-7 minutes can reduce the pain by 50%.

-Put a little clove oil on it- You can purchase this over the counter. Simply drop a little right on the tooth.

-Try not to bite- This is a no-brainer. Obviously, if you have a toothache, try not to bite on that side whatsoever.

-Try icing it up- This may not work if you have sensitivity to cold. If you don't, you might try sucking on an ice cube- on or near that tooth. If sucking on an ice-cube isn't going to work, try puting an icepack on your cheek in 15 minute intervals.

-Shut your mouth- If you are having sensitivity to cold, breathing through your mouth can cause even more pain. Try breathing through your nose.

-Take Aspirin- And no, don't put it directly on your tooth or gum, this can cause damage. Actually take and swallow an aspirin every 4-6 hours.

-Keep it cool- Try to avoid getting to warm or hot. And definitely avoid placing heat on the area. Heat draws infection to the surface, making it worse and more painful.

This information is not intended to replace regular, professional dental care. Do-it-yourself dentistry is never a good idea. These tips are to GET YOU BY until you can see a dental professional. This information was gathered from various online sources.

Community Dental Foundation, An Asset to the Community.

When it comes to ways of helping someone in need, what comes to mind? Most people participate in a clothing drive, food drive, volunteer at a shelter or serve food at a cafeteria.

The Community Dental Foundation, has taken a different approach. They are committed to adhereing to the dental needs of these people and do so at no cost to the family. They take it one step further, they go to them. Their fully opertational mobile dental facility is complete with a check-in area, two fully stocked operatories, 8 Dentists and a dedicated staff determined to better the smile of a child in need.

I had the privilege of touring the mobile facility and meeting with the Founder of the organization, Mr. Loelke (who is also a dental assistant and runs the center) and one of the directors, Ms. Trudel. I was impressed with whole operation and the dedication of the staff. "There are times when we will arrive at a place at 7:00 am and not leave until mid-night, we work until the last patient is seen." Mr. Loelke said.
It takes passion for dentistry and love for the community and kids to do something like this day in and day out.

Community Dental Foundation, my hat's off to you!

Please visit their webiste at http://www.cdental.org/ for more information. You can also make a financial contribution to help fund this great organization. "Be a Tooth Fairy for Kids"

The Origin of the Tooth Fairy…

The tooth fairy as we now know her didn't make an appearance until the early 1900s, as a generalized "good fairy" with a professional specialization. The child loses a baby tooth, which is put under the pillow at night, and the tooth fairy exchanges it for a present, usually money but sometimes candy.
The tooth fairy grew slowly in popularity over the next few decades. The Tooth Fairy, a three-act playlet for children by Esther Watkins Arnold, was published in 1927. Lee Rogow's story "The Tooth Fairy" appeared in 1949 and seems to be the first children's story written about the tooth fairy. She became widely popular from the 1950s onward, with a veritable eruption of children's books, cartoons, jokes, etc., including more focus on children's dental hygiene. Parents cheerfully bought into the idea and the tooth fairy became part of family life. The 1980s saw the commercialization and merchandising of the tooth fairy, with special pillows, dolls, banks, etc.
Belief in the Tooth Fairy is generally short-lived. Though the last baby teeth usually aren't lost till age 10 or 11, most children no longer believe by 7 or 8. Parents frequently play out the game anyway and their kids fully expect them to – there's money at stake.

To read more on the article click here.

New product to help cure bad breath!

Everyone knows that bad breath generally comes from bacteria on your tongue. I've always been an avid tongue brusher, incorporating it in my daily cleansing routine. I've had tongue scrapers in the past and eventually downgraded to the plain old toothbrush for conveinence's sake. But today I was surfing around on the internet for new innovative products (as I often do) and I found this new little product called the Orabrush. It's like a plain old tongue scraper but with a few upgrades. The Orabrush has tiny bristles on it that help loosen up and scrape away the bacteria from your tongue. This new advanced tongue brush is designed to work better than a regular toothbrush or standard tongue scraper. I just thought I'd share it with you. :)

Click HERE for more information about the Orabrush.

Dental Floss Magic!

There are so many uses for dental floss, other than the obvious one that it was created for. I have seen dental floss used to hang pictures, tie something down and I have even seen used as an emergency guitar string. One thing I have never seen, is it used as a form of entertainment. I found this dental floss magic trick on UTUBE. Check it out and see if you can do it. It is not as hard as it looks, but rather time consuming to set up. The magician's name is Dave J. Castle.

Just please remember to use your dental floss for it's intended purpose, regardless of what else you use it for.

Enjoy : http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-perform-the-torn-and-restored-dental-floss-trick-78437/

How many different types of teeth do we have?

We have four different types of teeth, each with a different function:

Incisors for cutting off bites of food.

Cuspids (sometimes called canines because of their long sharp points) for tearing food

Bicuspids (with two points) to tear and crush food

Molars with large relatively flat surfaces to crush and grind food.

Now you know each of your teeth serve a purpose be sure to take care of them with check-ups at least twice a year. (:

Hypnosis in place of general anesthesia??

I thought this was a joke when I first read about it, so I decided to google it and find out for sure. And it's true. Some dental offices (mainly overseas) use hypnosis in place general anesthesia for many procedures. Apparently it's supposed to be a healthier, more comfortable alternative. It's a bit of a stretch for me personally, but they've even been able to successfully extract teeth! No needles, no pain! It's truly amazing. Check out this video I found on Youtube.com, it'll blow your mind!

Warning: This video shows a very graphic tooth extraction, not for the faint hearted!

Click HERE to view the video. Enjoy :)

Ever been bored while waiting to see the dentist?

Have you ever been in this situation? You are sitting in the waiting room at your dentist's office and start to get bored. You then realize that you have forgotten to bring a book or something else to keep you occupied. The magazines are 2-3 months old and there is not any that you like. I know I have been there before. I have created a list of things that you can do to help pass the time of that dreadful wait. Try them out and let me know which one works the best!

1. See how many different words you can make out of the phrases on the signs hanging on the wall. For example, if there is a sign that says "payment is due at the time service is rendered", see how many words you can make out of that phrase. (team, meat, serve, pending) just to name a few.

2. Engage yourself in a magazine scavenger hunt. Pick a topic or a name and count how many times it is referenced in the mountain of magazines that surround you. (President Obama is one that can keep you occupied for hours)

3. If you brought your cellphone, update and clean up your contact's list. That is something that people always mean to do, just never find the time.

4. Correct and complete the puzzles in the magazines that other people "attempted" to do.

5. Play "name the noise". When you hear a sound coming out of one the exam rooms, try to identify it. (If you are unable to do so, chances are very good that you will experience it first hand very soon).

Some dental centers have created an office theme that is designed to keep you occupied and take your mind off the dental work that you are about to endure. However, if you are stuck in a boring waiting room, give these a suggestions a try. Feel free to comment with more ideas so I can update the list in a few weeks

Ever wonder what your teeth are made of?

Teeth are made up of four things;

1. Enamel - This is the hard white outer coating of your tooth.
2. Dentine - This is just inside the enamel. It's a yellow bone (connected to your jaw bone) that has some nerves inside it is
3. Pupil - At the center of your tooth, the pulp contains important blood vessels and nerves.
4. Cementum - This is what covers the root of your tooth (the part of the tooth that is below the skin), and a periodontal ligament attaches the cementum to the bone of the jaw.

Did you know the enamel is the hardest stuff in your body? And when you get a cavity it is normally a whole in the enamel that leaves the dentin exposed. The pupil is also the main message center to the brain.

So know you know what teeth are made of! (:

Smoking and Gum Disease: A Double Whammy For Your Heart

I know I've blogged about this before, but those were just articles I've read in the past. Well, a recent visit to my dentist confirmed everything for me. After a routine cleaning, my dentist asked me how many packs a day I smoke. A little embarrassed, I answered, reluctantly, just under a pack. He then went on, all joking aside, to give me a very informative piece of information. First he told me that I'm lucky I don't have gum disease and that I should stop smoking before I do. He said tobacco wreaks havoc on your gums causing gum and perio disease, and even oral cancer. At this point, I'm thinking this is typical advice from a dentist. He then went on to explain how smoking affects your cardiovascular system. Again, something I was familiar with, but didn't quite understand what it had to do with my teeth. So, I asked the question "what does this have to do with my teeth?" He told me that gum disease has been linked to cardiovascular disease and other heart problems. And smoking causes gum disease. So, basically, all I'm doing is doubling my chances of having heart problems later in life. This really freaked me out. Hearing it from your actual dentist is far more eye-opening than simply reading about it in an article. I just thought I'd put it out there that this is something that is happening more frequently and it's just one more reason to quit!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Too many people do not see a dentist regularly. Many will not seek dental treatment unless they are in pain or until it becomes absolutely necessary. This is why many cancers are left undiagnosed until they are in advanced stages, making treatment more difficult.

Here are some facts that should make EVERYONE want to get a screening for oral cancer!

• Smoking, chewing tobacco and heavy drinking are still the number one risk factors, so if you are among the many who do, consider stopping!
• The HPV-16 virus is resposible for a large percentage of oral cancer diagnoses, and a high number of those are people who do not smoke and are relatively young; in their 30's and 40's.
• Too often this disease is mistaken for simple canker sores or cold sores and is not caught until it has spread to other areas.

Here's the bottom line: Cancer treatment can be grueling, painful and costly. It can also be disfiguring. Prevention, on the other hand, is simple. So simple! This is a no-brainer, people! Get your screening!

Regular screenings for oral cancer should take place at least once a year. Talk to your dentist about doing a screening during your yearly exam. It could save your life. Here is a link to read more about the disease.

Bottled water & home water treatments…

The majority of bottled waters on the market do not contain optimal levels of fluoride. And, some types of home water treatment systems can reduce the fluoride levels in water supplies potentially decreasing the decay-preventive effects of optimally fluoridated water. So if you’re in an area that does not have fluoride in the water, use a water treatment system or primarily use bottled water be sure to try and get fluoride in other ways.

Savon's Second Annual Charity Golf Classic

Savon Dental Plan's Second Annual Charity Golf Classic is right around the corner! We still have slots available for sponsors and room for more players!

Come enjoy a day filled with fun and games, prizes and great food! Sponsor a hole and get some exposure for your business! Gather a foursome and come support The Salvation Army's Inner City Youth Programs!

Get your golf on and help improve our community at the same time!

Visit Savon's COMMUNITY EVENTS PAGE for more details and registration information.

We hope to see you there!

Easter games to play...

Want some fun things to do with the kids for Easter? Here is a site with a bunch of games that are all about Easter for little kids to play.
Have fun!

Tooth Pain-It's not always a toothache!

Did you know that toothaches can have a variety of causes and not all are actual dental events?
Sinusitis and pressure in the nasal cavities and the air passages of the cheek bones can cause pain in the jawbone that may feel like a toothache. Many people do not know that angina pain and some heart ailments can also cause jaw pain and/or tooth pain as well. Occasionally, toothaches are caused by nerve ailments and neuralgia. TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) can also cause chronic pain that is not related to a toothache. It's never a bad idea to check with a doctor as well as a dentist in the event of unexplained tooth pain.

A GREAT site for a romantic Valentine's Day!

Whether you're looking for something romantic for your loved one or something sensual to spice up the night, For Lover Only Gifts & Baskets have it all!

I found these guys on Merchant Circle and fell in LOVE with their products. They really have EVERY romantic need covered and it's not too late to order for Valentine's Day!

Check out their website and be sure to leave them a nice review on their Merchant Circle page!

Check out this restaurant!!! Finally, an HONEST fast food place!

The Heart Attack Grill (yes, that's really the name) is located in Chandler, Arizona, and believe me when I say that the name speaks for itself!

Where else can you go to get a Quadruple Bypass Burger and all you can eat fries that are deep fried in pure lard? They don't even serve diet soda! This place is definitely not for the average health nut, that's for sure! But if you're going to cheat on your diet, do it right! I can't think of a better place to be bad!

CBS News recently did a newscast with great highlights of the restaurant. Check that out HERE.

Also, check out their WEBSITE for location, hours, and more information.

You might want to schedule a doctors appointment in advance! :)

Super Bowl History...

Well I must say, it was a great game. I myself was going for the Cardinals, however I was very proud of the game they played. They went up against a really good team and managed not to get their butts creamed! (:
I found this site here that you can view the stats on every super bowl there has been. Kind of cool!

Happy Monday... It was a great game Cards!!! :(

I just wanted to wish everyone a happy Monday! Hopefully everyone's recovering well from Super Bowl weekend! Hopefully our fellow Cardinals fans aren't too disappointed, they played a great game and finally earned the respect they deserve! Any thoughts on yesterday's game anyone??

Time for the Super Bowl!

Let’s go Cardinals! We finally made it to the super bowl, woo hoo! And like most you will be watching it at home, at a party with a group of friends or someplace where there is a nice big screen! And a few will be lucky enough to afford to go. (:
For those staying home and want to put a party together here are some idea’s on what to have!
Party supplies you can always get paper products, centerpieces & decorations at your local party store. Makes it more festive.
Things to eat can be chips & salsa, veggie tray, hot dogs, wings, and what ever else might be easy to serve.
Make sure you have everyone come a little early that way there is time to munch & chat. Not much of that will be going on once the game starts. (:
What ever you do, have fun & be safe! And let’s go CARDINALS!!!!

Like to golf? Savon's Charity Golf Classic is right around the corner!!!

Savon Dental Plan's Second Annual Charity Golf Classic is scheduled for April 25, 2009! This event benefits The Salvation Army's Inner City Youth Programs and the ASU Youth Tutoring Programs. The Salvation Army has helped communities world-wide for over 100 years. Now, you can help and have an afternoon of fun, too! Everyone is welcome!

For more information about this tournament or to register as a player/sponsor, please visit our Community Events section of the website, or simply click HERE to get there directly.

We hope to see you there!

Viruses...

Ok, so most of us tend to surf the web on all different things right? After today I am going to be sure not to go to sites I don’t know.
At work I thought I would get my ‘blog’ posted and I was surfing around for some ideas. Never once did I click to download anything, I was only viewing web pages. Well the next thing I know my internet froze. I did the control alt delete to close it and then opened a new browser and thought all was ok. Boy was I wrong! I ended up getting a virus (can’t remember the name, I am home now). It is one that takes snap shoots of your screen and gathers your financial information, like if you log onto your bank, ect. The worst part is it was my work computer. Luckily our virus protection stopped it but not before it planted itself into my hard drive. I hope my boss knows how badly I feel and I really was just trying to get my blog done so he’d be happy.
Long story short, when you go to a page you don’t know you always run that risk! So be careful and surf at home, then it is your own computer you mess up!
If you think your computer might be infected try here for a free virus scan.

Cancer-Causing Mouthwash??

In a recent news article from the Australian Dental Journal, reasearchers stated that mouthwash containing alcohol increases the risk of developing oral cancer. In that report, it was suggested that mouthwash be made available by prescription only based on the idea that alcohol may increase the ability of cancer causing compounds to attack the lining of the mouth.

Arguing statements have been made by other researchers claiming that more research needs to be done before we can consider this a major problem.

Upon further research, I found a relating article from the Mayo Clinic:

Alcohol and tobacco are the two main risk factors for head and neck cancer. If you use one or the other, you have an increased risk. If you use both, your risk is even higher. Because many mouthwashes contain alcohol, concerns have been raised about whether the use of these mouthwashes may increase the risk of head and neck cancer. But there's no clear evidence that this is true. If you don't drink alcohol or use tobacco, your risk of head or neck cancer from using alcohol-based mouthwashes is likely very small. If you already use tobacco and alcohol, stop using tobacco and reduce the overall amount of alcohol you drink.

The full articles can be found here and here.

Make brushing fun with a tooth tunes toothbrush…

Tooth Tunes is a children's toothbrush which plays a two-minute song clip from a particular artist to encourage a child to brush their teeth for the dentist-recommended two minutes. A single toothbrush comes with one song.
Once activated, a small CPU in the handle plays the featured song on the chip by transferring vibrations through the bristles, which act as transducers, into the front teeth, through the jawbone, and into the inner ear. The user hears a mix between a natural vocal hum and the song being played. The intended result was for the music only to be audible to its user, however the music emanating from the toothbrush can be heard by those nearby, with increasing volume as pressure is applied to the brush head.


For some of the different artists and songs featured go here.