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. (: