Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Myths about ADHD

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)this is a chronic disorder that affects children and can lead into adulthood. ADHD includes a cobination of problems, such as hyperactivity, troubled relationships and how they preform in class. Here are a few myths about ADHD...

Myth #1: Only kids have ADHD.Although about 10% of kids 5 to 17 years old have been diagnosed with ADHD, at least 4% of adults have it.
Myth #2: All kids "outgrow" ADHD.Not nearly always. Up to 70% of children with ADHD continue to have trouble with it in adulthood.
Myth #3: Medication is the only treatment for ADHD.Medication can be useful in managing ADHD symptoms, but it's not a cure.
Myth #4: People who have ADHD are lazy and lack intelligence and willpower.This is totally not true. In fact, ADHD has nothing to do with intelligence or determination. It's a neurobehavioral disorder caused by changes in brain chemicals and the way the brain works.
Myth #5: ADHD isn't a real disorder.Not so. Doctors and mental-health professionals agree that ADHD is a biological disorder that can significantly impair functioning.

To read more click here!

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Friday, August 26, 2011

Mouth Modification: Taking Self Expression To A Whole New Level...

Oral modification goes back further than recorded history. Vikings, Mayans, West African Tribes (to name a few) used various methods of oral modification to identify themselves, to distinguish class, tribe, seniority, religion, coming of age, etc... Whether it be sharpening of teeth, adorning teeth with jewels, splitting tongues or piercings, all of these have roots deep in our history.

Now days, it's not unusual to see people covered in tattoos, body piercings, sporting diamond covered "Grillz" or bejeweled pearly whites. Some even go as far as to have horns anchored in to their skulls and have lip and tongue tattoos.

Through the ages, self expression has taken a leap from the modest 20's where even showing a shoulder was inappropriate, to a world where the more bizarre one can be, the better. But is it better? Individualism and self expression are rights that should not be taken away from anyone. But with rise in popularity of body modification in general and people doing it because it's "cool", the concern is that it is taking away from the cultural and historical aspect of the trend.

What are your thoughts on the subject?

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Flu Bug-It Lurks In Places You Might Not Think Of

The dreaded flu season: Will it make it's rounds early this year? The news media has already begun reporting the warnings and vaccines are already available for those who want to get an early start at prevention.
Of course, airborne contaminants can be difficult to avoid, but aside from the obvious... playgrounds, children's toys, door handles...etc., here are some tips on other places the flu bug can hide...and how to prevent your family from catching it.

*Telephones (at home or office)
*Paperwork that is passed between employees
*Shared computer keyboards (home or school)
*Gas pump handles
*Your purse! (you may accidentally set it down on a contaminated surface)
*Escalator/Stair rails
*Elevator buttons

There is no way for most of us to avoid touching these surfaces on a daily basis, but most of the time the flu can be prevented with a couple of simple steps.

*Wash your hands!
*Hand sanitizer (carry it in your purse, your car...keep it in your desk at work)
*If you should come into contact with public surfaces, do not touch your hands to your face!
If you know of some tips for staying healthy and avoiding the flu, please share them with us! We'd like your feedback.
Here's hoping this flu season is a mild one!

As always, keep smiling!

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Dental Plan Scams

In these slow economic conditions, I have found a new scam that as a potential purchaser of a dental plan you should be aware of.

Since we are a dental plan, we spend many hours each week monitoring what's happening in the dental field. One of the newest things popping up is dental offices offering their own dental plan.

This may appear to be a great offer to the patient of the dental office BUT it should raise a couple of red flags too.

1. For a small fee (usually under $100.00 per year), paid directly to the dental office, they will lower their usual fee by as much as 50%. The main question to ask yourself is, "why are their usual fees so high to begin with". We all know that such a small membership fee doesn't offset the discount that they are offering.

2. Does the fact that they are willing to drop their fees if you purchase their dental plan cause a trust issue with that dental office? When I have the chance to explain in detail like I did in paragraph 1, the majority of the people I talk with usually develop some level of a trust issue.

3. What happens if you decide that you don't like the dental office, don't agree with the treatment plan or move too far away making it almost impossible to continue to go to that dental office. Is another dental office going to accept the plan that you purchased? I can say with 99.9% accuracy the answer is NO!! You are now stuck with a dental plan that you can only use at one office or a mega office (a series of offices managed by a group) and no where else.

Dental plans like Savon do one thing. They provide their members with quality, affordable dental care at over 13,000 dental offices nationwide. The dental plan controls the fees not the dental office. If you have a problem with a dentist, simply choose a new dentist. If you feel you were overcharged, the dental plan is there to act on your behalf in sorting out the issue.

Don't get caught in the trap of purchasing a dental plan that may be good only at the dental office or dental group that sells it to you. Investigate all of your options and find a good solid dental plan that works for you.

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Friday, August 19, 2011

Waxed Vs. Unwaxed Dental FLoss

Many people wonder what the difference between waxed and unwaxed dental floss is? Well there are a few differences which you might find interesting!

Waxed Dental Floss:


  • Helps slide in between tight teeth


  • Does not remove as much plaque as unwaxed floss

Unwaxed Dental Floss:

  • Could get stuck or shread while trying to get between teeth


  • Removes more plaque then waxed floss

*Either waxed or unwaxed will do the job of removing debris...


What kind of Dental Floss do you like?



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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Corrective Jaw Surgery

Corrective Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic Surgery) is preformed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. This surgery is to help correct a overbite, underbite, or misaligned teeth. This surgery can also improve facial appearance. Your Orthodontist will determine if you will need this surgery.

The procedure:
After about 1-2 years of orthodontic treatment, This may only take 1-3 hours to complete. Both your orthodontist and Oral surgeon will be in the room for the procedure. This will take place at the hospital under anesthesia. You may have to stay overnight, but usually released the next day.

Recovery:
After surgery you can expect pain, swelling, bruising, minor bleeding. You will be able to speak, drink, eat immediately because you will not have your jaws wired shut! Doctors will recommend blended food for 2 weeks and then gradually work to solid foods..

Cost:
Initial Orthodontic treatment (braces/retainer) usually cost around $2,000-$5,000. Corrective Jaw Surgery usually cost around $20,000 -$30,000. You may want to check to see if your insurance will cover this procedure.

*Many people go through this surgery just to change their facial appearance... Would you?

To read more http://www.plasticsurgeons.com/go/plastic-surgery-facial/article/corrective-jaw-surgery.html

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Facebook...http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Savon-Dental-Plan/171145142917753

Twitter...http://twitter.com/#!/savondentalplan

Webpage...http://www.savondentalplan.com/

Monday, August 15, 2011

What Do You Think: Are amalgam fillings safe?

I'm sure we've blogged about this before but now we want to hear from YOU!

I'm sure most of you are familiar with the controversy over amalgam fillings (the silver fillings in case you didn't know) and the levels of mercury they contain. Although many dentists no longer offer amalgam fillings, not all have done away with them. Some say they are dangerous because they leak mercury in to your system over time, and others argue that the amount of mercury is so low that it couldn't possibly be harmful.

What's your opinion?

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Poll: New Cigarette Health Warnings- Are You For Or Against?

As of September 2012, the FDA will require every cigarette pack to include large, full color anti-smoking ads. Some of these ads are very graphic, and although they haven't even hit the shelves, they are already a controversial issue. Some people believe the ads to be too graphic and argue that they will not be as effective, while others believe the new labels will communicate the hazards of smoking better than the original Surgeon General warnings as well as television ads.

We want to know what you think! Take a look at these new campaigns (you can find them all HERE) and tell us what you think!

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Monday, August 8, 2011

The DDS: A Plate That Helps You Consume Less Food!

As I was browsing the web this afternoon looking for something interesting to blog about, I found this article. It's called the DDS (doesn't say what it stands for). Apparently, the DDS is an appliance you can have custom made which supposedly prevents you from taking in large bites of food. The DDS fits snug against the roof of your mouth, reducing the amount of space for food. You only wear it when you're eating, and according to a study, people who wear the DDS consume 25% less food and lost around 1.3 lbs more per week. Of course something like this doesn't come cheap. The DDS will set you back about $400, but if it does what it's intended to do, you'll be set back a few pounds too. Something to think about next time you visit your cosmetic dentist :)

I found this information here.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Chewing Tobacco is NOT better than Smoking!

For any of you smokers out there who are thinking of switching to chewing tobacco because it might be better for you, think again! Apparently it's a common misconception. Many people think that smoking tobacco is more dangerous, but the fact is, chewing tobacco could be equally as bad. I came across an article when I was looking for research on the effects of smoking......it sends a very clear message. If I were a tobacco user, it would be enough to make me quit altogether!

Chewing Tobacco Causes:

* Stained Teeth
* Higher risk for tooth decay
* Receding gums
* Mouth sores
* Bad breath
* CANCER!!

Click here to see images. Beware, these are GRAPHIC!