What To Avoid For Better Teeth And Breath?

 We all brush and floss our teeth... Right? well, I at least hope so!

 Have you ever thought about what hidden culprits cause bad breath and tooth staining?

1. Dark Liquids - Although the enamel on your teeth is the hardest substance in the human body, it is not flat and smooth. Your tooth enamel contains microscopic pits and ridges that can hold particles of food and drink. Pigments from the dark-colored drinks/foods can become embedded in those cracks and ridges and if the proper steps are not taken this can cause permanent staining on your teeth.
2. Onions and garlic - These are hard to avoid since they are flavor-enhancing ingredients. When you eat garlic/onions you produce several sulfur-containing gases. Allyl methyl sulfide is a "sticky" molecule, it adheres very easily to the tissues in your mouth and that's why your breath smells funky.
3. High-Protein Foods- Bacteria love glomming into proteins, so high-protein foods contribute to halitosis. The top contenders are fish, red meat, and beans. Hold the protein and swap out meat courses for vegetarian options a few times a week. 

When Your Dentist Suggests Braces...But you're 60!

Can you imagine visiting your dentist at age 60+ and having him suggest that you wear braces to correct your bite or straighten your teeth? It happened to me!  I have always had straight teeth.  I never needed braces as a child and never dreamed that I would, but on my last dental visit I was told that braces would correct my bite and help to align my jaw! I am not going to consider it but I will admit that I was surprised to learn that I was a candidate at all.

There are many forms of cosmetic dentistry on the market today, but braces remain the most common and necessary treatment for adult dentition. More and more, people over the age of 40 are opting for braces and for a variety of reasons. For some, it's all about appearance, some may have needed them but couldn't previously afford them, accidents, impacted wisdom teeth causing a misalignment...whatever the reason it is becoming more prevalent in the adult population.  Creative financing makes the option much more affordable nowadays.

For those who wish to forego the 2 year orthodontic plan, full mouth restorations - implants and veneers would be the next big step, assuming one can finance that sort of treatment. It will flat lay you away as the pricing goes but you can get instant gratification as the process can often be done in just one day.  Isn't technology wonderful?

Keep Smiling!

3D Flosser?

Technology is great, RIGHT?

Dental floss has been around for more than 100 years and it really hasn't changed its look but thanks to technology and a company called Blizzident, they have invented a 3D flosser!

How does the 3D Flosser work? It takes a 3D scan of the customer's mouth, which will create a customized flossing wireframe, which holds four rolls of dental floss. When the customer wants to floss all they need to do is close their mouth over the device and chew a little. This provides the perfect floss and takes only 5 seconds!

If you are interested in the 3D flosser all you need to do is get a 3D scan of your mouth, then send the information to Blizzidnet (based in Europe). They will manufacture and mail out your device for $232 plus postage!

Blizzident says the 3D flosser lasts many years and the only thing you will have to replace is the floss!

TMJ Troubles? Try Massage.

 If you suffer from TMJ, Bruxism or a misaligned jaw, you know that the pain associated with it is no joke!  Many people complain of headaches, muscle fatigue and clenching of the jaw.  Chewing food, yawning and sometimes swallowing and talking can be painful. 

As remedies go, what works for some won't always work for others but there is one treatment that seems to get positive reviews all across the board.  Massage!  It is not a cure all for the disease, however it can reduce pain and swelling and make movement of the jaw less painful. 
Look for a massage therapist in your area that is trained for TMJ, or, if you are into the self-care movement, there are plenty of online tutorials that explain how you can do your own massage.  Find something that works for you but always check with your dental provider first!

Keep Smiling!

Keeping Canine Teeth Healthy!

Not all bones and chew toys are healthy for your fur baby!

The best treats and toys are large enough so they don't become a choking hazard.

Below are recommended treats and toys to keep your pup's teeth healthy:

• Rubber toys - The smooth surfaces offer flexibility when chewed.
• Fresh produce - Seedless apple slices and raw carrots provide both vitamins and chewing entertainment.
• Dental treats - Chews that are infused with medications to keep the pet's teeth clean and healthy.
• Pressed pork hide - Pig-based chews are high in protein, low in fat, and easily digestible. Bonus it's softer than cow rawhide.

To help maintain a healthy mouth visit your veterinarian for a full dental exam!

These Famous People also Doubled as Dentists! Who Knew?!

I found this article while reading a fellow dental blog and I thought it was a really interesting find!

Enjoy!

"Famous People You Didn't Know Were Dentists"

by Robert Milton

Who says dentistry isn’t exciting? Our noble profession has captured the hearts and imaginations of some pretty interesting people over the years. Granted, eventually these folks turned to other less fascinating professions—like acting, gun fighting, inventing, painting and saving the country—but still, they all had their “roots” (pardon the pun) in the enviable art of dentistry. Just check out this list of people you didn’t know were dentists:

· Edgar Buchanan: This popular character actor started out as a successful dentist before moving to California in 1939. Although he co-starred in countless movies over the years, Buchanan was probably best known for his memorable roles in 1960s sitcoms like “Petticoat Junction,” “Green Acres” and “The Beverly Hillbillies.” Once he was bitten by the acting bug, he left dentistry. But, interestingly enough, his wife actually took over his successful practice after he retired.

• John Henry “Doc” Holliday: You may remember Doc Holliday for his friendship with Wyatt Earp and their famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral, but Holliday was actually a dentist who was trained in Pennsylvania and developed a booming little practice in Atlanta. After a short time, Holliday contracted tuberculosis and he was forced to leave his practice and move out West, where the rest is, well…history.....

Get the rest DentalBuzz.com!

Your Dentist Said They Take Your Dental Plan... But Are They Authorized To?

We run into this a lot here at Savon Dental Plan. A valued member will call in and talk to us about their dentist only to hear the bad news from us that the dentist that they are going to is not credentialed with our office. We get the same response each time... "Our dentist said that they accept your plan." That may be the case. Most dental offices will agree to honor the plan in order to retain you as a member, but still, that does not mean that they are a credentialed provider for the plan.

The reasons that you want to make sure that the dentist or specialist you are going to are credentialed with your coverage plan are:

1. They will have the most up-to-date fee schedule.
2. They will be familiar with the plan and know what discounts are supposed to be given
3. They will know what is covered and you will not be misinformed
4. They will be able to verify your coverage via roster or phone call
5. If you as a member have a problem with the pricing discount, the plan will be able to intervene and help you.

I can not stress this enough. Going to a dentist who is not credentialed with your plan puts you at financial risk! That dentist is under no obligation to give you the discounts or may be charging you off of an outdated fee schedule. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, make sure that whatever dentist you are seeing is authorized BY THE PLAN to take the plan that you have. 

To see a current list of Savon Dentists, Click Here!

Original post from Clay III on December 22, 2014

How the Toothpick came to be...

Here's a fun topic that I thought deserved a repost:   Enjoy, all!

There is evidence that the toothpick has been around in various forms since 1600 BC and that our modern day toothbrushes actually evolved from them! In early times, things like porcupine quills and chicken bones and wood splinters were used to clean teeth. Here are some excerpts from an article I found that has some great information about when the toothpick originated.

"The skulls of Neanderthals, as well as Homo sapiens, have shown clear signs of having teeth that were either flossed with blades of grass or picked with rudimentary toothpick tools. Similar markings have been found in the fossilized teeth of both American Indians and Australian Aborigines."
Source: Smithsonian Magazine

Here is another excerpt I found particularly interesting...
"At one time, you could tell a person's status by what they used to pick their teeth. Kings, queens, and lords picked their teeth with designer toothpicks made from gold, silver, or ivory. Often, they were inlaid with precious stones. Twigs and porcupine quills were most often used by the "lower classes." By the 17th century, the toothpick was the latest fad for the educated classes in Europe they were even included in traveling sets together with a knife and spoon."
Source: http://members.aol.com/acalendar/February/toothpick.html

Here's a closing fact just for fun:
Did you know?
"One cord of wood (logs 8' in length, stacked 4' high, and 4' wide) can be turned into 7.5 million toothpicks." Source: amusingfacts.com