Want Whiter Teeth?

Brush Less! Sounds crazy right? A recent study by the American Dental Association (ADA) showed many people believed you need to brush after every meal to keep your teeth white. The American Dental Association recommends you only brush twice a day. Why? When you brush your teeth after every meal or snack you are damaging the enamel on your teeth.

If you feel the need to brush your teeth, try chewing on a piece of sugar free gum. Chewing gum helps increase saliva flow, which protects teeth.

How well do you know your doctor?

I was reading a news article about a dentist in Texas who allegedly, while under the influence of alcohol, botched a surgical procedure on a woman.  Lawsuits are pending.

This is incredibly disturbing when you think about how many people get treatment every day from doctors they know nothing about.  How many times have you picked a random doctor off of your insurance list?  I know I have done it, figuring that if my insurance lists them, they must be good enough.  They have a degree and a license to practice so it must be safe. And for some, it might be, but unfortunately, it is still an incredible risk to take.

Most people aren't even aware that you CAN research any doctor with a license.  Information such as where they went to school, when they graduated, complaints, infractions, etc. can be obtained for the general public.  It's as simple as a Google.com search for your local dental or medical board. Read the reviews.  Reviews tell a lot about the office and staff.

Such a simple step could have changed everything for that poor woman.

When it comes to your health, you can never be too careful!  Whatever you do, whether it be dentist, doctors or surgeons, ALWAYS KNOW who is working on you!

Waxed Or 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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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!!

Original Post December 17, 2009

Give The Gift Of An Affordable Smile This Year!

Its that time of year again!!! Thanksgiving will come and go in a flash and before you know it, Christmas will be here! Many people around the country are still without dental benefits and YOU can help!! Savon Dental Plan gift certificates are now available for purchase! What better gift can you give someone than one they can use all year long??!! And better yet, if you're already a member and you buy a gift certificate, you get 2 free months added to your own plan!
Click here to learn the details about our special Holiday offer!

Happy Thanksgiving, and as always, Keep Smiling!


reposted from moobiedoo Nov. 2010.

Gum Disease and Your Overall Health

Many people are not aware of the connection between good oral health and the body's immune system. Fact: GUM DISEASE DOES NOT LIMIT ITSELF TO JUST YOUR TEETH AND GUMS! Did you know that infections of the gums and underlying bone are among the toughest infections for the body to fight? Periodontal disease, left untreated over a period of time, will cause the body's immune system to eventually weaken, leaving the body vulnerable to other diseases and infections that can be difficult to treat. Gum infections are dangerous because the toxic bacteria in an infected mouth can easily access the bloodstream and travel to other parts of the body, such as the heart and lungs.

Some health problems that have been associated with periodontal disease are:

*Coronary Artery disease

*Stroke

*Osteoporosis

*Diabetes

*Respiratory Diseases

Remember, your good OVERALL health begins with good ORAL health! How well are you managing YOUR oral health?

Tooth Pain May Not Always Be Dental Related!

Did you know that toothaches can have a variety of causes and not all of them are actual dental issues?
You might find it interesting and informative to know some of these causes of tooth and jaw pain that are not related to the teeth!

1. 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.
2. Many people do not know that angina pain and some heart ailments can also cause jaw pain and/or tooth pain as well.
3. Occasionally, toothaches are caused by nerve ailments and neuralgia.
4. 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.

Keep smiling!