Too many children in Arizona experience tooth decay. In fact, more than half of Arizona’s kindergarten children (52%) have decay experience, a level higher than the national average for 5-year-olds (36%), according to the Healthy Smiles Healthy Bodies Survey. The traditional treatment for cavities is to drill out the decay and provide a dental filling, which […]
Tag Archives: cavity prevention
Fluoride: The Mineral with Big Benefits
Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, is not only beneficial, but is essential to teeth. How does fluoride help teeth? Fluoride makes up the enamel of teeth—or the hard outer layer. As we use our teeth, bacteria, sugar and acids break down the enamel, demineralizing teeth. Fluoride builds the enamel back up again in a process […]
Do Teeth Make Good Bottle Openers?
Using your teeth as tools may be convenient, but it’s a habit that makes most dentists cringe. In fact, using your teeth for the following purposes could actually land you in the dentist’s chair: Bottle Opener Nothing makes the perfect summer couple quite like beer and BBQs. But while your friends may think it’s a […]
Cavities: Are They the Result of Genetics or Bad Behavior?
Although the rate of tooth decay has decreased for most Americans over the last 40 years, tooth decay remains the most common chronic disease in both children and adults. Nationally, 92% of adults 20 to 64 have had cavities in their permanent teeth. Locally, 60% of children in Arizona have had at least one cavity. […]
Combating Tooth Decay: 3 Ways to Help Kids Get a Passing Grade in Oral Health This School Year
As a new school year begins for students across the nation, many parents may be thinking about school supplies, earlier bedtimes, and homework. But with tooth decay being one of the most common diseases among children, Delta Dental of Arizona is reminding parents of three key items that shouldn’t be overlooked when preparing kids for […]
Dental Visits Decoded: Cleanings
Having a dental professional clean your teeth helps remove tartar and stains that you can’t remove on your own. If it’s been awhile since you’ve found yourself in a dental chair, here’s what you can expect when you go in for a cleaning. Tartar forms when plaque is left on teeth long enough that it […]
Holiday Sugar Shock
Almost everyone figures that the holidays are a time to loosen up a bit about what you eat, and there’s nothing wrong with reasonably partaking in some sweets. Nobody’s going to gain a pant size or develop a cavity because of the occasional holiday indulgence. However, you might be surprised by how much sugar is […]
Celebrate National Floss Day in Style
We’re not sure if it’s great planning or great coincidence that National Floss Day is always scheduled right after Thanksgiving, one of the biggest food holidays of the year, but either way, dental floss deserves the accolades. For such a tiny piece of string, it has a huge impact on your oral health. But are […]
Five Reasons to Floss Your Teeth Daily
If you’re like most people I talk to, your flossing regimen consists of flossing the night before and the day of your dentist appointment. Your palms might even get a bit sweaty and you might try to avert your eyes when the dentist asks how often you floss. Since you’re a thorough brusher, you say, […]
Trend Watch: Oil Pulling for Better Dental Health
You may have first heard of oil pulling via Facebook or Pinterest. Indeed, the whole Internet is buzzing about the latest natural health craze. But exactly what is oil pulling, how safe is it and does it actually work? What is oil pulling? Originating in India, oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves […]
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3 Resources to Help You Pick The Perfect Dentist
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Combating Tooth Decay: 3 Ways to Help Kids Get a Passing Grade in Oral Health This School Year
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9 Common Questions and Answers for Parents Considering Braces for their Children
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Are Electric Toothbrushes Better?
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Smoking Linked to Poor Oral Health
