Most American children don’t see their family dentist until they are well over 2 years old, which is far later than dental and medical professionals recommend. The ideal time for a child’s first dentist appointment is by age 1, or within six months after the first primary teeth erupt. Benefits of an Early Dental Visit […]

The Facts about Oral Thrush
Oral thrush is a fungal infection that most often occurs in infants, older adults and those with weakened immune systems. It’s caused by candida albicans, yeast that shows up as white patches in the mouth or throat. We naturally have candida in our mouths and it rarely presents a problem in healthy people. Sometimes due […]

Dentist Spotlight: Dr. Michael Hummitzsch
This month, we’d like to introduce you to Delta Dental dentist Dr. Michael Hummitzsch of Avondale Dental. Do you brush and floss as much as you recommend? I actually do, shockingly. What is your favorite flavor floss? I obviously haven’t tried many flavors, just non-flavored and mint. I’d have to go with mint. Electric or […]

What to Expect for Wisdom Teeth Removal
For many people, wisdom teeth (also known as “third molars”) are more problematic than helpful. They often come in misaligned or emerge only partially, and some remain trapped underneath the gums. These are known as impacted teeth and can eventually cause infection of the gums and surrounding bone. Because of these issues, many dentists recommend […]

Tooth Grinding & How to Stop It
There’s nothing worse than waking up feeling more tired than when you went to sleep the night before. Waking up with a headache is even worse. It is estimated that headaches affect about 50% of adults around the world. Many tension headaches can be traced to “a bad bite” or dental stress, particularly tooth grinding. […]

7 Reasons Smiling & Laughing are Good for You
Whoever said laughter is the best medicine was right! Researchers at the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland found that “people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations” when compared to those of a similar age without heart disease. In addition to “eating right […]

How to Floss Perfectly in 5 Easy Steps
Flossing is the single most important thing you can do for the health of your teeth. That’s because the friction created by floss rubbing against your tooth removes plaque much easier than brushing alone. When it comes to getting into every nook and cranny, there are 5 steps that will make your cleaning much more […]

Secondhand Smoke May Be Linked to Cavities in Kids
Researchers have long known there is a connection between tobacco use and gum disease, as well as oral cancers. What’s not well understood is the connection between secondhand smoke and the development of cavities in young children. A 2011 systemic review of 15 studies published between 1990 and 2010 found a “possible causal relationship” between […]

Celebrate National Smile Month with Your Kids
National Smile Month (June 1-30) is a perfect opportunity to teach your children good oral health habits in a fun way. Some parents might wonder how the words “fun” and “oral health” can be in the same sentence, but with these tricks and tips, your child will enjoy brushing and flossing almost as much as […]