Not all of us are lucky enough to have naturally straight teeth. Whether you have one or many teeth out of place, chances are that you have considered braces. Some parents choose to get their children braces during adolescence, however, that is rapidly changing. In 2010, the number of adults in braces was up 23% […]
The Team
Sandi Perez
Contributor
Sandi Ernst Perez, Ph.D., joined Delta Dental of Arizona in 2006 and has a dual role as vice president of community benefit and executive director of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation. A champion for the mouth-body connection in health and wellness, she works to fulfill the Foundation's mission to improve the oral health of underserved and uninsured populations across the state by educating the public, increasing awareness and providing grants, leadership and technical assistance. Originally from Ohio, she has lived in Arizona since 1992 with her husband, two children (one still in braces) and four rescue dogs. That translates into 296 teeth to take care of!
[Editor's Note: Sandi is no longer a current DDAZ employee.]
Recent blog posts written by Sandi Perez
3 Refreshing & Guilt-free Summer Drinks to Try
June in Arizona can be tortuous if you’re not sitting by the pool with an ice-cold drink! Even though a Long Island Ice Tea or Tom Collins might be calling your name, why not try something new and exotic? Your friends will love you and your waistline and teeth will thank you! Farmers Market Margarita […]
Menopause and Your Mouth: How Menopause Affects Women’s Oral Health
Hot flashes and night sweats are two menopause annoyances utilized for comedic relief in TV shows and movies like That 70’s Show and Mrs. Doubtfire. While the comedic dramatizations are chuckle-inducing, there are other serious changes associated with menopause — including problems with your oral health — that are no laughing matter. Research has long […]
Senior Oral Health Care: Some Things Never Change (And Some Do!)
The most common chronic disease during childhood is exactly the same in people ages 65 and older: tooth decay. Nine in 10 people 65 or older have cavities, and 25 percent of those people have decay that has yet to be treated. In fact, 25 percent of people 65 or older haven’t even visited the […]
Does Your Child Dread the Dentist? 5 Tips to Ease Your Kid’s Fear
Fear is a basic survival mechanism that everyone is born with. It is what we are afraid of that is absorbed from the environment around us. If you have a crippling fear of the dentist, you may be unconsciously teaching your child to fear the dentist too. Trips to the dentist may include crying and […]
Rethink Your Refund: Invest in Your Oral Health
April 15 is a dreaded day for some – and a delightful day for others. If you’re expecting to get a few bucks back from your tax return this year, why not invest in your oral health? No matter the size of your refund, there’s something you can nab to make your smile sparkle. Tooth […]
5 Reasons to Wish Your Dentist Happy National Dentist Day
From keeping you pain-free to telling the best jokes, we’re grateful for everything specialists like jacksonville emergency dental services and dentists in general do. Here are five reasons to thank your dentist on March 6, National Dentist Day. They can help prevent dental disease or detect it early enough to stop it. Your local Mcguire […]
How to Combat the Scariest Halloween Sweets
Halloween is undoubtedly one of the scariest times of year for teeth. Thanks to trick-or-treating and spooky parties, many children (and adults) indulge in candy more often than usual in October. Sticky sweets are some of the worst cavity-causing culprits because saliva and ordinary drinking don’t easily wash away their residue. Hard candies and other […]
Gingivitis: Nearly 100% Preventable
The earliest sign of gum disease is called gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can eventually lead to the loss of gum tissue, bone supporting the teeth and eventually the actual teeth. The good news is that it is easy to treat. Better yet, it’s nearly 100% preventable. Gingivitis is usually caused by allowing plaque to […]
Brushing to Independence: 4 Tips for Toddler Teeth Brushing
Every parent looks forward to the time when their child is able to go to the bathroom without help, when they can start getting dressed on their own, and when they can wield a toothbrush with just a little help from you afterward. A bit of independence can be a great thing – but how […]