Have you ever wondered if you are brushing your teeth properly? Dentists recommend placing your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward your gum line and gently moving the bristles back and forth in short strokes. Make sure to brush the outer, inner and biting surfaces of all your teeth. On top of maintaining a 45-degree […]

Did your doctor prescribe medicine that may cause you dry mouth? Dry mouth is a prominent effect of many medications. There are over 400 medicines that can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva. At Dental Plans Direct, we understand the importance of good oral hygiene and want to give you some helpful tips […]

Are you traveling soon? Carry an oral hygiene travel kit with you that includes your dentist’s phone number. Don’t forget to brush and floss! Building an Oral Hygiene Travel Kit Good oral hygiene is a very important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Remember that travel is no excuse to neglect good oral hygiene practices. […]

Parents are generally well aware of the importance of bringing their newborns to see a doctor for regular check-ups, but a new survey released by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry found that many parents are not aware of the importance of their infant’s dental health. The study found that only 33 percent of parents […]

Many phobias share the blame for keeping about half of Americans away from regular dental care. Let’s talk about these fears and get past them. Many phobias share the blame for keeping about half of Americans away from regular dental care. Feeling out of control, needles, embarrassment, infection, and cost are chief among them. Sometimes, […]

An estimated 400,000 of the 1.2 million Americans diagnosed with cancer each year may develop painful and debilitating oral complications from their cancer treatment. Persons who undergo cancer treatment are sometimes unaware that a dental examination is a critical step in maintaining their overall health. Someone who is receiving radiation therapy of the head and […]

Tooth decay is one of the most common health conditions in children and adolescents. However, due to the recent economic downturn, many families have chosen to sacrifice their dental insurance plans in order to save money. This has left millions of young people with untreated cavities that will continue to get worse, which can lead […]

Diabetes affects about 15.7 million Americans and nearly 800,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you may know that the disease can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body. Diabetes can lower your resistance to infection and can slow the healing […]

What is plaque? Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums. Following a meal or snack, the bacteria in plaque release acids that attack tooth enamel. Repeated attacks can cause the enamel to weaken, eventually causing tooth decay. Many of the foods we eat cause plaque bacteria to produce acids. […]

Many parents are unaware of the key role that oral health plays in the overall health of their children. Poor dental health can lead to nutritional problems, and children with cavities often have a hard time functioning in school. Parents are the first teachers of children, and proper dental hygiene habits are often formed at […]