Blog

Welcome to “The Dental Digest,” EDP Dental Plan’s educational blog, and an excellent resource to help you and your family keep your smile healthy and bright. The Dental Digest will provide you with dental tips meant to help shorten your routine visits, dental news to help you stay up on the latest developments, and general dentistry knowledge, so you can be a smart, educated patient.

Shorten Routine Dental Appointments

Keep your routine cleanings and other appointments shorter by finding answers to common questions on our blog. Furthermore, by reading our tips on how to practice good oral hygiene at home, you may be able to prevent many conditions, such as cavities and gingivitis, which could become costly to treat later. Shorter dental visits are usually more pleasant visits.

Keep Up to Date on the Latest Dental News and Research

Another benefit of checking recent EDP Dental Plan blog posts is that you can reap all the benefits of the latest dental news. Most adults learned different habits in childhood than those taught by today’s dentists. For example, tongue scraping was not commonly taught in past decades, but we now know that tongue hygiene is crucial not just for your mouth but for overall health. Research also suggests that consistent flossing may reduce the negative effects of teeth grinding, and the ability to examine images of the carotid arteries in dental x-rays has been shown to aid in the prevention of strokes. These are tips that not every patient receives during a routine visit.

Learn More About All Aspects of Dentistry

“The Dental Digest” is about more than self-care. Other topics include the difference between a dental plan and dental insurance, breakthroughs in equipment technology, conquering fear of the dentist, and options for teeth whitening. Read on and find out how you can maximize the value of your dental plan by reviewing our blog regularly and making wise decisions in all aspects of your dental care.

EDP Dental Plan’s low-cost annual membership easily pays for itself, often at the very first appointment. EDP members have access to the expansive EDP network of dentists and specialists throughout New York and can save up to 70 percent on both preventative care and necessary procedures. Best of all, there is no limit to the number of visits per calendar year, and savings add up quickly. In addition to the money you’ll save as an EDP member, you can save time by visiting the blog to remain knowledgeable about preventative at-home oral care.

What is a Prosthodontist and When Should I See One?

Birth defects, or the loss of our natural teeth due to an injury or as we age, can cause embarrassment and cause some to withdraw socially. A prosthodontist, one of the 9 specialists recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA), is a dentist who specializes in esthetic dental restoration and tooth replacement. Ensuring that teeth…Read More »

How to Find the Right Dentist for You

Sometimes people need to locate a new general dentist for any number of valid reasons. Perhaps they have moved, or their long-time dentist is retiring. Maybe the dental office that served them well as a newly-married couple a decade ago, does not have a pediatric dentist on staff for their entire family that now includes…Read More »

What to Know Before Your Dental Surgery

When you are referred by your dentist to a specialist for a procedure, you’ll doubtless have questions during the initial consultation. Here we’ve prepared a list of questions you should ask to ensure you both reach an understanding of both the procedure and the steps you can take to ensure an optimal outcome. Questions to…Read More »

What is an Endodontist and When Should I See One?

When your complaints of swelling and tooth pain require a root canal procedure to remedy, your dentist will refer you to an endodontist. This is a dental specialist who will have completed additional years of training to specifically perform root canal, root-end surgeries and the treatment of traumatic tooth injuries in children and adults. Here…Read More »

How to Take Care of Your Baby’s Teeth

It’s not too soon to start baby dental care! The time to begin to take care of your baby’s teeth is before he or she develops them. Even though these “milk” teeth will not be around for a long time, it is essential to take care of them to ensure the health of your baby’s…Read More »

How Smoking Damages Your Teeth

Smoking and teeth are not a good combination. It is widely understood that smoking may have a number of adverse effects on smokers’ health. By the action of smoking as an oral activity, it is very important that smokers take extra care of their mouth and teeth. Proper oral care can minimize issues that arise…Read More »

Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer

Many may not be aware, but cancer can invade the mouth. Also the earliest signs of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer could easily be mistaken for other, less serious ailments such as a cold or even a toothache. Below some of the most common symptoms of oral cancer are listed. Should you experience any of…Read More »

How to Know If You Need Root Canal Surgery

Root canal treatments have greatly improved over the years. Nevertheless, a root canal is still a serious procedure. It’s reserved primarily for dead and/or severely infected teeth. If you’ve been experiencing trouble with one or more teeth, it’s possible that you will need such a procedure. Here are a few things to watch out for….Read More »

Dental Veneers as a Less Expensive Option Than Crowns

Both veneers and crowns are dental restorations that can give you a more beautiful smile. However, there are important differences between the two techniques. For many prospective clients, cost is the primary factor. The following basic information can help you make a decision when it comes to restoring your own teeth. Dental veneers vs. dental…Read More »

Neglecting Proper Dental Care Can Cause Serious Problems

If you were blessed with good genes and take care with your oral hygiene routine, you may be tempted to delay or skip dental visits. While you might believe that you don’t need regular professional attention, this way of thinking can lead to problems down the road. Read on to find out why proper dental…Read More »

Insurance vs. Discount Dental Plans

Insurance is as American as apple pie. But just as apple pie may not be the best choice for your teeth, insurance may not be the best choice for your dental coverage. Maybe you weren’t previously aware that alternatives existed. Here are the differences between insurance and discount dental plans, so you can pick the…Read More »

Lactose Sensitivity and Dental Care

Medical professionals are finding more links between oral health and overall health. Believe it or not, lactose intolerance and dairy allergies can affect your teeth and your dental visits. What Is Lactose Sensitivity? The word “sensitivity” means different things to different people. Some people use “allergy” and “sensitivity” interchangeably. Technically, an allergy is an immune…Read More »

Conventional vs. Electric Toothbrushes

Are you considering purchasing an electric toothbrush? If you’ve always used a manual brush, you may wonder what benefits a power toothbrush offers. Our tips can help you make that buying decision and get the tool that works best for you. Conventional Toothbrushes The standard toothbrush works with the movement of your hand and forearm…Read More »

Why Gums Bleed

Gum tissue bleeds when it is inflamed. Such is the case in patients who have gum disease—either gingivitis (early-stage) or periodontitis (advanced). When plaque builds up, the bacteria can cause redness, swelling, bleeding, and eventually tooth loss. Mild bleeding that occasionally results from flossing is usually nothing to be concerned about. But if your gums…Read More »

Pros and Cons of Having Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removed

There is no history as to when wisdom teeth began to be known by that term. Linguists, who study word origins, believe that because these are the last teeth to appear and so much later than our adult teeth, that we are considered mature or “wiser.” Most people develop one or more of their four…Read More »

Never Too Late: Braces for Adults

Appearances are more important in business and in personal attraction than ever before. There have been numerous studies about job applicants with similar resumes. The applicant that is perceived to be more attractive usually gets the job offer. Perceptions of attractiveness include straight teeth and a perfect smile. For this and many other reasons, it…Read More »

How Infected Sinuses Can Cause Tooth Pain

Your mouth hurts. You have a toothache. But there is no inflammation or discharge at the base of the tooth, just pain so insistent you cannot think about anything else. Chances are you do not have a tooth infection, but a sinus infection causing tooth pain. How Can a Sinus Infection Be Causing Tooth Pain?…Read More »

Different Kinds of Dental Fillings and Their Ideal Uses

Fifty years ago when you visited your dentist for a filling, there were only two choices available: a gold or silver amalgam. While not particularly cosmetic, metal tooth fillings were durable and the amalgam relatively inexpensive. Concerns over the possibility of toxins leaching from the amalgam over time, however, prompted further development of substances to…Read More »

Fluoride Toothpaste and Fluoride Mouthwash

How Silver Foil Improved America’s Dental Health Early 20th century scientists were trying to discover the cause of extensive tooth staining in residents who lived near a bauxite factory (today known as Alcoa Aluminum). They discovered that their water supply contained high amounts of fluoride (a byproduct that occurred while processing bauxite). While unsightly, those…Read More »

Oral Hygiene for the Elderly

70 is the new 50. We are living longer and appearing more youthful and vibrant than our grandparents at the same age. Therefore it is especially important to continue sound oral health practices into our senior years. Dental care for seniors is essential to maintain or to regain one’s vitality. Now more than ever it…Read More »