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.

Choosing the Right Dental Floss

There are many different types of dental floss, so it’s difficult to know which types are the most effective. The “right” kind of floss is the one you use every day. Whether you have a personal preference about the flavor or thickness of floss, the most important floss is the one that does the job daily.

Tips for Finding a High Quality Dentist

Maintaining oral hygiene is essential to your overall health. That’s why finding a high quality dentist is just as important as finding the right family physician. Having a great dentist ensures that you and your family receive the best dental care possible.

The ADA Seal of Approval: Protect Your Oral Health

When it comes to buying dental health products, it’s important to know which products are best for you and your family. Even though most supermarkets and drug stores carry similar products and brands, you want to ensure that what you bring home is safe, effective and risk-free. So, how can you tell which products are ideal for your oral health?

The Benefits of Using a Vibrating Toothbrush

Thorough brushing is essential for peak dental health. To make bushing more fun and effective, there are a variety of toothbrushes from which to choose, including manual brushes in different colors, shapes, sizes.

Do Tooth Whitening Toothpastes Really Work?

There are so many brands of whitening toothpastes at your local store, and many wonder if they are worth the additional expense. Tooth whitening toothpastes can be an effective way to get a deep clean, but only if they’re used regularly over time.

Find the Perfect Toothbrush

When was the last time you shopped for a toothbrush? Being faced with so many choices can make it difficult to make a decision. Mostly any type of brush will get your teeth clean, but which one is best for you? In order to find your ideal toothbrush, you’ll need to narrow down your choices based on a few categories.

What Can Your Mouthwash Do for You?

On hectic mornings, using mouthwash right after careful brushing might seem like an unnecessary, time consuming task. However, mouthwash is effective at killing germs and freshening breath, so it’s very important not to skip this step during your oral care routine.

Toothbrushes Can Motivate Your Child to Brush

Getting your child to brush his or her teeth in the morning and before bed can be frustrating. It’s difficult—and sometimes impossible—to make little ones fully understand the benefits of good oral hygiene. Luckily, there are some innovative children’s toothbrushes that can help take some of the pressure off of frazzled parents!

Foods That Naturally Whiten Teeth

With so many teeth whitening products available, it’s difficult to know which ones are safe and effective. Fortunately, there are certain foods that help to clean, strengthen, and naturally whiten teeth. In fact, many oral health benefits can be found in common foods that may already be in your kitchen!

Whitening Treatments for a Bright Smile

Most of us strive to attain a beautiful, gleaming white smile. If your pearly whites have faded over time due to drinks like coffee and red wine, there are a variety of teeth whitening treatments that can help. But before you begin, be sure to do your research on the best available options.

When Should I See A Prosthodontist?

When it comes to receiving the best level of oral health care, it’s important to know which dental specialists suit specific dental treatments. Even if you take good care of your oral health, the unexpected may happen, such as trauma to the mouth. Therefore, over the course of your lifetime, you may require treatment from a prosthodontist.

Effective Toothpastes for Mouth Sensitivity

If you have sensitive gums and teeth, you know that eating, drinking and sometimes even talking can be an excruciating experience. Sensitivity can stem from many things, such as brushing too hard, grinding your teeth, plaque build-up, gum disease, tooth decay, or root exposure. Many acidic foods and tooth whitening products can also cause this condition.

5 Things You Should Not Eat if You Have Dental Fillings

Today’s fillings are a vast improvement over the cavity remedies of the past. However, filled teeth are more vulnerable than natural teeth. Care must be taken to prevent damage to fillings. Here are five things that people who have dental fillings should avoid consuming.

What Is a Mouth Guard? When Is It Used?

A mouth guard is a specially shaped piece of soft material that covers the teeth and gums. It is used to protect the mouth from injury. If you participate in any activity that carries a risk of blows to the face or falling, you’ll need to wear one. There are various types of mouth guards designed to suit the user.

What Is the Best Way to Protect Your Teeth?

In order to avoid dentures or dental implants in the future, it’s important to take proactive measures to care for your existing teeth. But what’s the best way to protect your teeth? Is it brushing all day long? Wearing a mouth guard all day? Luckily, the answer is far simpler and more convenient.

What Can I Do About Chipped Teeth?

Chipped teeth are more than an aesthetic issue. Depending on the severity of the breakage, a chip may lead to eating difficulties, pain, or infection. Read on to find out what to do for a chipped tooth.

Teeth Grinding and the Damage It Can Cause

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a condition in which people rub their teeth together forcefully, usually during sleep. It’s important to know a little about bruxism so that you can spot it and seek treatment promptly before damage occurs.

What Can I Do About Missing Teeth?

The best way to handle a missing tooth depends on when the tooth loss occurred. Read on for advice on how to handle tooth-loss emergencies as well as seek help for filling in those longtime empty spots.

What Can I Do About a Cracked Tooth?

A cracked tooth not only hurts but can also lead to tooth loss without prompt and correct treatment. Teeth—and enamel in particular—are fairly durable. However, chronic physical stress, accidents, and outright carelessness can cause breakage. Luckily, dentists can make most cracked teeth good as new.

How Can I Get My Child Interested in Oral Health?

To many children, maintaining oral health is about as appealing as eating vegetables and going to bed on time. As a parent or guardian, you must make an effort to encourage your child to keep good oral hygiene habits. Follow these helpful tips to give little smiles a good start in life.