Date Archives December 2015

A Parent’s Guide to the Perfect Slumber Party: Tooth-friendly tips to ensure smiles all around

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You’re probably wondering how to keep the party fun for the kids, and low-stress for you. The answer is easy: Have a plan! As a parent, we’re sure you already know — kids do better with a routine.

Here are 3 plan-ahead DIYs to get the party started:

1. Souvenirs

Head to your local budget store and pick out sleepover-themed trinkets. Write each guest’s name on a bucket to make them feel extra-special. Slip stickers, lip balm and dental items into each favor bundle. Why? Toothbrushes are forgotten most at sleepovers, according to experts.

2. Snacks

Unhealthy snacks are a slumber party staple. Spice up your sleepover with a healthy, easy-to-please alternative: Pint-sized pizzas!

Start with mini, thin-crust pizza rounds (most stores even make whole grain versions!). Then let little chefs pick their favorite ingredients. Healthy options include:

• Low-fat cheeses

• Mushrooms

• Peppers

• Olives

• Lean turkey

• Broccoli

• Spinach

3. Selfies

Selfies and sleepovers go together like PJs and popcorn. Hang fabric for a funky photo wall. Print out our templates (below) so slumber partygoers can DIY photo booth props. Get creative — markers, feathers, and sequins make for extra flare.

It’s fine to bend bedtime rules a little, just make sure little ones get at least 8 hours of shut-eye.

Is the Beverage to Blame? Sports Drinks May Not Be Causing Those Cavities

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Erosion, decay, acid, damage. These were the words splashed across the Google results page after we searched, “sports drinks and teeth.”

Though it’s true they can harm your teeth, the same is true of your habits. A few mistakes we all may be making include:

• Assuming They’re For You

Intensity is everything. If you’re an athlete or partake in prolonged physical activity, you’ll benefit from swigging a sports drink. Intense workouts deplete your body’s resources and overall energy. Sports drinks fight fatigue and supercharge stamina with electrolytes and carbohydrates.

Remember — water is (almost) always the winner. 

• Consuming Them Wrong

While it’s true sugared drinks can cause cavities, how and when you drink makes a huge difference. Make sure to take a sip of water after consuming sports drinks. The water helps to wash away plaque-causing bacteria. You can also try drinking with a straw to minimize teeth contact.

• Abusing Them

If you are constantly snacking on sweets or sipping a sweet beverage, your teeth are exposed to acid all day long. When sugar sits on your teeth for long periods of time, you’re prone to decay.

As with everything, moderation is key. Sip sports drinks occasionally and brush after consumption.

Doggie Dental Health Infographic

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canine dental health

Your dog’s teeth matter, and their beauty routine isn’t complete without a teeth cleaning. Learn about why canine dental health matters, and how you can take care of their doggie grins:

canine dental health

Safe Smiles for Young Bucks!

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PLUS: Meet Milwaukee Bucks Players

Basketball season is here, and we want to help you smile on and off the court! We are pleased to announce a new sponsorship with the Milwaukee Bucks for the 2015-16 NBA season. This year, Delta Dental of Wisconsin will sponsor the Delta Dental Starting Lineup. Eight lucky fans ages 6-13 will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to high-five the home team players as they are announced immediately prior to tip-off.

One of the eight winning kids will be selected from the Delta Dental Starting Lineup contest page and will receive a set of four lower level tickets for the game. The other seven winners will be selected randomly on game day. Sign up today to have a super Bucks smile!

Defining Delta Dental: We’re Not a Dentist Office

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Girl-Chalkboard

“Can I schedule an appointment?”

“You’re a dentist office, right?”

“Where are you located?”

We’ve heard it all before. Not everyone knows what Delta Dental does or how we commit ourselves to your oral and overall health. But we hope to change that!

So who is Delta Dental? Here’s what you need to know:

We Sell Dental Benefits

In 1954, a group of dentists met to discuss how to better improve the oral health of the communities they served. They became the first organization to specialize in dental coverage, serving members in California, Oregon and Washington. In 1966, the group expanded its coverage and formed the Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA).

There Are 39 Delta Dental Companies

DDPA is comprised of 39 independent member companies including Delta Dental of Wisconsin, serving all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Together we serve over 59.5 million people from 93,000 employer groups.

We Give Back

We believe everyone deserves access to good oral healthcare. At Delta Dental of Wisconsin, we have made it part of our mission to help extend access to care, advance the science, and support an effective oral-health workforce. Learn about the projects that receive support from our Charitable Fund, and how we live our mission to help improve oral health for residents in Wisconsin.

We’re proud to be a part of your community. Contact us today to learn how we can keep you smiling!

Warming Up a Wisconsin Winter with Hot Beverages: How to Counter the Sugar

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coffee

Ask most Wisconsinites how they keep warm during the cold winter months and many will tell you a hot chocolate, tea, or latte! A Delta Dental survey recently confirmed just how much we love our pumpkin spice lattes. Big numbers. A whopping 72% of all American adults (more than 175 million people) consume seasonal beverages such as pumpkin spice lattes and caramel apple ciders as the colder months descend upon the nation.

Those who do indulge, do so quite often. 39% of those surveyed, who say they do drink the seasonal beverages, drink them at least once a week.

cups

Millennials are top consumers. Nearly nine in ten (86%) 18-34 year-olds consume beverages like pumpkin spice lattes during the fall and winter compared to fewer (67%) of those 35+ who do the same.

Over half (55%) of Millennials who drink seasonal beverages do so at least once a week compared to fewer (31%) of their older counterparts.

Parents are much more likely than Americans without children (53% v. 33%) to consume such a drink at least once a week.

More women than men (77% vs. 68%) enjoy seasonal beverages during winter months.

It is OK to warm up and indulge in your favorite winter drink, but remember a few quick steps can help protect your teeth and oral health:

  • Consider decreasing the number of “pumps” of flavoring added to your drinks to cut back on some of the sugar (a little over one teaspoon per pump).
  • Try to limit the amount of other sugary foods you consume throughout the day if you are going to treat yourself to a sugary beverage.
  • Enjoy your favorite winter drink with a meal, not as a standalone treat. That way, other foods will help keep the sugar from clinging inside your mouth.
  • Brush your teeth for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste soon after finishing the beverage, if possible.
  • If you can’t brush your teeth, chew a sugar-free gum to help neutralize the acids that attack your teeth.
  • Follow sugary beverages with a glass of water to help wash sugar and acid from your teeth.