Date Archives March 2020

Reasons to celebrate World Oral Health Day

read Insurance Resources and Dental Benefits
Two people smiling and holding each other.

*Updated March 2025

Every year on March 20, people around the world come together to celebrate World Oral Health Day, a global initiative dedicated to promoting the importance of good oral health.

Since its launch in 2013, this annual event has continued to raise awareness about how oral hygiene impacts overall wellbeing at every stage of life. By encouraging healthy habits and regular dental care, World Oral Health Day empowers individuals to take charge of their oral health and maintain a strong, confident smile for years to come.

The importance of World Oral Health Day

The celebration of World Oral Health Days showcases the global effort to improve oral health for everyone. While poor oral hygiene can lead to issues such as cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss, oral health is about more than just a bright smile—it’s an essential part of overall health.

Your oral health is closely linked to your overall wellbeing. It may even contribute to conditions such as:

Maintaining good oral health through regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups can help prevent these problems and contribute to a healthier life.

Celebrate World Oral Health Day by taking care of your teeth

Taking care of your teeth and gums doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some simple yet effective ways to keep your mouth healthy:

  • Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque and prevent cavities.
  • Floss daily to clean between teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach.
  • Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings.
  • Eat a balanced diet that’s low in sugar to protect your teeth from decay.
  • Stay hydrated and avoid tobacco use, which can lead to gum disease and other oral health issues.

A healthy mouth means a healthier you

World Oral Health Day is a great reminder that taking care of your teeth and gums is a lifelong commitment. By making oral health a priority, you’re not just investing in a confident smile, you’re also protecting your overall health.

Did you know having dental insurance makes it easier to protect your oral health? Learn more: “Benefits of using Delta Dental of Wisconsin dental insurance early in the year.”

Springtime Toothaches | Allergies and Sinus Pressure in Wisconsin

read Adult Oral Health, Lifestyle
Allergies and sinus pressure can lead to a toothache if left untreated. Learn how to keep seasonal allergies at bay.

Updated April 2022

Seasonal allergies can obnoxiously stuff up your day. Though we’re all for the warmer months, the allergies they bring are not so welcome. Toothaches are also common when allergies are in town. See how a toothache, allergies, and sinus pressure all go hand-in-hand.

When the winters are icy-cold for months on end, plants freeze over, and so does pollen. When the winters are mild, grasses can grow at a small degree all year round. That means they continue to release pollen all year. In either situation, springtime thaws what’s left after winter. Grasses and weeds paired with the wind toss irritants for miles. Your body doesn’t like when you inhale these tiny particles of pollen and dust. It tries its best to keep the harmful stuff out and releases chemicals called histamines. This results in:

  • Runny noses
  • Itchy eyes
  • Sinus pressure
  • Increase in mucus production

Springtime means environmental irritants are out in full force. The body’s response to an allergy is to absorb the outside irritant in mucus. This can cause serious congestion and grief. A side effect of this is more pressure in your maxillary sinus area, located under your cheekbones. Your back molars are also in the same area. They’re in close quarters, so when there’s pressure built up, tooth pain is almost inevitable.

Don’t Ignore Allergies and Sinus Pressure

Some allergy sufferers link their mouth misery to tooth decay – but they forget that allergies and sinus pressure are related. Your dentist can tell if it’s simply sinus pressure or something more.

If you have pain in your sinuses or a toothache, the worst thing to do is ignore it. Even though it’s just allergies, these problems can seriously impact your quality of life. Lean forward and press your fingers against your cheekbones. If your pain or toothache increases, it’s probably sinus related.

If you struggle with allergies every year (or all year), create a seasonal game plan with your doctor. This may include antihistamines or nasal rinsing. To see what’s best for your allergy-inspired toothache, talk with your dentist and your doctor.

Here are some clues that your tooth pain is not from allergies and requires a dental visit:

  • You have a history of dental problems
  • Your pain is confined to one specific tooth
  • Tooth pain persists, even after allergy symptoms and pressure have subsided

Seasonal allergies affect everyone differently. Your dentist and doctor can give you the most accurate diagnosis for your specific problems. But don’t wait for the pain to disappear; spring into action and visit your doctor and dentist for a smile fit for all seasons.

Common Questions Around Pediatric Dental Procedures

read Children's Oral Health
Pediatric dentists undergo additional years of training after dental school in order to provide specialized care to infants, children, and people with special health care needs. Click to learn about pediatric dental procedures.

Why might your family dentist refer you to a pediatric dentist, and what are the most common pediatric dental procedures?

Pediatric dentists undergo an additional two or three years of training after dental school in order to provide specialized care to infants, children, and people with special health care needs. They receive targeted training in growth and development, psychology, and behavior management, which helps them treat children with a personalized touch that a regular dentist may not have. A pediatric dentist may also be recommended if a family dentist finds a child’s needs difficult to address.

Brush up on the most common dental procedures for kids to make the most of your child’s next dentist appointment!

Child Dental X-rays

Why do kids need dental X-rays? Dental X-rays help your dentist diagnose and treat oral conditions, like periodontal (gum) diseases and cavities. They allow the dentist to visualize what they may not be able to detect with their eyes alone. Dental X-rays may also be taken to monitor the development of permanent teeth buried deeper in jawbones and to observe growth patterns in facial bones. Because their mouths grow and change so rapidly, children often need X-rays more frequently than adults.

At what age should kids start to get dental X-rays? Unlike taking your child to the dentist by age 1, there is no specific age for a first dental X-ray exam. It will depend on how healthy (or unhealthy) your child’s teeth and mouth are. Kids with lower risk and little history of past dental problems need them less frequently than those at high risk or with a lot of existing dental work.

Are there any risks related to getting X-rays done? X-rays can pose a risk because they use low levels of radiation. To reduce the level of exposure, dentists use lead aprons and shields to protect children during the process, and only take X-rays when the diagnostic benefits outweigh potential risks. All radiation can be damaging and the effect is cumulative over a lifetime, but dental X-rays are generally considered safe when taken according to guidelines. Click here for information about getting dental X-rays during pregnancy.

Sealants for Kids

Brushing and flossing will always be key to help remove food and plaque from your teeth. However, a toothbrush can’t always reach deep into grooves (called pits and fissures) that may have formed, especially when in young hands. When food and plaque are allowed to sit, this leads to cavities. Sealants offer a better solution when it comes to preventing cavities, which is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood.

Why do kids need sealants? During preventive care exams, a dentist or hygienist will remove plaque and tartar. As they examine the health of the teeth and mouth, they may place sealants on teeth that have the highest risk for tooth decay.

According to the CDC, 38% of kids ages 12 to 19 have dental sealants. Children at higher risk for tooth decay will benefit the most, so ask your dentist about your child’s risk for dental disease.

At what age should kids start to get sealants? Sealants are most effective when applied to decay-susceptible biting surfaces as soon as the teeth come in. Both adults and children can benefit from sealants, but they can have a stronger impact if used at an earlier age.

A child’s permanent molar teeth come in between the ages five and seven, with their second permanent molars come in between ages 11 and 14. Ideally, they would get sealants on their molars immediately upon the permanent molars emerging. Many Delta Dental plans provide coverage for sealants on a child’s permanent first and second molars; check your specific plan details for more information.

Fluoride Treatments for Kids

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making teeth more resistant to plaque, bacteria, and sugar in the mouth. Kids can get fluoride through tap water, certain toothpastes and mouth rinses, and treatments applied by a dentist. It’s estimated that 90% of the Wisconsin population that drinks tap water receives the benefits of optimal fluoride levels.

About 20% of children between the ages of five to 11 years old have untreated tooth decay, but fluoride varnish can prevent about one-third
of cavities in baby teeth. When you prevent cavities, you prevent the overall health concerns and dental problems that are associated with poor oral health at a young age.

Professional fluoride treatments are applied quickly and easily as a varnish, gel, or foam. Fluoride treatments at the dentist are more concentrated than your traditional mouthwashes or toothpastes. As with sealants, professional strength fluoride treatments are not always necessary for every kid, so talk with the dentist to see if your child is at higher risk for tooth decay. If your child needs fluoride, your dentist can provide a fluoride plan based on their specific needs. 

Click here to read our blog Pediatric Dental Benefits: Procedure Categories.

Considering Contact Lenses? Don’t Be Shy.

read Lifestyle, Vision Benefits
If you have any questions about contact lenses, your eye doctor can help. He or she should be happy to answer all your questions, so don’t hold back, even if you think some may be trivial.

If you have any questions about contact lenses, your eye doctor can help. He or she should be happy to answer all your questions, so don’t hold back, even if you think some may be trivial. Here’s a guide on what to do and think about before and during your visit.

Things to consider:

  • Is vision correction affecting your activities or self-esteem?
  • Do you consistently wear your glasses when needed? Are they frequently broken, lost, or dirty?
  • How interested are you in contact lenses? Are you motivated enough to take care of them?
  • Have you noticed any eye problems such as blurry vision, flashes of light, poor night vision, or double vision? Do you have trouble tracking moving objects, judging distances, or determining colors?
  • How’s your general health? Be ready to tell the eye doctor about injuries, chronic conditions, allergies, medications, or operations.
  • Does your family have a history of eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, or other ailments?

What to bring:

  • Your current contact lenses or eyeglasses if you have them, and a copy of your last prescription for glasses and contact lenses, if available
  • Your vision insurance card (if needed)

What to ask:

  • How is my vision? What are my vision correction options? What’s going to provide the best vision and the most flexibility given my activities and needs?

And, of course, if anything is confusing during the examination, you shouldn’t hesitate to ask your eye care professional.

Regular eye exams play a vital role in a healthy life – find a DeltaVision® provider near you today!

Article information courtesy of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc., makers of ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses.
ACUVUE® is a trademark of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. ©Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. 2013.

Why We Appreciate Dental Assistants | Dental Assistant Recognition Week

read Uncategorized
Everybody who’s been to the dentist has worked with one, but what exactly are the job duties of a dental assistant?

What are the job duties of a dental assistant? It is likely that anyone who’s visited or worked within a dental office has come across them. These helpful people handle many things around a dentist’s office, from paperwork to bedside manner. 

In addition to a necessary set of office skills, dental assistants should have patience. They need compassion, understanding, and good listening skills. Often the dental assistant is the first and last touch point you have in the dentist office. Sometimes it could be the receptionist or the dentist themselves; but, in many offices, the dental assistant is the person you see the most.

Dental assistants grease the cogs that keep the wheels turning. They hear your concerns, listen to requests, and calm nerves. The job duties of a dental assistant can reach beyond what’s learned from a book or class. In honor of these key employees, here is a breakdown of some other responsibilities of dental assistants:

Preparation and Takedown — Before you’re even in the dentist chair, the dental assistant has been hard at work prepping the space for your appointment. This includes cleaning and disinfecting everything in the treatment room, setting out the instruments that will be used, and checking off whatever else is needed for your appointment. Once your appointment is completed, the process starts all over again for the next patient. 

Assisting the Doctor — The dental assistant typically begins an appointment by taking the you to the examination room and discussing your needs. Then, they may also take X-rays and complete other assessments for the dentist. The assistant helps the dentist with tasks during the appointment including instrument handling, rinsing and suction, and keeping the treatment area clean and organized. Dental assistants also take impressions of teeth and provide post-care instructions.

Office management — Often, the role of dental assistant isn’t limited to just patient-facing tasks. There’s more to keeping a dental practice running smoothly, like ordering supplies, scheduling appointments, submitting insurance claims, billing customers, and other administrative tasks. Many dental assistants also take care of these responsibilities – they’re some of the best multi-taskers around!

While helping the dentist and patient, and handling office work efficiently, dental assistants are often anticipating the needs of those around them. March 1-7 is Dental Assistant Recognition week, designed to honor those important team members in every dental practice. The job duties of a dental assistant are multi-faceted, though hopefully not thankless. So the next time you go in for a check-up, appreciate all the dental assistants you see. They help each and every dental appointment happen seamlessly. 

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