Reasons to love electric toothbrushes and how to properly brush with them

read Adult Oral Health
There are so many reasons why we love the electric toothbrush. Let’s dive into its benefits and how to master your electric brushing technique.

*Updated June 2022

In this day in age, it seems like everything is going electric—cars, fireplaces, scooters, and even your toothbrush! And just like an electric scooter takes the labor out of scooting, or an electric vehicle increases efficiency on the road, electric toothbrushes help make our oral health routine a little easier. There are so many reasons why we love electric toothbrushes. So, let’s go ahead and dive into their benefits and how to master your electric brushing technique. 

Why Go Electric? 

They’re Easy to Use

We love electric toothbrushes because they remove most of the physical work that comes with brushing your teeth. By using bristle vibration and rotation technology, electronic toothbrushes can essentially do all the work for you. And what’s not to love about that? Having the option to set your toothbrush on “auto-drive” also helps provide greater access to oral health. For example, it can be helpful for those with mobility disabilities like carpal tunnel or arthritis that can sometimes struggle with manual brushing movements.

They Provide a Deeper Clean

A study conducted by Cochrane Oral Health Group revealed that electric toothbrushes are more effective at cleaning compared to a manual toothbrush. After three months of brushing with an electric toothbrush, participants reduced plaque by 21% and gingivitis by 11%. In addition, many electric toothbrushes are equipped with built-in timers that can help individuals brush for the dentist-recommended time of two minutes.

They Can Be Fun for Kids!

Brushing with an electric toothbrush can help kids learn a consistent oral health routine. They might have fun picking various brushing modes, waiting for the timer to reach zero, or in advanced models, even connecting with different apps for games. Regardless of the reason, electric toothbrushes can help make kids more enthusiastic about their daily brushing routine—which is a win all around.

How to Brush with an Electric Toothbrush

One of the most important things to remember when using an electric toothbrush is that it’s doing the work for you, so there’s no need to push down or scrub back and forth. Whether it’s your first time or you need a refresher, next time you brush with an electric toothbrush, we recommend following these five steps:

  1. Properly floss your teeth.
  2. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle.
  3. Place the brush over each tooth for three to five seconds, starting in the front and slowly moving to the back.
  4. Gently run the brush over your gums. If your brush has a ‘gentle’ or ‘gum’ setting, be sure to switch to it.
  5. Replace the brush head every three to four months. 

If you notice tooth sensitivity, swelling, and bleeding, ask your dentist if you may be brushing too hard. These could also be underlying symptoms of gum disease.

Does This Mean Manual Toothbrushes are Bad? 

Electric toothbrushes have many benefits, but does this mean you should throw away your manual toothbrush? Absolutely not! If you’re able to achieve successful oral health with your manual toothbrush, then keep doing what you’re doing. You win either way. All brushes, including manual, can be effective at removing plaque if used correctly and for the appropriate length of time, usually about two minutes at each brushing. As ADA dentist Dr. Richard Price says, “it’s not the brush. It’s the brusher.”

For more oral health tips, check out our blog. Need to find a dentist? Use our handy search tool.

How the tooth fairy encourages children to take care of their teeth

read Children's Oral Health
The Tooth Fairy is a prominent figure of childhood for millions of children - and for good reason. She gives parents the opportunity to teach their children about the importance of good oral health in a fun and exciting way.

*Updated August 2023

Nearly 80% of homes in the United States are visited by the Tooth Fairy, and that’s a good thing! She helps parents encourage their children to take care of their teeth and promote good oral health habits from a young age.

Here are some fun and creative ways to introduce the Tooth Fairy and the importance of good oral health to the children in your life.

Introducing the Tooth Fairy

It’s a good idea to talk about the Tooth Fairy and the rewards she brings for having clean teeth before her first debut. This can help motivate children to take great care of their teeth before they’re ready to fall out. Before the first tooth becomes loose, it’s important to encourage your child to partake in a good oral health routine every day. This includes brushing twice and flossing once daily to keep their teeth shiny and healthy for the Tooth Fairy.

Letter from the Tooth Fairy

When your child loses their first tooth, the first thing you should do is congratulate them on the milestone. One way to do so is to give them a personalized letter from the Tooth Fairy. We have sample letters that celebrate the occasion and emphasize the importance of keeping all their teeth healthy. If providing a letter isn’t enough, there’s also a Certificate of Achievement that inspires them to keep up on their dental health routine.

Gifts from the Tooth Fairy

The Tooth Fairy usually gives out cash—at an average rate of $6.36 per tooth—but there are other gifts that are fun and encourage good oral health habits. The Tooth Fairy may bring:

  • A new toothbrush, possibly one with their favorite character on it
  • A new tube of their favorite toothpaste 
  • A Tooth Fairy-sized travel toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Mini mouthwashes

Whether the Tooth Fairy brings cash or gifts, small rewards can make a big difference in encouraging children to take care of their teeth.

Visits from the Tooth Fairy help children take care of their teeth

Proper dental hygiene is something that your children will need throughout their lives for good oral and overall health. Introducing the Tooth Fairy at a young age, teaching children to start and maintain good oral health habits, and making each lost tooth a magical experience are all important parts of helping them take care of their teeth.

To learn more about the Tooth Fairy, click here.

Four behaviors to age gracefully

read Adult Oral Health, Lifestyle, Senior Oral Health
Our tips for aging gracefully will help you look forward to getting older.

Guess what you and fine wine have in common? That’s right, you both get better with age! Getting older doesn’t have to be something you dread. Here are some simple tips for aging gracefully that consider both your oral and overall health, promoting a healthy lifestyle as you become an older adult. 

1. Brush, Floss, and Visit the Dentist

Brush and floss twice a day for a healthier smile! Brushing and flossing helps to remove plaque and leftover food from your mouth and between your teeth. Not sticking to the routine could lead to yellow teeth and cavities. Combine flossing and twice-daily brushing with regular dentist visits for a comprehensive check-up that goes beyond your teeth. Dentists screen for oral cancer and other health issues like diabetes and heart disease during your exam. 

2. Slow Down on Sugar

You’ve probably heard it before, but it’s true—you are what you eat. Ariel Ostad, a doctor of dermatology, says a poor diet can speed up the aging process in our skin and teeth. One of the biggest culprits is sugar. When you eat more sugar than your cells can process, the leftover sugar molecules are exposed to proteins, creating advanced glycation end products, or AGEs. In time, AGEs can ruin your skin’s collagen, which is the protein that helps keep skin youthful and firm. A high-sugar diet can also ruin your smile. It sticks to your teeth and sits between them and along the gum line, encouraging plaque and bacteria that can lead to decay. 

3. Move More 

Another tip to age gracefully is regular exercise. Researchers at McMaster University found that people over the age of 40 who exercise regularly have healthier skin.

Exercise doesn’t have to be limited to going to the gym. There are several forms of cardio that you can do at home to help keep your heart and lungs healthy – for example, jumping jacks, mountain climbers, and jogging in place. Stretching is another form of exercise that helps us age gracefully. Flexibility exercises help to reduce our chances of muscle cramps and joint pain, and help increase our range of motion and maintain our flexibility for everyday things like tying shoes. 

4. Stress Less 

We can’t always control what happens to us in life, but we can control our reaction. One study says excessively worrying about things like your job, finances, or relationships can lead to those issues showing on our faces.

Stress can take a toll on your skin through wrinkles, bags under the eyes, flaky skin, and acne. Manage stress by learning how to say “no” and not taking on too much in your professional or personal life. If you can’t change the situation, consider changing how you react by adjusting your standards and practicing gratitude.

Looking for more on healthy practices for older adults? Check out:

How your oral health affects Alzheimer’s

read Adult Oral Health, Senior Oral Health
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are things we can all do to lower our risk, and one of these is something we should be doing anyway: managing our oral health.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a public health crisis in the United States, and according to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than six million Americans over the age of 65 are currently living with Alzheimer’s Disease. What’s worse is that this number is expected to climb to over 13 million Americans by the year 2050. While other major diseases such as heart disease have seen deaths decrease by as much as 7.3% between 2000 and 2019, deaths due Alzheimer’s have actually increased 145%. This included a 16% increase during the heart of the COVID pandemic. 

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are things we can all do to lower our risk, and one of these is something we should be doing anyway: managing our oral health.

Is there a connection between poor oral health and Alzheimer’s Disease?

Scientists and medical professionals have been seeing a connection between oral health and overall health for several years, but it wasn’t until somewhat recently that they started to see the connection between poor oral health habits, gum disease, and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. In a study published in April 2021, researchers started seeing this.

“To our knowledge, this is the first study showing an association between the imbalanced bacterial community found under the gumline and a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease in cognitively normal older adults,” said Angela Kamer, DDS, PhD, associate professor of periodontology and implant dentistry at NYU College of Dentistry and the study’s lead author. “The mouth is home to both harmful bacteria that promote inflammation and healthy, protective bacteria. We found that having evidence for brain amyloid was associated with increased harmful and decreased beneficial bacteria.”

Can maintaining good oral health habits reduce the risk of contracting Alzheimer’s Disease?

Based on the results the authors of this study saw, it is believed that people who have healthier mouths and gums, and thus healthier bacteria in their gumlines, will not only have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s Disease but their healthy gums may also act as a protectant against Alzheimer’s. 

The results showed that individuals with more harmful versus healthy bacteria were more likely to have the Alzheimer’s signature of reduced CSF amyloid levels. The researchers hypothesize that because high levels of healthy bacteria help maintain bacterial balance and decrease inflammation, they may be protective against Alzheimer’s. Given these results and hypotheses, it’s a pretty safe assumption that people who have better oral health habits, such as regular brushing, flossing, and dentist visits, will presumably have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

This is just another item in a long line of reasons to maintain good oral health practices well into your older years.

Older adults with Alzheimer’s Disease experience higher rates of oral health issues

It’s also important to remember that older adults who have memory-loss related diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia are at a higher risk of oral health related issues such as tooth loss, cavities, and gum disease. Reduced cognition and dexterity can complicate matters when it comes to brushing and flossing. Those with Alzheimer’s Disease also experience lower amounts of saliva being produced, which is our body’s natural way of keeping bacteria at bay and our mouths free of food debris. This is also where problems can begin to snowball for those with cognitive disorders.

Oral health problems paired with things such as low saliva production can lead to complications including aspiration pneumonia, which can be deadly if not treated. If you have a family member or loved one who is in cognitive decline or has a disease such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, it’s so important to help and support them with their oral health routine on a daily basis.

The connection between poor oral health and Alzheimer’s Disease is very evident. While brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly won’t cure or totally prevent these cognitive diseases from happening, they can significantly reduce the risk as we age.


For more educational information and ways you can reduce the risk of disease by maintaining good oral health habits, follow our Facebook page or read more articles on our blog.

Network overview: Premier vs. PPO

read Adult Oral Health, Insurance Resources and Dental Benefits
Find out what a Delta Dental Premier® plan is, what a Delta Dental PPOSM plan is, and what sets these dental plans apart.

Different people need different dental plans – that’s why we offer both Delta Dental Premier® and Delta Dental PPOSM. But what’s the difference between these two dental plans? With a new year right around the corner, let’s make sure to use our benefits. Here’s how you can find the right dentist for you and your plan.

What is Delta Dental Premier® plan?

Delta Dental of Wisconsin Premier® dental plan offers the largest network of dentists out of all our dental plans. The dentists in this offering agreed to pre-negotiated fees for procedures, which means they can’t bill you more than your copay and deductible. For covered services, you pay no more than your copay and deductible.

What is Delta Dental PPOSM  plan?

PPO stands for “preferred provider organization.” Dentists who are in our preferred provider organization charge reduced fees for covered services, which means you’ll receive the largest amount of savings when you visit Delta Dental PPO providers. A group of providers is often called a network. Our PPO provider network is our second-largest dentist network. This network of dentists offers the lowest out-of-pocket costs.

Your dental plan will determine what network of dentists you should choose from. An in-network dentist is one who has agreed to accept pre-established costs for services, saving you money over an out-of-network provider. You will save the most by visiting a dentist in your plan’s network.

Both Delta Dental Premier® and Delta Dental PPOSM providers work with us directly for claims and payment — so you don’t have to worry about any paperwork. Both dental plans have an annual maximum and deductible. 

Interested in the exact cost of a service? Click here to access our Cost Estimator tool, enter the treatment and your zip code, and get an estimate of the cost. It’s that simple! Another option is to have your dentist submit a pre-treatment estimate, which will tell you exactly what is covered and what isn’t.

Always make sure to review your specific plan information – log in to our online member portal today at www.deltadentalwi.com!

5 holiday treats that can make ho-ho-holes in your teeth: Cavities from holiday foods

read Adult Oral Health, Children's Oral Health, Lifestyle, Senior Oral Health
Find out which holiday sweets can compromise our oral health, plus what you can do to stop it.

The old adage “too much of a good thing” is especially true during the holiday season. There tends to be an overabundance of everything – especially sweet treats. While it’s impractical to suggest complete avoidance of holiday goodies, we encourage moderation to make sure you receive the gift of great oral health!

Here are five common treats to limit during the holidays:

1. Candy canes: The problem with candy canes is the prolonged amount of time that they linger as you slowly dissolve them in your mouth. There’s also the temptation to chomp them, which can lead to cracks or chips in your teeth. Consume them quickly and carefully to limit their negative oral health impact.

2. Christmas cookies: It’s tempting to overindulge when there are so many baked goods – like Christmas cookies – laying around. But cookies are laden with sugar and can do significant damage to your pearly whites. We know suggesting skipping cookies entirely is impractical; try to enjoy them in moderation.

3. Holiday drinks (such as eggnog, apple cider, and hot chocolate): Festive beverages offer more than warm holiday cheer – eggnog boasts over 20 grams of sugar per cup, while hot cider can pack over 50 grams of sugar – and that’s before the whipped cream. Stick to one small serving of your favorite drink and wash away some of the sticky sugar residue afterward with a glass of water.

4. Caramels: Chewy, sticky treats such as grandma’s famous homemade caramels are particularly damaging because they’re not only high in sugar, but they also spend a prolonged amount of time stuck to teeth and are more difficult for saliva to break down. The same rule applies to all those sparkly gumdrops on your gingerbread house.

5. Fruitcake: Even though it’s the butt of many holiday jokes, some people actually eat the fruitcake that gets passed around at the holidays. Oral health reasons to avoid it include the sugary cake base and the chewy, candied fruit that studs it throughout.

Cookies, candy, and sweet holiday beverages all have at least one main ingredient in common: sugar, whose negative effect on teeth has been well-documented. Why is sugar so bad for your teeth? It mixes with bacteria in the sticky plaque that constantly forms on teeth to produce acid that attacks tooth enamel. The stickiness of that plaque keeps those harmful acids against the teeth, which contributes to tooth decay.

When you do indulge your holiday sweet tooth, it’s best to enjoy goodies as part of, or immediately following, a meal, rather than snacking on treats throughout the day. Another good tip to is to stick to one small serving of your favorite drink or snack and follow up by swishing around some water, chew sugar-free gum, or brush soon after finishing to wash away some of the sticky sugar residue.

For more on maintaining your oral health, check out:

World Diabetes Day: Learn the facts on dental care for diabetes

read Adult Oral Health, Children's Oral Health, Lifestyle
Because individuals diagnosed with diabetes have high blood sugar levels, they often have problems with their teeth and gums, making dental care for diabetics a critical part of care.

Did you know that our oral health can significantly affect our overall health? The reverse is also true; our overall health can impact our oral health. Chronic conditions, medications, and lifestyle choices can all leave a trace in the mouth. Diabetes is no exception.

Because the symptoms of diabetes may be subtle, many people with this disease aren’t aware they have it. In fact, one in four Americans with diabetes doesn’t know they have it.

Diabetes affects your body’s ability to process sugar. Because individuals diagnosed with diabetes have high glucose levels, they often have problems with their teeth and gums. Why? Increased glucose helps bacteria thrive because glucose is basically sugar. That’s why dental care for diabetics is so important.

Dentists can help these individuals gain awareness around their overall health.

Diabetes and Your Dental Health

What does diabetes have to do with your mouth?

As a dentist, asking patients with serious gum disease about their family and personal medical history can help steer them to their primary care physician for help. As a patient, don’t hesitate to inform your dentist about your personal and family health history because about 22% of people with diabetes also have gum disease.

Diabetics who get more frequent teeth cleanings have lower blood sugar levels. Additionally, people with diabetes who have good control of their blood sugar are less apt to develop these problems.

Other signs of diabetes that can be present in the mouth include:

  • Sore or loose teeth
  • Fungal mouth infections
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Dry mouth
  • Cavities

Learn more about overall dental and oral health on our blog!

A history of halitosis and the Listerine marketing campaign

read Adult Oral Health, Children's Oral Health, Lifestyle
Bad breath has always been around, but medicine for halitosis hasn’t. How did it come to be? Check out the history.

Bad breath can happen to any of us. What we eat, how often we brush, and if we floss all contribute. When we hear “halitosis,” however, we think of a chronic and persistent issue that even the most flavorful gum can’t hide. Have you ever wondered how the term “halitosis” originated, and what the medicine for halitosis is? Here’s an overview on it.

History of Medicine for Halitosis

Bad breath has been around since the beginning of time, but according to the Smithsonian, advertisements for Listerine changed halitosis from a pet peeve to a disgusting medical issue that should receive immediate treatment. 

Going to market in the 1880s, Listerine was initially intended as a surgical antiseptic. Its creator, Dr. Joseph Lawrence, named his work after Dr. Joseph Lister, the founding father of antiseptics. Advertisements aimed at dentists said that Listerine would kill germs in the mouth, but it wasn’t until the 1920s that their marketing strategy came to resemble the Listerine we know today.

The word halitosis started appearing in ads, poised as a medical condition that people should take note of and use Listerine to fight. Who wants to walk around with bad breath? Listerine made sure no one did and positioned itself as the medicine for halitosis. 

Other Ways to Combat Halitosis

Today, bad breath affects one in four people globally. Halitosis is mostly caused by poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, coated tongue, or dirty dentures. Fortunately, there are things you can do today to avoid these problems:

  • Brush and Floss Twice a Day. Brushing your teeth helps remove smelly foods and stubborn bacteria from your mouth. Flossing plucks debris from between your teeth and along your gum line, where bad bacteria can grow and settle in.  
  • Brush or Scrape Your Tongue. You can invest in an inexpensive tool called a tongue scraper to combat bad breath. Some are curved, and others are straight like your toothbrush. Both are designed to remove plaque, food debris, and dead cells from your tongue’s surface. 
  • Stop Tobacco Use. If you’re a smoker or a tobacco chewer, you may already be familiar with the adverse effects it has on your teeth, mouth, and breath. Eliminating tobacco permanently is good for your overall health and can improve your oral health, too. 
  • Go to the Dentist. Visit your dentist at least once a year for an exam and cleaning. If you struggle with halitosis, talk to your dentist about remedies that can help.

Don’t have a dentist yet? Find one today!

How to handle dental emergencies during COVID-19

read Adult Oral Health, Lifestyle, Senior Oral Health
Dental emergencies can be just as frightening as any other medical emergency, especially during a pandemic. To feel more calm and in control, learn how to handle a dental emergency during COVID-19.

Just like any other part of the body, mouths are subject to accidents. Sometimes the injury can be as minor as biting your tongue, but other times, it’s more serious and requires professional care.

By educating ourselves on how to handle a dental emergency during a pandemic, we can remain calm and in control. Pain and stress can cause trouble thinking clearly. Educate yourself before you’re in the midst of a dental emergency for the best possible outcome.

Dental Visits During a Pandemic

Most dental offices are open and taking appointments for not only routine dental care, such as cleanings and X-rays, but also for all other dental services. Keep in mind that with the added diligence that dental offices must undergo right now to keep you and the office staff safe (e.g. regular office cleanings, COVID-19 screenings), your dentist is likely not able to see as many patients in a day as in “normal” conditions. There may be added wait time to be seen, so plan accordingly. But if you are experiencing a more severe issue, you should definitely call your dentist to check if you can be seen sooner.

The ADA recommends that you contact your dentist at this time if you experience:

  • Bleeding that doesn’t stop
  • Painful swelling in or around your mouth
  • Pain in a tooth, teeth, or jawbone
  • Gum infection with pain or swelling
  • After surgery treatment (dressing change, stitch removal)
  • Broken or knocked out tooth
  • Denture adjustment for people receiving treatment for cancer
  • Snipping or adjusting wire of braces that hurts your check or gums
  • Biopsy of abnormal tissue

Most dental offices are open for regular business, but there is still a chance your dentist’s office could be closed or on a reduced schedule. Always call ahead first.

Knock out a tooth? Act fast to save it.