Our Dog Days of Summer promotion was a huge success, thanks to the enthusiasm of all of our participants and their friends and family. We had more than 150 DentalPlans.com members and potential members participate in the dental plan promotion!

We’ve enjoyed having new furry friends around this summer, but all good things must come to an end. It’s time to announce our winner!

(Drum roll please) Our Dog Days of Summer Winner — with an astounding 115 likes on Facebook — is Jasmine! The proud owners are Shon Hatcher and her children, Melissa and Corey. We hope the Hatcher’s enjoy their free dental plan renewal, and we hope Jasmine likes her new treats and toys from her PETCO gift card.

Due to the promotion’s popularity, we’ll leave the cute doggie photo album up on Facebook!

Routine dental care can be a lifesaver. It was for Janet Kiser, whose dentist noticed a tumor growing inside the roof of her mouth during a dental checkup.

Dr. Frank Rabinowitz suspected that his patient had oral cancer, so he sent her to an oral surgeon for diagnosis of the tumor and operation on the growth.

While stories like this aren’t typical, they do emphasize the importance of regular dental care visits and cleanings. Learn more about dental health and hygiene at DentalPlans.com.

Is a high tech $130 Sonic toothbrush really that much better for your dental care than your typical $3 toothbrush?

According to Dr. Chris Kammer, founder of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, it is. “All a person has to do is hold it (the Sonic toothbrush) up to the teeth, and it does the work of plaque removal. You’re just not going to be able to do as good a job with a manual toothbrush.”

For people who don’t have access to the dentist, the Sonic toothbrush could be an alternative for administering superior teeth cleanings at home. Though the price makes it an investment, it’s a tool that can be used again and again.

Find out more dental care tips and other money-saving dental insurance alternatives at DentalPlans.com.

We wish everyone in our DentalPlans.com family a safe, happy, and healthy Fourth of July! Celebrate our nation’s independence and use these tips from MedicineNet.com to stay out of harm’s way.

1. Child-proof your party.

If fireworks are legal in your area and are a part of your celebration, keep the kids and spectators at a safe distance. Also, keep children out of the reach of campfires and grills to avoid accidental burns.

2. Consume alcohol responsibly.

It’s wise to use extra caution during holiday weekends when people are hosting parties and celebrating. Designate a driver or make arrangements to stay the night near the festivities. Even if you’re not drinking alcohol, use caution on the road to avoid others who may have consumed too much.

3. Keep food fresh and covered.

Allowing food to sit outside excessively can lead to foodborne illnesses. The FDA suggests never leaving food out for more than one hour with the temperature is above 90 F and no longer than two hours at indoor temperatures. While foods prepared with mayonnaise and eggs are often associated with food poisoning, any food can potentially become contaminated. Also, discourage bees and wasps from attending your party by keeping dishes covered.

4. Apply sunscreen.

Apply sunscreen before an outdoor party and continue to reapply to avoid sunburns. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15.

5. Stay hydrated.

Drink plenty of fluids to avoid heat exhaustion and heat strokes, especially if you’re celebrating outside in a hot climate. Risks of heat illness increase when playing sports or participating in activities, so spend adequate time indoors or in the shade. Alcohol consumption can also accelerate dehydration.

We hope these tips help you stay safe. Have a fun and festive Fourth!

Chances are you’re not one, but it’s likely that you know one…a beloved redhead, that is.

The American Dental Association (ADA) found that redheads are more susceptible to pain, and they’re twice more likely to experience pain at the dentist than those with darker hair. A 2004 study revealed that redheads needed 20 percent more anesthetic than people with dark or blonde hair.

Blonde HyGenies have more fun…and apparently suffer less pain! DentalPlans.com is here to help our redhead friends, and people of any hair color – natural or not – save on their dental care.

We’ve noticed many people on Twitter talking about their upcoming or recent dental visits and the final bill. You may be able to relate to this DentalPlans.com exclusive article, “Are You More Afraid of Your Dentist’s Drill or Bill?”
Here’s a preview:

Are you one of the many men who avoid the dentist? If so, you may end up spending much more money on dental care than men who make regular visits to their dentists.

A recent study by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association showed just how much can be saved by keeping up with preventive dental checkups and cleanings.

The study estimated that $8 to $50 could be saved on restorative and emergency dental care procedures for every dollar spent on preventive dental care like regular checkups and cleanings.

These findings are especially relevant in today’s economy. Taking better care of your teeth today could save you money in the future.

We’re always adding new articles about the latest tips and trends in the dental industry. Here are a few of the latest articles from our Dental News feed:

Poor Dental Health Linked to Major Medical Problems

Several recently published medical studies have identified a strong link between a person’s dental health and their overall physical wellbeing.

Click here to read the full article.

Report: College Students Often Put Off Dental Visits

With the aftereffects of the economic recession still being felt around the country, many college students without dental insurance have chosen to postpone visiting the dentist in an effort to save money.

Click here to read the full article.

As always,  if you’d like to view all of our recent articles, just click here to view our Dental News page.

If you’re wondering which kind of foods to feed your kids, you should take a look at a new article on DentalPlans.com’s dental health news feed.

The article gives several tips to consider.

Click here to read the article.