The Power of Smile ™ Blog
Meet The Clinicians
Learn about current topics and trends in dentistry and the importance of oral health as it relates to overall health from our team of experts.
Eileen Crespo, MD
Dr. Eileen Crespo is the Vice President of Medical Services at Delta Dental of Minnesota. Dr. Crespo is a practicing pediatrician of 20 years. She is currently a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and a member of the Board of Directors at Children’s Dental Service and the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
R. Bruce Templeton, DMD
Dr. Bruce Templeton is an oral surgeon and has served both on the board and as a medical consultant for Delta Dental of Minnesota since 2011. Dr. Templeton has served as both the Chief of Dentistry and Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, and as a clinical professor at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.
James O'Meara, DDS
Dr. James O’Meara is the Vice President of Dental Services at Delta Dental of Nebraska. Dr. O’Meara is also an Associate Professor of Adult Restorative Dentistry at the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry. He practiced General Dentistry In Des Moines, Iowa for thirteen years and also was an Associate Professor of General Dentistry at the Creighton University School of Dentistry for 21 years.
Dr. Cindy McGregor, DDS
Dr. Cindy McGregor is the Vice President of Dental Services at Delta Dental of Minnesota. Dr. McGregor is a 1998 graduate of the University of Minnesota-School of Dentistry. She has been a hygiene instructor and practiced in both a small and large group practices in the Metropolitan area of Minnesota. Dr. McGregor has been a member of the Minnesota Dental Association as well as the American Dental Association for over 25 years.
This information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not warrant or represent any information as related to health as specifically appropriate for you. It is not intended to be medical advice or replace the relationship that you have with your health care providers. You should always seek medical advice on any diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.
Recent Blog Articles
Help your employees get the most out of their benefits
Because dental benefits have the potential to improve both oral and overall health, it’s important that employees make the most of their coverage. These simple steps can help encourage employees to leverage their dental benefits as effectively as possible:
Sjörgen’s syndrome and your oral health
In honor of Healthy Aging Month, we’re taking a look at Sjörgen’s syndrome and its oral health effects.
The state of vaping
You may have recently received breaking news alerts about e-cigarettes, or vaping, being considered a crisis in America. While vaping has been advocated as a healthier way to quit smoking, the FDA has recently put out alarm bells about its content and its effect on teenagers, which has many wondering what exactly vaping is and what is going on.
How to: Change electric toothbrush heads
Do you prefer an electric toothbrush? You’re not alone. A 2017 study found that nearly one-third of people use them, and often, dentists recommend electric toothbrushes to those with gum recession, unique mouth shapes, and a habit of brushing too hard. Regardless of your brush preference, bristles wear at the same rate – which means you should be changing out those electric toothbrush heads every three months. Need help staying on top of it? Here’s a handy guide.
Say “lights out” to kids’ teeth grinding
Is the stress of the new school year causing your kid to grind their teeth? If it is, your child isn’t alone. An estimated 15 to 33 percent of children will grind their teeth at some point, compared to roughly 8 percent of adults. The majority of teeth grinding (also called bruxism) will happen after kids have dozed off to dreamland, which can make it tough for them to know it’s happening. Luckily, parents can help by learning how to spot grinding and how to help their kid overcome it.
Better breakfasts for brighter smiles
Morning time can be the most hectic part of the day for families. Before rushing off to school, many kids sit around the table (or stand up at the counter) to fuel up with the most important meal of the day. But one of the most common breakfast options – cereal – can have some unintended consequences for teeth.
Natural bad-breath busters
Do you find yourself fighting bad breath often? You’re not alone. Whether from gum disease, dry mouth, or just a nice garlicy lunch, bad breath – also known as halitosis – affects up to half of Americans. If you’re looking for natural ways to fight halitosis, we have a list for you:
Finish your summer right – see your dentist!
Each year, 100 million Americans forego a dental visit, and that’s a big problem when it comes to maintaining a healthy smile. Before your calendar fills up with school activities, athletic events and more, schedule routine dental appointments for your kids and yourself! No matter how good your oral hygiene habits are, a dental visit provides benefits that regular brushing and flossing simply can’t.
Understanding dual coverage
If you’re covered by two dental benefits plans, you have dual coverage. It’s not uncommon, but it can get a little complicated. Here’s how it works:
