The holidays are over, and for a lot of us that means back to the grind – and the caffeine.

Our mouths are breeding grounds for hundreds of types of bacteria. Plaque that forms on our teeth and in our mouths contain this bacteria which also live on our gums, tongue, and other soft tissues. When we eat food, the bacteria that is in our mouth eat the food too – specifically, sugar – and produce acid. This acid begins to break down the tooth surface, and will eventually cause a hole in the tooth, referred to as dental caries, or dental decay.

What do hockey pucks and hard candy have in common? They’re both culprits when it comes to chipping teeth. If you lose a chunk of an incisor, don’t feel bad. Dentists see chipped teeth all the time—especially during hockey season!—and they can often fix you up quickly.

Did you know that your teeth are as unique as your fingerprints? Not only can your teeth be used to identify you as an individual, but the characteristics of your teeth can tell a lot about you to anyone trained to see.

Since 2011, Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation has awarded over $1.4 million to Community Dental Care – a nonprofit organization which primarily serves the low-income population in their service areas of Saint Paul, Maplewood, Robbinsdale and Rochester.

If you have dental insurance, cost shouldn’t be a reason to keep you away from your dentist. In fact, we’ve put together three quick tips to help you get the most bang for your buck out of your dental insurance – and to keep your costs down.

At any one time, millions of Americans are using dental braces. Not that long ago, patients didn’t have any options when it came to their orthodontic treatment.

Eating healthy meals, staying active and scheduling exams with your doctor are a good way to keep you and your family healthy. Buying dental insurance and visiting the dentist are just as important in establishing a healthy lifestyle.