We’ve touched on the origins – and, thankfully, evolution – of the toothbrush, but have you ever wondered about the history of toothpaste? Unsurprisingly, the Egyptians – who also used urine to whiten teeth – were among the first to develop a form of toothpaste. In 5000 BC, pumice, burnt eggshells and powdered oxhooves all were a part of this teeth “cleaning” formula.

Dental insurance can be confusing – and so can dental care. If you’ve had a complicated dental issue worked on, you might have been faced with a load of jargon, and names of dental professionals you didn’t know existed.

Have you ever noticed how many of our everyday idioms mention our mouths or teeth? Many of us know what these common sayings mean – but have you wondered where they came from? We break it down below.

Feeling the urge to scour your baseboards with Q-tips® and purge your fridge of leftovers? It must be spring. When your spring-cleaning fever hits the bathroom, be sure to pay attention to more than just soap scum. By adding a few oral health items to your checklist, your smile will stay as fresh and clean as your house.

Most dental plans cover preventive care at 100 percent – and there’s a reason for that! Most regular dentist visits focus on preventive care, including cleanings, oral exams and X-rays.

We’ve all heard about the foods that are bad for our teeth – the sugary treats, the acidic drinks, and why it’s important to brush and rinse to help protect your teeth from their harmful effects. But did you know there are tasty foods and drinks that can help prevent cavities, too?

It can seem like parenting is one long, constantly changing lesson. Among all the other things parents are coping with and figuring out, their child’s dental health can sometimes fall to the wayside. Below, we try to provide a little help and answer some of the most commonly asked questions about children’s dental health.

Have you ever wondered how animals take care of their teeth? As spring begins to take root, I sat down to chat with the Easter Bunny to learn how she keeps her teeth healthy throughout the year. Did you know that her teeth NEVER stop growing? If she’s not careful, they can grow too long and hurt her jaw! Check out my interview with Ms. Bunny to learn more.

Special Olympics Minnesota is a nonprofit organization that offers sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.