Aspen Dental.

Fewer than 77% of adults in the U.S. of over 50 years visit the dentist for a cleaning, according to a new study from Duke University, published in Frontiers in Public Health. According to the report, despite an uptake in the availability of preventative dental care in the United States, there remains a disparity among ethnic groups for receiving this care.

Today we’re excited to announce the launch of the Healthy Mouth Movement, where we’ll be providing free dental services to those in need. Throughout 2014, dentists and team members from Aspen Dental practices will set aside a day to provide dental care to those who need it most – free of charge, no questions asked.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 90 percent of people with cancer of the mouth, lips, tongue and throat use tobacco. Smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop these cancers!

Did you know that more than 35 million Americans do not have teeth? According to the American College of Prosthodontists, about 15 percent of the United States population without teeth has dentures made each year. If you are a first time denture wearer, you’re not the only one! With the holiday season underway, don’t let your dentures get in the way of spending time with family, enjoying holiday gatherings and eating special holiday treats. It’s true – it will take time to adjust to your new dentures, so here are some tips to help you smile confidently with your dentures.

The holiday season is a busy time of year, but if you need or think you may need a visit to the dentist, now is as good a time as any. Dental insurance benefit periods are often calculated to span a one-year period and often it’s based on the calendar year (although this is not always the case), so some insurance benefits might expire as the end of 2013 draws near. We talked with our own Dr. Vincent to answer some questions on how dental insurance benefits work.

Caregivers play a critical role in facilitating health care for their loved ones, so in honor of National Family Caregivers Month, celebrated annually in November, here are some tips for caregivers to help maintain their loved one’s (and their own) oral health

Researchers found a potential link between gum disease and Alzheimer’s disease in a study from an international team of researchers, which provided new evidence suggesting that poor dental hygiene is linked to brain degeneration. This is the first study that shows a link between the existence of lipopolysaccharide (a component of an oral bacterium) and Alzheimer’s disease.

Meet Bianca Viera, office manager at one of the newest Aspen Dental office, located in San Antonio, TX. Bianca and a group of her Texas-based team members recently volunteered at Haven for Hope in San Antonio.

Recently, Oral Health America (OHA) released its State of Decay report that found that “the oral health of older Americans is in a state of decay.” Released on the 10 year anniversary of the State of Decay, the report analyzed oral healthcare delivery and public health factors, and more than half the country received a “fair” or “poor” assessment on minimal standards affecting dental care access for older adults.

October is National Dental Hygiene Month, sponsored by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) in collaboration with the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. 2013’s National Dental Hygiene Month is the capstone of ADHA’s yearlong centennial celebration of the founding of dental hygiene in 1913.