For over 100 years, AzDA has been your trusted dental resource
Whether you’re looking for a referral to a local dentist, information on oral health, or community event volunteer opportunities, AzDA is your first stop.
Are you looking for a dentist? Why you should consider an AzDA member
Our members are bound by the Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct of the American Dental Association, the AzDA By-Laws, the Arizona Dental Practice Act, and all applicable federal or state laws and regulations. We also provide members with ample opportunities to keep up-to-date on all the latest dental techniques, technology and products. They can get plugged into a support network of peers and specialists who can help them deliver superior dental care.
Our members participate in charitable programs that give back in a big way. They donate time and money to local programs like Give Kids a Smile and Special Olympics, which are coordinated through our non-profit subsidiary, the Arizona Dental Foundation. AzDA members care about the communities they live and practice in.
Oral health tips for you and your family
In addition to seeing your dentist for regular checkups twice a year, there are several things you can do to help prevent oral health disease and help keep your body healthy.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
- Practice proper brushing techniques, including the use of a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Brush with toothpaste that contains fluoride to help strengthen teeth.
- Clean between your teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners. This helps remove food particles that your toothbrush cannot reach.
- Limit sugary food and drinks, such as soda and hard candy. Sugars bind with the bacteria in your mouth and create acids that cause decay.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- If your mouth is constantly dry, see your dentist. Your mouth depends on saliva to limit the growth of bacteria.
A dentist can help identify health issues before they become serious
A dentist can help you see warning signs for other health issues and can help manage existing health conditions.
- Cardiovascular Disease—Research suggests there may be a link between oral health and cardiovascular disease. Bacteria and plaque from your mouth enters the bloodstream and can affect your heart, increasing the risk for heart disease and aggravate existing cardiovascular conditions.
- Diabetes—Diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection, causes bad breath, dry mouth and affects your gum tissue. Instances of tooth decay are also increased because high glucose levels in saliva help bacteria thrive and cause plaque.
- Oral Diseases—Like other health problems, oral disease can start silently and progress in as little as six months. It's important to detect and treat it early.
- Gum Disease—Gums are tissue and bone that support your teeth. Gum disease is an infection of this tissue and is a major cause of tooth loss. It often has no warning signs and is sometimes painless.
- Tooth Decay (Cavities)—Caused by bacteria, exposure to sugars and poor dental hygiene, tooth decay destroys the tooth structure and is irreversible.
- Oral Cancer—Oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer. Between 65-75% of these cancers are detected during dental exams. Your dentist always looks for signs of oral cancer during a routine dental visit.
