Dr. Gary Vance

Dr. Vance has been a practicing dentist for more than 35 years and is currently a dental associate at a private practice in Plymouth, Mich. He graduated from the University of Detroit’s School of Dentistry and is a member of the American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association, Detroit District Dental Society and the American Association of Dental Consultants. Dr. Vance has been a dental consultant for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for the past 15 years and is the newest blogger for A Healthier Michigan.
Prevention

Did You Know: Diabetes Can Affect Your Dental Health

Among the many complications that can arise from diabetes is the greater risk for gum disease. Here’s what you need to know.

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Prevention

Are You a Tea Drinker? Your Dentist Will Thank You

The health benefits of an afternoon cup of tea have been well-documented. For example, a simple mug of green tea can improve heart health…

Tea is your mouths best friend
Prevention

National Dental Hygiene Month: The Ripple Effect of Oral Health

All of that brushing, flossing and mouthwashing you do on a daily basis doesn’t just give you pearly whites and fresh breath (although that’s probably the main…

The ripple effect of good dental health
Prevention

Brush Up on the Best Floss and Toothbrush for You

Good oral hygiene may seem like a cosmetic issue, but the state of your teeth and gums impacts your overall wellbeing (in fact, gum disease is a major risk…

How to shop for a toothbrush
Prevention

Healthy Dental Habits for Kids

From the moment your little one gets their first tooth, it’s time to teach proper dental care. A few lessons now can make a difference in how their healthy…

Prevention

The surprising link between medicine and oral health

If you take any sort of medication—over-the-counter or prescribed—you’ve probably noticed those long lists of potential side effects listed on the labels.

Medicine and oral health
Prevention

Are your favorite foods causing tooth erosion?

Do you drink a glass of orange juice every morning? How about a warm cup of tea to beat the 3 p.m. slump? These habits seem harmless (even healthy!)…

Food and tooth erosion
Prevention

Dental prescriptions and the dangers of teen drug abuse

There are some dental procedures that, in order to control post operative pain, require narcotic analgesic medication. The most common drugs in this category…

Pills
Prevention

Tooth-friendly stocking stuffers for the family

Hung by the chimney with care, stockings typically hold the best bite-size gifts of the holiday. Unfortunately, the majority are filled with tins of licorice…

Tooth-friendly stocking stuffers
Prevention

Holiday edition: Foods your dentist won’t eat

The holidays are known as a time to indulge in homemade sugar cookies, your coworker’s famous fudge, and cup after cup of eggnog. But while these tempting…

Foods your dentist won't eat
Prevention

Dogs and dental distress: Conquering dental anxiety with man’s best friend

They have been known to bring happiness to adults and children alike, ease veterans’ post-traumatic stress and provide support to those following a tragedy.

dogs and dental distress
Food and Recipes

Ask the Dentist: What foods protect against cavities?

There is nothing better than biting into a juicy Michigan apple fresh from the farmer’s market. Besides the incredible taste, this in-season produce is packed…

Ask the dentist: What foods protect against cavities?
Prevention

Trick or treat: What Halloween’s spooky treats can do to your teeth

Halloween candy is delicious – but there can be some scary consequences when you eat too much.

candy corn
Prevention

Ask the Dentist: When should I get my wisdom teeth out?

Getting wisdom teeth out is something that many people experience. Find out when to schedule your wisdom teeth removal with help from Blue Cross Blue Shield.

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Prevention

#HealthyMurr: David goes back to the dentist for a filling

Making a regular dentist appointment promotes good health. Read about David Murray’s continued pursuit of dental health, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

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Prevention

#HealthyMurr: David visits the dentist

After 10 years of avoiding the dentist, David paid a visit to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s dental expert Dr. Gary Vance for a check up.

David at the Dentist
Prevention

Ask the Dentist: Is TMJ causing my headaches?

What would it take to pack the house at Spartan Stadium from now until year 2079, or keep Maize and Blue fans cheering in the Big House for the next 327…

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Home and Family

Back-To-School Oral Health: Tips for keeping a child’s mouth healthy

Prioritizing health is always important. Here are some ways to keep your child's oral health in tip top shape.

Young boy in dentist chair smiling
Prevention

Moms-To-Be Need Extra Dental Check-Ups

Pregnancy can be an exciting time for expanding families. But with so many to-dos, it can be easy to overlook oral health. That said…

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Prevention

How-To: Handle a dental emergency

Accidents happen – even to your mouth. The good news is with quick action and proactive measures, you can make sure your dental emergency doesn’t escalate…

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Food and Recipes

Ask the Dentist: Are sports drinks bad for your teeth?

Sports drinks may seem like a healthy choice, but they can also cause serious damage to your teeth – putting you at a much higher risk for cavities and tooth…

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Prevention

What does a dental plan typically cover?

When most people think about health insurance, they typically think about covering the cost of illnesses or medical procedures. How familiar are you with…

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Prevention

Participating in athletics? Don’t forget your mouth guard!

Wearing mouth guards is the one of the most important protective gear you can wear when playing a contact sport.

Football players
Prevention

Ask the dentist: Should I brush my teeth at the office?

What’s on your check list of office tasks tomorrow? Staff meeting? Client call? Brushing your teeth? If you’re like the majority, you likely left the last one…

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Prevention

Ask the Dentist: What is the best treatment for teeth grinding?

Every person deals with stress differently, and while back pain and headaches are common side effects, most people don’t realize how stress can affect their…

Prevention

Green isn’t festive on your gums & teeth during your St. Patrick’s Day

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with green drinks is fun, but the effects on your teeth may not be.

Red, orange, brown, and green drinks on a wooden surface
Prevention

Five surprising things damaging your teeth

We all know the importance of daily brushing and flossing, and many of us are familiar with habits that put our teeth at risk, such as eating sugary foods or…

Home and Family

How to protect your baby’s teeth from cavities

As a parent, protecting your baby from illness is a top priority. We safe-proof our children from all of the obvious threats – we ensure they have the necessary…

Home and Family

Healthy habits for your children’s smile

Each February, the American Dental Association sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness around the importance of good oral health…

Prevention

Starting to feel sick? It may be time to change your toothbrush

It’s that time of year again when the temperature starts to drop; germs spread and most of us inevitably get sick. I’m sure you’ve tried almost everything…

Prevention

Ask the dentist: What can I do to avoid my sensitive teeth from hurting in cold weather?

Have you ever wondered why your teeth are more sensitive during the winter months? If so, you’re not alone. Studies suggest that at least 45 million adults in…

Prevention

Excessive drinking can harm your teeth

As the holiday season comes to an end and we prepare ourselves for football playoffs and Valentine’s Day, it’s common for people to shop, eat…

Prevention

Why you should add flossing to your New Year’s resolutions

What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2013? Losing weight? Spending more time with family? Flossing your teeth at least once a day? Most people don’t…

Prevention

Ask the dentist: What kind of toothbrush would you recommend for the cleanest teeth?

A toothbrush is one of the main components to maintaining proper oral health. We all know brushing twice a day and replacing your old toothbrush every 3-4…

Prevention

How to achieve a picture-perfect smile for the holidays

No one wants to look in the mirror and realize their once pearly whites now more closely resemble a shade of yellow. Similarly, no one wants to spend hundreds…

Food and Recipes

Diabetic-friendly football snacks that are also good for eye and teeth health

Football season is upon us, and regardless of whether it’s you or your significant other who loves the sport, most people have found themselves watching a few…

Prevention

Six steps for diabetics to ensure a long-lasting, healthy smile

Diabetes is a defect in the body’s ability to convert glucose to energy, which is our main source of fuel. More than 8.3 percent of the adult population in…

Home and Family

Ask the Dentist: What are some healthier alternatives to candy on Halloween?

In the eyes of children, Halloween ranks right up there with Christmas and Hanukkah. Since Halloween is a day children always look forward to…

Prevention

Common Dental Problems as You Get Older

It is a known fact our bodies change as we get older, but did you know your mouth and teeth also go through changes as we age? However, with proper care of your…

Prevention

Ask the Dentist: How Can I Avoid Gum Disease?

I’m going to discuss a problem affecting our mouths as we get older: gum disease or in dental terms – periodontal disease. To avoid gum disease…

Prevention

Good Dental Health Means Healthy Aging

Maintaining your dental health is an important part of ensuring a healthy aging experience.

Dental Health
Prevention

What are the top causes of sensitive teeth?

Does a sip of hot cocoa, or breathing cold air cause you to experience tooth discomfort? If so, you might be experiencing sensitive teeth.

Home and Family

Five Ways to Make a Tooth-Friendly Lunch Box

Sending your child off to school each morning well-prepared not only means a backpack filled with the right technology, pencils and notebooks, but a lunch box…

Home and Family

Add a dental checkup to your back-to-school checklist

Many parents know to schedule a doctor's appointment before the start of the school year, but don't forget about oral health too.

Portrait of satisfied child in dental chair after successful dental treatment

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