They Say You Need Braces
The decision to get braces is a big one. It is a huge investment in time, emotions and money. Wether you are an adult thinking about braces for yourself or your child I am sure you have lots of...
View ArticleChlorhexidine Gluconate 0.12%
Chlorhexidine is a liquid used to kill bacteria. It is used to irrigate the gums after some procedures such as scaling and root planing, or if a patient is showing active signs of periodontal disease...
View ArticleClean Between Your Teeth
When it comes to cleaning between teeth floss is usually what comes to mind. I wouldn’t say that flossing is something that people really enjoy doing. As a dental hygienist I have heard all the...
View ArticleXerostomia during Chemotherapy: Dry Mouth treatment using MI Paste
Dry mouth can be a significant discomfort for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Dry mouth, also called xerostomia is not just a cause of discomfort, it can also cause other problems such as tooth...
View ArticleMouthwash, How to Choose
There are two categories that a mouthwash can fall into. They can be therapeutic and cosmetic. Cosmetic mouthwashes only freshen breath. They make your mouth taste good but do not get to the root of...
View ArticleAirFloss from Sonicare
The Science Counts Sonicare AirFloss uses more than air to get the job done. Microbursts of air and water combine to disrupt biofilm (the bacterial gunk that sticks to teeth). This is not a new idea...
View ArticlePneumonia and Oral Health
I chose to write this article now because I am home sick with pneumonia, as are my two young daughters. As a fairly healthy adult before this, I can only imagine how much harder this illness is to...
View ArticleTooth Sensitivity Remedies
The thought of ice cream makes you wince. Walking to your car on a cold winter day is only accomplished if your lips are tightly closed. When someone offers you ice water you want to laugh in their...
View ArticleIdentifi Oral Cancer Screening
We know that most oral cancers are not found until late stages, which reduces the survival rate. Identifi is a screening tool that helps detect cancers early. It is a hand-held device that uses...
View ArticleRoot Canal…Don’t Be Scared…It’s Just a Word
At some point or another, all of us will visit the dentist for one reason or another: some for basic oral hygiene; some as a result of injury and others for necessary dental procedures to ensure good...
View ArticlePerio Protect
Perio Protect is a system of custom fitted trays and medicated gel that are worn together to treat periodontal disease. I have read several articles lately that mention this treatment and seen...
View ArticleSports Mouth Guards
Mouth guards for athletes are incredibly important. If you ever played sports in high school or have kids that play sports, you probably have some experience with them. Unfortunately most students...
View ArticleProbiotics and Their Role in Oral Health
What are Probiotics? Probiotics are a type of healthy bacteria that help to maintain a natural balance of the micro flora organisms in the body. Probiotics are most commonly associated with digestive...
View ArticleCrooked Teeth and Periodontal Disease
Crooked teeth may be more of a health concern than most people think. Often parents think of braces as an aesthetic option for their kids so that they don’t get picked on or so they have nice teeth as...
View ArticleXylitol, The Cavity Fighting Sugar
“You have a cavity.” Four words that people in dental offices across the globe dread hearing. I have dreaded these four words since I was a kid. I wasn’t always a dental hygienist. Once I was a regular...
View ArticleOil Pulling, Periodontal Disease and Cavities
Oil Pulling is the process of forcefully swishing oil between the teeth. It is a practice that is common in India as a type of folk medicine. It has been written about in the Ayurvedic text Charak...
View ArticleWhy are there white spots on my teeth now that my braces are off?
This question is one that I hear often. These white spots are common in patients with braces. To understand what happens to the teeth to cause this you have to understand a little about teeth in...
View ArticleDry Mouth also called Xerostomia
Dry mouth is a huge problem today. Medication use, both over the counter and prescription can cause dry mouth, as well as certain health conditions. For anyone who has suffered from dry mouth, you know...
View ArticleCool Cavity Detecting Tools
[slider id="cool-cavity-detecting-tools"] Dentists have been looking for cavities for a long time. X-rays are one way that cavities are detected. Dentists also check visually and use hand instruments...
View ArticleBuy GC Dry Mouth Gel
Buy GC America Dry Mouth Gel GC America, the makers of MI Paste also makes a dry mouth gel. This product is comes in mint, orange, lemon, fruit salad and raspberry flavors. It has a neutral Ph and is...
View ArticleBurning Mouth Syndrome
Recently I had a patient come into my office complaining of burning on her tongue. I completed a Vizilite oral cancer screening which was negative and there was also no visible sores or trauma to her...
View ArticleCanker Sore Treatment
I have suffered from canker sores since I had braces. Yes, I mean suffer. If you have ever had one you know what I mean. I have tried just about everything. I have my favorites, and ones that I...
View ArticleVELscope
VELscope in an oral cancer screening device used by dentists and dental hygienists to detect oral cancer early. Oral cancer is often caught in later stages. When caught early life expectancy increases....
View ArticleWhat is Your Risk for Cavities?
Have you ever wondered why some people never seem to get cavities and others get them all the time? Is it luck to never get them, do you have soft teeth if you do? Neither is the case. Lots of research...
View ArticleInvisalign
There are a lot of people who need orthodontic work but don’t want to have the “metal mouth” smile associated with traditional braces. Invisalign may be an option for these patients. Invisalign is a...
View ArticleSleep Apnea Treatment with Oral Appliances
What is Sleep Apnea? There are two types of sleep apnea, central sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea. In central sleep apnea the patient experiences periodic disturbances in breathing caused by...
View ArticleAntioxidants and Periodontal Disease
Antioxidants are protective compounds that fight against damage caused by free radicals. The best way to understand free radicals is to flash back to high school chemistry class. If you remember the...
View ArticleWaterpik Oral Irrigation and Water Flossing
Waterpik is a well-known brand in the dental industry. I used one when I was a kid with braces. The technology has come a long way since then. Extensive clinical studies have been preformed, and the...
View ArticleMI Paste and MI Paste Plus
MI Paste truly is one of the great dental products available today. It has many uses and I have seen some great results using it on patients for white spot reversal. The MI in MI Paste stands for...
View ArticleWaterpik vs. Airfloss
For those who love technology, or just hate manually flossing the question of which is better, Waterpik or Airfloss may have come to mind. While Waterpick has around longer, Sonicare’s Airfloss is...
View ArticleHow Necessary is Dental Work?
The busiest times of year in a dental office are the end of the year and the beginning of the next year. Patients come out of the woodwork in December that haven’t been into the office in a while...
View ArticleTooth Replacement Options
The loss of a permanent tooth can cause more problems than just having a space. Patients often wonder why their dentist recommends a replacement if it doesn’t bother them. The reason replacement is...
View ArticleSuperglue in the Mouth, Problems and Solutions
As a hygienist I have come across quite a few patients who have used superglue in their mouths either on purpose or accidentally. I have seen patients who superglue dentures together, crowns and...
View ArticleCan Toothpaste Make Your Mouth Sore?
While working as a dental hygienist I have had several patients mention to me that certain toothpastes make their mouth sore. The specific toothpastes vary, but generally switching to another type in...
View ArticleThe Link Between Periodontal Disease and Cancer
When it comes to cancer, many people are not aware that periodontal disease can put them at increased risk. While these associations have been recognized for a while, there have been questions if the...
View ArticleDo Missing Teeth Affect Job Seekers?
Working in a busy dental office I see lots of new patients who are desperate to get out of pain and have a smile that they are not ashamed of. Some of the most heart breaking stories are those who come...
View ArticleSoft Teeth
“I have soft teeth, that is why I always get so many cavities.” “My mother had soft teeth and so do I.” “I don’t understand why my son gets so many more cavities than his brothers, I guess he just has...
View ArticleFive Innovative Dental Techniques and Tools – And What This Means for Your...
Did you know that being a dental professional requires ongoing education and training? Dentists are constantly searching for new procedures, technologies and tools that reduce the duration of common...
View ArticleImplants: When Bacteria Attack
Dental implants have become an increasingly popular way to replace missing teeth and anchor dentures in place. When an implant is used to replace a single tooth it can be one of the most natural...
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