Dental Hygiene

You’re in the zone at the place after data collection before the exam ‒ the time when dental hygienists use their secret sauce to remove the biofilm, calculus, or debris (aka junk). Dental hygienists are lost in thought and hopefully only good ones. But it can be the time when we mull over something that is weighing heavily on our...

Trust is the assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.6 Trust can be fragile, much like glass. Once it is compromised or broken, it might be able to be repaired or patched, but it will never truly be the same again. It may also be damaged beyond repair. Statistics show that people trust each...

Practicing clinicians must understand the differences in the types of dental research and clinical relevance when reading and reviewing scientific literature. This awareness helps ensure dental professionals are providing the best possible care to patients and can assist in helping determine the best recommendations or tools to improve patients' oral health. Placing too much weight on a study that may...

Several of my female patients have recently presented with the same pathological condition of lichen planus. They were treated in the same way with a topical corticosteroid cream, triamcinolone, that was applied to the affected areas in the buccal mucosa, gingival tissues, and/or tongue two to three times a day. The dental patients’ questions about the immune system deficiency triggered...

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit on October 28, 2021, against a dental manufacturer, Xlear, Inc., saying the company “falsely pitched its saline nasal sprays as an effective way to prevent and treat COVID-19.” The federal agency said Xlear violated the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act with its claims about the nasal sprays. The legislation was enacted by Congress...

Recession is a common gingival tissue problem resulting from the apical migration of the marginal gingiva.3 As presented by Mercado et al., gingival recession is highly prevalent throughout the worldwide adult population, ranging in incidence from 30% to 100%.2 This results in the exposure of the root structure, often leading to sensitivity and creating an increased risk for cervical...

It is no secret that society has become center focused on appearance, and the mere fact that “selfie” was named word of the year in 2013 by Miriam Webster further clarifies this.1 Focusing on ourselves more leads to the desire to look better. New research reveals that American women spend nearly a quarter of a million dollars on their appearance...

Let's break up the monotony of dental hygienists' timed appointments, scientific data, patient education, and continuing education by exploring the world of amazing dental facts. This article will embark on a world outside the dental office while keeping the oral cavity in focus. 1) Most Teeth The average human has 32 teeth by adulthood. However, on September 20, 2014, Guinness World...

Disclosure: This video is sponsored content from Philips Oral Healthcare as part of our sponsored partner program. Check out the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser, a new water flosser that offers patients a more thorough and effective way to remove plaque and food debris interdentally while helping improve and maintain gingival health. To learn more about the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser, including research conducted on...

Disclosure: This article is sponsored content from Designs for Vision as part of our sponsored partner program. The mere thought of how I ever practiced my dental hygiene career without loupes is unfathomable. Loupes have assisted me in my career by improving my posture, as well as reducing musculoskeletal disorders and hand fatigue. In addition, loupes help perform dental procedures with...