Dental Hygiene

We may see a record-breaking number of measles cases in the United States for the first time this year, the highest since the elimination of measles in the year 2000. From January 1 through April 19, there have been 626 individual cases of measles confirmed in 22 states. I would like to emphasize these are confirmed cases; there could be...

Taking a walk down the dental aisle in any retail store can be slightly overwhelming. The selection of dental products is rich. Among that selection exist a multitude of toothbrushes. Toothbrushes have evolved into technologically advanced gadgets that some may contemplate the effectiveness or the need. A routine visit to your dental office can often lead to a recommendation for...

Nearly eight months ago, North Carolina unwillingly welcomed Hurricane Florence at our doorstep – whether we were ready or not, she was coming! For days residents prepped, boarded, moved boats, secured livestock and stocked supplies. What began as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds over 140 MPH, mercifully lessened to a Category 1 as it made landfall near...

In dentistry, there are few topics that come up more in conversation with our patients than whitening. Most hygienists will answer questions regarding teeth whitening treatments more times than they can count, but is the information we are giving our patients correct? This past week I was discussing this very subject with a long-time patient. He informed me he had...

As Dental Professionals, we always seem to be looking for more options to assist our patients in achieving the best oral health. This is what I feel makes us so good at our jobs, how much we really care. Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is an FDA-cleared liquid that has been shown to kill pathogenic organisms in decaying dentin and...

“It will never happen to me” is likely a mantra that many parents believe, especially when they become parents for the first time. In no time, those tiny hands and feet grow into tweens and teenagers, and you now are in the thick of raising young adults. You are about to face a multitude of worries -- drugs, alcohol,...

I believe every school-aged child should have access to necessary hygiene items, for free. There is no reason for children to go without the basics needed to succeed. I have experienced numerous times while performing hygiene treatment in schools, as I’m explaining why they need to brush better, children telling me they don’t have a toothbrush. Then seeing their excitement when I...

Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery, second only to drugs as the world’s largest criminal activity. The United Nations defines trafficking in human beings as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, detection, abuse of power or position of...

There is a new treatment option making its way into dental offices around the country. It’s a little bit controversial but enormously innovative. The dental professionals that choose to offer this treatment and embrace its potential in the dental field will need to get past some preconceived notions first though. That is because this innovative new treatment is Botox...

Gingival recession is a common malady we see to some degree on nearly every patient that comes through the dental office. Perhaps recession is minimal from over-aggressive toothbrushing, and a gentle word of warning and modification of brushing technique using an extra soft toothbrush are all that is required to keep the recession at bay. Periodontal disease and bruxism...