Who’s the glue that holds it altogether in your office? Or your household? The one that works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep things going? In a dental office, this person is the dental assistant or hygienist. Their job can involve all sorts of tasks. Their primary responsibility is to make you feel comfortable and to communicate, effectively, with the dentist. But their work goes beyond what you see. They are tasked with the responsibility to disinfect chairs and rooms and implement sterilization procedures to ensure your safety. When you see the neatly organized trays of tools, it is [...]

The future of dentistry looks bright!  It’s hard to know, exactly, what 20-30 years in the future will mean for the dental world, but as technology and innovation increase, it’s clear dentistry will continue to advance and develop more intricately. Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence could revolutionize the way dentistry operates.  The use of Artificial Intelligence, alone, will allow for more specific diagnostics, data, and individual, personalized care.   The Smart toothbrush is growing in its popularity on the market, as it can detect good or bad brushing habits, connected with an app for ease of tracking patterns.  The world [...]

Teeth have been around as long as humans have been around. They are vital to life, because teeth are essential to eating and speaking and they are a window into the body’s overall health. The Ancient Greeks once believed that tooth decay occurred due to tooth worms, which was really their best guess at bacteria and cavities. Egyptian mummies have shown evidence of tooth drilling practices to drain abscesses. In Phoenicia, an early, common practice was to replace missing human teeth with teeth from animals, bound to a person’s gums. The first people recognized as dentists were originally barbers, who dealt with sharp tools, [...]

Perhaps you have filled out a March Madness bracket, and the excitement is brewing in your competitive household or work environment as strong opinions about definite winners are exchanged. Perhaps these participants also have strong opinions about their dental habits.  Why not challenge them to a dental madness bracket, just for fun? 1st up—Team Floss versus Team Mouthwash: And the winner is... FLOSSING.  Mouthwash should never replace brushing and flossing. Instead, use it after you’ve done the other two activities, to rinse out any residual bacteria. Next up—Team Manual Toothbrush versus Team Electric Toothbrush: And the winner is...ELECTRIC.  Electric [...]

We tend to be careful about what we put in our bodies for meals.  We tend to be disciplined about getting to the gym.  But do we treat our dental care with the same intentionality?  Isn’t there good reason the mouth is often called the “window” to the body?  To understand this concept better, let’s debunk some common myths surrounding the topic of dental hygiene: Brushing your teeth hard helps get rid of buildup. NOPE. Brushing too hard take off the enamel and can even cause greater gum recession, in the long run. Gentle brushing is best. Bleeding gums are [...]

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, because let’s face it, continuing to do something because it’s comfortable or what you are used to is often easier than going through the hassle of making a change.  Even if the change is necessary.  Maybe you’ve been considering a switch to a new dentist for years.  Perhaps your favorite dentist recently retired or maybe you have been feeling unheard at your current practice or the care you are receiving doesn’t feel satisfactory.  We want to help make that change seamless for you.  Here a few steps to consider when making [...]

Sometimes, walking down the dental aisle at the grocery store can be overwhelming: so many products; how do you know which ones are the best options!? Let’s start with the toothbrush. When you pick one out, the most important aspect of the brush is the bristles. Hard bristles cause bleeding and gum damage, whereas soft bristles help get in between teeth, gently. Also, try out the toothbrush in your hand and make sure it is easy to grip and comfortable for using. Next, let’s talk about toothpaste. Whitening? Baking soda? Mint or bubble gum? You should, primarily, be looking at the fluoride composition of [...]

Christmas is a joyous time of year…putting up the tree, listening to Christmas music, cookie baking, and gift exchanging. Speaking of gifts, every family seems to have that one person on your shopping list who is difficult to buy for because it seems they already have everything, right? So why not think outside the box and surprise them with the gift of dental health. You could gift someone a teeth whitening certificate; this pricey procedure may not be affordable for everything, but it would be deeply appreciated by the receiver! An electric toothbrush is another great gift idea. They range in price from [...]

Thanksgiving is nearly here, and Christmas is just around the corner. In other words, most of us are thinking about the gift lists, the parties and the family get togethers. You are likely not thinking about your teeth. Fair enough. But perhaps you should! The end of the year means it is the best time to capitalize on your health insurance benefits and squeeze in an appointment with the dentist. Most dental insurance plans won’t roll over into 2023. If it seems reasonable to schedule a last-minute surgery and take care of another health issue before December 31st , doesn’t it also seem reasonable to schedule [...]