October is National Dental Hygiene Month

It’s National Dental Hygiene Month so let’s celebrate! I am a a proud member of the American Dental Hygienist’s Association and I would first like to thank them for fighting to help our profession continue to grow and evolve.  As health care providers that understand the oral-systemic link, hygienists like myself are on a mission to guide our Read More

What is Root Planing and Do I Really Need it?

You go to a dental office for X-rays and an examination.  You know you haven’t been in a while and your gums aren’t in the best of shape.  You walk out of the office with a treatment plan (cost estimate and course of action) for a couple fillings and  four quadrants of root planing.  You Read More

Broken Teeth Don’t Always Get On Your Nerves

Here’s a common conversation at the dental office: Me: Have you had any dental problems since the last time you were in? Patient: No, they are all still there in my mouth so nothing’s wrong that I know of. Me: Well, let’s get some X-rays and do an exam with the doctor just to make sure. Read More

A Bloody Sink

(No, that’s not real blood) Do your gums bleed when you brush?  How about only when you floss?  No matter how much you try to rationalize that bit of blood in your sink , this is a symptom of a much bigger problem. Bleeding is NOT normal If the skin on your leg is healthy, it will Read More