Maryanne Ferree, RDH, BS, PHDHP
-
August 10, 2023
Introduction
Aphthous ulcers, also known as canker sores, are a type of mouth ulcer many experience at some point in their lives. While they may seem harmless, these ulcers can cause significant pain and discomfort, making chewing, speech, and oral home care difficult. Despite their common occurrence, the exact cause of aphthous ulcers remains a mystery, and there is no known cure. This blog will delve into the unseen pain of aphthous ulcers, exploring their symptoms, potential causes, and available treatments. Understanding this condition can help provide much-needed relief and support for our patients.
What is an aphthous ulcer?
Oral aphthosis is a painful and recurring inflammatory process of the oral mucosa producing ulcers affecting 20-25% of the population worldwide.
-
March 20, 2023World Oral Health Day is a great time for dental offices to take meaningful action to promote good oral health practices and help end the neglect of oral health. We have gathered some easy ways that dental offices can help spread awareness and conversation around World Oral Health Day.
-
March 05, 2023
Suppose you ask dental-phobic patients for the main reasons that the thought of dental visit elicits such fear and loathing.
In that case, most will probably respond with feelings related to the potential for anxiety or pain.
This anxiety can stem from genuine unpleasant past dental experiences or unknown potential for pain.
-
December 29, 2022
This blog may have been posted after our holiday season celebrations with office parties and family gatherings.
As we return to our routine office schedules, we must maintain our respiratory health program with the most current and appropriate CDC infection prevention recommendations for the 2022-2023 flu season.
Influenza viruses are constantly changing, and even new viruses can appear each year and a gift none of us wants to receive.
Although the fall and winter is typically the most popular season for the flu to rear its ugly head, the season of flu can vary from different parts of the country and from season to season.
Annual flu is “a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death”.1 (CDC influenza). Flu symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or
-
December 08, 2022Antibiotic resistance is a global issue that requires the attention of all countries, governments, and health agencies.
-
September 30, 2022Although we need more studies to assess the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and long-term use of teledentistry, the observed strengths, and upcoming opportunities indicate that teledentistry may fill a significant gap in oral health care delivery. But we also need to consider essential aspects of teledentistry when providing this service.
-
September 21, 2022The workplace has been evolving over the past few years, and the dental office is no exception. Making sure that employers and employees are on the same page can circumvent a toxic work environment potentially leading to passive-aggressive behaviour such as quiet firing or quitting.
-
August 26, 2022
Fluoride continues to be our number one defence in the prevention and progression of dental caries. For those patients who adamantly refuse to use fluoride in any form, we must be knowledgeable in guiding them to alternative methods to increase their resistance to and prevention of caries. Prevention of dental caries involves many aspects. Primary prevention involves the etiology of ...
-
August 22, 2022Fluoride is an element found naturally in air, soil, and water. Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases among children, especially those living below the federal poverty level. This disease can contribute to days of pain, interrupted school days, difficulty eating, concentrating, and lack of self-esteem. Tooth decay is preventable, and fluoridated water supply, fluoride-containing home care products, and professionally applied fluoride treatments can potentially prevent this chronic oral disease.
-
July 28, 2022Dentistry needs the use of ultrasonic scalers, air polishers, and dental handpieces to perform our treatments properly. Professional health and safety recommendations are regularly developing, and we must continue to seek the most evidence-based information for proper infection prevention against the many forms of disease transmission challenging us today. The most significant reduction in aerosol production at the site of formation is by the proper use of a ...
