Dental Hygiene

As we approach 2025, it’s hard to ignore the seismic shifts brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. While much of the world has adapted to new norms, certain sectors, such as dentistry, continue to face unique challenges. The pandemic affected not only our health but also our dental practices, introducing waves of stress, financial burdens, and new stringent infection prevention and control (IPAC) protocols.

In this week's blog, we explore the unseen struggles dental clinics face as they navigate a post-pandemic landscape and what that means for the patients who rely on their care.

The Financial Strain on Dental Clinics

When COVID-19 swept the globe, dental clinics were among the first to feel the effects. With government mandates for non-emergency dental procedures to halt, m

When we think about dental health, our minds often jump straight to toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and the occasional dental visit. However, one of the most crucial players in maintaining oral health is usually overlooked: saliva. This clear fluid does more than keep our mouths moist; it plays a pivotal role in protecting our teeth, aiding digestion, and overall oral hygiene. In this blog, we’ll take a deeper look into the multifaceted role of saliva, its composition, and the surprising facts about how it impacts our dental health – things that may not be commonly known.

The Composition of

Halloween is a thrilling time filled with costumes, decorations, and – of course – candy! While the excitement of trick-or-treating can be a wonderful experience for kids, it also brings challenges for dental health. With abundant sugary treats, parents need to adopt effective strategies to keep smiles healthy throughout the Halloween season and beyond.

In this week's blog, we’ll share tips on caring for your teeth after Halloween and ensure that everyone in the family can enjoy their candy safely!

Set a Candy Limit

Before the candy haul begins, it’s wise to discuss a plan with your child. Setting a limit on how much candy they can enjoy each day helps to prevent overindulging. Consider using a fun calendar or chart to keep track of their candy consumption. This way, they can enjoy their t

In dentistry, effective sterilization processes are paramount to ensuring patient safety and preventing healthcare-associated infections. Traditionally, dental practices relied on manual monitoring techniques to track sterilization cycle parameters, but the landscape is shifting. Digital sterilization monitoring systems offer a more accurate, efficient, and reliable solution. This blog explores the key differences between digital and manual sterilization monitoring, highlighting why the transition to digital systems is essential for modern dental practices.

The Importance of Effective Sterilization Monitoring

Sterilization is crucial in dentistry to eliminate pathogens from equipment such as instruments and surfaces. Dental professionals have associations that provide standards and guidelines to help implement effective sterilization protocols. Accurate

International Infection Prevention Week, a celebration of those safeguarding our health, occurs from October 13 to the 19th of 2024. Established in 1986, the week 'aims to shine a light on infection prevention' each year, recognizing those who make infection prevention their professional focus. As we approach International Infection Prevention Week 2024, we must acknowledge and honor the indispensable role of infection preventionists worldwide. From hospitals and clinics to community settings, these committed individuals are at the forefront, ensuring our health is protected by preventing and controlling infections. This year's theme, Moving the Needle on Infection Prevention, underscores the significance of their work and brings attention to an often-overlooked area: dental infection prevention and control.

Dental Infection Prevention and Control

Periodontal disease, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the supporting structures of the teeth, is primarily caused by microbial infection. While traditional mechanical therapies, such as scaling and root planing (SRP), effectively reduce bacterial load and inflammation, they may not fully eliminate the periodontal pathogens, particularly in deeper periodontal pockets.  The management of periodontal disease often requires a multifaceted approach that includes mechanical debridement, patient education, and adjunctive therapies. Among these, combination therapy, mainly systemic and local antimicrobials, has gained traction as a strategy to enhance clinical outcomes.

Combination Therapy

Combination therapy is the simultaneous or sequential use of multiple treatment modalities to achieve a synergistic effect. This approach targets

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) is a widely recognized antimicrobial agent that has made significant strides in dentistry. Known for its effectiveness in combating oral pathogens, this powerful antiseptic agent is utilized for various applications in dentistry, offering numerous benefits to both patients and practitioners. In this blog, we’ll review some key uses of chlorhexidine gluconate in dentistry and how it contributes to better oral health.  

What is Chlorhexidine Gluconate?

Chlorhexidine gluconate is a chemical antiseptic that is highly effective against a wide range of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Its ability to bind to tissues and provide a prolonged antimicrobial effect makes it particularly useful in dental care. Typically available in mouth rinses, gels, and varnishes, chlorhexidine has been embraced as a vital tool for maintaining oral hygiene.

Welcoming a new baby into the world is an exhilarating experience filled with wonder and joy. As little ones grow, they embark on various developmental milestones, one of which is teething. While this process can be exciting, it may also present challenges, particularly when it comes to eruption cysts. In this blog, we’ll explore what eruption cysts are, how they affect infants, and what both parents and dental professionals should know to navigate these situations.

What are Eruption Cysts?

Eruption cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form in the soft tissue of the gum as a tooth is about to emerge. Typically associated with primary (baby) teeth, these cysts often develop over the crowns of erupting teeth in infants and toddlers.