Question and Answer
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November 01, 2024
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
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September 20, 2024
If my dental regulatory body does not state specifically, that I need to track and trace, then who is telling me to track and trace?
A terrific question for any busy dental office to pose … who is telling me to track and trace? To answer the ‘who’ one must understand the ‘why’. Once the ‘why’ is understood through a risk management lens and professional responsibility to keep the public safe, the who loses its debate as you will be the person telling yourself to track and trace!
Tracking and tracing are linking a sterilized package to the client it was used on. Why do we label packages with the date, sterilizer #, load #, contents, and initialize? It is not just to label to see when it was sterilized but also where it’s going or in past tense, has gone. The label is the first step of having a recall system in place, it’s the tracking of packa
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September 13, 2024
As new parents, you may find yourselves filled with excitement as you anticipate your infant’s milestones: their first steps, first words, and undoubtedly, their first tooth! However, it’s essential to understand that oral care should begin even before those tiny pearly whites make their grand debut. Proper oral hygiene during the early months can significantly impact your child’s dental health for years to come. In this blog, we’ll explore how to care for an infant’s mouth before teeth emerge, how to navigate the teething phase, the importance of early oral care, and the early warning signs of dental issues.
Oral Care Before Teeth Erupt
The Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that your child’s oral care should start even before their first teeth appear. Typically, babies don’t begin to get their milk teeth or
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June 21, 2024
When it comes to our oral health, it's easy to get caught up in myths and misconceptions that can lead to misunderstandings and misinformed decisions. But what if we told you that some of the most common dental "facts" you've learned are just myths? In this blog, we're taking a closer look at some of the most common dental myths and debunk them with facts. From the idea that white teeth are automatically healthier, to the notion that sugar is the sole cause of tooth decay, we'll explore the truth behind these dental myths and what you can do to maintain optimal oral health.
MYTH: White teeth are healthier.
Dental Fact: Having white teeth does not necessarily mean they are healthier. Teeth can appear white due to various reasons, including
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May 24, 2024
Infection control is a critical component of healthcare, yet it's often overlooked or taken for granted. In reality, the improper cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, inadequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and lack of proper hand hygiene protocols can all contribute to the spread of infections. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect millions of people worldwide each year, resulting in significant morbidity, mortality, and economic costs. As healthcare professionals, it's essential that we prioritize infection control and take proactive steps to prevent the spread of infections in our patients and colleagues.
- Not properly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces: Many healthcare professionals may not follow proper cleaning and disinfecting protocols, which can lead to the spread of
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May 10, 2024
When it comes to maintaining optimal oral hygiene, flossing is a crucial component of your daily routine. By incorporating the right type of floss into your daily routine, you can reduce plaque and tarter buildup, prevent gum disease, and even improve overall oral health. With so many types of string floss available, choosing the right one can seem overwhelming. However, by understanding the unique features and benefits of each type, you can select the one that best suits your individual needs and preferences. Whether it's waxed floss or unwaxed floss, expanding floss, or dental tape, each type of floss offers its own benefits.
Waxed floss is a popular choice for many individuals due to its ease of use and smooth texture. This type of floss is typically made
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February 02, 2024
Dental caries, commonly known as cavities, pose a significant threat to oral health. Dental fillings, while essential in treating cavities and restoring tooth structure, are not immune to the potential risk of recurrent caries. The process of recurrent caries around fillings involves a series of factors that compromise the integrity of the restoration, leading to subsequent decay. Understanding this process is crucial for both dental professionals and patients in implementing effective preventive measures.
How Does a Cavity Form Under an Existing Restoration?
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to recurrent caries around dental fillings, let us explore the intricate dynamics involved in this process. Five key elements play a crucial role in the development of recurrent
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December 15, 2023
Dental articulating paper is a thin paper used by dentists to check and adjust a patient’s bite. It typically comes in thin strips or sheets coated with a special ink or substance that leaves marks when pressure is applied. Dentists place this paper between the teeth and have the patient bite down. The marks left on the teeth from the paper indicate areas where the teeth meet and where adjustments might be required to ensure a proper bite alignment. This helps in diagnosing and adjusting dental work or identifying irregularities in a patient’s bite.
What Is Articulating Paper Used for?
Articulating in dentistry refers to the relationship between the upper and lower teeth when they come together when biting or chewing. Articulating can be evaluated using various tools such as articulating paper; however, articulating foils and articulating wax can als
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November 24, 2023
maxill is proud to introduce the ‘new guy’ in the IPAC line up of products… The Process Challenge Device (PCD). A PCD is a key element in the quality assurance testing of dental office sterilizers. It is used to monitor the performance of the sterilization process. The PCD simulates an equal or greater challenge than the most difficult instrument/item routinely processed in a sterilization cycle. Each day and each cycle used requires the use of a PCD. Adding a more rigorous approach to testing follows best practice within the risk management of the theory of routine practice principles of infection prevention and control.
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November 17, 2023
An In-Depth Exploration of Uses, Safety Measures, and Applications of Benzocaine
Benzocaine is a popular topical anesthetic that offers relief from things such as pain, itching, and discomfort in various situations. In this article, we'll delve into what benzocaine is, how to use it, where and how to apply benzocaine topicals, potential side effects, and the clinical applications in a dental office.
What is Benzocaine and How Do You Use It?
Benzocaine is a synthetic compound classified as a topical anesthetic. It works by temporarily numbing the area where it is applied, thanks to its ability to block nerve signals. Benzocaine