Cause and Effect Several factors contribute to periodontal disease: plaque buildup, heredity, and lifestyle choices. By far, the most common and controllable factor is bacterial plaque, the sticky, colorless film produced by normal oral bacteria. Bacteria release toxins that break down the natural fibers that bond gums to teeth. When this occurs, pockets between the […]

4 reasons you should become a surgical tech 1. Hands-on internships There’s no filing papers and picking up coffee in these internships! Becoming a surgical tech is exciting because internships tend to be engaging and hands-on. They’re a great place to gain practical experience in a medical setting. Many surgical tech programs include a clinical […]

While scrolling through my Twitter feed the other day, I saw a young woman’s tweet: “How do I tell my mom I don’t want to be a dental hygienist anymore?” She could have been a student, but it was unclear if she was. Kara Vavrosky shares an anecdote on page 24 about her meltdown in […]

New research reveals that patients with chronic kidney disease who also have severe gum disease or periodontitis have a higher risk of death than chronic kidney disease patients with healthy gums. The study – led by the University of Birmingham in the UK and published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology – provides further evidence […]

QUESTION: What does the latest research say about the safety and efficacy of scaling dental implants? ANSWER: Scratched implant surfaces are thought to be more susceptible to plaque biofilm accumulation, as well as more difficult to keep clean. The therapeutic concern is that scratched implant surfaces may increase the likelihood or severity of peri-implant mucositis […]