This screen shot and title is from an early morning email that I opened today. It’s emails like this that make me sick to my stomach. Any patient would be disgusted to imagine such a thought could enter the mind… Read More ›
Dental Procedures
Learn more about common dental procedures.
Baking Soda – The Craze
Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) is a handy cleaning product that is mildly abrasive in solution and is excellent for dissolving grease and molds. It can also be used as a powder to absorb musty odors. For these reasons, baking… Read More ›
Global Dental Health
A number of my friends are dental missionaries and visit countries where problems from dental disease are intense. They see adults with many lost teeth and visible tooth damage that can be overwhelming. These dentists provide emergency extractions and care,… Read More ›
Changing Viewpoints
When I was a child there were X-ray machines in shoe stores. As we were fitted for a pair of shoes it was customary to stand in a machine so the store clerk could take an X ray and check… Read More ›
Root Canals
It is staggering how many root canals are performed in US dental offices – apparently close to 60 million per year! There is a renewed interest in what exactly this treatment is, and whether it’s a good option, or perhaps… Read More ›
The Fluoride Debate: Two Sides to Every Story
The fluoride debate has been ongoing for 50 years. In the past few months I sense a renewed vigor on the side of organized dentistry to promote water fluoridation. For example, a recent study from Australia showed a 10% reduction… Read More ›
The Fluoride Debate: Why xylitol is a better ally when it comes to preventing cavities
In the US we have an epidemic of cavities in children’s teeth, but the facts are that fluoride has no power to prevent cavities. Cavities are caused by bacteria that erode holes in teeth, and fluoride does nothing to help… Read More ›
Q&A with Dr. Ellie: Should I Get a Sealant?
Every month Dr. Ellie Phillips will answer your oral health questions as part of the Ultimate Oral Health Guide. ———– Q: My dentist would like to apply a white sealant to my pre-molar because it has a very deep fissure which she said… Read More ›
Dental Sealants for Kids
What is a dental sealant? A dental sealant is a thin plastic used to cover cracks (fissures) that naturally occur in chewing surfaces of molar teeth. The idea is to protect teeth from decay, since cavities almost always start in… Read More ›
Looking for a Dentist?
Do you need a new dentist? Do you want one who believes in xylitol and is happier to prevent cavities than fill teeth? In some countries dentists get paid to prevent cavities, but in the US most insurance companies reimburse… Read More ›