When it comes to health and beauty products, there is science and there are ‘fads’. One of the hottest new trends in oral care products is activated charcoal toothpaste. But are they actually effective? And more importantly, are they safe? The manufacturers and the marketers of charcoal-containing toothpastes make some bold claims about the benefits […]
Category: Dental Matters
Dental Matters: There are ways to get relief from sensitive teeth
Do you cringe when you take that first sip of something cold from the fridge? If so, you may be suffering from tooth sensitivity. This common dental problem has many causes, including cavities, cracked teeth, enamel wear from tooth grinding, leaking fillings and receding gums. Sensitivity to hot or cold liquids is the most likely […]
Uncovering the truth about antibiotics
Antibiotics have been in use since the 1940’s, and have done much to save lives, improve quality of life and control communicable diseases. In fact, the discovery of antibiotics has been touted as one of the greatest medical advances of the 20th century. Unfortunately, the past century of benefits realized from antibiotic use are at […]
Microbeads and toothpaste don’t gel
Like many new marketing ideas, this one seemed like a good one at the time it was introduced. Tiny little inert polyethylene beads, added to toothpaste as a mild abrasive to help remove plaque. Seemed harmless enough. The tiny beads even reflected light, giving the toothpaste the ‘sparkle’ that marketers felt was synonymous with ‘clean’. […]
What patients look for in a dentist
After seeing the same dentist for more than 20 years, you relocate and suddenly find yourself searching for a new dentist. This all-too-common experience can be a daunting one, especially when you consider the trust relationship that patients have with their dentist, and the anxiety that a dental appointment causes for some patients. Because of […]
You are what you drink (including your teeth)
One of the more frequent conversations in dental offices every day revolves around healthy eating, both for general and dental health. Most of us are already very aware of the dental risks associated with consuming excessive sugar, particularly the sticky sugars found in gum, toffee and other sticky sweets. But when it comes to beverages, […]
Corporate owners changing dentistry
There is a rather unsettling trend taking place in the dental profession, commonly referred to as the ‘corporatization’ of dental care. This trend has been evident for many years in the United States, and is more recently gaining some traction in Canada. Simply put, corporate ownership means that the dentist who is providing the dental […]
