Last week I introduced a couple who had been seeing the same dentist for 30 years and were finally forced to make a change due to the dentist’s retirement. They visited a “new” dentist and were turned off because the dentist recommended significant treatment. Then they consulted with another dentist, who spent more time with them to discuss their specific situations and goals. However, they still missed their “old” dentist.

The couple loved their “old” dentist because she was someone they could relate to. The dentist kept things simple, and they liked simple. If they had a broken tooth, the dentist patched it up and they were on their way. They never talked about the… (Read More)

People often ask me how I have time to write columns, and how I’ve come up with topics for as long as The Town Common has been around. If you have read my columns over the years, you’ll remember I have discussed that time was one of the barriers keeping people from getting the dental care they need. Time is an excuse and I use it as an excuse all the time. However, we always make time for things that are important to us.

The topics I come up with have been an evolution. I try to keep it interesting. Of course, many of the things that I find interesting in dentistry would bore others.… (Read More)

If there’s one thing about modern life that’s both a blessing and a curse, it’s all the choices we have. On one hand, it seems great that we can choose from so many options for every product at the grocery store. On the other hand, it can be confusing and overwhelming to make a decision. When it comes to all the toothpaste out there, most people would be hard-pressed to name each type, let alone decide which one is best for them. That’s where the expertise of a dentist comes in. Keep reading to find out what each toothpaste formula does and whether it would be right for you!

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According to a recent study by British researchers, in order to reduce the significant financial and social burdens of dental decay, free sugars in the diet should make up no more than 3% of total energy intake.

Dental decay (caries) is the most common chronic disease worldwide, affecting 60% to 90% of schoolchildren and the majority of adults. In the U.S., 92% of adults ages 20 to 64 have had caries in at least one of their permanent teeth. The treatment of dental diseases costs 5% to 10% of total health expenditure in industrialized countries.

The study findings indicate that current approaches to controlling dental caries are failing to prevent high levels of caries in… (Read More)