At the end of each of the past 16 years, I have used this space to publish these 21 Suggestions for Success authored by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Cut this out and put it on the refrigerator. Read this list often and take these suggestions to heart. The more of these you achieve, the better place you are for having your best year ever in 2022.

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The two things you’re supposed to do to clean your teeth: Brush & Floss. Any of you have your hygienist get on your case about not flossing? You may be the best brusher in the world, but if you’re not cleaning between your teeth, we know it. Cleaning between the teeth is essential for good oral health, AND good overall health.

To reiterate, we need to think about brushable surfaces vs. non-brushable surfaces in the mouth. Floss, which is basically a piece of string, is great after eating corn-on-the-cob. Other than that, using an oral irrigator (water flosser), is much better at cleaning the non-brushable areas in the mouth.

Clinically, we usually see significant improvement… (Read More)

If you have kids, and you take them to the dentist, I am sure you have heard about sealants. Many, if not most dentists recommend dental sealants.

A dental sealant is a flowable resin, generally placed on permanent 6 and 12-year molars. It is placed in the grooves on the top of the teeth. Its purpose is to help prevent decay from forming in this area, which is the most common place for dental decay to occur. It does nothing in the prevention of decay between teeth, or on any of the other 20 teeth in the mouth – although the molars are generally the first teeth to decay.

Make sense so far? Now for… (Read More)

Last week I discussed the importance of communication in any relationship, specifically the healthcare provider/patient relationship. Trust is mutually built as this relationship develops over time.

“There’s not enough time in the day.” Have you ever used this excuse? I said this yesterday to someone. We all tend to waste a lot of time, or at least don’t use the time we have as effectively as we could. You would think that in our technology-filled world, time management would be easier. Some of this technology actually gets in the way by adding even more of a time commitment to things that reduce interpersonal communication.

Here’s an example. It’s time to buy a new car. There… (Read More)