The Mouth-Mind Connection: How Oral Health Influences Brain Health: Part 1

The mind and the mouth are more connected than you might have thought, but hey, they are only a few inches away from one another. As we’ve talked about with previous diseases and conditions, our oral health is directly connected (through all those annoying bacteria) to the overall health of our bodies. And in the case of our brains, this means the bacteria in our mouths can significantly contribute to one of the most devastating diseases, dementia. Better oral health equals less bacteria, whi...
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Master the Comprehensive Examination

There are so many dentists. How do you differentiate yourself from others? Let me quote the Google reviews that I am most proud of: My first visit consisted of the most comprehensive dental exam I have ever experienced. The absolute best dental exam I’ve ever had in my life…! The most comfortable and detailed dental visit I've ever had. Very detailed exam, never had that extensive an exam. The most thorough examination I have ever experienced. His examination wa...
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The Winning Team: The Healthcare Provider & The Clinical Laboratory

Decades, possibly even a century, of periodontal research have led to modern-day periodontology. This research supports identifying the bad guys; reducing their presence should lead to less or no disease. This simple equation has proven to be successful, yet there are still more questions to be asked and answers to be discovered. Before clinical laboratory testing, healthcare providers could only assume the presence of these culprits in periodontal disease. Today, however, we can confiden...
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A Dental Detective Story – When a 102% Surge in Bacterial Load After Scaling Unveils a Horizontal Transmission Tale

In the world of healthcare, understanding the root cause of health issues is paramount to providing effective treatment. This principle was put to the test in a fascinating case that highlighted the importance of considering both clinical and personal factors in patient care. The case involved an unexpected 102% increase in bacterial load within a patient's mouth, despite having undergone scaling, irrigation, and decontamination—a procedural-set known to significantly reduce bacterial load. ...
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Empowering Patients: The Game-Changing Benefits of Alert 2™

While we’ve found the Alert 2™ test extremely useful for hygienists and dentists, in my experience I’ve found that ultimately the patient has the greatest benefit from the test results. Many patients may not fully grasp the impact of bacteria on their oral and systemic health or hold preconceived notions that may be at odds with their diagnosis. And while we can explain the role of bacteria and genetic influence on their diagnosis, the Alert 2 report from OralDNA® has been a game changer for...
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Six Mouth Infections You Need to Get Rid of if You Have Heart Disease (Condensed Version)

Address Oral Health to Prevent Heart Attacks, Strokes, and High Blood Pressure When you ask most people, “What can you do to treat heart disease?” they will say diet and exercise. But how many people mention mouth bacteria at the top of the list for turning around heart disease? Even medical doctors rarely mention this as a top contributor to heart disease. While diet and exercise are critical, don’t overlook the sinister bacteria lurking in the mouth that cause gum infections and send the he...
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Interview with Sharmane Soriano, RDH

  Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you were introduced to OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Sharmane Soriano, RDH: I was introduced to OralDNA salivary diagnostics through the dental office I worked at. Just graduating from the dental hygiene program, OralDNA was something I was not familiar with. The Alert 2™ report gave accurate data of the patient’s oral health as it tests the types of bacteria, the amounts of bacteria, and the patient’s genetic risk of acquiring periodontal disease. Afte...
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Unlocking Saliva Secrets: Combatting Dry Mouth with OralDNA® Testing

In our daily lives, the significance of saliva is often overlooked, yet it plays a crucial role in our overall health. Saliva is more than just a means to keep our mouths moist, it is a vital component in protecting against viruses and bacteria, aiding in digestion, and even influencing our taste and speech. About 10% of the general population and 25% of older adults experience dry mouth AKA xerostomia, which impacts not just oral health but quality of life. Dry mouth occurs when there...
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The Necessity of Two Patient Specific Identifiers

All healthcare industries strive for safety and quality control, especially when handling patient information. With the OralDNA® ordering process, some may wonder why it is so important to have two matching patient specific identifiers on the OralDNA specimen and test requisition. In this week’s blog, we will share with you the importance of patient specific identifiers and how you can accurately identify your patients’ samples. According to the College of American Pathologists (CAP) guidelin...
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Class II Generalized Periodontitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Requesting Implant Placement

Challenge: To establish periodontal remission by addressing the clinical manifestations of periodontal disease and altering the oral flora in order to lower the incidence of periodontal disease relapse. Bacterial management will eliminate a source of total body inflammation and increase success of implant placement. Background: The patient is a 66 year-old-male with rheumatoid arthritis, taking Lisinopril and is a potential candidate for implant to restore #19. Patient’s daily home care r...
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