dental bacterial test

The Three Pillars of Periodontal Healing: Why Identifying the Infection Matters

Posted on by Lee Sheldon DMD PA
Over the course of my career, some of the most satisfying—and often surprising—results I have seen in periodontal practice have come from balancing what I call the three pillars of periodontal healing: root cleanliness, control of the infectious component, and occlusion. All three matter. But for this discussion, I want to begin with the infectious component because it raises an interesting question: If we believe we are treating an infection, shouldn't we try to identify what we are trea...
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Throwback: Six Mouth Infections You Need to Get Rid of if You Have Heart Disease

Posted on by Cass Nelson-Dooley MS
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 ...
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The Missing Link Between Bacterial Testing and Clinical Decision-Making

Posted on by Lindsey Bieligk, MSDH, RDH
Salivary bacterial testing has transformed the way we identify periodontal pathogens and assess disease risk. Instead of relying solely on clinical findings, today's clinicians have access to biologic data that provides a more personalized understanding of each patient's oral microbiome. However, as testing becomes more widely adopted, many dental professionals are encountering an unexpected challenge: interpreting the results is often easier than knowing what to do next. Receiving a labo...
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Virtual Interview with Dr. Rob Frey

Posted on by Rob Frey, DDS, MPH
Dr. Ron McGlennen: Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you started in your profession. What is your driver to do what you do? Dr. Rob Frey: I have a passion for blending esthetic dentistry, functional dentistry, and whole-body health. My journey into dentistry started with a desire to work in healthcare in a way that combined science, artistry, and meaningful human connection. I was drawn to the idea that dentistry allows you to not only restore health, but also confidence, comfort,...
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The Secret Weapon – Part One

Posted on by Michael Goldberg DMD
Every practice owner I know is chasing the same three outcomes—whether they admit it out loud or not. Better patients. Higher acceptance of the right care—free from insurance constraints. And referrals that happen naturally, because marketing has become expensive, exhausting, and unpredictable. Yet most practices are still reaching for the same familiar tools to get there: Better scripts. Prettier brochures. Tighter financial conversations. Hel...
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Hormonal Contraceptives and the Oral Microbiome: The Missing First Signal in Salivary Diagnostics

Posted on by Dr. Neusha Najafi
We’re Having the Wrong Conversation The debate around hormonal contraceptives has grown louder and more polarized. Mood changes. Inflammation. Fertility concerns. Some of these concerns are valid. Much is oversimplified. But almost all of it misses the starting point. We are debating hormones while ignoring the environment they enter. We keep focusing on hormones in isolation. Ovaries, cycles, receptors. More recently, the gut microbiome has entered the discussion through the estrobo...
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Most of My Career, I Measured the Wrong Thing (And How OralDNA Forced Me to Change My Scorecard) – Part Two

Posted on by Jonathan Evans
Last week, we explored the awakening that comes from seeing the unseen. This week, Jonathan dives into the hard truth: a technically perfect Scaling and Root Planing (SRP) doesn’t always equal success. We’ll see how embracing an outcome-focused mindset changes not just the approach to care, but the results and the satisfaction hygienists and patients alike experience. The Hard Truth: Great SRP With Bad Outcomes Is Not a Win This is where my mindset truly flipped. I had to admit to myself: ...
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Throwback: Oral Health Contributing to Health Issues

Posted on by Sarah Tevis, DDS
Challenge: Due to dental anxiety, specifically the fear of being overwhelmed with dental problems, the patient finally took the necessary steps to address her chief complaint, “My gums are bleeding, and my teeth are sensitive. I want a more holistic approach to dental care. I feel like my mouth is contributing to my health issues.” Background: Age: 37 Sex: Female Medical History: Severe eczema since childhood, long term topical and systemic steroid for skin has resulted in s...
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Unexplained Infertility, Explained?

Posted on by Dr. Neusha Najafi
Up to 30% of infertility cases remain classified as “unexplained” despite comprehensive reproductive evaluation. While this label often implies idiopathic dysfunction, it may instead reflect the limitations of current diagnostic frameworks, especially those that overlook chronic inflammation and microbial dysbiosis as contributors to reproductive failure. Emerging evidence suggests that oral health, systemic inflammation, and shared microbial exposure between partners may play a meaningfu...
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Wellness Dentistry Summit 2025 – Livestream Virtual Ticket

Posted on by Nicki Mackey
  December 5–6, 2025 | Virtual Hosted by The Wellness Dentist Institute, the Wellness Dentistry Summit 2025 is your chance to learn, grow, and connect with the leaders driving the future of wellness-focused dental care. Whether you’re advancing your clinical skills, refining your business strategy, or looking to empower your team, this event is designed to equip you with actionable insights you can implement immediately. This sought after event has already sold out for in perso...
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