Clinical tip: Adopt digital technology and communicate effectively

Dr. Ahmad Al-Hassiny, director of the Institute of Digital Dentistry and a full-time private dentist in New Zealand, was a speaker at the recent Dentsply Sirona World meeting in Las Vegas. Now, he speaks with HuangshanDental.com readers about the importance of adopting digital dentistry and having impeccable communication skills. Video transcript “Hey guys, Ahmad Al-Hassiny here from the Institute of Digital Dentistry in New Zealand, and my clinical tip is all

Stress and Your Smile: How Anxiety Affects Oral Health

Life can get busy. Between work, family, and everyday responsibilities, stress can sneak up on all of us. But what many people don’t realize is how much stress and anxiety can impact oral health. At Neaville Family Dentistry in Searcy, AR, Dr. Keith Neaville helps patients spot the early signs of stress-related dental problems—and offers ways to protect their smiles when life gets hectic. Grinding, Clenching, and Jaw Pain One

Are Dental Savings Plans Worth It?

Dental care costs have skyrocketed over the past decade, with the average American spending over $1,200 annually on dental treatment. Meanwhile, millions of people lack dental insurance coverage, leaving them to face these expenses out-of-pocket. For many, this creates a painful choice between maintaining oral health and managing household budgets. Enter dental savings plans—a growing alternative that promises significant discounts on dental procedures without the complexity of traditional insurance. These

Got oral pain, inflammation? Maybe it’s CBD to the rescue

Cannabidiol (CBD) may show potential as an effective treatment in dentistry, especially for managing conditions like orofacial pain and inflammation, according to a review recently published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. However, further clinical trials are needed before CBD can be confidently recommended for dental use, the authors wrote. “The preliminary evidence suggests that CBD may hold promise as an adjunctive therapeutic option in the field of

Kid hospitalized for not eating, drinking after dental surgery

A 5-year-old patient with a history of anxiety was hospitalized with a feeding tube after refusing to eat, drink, or even swallow saliva for a week following general anesthesia for dental surgery. The case report was published on October 8 in Case Reports in Pediatrics. The child, who had a history of anxiety but was otherwise healthy, was discharged from the hospital after eight days. This case report emphasizes the

A new cavity-fighter that ditches silver in the works

Researchers at New York University have created a zinc-based compound to fight caries without the need for drilling or tooth fillings, offering an alternative to silver diamine fluoride (SDF), which can cause permanent staining. The liquid, zinc-based compound reacts to the dentin’s pH and concentration levels, transforming into a solid that seals the tubules and gradually releases antimicrobial zinc within the tooth, according to a university news story published on

More patients turning to endodontists for complex dental care

New data from the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) shows that more patients are turning to endodontists to relieve tooth pain and preserve their natural teeth through root canal therapy. Insurance claims from 2020 to 2024 revealed a steady rise in the number of patients seeking endodontic specialists for these procedures. Over the four-year period, endodontists’ share of endodontic treatments grew by 9.8%, rising from 34.6% in 2020 to 44.4%

Dairy vs Non-Dairy: Which Is Better for Your Teeth?

Every meal leaves a mark on your smile, sometimes in ways you can’t see right away. The choices we make about what to eat or drink quietly shape the strength, color, and longevity of our teeth. Among those choices, one question often divides opinions: is dairy really as beneficial for your teeth as we’ve always been told, or can non-dairy alternatives do the same job? At Avalon Dental Group, we

Fluoridation protects patients and practices

Most cavities are preventable through regular brushing, the use of fluoride toothpaste, and flossing. Yet prevention is not equally accessible for all families. For many children, especially those in lower-income communities, the only reliable form of cavity prevention is fluoridated water. Over the years, municipalities have discussed removing fluoride from public water systems, often citing concerns about broader health effects. What we do know, however, is what happens when fluoridation

One dentist’s advice on how to move past dental patients’ fear of pain

For Dr. Hiren Bhatt of Alton Dental in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, understanding a patient’s fear when he or she walks into the dental practice is key. Taking the time to understand their fear is one of the smartest things a dentist can do, not only to alleviate any fear of pain but also to gain their trust, Dr. Bhatt said. As the end of the year draws closer and more

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson opens up on his diamond grill

If you caught the recent Monday Night Football game between the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens, you probably noticed Lamar Jackson’s smile and how it shone in the prime-time lights. Jackson, a two-time MVP in the NFL, has a diamond-encrusted grill that he wears during games just as much as he does off the field. Of course, his mouthpiece helps not only protect his smile but those valuable diamonds. What

Dentists don’t ask, discuss substance use with adolescents

Although dentists view screening and counseling for adolescent substance use disorder (SUD) as important, only about a third ask patients about it annually, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. It is believed to be the first U.S. study examining dentists’ screening and referral practices for SUD in adolescent patients, the authors wrote. “This study suggests that though a substantial segment of dentists [are] not