At Laurel Dental Clinic we’ve begun to offer the option of a salivary test for Oral HPV. Now you might be wondering: “Why is my dentist concerned if I have HPV?” Or you might be thinking: “It’s none of your business if I have HPV.” These are valid concerns, as this is a new screening protocol that is likely to stir up many questions. To help allay any fears or concerns around our new screening, we’ve put together some information below, that further explains our role as dental professionals and providing the highest quality of preventive care that we … Read More

Fluoride is a controversial topic in the dental field, which is why we’ve chosen to discuss it this month. Numerous studies show that when used as directed or when added to community water in the correct amounts, fluoride significantly reduces the incidence of cavities. A frequent misconception surrounding fluoride is that only children will benefit from fluoride. Anyone regardless of age, has unique risk factors for developing cavities. Our dental hygienists are trained to identify your risk for developing cavities, and evaluate this at each hygiene appointment. By determining this, we are able to recommend any additional supplements that would … Read More

As many of you know, here at Laurel Dental Clinic we went through a little bit of a baby wave through our staff members this last year. They all delivered healthy, happy babies and moms are doing well; ask about them at your next visit, we love talking about our little ones! This seems like the perfect time to address oral care during pregnancy. There are a few misconceptions out there to shed light on and we’ll discuss how and why good home care is especially important during pregnancy. One of the biggest misconceptions involved with dental care during pregnancy … Read More

Earlier this month I, Amy Swenson, had the opportunity to take part in a dental service trip to Guatemala! This team included 2 dentists, 2 hygienists, 3 assistants, 2 translators, and 3 support staff. The team was built from Atlas Dental Group practices and sponsored by the Non-Profit branch, The Whitefield Foundation. Guatemala Once we landed in Guatemala City we made our way to Antigua for the first night, then continued to our destination of Godinez. We worked in the surrounding areas of Lake Atitlan. Guatemala has a long history of suffering multiple natural disasters ranging from hurricanes, earthquakes and … Read More

  April is Oral Cancer Awareness month, so it only seems fitting that we discuss the increased risk tobacco users face of developing oral cancer. Both cigarettes and chewing tobacco greatly increase an individual’s chance of developing oral or throat cancer. Studies have shown that smokers are 3 times more likely to develop mouth cancer and 7 times more likely to develop throat cancer than non-smokers. Each year, The Oral Cancer Foundation approximates 48,250 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed and that 9,575 people die each year due to these forms of cancer. These numbers are staggering and heart … Read More

  In the last few years “Vaping” or “E-Cigarettes” have become very popular.  6 million people in the U.S. have tried or used e-cigarettes. Some people vape to quit or decrease smoking or to prevent relapse, there has been a rise in the use of these devices among teenagers and college-aged adults. They are more popular for younger users as they don’t leave the distinct smell of a smoker, and come in a variety of flavor choices. The reality here though, is that there simply hasn’t been enough research done to determine if they truly are a safe alternative to … Read More

  In recognition of Children’s Dental Health month, we’ve chosen to highlight the effects of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) or baby bottle decay.  ECC is an infectious disease that can affect any child and can begin as early as the eruption of your child’s first tooth (around 6 months old). The disease process begins with bacteria. As foods enter the oral cavity bacteria break down carbohydrates and sugars and secrete acid on the teeth. The acid drains teeth of the minerals that keep them strong, and if left to continue will progress to cause tooth decay. ECC is the most … Read More

Wisdom teeth or third molars are the final set of molars that can begin to erupt around age 17.  Some people have wisdom teeth that don’t ever erupt and some are lucky to only have one or two wisdom teeth, not all four. Continue reading to learn the answers to the Top 5 questions we receive regarding wisdom teeth. 1.) When should I get my wisdom teeth removed? 3rd molars erupt between ages 17 and 21 for most people. This is usually an ideal time to have your wisdom teeth removed, whether they are erupting or not. Removing them at … Read More

Lasers have been in the dental field for some time now, but over the last couple of years have really become a popular topic. More dental offices are starting to see the benefits lasers can provide to their patients and instead of a cool tech fad, they are slowly becoming the standard of care. Patients are usually unsure of what services lasers can provide, and it is our job to inform you. Below we’ve outlined a few of the main functions of laser dentistry.

Ever wonder why your teeth are sensitive when you eat ice cream? Tooth sensitivity affects millions of adults in the United States. The most common cause of sensitivity is called dentinal hypersensitivity. The crown of a tooth is covered in enamel, the brighter white layer, and the root is covered in cementum. Beneath both the enamel and the cementum is the dentin, this layer shows to be more yellow. If the enamel or cementum is worn away or eroded, the dentin becomes exposed. It is the dentin that transmits the pain signal to the nerve of the tooth. Gum recession … Read More