4 ways your teeth change as you age

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While one should not generalize, it could be said that one of the most obvious ways in which the elderly are affected by the aging process is through their mouth. While wrinkles and similar skin complaints often grab the headlines, the teeth, gums and everything around this area is also affected. This isn’t any coincidence – the aging process does impact these areas more than others. Like it or not, the human body hasn’t evolved to that of a dinosaur, who were historically able to regrow teeth whenever they required. Bearing this in mind, today’s article will take a look at four of the biggest ways your teeth change as you enter your latter years. Your mouth becomes drier We’re not going to get into the in’s and out’s of why your mouth is dry, there are all sorts of … Read more

Acquiring Hepatitis B at the Oral Surgery Office

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In late 2019 on this site, a post titled Acquiring Hepatitis C at the Oral Surgery Office described how it is possible to acquire Hepatitis C while having oral surgery. In that post, a case that occurred in Oklahoma in 2012 was described. Prior to that case, there was a case in 2001, where a patient acquired Hepatitis B virus (HBV) at an oral surgery office. This is described in the article published in 2007, titled “Patient-to-Patient Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Associated with Oral Surgery,” written by J. T. Redd et al., appearing in The Journal of Infectious Diseases (no. 195, pp. 1311–1314). In the article, the authors, at the time, describe the first documented (via medical literature) description of a case of patient-to patient transmission of a blood-borne pathogen in the U.S. occurring in a dental setting. In … Read more

Recent cases of infection control lapses in dentistry

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In the past on this site cases of possible and confirmed infection control lapses have been discussed. See the posts Infection Control Lapse in Hawaii at VA Dental Clinic, More Dental Patients Warned of Potential HIV and Hepatitis Exposure in Pennsylvania, and Acquiring Hepatitis C at the Oral Surgery Office. Such lapses can potentially result in acquired infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C along with respiratory infections or the flu. Recently in late 2019, two separate reported potential cases of infection control lapse have occurred. The first case occurred in Oregon where a dental clinic admitted to using improperly sterilized instruments in November for six patients. The health care provider who manages the dental clinic sent out confidential letters to the six patients informing them of the incident and offering to pay for blood tests for them … Read more

Music to Listen to After Wisdom Teeth Surgery: 2020 Edition

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Over the last few years on this blog, to kick off the new year, a post has been made about music to listen to after having wisdom teeth surgery. It can take days to recover, so you have some down time and need something to do. Naturally, there are other ways besides listening to music you could use to occupy your time after the surgery such as to read books or watch TV; however, this post is to give music recommendations you can easily listen to on YouTube. So far, eight posts in the past have appeared on this site providing recommendations for music to listen to after wisdom teeth surgery has been made. To recap these are YouTube Musicians Rock and Roll Songs Jazz Songs Christian Music Gangnam Style 2013 Edition 2018 Edition 2019 Edition New music is always … Read more

Oral Surgeon Ordered to Pay $517,000 for Hit and Run Dentistry

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In November 2019, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in New Jersey had his license revoked by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry and was ordered to pay roughly $517,000 in penalties, costs, and restitution to patients. The oral surgeon was said to have engaged in “hit and run dentistry” that had harmful consequences for many patients. The New Jersey State Board of Dentistry ordered the oral surgeon to pay civil penalties totaling $138,500; restitution totaling $75,041.22 to fifteen patients; and aggregate costs and attorneys’ fees of $303,856.22. New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said “…revolving-door dentistry that puts practitioners’ financial gain ahead of patient health and safety erodes public trust and undermines the integrity of the entire profession. That’s why it’s important for the Board to take decisive action in cases like this one, and we are pleased that … Read more