Salivary Diagnostics

The Lagom Method: A Balanced Approach to Health

Posted on by Jessica Lederhausen
Health isn’t just about avoiding disease – it’s about thriving sustainably. As a dentist, public health advocate, and former professional athlete, I’ve learned that lasting well-being isn’t built on extremes, but rather on balance and consistency. In Swedish culture, we call this Lagom – "just the right amount." As part of The Lagom Method, I incorporate salivary diagnostics as part of the ”toolbox” to manage your health journey. The Lagom Method: A Habit-Based Approach Lagom is a phil...
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The Hidden Threat to Dental Implants: Why Ignoring Bacteria is a Risky Gamble – Part 2

Posted on by Michael Goldberg DMD
  In Part 1, we uncovered a hidden threat to dental implants—bacteria—and explored why so many providers overlook the critical step of testing for harmful pathogens before placement. Despite the clear risks, common objections like cost, insurance coverage, and lack of awareness often stand in the way. In Part 2, we’ll break down how to shift the conversation, overcome objections, and use ethical influence to help patients make the best decision for their long-term health. The truth i...
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RDH Spotlight: Danielle Wisor

Posted on by Danielle Wisor
Dr. Ron McGlennen: What inspired you to pursue a career in dental hygiene, and what do you find most rewarding about it? Danielle: I always knew I wanted to help people love their smiles, like I did after having a great dentist growing up and going through years of braces. It wasn’t until I was in college for dental hygiene that I learned about the Mouth-Body Connection®, which solidified that I was pursuing the correct career path. Dr. Ron McGlennen: How has incorporating salivary dia...
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The Hidden Threat to Dental Implants: Why Ignoring Bacteria is a Risky Gamble – Part 1

Posted on by Michael Goldberg DMD
    Dental implants are everywhere these days. But you know what else is popping up more often? Implant failures. Here’s the title of a recently promoted CE course: “Peri-Implantitis Badlands: Surviving the Wasteland of Failing Implants” It’s like Einstein said: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. So, when a patient loses teeth due to periodontal disease, why in the world would we expect implants to be immun...
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Bacteriological Testing Offers Many Opportunities

Posted on by Lee Sheldon DMD PA
    Why Do Bacteriological Testing? The question is often raised: Why do bacteriological testing when amoxicillin and metronidazole effectively address most periodontal infections? I don't disagree with the efficacy of these medications, but there are compelling reasons to incorporate bacteriological testing into your clinical practice. Targeted Application First, it's important to clarify that I don't perform bacteriological testing on every patient. For cases chara...
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RDH Spotlight: Rebekah Jungina

Posted on by Rebekah Jungina
    Dr. Ron McGlennen: What inspired you to pursue a career in dental hygiene, and what do you find most rewarding about it? Rebekah: My childhood dentist was a family friend, so he made sure my dental experiences were positive. As a teen I worked in his dental office during the summer and that really sparked my interest in dentistry. I noticed the bond that my hygienist had with her patients, and I wanted to be able to improve their health while building relationships wit...
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The Trouble with Mouthwash

Posted on by Ellie Phillips DDS
Mouthwash is a bedrock of oral hygiene. So why do some say it harms the mouth? The answer is a mix of misunderstanding and bad headlines. The Human Microbiome Project of 2007 illustrated the mouth is home to hundreds of previously unrecognized good bacteria. Dentists used to call plaque “biofilm,” but plaque is a biofilm infection, and healthy biofilm is protective and the goal of good oral care. Studies show 40% of adult biofilm develops in childhood, which illustrates the tenacity of bi...
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Throwback: Interview with Brooke Armour, RDH

Posted on by Brooke Armour RDH
Dr. McGlennen: Tell me how you use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics. Brooke RDH: I use OralDNA® salivary diagnostics to test new patients, patients that have clinical signs of periodontal disease, or patients with a complex medical history. Dr. McGlennen: What are the biggest benefits to using salivary diagnostics? Brooke RDH: The benefits of salivary diagnostics are being able to quantify periodontal disease, having something to physically show the patient about their periodontal dise...
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Saving Tooth #24

Posted on by Taylor Oltman
  At OralDNA® Labs, we understand that identifying and addressing oral bacteria is critical to improving patient outcomes. A recent case shared by Dr. Lee Sheldon, a distinguished periodontist, highlights the synergy between advanced diagnostics and methodical care. In his video, Dr. Sheldon detailed how he saved a severely compromised tooth (#24) for a 47-year-old patient. His approach reinforces the importance of leveraging tools like OralDNA testing to guide treatment plans. Dr...
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Throwback: How do you speak Pregnancy and Periodontal Disease with your patients?

Posted on by Nancy Wahl RDH, BS MC
Dr. McGlennen: The oral microbiota changes when women become pregnant, and levels of periodontal pathogens increase1. During pregnancy, periodontal inflammation worsens, mostly due to increased levels of A.a., P.g., F.n., and P.i.2. Among these oral pathogens, there is a marked risk of infection of the maternal blood and the placenta, which leads to an increase in pre-term labor, lower birth weight and even the chance of fetal loss due specifically to the bacteria P.g. and F.n.3,4. Furth...
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