Dr. Simon Lin gained her trust and, over time, she allowed him to take care of her teeth. That little girl is now in her mid-twenties, and Dr. Lin is still helping children achieve good oral health.
When he was just starting out as a new dentist, Dr. Lin stepped in for a colleague on a six-month medical leave whose practice focused exclusively on children. Dr. Lin soon recognized his ability to help children feel comfortable at the dentist’s office, and that he truly enjoyed interacting with young patients.
Dr. Simon Lin and his wife Yvonne (last photo) have two daughters and three sons: Skylar, Samual, Sara, Stephen, and Simone. In his free time, Dr. Lin enjoys reading, listening to TED talks, taking photographs, attending his children’s activities, and traveling with his family.
Born and raised in Taiwan, Dr. Lin earned his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from National Yang- Ming University in 1995. After working for four years in a private practice, he decided to pursue his passion as a pediatric dentist.
He was awarded the highly prestigious National Scholarship for Advanced Dental Education from the Ministry of Education, Taiwan.
In 2002, after three years post-doctoral training, he earned his Certification in Pediatric Dentistry and a Master of Science from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston. After that, he spent another year conducting molecular genetic research at Harvard Medical School. He currently serves as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Washington and was the Pre-Doctoral Program Director since 2007-2013.
Dr. Lin is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He also holds a certificate in Acupuncture, Center of Chinese Traditional Medicine, Veteran General Hospital, Taipei, 1997.
Your toothpaste choice is important for your dental health. You should definitely look for a few essential things when it comes to your toothpaste; however, it mostly comes down to your personal preference or medical needs. Picking the toothpaste that will get you to brush twice a day and meet your health needs is the most important thing.
Check for fluoride.- It's important that your toothpaste contains fluoride, as it helps strengthen the enamel of your teeth. Your enamel is under constant attack from acids, and fluoride remineralizes the entire structure. Make sure fluoride is an ingredient in any toothpaste you buy. It should be 1,000 parts per million in your toothpaste.
Fluoride is particularly important for diabetics, as it helps remove plaque. Because having infection in the mouth can be dangerous to a diabetic, it's important to keep your mouth, gums, and teeth as healthy as possible. Consider adding a 30-second rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash to ensure oral health.
Look for the seal of approval.- It's best to pick a toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association (ADA), as they make sure each product with their seal meets certain standards. The toothpaste packaging will have the ADA logo on it if it is approved by this organization.
Buy a toothpaste for sensitive teeth if you need it.- If you have sensitive teeth, it can help to purchase a toothpaste designed to help combat that problem. It should say on the label that it is meant for sensitive teeth. You may not notice results right away, so make sure you use it for a little while before you decide it doesn't work.
Ask your doctor about prescription-strength. If you try an over-the-counter toothpaste for sensitive teeth, you may find after a while that it doesn't work for you. If that's the case, your dentist can prescribe you a stronger version. Keep in mind, though, that the prescription variety may be more expensive.
A good toothpaste for sensitive teeth should feel sticky an harder the remove than your usual toothpaste. It helps minerals to stay on your tooth surface for a longer time, delivering an increased remineralizing effect.
Pick whitening toothpastes to remove stains.- Some toothpastes do help to whiten teeth. If your teeth have been stained by what you eat and drink, you may want to try a whitening toothpaste. These toothpastes generally use abrasives to remove stains from the surface of your teeth. Look for one that says "whitens teeth" or "whitening."
However, whitening toothpastes can be damaging when used over long periods of time. In fact, they can contribute to sensitivity and the breaking down of your enamel, especially if you use a lot of pressure when brushing with a hard bristle toothbrush. Ask your dentist about how long it's safe for you to use a whitening toothpaste.
Buy toothpaste to reduce tartar buildup.- Another option when it comes to toothpastes is to buy one that reduces tartar buildup. If that's your goal, pick one that has pyrophosphates as an ingredient. This ingredient is known to help reduce the build up of tartar over time.
Choose organic for more natural ingredients.- On the upside, organic toothpastes stick to more natural ingredients, which can be healthier for your mouth (though not necessarily); however, they also usually don't contain fluoride, which most dentists agree is important for dental health.
Look for one that freshens breath.- If bad breath is a problem for you, pick one that can help freshen your breath. It should be labeled as such on the package. Usually, these toothpastes have ingredients that can make your breath less smelly by covering up bad odors, or they fight the bacteria that cause bad breath.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago couldn't stop thinking about the spinning, vibrating tools in a dentist's office that turn water into mist and send it flying into the air. If that mist contains a virus or some other pathogen, it is a health hazard for dentists and patients.
In a paper published this week in Physics of Fluids, by AIP Publishing, Alexander Yarin and his colleagues discovered that the forces of a vibrating tool or dentist's drill are no match for the viscoelastic properties of food-grade polymers, such as polyacrylic acid, which they used as a small admixture to water in dental settings.
Their results were surprising. Not only did a small admixture of polymers completely eliminate aerosolization, but it did so with ease, exhibiting fundamental polymer physics, such as coil-stretch transition, that served the intended purpose beautifully.They tested two FDA-approved polymers. Polyacrylic acid proved more effective than xanthan gum, because in addition to its high elongational viscosity (high elastic stresses in stretching), it revealed a relatively low shear viscosity, which makes pumping it easy.
"What was surprising is that the very first experiment in my lab completely proved the concept," Yarin said. "It was amazing that these materials were capable of so easily and completely suppressing aerosolization by dental tools, with significant inertial forces involved. Nevertheless, the elastic forces generated by small polymer additives were stronger.
"Their study documented the violent explosion of pockets of water supplied to teeth and gums that the dental tool aerosolizes. The spraying mist that accompanies a visit to the dentist is the result of water encountering rapid vibration of a tool or the centrifugal force of a drill, which bursts water into tiny droplets and propels these.
The polymer admixture, when used to irrigate, suppresses bursts; instead, polymer macromolecules that stretch like rubber bands restrict water aerosolization. When the tip of a vibrating tool or dental drill plunges into polymer solution, the solution threads into snakelike strands, which are pulled back toward the tip of the tool, altering the usual dynamics seen with pure water in dentistry.
"When droplets try to detach from a liquid body, the droplet tail is stretched. That's where the significant elastic forces associated with the coil-stretch transition of polymer macromolecules come into play," Yarin said. "They suppress tail elongation and pull the droplet back, completely preventing aerosolization."
A new study by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago and the University of Pittsburgh suggests that a significant proportion of older patients receiving opioids at dental visits also use psychotropic medications—a potentially harmful combination. Their findings are published in the journal Pharmacotherapy.
Rates of polypharmacy, or taking multiple medications, are high among older adults who are more likely to be managing more than one health issue at any given time. Psychotropic medications that act on the central nervous system, such as antianxiety or antidepressant medications, are especially dangerous if taken with opioids because they can interact with each other and have negative effects.
"Some of the most concerning negative outcomes of these combinations include overdosing on opioids or falling, which can necessitate a visit to the hospital, which in itself carries greater risk for older adults," said Gregory Calip, associate professor of pharmacy systems, outcomes and policy at the UIC College of Pharmacy and corresponding author on the paper.
The researchers looked at medical, dental and pharmacy claims data from 40,800 older adult dental patients who visited a dentist between 2011 and 2015 and were prescribed opioids. The data was from the IBM Watson MarketScan databases.
The average age of the patients included in the study was 69 years old and 45% were female. Of these patients, 10% were taking medications that are associated with increased risks for harm with opioid prescriptions.
There were a total of 947 hospitalizations or emergency room visits among these patients.
The researchers found that among patients prescribed opioids by their dentist, 1 in 10 were already taking a prescription medication that should not be prescribed with opioids.
They also found that patients inappropriately prescribed an opioid medication combination by their dentist were 23% more likely to be hospitalized or visit an emergency department in the 30 days after the dental visit where they were prescribed an opioid, compared with dental patients who were not prescribed an opioid medication.
"Dentists are among the top prescribers of opioids," said Katie Suda, professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and principal investigator of the study. "It seems that the increased messaging regarding limiting opioid prescriptions has been aimed primarily at medical physicians and not tailored to other specialist providers, including dentists. This can have dire consequences. As we saw in our study, opioid interactions with other medications was likely responsible for the significant rise in emergency room visits and hospitalizations."
"Although the percentage of opioids prescribed by dentists has decreased in the last 20 years, dentists must continue interprofessional collaboration with primary care physicians, pharmacists, and other health care providers to address devastating and preventable drug interactions affecting vulnerable patients who look to them for safe and compassionate care," said Dr. Susan Rowan, executive associate dean and associate dean for clinical affairs at the UIC College of Dentistry.
When a person has a cavity in their tooth, a dentist will probably recommend a filling. Fillings are safe and effective, but some people might experience discomfort or tooth sensitivity afterward.
Most of the time, this sensitivity is normal and will resolve within a few days or weeks.
A person should call their dentist right away if they have extreme pain, or if discomfort occurs with other symptoms, such as fever, redness, or swelling.
A filling is a dental procedure that involves a dentist cleaning away any decay from the tooth and then filling the space with a new material.
After injecting a numbing agent around the tooth, the dentist will then clean out the decayed area of the tooth, usually with a dental drill. They will then fill the space with gold, silver amalgam, a composite, or porcelain.
For several hours after having a filling, a person’s face may still feel numb, tingly, itchy, or puffy. They may have difficulty eating, swallowing, talking, or moving their face.
Sometimes, dentists recommend that people avoid eating or drinking for a few hours, as this may result in a person accidentally biting their tongue or cheek.
Once the numbing agent has worn off, these feelings will go away. But, in the following days and weeks, a person may notice some new sensations as they adjust to the new filling.
Sensitivity in the filled tooth or area around it is one of the most common occurrences during this time.
Factors that can trigger tooth sensitivity after a filling include: cold foods or drinks, such as ice cream, popsicles, or beverages with ice, hot drinks, such as coffee or tea, air hitting the tooth, such as when breathing through the mouth, which may be worse with cold air, sugary foods, such as candy, acidic foods and drinks, including fruit, juice, and coffee, biting down when eating.
Short-term tooth sensitivity after a filling usually occurs because the filling procedure has aggravated or caused inflammation in the nerve inside the tooth.
Usually, the tooth’s outer layers — the enamel and cementum — protect the nerve from exposure. But fillings, especially deep ones, can get close to the nerve endings and cause irritation and uncomfortable sensations.
As the nerve heals, the sensitivity will go away. This may take a few days or weeks. Once the nerve has healed fully, a person should feel no difference between the filled tooth and the other teeth.
When a person experiences normal, post-filling sensitivity, a dentist may recommend that they use a desensitizing toothpaste.
These products contain an ingredient called potassium nitrate that helps stop the sensations on the surface of the tooth from reaching the nerve endings inside.
These products do not work immediately, but a person should notice relief within several days if they use the toothpaste twice a day.
A person may also try the following methods at home to help relieve tooth sensitivity: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, topical numbing ointment designed for the mouth, a toothbrush labeled for sensitive teeth, brush with gentle, circular strokes on the teeth and gums, avoid scrubbing back and forth or aggressive pushing of the brush on the teeth, floss once a day, taking care to be gentle on the gums and teeth, take note of which foods or drinks cause sensitivity and avoid them if possible, avoid whitening toothpaste and products, which can make sensitivity worse, rinse the mouth out with water after consuming acidic foods or drinks, such as coffee and fruit, acidic foods and beverages can wear away the tooth enamel, avoid brushing the teeth immediately after eating acidic foods, as it may remove more of the enamel.
Fillings are a safe and effective way to treat dental cavities. Most fillings will last many years. Taking good care of teeth with daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental checkups, can help prevent future cavities.
Some sensitivity after getting a filling is normal. But, see a dentist for severe sensitivity or pain or if other problems, such as fever or redness, develop.
Jim Lafferty took on the 21-mile challenge on Sunday, 13th September after receiving a call that weather conditions were right for the swim.
Joined by his support team and boat High Hopes, he set off at 7.30pm – arriving 11 hours and 53 minutes later at a beach near Calais, France.
‘I’d only ever swam for six hours before so I was very nervous before setting off,’ he said.
‘The sea temperature was about 18 degrees which was okay. But in the first hour I faced the roughest seas I’d ever swam in. It was very choppy and I swallowed a lot of salt water.’
‘It soon became more of a mental challenge than a physical one. I did consider getting out after three hours but I knew there was nothing wrong with me and I had to keep going.’
Jim – who works as a dentolegal consultant for Dental Protection and at Orgreave Dental Surgery in Sheffield – stopped every 45 minutes to drink water and eat, all while treading water. And about 30 minutes from the finishing line, he was stung on the face by a jellyfish.
‘I was pretty wobbly as I got out,’ he said.
‘I’d been pulled so far by the currents that I missed Cap Gris-Nez. This is the closest point to England. Inded up on a tiny beach where I was greeted by a French couple who’d been tracking my progress.’
The tough swim means Jim is only the 32nd person to complete a solo crossing in 2020 – and the 2143rd person to complete it since records began.
"I am quietly proud. My brother Ben is a proper swimmer – he reached the finals of the Commonwealth Games. Having him on the boat as part of my team really kept me going," he said.
Professor Albert Leung looks at how UCL Eastman has been preparing for the year ahead in the face of COVID-19.
COVID-19 posed unprecedented challenges by shutting down face-to-face teaching at UCL very abruptly. Fortunately, at UCL Eastman we were already used to delivering comprehensive online teaching. Virtual classes began less than 24 hours after the university lockdown, keeping the momentum going, to the delight of many of our students.
Since then, we have developed a sophisticated range of online teaching and assessment methods, building on our existing distance-learning expertise.
As well as continuing to deliver our degree programmes, we have developed and delivered bespoke CPD webinars on laser dentistry, periodontology, oral health in sport, dental nursing and restorative dentistry.
A suite of guest lectures on advanced aesthetics was hosted. We moved taster days online, so that prospective students could continue to sample our renowned programmes.
Challenging but exciting
In May, oral health experts from across the world joined UCL Eastman Director Professor, Stephen Porter, as well as representatives from Eastman Institutes in Sweden and New York, for the first international webinar on dentistry and COVID-19.
As Head of CPD, part of my role has been to oversee the delivery of the above – it has been challenging but really exciting. If you told me five months ago this is what I would be doing as Professor of Dental Education, I would not have believed you.
But at the same time our online service was already in place and we simply expanded it to meet the new circumstances. .
And online learning in the context of COVID-19 has actually been very effective. This is because the education paradigm has been shifted to practical delivery of programmes in the comfort of the participants’ own home. Learning takes place in a relatively relaxed, congenial and unthreatened environment.
There are of course issues, particularly in clinical dentistry, where practice and the practical application of skills are crucial. We are currently holding flexible, catch-up sessions for all our postgraduates; no student will be left without the vital, hands-on experience they require.
Respond flexibly
Now, as we approach a new term, and a potential second wave of infections, we are COVID-proofing our future plans.
We will continue to deliver most didactic and theoretical training online. There will be face-to-face clinical skills teaching in our new, state-of-the-art facilities wherever possible. The latter will be in small groups, enabling us to be mindful of any social distancing measures in place.
We are working to minimise the number of times students travel to campus each week.
Inevitably, we all need to be prepared to respond flexibly to changes in governmental advice. But we are excited to meet our new postgraduates and begin our journey with them.
Professor Albert Leung is director of CPD and restorative dentistry, and dean of the Faculty of Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
The tongue is sensitive to pain. Canker sores, injuries, or infections may cause discomfort across part or all of the tongue. Treatments will largely depend on the cause.
A person can treat a sore tongue with some simple home remedies. However, certain health conditions may trigger tongue pain, and these will need medical attention.
There are many ways to treat a sore tongue. Home remedies and other methods include:
Maintaining good oral hygiene:
Keeping the mouth clean could help heal a sore tongue. Brushing teeth and mouth rinsing reduces harmful bacteria, which lowers the risk of infection.
A person should use a soft toothbrush to avoid irritating and scratching the mouth. They should also avoid using strong mouthwash, as this could aggravate sore tongues.
Rinsing the mouth with saltwater:
If a person has a tongue injury, keeping the wound clean could promote healing. The American Dental Association (ADA) suggest a gentle saltwater rinse may reduce the risk of infection.
To create a rinse, add half a teaspoon of salt to a small glass of warm water. Gently swill the saltwater around the mouth a few times, then spit.
Rinsing the mouth with cool chamomile tea:
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, chamomile is a herbal remedy that can soothe mouth sores. Although it is generally safe, there is limited evidence for its benefits.
Using sage as a herbal remedy:
Sage is a herbal remedy and could reduce inflammation of the mouth. A person should steep sage leaves in boiling water and allow it to cool before rinsing. This may help alleviate canker sores on the tongue.
Being mindful of foods and drinks:
Spicy, salty, or acidic foods may irritate the tongue and mouth. People should try to cut out spicy curries and meals that contain a lot of citric acid until a sore tongue heals. They should also avoid crunchy foods with sharp edges, such as chips, which could injure the tongue.
Soda can also irritate sore tongues or canker sores, so if a person wants to drink these beverages, they should use a straw.
Avoiding smoking:
Tobacco can slow wound healing and irritate the tongue. People with a sore tongue who smoke regularly may wish to try nicotine patches to help break their habit.
If home remedies are not effective, a person may consider using over-the-counter (OTC) products, such as pain relievers. For infected sores, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Pain medication:
OTC pain medication may reduce the discomfort of a sore tongue. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, could help reduce swelling. For severe canker sores, a doctor may prescribe stronger corticosteroids to treat swelling and pain.
Topical gel:
Topical gels may ease canker sore pain by numbing the area. According to the ADA, they also provide a barrier against further irritation. This medication is available over the counter, but stronger topical gels may need a prescription.
Prescription mouthwash:
A doctor may prescribe a medicated mouthwash to ease painful tongue sores. Therapeutic or medicated mouthwashes contain active ingredients that cosmetic mouthwashes do not.
Vitamin supplements:
A lack of certain vitamins may increase the risk of developing canker sores. People can take supplements to reduce this risk and support their immune system.
Antibiotics:
If a sore tongue is due to a bacterial infection, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Symptoms include pain, inflammation, and the wound not showing any signs of healing.
There are many triggers for a sore tongue, with some more serious than others. These can include:
Canker sores:
Canker sores are small ulcers that are usually white or grey, and can sometimes appear with a red border. They usually heal within 2 weeks.
Trauma:
It is easy to burn or bite the tongue when eating food. Loose wires from a brace or broken dentures may also injure the tongue.
If a person breaks their braces or dentures, they should get them fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the tongue and mouth.
Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy and some medications may cause sores on the tongue. These sores should heal after the treatment ends. A prescription mouthwash may help. People should seek medical advice when they choose a mouthwash, as there are several options.
Oral thrush:
According to the ADA, some fungal infections affect the tongue. Oral thrush causes red and white patches on the tongue and in the mouth. Other symptoms may include pain, bad breath, and difficulty swallowing.
Glendale orthodontist Dr. Brian Bergh is a native of California, born just a few miles from Glendale in Van Nuys. Dr. Bergh’s decision to become an orthodontist was greatly affected at age 13 when he began working in his father’s office. When he saw firsthand how an orthodontist can change lives and how much a beautiful smile can affect someone’s self-esteem, he knew he would be choosing orthodontics as a career.
Dr. Bergh attended Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery. Attending the University of Southern California, he received his Master of Science degree in Craniofacial Biology and his Certificate in Orthodontics.
To ensure that he gives his patients the highest quality care as a Glendale orthodontist, Dr. Bergh believes that continuing education is critical. We are in an age of rapid change, and keeping up with the latest developments and innovations allows Dr. Bergh and his team to provide you with the most current braces and orthodontic treatment available. This is why Glendale, CA, orthodontist Dr. Bergh participates in training and courses to continue his education, averaging over 100 hours each year.
Outside the Office… Glendale orthodontist Dr. Brian Bergh and his family live in Shadow Hills, just North of Glendale and Burbank. He and his wife, Tina, have a daughter named Kaigan, a son named Bryley, a Poo-Chon named Maddi, and four Koi fish (they haven’t been named yet). His leisure activities include gardening and and feeding the hummingbirds. He has even written a book about hummingbirds.
Dr. Brian Bergh is the founder of Bergh Orthodontics located in Glendale, CA. Dr. Bergh’s award-winning practice has transformed the lives of over 6,000 people!
"Our mission at Bergh Orthodontics is to provide you with elite service based on trust and convenience while exceeding your customer service expectations," says Dr Bergh.
Using advanced technology, Bergh Orthodontics is committed to careful examination and diagnosis to develop a custom treatment plan to address your specific needs.
Dr. Grant Rosen knew from an early age that dentistry was his calling. After completing his undergraduate studies at UCLA, he graduated from the University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry. His next calling was to settle in Salinas, where the incomparable beauty and relaxed lifestyle of Monterey County proved irresistible. He and his wife, Melanie, raised their two daughters here, as well as various dogs, fish, rodents and amphibians.
If Dr. Andresen is the athletic stud-muffin of the pair, then Dr. Rosen is the musician. He has performed professionally with local symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, concert bands and theater groups. He has also served on the Board of Directors of Ensemble Monterey Chamber Orchestra, as well as the Monterey Bay Dental Society. Other favorite activities are cycling and hiking, camping and backpacking, ocean kayaking, photography and building fine scale models. Professional memberships include the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, the Monterey Bay Dental Society, and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Seems like he’s had a lot of callings since settling down in Salinas, and he couldn’t be happier, or more filled with gratitude.
As our reviews attest, Dr. Rosen shares with Dr. Andresen an unshakeable commitment to the highest possible standard of care, where honesty, excellence, comfort and trust are the pillars upon which our practice stands.
Dr. Dennis Andresen graduated from the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry in 1967 and began practicing in Salinas. Raised on a farm in the San Joaquin Valley, the cooler Salinas Valley area was appealing to his rural roots, and the Gabilan and Santa Lucia mountain ranges added visual impact.
During his time at UCSF, he lived in the midst of the Haight-Ashbury at the height of its heyday and saw Janis Joplin, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane, and many others perform live down the street from his classes. Coming from a small farming community to the Haight-Ashbury was a “growing experience” for him. He, however, was obliged to keep his hair short and his rebellions limited to driving around in a lowered ’59 Chevy Impala. He was becoming a dentist, after all.
He is a formidable triathlete, winning the old guys age group mountain bike Wildflower Triathlon three times, and is known for his awesome microwaved pizza. Most important of all, he and wife, Bette, have become grandparents to the cutest kid on the block who keeps Dr. Andresen fit chasing her around. He is very thankful for his great staff, who he credits for helping create a wonderful practice where he still looks forward to coming to work.
