Diligent Dental Services - Family Sedation Dentistry

16/04/2026

Why it matters

24/03/2026

We are happy to help.
www.diligentdentaltt.com

28/10/2024

Employment Opportunities

We at Diligent Dental Services are on the lookout for new and dynamic persons, who may want to join our team.

DENTAL OFFICE TEAM MEMBERS REQUIRED

El Socorro areas

Team Positions available:

Chair side Assistants

Passes in No less than FIVE (5) CXC/Ordinary Levels Subjects (Mathematics and English are compulsory) or equivalent
Police Certificate of Character (not more than 6 months old)
2 References of persons not living with, or related to the applicant (but knows the applicant for at least 3 years)
Degree in Nursing or Dental Therapy/Hygiene, Basic Life Support, and Driver's license would be an asset
Computer Literacy
A pleasant disposition that fosters positive client relationships

Administrative Assistants

Same as required for chair side assistants plus 2 Advanced level passes or equivalent

Emailed to [email protected]

Attention: Team Leader – Diligent Dental Services

(Unsuitable candidates will not be acknowledged.)

04/06/2024

Come join a innovative team

22/05/2024

Always happy to represent and educate

23/07/2019

PSA

A two-part Series argues that oral health has been isolated from traditional health care and health policy for too long, despite the major global public health burden of oral diseases. Richard Watt from University College London (London, UK) and colleagues from ten countries lay out why oral disease...

18/07/2019

Important PSA, please read

THE Dental Council (DCTT) says it is aware that unlicensed people are practising dentistry but neither the council nor the Ministry of Health can do anything about it. The DCTT said both locals and foreigners are carrying out general and specialist dental work in unconventional locations in TT and i...

02/10/2018

Innovating and finding solutions to assist all. Call us today.

01/11/2017

Enamel Erosion

Among the reasons why people suffer from sensitive teeth, one of the most common is enamel erosion. Enamel is the substance that makes up the outermost layer of the teeth. It is the hardest substance in the body and it protects the sensitive dentin layer and pulp. However, once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. Fortunately, there are some simple changes most people can make to prevent further erosion and there are treatments available to strengthen enamel that hasn’t yet been lost.

Most people are aware that when sugar sticks to teeth it becomes food for bacteria, which damage the teeth by producing acid. But the acid produced by bacteria is not special in this regard—acid from other sources can be just as damaging. One of the most common sources of both sugar and acid is soda, which also stains enamel. Other common sources of acid are citrus juice and alcohol. Citrus juice is highly acidic but is not always instantly recognizable; citric fruit-derived sour flavoring is one source which can fly under the radar. Alcohol is corrosive to enamel in its own right and several alcoholic drinks are high in sugar. There is currently a bit of a diplomatic tiff between Britain and Italy over British dentists’ claim that carbonated wines may pose a particular danger to dental health.

It is important to note that a lot of the risk posed by these sources can be mitigated by simply not swishing them around inside the mouth and by drinking (non-carbonated) water in between sips. Saliva is also an important means of neutralizing acid in the mouth, which is why it is wise to chew sugar-free gum and candy to stimulate its production but dangerous to allow the mouth to dry out. Another major oral health problem which impacts enamel is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux. When people have this disease, their stomach acid enters their esophagi when they swallow and can get into their mouths. The upper back teeth are typically most affected by this. The risk factors for acid reflux largely consist of the same foods which cause acid damage the first time down, as well as smoking, fatty foods, and practices such as lying down after meals which are bad for digestion.

Tooth sensitivity tends to be worst when the patient eats foods that are especially hot or cold. Other warning signs of enamel erosion to watch out for are teeth taking on a yellow color, since the dentin layer below the enamel is yellow, and cupping, and chipping. Toothpaste with fluoride can be useful for remineralizing enamel that has been weakened, as can milk and other drinks and foods which are high in calcium. It is also possible to shield weakened enamel with a fluoride treatment or veneers.

This newsletter/website is not intended to replace the services of a doctor. It does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information in this newsletter/website is for informational purposes only & is not a substitute for professional advice. Please do not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating any condition.
www.diligentdentaltt.com

06/08/2017

What Happens When Children Bite Their Lips

It should come as no surprise that the health of the teeth and the lips are closely related. The teeth need to be properly aligned so that they won’t bite down on soft tissue, and certain problems in the lips can lead to misaligned or otherwise damaged teeth. Children are at particular risk for the problems which result from lip biting, which can occur as a bad habit or as a response to anesthetic following an operation.

Habitually biting the lower lip can have the same result as thumb sucking or pacifier sucking with additional damage to the soft tissue of the mouth. It could result in the child developing an overbite, which will lead to difficulty chewing and speaking, as well as jaw, ear, and headaches. Lip biting is often motivated by anxiety or a frequent need for concentration, although it could also be done in response to irritation in the lips from an external cause. It is important to note that simply sucking on the lower lip can have the same effect on the teeth as lip biting and that doing so will also cause the lips to become red and sore. They also often become chapped if they weren’t already, and may sustain nerve or muscle damage which could cause them to become misshapen.

When lip biting is a psychological coping mechanism, it may be countered through deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. Children who are old enough to understand the consequences of their habit have to be included in a positive manner in efforts to break it. However, there is an orthodontic device called a lip bumper which separates the lower lip from the teeth. It is designed to move the lower teeth forward but can be used to discourage lip biting and sucking. When lip biting is being done in response to the lips being irritated by an external factor, consultation with a dermatologist may be necessary, but avoiding lip balms with menthol and fragrances can only help.

Lip biting in response to local anesthetic following an operation is a very different matter. Although it usually does not cause serious damage, it does cause the lip to swell enormously and become discolored, which can alarm parents and children who mistake the swelling for an infection. The swelling is also often uncomfortable. It will go away on its own after a few weeks, but the child may benefit from over-the-counter painkillers until then. Of course, it is possible for the swollen tissue to develop a real infection, so a follow-up with a dentist is reasonable if the child is running a fever.