Today’s “explosive” news has dental professionals embracing a new message and leaving brushing and flossing lectures behind, Dr. Timothy Donley told me during our recent chat.

He talks about the relationship between periodontal health and overall health, and remembers when it came into the conversation about 25 years ago. He reminds us that the information only grew and grew stronger.

Dental professionals know without a doubt that inflammation anywhere in the body is bad. Inflammation is the fuel that drives disease, and an inflamed mouth contributes to disease. Patients should understand that getting rid of inflammation in the mouth will have an absolutely positive effect on their overall health.

Dr. Donley says it’s time for dental professionals to approach things differently. We must continue to educate ourselves and share this message with patients, who must have the right tools to do their part at home. He discusses his tools of choice and why he thinks they are the best.

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To watch more informative videos from industry leaders on a variety of topics, visit dentistryiq.com/videos or dentaleconomics.com/videos.