As the number of older adults in the United States continues to grow, dental hygienists should be prepared to manage the risk of tooth decay with this population.

Patients at risk of tooth decay can sway the caries balance toward remineralization with these simple strategies.

While the research on tooth polishing is not robust, available evidence suggests that a conservative approach is most effective.

This technique may help patients implement behavior change to improve both their oral and systemic health.

This underutilized technique can improve the quality of diagnostic radiographs while also reducing radiation exposure.

The systemic use of fluoride provides many benefits in reducing tooth decay.

Incorporating this technique into practice may help dental hygienists access deposits that may otherwise be missed.

The use of benzocaine in infants and children can raise the risk of methemoglobinemia—a dangerous and sometimes fatal condition.

Through risk assessment and effective prevention protocols, the rising prevalence of this aggressive disease process can be stemmed.

Choosing the best insert or tip for the task at hand improves the efficacy of ultrasonic instrumentation.