THROUGHOUT HISTORY, WOMEN have faced numerous challenges in pursuing their careers. Dentistry is no exception. It has taken significant determination and persistence for women to establish themselves in the field of dentistry. In this blog post, we will be discussing three pioneers of women in dentistry: Ida Gray, Lucy Hobbs Taylor, and Emeline Roberts Jones.

Ida Gray

Ida Gray was the first African-American woman to become a licensed dentist in the United States. Born in Tennessee in 1867, she became an orphan when her mother died in her early teens, after which she went to live with her aunt in Cincinnati. While Gray attended segregated public schools alongside her aunt’s three children and worked as a seamstress, she found time to work in the dental offices of Jonathan Taft, an early advocate of training women as dentists.

Despite facing racial and gender discrimination, Gray was determined to pursue a career in dentistry. She graduated from the University of Michigan Dental School in 1890, making her one of the first African-American women to earn a degree in dentistry. After graduation, Gray established her practice in Chicago, where she treated both black and white patients. Gray’s dedication to dentistry and her community paved the way for future generations of female dentists.

Lucy Hobbs Taylor

Lucy Hobbs Taylor was the first woman to graduate from a dental school in the world. Born in New York in 1833, Taylor was a teacher before deciding to pursue a career in dentistry. She faced significant opposition from the male-dominated field of dentistry, with many dental schools refusing to admit her because of her gender. However, Taylor’s perseverance paid off when she was finally admitted to the Ohio College of Dental Surgery in 1861.

She graduated in 1866, becoming the first woman to earn a degree in dentistry. After graduation, Taylor married a Civil War veteran who she trained to be a dentist too! They established a successful practice together in Lawrence, Kansas, where she provided dental care to women and children. She also became an advocate for women’s rights and education.

Emeline Roberts Jones

Emeline Roberts Jones was the first woman to practice dentistry in the United States. Born in New York in 1836, Jones was a schoolteacher before deciding to pursue a career in dentistry. Like Taylor, Jones faced significant opposition from the male-dominated field. However, she was determined to succeed and eventually became an apprentice to her brother-in-law, a practicing dentist.

After completing her apprenticeship, Jones established her practice in Connecticut in 1855. She treated both men and women and was known for her gentle touch and compassionate care. Jones also became an advocate for women’s rights and education and was a member of several women’s suffrage organizations.

The Legacy of These Dental Pioneers

Today, women make up a significant portion of the dental profession, and their contributions to the field are invaluable. Women have brought new perspectives and approaches to dentistry, resulting in better patient care and outcomes. The legacy of Ida Gray, Lucy Hobbs Taylor, and Emeline Roberts Jones continues to inspire and empower women in dentistry and beyond.

We’re lucky to stand on the shoulders of these giants!

Disclaimer: the content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

ANYONE WITH BRACES should have a handy braces kit they can bring with them to deal with minor issues that crop up throughout the day. Here’s what we recommend including in a kit:

1. A water bottle. Water helps rinse away food debris stuck between brackets and increase saliva flow, and saliva is the first line of defense against harmful bacteria and enamel-eroding acids.

2. Toothbrush and toothpaste. Anyone with metal braces should be brushing after each meal or snack to keep food debris from lingering and attracting harmful oral bacteria. However, try to dry off the toothbrush as much as possible after using it and avoid storing it in an airtight container so that it doesn’t get moldy!

3. Flossers. Brushing isn’t always enough to get every piece of stuck food, and regular floss can be tricky to use with braces. Special floss picks made for navigating around braces can really help get around the brackets and wires to floss quickly and easily.

4. A small mirror to check for food debris.

5. Orthodontic wax for poking wires or brackets.

6. Extra elastics. It’s essential to follow the orthodontist’s instructions on how long to wear them during the day and how many to wear, and it’s always good to have a few spares on hand. But never wear more elastics than instructed to!

A PERFECTLY STRAIGHT smile is not only aesthetically pleasing; it is a vital component of your overall health. Many people seek orthodontic treatment for cosmetic reasons, but the benefits of having straight teeth extend far beyond appearances. Straight teeth can contribute to a healthier mouth, a better bite, and improved speech. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of having straight teeth and how orthodontic treatment can help achieve them.

Improved Oral Health

When teeth are crowded, they become challenging to clean, making it easier for plaque and bacteria to accumulate. The build-up of plaque and bacteria can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss effectively, making good oral health a much easier goal to achieve.

Better Bite

Misaligned teeth can lead to an incorrect bite, which can place too much pressure on certain teeth or even the gum tissue, resulting in pain and discomfort. Additionally, an incorrect bite can also lead to jaw joint problems, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Orthodontic treatment can help correct a misaligned bite, reducing the risk of developing any associated dental problems.

Improved Pronunciation

Teeth play a crucial role in speech, working together with the lips and tongue to create specific sounds. If your teeth aren’t in the right place, that can mess up the equation for pronouncing words correctly, leading to a lisp or difficulty pronouncing certain words. By correcting misaligned teeth, orthodontic treatment can improve speech, making communication more comfortable and effective.

Better Digestion

When teeth are misaligned, it can be challenging to chew food properly, leading to swallowing larger pieces of food. This can contribute to digestive problems, such as acid reflux and stomach discomfort. Straight teeth, on the other hand, make it easier to chew food thoroughly, allowing for proper digestion and reducing the risk of digestive issues. By improving digestion, straight teeth can contribute to overall health and well-being.

Improved Confidence

Cosmetic appeal may not be the only benefit of straight teeth but it is still an important one. Having straight teeth can significantly improve one’s confidence and self-esteem. A person with misaligned teeth may feel self-conscious about their smile, which can affect their social and professional lives. Straight teeth make it easier to smile freely when meeting new friends, interacting with coworkers, and (perhaps especially) dating.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation Now!

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment and think you would enjoy the benefits of having straighter teeth, we invite you to schedule an initial consultation with us. Our team can evaluate your orthodontic needs and recommend the best course of action for achieving the straight smile you deserve.

Don’t let crooked teeth hold you back!

AS PARENTS, THERE ARE so many things we must teach our children so that they are ready to go out into the world as adults. One lesson we prioritize as dentists is teaching them how to floss properly. We’re happy to give parents everywhere our best tips on how to train a great flosser.

Why Make Flossing a Priority?

Even if it is already a challenge to get your child to brush their teeth, we strongly encourage adding daily flossing to the routine. ​​While brushing can remove plaque and food particles from the surface of the teeth, flossing is the only way to remove plaque and debris from the places a toothbrush cannot reach, such as between the teeth and under the gumline. When plaque and debris are left to accumulate, they can lead to gum disease, cavities, and even tooth loss.

What Is the Right Age to Begin Flossing?

Children should start flossing as soon as two teeth touch each other, which is usually around age two or three. Until they have enough dexterity to floss for themselves, parents should be flossing their teeth for them each day, both to make it a routine and to give them an example of how to floss.

Tips for Parents

Teaching a small child how to floss is a very different task than flossing your own teeth, so here are a few tips to help you know where to start:

• Establish the routine early. Begin flossing their teeth while they’re toddlers so they will be used to it and possibly eager to take over their own flossing when they’re old enough.
• Explain the importance of flossing. A child is more likely to tolerate or even look forward to flossing if they understand how much it matters for keeping their smile healthy.
• Flossing is for big kids. Encourage them by explaining that big kids floss their teeth. They’ll want to prove their maturity by mastering this skill.
• Use flossers or floss picks if you need them to help make flossing easier.

The Steps of Flossing

When your child is ready to try flossing, follow these steps with them:

• Show them how to pull out the right amount of floss (about a foot and a half) and how to wrap it loosely around their middle fingers, with an inch or two of floss left in the middle to slip between the teeth.
• Show them how to curve the floss around each tooth in a C-shape and gently work down to the gums so the floss doesn’t snap their gums.
• Show them how to rotate the strand of floss so they’re always using clean floss between each pair of teeth. Using dirty floss only moves plaque around instead of getting rid of it!

We Are Happy to Demonstrate Great Flossing Technique

Children shouldn’t merely be learning to floss; they should be learning how to do it right. Talk to us about having a team member at our practice demonstrate how all of these tips we’ve discussed work in practice. We’re here to help you make flossing correctly a part of your child’s daily routine.

Let’s start training the next generation of flossers!