CVG Dental Clinic

16/10/2026

"Brush smarter, not harder."

Brushing harder doesn't mean cleaner teeth. It can damage the very tissues you're trying to protect.

Excessive brushing pressure, particularly when combined with abrasive toothpaste or aggressive scrubbing, can contribute to tooth surface wear and gum trauma. Over time, this may contribute to gum recession, although recession has multiple causes and cannot be attributed to brushing alone.

When gums recede, the root surface becomes exposed. Unlike the crown, the root is covered by a thin layer of cementum rather than enamel. This surface can wear away, exposing the underlying dentin and increasing the risk of sensitivity to hot, cold, and touch. Exposed roots are also more vulnerable to root cavities.

The solution? Brush smarter, not harder.

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Apply gentle pressure with controlled movements.
• Avoid forceful horizontal scrubbing along the gumline.
• Consider a powered toothbrush with a pressure sensor.

Lost tooth structure does not regenerate naturally, and receded gum tissue does not simply grow back on its own. Prevention matters.

Effective brushing is about removing plaque thoroughly—not applying maximum force.

14/10/2026

BABY TEETH... They may be temporary but their impact is remarkably great. 🦷

Baby teeth may not last forever, but they play an essential role in a child’s growth, development, and future smile.

Frequent exposure to sugary foods and drinks, prolonged feeding during sleep, and inadequate oral hygiene can contribute to tooth decay. Here are nine essential steps parents can take to protect their child’s developing smile.

9 ways parents can help prevent early childhood tooth decay:

1. Clean the gums early
Before teeth erupt, gently wipe the baby's gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or soft washcloth.

2. Start brushing with the first tooth
Brush twice daily using a soft, child-sized toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

3. Use the correct amount of fluoride toothpaste
For children younger than 3 years, use a smear the size of a grain of rice. From ages 3–6, use a pea-sized amount.

4. Supervise brushing
Help children brush effectively and encourage them to spit out toothpaste rather than swallow it. Supervision may be needed beyond age 6.

5. Avoid bedtime bottles containing milk or formula
Do not put a baby to bed with a bottle containing milk, formula, juice, or other sugary liquids. If a bottle is needed at bedtime, plain water is the safest option for the teeth.

6. Keep pacifiers clean
Never dip a pacifier in honey, sugar, or other sweet substances.

7. Encourage drinking from a cup
Introduce a cup around 6 months of age and aim to transition away from bottles by 12–18 months.

8. Establish healthy feeding habits
Limit frequent exposure to sugary foods and drinks. Avoid sharing spoons or cleaning pacifiers with the mouth, as these practices can transfer cavity-associated bacteria.

9. Schedule the first dental visit early
Arrange a dental examination when the first tooth appears and no later than the child's first birthday.

Why protecting baby teeth matters

Primary teeth are essential for chewing, speech development, and maintaining space for permanent teeth. Untreated decay can cause pain, infection, difficulty eating, and other complications.

Remember: Prevention begins with the first tooth.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD); American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

08/10/2026

The Hidden Dental Damage of Acid Reflux

Most people think of acid reflux as a problem of the stomach or esophagus. What often goes unnoticed is the damage it can cause to the teeth.

Each reflux episode can expose the teeth to highly acidic stomach contents. Over time, this acid can gradually dissolve minerals from tooth enamel—the hard outer layer that protects your teeth. Unlike cavities, which are caused by acids produced by oral bacteria, erosion from acid reflux is a direct chemical attack on the tooth surface.

The process is usually slow and painless at first. As enamel wears away, teeth may become smoother, thinner, and increasingly sensitive. The natural anatomy of the chewing surfaces can gradually flatten, and the edges of teeth may become more translucent.

In more advanced cases, the underlying dentin becomes exposed. Because dentin is softer than enamel, tooth wear can accelerate, increasing the risk of sensitivity, structural damage, and the need for extensive dental treatment.

For some people, the first visible sign of chronic acid reflux isn't heartburn—it shows up in the smile.

The damage often develops silently over years. By the time it becomes obvious, part of the enamel may already be permanently lost.

16/09/2026

DIY braces are more than a trend—they’re an illegal dental practice when installed by unlicensed individuals. 🚫🦷

Moving and correcting the position of teeth is part of the regulated practice of dentistry under the Philippine Dental Act of 2007 (R.A. 9484) and must be performed by a licensed dentist.

**Braces are treatment, not accessories. Choose licensed. Choose safe.**

📣 SEE IT? REPORT IT.
Send us the:
• Complete name of the illegal practitioner
• Location/address or establishment name

Report through the PDA Bohol Chapter Official page or any licensed dentist member of PDA Bohol.

Help us protect you and your smile. 💜

02/09/2026

"Protecting oral health may help support a child's education as well as their overall well-being."

A Cavity Can Affect More Than a Child's Smile.

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that children with untreated tooth decay were more likely to have poorer school attendance and lower academic performance than children without cavities.

Dental pain can make it harder to sleep, eat, concentrate, and participate in class—potentially affecting learning and school success.

Protecting oral health may help support a child's education as well as their overall well-being.

Source: Rebelo et al. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry (2019)

25/08/2026

Long-term use of pacifiers ⚠️⚠️⚠️

This Is What Long-Term Pacifier Use Can Do to a Child's Teeth.

Pacifiers can help soothe infants, but long-term use may affect the normal growth and development of the jaws and teeth. Constant sucking pressure over time can contribute to problems such as an anterior open bite, increased overjet, crossbite, and tooth misalignment.

The longer and more frequently a child uses a pacifier, the greater the risk of developing these changes. In many cases, stopping the habit early allows the teeth and jaws to return toward more normal development. However, continued use beyond the preschool years may increase the likelihood of needing orthodontic treatment later.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends gradually discontinuing pacifier use as children grow, particularly beyond age 3.

Small habits during childhood can have a lasting impact on the development of a healthy smile.

21/08/2026

Worth a read 🙂📖

Me to my family:

“Punta tayo ng dentist para magalit ako.”

Nothing makes me more frustrated than bringing my kids to their biannual dental appointment and hearing the dentist say, “May cavities po.” I already knew there would be a problem because I literally tell them every single day, “Mag-toothbrush kayo!”

That “may cavities po” was like a confirmation of all my struggles. All the reminders, all the nagging, all the daily litanya about brushing their teeth and this is what I get. Their only job is to brush their teeth! How hard can that be?! And now, P1,200 for cleaning and at least P1,500 for pasta. All those expenses could have been avoided by simply doing one very basic task: brushing your teeth!

Dental health is important. When you’re young, you sometimes don’t understand why you need to take care of your teeth. Wait until you’re an adult and you have bad breath and rotten teeth. That’s when you’ll realize, Mom was right all along. Besides, oral health is connected to your overall health, including heart health. Bacteria from infected gums can enter your bloodstream, travel to your heart, and cause inflammation, among others. Do some research. Tutal selpon ka nang selpon, mag-aral ka na rin. 😤

Mabuti nga ngayon, mas naiintindihan na natin ang importance of dental health. Hindi tulad noon, kapag may butas ang ngipin at sumakit, sabihan ka lang ng nanay mo na lagyan ng asin o bawang. Ano ’yan, adobo? O kaya, konting sakit lang, bunot agad. Wala sa vocabulary ang pasta kasi magastos. Ang alam lang ng mga nanay natin na “pasta” ay spaghetti pang-Pasko.

At this point, I literally wanted to give my kids a spanking right there in the clinic. Atty. Lorna, I feel you. The dentist ended up acting like my cardiologist, trying to calm me down. 😤😫

17/08/2026

It's not too late yet 🦷🪥
Book an appointment now 😃

20/07/2026

Small yet destructive 🫣

This is why even a small cavity should never be ignored.

A cavity may look small on the surface, but that doesn't always reflect the amount of damage hidden inside the tooth.

Unlike enamel, the dentin beneath it is softer and less mineralized, allowing tooth decay to spread more quickly once bacteria break through the outer protective layer. Because this process often occurs silently, many cavities continue to grow without causing pain or obvious symptoms.

By the time a tooth starts to hurt, the decay may have already reached the pulp—the living tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels. At that stage, treatment is often more complex and may require root canal treatment or, in severe cases, tooth extraction.

The good news is that most cavities are highly treatable when detected early. Regular dental checkups and timely treatment can preserve more of the natural tooth, reduce treatment costs, and help prevent avoidable complications.

16/06/2026

"Early intervention helps preserve more of the natural tooth and can prevent deeper damage over time." 🦷

A small cavity may look harmless on the surface, but decay can continue spreading through the softer inner layers of the tooth.

If left untreated, it can eventually reach the pulp—the living center of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. At that stage, treatment often becomes more complex than a simple filling.

This is why dentists recommend treating cavities early, even when they are small and painless. Early intervention helps preserve more of the natural tooth and can prevent deeper damage over time.