Our dog Karma got hold of one of our toothbrushes and started chewing on it. Karma is the one with the pink toothbrush in his mouth.

Higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, a bleaching agent used in many whiteners, can be delivered in a dentist’s office, so those procedures tend to be quicker than drugstore aids. But tooth sensitivity and gum irritation can occur, and the higher the concentration of the peroxide used, the more severe these side effects are likely to be.

More aggressive treatment isn’t necessarily more efficacious, either. A randomized trial of 90 patients found that use of a home bleaching tray with a 10 percent carbamide peroxide gel for two weeks offered the same degree of whitening as two in-office sessions using 35 percent hydrogen peroxide with light, which some dentists use because it supposedly activates bleaching agents.

Some dentists also use heat or even lasers to activate bleaching agents. But a 2007 systematic review of evidence in the journal Dental Materials found no added benefit from heat, light or lasers and suggested these methods “may have an adverse effect on pulpal tissue,” the soft material in the tooth’s center. If pulp is injured, it may require a root canal to fix.

Because one Y wasn’t enough, after visiting the Central Y, Toothy visited the children at the Walnut Street Y on Thursday, March 19, 2015.

Toothy took a break from working out at the gym at the Central YMCA to visit the day care there. The kids loved him!

Wahl Family Dentistry dentists Drs. Mike, Jean, and Peggy published the results of their research in another article recently.

We not only enjoy helping our patients with their dental needs, but we also enjoy researching better dental techniques and sharing our findings with the dental profession. “Dental extractions, antibiotics and curettage — first, do no harm” was published in a 2014 issue of the Global Journal of Medical Research: Dentistry and Otolaryngology. Among other findings, the authors found that preoperative or postoperative antibiotics did not appear to affect radiographic healing of periapical lesions after dental extractions. You may find the article to be highly interesting or you may find it to help you fall asleep.

Tina visited Highlands Elementary to share some good information on oral health and hygiene. Although Toothy couldn’t make it today, the children enjoyed the presentation.

Toothy really enjoyed visiting Richardson Park Elementary School today, and the children enjoyed him too!

Kira competed in the Red Rose Invitational gymnastics meet at the Lancaster, Pennsylvania Convention Center on March 8, 2015 and won two medals — one for vault and one for overall. Here she is with her Olympiad Gymnastics coaches Miss Sue and Miss Laura. Way to go Kira!

Dr Mike and Pat’s mother Joy Wahl celebrates her 39th birthday at Harry’s Seafood Grill. Here she is with Dr. Mike. It’s amazing how Joy is only 39 even though her son Dr. Mike is in his 50s.

Three-year-old Olivia, the daughter of our assistant Crystal, enjoyed Toothy’s visit yesterday at her preschool and could not stop talking about Toothy when she got home.