Toothpastes containing less than 1,000 parts per million of fluoride concentrations are as ineffective at preventing tooth decay as toothpastes with no fluoride at all. This finding, published in the Cochrane Database of research group Cochrane Collaboration, is taken from 79 clinical studies involving 73,000 children worldwide. Children’s toothpastes are in the range of 100 …

Low-fluoride toothpaste is no better than nonfluoride toothpaste in preventing tooth decay among children Read More »

Green tea has become an increasingly popular beverage being touted in numerous studies as having therapeutic benefits for heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, genital warts and obesity. Green tea’s antioxidant properties are believed to produce anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects. In a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology, the researchers discovered that green tea also promotes healthy …

Regular intake of green tea prevents and cures gum disease, study finds Read More »

Patient anxiety or fear of going to the dentist has been one of the predicaments dental practitioners face when providing dental care. One in 20 patients or 5% of patients in the US and Europe have odontophobia, or extreme dental fear, while up to one-third experience some degree of anxiety. A new study, tested on …

Acupuncture before treatment eases anxiety of dental patients Read More »

Periodontal disease (gum infection) can spread through the bloodstream and infect the uterus (womb). This could cause low birth weight, premature delivery and infection of the unborn child. A case report published in the Green Journal of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reported fetal death due to infection of oral bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum, found in gum disease. …

Oral bacteria in pregnant mother can infect the unborn fetus Read More »

Dentine hypersensitivity is a sudden, sharp shooting pain in the teeth triggered by hot, cold or acidic foodstuff. Pain is also felt with touch, such as from chewing or tooth-brushing, and with air pressure, such as when one is breathing through the mouth. Cracked teeth, cavities, worn tooth enamel (outer layer of the tooth), worn …

Getting to the bottom of sensitive teeth Read More »

You will never look at toothbrushing again as a routine hygiene to take lightly or you can do without. A recent study found that people who brush their teeth less frequently have a 70% increased risk of heart disease compared with those who brushed their teeth twice a day. When people don’t brush their teeth …

Frequent Toothbrushing Can Lower Heart Disease Risk Read More »

Mouth sores are any open blisters found in the oral cavity. They are commonly seen on the lips, the tongue, the gums, the palate and the inside of the cheeks. Examples include canker sores, cold sores and fever blisters. There are myriad reasons for mouth sores. Many are caused by infectious organisms, bacterial, viral or …

Painful and Unsightly Mouth Sores Read More »

An impacted wisdom tooth can trap food particles and debris. Bacteria feed on these food particles, which may cause infection of the surrounding tissue. This is called pericoronitis. Pericoronitis may include any of the following symptoms: pain, swollen gum tissue in the area of the affected tooth, difficulty in biting or opening of the mouth, …

Impact of an Impacted Tooth Read More »

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums, thus aptly called gum disease. Bacteria are the primary culprit in periodontal disease. A bacterium produces sticky, colorless plaque on the teeth. Brushing and flossing will help eliminate plaque. However, plaque that is not removed will form tartar, a harder substance to clean. Tartar harbors bacteria that …

Taking Care of Your Gums Takes Care of Your Teeth, Too. Read More »

Cleaning in between tooth spaces is widely accepted as an important part of oral healthiness. Flossing removes plaques and food debris in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. However, studies that show the benefits of flossing are sparse. Together with tooth and tongue brushing, dental flossing significantly reduces the number of microbes that cause tooth decay …

Flossing prevents tooth decay and gum diseases Read More »