Whiter and straighter teeth are very much part of anti-ageing procedures. This is a procedure that people desire to have to get that perfect smile.

Key takeaways:

• Laser contouring helps to reshape a "gummy smile."
• Icon, a revolutionary whitening treatment, has been used to get rid of fluorosis, the white spots found on individual teeth.
• Smile sculpting through the use of Botox has helped people get the perfect smile. A Botox injection on the two sides of the nostrils helps to lift the upper lip.

If you?re looking to expand your smile, new nuances in brace technology, including ?arch expansion? (widening the upper jaw so the top and bottom teeth fit together better), can help.

Read the full story here

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/beauty/face/teeth-tweakments-will-make-look-instantly-younger/

Baby teeth require great care to keep them strong and healthy. The first baby teeth calls for a visit to the dentist.

Key takeaways:

• Baby teeth begin to appear between 6 and 12 months and parents should ensure that baby gets fluoride.
• Don't use teething necklaces, teething tablets and teething gels which may present health problems.
• Baby teeth should be brushed twice everyday with fluoride to maintain clean, strong and healthy teeth.

Brush baby's teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Talk to your dentist about whether to use a fluoride varnish.

Read the full story here

https://consumer.healthday.com/dental-and-oral-information-9/misc-dental-problem-news-174/health-tip-preparing-for-baby-s-first-teeth-714400.html

Change your toothbrush regularly to ensure that you keep teeth and gums healthy. Brushing alone will not protect the teeth; it should be coupled with healthy habits.
Key takeaways:

• Avoid biting the nails since they will cause harm to the teeth and the jaws.
• Snacking all day on sugary items at irregular times presents problems for the teeth.
• Avoid jaw clenching and teeth grinding that may cause cracked teeth and jaw pain.

Brushing and flossing are frequently touted as ways to keep your teeth healthy, but there also are habits that you should avoid to keep your pearly whites in tip-top shape.

Read the full story here

https://consumer.healthday.com/dental-and-oral-information-9/misc-dental-problem-news-174/health-tip-avoid-damaging-teeth-716248.html

Children who do not have dental sealants are at a three times greater risk of cavities compared to those with sealants. In the ideal situation, all children should get dental sealants.

Key takeaways:

• Dental sealants are in the form of liquid plastic that quickly hardens after it is painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth forming a protective layer.
• The sealants have been shown to prevent cavities by up to 80 percent over a period of 2 years.
• School-based sealant programs have been lauded for their ability to reach kids from low income families who are less likely to get dental care services.

Although sealants will help in the prevention of cavities, cavities can also happen in between the teeth, so kids will still need to have checkups, she said.

Read the full story here

https://consumer.healthday.com/dental-and-oral-information-9/misc-dental-problem-news-174/more-poor-kids-need-dental-sealants-cdc-715961.html

There is a close connection between oral health and the risk of pneumonia that has been widely documented. Regular dental cleaning by your dentist will help reduce the risk of pneumonia.
Key takeaways:

• The mouth is never free of bacteria. However, good oral healthcare will limit the numbers of bacteria.
• Regular dental cleanings help to reduce the amount of bacteria that cause lung infections hence reducing the risk of pneumonia.
• People who never go for dental checkups have an 86 percent greater risk of suffering from bacterial pneumonia.

"There is a well-documented connection between oral health and pneumonia, and dental visits are important in maintaining good oral health," study author Dr. Michelle Doll said in an IDWeek news release.

Read the full story here

https://consumer.healthday.com/dental-and-oral-information-9/misc-dental-problem-news-174/dental-visits-may-help-keep-pneumonia-at-bay-716184.html

There are long-term benefits of storing away baby teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Baby teeth are the most valuable source of stem cells.

Key takeaways:

• Baby teeth can stored away through institutions that offer the cryopreservation services.
• Baby teeth are a source of the most powerful stem cells that have the capability of turning into any imaginable cell type.
• These stem cells can be used to repair damaged cells in the heart, pancreas and the brain with a high likelihood of success.

This removes the need to wait for a bone marrow donor if your child ever needs stem cells. It also increases the likelihood that their body will accept the stem cells ? something that?s not always certain when they come from a donor.

Read the full story here

https://www.davidwolfe.com/doctors-urge-parents-save-kids-baby-teeth/

Cleaning your toddler's teeth requires more than a piece of cloth. Ensure that a kids toothbrush is used and teeth are brushed last thing before bedtime.

Key takeaways:

• Even though they eventually fall off, baby teeth are important for function and in guiding the permanent teeth into their positions.
• Your children should brush with a proper toothbrush right after the first tooth appears to prevent oral health problems.
• Tooth brushing time should be made fun to ensure that baby complies with brushing their teeth at least twice every day. Kid toothpaste that contains fluoride should be used for brushing.

While you should brush twice a day, doing it before bed is most important, because while your tot is lying (generally) still, bacteria have a chance to grow undisturbed. And any sugar left in the mouth, from milk or food, gives bacteria an even better environment in which to grow.

Read the full story here

http://www.todaysparent.com/toddler/toddler-health/how-to-brush-your-toddlers-teeth-when-shes-not-into-it/

Cracked teeth due to trauma are a well-known cause of severe toothaches. The exposed dentin is highly sensitive to heat and cold due to the high concentration of nerves.

Key takeaways:

• Tooth pain is typicaly caused by cavities, holes that form on the enamel layer of teeth.
• The exposed dentin will register pain upon pressure or contact with hot and cold substances. Bacteria will enter through cavities, causing inflammation and infection in the cavity.
• Gum disease caused by bacteria is yet another cause of tooth pain. Receding gums will expose the teeth roots, causing severe pain.

Nerves in the cavity will scream with every sip of hot coffee, every bite of cold ice cream, and will often require a root canal, which scoops out the inflamed pulp and replaces it with a rubbery material, according to the American Association of Endodontics (AAE).

Read the full story here

http://www.livescience.com/56856-why-do-teeth-hurt.html

Have you ever wished your teeth looked better? Is there a chipped tooth that embarrasses you?� A discoloured tooth that bothers you? A tooth gap you wish you didn?t have? Crooked or misshapen or small teeth? If any of these ring true, you owe it to yourself to investigate Lumineers.

Key takeaways:

• Lumineers are a version of veneers. Lumineers have actually been around for 30 years, so they are a tried-and-true solution today.
• Lumineers are digitally designed. They are ultra-thin (about as thin as a contact lens).
• Lumineers can be applied to your teeth without drilling, without shots, without any pain.

Lumineers can give you a natural looking smile. That?s why Lumineers are so popular. And Lumineers are even reversible, as your natural teeth are not permanently affected. So you have nothing to lose and a beautiful smile to gain.

In England, reports indicate that tooth decay is the top reason why 5 to 9 year olds are admitted to hospital. Attempts are underway to limit the levels of sugar intake to safeguard oral health.

Key takeaways:

• The introduction of a sugar tax on soft drinks would have clear benefits to the oral health of children between 11 and 18 years old.
• Tighter regulation around price, availability and marketing of sports drinks to children will safeguard their general and dental health.
• Oral health should be tackled in the same breath as overall health since it affects children?s overall well-being, confidence, mental health and life chances.

The most important message dentists can give parents is to remember that it is not just the amount of sugar children eat or drink that causes tooth decay, but how often they have sugary foods and drinks.

Read the full story here

https://www.bda.org/dentists/policy-campaigns/public-health-science/public-health/sugar