Accidents will happen and children’s teeth are susceptible to becoming chipped, cracked, loosened or even lost. If your child should have the misfortune to damage a tooth it is important to remain calm and act quickly.
A dentist should be consulted straight away to assess the extent of the damage. A swift response can make the difference between saving or losing the damaged tooth.

For baby teeth:

- A dentist can often easily realign the tooth
- Delaying treatment makes realignment more difficult
- Untreated loosened baby teeth may grow crooked

If your child damages a tooth you should “call your dentist instead of the emergency department” and you can read more at https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-to-do-if-your-child-chips-loosens-or-loses-a-tooth/.

Your dentist will advise that flossing is an important part of your dental hygiene routine. It is important to floss to ensure you remove all bits of food debris from between your teeth. It is also important to floss correctly.
Here are some things to know about flossing:

- You should use about 15-18 inches of new floss each session
- Flossing should take about five minutes
- Ideally, it is best to floss before brushing

Your teeth should not bleed when flossing if you floss regularly. Either you are flossing too aggressively, or you have gum disease. See your dentist regularly to get advice on bleeding gums. You may need treatment for gum disease.
"It only needs to be done once a day, unlike brushing, and can help prevent bad bacteria from getting stuck between your teeth and causing problems."
Read more about how to correctly floss your teeth here https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/how-can-i-know-if-im-flossing-correctly/

Do you notice that your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth? If so, you might be suffering from the early stages of gum disease (called gingivitis). Gingivitis can lead to a more severe condition called periodontal disease which can cause loose teeth - and can affect your overall health.
What are reasons why your gums might bleed?
-  You could be flossing incorrectly, or perhaps you have not flossed for a very long time.
- A toothbrush with hard bristles can irritate the gums.
- Your dentist can instruct you on proper brushing and flossing techniques to removal dental plaque and prevent gingivitis.
”Make an appointment with your dentist if you think you might have gingivitis.”
Check out other warning signs here:
http://www.health.com/oral-health/oral-symptoms#91e274f6-0309-4f45-89fc-0efbd737ab40

Dental problems like mouth ulcers, enamel erosion, and dry mouth can indicate underlying health problems.

Key takeaways:

- A sudden increase in cavities, a dry mouth and oral thrush could indicate diabetes.
- Excessive enamel erosion may be linked to acid reflux.
- Severe gum disease has been associated with many conditions, even heart disease.

Your general health and oral health are closely related. See a dentist for regular check-ups and ensure that any problems are identified quickly.
"Problems with your gums, teeth, and tongue can hint at health concerns deeper in the body..."
Read the full article:
http://www.health.com/oral-health/oral-symptoms#91e274f6-0309-4f45-89fc-0efbd737ab40

White spots on the gums could be caused by something as simple as failing to brush your teeth properly. In most cases these white spots or patches will quickly disappear or can be easily treated by a dentist. However, if the spots fail to clear up after a few days they could be indicative of a more serious underlying health problem.
These more serious conditions include:

- Leukoplakia - mostly benign patches caused by smoking and tobacco
- Canker sores - mouth ulcers
- Oral cancer
- Oral thrush - an infection caused by the Candida fungus.

In the case of oral thrush, it may be necessary to consult a doctor who may prescribe an antifungal medication to cure the condition. Persistent white spots or patches on the gums should be seen to by a dentist and you can find out more at https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321454.php.

Many of us will need to have our wisdom teeth removed by a dentist. This arises from the fact that they have been known to crowd other teeth. Why were they necessary in ancient times?

- They were used to chew hard materials like meat and roots.
- Humans would not have been able to digest such foods without these teeth.

Our smaller modern jaws often cause issues with these teeth, resulting in the need for extraction. Your dentist will let you know if you’re a candidate for wisdom tooth removal.

More interesting details can be found here:
https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/do-we-need-our-wisdom-teeth/

It is possible to have dental problems, even if you are brushing twice per day. Research shows that your brushing equipment and habits have a significant effect on your teeth.
Key points:
• Enamel erosion occurs when you brush your teeth too aggressively.
• Brushing too hard accelerates gum recession and exposes your tooth roots.
• Signs of enamel erosion are sensitivity to hot and cold meals, and discolouration due to dentin exposure.
See the dentist for assessment and consult on which toothbrush to use.
Learn more here:
https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/am-i-brushing-my-teeth-too-hard-what-are-the-signs/

Many toothpastes claim they can treat dental erosion and dentin hypersensitivity. A recent study in Switzerland has proved otherwise:

Key points:

- Dentin and nerves become exposed when tooth enamel erodes, resulting in sensitivity.
- A study of nine different toothpastes indicated that they were not capable of preventing enamel loss.
- Avoid acidic/sugary foods and drinks to minimize enamel loss.
- Don’t brush aggressively and use a moderate toothbrush.
As enamel erosion is caused by multiple factors, regular check-ups at the dentist are important to spot any problems as early as possible.
"Specialists stress that diet and treatment by a dentist are key to avoid the problems originated by dentin exposure."
Read the full story here: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180313152118.htm

If you are searching for a permanent solution to replace a series of lost teeth, an implant-supported bridge is a great option. This involves using dental implants to support your bridge instead of natural teeth - which makes the bridge much more secure.
What should you ask when you speak with your dentist in order to know the available options?

- What are the benefits of an implant-supported bridge?
- What will the treatment entail?
- How long will the healing process take?
- What regular maintenance will keep the bridge lasting a very long time?

"If you have gum disease or another type of oral health condition, it’ll need to be fully treated."

Check out this additional resource:
https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/who-is-a-candidate-for-an-implant-supported-bridge/

Smoking has a negative effect on our overall health and can have particularly harmful consequences on our oral health.

Key takeaways:
- Tobacco limits circulation to the gums, so oral tissue becomes vulnerable to infection and disease.
- Harmful chemicals in cigarettes can turn healthy oral cells into cancerous cells.
- Smoking can cause bone loss along the jaw, which can in turn result in teeth loss.
If you’re struggling to quit, speak to your dentist or GP for advice on how to successfully ditch this habit.
Read the full story here: https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/are-cigarette-smokers-more-prone-to-dental-health-issues/