Everyone knows gum disease can ruin your smile: your dentist will agree it can cause loss of teeth and affects over 47% of American adults aged 35 or over. As well as destroying your dreams of a dazzling smile, gum disease has been linked to heart disease and even early death in older people.

A recent American study suggests the risk is greater for women over 55. Visiting the dentist becomes even more important as we age.

- According to the study, women over 55 who have gum disease face a 12% increased risk of death than those without.

- Those who have lost all their teeth face an even higher increased risk of 17%.

- Up to 70% of Americans over 65 suffer from gum disease.

"Older women may be at higher risk for death because of their periodontal condition and may benefit from more intensive oral screening measures."

Read more:

http://www.healthline.com/health-news/older-women-with-gum-disease-risk-death

Recent research suggests that the average dentist may be able to offer much more than good oral hygiene and pearly whites alone.

Studies have found that post-menopausal women who have lost a significant number of teeth or who suffer from gum disease are at a greater risk of premature death. What else has been discovered?

- The chances of developing gum disease increases with age.

- Approximately 70 per cent of adults over the age of 70 have this condition.

- Bad breath and sensitive gums are two common indicators of this condition.

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gum disease ? also known as periodontal disease ? affects 47 percent of adults aged 30 and above in the United States."

Read more: http://www.healthline.com/health-news/older-women-with-gum-disease-risk-death

Though they're not in widespread use just yet, there are incredible technological tools being developed for your dentist to use to help them care for your teeth and gums.

Key Takeaways:

- Patient files are going entirely digital, making it much easier to share information within the dental community and get your teeth looked at by the top specialists for your particular problem.

- Your dentist can now take extremely detailed pictures of your teeth with customized camera equipment. They can then use those pictures to try a targeted treatment or show you where you might expect to see an impact on your smile.

- Through improved data-collection devices like smart toothbrushes, your dentist can get a more accurate idea of what your smile maintenance habits really are instead of relying on self-reporting or guesswork. This lets them provide better diagnostics and helps them give you better advice about how to be proactive with your oral health.

"Digital practices are experiencing greater productivity, better communications with patients, and a more satisfied staff."

Read more here if you're interested to hear more about how the dental care industry is set to evolve in the coming years.

Sensitive teeth are an extremely common problem with many diverse causes, but this issue can be controlled and often reversed if you know what's causing it.

Key Takeaways:

-Many teeth-whitening home products contain excessive amounts of bleach that wear away the enamel on your smile. If you must have a whitening treatment, ask your dentist about it first to make sure you get one that won't do more harm than good.

-Exposure to acids through things like soft drinks, acidic fruits and sauces, and even some mouthwashes are some mostly-overlooked causes of this problem, so try to cut down on your consumption of them if possible.

-Physical stimuli, such as particularly forceful brushing or the application of cleaning tools, can cause a sensitive smile; treat your teeth like the delicate organs they are.

"You don't have to go it alone. Talk to your dentist to discover exactly what's behind your sensitive teeth."

Read more here about how you can keep your smile beautiful and pain-free.

Straightening your teeth can be costly, but it?s far less expensive than a botched DIY technique you learned on a social network. Today?s orthodontists are noticing a startling increase in the number of people who are using pencils and rubber bands to fix their smile without the support of a dentist. The results can be riskier than merely the loss of teeth. String and dental floss can become lodged in the gum, requiring antibiotics and surgical removal. They can also loosen teeth to such an extent that they will need to be removed.

- ?Gap bands? can interfere with blood supply, leading to discolouration and tooth loss.

- Using pencil chewing to correct irregularities in your smile can cause chipping and sensitivity.

- �Always rely on an orthodontist or dentist to diagnose and treat imperfections. Orthodontists often offer free first appointments to make this easier on the purse.

�?People are resorting to the use of potentially dangerous objects such as rubber bands, string, paper clips and fake retainers to circumvent the orthodontists' office.?

Read the full article here:

https://consumer.healthday.com/dental-and-oral-information-9/misc-dental-problem-news-174/diy-teeth-straightening-don-t-try-this-at-home-720074.html

Most of us visit the dentist in order to maintain healthy teeth and an attractive smile. However, scientists have found that it is possible for a dentist to detect symptoms of sleep apnoea.

Sleep apnoea is a serious problem that in which breathing stops and starts hundreds of times through the night. Sleep apnoea can lead to other illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Loud snoring is the classic symptom of sleep apnoea -- and a large tongue and tonsils also contribute to the problem, a group of researchers notes.

Therefore, it is important that dentists are trained to identify the signs of this condition ? and refer the patient to a specialist.

Key takeaways:

- Those who are overweight are more likely to develop sleep apnoea.

- Males suffer from sleep apnoea more than females.

- Enlarged tonsils may also play an important role.

?Dentists see into their patient?s mouths more than physicians do and the signs are easy to identify"

Read more:

https://knowridge.com/2017/03/trouble-sleeping-the-size-of-your-tongue-and-tonsils-could-be-why/

Researchers at Kyushu University in Japan have recently discovered a link between tooth loss in an elderly person and risk of developing dementia in the near future.

Key Takeaways:

- People with only 10-19 of their original teeth left are at 62% greater risk of developing dementia in the next 5 years -- compared to people with more of their original smile intact. People with only 1-9 teeth left were at 81% higher risk.

- Scientists suspect that chewing (and the salivation that comes with it) stimulates blood flow to the brain, leading to slower mental decay.

- This means that visiting a dentist regularly is more important than ever as you age, and that choosing a good dentist who you can trust will improve your quality of life in a multitude of ways beyond keeping your smile looking pretty.

"Gum disease can be controlled through regular brushing and mouthwash treatments, and experts say keeping up with dental health could be an easy way of lessoning the impact of Alzheimer?s."

Read the rest of the story here.

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Gum disease is an inflammatory condition caused by an excess amount of plaque sticking to the teeth on and below the gum line. It is characterised by red and sensitive gums. Bleeding will often occur when one brushes or flosses.
If left untreated, this condition can evolve into periodontal disease; a much more serious situation. What are some of the best ways to prevent gum disease and ensure a healthy lifelong smile?

-�In order to avoid trips to the dentist, it is wise to brush at least twice a day.
-�It it best to eat foods high in vitamins and minerals. These substances will provide the nutrients required to maintain healthy gums and a bright smile.
-�Anyone suffering from this condition should seek out the advice of a professional dentist.

"Gum disease occurs when biofilms, or plaque, stick to the surface of teeth."

http://www.yourwellness.com/2017/02/gum-disease-can-fix/

Bad breath is something that affects us all at one point or another. There are many reasons why we suffer from bad breath: from our diet, to smoking habits, to internal digestive issues. Hectic work lifestyles often make it difficult to give the issue the care and attention it deserves. Mouthwash merely hides the problem but does nothing to address the root cause.

If halitosis is an on-going issue, here are a few dentist recommended lifestyle changes to address the issue and put a smile on your face.

Key takeaways:

- �Your tongue is a hot-bed of bacteria. Regular brushing of your teeth is not enough. Your � � �tongue requires regular and careful cleaning as well.
- Water is your friend. Caffeine based drinks like tea and coffee dry your mouth out which � � �promotes the development of bacteria. Regular hydration of your mouth is essential to � � �produce enough saliva to deal with the bacteria.
- You should brush after every meal. The idea of brushing twice a day for a perfect smile is terribly outdated. Your mouth is at greater vulnerability during and after eating, so you should brush your teeth after every meal to promote good oral health.

If the issue remains after following these tips then there may be a deeper underlying issue and you should visit your dentist, but always remember, reaching for that mouthwash isn't a long term solution.

Read more: http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/health/getting-rid-bad-breath-smell-12481756?service=responsive

Following extraction of teeth or treatment for gum disease, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream causing "infective endocarditis" which affects the heart's valves. So extra precautions are needed before working on your smile.

You might need antibiotics if:

-�You have had any form of heart surgery including valve replacement or transplant
-�You have any heart defects or heart conditions
-�You have had any joint surgery or joint replacement

You can still enjoy a perfect smile, just make sure that you discuss your medical history before treatment.
"Talk to your dentist about whether or not you should receive antibiotics before your procedure".

Read more:

http://yourdentalhealthresource.com/when-to-receive-antibiotics-before-dental-treatment/