Savoring your favorite drink may cause the erosion of tooth enamel. The longer a soft drink stays in the mouth, the more the exposure to acids in the drink.

Key takeaways:

- Tooth erosion has been on the rise as people consume lots of acidic drinks. Acid corrodes tooth enamel making it thin and leads to sensitive and cracked teeth.

- Drinks such as soft drinks, fruit juices, sports drinks, and teas contain high amounts of acids.

- These drinks also contain high amounts of sugar that combine with plaque bacteria to produce acids that attack tooth enamel.

In soft drinks, especially in cola soft drinks, one of the main flavoring agents is phosphoric acid. That's the acid we use in dentistry to roughen tooth enamel before applying a bonding agent. We use it like sandpaper.

Read the full story here

https://consumer.healthday.com/dental-and-oral-information-9/misc-dental-problem-news-174/acid-drinks-blamed-for-increase-in-tooth-erosion-624866.html

Dentists recommend that parents learn more about how to help their babies when teething happens. The use of teething gels is not recommended since they contain benzocaine.

Key takeaways:

-�The child is their best teacher in the regulation of pain and pressure. They will know when and how much pressure to apply to relieve their pain and discomfort.

-�You should provide a plain but solid teething ring which allows the baby to apply pressure on their own.

-�Try massaging baby?s gums with a clean finger or a cooled washcloth to provide some relief.

"It's important to respond to your baby when it comes to coping with the pain," he said in a university news release. "Your baby may want more pressure or less pressure, so it'll take a lot of experimenting to see what works and which areas of the gums are most sensitive."
Read the full story here https://consumer.healthday.com/dental-and-oral-information-9/misc-dental-problem-news-174/teething-tips-from-dental-specialists-716985.html

What do you know about your teeth? The incisors are the teeth at the front of your mouth and are used to cut up your food. The premolars and the molars are found at the back of the teeth and help to grind and chew food.

Key takeaways:

- Teeth are arranged in a curved line along the top and bottom jaws in the mouth. The visible part is the crown whereas the root is found within the gum.

- A sticky coating of germs/bacteria forms on the teeth during the day. The creamy coating is referred to as plaque and is the cause of tooth decay.

- Brush your teeth the last thing at night and at least one other time during the day. You should use fluoride toothpaste that helps to keep tooth enamel strong.

Every time you eat or drink anything sugary your teeth are under attack from the plaque acids for up to one hour. This is because the sugar mixes with the bacteria in the plaque to produce the harmful plaque acids.

Read the full story here

https://www.dentalhealth.org/tell-me-about/topic/childrens-teeth/my-teeth

The use of toothpaste dates back to 500 BC with the ancient Greeks who used iron rust and coral powder to clean their teeth. They would chew on twigs and use them as toothbrushes.

Key takeaways:

- Take great care of your dental health as it's related to your overall health.

- A third of the tooth is found beneath the gums. The gums should be thoroughly cleaned to avoid dental problems.

- Tooth decay may be responsible for the yellow color of tooth enamel. The yellow shade is not only caused by coffee and other foods.

Plaque contains millions of bacteria, made up of 200 to 300 different species. The main culprit for poor tooth health is Streptococcus mutans, which converts sugar and other carbohydrates into the acids which eat away at your teeth.

Read the full story here

http://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/things-you-didnt-know-about-your-teeth#1

Bad breath has many different causes. Some foods people eat may contribute to bad breath; of course, inadequate oral hygiene is a problem.

Key takeaways:

- Consume 8 to 10 glasses of water every day to help the flow of saliva and to keep mouth and tongue moist.

- Crunchy, high-water-content vegetables and fruits -- such as cucumber and watermelon -are effective in dislodging bacteria from teeth.

- Smoking is bad for your breath. It will not only turn the lips grey and pale, but the buildup of nicotine and tar will cause bad breath.

Cut out the coffee. To beat the smell, have water or a slice of fruit to neutralize the bad odor.

Read the full story here

http://www.indiatimes.com/health/healthyliving/6-easy-ways-to-get-rid-of-bad-breath-naturally-250794.html

Teeth that are sensitive to cold is a big concern since it limits people in the number of food that they want to enjoy. It may be caused by many different factors that may require the attention of a dentist.

Key takeaways:

• Plaque buildup on the teeth destroys tooth enamel leading to cavities. Cavities can be prevented by brushing with fluoride toothpaste.
• Stained teeth are a big cosmetic concern for many people. Smoking, foods, trauma and medication can all cause teeth staining.
• Hyperdontia refers to the presence of too many teeth in the mouth. The problem can be treated by removing the extra teeth.

Read the full story here

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/ss/slideshow-tooth-problems

Dogs can be trained to understand human feelings and intuition. Jojo, a comfort dog, has been used in a dentistry clinic to help young patients.

Key takeaways:

• Jojo works as a comfort dog that has been helping out at a dentistry clinic.
• Jojo?s work is to cuddle and comfort nervous children who anxious of getting dental treatments.
• Jojo has been in high demand to offer the services even though the dog has limited time to spend at the clinic.

Read the full story here

http://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/self/meet-jojo-the-comfort-dog-who-helps-calm-anxious-children-down-at-a-dentist-s-clinic-252925.html

Talk therapy address anxiety and helps people to understand that their fears may reappear. In so doing, people will be able to face their fears and surmount them.

Key takeaways:

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) helps people to acquire the necessary skills to face their fears such as fear of injections. It is a short-term treatment that involves between 6 and 10 sessions.
• People with dental phobias avoid visiting the dentist and are likely to have cavities and other dental problems.
• CBT is more effective in combating dental phobia than use of sedation since it has a long lasting impact.

Read the full story here

http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/talk-therapy-tackle-fear-dentist/

Tooth whitening can take on average 30 minutes to an hour. For effective results, you may require a number of sessions spread out over several weeks to get a bright white beautiful smile that is many shades whiter.

Key takeaways:

• Teeth staining or discoloration may be caused by the aging process, smoking, tartar, or by drinks and foods such as coffee and red wine.
• Professional teeth bleaching at the dentist?s office is the most common form of teeth whitening. Laser whitening is a new, quicker, and more effective option.
• Tooth whitening may have side effects such as tooth sensitivity, sore throat and pain along the gum line.

https://www.dentalhealth.org/tell-me-about/topic/cosmetic-dentistry/tooth-whitening

Common signs of oral cancer include difficulty chewing, irritation and soreness, a lump, pain, and tenderness. People should be on the lookout for any of these symptoms and should visit a dentist if any symptom is observed.

Key takeaways:

• People who smoke and consume alcohol excessively are at the greatest risk of oral cancer.
• The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has been found to cause cancer of the oropharyngeal region, the base of the tongue and the tonsils.
• Regular dental visits for checkups will help to identify symptoms of oral cancer at an early stage and treatment commenced early enough.

Read the full story here

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/oral-cancer