Dental health is a factor that contributes to good overall health. Brushing and flossing teeth to get rid of plaque will have far-reaching benefits to the heart, research shows.

Key takeaways:

• New research indicates that thoroughly brushing the teeth to remove plaque will reduce inflammation in the body in effect preventing stroke and heart attacks.
• Periodontal disease is closely associated with coronary heart disease. It also shares a number of risk factors with cardiovascular diseases and chronic diseases.
• The benefits of brushing extend to inflammatory diseases and conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and Crohn?s disease.

President of the Irish Dental Association, Dr PJ Byrne, said that improving oral hygiene by better, more efficient brushing and cleaning between the teeth is likely to have a systemic health benefit.

Read the full story here

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/brushing-teeth-helps-to-cut-heart-attack-risk-35145620.html

Halloween is a time when great damage to the teeth may happen since children overindulge in snack and sweets.

Key takeaways:

• Have alkaline foods such as milk and cheese on Halloween night to help neutralize the buildup of acid in the mouth.
• Parents should stop their children from eating sweets and chocolates at least one hour before bedtime on Halloween.
• Children should be supervised when brushing their teeth before they finally retire for bed on Halloween.

It is not the amount of sweets consumed that cause tooth decay ? it is how often they are eaten. Sugar causes the bacteria in plaque to produce acids. It is these acids which attack children?s tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.

Read the full story here

http://www.dentistry.co.uk/2011/10/27/oral-facts-and-tips-healthier-halloween/

Dental sealants are recommended for all children to prevent the onset of cavities. School-based dental sealant programs have been started to ensure all children get them.

Key takeaways:

• Dental sealants are highly effective in preventing cavities in the permanent back teeth of children.
• Children from low-income families are at high risk of teeth cavities but are less likely to have dental sealants compared to those from higher income families.
• �Providing dental sealants through school-based programs to the low-income children has been projected to save up to $300 million in dental treatment costs.

State officials play an important role in increasing children?s access to school-based dental sealant programs (SPSP) in their states. Officials can target school-based sealant programs to the areas of greatest need in their state.

Read the full story here

https://www.cdc.gov/media/dpk/other/dental-sealants/vs-dental-sealants.html

Cavities are not the only cause of discomfort.�Misalignment of the jaws may cause tooth pain since it is linked to clenching.

Key takeaways:

• Brushing aggressively may lead to gum recession that exposes the root of the tooth.
• Periodontal disease is caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the gum and may be associated with pain.
• Teeth grinding or clenching in your sleep will cause tooth enamel to wear down, and may cause fractured teeth.

Especially during allergy and flu season, a sinus infection may creep up in a way that doesn't even feel like a normal one. "Since the roots of certain teeth actually sit right by the sinuses, the pressure from a sinus infection actually mirrors tooth pain," says Handschuh.

Read the full story here

http://www.prevention.com/health/7-reasons-why-your-teeth-hurt

If your teeth have a few flaws ? a crooked or chipped tooth, or discoloured, or maybe upper teeth that are a bit too long? Your dentist can help correct these problems, and give you a smile makeover. In some cases, dental veneers are the perfect solution.

• Veneers are ultra-thin, custom-made shells shaped like your teeth. We create them from porcelain or a resin composite.
• These very thin shells will be bonded to the front of your teeth.
• Veneers can change thecolour, shape, and size of a tooth ? improving appearance greatly.

With veneers, you can get a quick smile makeover that lasts a long time. Patients walk away smiling at the difference. Everyone loves having a better-looking smile. Especially if you?ve put up with bad teeth for awhile. Right?

READ MORE:

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/veneers#1-2

Did you know that a sparkling smile can land you a job? 58 percent of applicants are more likely to get a job offer if their teeth are white.

Key takeaways:

• �A bright smile will help you get more dates and secure a dream job. A sparkling smile certainly helps you to stand out.
• �Avoid dark-colored foods and energy drinks, and don't use baking soda products to clean teeth.
• �Eat raw fruits and vegetables, change your toothbrush regularly, and brush your tongue.

Although they?re a good go-to for vitamin C, citrus fruits, such as lemons and limes, contain acid that erodes tooth enamel. This can make teeth stain more easily. The fix? Make sure to rinse your mouth out with water immediately after eating these fruits to wash the destructive acid off your teeth.

Read the full story here

http://www.menshealth.com/grooming/surprising-ways-to-whiten-teeth

Pacifiers are available in different types; the conventional and the orthodontic pacifiers. Orthodontic pacifiers are more flattened in shape to aid alignment of the jaw.

Key takeaways:

• Choose a pacifier that will not affect the development of the jaw or tooth alignment. The pacifier should also not come apart when in the mouth.
• In the first few months, clean the gums with gauze. Rubbing the gums also helps during teething.
• Once teeth appear, ensure that your child is brushing twice every day with fluoride toothpaste.

Orthodontic pacifiers are supposed to keep your baby's jaws in proper alignment, but Delarosa says that the frequency, intensity, and duration of sucking are more likely to affect your child's bite than a pacifier type. Use whichever one your baby prefers.

Read the full story here

www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/baby-gums-teeth#1

Wisdom teeth may partially come through and present problems. The teeth may allow bacteria to enter the gums and cause an infection to occur.

Key takeaways:

• Wisdom teeth refer to the third set of molars that will appear between the ages of 17 and 21 years.
• The appearance of wisdom teeth is linked to problems especially if there is no space for them to grow.
• Wisdom teeth are permanent teeth and may need to be removed if there is pain, infection, cysts, tooth decay, gum disease, and even for dental procedures such as insertion of braces.

Wisdom teeth that are not removed should continue to be monitored because the potential for developing problems later on still exists. As people age, they are at greater risk for health problems?and that includes potential problems with their wisdom teeth.

Read the full story here

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/wisdom-teeth

Teeth grinding is linked with temporomandibular joint disorder, and can seriously damage teeth.

Key takeaways:

• You will know that you have bruxism if you wake up with tense jaw or a dull headache in the morning.
• Constant teeth grinding will prove to be a major problem for the teeth. Worn out tooth enamel will lead to sensitivity and even chipped teeth.
• Teeth grinding can be managed by reducing stress, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and getting a mouth guard to protect the teeth.

TMJ is not necessarily a cause of grinding, though. ?People who have chronic TMJ pain are more likely to grind their teeth,? says Dr. Wadhwa. ?However, it?s a chicken and egg argument. We don?t know if TMJ pain causes one to grind their teeth or vice versa.?

Read the full story here

http://www.menshealth.com/health/teeth-grinding

Do you know the best practices that will ensure that your children have healthy baby and adult teeth? Care for baby teeth is equally important.

Key takeaways:

• �Baby teeth have thinner and less resilient enamel making the teeth vulnerable to sugars and bacteria that cause tooth decay.
• Early childhood decay is associated with regular consumption of sugary drinks in baby bottles or sipping cups.
• Tooth decay in the baby teeth or primary teeth leads to abscesses that can affect the permanent teeth developing inside the gums.

High levels of consumption of sugar-containing food and drinks and low exposure to fluoride are the causes of tooth decay. Children in deprived areas are more likely to have higher rates of decay than children from more affluent areas, although the impact of this seems to be mitigated in areas where the water is fluoridated.

Read the full story here

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/baby-teeth-and-how-look-after-them