Good oral hygiene reduces bacteria levels in the mouth, which reduces risk of bacterial pneumonia.

Key takeaways:

• Previous research established a connection between pneumonia and oral health.
• � �Numerous microbes (bacteria, viruses) in the mouth are beneficial, but under certain conditions may lead to diseases.
• Pneumonia-causing bacteria are inhaled, and regular dental cleaning will help eliminate these bacteria.

In her presentation, Dr. Doll acknowledged that people who see their dentist regularly are also likely to practice other healthy-mouth behaviors (like brushing and flossing regularly). They may also have healthier behaviors in general, which might affect their pneumonia risk, as well.

Read the full story here

http://www.health.com/oral-health/teeth-cleaning-pneumonia-risk

Coconut oil swilling can be traced back thousands of years in Indian medicine. The treatment has gained popularity in recent time but does is it actually work?

Key takeaways:

• Coconut oil is thought to pull out toxins from the mouth as these particles adhere to the fat and are then spat out.
• Coconut oil was put to the test against sugar-free chewing gum to find out which of the two is the best in fighting off plaque.
• Coconut oil was found to make the teeth dirtier and caused an increase in the levels of plaque in the entire mouth.

We're looking at a few of the ridiculous myths that are out there and trying to delve into them, and figure out what the truth is. The idea is to empower people to be a bit more knowledgeable about their own health.

Read the full story here

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3866922/Can-coconut-pulling-REALLY-perfect-smile-Bake-s-Tamal-puts-beauty-treatment-beloved-listers-including-Gwyneth-Paltrow-test.html

Teeth from recently excavated fossils carry much information. Advances in technology have ensured that tooth isotopes can be extensively studied to learn more about our ancestors.

Key takeaways:

• Teeth are preserved very well when fossilized and hold lots of information in the form of isotopes. Newer and more advanced techniques have helped to study teeth.
• Thick enamel on the molars indicates that they were used for crushing foods such as grinding seeds or crushing the marrow out of bones.
• Dental microwear refers to the marks left behind by food on teeth that result from food particles being dragged across and pressed into our teeth.

Teeth from more recent fossils reveal more because they have more isotopes preserved in them. For example, the nitrogen in the teeth of Neanderthals can reveal whether the protein they ate came from plants or animals.

Read the full story here

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/10/25/497094756/dental-detectives-what-fossil-teeth-reveal-about-ancestral-human-diets

The holiday season is drawing near along with the party spirit. Watch out for certain foods to ensure your teeth remain healthy.

Key takeaways:

• Spinach, kale and other green vegetables are good for healthy teeth. They require more chewing which helps to release more saliva that washes the teeth.
• Avoid too much citrus foods such as oranges, lemons, and lime which are highly acidic and cause tooth enamel erosion. Citrus fruits can be enjoyed with large meals to limit damage to the teeth.
• Candy should be avoided due to the high sugar content that fuels bacterial activity in the mouth.

In general, you don?t need to deprive yourself of your favorite fall and winter treats to maintain a healthy mouth ? just be sensible. ?You can eat anything in moderation,? says Dr. Messina. ?And make sure you brush twice a day, floss once a day, and see your dentist regularly.?

Read the full story here

www.everydayhealth.com/hs/dental-health/fall-winter-seasonal-foods-pictures/

Stress is known to cause headaches and stomachaches. Stress will also adversely affect oral health in a big way.

Key takeaways:

• Foul mood caused by stress may cause people to skip routine oral healthcare tasks such as brushing and flossing. Stress also causes poor eating habits that lead to poor oral health.
• Stress causes cold sores and mouth ulcers since it leads to compromised immunity.
• Teeth grinding is closely associated with stress and will cause damage to teeth.

Stress can lead to depression, and depressed patients, according to research, have twice the risk of an unfavorable outcome from gum disease treatment compared to those who are not depressed.

Read the full story here

www.webmd.boots.com/oral-health/guide/how-stress-affects-your-oral-health

Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or all of the teeth. If you?ve worn dentures, a dental implant can make those dentures more secure ? so they become like your natural teeth.

Key takeaways:

• Dental implants are the next best thing to having your own teeth, as they look and feel natural.
• Implants can replace a single tooth, several teeth or all your teeth.
• A dental implant can make dentures more secure, so they are like your natural teeth.

The dental implant, typically made of titanium, serves as the replacement for the tooth root ? the very foundation of a natural tooth. Because it is placed in the jawbone and fuses with your natural bone, the dental implant forms a sturdy base for your replacement teeth.

Read more:

http://www.aaid-implant.org/about-dental-implants/what-are-the-benefits-of-dental-implants-over-other-treatments/

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