Tooth decay is a preventable condition that mostly affects children. Good oral hygiene is important in keeping the teeth healthy and free from cavities.

Key takeaways:

• Children should be supervised to brush teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice every day until seven years of age.
• The frequency and amount of sugary drinks and snacks should be reduced.
• Make regular visits to the dentist so that dental problems are detected early and treated.

Read the full story here

https://www.bda.org/public/sugar-and-children%E2%80%99s-oral-health-top-tips

Dental implants are emerging as a better option to dentures. The implants are inserted through a straightforward procedure in which a titanium screw is fixed to the jawbone. Several visits will be required to successfully insert the implant.

Key takeaways:

• Dental implants are now the preferred treatment for people with a missing tooth or a set of missing teeth.
• Implants are permanent, often attached with a titanium screw to the jawbone and can be worn without discomfort.
• Patients find it easy to maintain the implants compared to the dentures. The implants are also healthier to the gums and to the bone.

Read the full story here

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/31/health/31patient.html

Researchers have been feted for coming up with the regenerative dental fillings that are restorative. The regenerative dental fillings help the tooth to generate new pulp and dentin.

Key takeaways:

• The regenerative dental fillings have been described as a new dental paradigm for dental treatments.
• These fillings stimulate stem cells to grow new dentin which effectively lead to growth of new teeth.
• The restorative treatment makes use of therapeutic biomaterials that trigger this new application of stem cells

Read the full story here

http://www.newsweek.com/dental-fillings-heal-teeth-stem-cells-harvard-cavities-477415

Taking your cat for regular oral exams at the nearby veterinarian will prevent teeth grinding. Teeth grinding is a common problem for cats.

Key takeaways:

• Pain is the most common cause of teeth grinding in cats often due to bad alignment of teeth caused by overgrown fangs. The extrusion of the canines leads to misalignment of the jaw.
• Periodontal disease also called inflammatory gum disease or gingivitis affects 70 percent of cats over the age of 3 in the U.S.
• Mouth ulcers result from problems such as toxins, calicivirus, end stage kidney disease, pemphigus complex, thermal burns, and feline herpes and may cause teeth grinding.

Read the full story here

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2016/09/06/cat-teeth-grinding.aspx

By avoiding using the bathroom light when brushing teeth, you can help the body get to sleep more easily. Light disrupts the circadian rhythm affecting sleep patterns.

Key takeaways:

• � � � �Turning on the bathroom light to brush the teeth after having turned off all other lights in preparation for bedtime may affect the ability to fall asleep.
• Staying indoors during the day may knock off about 46 minutes from the amount of sleep you get at night. Indoor lighting provides 300 to 500 lux compared to 100,000 lux of a sunny day.
• Sleep is essential for repairing damaged tissues, clearing toxins, and restoring metabolic pathways.

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11966259/Brush-your-teeth-in-the-dark-to-help-sleep-says-Oxford-University-neuroscientist.html

Did you know that swimming pool waters can lead to browning of teeth? Chemicals used to treat pools cause brown staining on the teeth.

Key takeaways:

• Lemonade contains high amounts acid and sugar that are detrimental to dental health. The acid wear out the enamel on the teeth.
• Juices and smoothies can stain the teeth since they contain lots of vegetables and berries.
• Green teas may stain the teeth in a similar way to the black and brown teas albeit in a mild way.

Read the full story here

http://www.menshealth.com/health/surprising-teeth-stainers

Signs such as sore jaws, headaches and chipped teeth point to the problem of teeth grinding, or bruxism.

Key takeaways:

• Teeth grinding often occurs at night making it difficult for people to know if they are grinding.
• Stress is a major cause of bruxism. Exercise helps to alleviate stress and prevent teeth grinding.
• Wearing a custom-made mouth guard from the dentist will help prevent damage caused by grinding or clenching.

Read the full story here

https://sleep.org/articles/prevent-grinding-teeth/

Are you deciding whether to get braces or just get your teeth whitened? Here are a few factors to consider.

Key takeaways:

• � � � �Braces are available in different types: fixed braces, lingual braces and Invisalign braces that can be removed when eating and for cleaning.
• Braces can be worn for as long as two years to produce the desired correction.
• Teeth whitening is required immediately after the removal the braces since they cause discoloration.

Read the full story here

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/beauty/face/54-of-women-feel-so-conscious-of-their-teeth-that-theyre-conside/

Dentists recommend that people should steer clear of the following habits that damage their teeth.

Key takeaways:

Avoid chewing on ice, which is likened to chewing on rocks and may cause teeth chips or cracks.

Avoid drinking sports drinks as they contain acidic, chemical additives and sugars that cause dental health problems.

• Brushing immediately after meals could cause teeth problems. Highly acidic foods weaken tooth enamel hence brushing immediately easily wears out enamel. Wait for at least 45 minutes.

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http://www.menshealth.com/health/habits-you-should-avoid-for-healthy-teeth/slide/1

Dental implants are an excellent option to replace a missing tooth or teeth. In some cases, implants are used to secure a partial denture -- to stabilize it. However, people with chronic disorders such as diabetes or heart disease need a thorough medical checkup before getting dental implants.

Key takeaways:

• Dental implants have numerous advantages such as improved speech, improved smiles and appearance, better chewing, convenience and improved oral health.
• Dental implants have a success rate of about 98 percent.
• Patients who have healthy gums, enough bone, and are committed to oral hygiene qualify to have dental implants.

Read the full story here

www.webmd.boots.com/oral-health/guide/dental-implants