Diet and your kid's teeth
Health24.com, South Africa
Many parents are unaware of the impact that diet can have on the
oral health of their children. Food choices and eating patterns which are
established during childhood can affect one’s health and well-being for the rest of one’s life.
Ingested food is broken down by bacteria, producing acid. Foodstuffs that stick to the teeth
or dissolve slowly are more likely to produce acids that lower the oral pH.
This acid causes tooth enamel to dissolve and can lead to the formation of cavities.
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Start young for good teeth
Beijing Weekend, China
Forming good habits is very important for kids to have good teeth for life, according to
dental experts.
"If done before six years old, it is habit forming," revealed David Lee, dentist at the
Beijing United Family Hospital.
Those include teeth brushing, good eating habits and regular dental checkups.
Teeth brushing should start as early as when the baby is six months old,
when the teeth have just begun to grow. Parents can use gauze and special fingertip style
toothpaste, which is available at specialized children's stores.
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Worth a try for canker sores
Charlotte Observer, NC
A University of Washington School of Dentistry study found that topically applied
glycyrrhiza extract in contact with a mouth ulcer for at least 16 hours per day can
relieve pain and speed healing to one to three days. There is no numbing or unpleasant taste.
The disc can be left in place while eating and can be swallowed.
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Cancer therapies during childhood can damage developing teeth
Eurekalert.org
Research published by the University of Helsinki, Finland, indicates that cytostatic
and radiation therapies administered before stem cell transplantation often damage
children's permanent teeth.
Detrimental effects of cytostatic and radiation therapies on dental development have
been known for a long time, but knowledge about the dental consequences of high-dose
anticancer therapy preceding stem cell transplantation has so far been scarce.
Päivi Hölttä, Licentiate in Dentistry, from the Institute of Dentistry, University
of Helsinki, has studied the effects of high-dose anticancer chemotherapy and total
body irradiation on the development of permanent teeth.
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No changes needed in third molar recommendations: ADA
ADA News
Third molar research getting recent media attention advances dentistry's message on the
importance of good oral health and leaves practice recommendations unchanged regarding
wisdom teeth, the Association said Sept. 20.
While the research suggests that individuals who keep their wisdom teeth might be more
likely to develop periodontal disease in that area of the mouth, it is premature to
speculate that gum disease in these instances might lead to other health problems,
said the ADA press statement. The ADA statement and information about wisdom teeth
and other oral health topics are available in the Your Oral Health content area of ADA.org.
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Special Report: 'Meth mouth' tells 'devastating' story
ADA News
"Meth mouth" is more than a story of rampant tooth decay, though it is dramatically that.
"It's just devastating," Dr. Brett Kessler said of the sequelae of methamphetamine use
described as "meth mouth" by dentists who've seen and treated it. "It's a scary smile."
Dr. Kessler tells of patients pulling their own rotting teeth before they get to treatment
and patients so grateful for their care they go public in TV interviews to say thank you,
doctor. "One patient would get high and pull his own tooth and if that was painful he'd
get high again to kill the pain."
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Mechanism regulating tooth shape formulation found
Innovations Report, Germany
One of the remaining challenges for evolutionary developmental studies of mammals,
whose evolution is best known from their teeth, is how their tooth shape is altered
during development. Researchers of the University of Helsinki together with their
Japanese colleagues from the University of Kioto now propose a ‘balance of induction’
mechanism directing the placement of tooth shape features called cusps.
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Low-Carb Diets Can Cause Bad Breath
WebMD
Low-carb diets may be good for your waistline, but you might not be able to say
the same for your breath.
Low-carb lifestyle junkies are more likely to suffer from a seldom discussed side
effect of such diets -- halitosis, aka bad breath. And since more than 25 million people
say they have tried the Atkins diet (not to mention other low-carb eating plans),
according to the National Marketing Institute, bad breath may be an epidemic!
Read more
Health Tip: Why is My Mouth Dry?
HealthDay News
Dry mouth used to be considered a normal symptom of aging.
However, it's now clear that dry mouth is often a side effect of certain medications --
such as antihistamines, heart drugs and pain killers -- according to the Maryland Department
of Health and Mental Hygiene. A decrease in hormones in postmenopausal women can also
lead to dry mouth.
A lack of saliva causes food and bacteria to remain in the mouth for longer periods,
which can lead to more plaque and cavities.
While there is no cure for dry mouth, you can get relief by drinking water,
using saliva substitutes, using a humidifier or nasal spray, and by avoiding caffeine,
alcohol and tobacco products.
Toothbrush care
HealthDay News
Your child's most important tool for preventing tooth decay and cavities
is his or her toothbrush, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia reminds us.
Here are some pointers for toothbrush selection and care:
When shopping for a toothbrush, select about three appropriate styles and then let
your child choose the one he or she likes most.
Make sure your child cleans his toothbrush thoroughly after each use, and stores
it in a dry place.
Change your child's toothbrush every three months, or sooner if the bristles become
bent or stiff.
If your child gets sick, replace the toothbrush after he's recovered.
