Bruxism: No ordinary grind this
Ludhiana Newsline, India
Though it can occur even during waking hours, bruxism most frequently occurs while
we are in sleep. During sleep, the biting force can be up to six times greater than
the pressure during waking hours. Consequently, significant damage is much more likely
to occur with this night-time bruxism. It can lead to pain and cause damage
to gums and other oral structures such as facial muscles, headaches, and ear-aches.
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Aside from toothpicks, the next real advancement in dental gadgetry came in 1780,
which saw the appearance of the first toothbrush, with bristles wired into holes
bored into a bone handle. And then there was little more substantial change,
until the electric toothbrush, which mimics the motion your wrist makes
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Soft Drinks as Public Enemy #1
American Council on Science and Health (press release), NY
Soft drinks and dental caries:
It is the sticky sugars in food, not sugared liquids, that are particularly important
in promoting tooth decay. Parents concerned about preventing tooth decay should
(in addition to insisting on fluoridated water and professional fluoride treatments)
be aware of the impact foods such as raisins and dates
can have in promoting tooth decay - if consumption is not followed by tooth brushing.
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Environmental groups petition EPA to retract fluoride pesticide tolerances on food
Food Consumer, IL
Two national environmental organizations, Environmental Working Group and Beyond Pesticides,
joined today with the Fluoride Action Network in challenging the safety of new food tolerances
issued by the EPA for the fluoride based pesticide, sulfuryl fluoride.
This action marks growing concern among mainstream scientists and environmental
organizations that total exposure to fluoride, from water, food, and dental uses
like toothpaste and rinses,
is not safe for vulnerable populations, particularly young children.
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Whiten up
Honolulu Advertiser
An American Dental Association survey released last year ranked teeth whitening
as the most-requested procedure by patients 40 to 60 years old, according to dentists
nationwide.
But the procedure has proved popular among all ages, not just baby boomers,
thanks to makeover shows and late-night infomercials convincing viewers that whiter is better
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Ask the Expert
Globe Online
Q: I have a crown on one of my front teeth. Now this crown has a root canal.
I believe that this fake tooth is very fragile because my real tooth, the one
below the crown, is very thin and small. Now I want to get braces and I don't
know if my crown AND real tooth would be endangered of falling off because of braces.
If my real tooth does then I won’t have a front tooth AT ALL.
A: The answer to your question is that it depends. If your tooth is fragile and brittle then
it is not a good candidate for moving with braces. However, you should know that root canal
therapy and a crown does not mean it can't be moved in orthodontic therapy.
In fact I have read a study recently discussing placing brackets on a porcelain crown
and it worked just fine. I feel that you should go ahead and ask your treating doctors
about your concerns, and what they can do if a problem develops. For example,
if your tooth is lost, how can it be replaced. It may actually look and function
better removed and replaced.
If you move it you win, if your replace it you still win.
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Keeping Your Child's Teeth Healthy
KidsHealth.org
When Should I Start Caring for My Child's Teeth?
Proper dental care begins even before a baby's first tooth appears. Remember that just
because you can't see the teeth doesn't mean they aren't there. Teeth actually begin
to form in the second trimester of pregnancy.
At birth your baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are fully developed in the jaw.
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Risk of mad cow disease to dental patients investigated
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom
Health protection experts have said they are investigating whether the human
form of mad cow disease can be passed on through dental procedures.
Government scientists will use mice to discover whether they can catch variant
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) from contaminated dental instruments.
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