Implants or bridges can replace missing teeth
Munster Times, IN
Q: "I recently had a tooth removed. Do I need to replace it, and,
if so, should I get an implant or a bridge?"
A: After losing a tooth, it is generally very important to replace that missing
tooth to prevent teeth from shifting. Teeth that have shifted often create areas
that are difficult to keep clean, which can lead to periodontal (gum) problems and
decay (cavities). Additionally, teeth that have shifted may no longer fit together
properly, thus causing excessive wear, headaches and a host of other problems.
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The Claim: Thumb Sucking Can Lead to Buck Teeth
New York Times, United States
Most parents cringe at the sight of their children sucking their thumbs.
Bacteria and germs, of course, are one issue. But another concern is the
timeworn belief that thumb sucking can lead to the development of buck teeth,
a notion that despite its reputation as an old wives' tale is no exaggeration.
About 80 percent of infants and children suck their thumbs. The behavior is considered
normal during the first four years of life, driven by a natural desire that was at some
point probably essential to survival. But it starts to cause problems when continued
past a certain age.
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Herb Scene: Clove
Jackson Clarion Ledger, MS
Traditionally, this herb has been used to prevent dental pain. It also
has been used to treat mouth and pharynx inflammation.
Some unproven uses include internally for stomach ulcers and internally for
colds and headaches.
Indians were known to have used this herb for halitosis, toothache, eye disease,
flatulence and anorexia.
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Mouth Makeover
Des Moines Register
It wasn't that nobody was unhappy with their mouth before "Extreme Makeover."
But in the past, consumers didn't have much of an idea what could be done about
a little bit of crookedness or gumminess. Now they've seen their problems fixed on TV.
Snaggle smile to gorgeous grin in just a few minutes.
The actual process — going from flawed teeth to perfect veneers — is slightly more intense,
but faster than braces. And customers are ready to pay big bucks for what can be a dramatic
change in appearance.
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6 questions to ask a dental insurer
Bankrate.com
To get a good deal, you need to know exactly what you're buying. Here are six things to consider:
What's the annual cap on reimbursement?
Most policies, even those you get through an employer,
will put a cap on your annual reimbursement. This can be anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 a year,
says Evelyn Ireland, executive director of the National Association of Dental Plans.
What's the waiting period for various types of procedures?
"It will vary by company and by product," says Dennis McHugh, manager of dental benefit
information service and third-party issues for the American Dental Association.
Typically, companies will require you to be on the plan a year before major work is covered,
he says.
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Some people need antibiotics before getting dental work
News Journal
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I must take antibiotics before dental work. I cannot take penicillin,
sulfa or clindamycin. I have taken Cipro in the past but recently heard it can cause
sudden death. Erythromycin has also been in the news recently. What can I take?
What antibiotic has the fewest side effects?
I take probiotics every day for irritable-bowel syndrome. Do they affect antibiotics? - M.H.
ANSWER: Before having dental work where bleeding is likely, people with narrowed or
leaky heart valves take antibiotics to prevent bacteria from infecting those valves.
When released into the blood, bacteria home in on such valves to cause the serious
infection endocarditis.
Taking antibiotics before dental work keeps the blood free of bacteria.
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Teeth Whiteners Abound, but Which is Better - the Dentist's or the Store's
RedNova
Most tooth whitening products on the market use the same science: Peroxide bleach
that erases stains on tooth enamel.
Foods such as coffee, wine, chocolate and colas can stain enamel,
leaving a yellowish-brown tinge that outlasts brushing and even a dentist's polishing.
While bleaching technology has existed for decades, only in recent years have companies
created products consumers can use at home.
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Help Make Your Child's First Trip to the Dentist Painless
ABC News
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child's first dental
visit occur shortly after the first tooth pushes it's way into the mouth, usually
between the ages of six and twelve months. Though many general practitioners will
happily treat your child, another option is a pediatric dentist who specializes in
dentistry for kids and adolescents through the age of 18.
The first visit will generally familiarize child and family with the dentist and office,
but proper preparation for this visit begins long before the actual day of the appointment.
Indeed, your attitude directly influences your child's behavior. A parent who is anxious
about dentistry will often unknowingly transmit that fear to the child, creating a phobia
of the dentist before the actual visit and negative behavior at the appointment.
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Dental Q & A: Do you really need a root canal?
Summit Daily News
Q: What is a "root canal" and why is it necessary?
A: A "root canal" is a dental procedure used to save an injured or infected tooth.
This problem can appear due to deep dental caries (a large cavity), a fractured tooth,
a fractured root of the tooth or long-term wear on a tooth.
Typically, this leads to the inner part of the tooth, consisting
of the nerves and blood vessels (the pulp), becoming infected by bacteria.
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Repairing clefts early reduces the trauma and teasing some children experience
Salt Lake Tribune, United States
Cleft palate, with or without a cleft lip, is the fourth most common birth
defect in the United States, with one of every 1,000 newborns affected.
Experts believe the majority of clefts are caused by a combination of genetics
and environmental factors. Clefts are most common in Asians, and boys are more affected
than girls. They are more prevalent in white children than black children.
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