Tag: dentist

If you think your teenager is grinding their teeth while they sleep you may want to ask them if they are being bullied. Key takeaways: – A recent study in Brazil showed that young teens being verbally bullied at school are more likely to grind their teeth at night than teens not being bullied –…

Having a dry mouth can damage your teeth. Without adequate saliva food debris can get stuck between teeth and form plaque while harmful acids attack the enamel on your teeth. Key takeaways – Sip water regularly to keep hydrated – Let your dentist know what medications you take because some can cause dry mouth –…

We all know we should brush and floss daily in order to keep our teeth in good order. However, we sometimes abuse our teeth in ways that we shouldn’t. Lauren McGrath has listed eight common mistakes we all make that are detrimental to oral health and infuriating for your dentist. – Not flossing daily –…

‘Dry socket’ is a painful condition which can occur after the removal of wisdom teeth and the exposed nerves and bone become infected. The first symptom of a dry socket is pain which should be discussed with your dentist as soon as possible. Other signs of a possible dry socket include: – Bad odour from…

During recent years, questions have been raised about the use of antibacterial mouthwashes, due to a risk of killing off healthy bacteria from the tongue. Although antibacterial toothpastes don’t have as much contact with the tongue, there are differing opinions as to whether they are good for our overall health. When “good” bacteria are killed,…

Opioids are quite commonly used by as an anaesthetic during the removal of wisdom teeth and other surgical procedures. They can also be prescribed as a painkiller following surgery but there is a small risk of patients becoming addicted to the drugs. Opioids are addictive drugs and must be monitored and regulated carefully. Many dentists…

The idea that mucus in the nose could be beneficial to health has led researchers to investigate artificial mucus, which may play an important role in protecting teeth from decay. Key takeaways – Mucus stops bacteria clinging to teeth which causes cavities – Artificial mucus with beneficial proteins could be added to toothpastes in the…

If you’re waking up with a headache or a tender jaw you could be grinding your teeth while you’re asleep. Key takeaways: – Teeth grinding can result in tooth fractures and long-term problems such as arthritis – Stress, exhaustion or medical conditions such as sleep apnea can lead to teeth grinding – Overuse of tobacco,…

A recent study, presented at The 2017 International Liver Congress in The Netherlands, has demonstrated a potential link between periodontitis and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. Key takeaways: – Gum/teeth health was assessed in 184 patients with liver cirrhosis – Severe periodontitis was associated with higher risk of early death, even when adjusted for…