Dental Education – Articles

What Causes My Bad Breath?
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is breath that has an unpleasant odor. This odor can strike periodically or be persistent, depending on the cause.
Courtesy www.colgate.com

FDA Sets 2009 Deadline to Reclassify Dental Amalgam
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has set a deadline for its reclassification of dental amalgam as part of a settlement between the FDA and the consumer group Moms Against Mercury.
Courtesy www.ada.org

Infective Endocarditis
For decades, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommended that patients with certain heart conditions take antibiotics before dental treatment. This was done with the belief that antibiotics would prevent infective endocarditis (IE). The AHA’s latest guidelines recommend that most of these patients no longer need short-term antibiotics as a preventive measure before their dental treatment. Read more >>
Courtesy www.ada.org

Whitening Your Not-So-Pearly Whites
Your pearly whites not so pearly anymore? That can happen to any of us, for any number of reasons. The good news is that you don't have to live with a smile you're less than happy with. Tooth whitening can restore your teeth to their earlier brightness. But given the number of options and the cost and time involved with each one, how do you know which one is right for you? Read more >>
Courtesy www.webmd.com

Diabetes and Periodontal Disease
If you have diabetes, you know the disease can harm your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other important systems in the body. Did you know it can also cause problems in your mouth? People with diabetes have a higher than normal risk of periodontal diseases. Read more >>
Courtesy www.webmd.com

Flossing And Brushing May Be Good For Your Brain
Following a dentist's advice may not seem like the most likely way to protect the brain, but according to research presented at a meeting in New Orleans, flossing and brushing may help prevent strokes. Read more >>
Courtesy www.webmd.com

Moms-To-Be, Brush Up: Good Oral Health Important During Pregnancy
I was three months pregnant when my dentist sent a postcard reminding me of my annual checkup and cleaning. I immediately called to cancel; I was working full-time, feeling exhausted and still suffering from morning sickness. I was constantly at the doctor's office. I had no time. My teeth could wait, right? Wrong.

Pregnancy is a bad time to skip a dental checkup, according to experts. I learned this firsthand when, a month after the missed appointment, my mouth started bleeding during brushing. Cause for alarm? Perhaps. An infection in the mouth can set off a chain of events resulting in a premature birth, putting the health of the unborn baby at serious risk. In fact, women with gum disease are six times more likely to deliver early than women with healthy gums... Read more >>
Courtesy www.cnn.com

Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General
In addition to a lack of awareness of the importance of oral health among the public, the report found a significant disparity between racial and socioeconomic groups in regards to oral health and ensuing overall health issues. Based upon these findings, the Surgeon General called for action to promote access to oral health care for all Americans, especially the disadvantaged and minority children found to be at greatest risk for severe medical complications resulting from minimal oral care and treatment. Read more >>
Courtesy www.surgeongeneral.gov

A Reason to Remove Tonsils?
About 4.4 million children have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Since 1991, the number of prescriptions to treat the condition has increased by 500%. Now there may be another treatment option: removing the tonsils and/or adenoids of ADHD sufferers. Read more >>
Courtesy www.parade.com