Dental Hygiene News and Research

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Inadequate saliva and fluoride can contribute to tooth decay

Tooth enamel is tough, harder even than skeletal bone. But even with good dental hygiene, the enamel protecting teeth may show signs of decay in older adults. The January issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter covers what to look out for and what to do to promote an enamel-friendly setting in the mouth. According to the newsletter, two significant contributors to tooth decay are too little saliva and inadequate fluoride.

18 Jan 2010

Oral health care critical for pregnant women and infants

Most pregnant women in America don't see their dentists for important oral health care nearly as often as recommended, which can cause ongoing health problems for both mother and her baby.

19 Dec 2009

Roundup of health policy research and analyses

Urban Institute/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: What Would Health Care Reform Mean for Small Employers and Their Workers? - "Small employers and their workers face a broad assortment of barriers to obtaining health insurance coverage today," such as "high administrative costs, limited ability to spread health care risk, and a low-wage workforce."

18 Dec 2009

Tips for healthy living for the year ahead

Whether you are a vegetarian, vegan, carnivore or pescetarian, vegetables should be a central part of your diet. Often referred to as a "protective food," dark green foods provide essential vitamins and nutrients to your body that protect you from many of life's worst diseases.

17 Dec 2009

New study suggests mercury-based dental fillings may be less toxic than previously thought

A new study on the surface chemistry of silver-colored, mercury-based dental fillings suggests that the surface forms of mercury may be less toxic than previously thought. It appears online in ACS' journal Chemical Research in Toxicology.

10 Dec 2009

Researchers identify gene expression and biological pathways for healing gingivitis

Gingivitis, which may affect more than one-half of the U.S. adult population, is a condition commonly attributed to lapses in simple oral hygiene habits. However, a new study shows that development and reversal of gingivitis at the molecular level is apparently much more complicated than its causes might indicate.

8 Dec 2009

Root canal treatment: Pennsylvania Dental Association answers patients' questions

You're visiting the dentist for what you think is a routine checkup and cleaning when he or she says you need a root canal. Though it's a term you've probably heard before, now that you're the one in the chair, you may have several questions and feel apprehensive about your upcoming procedure.

13 Nov 2009

Research team sheds new light on mercury-containing dental fillings

Amid the on-going controversy over the safety of mercury-containing dental fillings, a University of Saskatchewan research team has shed new light on how the chemical forms of mercury at the surface of fillings change over time.

10 Nov 2009

IDF clinical guidelines emphasize the importance of periodontal health for people with diabetes

New clinical guidelines released by the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) emphasize the importance of periodontal health for people with diabetes. Diabetes affects approximately 246 million people worldwide, and this number is only expected to increase. The IDF is an organization of 200 national diabetes associations from 160 countries.

4 Nov 2009

Oral health-care tips for Halloween

It's that time of year again when kids look forward to indulging in candy and sweets - and parents begin to fret about the damage all that sugar does to their children's teeth. But the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) says that with a few simple oral health-care tips and practices, kids and parents alike can enjoy Halloween.

29 Oct 2009

Bad breath can be treated

All of us have experienced bad breath at some point. However, suffering from chronic bad breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing and affect your self-esteem and relationships with family, friends and coworkers. The good news -- bad breath is often preventable and easily treated.

12 Oct 2009

United Concordia Dental helps to provide $400,000 in free dental services to nearly 2,800 people in need

United Concordia Dental, one of the nation's largest dental insurers, has helped provide more than $400,000 in free dental services to nearly 2,800 people in need since the beginning of the year.

9 Oct 2009

National public education campaign to protect children's teeth

Brushing, flossing and staying away from sugary treats are the standard steps most parents take to prevent cavities in their children's teeth. It's good advice - but it's not all they need to know to keep their children's teeth healthy.

7 Oct 2009

Health educator stresses the importance of sinus cleansing

With fall allergy season underway and Americans concerned about keeping their family safe from H1N1 and other flu viruses, health educator and fitness trainer Isabella "Betti" Jones is urging Americans to take a proactive, natural approach to staying healthy - the important step of daily sinus cleansing.

6 Oct 2009

Dental plaque increases neutrophil activity in black males

Will neglecting to brush your teeth damage more than just your smile? Can failing to attack dental plaque increase your risk of heart damage?

25 Sep 2009

Survey of American children's oral health released

While a majority of Americans rate their children's oral health as "excellent," there are clear gaps in understanding of basic oral health procedures and actual behavior.

15 Sep 2009

Dentists recommend healthy foods for children’s oral hygiene

You wouldn’t send your children to school with a lunchbox full of candy bars, but you might be packing almost as much sugar when you send them off with some popular lunchtime classics. Considering most children brush their teeth in the morning and before bed, the sugar they put in their mouths at lunchtime could stay there for a while, and that worries some dentists.

4 Sep 2009

Philips launches a new power toothbrush for kids

American children miss more school days each year due to dental related problems than any other two diseases combined.(1) As parents help their kids prepare for back-to-school, they can help kids learn effective tooth brushing habits for a lifetime of good oral health with the new Philips Sonicare For Kids power toothbrush.

28 Aug 2009

Governor Schwarzenegger’s successful public private partnerships to help 2,000 students gain employment in the healthcare field

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s successful public private partnerships under the California Nurse Education Initiative and the Governor’s Allied Health Initiative will continue to expand and implement academic programs within the health care professions beginning August 2009.

28 Aug 2009

Prolonged consumption of sports drinks may be linked to erosive tooth wear

While sipping on sports drinks all day may provide an energy boost, this popular practice is also exposing people to levels of acid that can cause tooth erosion and hypersensitivity, NYU dental researchers have found.

6 Apr 2009