One of the first things to know are the signs of when a baby is starting to teethe. In most cases these signs will become apparent before the tooth breaks though and will normally cause the most pain.

Although teething can vary the signs include:

1) Swollen or red gums where the tooth is coming through.

2) Redness on the cheek or the side of the mouth

3) Disturbed sleeping pattern.

Other noticeable signs may include

1) Dribbling,

2) Desire to bite on objects and for the child to put things in their mouth.

However, there are a range of safe products available, which can help ease the pain and misery of teething. Such as special teething gels, for even greater relief put teething rings and gels into the fridge, the cold will help to numb pain.

As with any medicine or device however people should always check the label and read the instructions. If there are any doubts it is best to check with a dentist, doctor or health visitor.

The British Dental Health Foundation is looking to educate the public on good oral health due to the study that discoved severe gum disease could be linked to an increased risk of head and neck cancer cases caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

The study1 found patients with HPV-positive tumours had significantly higher bone loss, a key factor in the development of severe gum disease, compared with patients with HPV-negative tumours.

Latest figures suggest more than 6,000 people in the UK suffer from oral cancer2, while almost 2,000 lives are lost to the disease. HPV is a growing cause of the disease, with experts suggesting it may rival tobacco use as the main cause of oral cancer within 10 years. Other risk factors for developing the disease include tobacco use, drinking to excess and poor diet.

The significance of the research is compounded by the fact more teeth are lost through periodontal (gum) disease than through tooth decay.

Experts from King’s College London have warned that cases of permanent nerve damage caused by dental implants could rise further if steps are not taken to address risks and prevent injury.

Researchers from the King’s College London Dental Institute carried out a case review of 30 dental implant patients who were referred to a specialist nerve injury clinic at King’s College Hospital, part of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.  The findings, published today in the British Dental Journal, reveal that patient consent and information, pre-operative planning and appropriate post-operative referral were inadequate in this patient group. The team has used these findings to make recommendations for clinicians to improve practice.

Due to the following media attention regarding a change in the way the provision of NHS orthodontic care for children in Scotland is determined, a debate concerning the financing of children’s dental care in the country is being requested by the British Dental Association (BDA).  The change will see the eligibility of children in the Scotland for NHS orthodontic care determined by criteria called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN).The move will bring Scotland in line with arrangements already in place in other areas of the UK.

Regardless of what type of dental insurance plan you may or may not have, finding the right dentist is one of the first factors you will want to take into account.  Even more so if you are on a tight budget. Make sure to shop out your dentist.  You want to compare not only the cost for dental services but compare other factors such as: Location, Staffing, Friendlessness, Education, Referrals and even how clean the dental office is. Having low cost dental care does not mean you should not have the best dentist for your dental needs.  Finding the right dentist for you may take some time but it is well worth the effort you put forth.

At the beginning of 2010, as many as 17 percent of children in the United States were reported as having special health care needs. Behavioral issues, developmental disorders, cognitive disorders, genetic disorders and systemic diseases may increase a child’s risk of developing oral disease, according to an article published in the May/June 2010 issue of General Dentistry. For a child with special health care needs, special diets, frequent use of medicine and lack of proper oral hygiene can make it challenging to maintain good oral health.

“By the time these children are 12 months old, they should have a ‘dental home’ that will allow a dentist to administer preventive care and educate parents about good oral health habits tailored to fit their child’s needs,” says Maria Regina P. Estrella, DMD, MS, lead author of the article.

There is a new field of dental therapists that may be changing dental care for those in need.  With nearly 17 million children are not getting proper dental care. Some of the reason are dental care cost is too high for many families, as well as many dentists do not accept Medicaid nationwide. In 2009 there were 830,000 visits to emergency rooms for dental problems that could have been prevented with proper preventive dental care.

With the Affordable Health Care law more children will become eligible for dental care. One expert said, taxpayers will benefit from fewer trips to the hospital. Better dental care also could improve school attendance. For example, in just California more than half a million children missed school in 2007 because of dental problems.

California and other states are searching for new ways to help meet the demand, including the use of dental therapists. However, many dentists do not agree with that decision.  They say dental therapists do not have enough education and training to perform surgical procedures such as filling cavities or pulling teeth.

In 2005 Alaska became the first state to use dental therapists. Minnesota authorized the new profession in 2009. The first graduates of their dental therapy programs began practicing last year.

California, New Hampshire, Oregon and Connecticut are considering creating programs for dental care therapists.

According to the review authors, led by Theodorus (Dirk) G. Mettes of the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center in the Netherlands, wisdom teeth—third molars that typically make an appearance when individuals are between age 17 and 24—often fail to break the gum line, or do so only partially. These so-called impacted wisdom teeth have the potential to cause a host of problems, including swelling or ulceration of the gums around these teeth, cysts or tumors, and damage, decay, or disease in the second molars. However, many people can go their entire lives without these teeth causing any problems.

A wedding is a wonderful day that you want to have a perfect smile for. With all the family photos that will be taken having a beautiful smile is important. So in between the appointments for dress alterations, floral arrangements and reception details, schedule a dental visit as well.

For basic dental cleaning and whitening treatment plan to make the dental appointment at least two months prior to the wedding. However if major dental work is required then make sure you provide the needed time to have your teeth fixed prior to the wedding.  Such as if you want to straight crooked teeth braces can take up to two years.  Or if you want implants you need to give yourself time to heal.  Keep these dental tips in mind before the big date.

Did you know that more teeth are lost due to gum disease then though tooth decay.  Gum disease can strike anyone who neglects their oral hygiene or eats a poor diet. People with alcoholism, malnutrition, or AIDS/HIV infection or who are being treated with steroid drugs or certain cancer chemotherapies have a higher risk of gum disease. Women with tooth or gum problems are also more likely to give birth to premature babies.  Seeing a dentist regularly and proper dental care habits are important in reducing your risk of gum disease and tooth loss.

If you ever had your teeth whiten you may know the trick about drinking stain-able drinks such as coffee though a straw in order to maintain you newly whiten teeth.
However, drinking sodas, sports/energy drink and juices though a straw is also a good idea in order to help protect your tooth enamel.

Many of those types of drinks contain acids, such as citric and phosphoric, that can erode dental enamel, even if they are diet or sugar-free versions. By drinking though a straw you can position it toward the back of mouth limiting the contact the drinks have with your teeth.  Therefore helping  to preserve the tooth enamel.

Cosmetic dental services includes such procedures as:  Whitening, bonding, veneers, reshaping and contouring. Dentists can also use a variety of methods to correct misshapen or crooked teeth. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or plastic that are cemented over the front of teeth, and bonding is the use of tooth-colored material to fill in gaps or change the color of teeth. Tooth reshaping or contouring are used to alter the length, shape or position of teeth and are ideal for patients with normally healthy teeth seeking subtle changes in their smile.

Teeth are one of the first things that many people notice. Having bad teeth can effect not only your oral health but your confidence.    General dentists are able to perform a variety of cosmetic procedures to help improve your smile. These procedures can range from subtle changes to major repairs, fixing flaws such as discolored, chipped, misshapen or missing teeth.

Green and Black teas contain polyphenols, antioxidant plant compounds that prevent plaque from adhering to your teeth and help reduce your chances of developing cavities and gum disease.    Christine D Wu PhD, who has conducted several studies on tea and oral health care, states tea also has potential for reducing bad breath odor because it inhibits the growth of the bacteria that cause the odor.  Many teas also contain fluoride (from the leaves and the water it’s steeped in), which helps protect tooth enamel from decay.

Cosmetic dental care can be costly and is normally not covered under many dental insurance plans. When making the step to have cosmetic dental services choosing the right dentist is very important.

You want to make sure the dentist you choose is skilled in cosmetic dentistry. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry advises that you ask the dentist for the following.  Any before and after photos of other patients dental treatments done by the dentist.  This is normally provided on the practice website.
Ask for references and make sure the dentist can provide proof of continuing education.

Another helpful tip is to use review sites such a Yelp, Angie’s List. Google, Yahoo and Facebook are also ways to find out more about the cosmetic dentist in question.
 

Dental Crowns or caps as they use to be called are used as a cover for a tooth to restore it the tooth to its normal shape and appearance.  Crowns are also sometimes used to if a tooth that had root canal or very large cavities

New mom to a  three week old.  I was told it is important to take care of babies gums before their teeth start coming in.  I seen dental wipes but a work friend told me about Spry Dental Defense System Tooth Gel I was wondering if any one had any review or opinions if this is a good product to use.  My fried said it is easy to use and better then toothpaste.

Dental bonding is tooth-colored material which can be used to fill in gaps or change the color of teeth. Dental bonding normally requires only a single office visit. Although dental bonding can lasts several years, it is more susceptible to staining or chipping than other forms of restoration.

Bonding can also is be used as a tooth-colored filling for small cavities. Additionally, it can be used to close spaces between teeth or cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape.

Under many dental insurance plans bleaching or teething whitening may not be covered, since many dental insurance plans will not provide benefits for cosmetic services.
Bleaching or teeth whitening can be normally be performed by your dentist in the their office or under dental supervision, at home.  Generally your dentist will create a custom mouthpiece to ensure the correct amount of whitening solution is used and that your teeth are properly exposed. Typically, whitening at home takes two to four weeks, depending on the desired shade you wish to achieve. Whitening in the office may call for one or more 45-minute to one-hour visits to your dentist’s office.

It is important that people with diabetes pay extra attention to their oral health care and that their dentist know that they are diabetic.  Studies have shown that those with diabetes are more susceptible to the development of oral infections and periodontal disease than those who do not have diabetes. In addition, oral infections tend to be more severe in people with diabetes than in those who do not have the condition.