Skipping Brushing Teeth At Bedtime?

"Good oral health cannot be maintained by brushing once a day as each brushing session has a specific purpose.  Brushing first thing in the morning coats the tooth's enamel with fluoride to strengthen and protect the tooth surface against acid attacks throughout the day,” Dr Nigel Carter.

According to recent research, approximately a half of the population (a bit more than 47%) mentioned regularly skipping brushing their teeth at bedtime.

"Brushing last thing at night removes the deposits which have built up from eating and drinking during the day, in addition to removing plaque; the cause of gum disease.  The last brush of the day also coats the teeth with fluoride, which is not washed away through eating and drinking, it continues to protect the tooth's surface during sleep," advised Dr Carter.

Lollipops Reduce Tooth Decay?

According to a recent study, sugar-free lollipops containing licorice root extract, reduce the bacteria that causes tooth decay.  Specifically in preschool aged children with a high-risk of tooth decay.

The study was published by the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, funded by the Research and Data Institute of the affiliated companies of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, New Mexico and North Carolina.

The researchers analyzed 66 preschool students ages 2 - 5 who were given a lollipop for 10 minutes twice daily for three weeks.  The results showed a significant reduction in Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans.)

Government Intervention Required On Whitening Products?

In order to resolve concerns about the position trading standards, officers are adopting in relation to the supply of teeth whitening products.  The British Dental Association is seeking an urgent meeting with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Stuart Johnston, Chair of the British Dental Association's Representative Body, said,

"The recently changed approach to the supply of whitening products, and particularly the impact the investigation being undertaken in Essex is having, is a significant concern for patient safety.  This must be addressed as a matter of urgency and the previously adopted low-key approach to supply to dental professionals reinstated.  A significant body of evidence demonstrates the safety of whitening products when used by trained dental professionals.  We urge trading standards officers to adopt a pragmatic approach that recognizes this and puts patient safety first."

AAP and CPS Recommendations on Dental Care

In a new policy statement, "Early Childhood Caries in Indigenous Communities," were provided recommendations for the prevention of dental disease in young children and pregnant women.

AAP and CPS recommendations are as follows:

• Use well-child visits to educate parents and caregivers of infants and children on proper oral hygiene and diet.
• Promote supervised use of fluoridated toothpaste in all indigenous and other high-risk children after the first tooth has erupted.
• Provide pregnant indigenous women access to prenatal screening for dental health, and referral for dental care if needed.

Caries Among Indigenous Children

A recent research study in the United States and Canada showed that early childhood tooth decay is one of the most common infectious diseases amongst indigenous children.

In a new policy statement, "Early Childhood Caries in Indigenous Communities," were provided recommendations for the prevention of dental disease in young children and pregnant women; as early childhood tooth decay also results in additional adverse health effects.

Despite the fact that proper oral health for mothers and their babies is promoted starting from the prenatal period, and continues as children enter school, as unlikely as it may seem, in some Canadian indigenous communities, over than 90% of children have tooth decay.

Tooth Decay Among Indigenous Children of U.S. and Canada

Not long ago we told you that one of the most common infectious diseases among indigenous children of the United States and Canada is early childhood tooth decay.  The James Irvine's statement claiming that "The influence of early childhood caries on overall childhood health and well being goes well beyond the mouth, and many of our indigenous children have not benefited fully from the many advances to improve oral health in North American children," stresses the need for indigenous children to have access to early oral health care.

"Many physicians continue to view early childhood caries as a dental problem to be treated by dentists," noted Steve Holve, MD, FAAP, another co-author.

Rapid Prototyping Comes To Dentistry

Have you ever thought of what would happen if your dentist could quickly scan your jaw and "print" your new teeth using a rapid prototyping machine?  Instead of waiting days or weeks for a cast to be produced and prosthetic dental implants to be made?

Good news!!  Iranian researchers have recently explained “how medical imaging, coupled with computer-aided design could be used to create a perfect-fit blueprint for prosthetic dentistry.”

Dental Helpline To Reassure Public?

Besides the fact that the British Dental Health Foundation is an independent UK charity that offers free and impartial advice on dental issues to the public; it also runs the Dental Helpline, which advises the public to get in touch in case a patient is concerned about his rights or the cost(s) involved while receiving NHS dental treatment.

Chief Executive of the BDHF, Dr. Nigel Carter, stated that, "Dispatches has highlighted some of the concerns experienced by many people about UK dental care.  Whilst some of the programme's content was very disappointing for the image of dentistry, the main loser could be the public if they choose to delay or cancel their treatment because of concerns like charges.”

The Foundation cares about the services patients can expect from their NHS dentist, as well as their rights and the cost(s) of treatment.