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Articles on Dental health

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Gum disease progresses slowly over a period of 20 to 30 years before the teeth are lost. from shutterstock.com

Periodontitis: why we need a vaccine for gum disease

Chronic gum disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss in people over 30 years old, and affects 10 to 15% of the population on average.
Toothpaste helps remove plaque to prevent decay and gum disease. kikovic/Shutterstock

Health Check: how to choose toothpaste

Choosing a toothbrush is relatively simple. But how on earth do you decide between the 50-odd toothpastes on the supermarket shelves?
While flossing may not be fun, it is still good for you. From www.shuttertock.com

The flossing flap: Mind your dentist, and floss every night

Millions smiled last week when it was reported that there’s no evidence to support the flossing of teeth. A dentist sees it differently and suggests we continue the practice.
A man receives dental treatment at Care Harbor LA, a free medical clinic in Los Angeles, California, October 31, 2013. Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

The cavity in health insurance coverage: oral health

The absence of comprehensive dental care exacts a toll on millions of Americans in terms of poor health, pain and the social stigma associated with bad teeth.
Be careful which gum you chews: some sugar-free gums are bad for your teeth thanks to acids that cause tooth erosion. Amy Messere/Flickr

Health Check: is chewing gum actually good for your teeth?

A recent study found sugar-free products can be just as damaging to your teeth as sugar because many of them contain acid that causes tooth erosion. But what about sugar free gum?
All dentists should be practising evidence-based dentistry for the sake of their patients. John Dill/Flickr

‘Holistic’ dentistry: more poppycock than panacea?

Holistic dentistry claims to promote overall wellness rather than simply treating disease. But the lack of evidence for the alternative therapies underpinning it are cause for concern.
Good teeth often correlates with good health. But one in five over-65s have lost all their teeth. m01229/Flickr

How to fill the gaps in Australia’s dental health system

An Aussie smile is an instant indicator of socioeconomic status, employability and self-esteem. It’s also a predictor of physical health. So it’s shocking that Australians’ dental health has not improved…

Gum disease linked to chronic health problems

Researchers have found that treating gum disease (periodontal disease) may reduce heart disease, diabetes and other conditions…
Most gum disease is preventable through good dental hygiene. Inside and Out/Flickr

Health Check: why do my gums bleed and should I be worried?

Bleeding gums are very common but that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. They’re usually a sign of gum (periodontal) disease. If treated in its early stages, periodontal disease can be easily reversed…
The burden of pain and discomfort, disfigurement and disability from dental decay is very large in Australia. Pete Simon

Stopping fluoridation imperils Queenslanders’ dental health

Mandatory water fluoridation introduced by the former Queensland government is being rolled back by some local councils, which have been given the power to decide whether to continue with the public health…
Fluoridated water is the best drink option for children, but a new study has found many are consuming sugary drinks instead. Wouter van Doorn

Study supports calls for soft drink health warning

Soft drink health warnings should include advice on the risk of tooth decay, say researchers from the University of Adelaide, after another large study connected sugary drink consumption and tooth decay…
Obesity, over-diagnosis, the NDIS, vaccinations and open access for genetic information were just some of the issues covered in 2012. Kylie May; shutterstock.com; Morberg; Pranjal Mahn

2012, the year that was: Health + Medicine

It promised to be a full year of reforms: pokies legislation, front-of-pack food labels and a dental system that doesn’t cost those in need an arm and a leg. But while we did see cigarette companies forced…
Fluoridated water protects against the tooth decay from acid produced by bacteria in the mouth. T. Faltings

How fluoride in water helps prevent tooth decay

The most effective way to prevent tooth decay is delivered to most Australian homes every day through their water pipes. It is, of course, fluoride distributed via the water supply. Dental decay occurs…
You can save an adult tooth that has been knocked out, but you need to act quickly. Fotologic

Monday’s medical myth: knocked-out teeth are history

It’s common enough for a tooth to be knocked out on the footy field, in the playground, during a fight, or even a fall. The blood, shock and pain can easily cause you to panic but, as with most things…
With limited support for public dental care, most Australians bear the open-ended costs of high-expense treatments. massdistraction

Moving beyond patchwork reform for dental health

The Commonwealth’s government’s $4bn Dental Reform package, announced last week, promises to address many current inequities in access to dental care. It has been praised for its potential to reduce dental…

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