The use of toothpaste dates back to 500 BC with the ancient Greeks who used iron rust and coral powder to clean their teeth. They would chew on twigs and use them as toothbrushes.

Key takeaways:

- Take great care of your dental health as it's related to your overall health.

- A third of the tooth is found beneath the gums. The gums should be thoroughly cleaned to avoid dental problems.

- Tooth decay may be responsible for the yellow color of tooth enamel. The yellow shade is not only caused by coffee and other foods.

Plaque contains millions of bacteria, made up of 200 to 300 different species. The main culprit for poor tooth health is Streptococcus mutans, which converts sugar and other carbohydrates into the acids which eat away at your teeth.

Read the full story here

http://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/things-you-didnt-know-about-your-teeth#1

Bad breath has many different causes. Some foods people eat may contribute to bad breath; of course, inadequate oral hygiene is a problem.

Key takeaways:

- Consume 8 to 10 glasses of water every day to help the flow of saliva and to keep mouth and tongue moist.

- Crunchy, high-water-content vegetables and fruits -- such as cucumber and watermelon -are effective in dislodging bacteria from teeth.

- Smoking is bad for your breath. It will not only turn the lips grey and pale, but the buildup of nicotine and tar will cause bad breath.

Cut out the coffee. To beat the smell, have water or a slice of fruit to neutralize the bad odor.

Read the full story here

http://www.indiatimes.com/health/healthyliving/6-easy-ways-to-get-rid-of-bad-breath-naturally-250794.html

Teeth that are sensitive to cold is a big concern since it limits people in the number of food that they want to enjoy. It may be caused by many different factors that may require the attention of a dentist.

Key takeaways:

• Plaque buildup on the teeth destroys tooth enamel leading to cavities. Cavities can be prevented by brushing with fluoride toothpaste.
• Stained teeth are a big cosmetic concern for many people. Smoking, foods, trauma and medication can all cause teeth staining.
• Hyperdontia refers to the presence of too many teeth in the mouth. The problem can be treated by removing the extra teeth.

Read the full story here

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/ss/slideshow-tooth-problems

Dogs can be trained to understand human feelings and intuition. Jojo, a comfort dog, has been used in a dentistry clinic to help young patients.

Key takeaways:

• Jojo works as a comfort dog that has been helping out at a dentistry clinic.
• Jojo?s work is to cuddle and comfort nervous children who anxious of getting dental treatments.
• Jojo has been in high demand to offer the services even though the dog has limited time to spend at the clinic.

Read the full story here

http://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/self/meet-jojo-the-comfort-dog-who-helps-calm-anxious-children-down-at-a-dentist-s-clinic-252925.html

Talk therapy address anxiety and helps people to understand that their fears may reappear. In so doing, people will be able to face their fears and surmount them.

Key takeaways:

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) helps people to acquire the necessary skills to face their fears such as fear of injections. It is a short-term treatment that involves between 6 and 10 sessions.
• People with dental phobias avoid visiting the dentist and are likely to have cavities and other dental problems.
• CBT is more effective in combating dental phobia than use of sedation since it has a long lasting impact.

Read the full story here

http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/talk-therapy-tackle-fear-dentist/

Tooth whitening can take on average 30 minutes to an hour. For effective results, you may require a number of sessions spread out over several weeks to get a bright white beautiful smile that is many shades whiter.

Key takeaways:

• Teeth staining or discoloration may be caused by the aging process, smoking, tartar, or by drinks and foods such as coffee and red wine.
• Professional teeth bleaching at the dentist?s office is the most common form of teeth whitening. Laser whitening is a new, quicker, and more effective option.
• Tooth whitening may have side effects such as tooth sensitivity, sore throat and pain along the gum line.

https://www.dentalhealth.org/tell-me-about/topic/cosmetic-dentistry/tooth-whitening

Common signs of oral cancer include difficulty chewing, irritation and soreness, a lump, pain, and tenderness. People should be on the lookout for any of these symptoms and should visit a dentist if any symptom is observed.

Key takeaways:

• People who smoke and consume alcohol excessively are at the greatest risk of oral cancer.
• The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) has been found to cause cancer of the oropharyngeal region, the base of the tongue and the tonsils.
• Regular dental visits for checkups will help to identify symptoms of oral cancer at an early stage and treatment commenced early enough.

Read the full story here

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/oral-cancer

It is estimated that 8.3 percent of Americans who suffer from diabetes are also at greater risk for tooth loss. This is especially true for diabetes patients who are 50 years and older.

Key takeaways:

• People suffering from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes had on average ten missing teeth upon oral examination.
• Diabetics were also at high risk of edentulism which is the total loss of teeth. Diabetics have a 28 percent greater risk of being toothless.
• High blood sugar levels were found to disrupt the delivery of nutrients and the removal of waste from gum tissue leading to periodontitis and eventually tooth loss.

Read the full story here

http://www.prevention.com/health/diabetes/tooth-loss-side-effect-diabetes

People with diabetes should check for painful, bleeding or inflamed gums. Gum disease has been found to adversely affect the regulation of blood sugar.

Key takeaways:
� High levels of blood glucose cause problems for the teeth and the oral cavity because it promotes growth of harmful bacteria.

� Uncontrolled blood sugar is therefore linked to a greater risk of gum disease.

� Serious periodontal disease on the other side has a high potential of causing the progression of diabetes.

Other dental complications related to uncontrolled diabetes include thrush, an oral fungus, and dry mouth, which can cause sores and ulcers. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, the better you control your blood glucose, the lower your risk is for periodontitis.
Read the full story here
http://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/symptoms/why-dental-problems-make-it-hard-to-control-blood-glucose/

Do you sip your coffee and feel shooting pain in your teeth? Your problem is tooth sensitivity, often caused by habits such as chewing on ice and aggressive brushing.

Key takeaways:

• Brush your teeth gently using a soft-bristled toothbrush twice every day. You should use short strikes following the up and down movement.
• Rinse your mouth with fluoride mouthwash after brushing to protect teeth from cavities and tooth decay.
• Stay away from highly acidic foods and drinks such as citrus fruits and citrus fruit-based juices that will cause enamel erosion leading to sensitive teeth and tooth decay.

Read the full story here

http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/dental-health/8-ways-relieve-tooth-sensitivity/#09