Following extraction of teeth or treatment for gum disease, bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream causing "infective endocarditis" which affects the heart's valves. So extra precautions are needed before working on your smile.

You might need antibiotics if:

-�You have had any form of heart surgery including valve replacement or transplant
-�You have any heart defects or heart conditions
-�You have had any joint surgery or joint replacement

You can still enjoy a perfect smile, just make sure that you discuss your medical history before treatment.
"Talk to your dentist about whether or not you should receive antibiotics before your procedure".

Read more:

http://yourdentalhealthresource.com/when-to-receive-antibiotics-before-dental-treatment/

Physical activity is important for a fit and healthy body as well as mental well-being. However, a Swedish study in 2014 has highlighted the increased risk of damaged teeth and dental erosion faced by athletes. From the report, it would seem that extra oral care is needed if we are not to jog our way into the dentist?s surgery.
On the bright side, there are a few simple steps that can be taken to protect our teeth and smile:

- Remain Hydrated. Drink plenty of water before any physical exercise and top up during the workout and after to assist in the production of saliva.

- Reduce Sugar. Replace sweet drinks with sugar-free mints or chewing gum as sugar encourages the growth of bacteria.

- Brush and Floss. Brushing and flossing is a good idea after a strenuous workout.

Following these basic guidelines will avoid most problems and give you reason to smile. As cosmetic dentist Dr. Jessica Emery points out ?Oral hygiene is something everyone needs to take seriously? and you can read more at

https://www.yahoo.com/beauty/the-unexpected-way-running-affects-your-teeth-92637973678.html.

It is a little-known fact that dental cavities are one of the most common childhood diseases. Young children are prone to suffering from cavities. Yet the disease is almost totally preventable.

From the youngest infant right up to adolescence, proper care of the teeth and gums is essential if problems are to be avoided. Following some simple guidelines will ensure your child has good reason to smile.

- �Infants. After feeding, a baby?s mouth should be gently wiped out with a warm, moist cloth and babies should never be put to bed with a bottle. Even if your child exhibits no signs of discomfort a visit to the dentist should be scheduled within the first twelve months.

- Toddlers. Teeth should be brushed twice a day with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Sugary drinks are to be avoided with small amounts of fresh juice or water a far better alternative. Similarly, snack foods and cookies should be substituted with fruit, vegetables, cheese and nuts. Regular visits to the dentist are extremely important during this time and should be scheduled for every six months.

- Older Children. Educating your child in the correct way to brush and floss is key to avoiding cavities and other dental problems. Spend time showing your child how it is done properly and offer encouragement not criticism. The reward of a beautiful smile makes the effort worthwhile.

?Putting the proper procedures in place at an early age will avoid problems further down the line.?

You can read the full article here:

http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2017/feb/12/thoughtful-parenting-february-national-childrens-d/.

Your smile can affect your confidence level. It is the first thing that people see on you. A damaged smile will therefore lower your sense of confidence.

Key takeaways:

- Teeth whitening will get rid of the yellow or slightly brown color on your teeth -- to give you a bright white smile

- Get dental implants to replace teeth that have fallen out. Implants are the best choice compared to dentures.

- Dental bonding will deal with chipped or uneven teeth to ensure a great smile.

Dental crowns are another great choice for improving your smile?these are best for broken teeth or teeth that have unusually large cavities.

Read the full story here

http://yourdentalhealthresource.com/its-never-too-late-to-improve-your-smiles-appearance/

Care for your dental implants is straightforward but requires consistency. After all, you want to maintain your nice smile and enjoy the natural look for many years.

Key takeaways:

- After getting dental implants, carefully follow your dentist?s instructions.

- Clean your implants by brushing gently with a soft bristled brush. Do not forget to floss.

- Flossing around the implant should be diligent to ensure that food trapped between the crown and implant is removed.

Taking care of dental implants is simple, but requires that you remain consistent in your care. Your dentist can help navigate your care once your dental implants are complete.

Read the full story here

http://yourdentalhealthresource.com/how-to-best-take-care-of-your-new-dental-implants/

Mouthguards have a bad reputation as being bulky and uncomfortable. While store-bought mouthguards may be inexpensive, they do not fit well.

Key takeaways:

- Custom mouthguards fit much better, and effectively reduce discomfort and damage to the teeth.

- Custom mouthguards enhance protection of every tooth.

- An poor-fitting mouthguard will affect your breathing, especially when participating in sport. A custom-fitted mouthguard works much better.

"With custom-fitted mouthguards, the discomfort is gone, the protection is there, and you can breathe better. This is because this mouthguard was made specifically for you."

Read the full story here

http://yourdentalhealthresource.com/custom-mouthguards-are-they-really-worth-it/

New research findings reveal that tooth loss could predict how long you are going to live. Tooth loss has been associated with how bad you're taking care of your health.

Key takeaways:

- Those people who still have their entire set of teeth at 74 years of age are most likely to reach the ripe age of 100 years.

- Stress, including lifestyle choices, social and emotional stress, chronic diseases, and genetic disorders were identified as the major factor behind tooth loss.

- Tooth loss has many causes -- smoking, trauma or poor oral hygiene. Gum disease is another cause, and is closely linked to heart disease, diabetes and other chronic health problems.

Read the full story here

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/living/510746/how-the-number-of-teeth-youve-lost-can-determine-how-long-you-will-live/

All manner of health issues have been linked to poor oral hygiene. Failure to brush your teeth twice every day may affect cardiac health.

Key takeaways:

- Bad breath is a complete turn-off. Build up of plaque when you fail to brush will cause foul breath.

- When you don't brush adequately and skip flossing, you increase risk of coronary heart disease. The bacteria in the mouth will find their way into the bloodstream causing damage to the heart?s vessels.

- Ensure that you brush your teeth twice every day for about two minutes to maintain good oral hygiene.

According to dentists, skipping the twice daily cleanse can lead to all sorts of health issues such as loose teeth, bleeding gums and even coronary heart disease.

Read the full story here

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4159486/This-happens-don-t-brush-teeth.html#-/web/topics/268450464-1485702545189

Teeth serve many different functions such as chewing and speech. Some unhealthy habits may affect the health of your teeth and how they function.

Key takeaways:

- All-day snacking on sugary foods encourages growth of plaque bacteria and places the teeth at the risk of cavities

- Overly enthusiastic brushing of teeth may cause the erosion of tooth enamel leading to sensitivity.

- Nail biting is bad for your teeth and jaws. It could lead to chipped teeth.

Bruxism poses a serious health risk ? ask your dentist to check your teeth and gums for any signs of clenching, as this condition can go undetected.

Read the full story here

http://m.health24.com/health24/Medical/Oral-health/Dental-care/are-these-habits-ruining-your-teeth-20170120

With the help of Yorkshire Wildlife Park rangers, vets and firefighters to lift the bear onto a makeshift operating table, a polar bear?s teeth were all checked for any problems.

Key takeaways:

- The dental checkup was necessitated after keepers in the park noted that a tooth, one canine, was of different color.

- The dental checkup of all the 42 teeth and an x-ray took about two hours.

- The procedure was well planned and the bear has made a full recovery and the findings showed nothing was amiss.

We could see that one of Victor�s canine teeth looked a slightly different colour to the rest of his teeth so we wanted to investigate and it was an opportunity to give him a full MOT.

Read the full story here

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/moment-polar-bear-in-yorkshire-visited-dentist-for-checkup-helped-by-nurses-and-firefighters-a3448921.html