Were you aware that baby teeth contain "growth rings"? Although a dentist cannot detect these structures, they may be important when predicting the developmental condition autism. What have scientists uncovered and why might these findings be important?
- Growth rings within infant teeth contain traces of zinc and copper.
- These two elements are thought to be related to autism.
- Abnormal levels of either could be early signs of this condition.
"As kids develop in the womb and throughout early childhood, a new tooth layer is formed every day."
Check out additional information here:
https://consumer.healthday.com/cognitive-health-information-26/autism-news-51/baby-teeth-give-clues-to-autism-s-origins-detection-734271.html

Anaesthesia like novocaine help numbs pain during oral surgery or teeth extraction procedures. However, different people react differently to the anaesthesia. So, how long will your numbness last?

Main takeaways:

- If you have a tooth infection, you'll be less sensitive to novocaine.
- The dose administered depends on the size of the site, duration of the procedure and the number of nerves being numbed.
- The dentist can make numbness last longer by combining using epinephrine.
People with serious medical conditions like heart disease and hypertension shouldn't use epinephrine.

Read more here:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321880.php

While visiting the dentist is always wise, there are several steps which a parent can take in order to safeguard their infant against gum disease. What are three straightforward suggestions to keep in mind?

- Be on the lookout for common symptoms such as redness, bleeding or swollen gums.

- Learn to know the differences between teething and gum issues.

- Clean the gums with a damp cloth after every feeding.

"If your baby has teeth, use a tiny toothbrush with a tiny amount of toothpaste to gently brush their tooth or teeth."
See what other dentists have to say:
https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/can-infants-suffer-from-gum-disease/

Countless individuals suffer from sleep apnea and as a result, their teeth and gums can become damaged over time. The good news is that there are a number of effective treatment options at your disposal. What are the three professional suggestions which may be recommended?

- Continuous positive airway machines have often been used to treat sleep apnea.

- Sleep appliances can also be available.

- These appliances slightly modify the position of your jaw in order to keep your airway open.
"Your dentist can help treat your sleep apnea through oral sleep appliances."

Learn more about treatment options below:

https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/how-does-a-dentist-diagnose-sleep-apnea/

Your dentist or surgeon might suggest using an ice pack following this standard surgical procedure, especially for the first few hours.

Key takeaways:

- It can take between one and two weeks to recover fully.
- The length of the recovery period depends on the difficulty of the surgery.
- If stitches were necessary to close a gum incision, your dentist usually removes them seven days later.
Mild or moderate painkillers will help to alleviate occasional post-operative discomfort after having wisdom teeth out.

See more advice from a dentist:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321657.php

Accidents will happen and children’s teeth are susceptible to becoming chipped, cracked, loosened or even lost. If your child should have the misfortune to damage a tooth it is important to remain calm and act quickly.
A dentist should be consulted straight away to assess the extent of the damage. A swift response can make the difference between saving or losing the damaged tooth.

For baby teeth:

- A dentist can often easily realign the tooth
- Delaying treatment makes realignment more difficult
- Untreated loosened baby teeth may grow crooked

If your child damages a tooth you should “call your dentist instead of the emergency department” and you can read more at https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-to-do-if-your-child-chips-loosens-or-loses-a-tooth/.

Your dentist will advise that flossing is an important part of your dental hygiene routine. It is important to floss to ensure you remove all bits of food debris from between your teeth. It is also important to floss correctly.
Here are some things to know about flossing:

- You should use about 15-18 inches of new floss each session
- Flossing should take about five minutes
- Ideally, it is best to floss before brushing

Your teeth should not bleed when flossing if you floss regularly. Either you are flossing too aggressively, or you have gum disease. See your dentist regularly to get advice on bleeding gums. You may need treatment for gum disease.
"It only needs to be done once a day, unlike brushing, and can help prevent bad bacteria from getting stuck between your teeth and causing problems."
Read more about how to correctly floss your teeth here https://yourdentalhealthresource.com/how-can-i-know-if-im-flossing-correctly/

Do you notice that your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth? If so, you might be suffering from the early stages of gum disease (called gingivitis). Gingivitis can lead to a more severe condition called periodontal disease which can cause loose teeth - and can affect your overall health.
What are reasons why your gums might bleed?
-  You could be flossing incorrectly, or perhaps you have not flossed for a very long time.
- A toothbrush with hard bristles can irritate the gums.
- Your dentist can instruct you on proper brushing and flossing techniques to removal dental plaque and prevent gingivitis.
”Make an appointment with your dentist if you think you might have gingivitis.”
Check out other warning signs here:
http://www.health.com/oral-health/oral-symptoms#91e274f6-0309-4f45-89fc-0efbd737ab40

Dental problems like mouth ulcers, enamel erosion, and dry mouth can indicate underlying health problems.

Key takeaways:

- A sudden increase in cavities, a dry mouth and oral thrush could indicate diabetes.
- Excessive enamel erosion may be linked to acid reflux.
- Severe gum disease has been associated with many conditions, even heart disease.

Your general health and oral health are closely related. See a dentist for regular check-ups and ensure that any problems are identified quickly.
"Problems with your gums, teeth, and tongue can hint at health concerns deeper in the body..."
Read the full article:
http://www.health.com/oral-health/oral-symptoms#91e274f6-0309-4f45-89fc-0efbd737ab40

White spots on the gums could be caused by something as simple as failing to brush your teeth properly. In most cases these white spots or patches will quickly disappear or can be easily treated by a dentist. However, if the spots fail to clear up after a few days they could be indicative of a more serious underlying health problem.
These more serious conditions include:

- Leukoplakia - mostly benign patches caused by smoking and tobacco
- Canker sores - mouth ulcers
- Oral cancer
- Oral thrush - an infection caused by the Candida fungus.

In the case of oral thrush, it may be necessary to consult a doctor who may prescribe an antifungal medication to cure the condition. Persistent white spots or patches on the gums should be seen to by a dentist and you can find out more at https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321454.php.