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Yes, you do need to clean your tongue. Here’s how and why

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dileep-sharma-1562149">Dileep Sharma</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a> Has your doctor asked you to stick out your tongue and say “aaah”? While the GP assesses your throat, they’re also checking out your tongue, which can reveal a lot about your health. The doctor will look for any changes in the tongue’s surface or how it moves. This can indicate issues in the mouth itself, as well as the state of your overall health and immunity. But there’s no need to wait for a trip to the doctor. Cleaning your tongue <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21797979/">twice a day</a> can help you check how your tongue looks and feels – and improve your breath. <h2>What does a healthy tongue look like?</h2> Our tongue plays a crucial role in eating, talking and other vital functions. It is not a single muscle but rather a muscular organ, made up of eight muscle pairs that help it move. The surface of the tongue is covered by tiny bumps that can be seen and felt, called papillae, giving it a rough surface. These are sometimes mistaken for taste buds – they’re not. Of your 200,000-300,000 papillae, only a small fraction contain taste buds. Adults have up to 10,000 taste buds and they are invisible to the naked eye, concentrated mainly on the tip, sides and back of the tongue. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uYvpUl7li9Y?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> A healthy tongue is pink although the shade may vary from person to person, ranging from dark to light <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24600-tongue-color">pink</a>. A small amount of white coating can be normal. But significant changes or discolouration may indicate a disease or <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/tongue-problems-2">other issues</a>. <h2>How should I clean my tongue?</h2> Cleaning your tongue only takes around 10-15 seconds, but it’s is a good way to check in with your health and can easily be incorporated into your teeth brushing routine. You can clean your tongue by gently scrubbing it with a regular toothbrush. This dislodges any food debris and helps prevent microbes building up on its rough textured surface. Or you can use a special <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26865433/">tongue scraper</a>. These curved instruments are made of metal or plastic, and can be used alone or accompanied by scrubbing with your toothbrush. Your co-workers will thank you as well – cleaning your tongue can help combat <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24165218/">stinky breath</a>. Tongue scrapers are particularly <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15341360/">effective</a> at removing the bacteria that commonly causes bad breath, hidden in the tongue’s surface. <h2>What’s that stuff on my tongue?</h2> So, you’re checking your tongue during your twice-daily clean, and you notice something different. Noting these signs is the first step. If you observe any changes and they worry you, you should talk to your GP. Here’s what your tongue might be telling you. White coating Developing a white coating on the tongue’s surface is one of the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31309703/">most common changes</a> in healthy people. This can happen if you stop brushing or scraping the tongue, even for a few days. In this case, food debris and microbes have accumulated and caused plaque. Gentle scrubbing or scraping will remove this coating. Removing microbes reduces the risk of chronic infections, which can be transferred to other organs and cause <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41368-022-00163-7">serious illnesses</a>. Yellow coating This may indicate oral thrush, a <a href="https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/oral-thrush-adults">fungal infection</a> that leaves a raw surface when scrubbed. Oral thrush is <a href="https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2008/1001/p845.html">common</a> in elderly people who take multiple medications or have diabetes. It can also affect children and young adults after an illness, due to the temporary <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7636666/">suppression of the immune system</a> or <a href="https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=candidiasis-in-children-90-P01888">antibiotic</a> use. If you have oral thrush, a doctor will usually prescribe a course of anti-fungal medication for at least a month. Black coating Smoking or consuming a lot of strong-coloured food and drink – such as tea and coffee, or dishes with tumeric – can cause a furry appearance. This is known as a <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17918-black-hairy-tongue">black hairy tongue</a>. It’s not hair, but an overgrowth of bacteria which may indicate poor oral hygiene. Pink patches Pink patches surrounded by a white border can make your tongue look like a map – this is called “<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/geographic-tongue/symptoms-causes/syc-20354396">geographic tongue</a>”. It’s <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/geographic-tongue/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354401">not known</a> what causes this condition, which usually doesn’t require treatment. Pain and inflammation A red, sore tongue can indicate a <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003047.htm">range of issues</a>, including: <ul> <li>nutritional deficiencies such as folic acid or vitamin B12</li> <li>diseases including <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22377-pernicious-anemia">pernicious</a> anaemia, <a href="https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/kawasaki_disease/">Kawasaki disease</a> and <a href="https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/health-a-to-z/scarlet-fever">scarlet fever</a></li> <li>inflammation known as <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560627/">glossitis</a></li> <li>injury from hot beverages or food</li> <li>ulcers, including cold sores and canker sores</li> <li><a href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/burning-mouth">burning mouth syndrome</a>.</li> </ul> Dryness Many medications can cause dry mouth, also called xerostomia. These include antidepressants, anti-psychotics, muscle relaxants, pain killers, antihistamines and diuretics. If your mouth is very dry, it may hurt. <h2>What about cancer?</h2> White or red patches on the tongue that can’t be scraped off, are long-standing or growing need to checked out by a dental professional as soon as possible, as do painless ulcers. These are at a <a href="https://oralcancerfoundation.org/cdc/premalignant-lesions/">higher risk</a> of turning into cancer, compared to other parts of the mouth. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36852511/">Oral cancers</a> have low survival rates due to delayed detection – and they are on the rise. So <a href="https://youtu.be/Y6QkKhEjS5M">checking your tongue</a> for changes in colour, texture, sore spots or ulcers is <a href="https://www.dhsv.org.au/oral-health-programs/oral-cancer-screening-and-prevention">critical</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/237130/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dileep-sharma-1562149">Dileep Sharma</a>, Professor and Head of Discipline - Oral Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/yes-you-do-need-to-clean-your-tongue-heres-how-and-why-237130">original article</a>.

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You’re probably brushing your teeth wrong – here are four tips for better dental health

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/clement-seeballuck-583867">Clement Seeballuck</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-dundee-955">University of Dundee</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nicola-innes-388237">Nicola Innes</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-dundee-955">University of Dundee</a> We all know the advice for healthy teeth – brush twice daily and don’t eat too much sugar. So why do those of us following these instructions find we sometimes need a filling when we visit the dentist? The truth is, there’s a little more to preventing tooth decay than these guidelines suggest. Here’s what you need to know. <h2>Brush up on your skills</h2> How you brush makes a big difference. The mechanical act of brushing removes the very sticky dental plaque – a mixture of bacteria, their acids and sticky byproducts and food remnants. It forms naturally on teeth immediately after you’ve eaten but doesn’t get nasty and start to cause damage to the teeth until it reaches a certain stage of maturity. The exact amount of time this takes isn’t known but is at least more than 12 hours. Bacteria consume sugar and, as a byproduct, produce acids which dissolve mineral out of the teeth, leaving microscopic holes we can’t see. If the process isn’t stopped and they aren’t repaired, these can become big, visible cavities. Taking two minutes to brush your teeth is a good target for removing plaque and you should brush at night and one other time daily. Brushing frequently stops the bacteria developing to a stage where the species which produce the most acid can become established. Electric toothbrushes can be <a href="https://www.cochrane.org/CD002281/ORAL_poweredelectric-toothbrushes-compared-to-manual-toothbrushes-for-maintaining-oral-health">more effective than manual brushing</a> and a small toothbrush head helps to reach awkward areas in the mouth, while medium-textured bristles help you clean effectively without causing harm to gums and teeth. The main thing, however, is to get brushing! <h2>Use fluoride toothpaste and disclosing tablets</h2> Most of the benefit from brushing comes from toothpaste. The key ingredient is fluoride, which evidence shows <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD002278/full#CD002278-abs-0003">prevents tooth decay</a>. Fluoride replaces lost minerals in teeth and also makes them stronger. For maximum benefit, <a href="https://www.cochrane.org/CD007868/ORAL_comparison-between-different-concentrations-of-fluoride-toothpaste-for-preventing-tooth-decay-in-children-and-adolescents">use toothpaste with 1350-1500 ppmF</a> – that’s concentration of fluoride in parts per million – to prevent tooth decay. Check your toothpaste’s concentration by reading the ingredients on the back of the tube. <a href="https://theconversation.com/childrens-toothpaste-the-facts-80508">Not all children’s toothpastes are strong enough</a> for them to gain maximum benefit. Your dentist may prescribe higher strength fluoride toothpaste based on their assessment of your or your child’s risk of tooth decay. Plaque is difficult to see because it is whitish, like your teeth. Disclosing tablets are available in supermarkets and chemists and they make plaque more visible, showing areas you may have missed when brushing. <h2>Spit, don’t rinse</h2> At night, you produce less saliva than during the day. Because of this, your teeth have less protection from saliva and are more vulnerable to acid attacks. That’s why it’s important to remove food from your teeth before bed so plaque bacteria can’t feast overnight. Don’t eat or drink anything except water <a href="https://www.sign.ac.uk/assets/sign138.pdf">after brushing at night</a>. This also gives fluoride the longest opportunity to work. Once you’ve brushed, don’t rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash – you’re washing away the fluoride! This can be a difficult habit to break, but can <a href="https://www.sign.ac.uk/assets/sign138.pdf">reduce tooth decay by up to 25%</a>. <h2>No more than four ‘sugar hits’</h2> Intrinsic sugars are found naturally in foods like fruit and they are far less likely to cause tooth decay than added or <a href="https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/nutrition/sugar-salt-and-fat/free-sugars">free sugars</a>. Free sugars are generally those added to foods by manufacturers but also include honey, syrup and fruit juices. These are all easy for bacteria to consume, metabolise and produce acids from. However, it can be difficult to tell which are the worst sugars for teeth. For example, although normal amounts of fruit are fine, fruit juices have sugar liberated from the plant cells and heavy consumption can cause decay. <a href="http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/guidelines/sugars_intake/en/">The World Health Organization</a> and <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/food-and-diet/how-much-sugar-is-good-for-me/">NHS</a> recommend free sugars should ideally make up less than 5% of your daily calorie intake. So what does this look like? For adults and children over about 11 years old, this is around 30g – about eight teaspoons – of sugar daily. A 330ml can of Coke has <a href="https://www.coca-cola.co.uk/drinks/coca-cola/coca-cola">35g of sugar</a>. The <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.phe.c4lfoodsmart&hl=en_GB">change4life app</a> is helpful to track how much sugar you consume in your diet. Although not as important as how much, how often you eat sugar also matters. Simple carbohydrates like sugar are easier for bacteria to digest than proteins or complex carbohydrates. Bacteria produce acids after they metabolise sugar which causes demineralisation. Fortunately, through the actions of fluoride toothpaste and the remineralising effects of saliva, your teeth can recover from the early stages of these attacks. It’s like having a set of scales – trying to keep the balance between sugars on one side, fluoride toothpaste and cleaning on the other. Typically, your teeth can be exposed to four “sugar hits” – episodes of sugar intake – daily without irreversible damage to the teeth. Why not try counting how many sugary hits you have a day? This includes biscuits, cups of sugary tea or coffee and other snacks with refined carbohydrates like crisps. A simple way of cutting down would be to stop putting sugar in hot drinks and limiting snacking. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, spit don’t rinse, eat and drink nothing after brushing, and don’t have sugar more than four times daily. Easy!<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/103959/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/clement-seeballuck-583867">Clement Seeballuck</a>, Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Dentistry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-dundee-955">University of Dundee</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nicola-innes-388237">Nicola Innes</a>, Professor of Paediatric Dentistry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-dundee-955">University of Dundee</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/youre-probably-brushing-your-teeth-wrong-here-are-four-tips-for-better-dental-health-103959">original article</a>.

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Dental staff fired for mocking cancer patient’s private diary

Shocking video has emerged of two dental staff reading a cancer patient's private diary aloud while laughing and mocking her concerns. The video which captured the American employees at Premier Dental Group (PDG) of Knoxville laughing as they read the private diary entries was captioned: "Found a patients journal and now it's story time lmao." The footage was reportedly filmed by another staff member who could be heard giggling throughout the video, according to the New York Post. A woman in black scrubs was filmed reading passages from the diary to others in the room and describing the radiation treatments the worried patient faces. Another woman was sitting cross-legged on the office floor and listening intently, a male employee was also in the room but he did not intervene or join in with the women. It’s not clear how staff obtained access to the patient’s private journal, or why they decided to read it. The video sparked outrage across social media, with Premier Dental Group of Knoxville having to share an apology on Facebook acknowledging the incident. "Premier Dental Group of Knoxville is aware of a recent incident involving an inappropriate video created and shared by some of our employees that addressed an individual’s medical condition in a disrespectful and unprofessional manner.” “We deeply regret this incident and the hurt [it] has caused,” they wrote in the statement which has now been deleted. A spokesperson for PDG confirmed to the New York Post the female employees involved in the incident were fired “effective immediately”. After an investigation it was determined that the male employee in the video did not participate and kept his job. “We are committed to maintaining a respectful and professional environment for everyone, and we will continue to take necessary actions to uphold these standards,” the practice said. Images: news.com.au

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Eating leafy greens could be better for oral health than using mouthwash

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mia-cousins-burleigh-1201153">Mia Cousins Burleigh</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-west-of-scotland-1385">University of the West of Scotland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/siobhan-paula-moran-1506183">Siobhan Paula Moran</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-west-of-scotland-1385">University of the West of Scotland</a> Over half the adult population in the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26052472">UK and US</a> have gum disease. Typical treatments include <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61912-4">mouthwash</a> and in severe cases, <a href="https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/vetn.2017.8.10.542">antibiotics</a>. These treatments have side effects, such as dry mouth, the development of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30967854/">antimicrobial resistance</a> and increased <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61912-4">blood pressure</a>. But research has indicated that a molecule called <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69931-x">nitrate</a>, which is found in leafy green vegetables, has fewer side effects and offers greater benefits for oral health. And it could be used as a natural alternative for treating oral disease. Inadequate brushing and flossing leads to the build up of <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69931-x">dental plaque</a>, a sticky layer of bacteria, on the surface of teeth and gums. Plaque causes tooth decay and gum disease. Sugary and acidic foods, dry mouth, and smoking can also contribute to bad breath, tooth decay, and gum infections. The two main types of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontitis. <a href="https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/etm.2019.8381">Gingivitis</a> causes redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums. <a href="https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/etm.2019.8381">Periodontitis</a> is a more advanced form of gum disease, causing damage to the soft tissues and bones supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can therefore, lead to tooth loss and, when bacteria from the mouth enter the bloodstream, can also contribute to the development of <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/bdjteam2015163">systemic disorders</a> such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. <h2>Leafy greens may be the secret</h2> Leafy greens and root vegetables are bursting with <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666149723000312">vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants</a> – and it’s no secret that a diet consisting of these vegetables is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight, boosting the immune system, and preventing <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2048004016661435">heart disease, cancer and diabetes.</a> The multiple health benefits of leafy greens are partly because spinach, lettuce and beetroots are brimming with <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69931-x">nitrate</a>, which can be reduced to nitric oxide by nitrate-reducing bacteria inside the mouth. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7zrRlMGeBes?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption>Popeye knew a thing or two about the health benefits of eating leafy greens. Boomerang Official, 2017.</figcaption></figure> Nitric oxide is known to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006295222004191">lower blood pressure</a> and improve <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0243755#:%7E:text=Nitrate%2Drich%20beetroot%20juice%20offsets,healthy%20male%20runners%20%7C%20PLOS%20ONE">exercise performance</a>. However, in the mouth, it helps to prevent the overgrowth of bad bacteria and reduces <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0243755#:%7E:text=Nitrate%2Drich%20beetroot%20juice%20offsets,healthy%20male%20runners%20%7C%20PLOS%20ONE">oral acidity</a>, both of which can cause gum disease and tooth decay. As part of our research on nitrate and oral health, <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0243755#:%7E:text=Nitrate%2Drich%20beetroot%20juice%20offsets,healthy%20male%20runners%20%7C%20PLOS%20ONE">we studied competitive athletes</a>. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9839431/">Athletes are prone to gum disease</a> due to high intake of carbohydrates – which can cause inflammation of the gum tissues – stress, and dry mouth from breathing hard during training. Our study showed that beetroot juice (containing approximately 12 <a href="https://www.nursingtimes.net/students/an-easy-guide-to-mmols-09-02-2012/">millimole</a> of nitrate) protected their teeth from acidic sports drinks and carbohydrate gels during exercise – suggesting that nitrate could be used as a prebiotic by athletes to reduce the risk of tooth decay. Nitrate offers a lot of promise as an oral health <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69931-x">prebiotic</a>. Good oral hygiene and a nitrate rich diet could be the key to a healthier body, a vibrant smile and disease-free gums. This is good news for those most at risk of oral health deterioration such as <a href="https://www.news-medical.net/health/Periodontitis-and-Pregnancy.aspx">pregnant women</a>, and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8771712/">the elderly</a>. In the UK, antiseptic mouthwashes containing <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61912-4">chlorhexidine</a> are commonly used to treat dental plaque and gum disease. Unfortunately, these mouthwashes are a blunderbuss approach to oral health, as they indiscriminately remove both good and bad bacteria and increase oral acidity, which can cause disease. Worryingly, early research also indicates that chlorhexidine may contribute to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30967854/">antimicrobial resistance</a>. Resistance occurs when bacteria and fungi survive the effects of one or more <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4768623/">antimicrobial drugs</a> due to repeated exposure to these treatments. Antimicrobial resistance is a <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)02724-0/fulltext">global health concern</a>, predicted to cause 10 million deaths yearly by the year 2050. In contrast, dietary nitrate is more targeted. Nitrate eliminates disease-associated bacteria, reduces oral acidity and creates a balanced <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2944498/">oral microbiome</a>. The oral microbiome refers to all the microorganisms in the mouth. Nitrate offers exciting potential as an <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69931-x">oral health prebiotic</a>, which can be used to prevent disease onset or limit disease progression. <h2>How many leafy greens for pearly whites?</h2> So how much should we consume daily? As a rule of thumb, a generous helping of spinach, kale or beetroot at mealtimes contains about 6-10 mmol of nitrate and offers immediate health benefits. Work we have done with our collaborators has shown that treating <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69931-x">plaque samples</a> from periodontal disease patients with 6.5 mmol of nitrate increased healthy bacteria levels and reduced acidity. For example, consuming <a href="https://aap.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/JPER.20-0778">lettuce juice</a> for two weeks reduced gum inflammation and increased healthy bacteria levels in patients with gum disease. Growing evidence suggests that nitrate is a cornerstone of oral health. Crunching on a portion of vegetables at mealtimes can help to prevent or treat oral disease and keeps the mouth fresh and healthy.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/221181/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mia-cousins-burleigh-1201153">Mia Cousins Burleigh</a>, Lecturer, School of Health and Life Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-west-of-scotland-1385">University of the West of Scotland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/siobhan-paula-moran-1506183">Siobhan Paula Moran</a>, PhD candidate, School of Health and Life Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-west-of-scotland-1385">University of the West of Scotland</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/eating-leafy-greens-could-be-better-for-oral-health-than-using-mouthwash-221181">original article</a>.

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The part of your teeth you’ve been forgetting to brush

Like so many things in life, brushing your teeth is a matter of quality over quantity. There’s no point in brushing your teeth four times a day if you’re doing it the wrong way. Jessica Hilburg, DDS and associate dean for clinical affairs at the NYC College of Dentistry, was recently asked by the Huffington Post about the most-common errors people make when they give their mouth the old once-over. "Sometimes people forget to brush the insides of their teeth, the surfaces that face the tongue and the palate," Hilburg said. "Sometimes people forget these areas because we don't see them when we look in the mirror. Food and plaque can buildup in these areas so it's just as important to brush there as it is on the front of our teeth where we can easily see." Hilburg added not brushing your teeth long enough or using the wrong amount of pressure while brushing your teeth is equally incorrect and can ultimately be damaging. "Applying too much pressure while brushing could damage gums and be abrasive to the teeth," she said. "Applying too little pressure while brushing just isn't as effective and will not remove the plaque as well as using gentle pressure. (Also) just rubbing the toothbrush back and forth in long strokes will not do as good a job as the short strokes because the short strokes allow you to get in between the teeth much better." She added, "The 'right amount of pressure' is pressure that feels comfortable, does not crush the bristles of the toothbrush (too much pressure) and of course leaves your teeth feeling and looking clean." What are your thoughts? Image: Getty

Caring

Using a dental scanner on corals like a “magic wand”

Dr Kate Quigley’s trip to the dentist might have revolutionised coral reef research. The intra-oral dental scanner her dentist was using turned out to be the perfect thing for scanning baby corals and learning critical information about their growth. “Baby corals and teeth are actually not too different. They’re both wet,” says Quigley, now a senior research scientist at the Minderoo Foundation. “Which might not seem like a big deal – but if you’re scanning something, that creates diffraction. […] Having tech that can work in a wet environment and handle a texture that’s wet, is actually really important.” There are a few other things that bring dental scanners and coral together, too. “The properties of teeth and baby coral skeletons are very similar. They’re calcium-based, slightly different, but similar enough that the resolution of the laser was tailored to coral skeletons, just by accident,” says Quigley. While conducting research at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and James Cook University, Quigley managed to get one of the tooth-scanning devices she’d seen at the dentist (the ITero Element 5D Flex), and test it on corals. Quigley has published a description of the new method in Methods in Ecology and Evolution. Monitoring coral growth is key to restoring and preserving it. “Growth and survival are really the currency of any monitoring program. It doesn’t matter what organism you’re looking at,” says Quigley. But it’s very difficult to monitor the growth of corals – because of their shape and size. “How most coral growth studies are done is really just taking 2D flat images. And that works really well when the coral is really young, say a month or two months, because they’re like little flat pancakes,” says Quigley. As they grow, corals develop very complex three-dimensional structures. Scanning these structures is time-consuming, and often destructive: the coral has to be killed in order to be scanned. The dental scanner takes quick, harmless scans and uses AI to combine the images into a 3D picture almost immediately. “Instead of taking all day and into the night, it takes two minutes,” says Quigley. It also provides better detail. “Baby corals start off really small. They’re almost invisible,” says Quigley. “Being able to measure those really fine scale differences, smaller than a millimetre, was also really important.” Quigley describes the scanner as “effectively a magic wand”. So far, the scanner’s been shown to work in a lab (at AIMS National Sea Simulator) and in the field – on a boat above the water. Unfortunately, it’s not waterproof enough to take diving. Yet. Quigley hopes it will become a regular tool used by coral researchers and restorers. “If we are thinking about scaling up reef restoration in the future we’re going to need a way to measure and monitor these individuals more effectively. It wouldn’t be sustainable if it’s one individual a day.” Quigley says that this discovery demonstrates the importance of thinking laterally. “In science I feel like there’s less and less room to just be creative anymore,” she says. “This has been a really interesting time for me – to dabble in dentistry and look at all the tech that’s available and may be useful in conservation.” This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/coral-dental-scanner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Ellen Phiddian. Images: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

Scotland appoints a man as "period dignity officer"

Local authorities in Scotland have come under fire for appointing a man to the role of "period dignity officer". A group of colleges and local councils in Tay region in eastern Scotland announced the appointment of Jason Grant, who will be responsible for coordinating the region's response to a new law that makes menstrual products free to access in the country. Jason Grant previously worked as a student wellbeing officer at a local college before being appointed to the controversial role, which has caused outrage. Many critics believe a woman would be better suited to the role, and were confused why a man would be considered for the job. Retired tennis star Martina Navratilova commented on the news of his appointment, calling it "f**king ridiculous" on her Twitter account. "Have we ever tried to explain to men how to shave or how to take care of their prostate or whatever?!? This is absurd," she wrote. Barrister Charlotte Proudman also questioned why a man was appointed to the role. "I remember at school, girls used sanitary pads because tampons were unaffordable," she tweeted. "What experience does Jason Grant have of this? I'm all *for* men's support - but let's have women lead on our experiences." Grant's role is the first of its kind in Scotland. "He will coordinate and streamline the approach to 'Period Dignity' across the area by working directly with the colleges and local authorities," Grainger PR said in a press release announcing the appointment. "Jason will lead a regional campaign across schools, colleges and wider communities, raising awareness and understanding of the new Act and ensuring that the Scottish Government funding is allocated appropriately," it said. The Period Products Act came into force earlier this week and means that menstrual products, including tampons and pads, will be made available free of charge in public facilities in Scotland. Image credits: Getty Images / CNN

Body

Three-year-old dies after dental visit

A mother in the US has been left broken-hearted and in desperate need of answers after a simple dental procedure for her three-year-old son resulted in his passing. Nancy Valenzuela, a mother of three from Scott City, Kansas, said she took her son, Abiel Valenzuela Zapata, into Tiny Teeth Pediatrics Dentistry for a check up. A simple procedure was necessary – a teeth extraction after a nasty gum infection. “We didn’t expect to come out of there without a child,” Valenzuela explained. Abiel died on Tuesday after being transported to a Wichita hospital. Valenzuela revealed she and her son had visited two dental offices in southwest Kansas, but was told both times that her son needed to have teeth pulled. She sadly went on to say her boy was fine before he went into surgery, and only asked for comfort while getting a shot. “I told him, ‘Papi, everything’s going to be okay. You know you’re fine,’” said Valenzuela. Wichita police officers later reported that the anesthesiologist claimed Abiel was doing fine for about 30 minutes under sedation. However, disaster slowly ensued for the family. While the specific details surrounding Abiel’s procedure, the doctor reported he’d never seen “anything like that”, especially in someone so small without any known allergies. Valenzuela said she didn’t know there was a medical emergency at the office for her son until he was brought out to the ambulance. “As a mother, you feel like you failed him because you didn’t do anything to protect him,” she said. “I really thought that I made the right choice.” Valenzuela sadly never saw her son alive again, but that didn’t stop her from making one final promise to him. “‘I couldn’t do anything for you, but I will investigate.’ It’s what I told him. It’s the only thing I can do and bring awareness,” she said. The mother said it’s been difficult on her other children, including Abiel’s older brother. “I asked him later on in the night, ‘Where is Abiel,’ and he pointed up, and he said he is with God,” she said. She said the family would have to take it one day at a time. “He’s in a better place, he was just so young, and we loved him a lot,” said Valenzuela. Police officer Trevor Macy said in a statement that there is no criminal investigation underway “at this time.” The Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry has released a statement on the three-year-old’s death. “Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry is devastated by the death of Abiel Valenzuela Zapata,” the statement reads. “Like Abiel’s family, we, too, want to understand how this tragic event may have occurred. “Our practice has never experienced an incident like this, and we had no reason to expect this procedure would be anything other than routine. “We would like to thank the EMS first responders who arrived only a few minutes after we called 911. “They continued the CPR efforts we had begun and worked feverishly to save Abiel.” The family has set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for funeral costs.

Caring

Ask the experts: Is teeth whitening bad for your teeth?

If you’re anything like me, celebrity smiles and Colgate ads make you feel guilty about your regular consumption of coffee, red wine, tea, and all the other fun things we’re told will stain our teeth. And the solution seems so easy – a box of whitening strips from the supermarket shelf tells us so. But does whitening teeth also remove some of what keeps them healthy? And might they be more easily stained afterwards? We asked five experts if whitening is bad for teeth. Five out of five experts said no… But they all had a pretty big caveat. It’s safe provided it’s done by a dentist. So for this you’re looking at upwards of a few hundred dollars, rather than just a trip to the supermarket. Here are their detailed responses: Alexander Holden – Dentist “Provided a custom-fitted tray is used to keep the whitening agent in contact with the teeth and away from the mouth's delicate soft tissues such as the gums and the oral mucosa (skin of the mouth), <a href="https://theconversation.com/50-shades-whiter-what-you-should-know-about-teeth-whitening-102474">whitening is safe</a>. Non-dentists can provide agents that release up to 6% Hydrogen peroxide; while lower than the concentrations dentists can use, this is still strong enough to cause damage if improperly used.” Kelly-Anne Hennessy – Dentist Tooth whitening is safe if it is provided by and monitored by a <a href="https://www.ada.org.au/getattachment/Your-Dental-Health/Resources-for-Professionals/Resources-for-Teens-12-17/Teeth-whitening-the-best-result-for-your-smile/Teeth-whitening,-getting-the-best-result-for-your-smile.pdf.aspx">registered dental professional</a>. It's important to have professionally-fitted dental trays and to use the correct concentration of whitening products for the correct amount of time. Some non-professional whitening products are acidic and can dissolve tooth enamel. Whitening is not recommended for people with a lot of sensitivity or who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Whitening will not whiten existing fillings. Madhan Balasubramanian – Oral health research While teeth whitening can be an effective treatment for patients, it's prudent to seek necessary guidance and expert advice from <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19543926">dental personnel</a>. A trained eye can help identify patient-specific reasons behind tooth discolouration, sensitivity to gums and desired cosmetic appearance. Initial chair-side assessment in a dental facility can help uncover these issues, before a viable solution is adopted. <a href="https://theconversation.com/50-shades-whiter-what-you-should-know-about-teeth-whitening-102474">Teeth whitening</a> procedures performed by dental personnel can provide a more reliable solution for patients. Home-based teeth whitening materials prescribed and monitored by dental personnel have been shown to be safe, effective and suitable for patients during their home-based whitening treatment. But this doesn't apply to strips or gels you might find in supermarkets. Michael Foley – Public health Tooth whitening is usually safe for teeth. Most genuine tooth whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Higher concentrations (only available through dentists) are more effective, with longer lasting whitening. Peroxides can also cause tooth sensitivity and irritation or chemical burns to the gums, mouth and throat. But providing care is taken, whitening can be achieved with minimal risks. A few words of caution though. Not all teeth are suitable for whitening, and fillings and crowns won’t change colour, so seek advice from your dentist first. Many products advertised as ‘tooth-whitening’ contain no peroxides, only abrasives. While they may remove tea, coffee and tobacco stains (and unfortunately even tooth enamel – some are very abrasive), they will not ‘whiten’ teeth. And finally, Hollywood white, newsreader white, and supermodel white are not natural tooth colours. Please don’t overdo it. A healthy smile is the most beautiful smile. Rebecca Chan – Oral health therapist No, but you need to be seeking the care of an oral health professional (dentist, oral health therapist, dental hygienist or dental therapist). They will first perform a thorough assessment to identify the cause of your tooth discoloration and inform you about whether in-office whitening is a suitable option for your teeth. In fact, they may provide you with better solutions. For example, if the discolouration is a result of extrinsic staining, commonly from foods, treatments to mechanically remove stains will be more effective. Dental hypersensitivity is often a side effect from any whitening procedure. If the whitening procedure is provided by an oral health practitioner, formulations will often have remineralising agents aimed to strengthen the tooth immediately after the treatment to minimise these possible side effects. Written by Alexandra Hansen. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-asked-five-experts-is-whitening-bad-for-teeth-120828">The Conversation</a>.

Beauty & Style

6 tips for healthy white teeth

1. Go on a white-teeth diet If you’re quaffing red wine and black tea, or smoking cigarettes, expect the results to show up as not-so-pearly whites. Other culprits include colas, gravy, soya sauce and dark juice. 2. Chuck away your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every two to three months Otherwise, you’re just transferring bacteria to your mouth. According to dentist Harold Katz, the best way to brush is by placing your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gums and gently moving it in a circular motion. Grip the toothbrush like a pencil so you won’t scrub too hard. 3. Use a tongue scraper every morning to remove tongue plaque and freshen breath One cause of bad breath is the build-up of bacteria on the tongue, which a daily tongue scraping will help banish. It’s more effective than brushing your tongue with a toothbrush too, says Katz. 4. Eat “detergent” foods that are firm or crisp to help clean teeth as you munch Apples are good, as are raw carrots, celery and popcorn. For best results, make “detergent” foods the final food you eat in your meal if you know you won’t be able to brush your teeth after eating. 5. Stay fresh Check by licking your palm and smelling it while it’s wet. If you smell something, it’s time for a sugar-free breath mint. Shopping for mouthwash? Make sure it’s alcohol-free. Mouthwashes with too much alcohol can dry out mouth tissue, making it more prone to bacteria. 6. Brushing your teeth first and last thing Are the two most crucial times of the day, as saliva which keeps plaque off teeth, dries up at night, so it’s best to have all plaque cleaned off the teeth before sleep. It’s also important to brush first thing in the morning to remove plaque and bacteria built up as you slept. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/6-Tips-For-Healthy-White-Teeth">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRN93V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>. <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Beauty & Style

Why you should never travel without dental floss

Many people preparing their toiletries bag for a big trip discard their dental floss, simply to save a little bit of space. But there’s a compelling reason to keep floss in your travel bag, and it’s got nothing to do with keeping your teeth clean. When you’re not using it to get rid of little bits of gunk in your smile, dental floss becomes the perfect emergency thread to deal with any travel clothing mishap. Torn hem and loose buttons causing problems? Dental floss works as a thread substitute in a pinch, and while it might not be as durable as actual thread it might just be enough to see you through to the end of your trip, without causing an embarrassing international incident. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/60UsOdgzfwk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> And at the end of the day it’s a step up from covering that hole in your pants with duct tape. Do you agree with this tip? Do you have any handy travel tips you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear from you.

Travel Tips

How an empty dental floss container comes in handy when you travel

From your passport to your toothbrush and a good set of ear plugs, there are some obvious items you should never travel without. But there are often other items we could pack that are equally as useful, but not quite as obvious. For instance, you wouldn’t think an empty dental floss pack would find its way onto many people’s packing list (even full ones probably don’t make the cut). But these packs can actually be repurposed into travel tools that are quite useful. <a href="https://www.smartertravel.com/" target="_blank">Smarter Travel’s</a> Elissa Leibowitz-Poma explains: “When your dental floss runs out, don’t throw away the box,” she says. “Instead, use it to hide cash when you’re traveling. The box stays in my toiletry kit, and I’m pretty sure a burglar, even if he looked in my toiletry bag, likely wouldn’t open up the floss.” What are your thoughts? Will you bring an empty dental floss pack on your travels?

Travel Tips

Why loose dentures are a thing of the past

Wellington resident David Morgan (pictured above) only got false teeth later in life – and he could never really get comfortable with them. “It was frustration with the full plate… I missed not being put my tongue on my palate and it was just uncomfortable and they didn’t fit,” he says. David admits he would use any excuse to leave his dentures out and in fact, found it more pleasant to eat without them in. “I just didn’t enjoy wearing false teeth,” he says, adding, “I used them purely for show.” “[The dentures] make you self-conscious. I remember once I had a curry lunch, the glue holding my teeth melted and they fell out. It was embarrassing. Those were the sorts of frustrations I felt.” It’s been the case for a long time that dentures are the go-to option if you’ve got missing or damaged teeth. They’ve served many people well for many years, but that’s not your only (or best) option anymore. The next frontier is dental implants – and these days you can get them in a day. That’s right, a new set of pearly whites in a day. What are dental implants? Unlike dentures, which are removable false teeth, dental implants are like replacement tooth roots. Small titanium screws are implanted into the jawbone to provide strong support for your permanent replacement tooth or teeth. Dental implants are the most durable and least-damaging method of replacing teeth. As the bone heals directly against the implant, it is the closest thing to mimicking a natural tooth. The dental implant integrates to become part of your mouth, stands on its own and it does not affect nearby teeth. It sounds futuristic but dental implants have actually been around for 50 years. Since then, science and technology have advanced leaps and bounds – from replacing a single tooth, you’re now able to get a whole set in both upper and lower jaws, all in a day! You don’t even need to get dentures anymore. <div style="display: block; position: relative; max-width: 100%;"> <div style="padding-top: 56.25%;"><iframe src="http://players.brightcove.net/4174796129001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5437117677001" allowfullscreen="" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0px; bottom: 0px; right: 0px; left: 0px;"></iframe>Should I get implantIf you’re like David, and feel self-conscious about missing teeth or wearing dentures, dental implants will help you regain your confidence and life back.</div> </div> Should I get implants? If you’re like David, and feel self-conscious about missing teeth or wearing dentures, dental implants will help you regain your confidence and life back. “There’s a whole group of people out there who have struggled all their lives with dentures. They hate dentures, they can’t eat with them, they don’t feel confident with them in social situations,” says Dr Andrew Cautley, a Prosthodontist who has overseen the planning and construction of thousands of implant treatments with his partner and Oral Surgeon, Dr Gerry Thyne, at Wellington Dental Implants. Here are just some of the benefits of dental implants: <ul> <li>Look like real teeth – Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. They are the most natural-looking restoration option and will give you the confidence to smile again.</li> <li>Eat with ease – Chewing can be difficult with dentures and eating certain foods can be painful. With dental implants, however, you’ll be able to eat all your favourite foods again without any discomfort.</li> <li>Convenient caring – Having permanent dental implants means no longer fussing around with and caring for your removable dentures. Dental implants simply require the same care as real teeth: brushing, flossing, rinsing and dental check-ups</li> <li>Lasts you a lifetime – Dental implants are durable and with proper care, can last you your lifetime.</li> <li>Improve quality of life – There’s no doubt that having teeth you’re embarrassed about means you’re less like to show them off. Having a set of permanent and real-looking teeth will not only give you the confidence to smile again and eat your favourite foods, it’s also a gateway to a more confident way of living. You’ll be socialising, laughing and living your best life in no time.</li> </ul> Dr Cautley and Dr Thyne have found their patients to be extremely happy with their results. Many have commented about how their new smile has changed their lives. “When [people] find out about implants, that the teeth are fixed in place permanently, they don’t have to take them out, they can eat anything they like, they don’t have any more problems with something rattling around their mouth when they’re trying to eat or sneeze or all those things we do every day, it’s just such a life changing thing for them,” says Dr Cautley. What am I getting myself in for? First let’s clear up the most common assumption, it’s not as painful as you think. While dentists may have equalled pain in the past, advances in pain management have improved exponentially. Most people need some type of pain relief on the day of surgery but find they don’t need anything the following days. To ensure you get the result you want, make sure you do your research and choose an experienced team like Dr Cautley and Dr Thyne, whose combined expertise as a Prosthodontist and Oral Surgeon at Wellington Dental Implants has seen them establish themselves as a pre-eminent specialist service. The actual procedure follows a three-step procedure and takes several months to complete. 1. Consultation – An assessment will be done of the current state of your teeth and jaw, including X-rays and moulds. A personalised plan will be formed for your case. 2. One-day procedure – It will take around two to three hours in the morning to place your implants in. A few hours later, you’ll be fitted with a set of temporary teeth that are custom-made for you. These teeth are the starting point and look as-good-as-new but don’t have the durability to take on long-term wear-and-tear. During this period, you’ll have to be careful with what you eat and avoid hard or tough food. 3. Follow up – Like any medical procedure, your mouth needs times to heal, usually around three months. Then you’ll start the process of getting the permanent teeth fitted in. This involves four to five appointments over a couple of months, but don’t worry, you’re never without teeth during all stages of treatment. After that, your new life begins! Just take David, who couldn’t be happier with his new teeth. He loves the fact he can eat normally again and recently ate his first apple in 20 years. “It’s given me a confidence in terms of speaking and being around people. It’s been a good value,” he says, continuing, “I think anyone who feels frustrated with false teeth and can afford the procedure, go for it, it’s well worth it. It’s in many ways life changing.” THIS IS SPONSORED CONTENT BROUGHT TO YOU IN CONJUCTION WITH <a href="http://wellingtondentalimplants.co.nz/" target="_blank">WELLINGTON DENTAL IMPLANTS.</a>

Body

Investigation suggests flossing is a waste of time

It’s been a bone of contention between dentists and their patients for decades, but finally the research appears to prove once and for all that flossing is actually a complete waste of time. A US <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/f7e66079d9ba4b4985d7af350619a9e3/medical-benefits-dental-floss-unproven" target="_blank">investigation</a> by the Associated Press found that there is very little convincing evidence in support of regularly using tooth floss, despite being recommended by dental professionals and governments in the US since 1979. The AP investigation looked at 25 studies on the effectiveness of flossing versus brushing alone, and found that evidence in favour of using dental floss was “weak” and “unreliable”. “The majority of available studies fail to demonstrate that flossing is generally effective in plaque removal,” concluded one study. A 2011 review did suggest that dental floss may be effective in slightly reducing inflammation of the gums, but it was discredited by reviewers, who deemed the evidence “very unreliable”. In fact, some have even suggested that whatever benefit flossing may have on oral health would be so small as to be almost undetectable. It is also worth noting that many of the studies reporting benefits of flossing were funded by dental floss manufacturers. Therefore, this investigation could have huge ramifications for the oral hygiene industry and the flossing business in particular, which alone is worth a startling $2.6 billion worldwide. However, experts say it’s better to be safe than sorry. “It’s low-risk, low-cost,” dentist Tim Iafolla told AP. “We know there’s a possibility that it works, so we feel comfortable telling people to go ahead and do it.” Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/07/10-surprising-uses-for-dental-floss/">10 surprising uses for dental floss</a> <a href="/health/body/2016/06/rules-for-denture-care/">7 top tips for keeping your dentures like new</a> <a href="/health/body/2016/05/surprising-tips-for-using-a-toothbrush-more-efficiently/">Surprising tips for using a toothbrush more efficiently</a>

News

Why you should always floss

We always hear about the importance of flossing when we visit the dentist, but just how bad is it if you give the dental floss a miss once in a while? As it turns out, very bad. A startling number of us still aren’t flossing every day, and we’re paying the price. Brushing, no matter how efficiently and thoroughly you might think you’re doing it, simply isn’t enough. In fact, Dr Timothy Chase from SmilesNY said brushing and rinsing leaves your mouth half as clean as those who floss as well. “The bacteria that cause cavities and gum infection hide in the area between teeth and in the pockets under the gums—the only way to get them out is with dental floss,” he tells <a href="http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/wellness/a55726/dental-floss/" target="_blank">Woman’s Day</a>. “Never flossing will eventually lead to cavities between the teeth and gum disease in most people.” Gum disease is the fifth-most commonly reported health issue among Australians, and despite what you might think, it’s an incredibly serious condition which could lead to losing teeth. “Gum disease causes inflammation of the gingival tissue and loss of the periodontal bone that supports the teeth,” Dr Alison Newgard from the Columbia University College of Dentistry explains. In fact, gum disease has even been linked to heart disease, Alzheimer’s and diabetes. So, if ever you needed a reason to up your flossing game, this is it. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/07/8-things-you-can-clean-with-a-toothbrush/">8 things you can (and should) clean with a toothbrush</a> <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/07/10-surprising-uses-for-dental-floss/">10 surprising uses for dental floss</a> <a href="/health/body/2016/06/rules-for-denture-care/">7 top tips for keeping your dentures like new</a>

News

The Queen officially appoints Theresa May as Britain’s second female Prime Minister

Theresa May is officially Britain’s new prime minister after accepting an invitation to govern from Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday. The now ex-prime minister David Cameron had an audience with the queen on Wednesday evening and tendered his resignation as prime minister. May followed the ritual of “kissing the hand” of the Queen upon her appointment as the country’s first female leader since Margaret Thatcher, the prime minster minister from 1979 to 1990. A statement issued by the Palace read: "The Queen received in audience the Right Honourable Theresa May MP this evening and requested her to form a new Administration. "The Right Honourable Theresa May accepted Her Majesty's offer and Kissed Hands upon her appointed as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury." <img width="499" height="340" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/24242/queen2_499x340.jpg" alt="Queen2" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> In her first speech as prime minister, outside the doors of number 10, May said she would lead a "one-nation" government dedicated to social justice and promised to make "Britain a country that works for everyone." The 59-year-old, who won the job by default after her other contender pulled out of the race, has a tough time ahead of her as she leads the negotiations for Britain’s exit from the European Union. She said Britain would "rise to the challenge" and forge "a bold new positive role" in the world. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/07/photos-of-princess-diana-in-1991-circulates/">Photos of Princess Diana in 1991 circulates</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/06/queen-sends-her-second-tweet/">Queen sends her second tweet</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/06/queens-scolds-prince-william/">The Queen scolds Prince William on live television</a>

News

10 surprising uses for dental floss

When we think of dental floss, teeth, tooth care and general dental hygiene are the things that immediately spring to mind. Did you know, however, that the humble dental floss has a whole range of other uses? Read on to find out more. <ol> <li>Secure suitcases – To avoid a “suitcase opening in transit” incident, tie a string of floss between the zippers on your case to prevent them sliding open.</li> <li>Help your garden grow – Stake tomatoes or other top-heavy plants with a few strands of floss. It’s amazingly strong and isn’t impacted by the weather.</li> <li>Separate precious memories – Pages of a favourite photo album stuck together? Floss to the rescue! Slip a piece between the pictures and gently move back and forth to separate without damage.</li> <li>Prevent baking crumbles – Even with baking paper, biscuits and slices can still sometimes stick to the tray. A piece of floss slid underneath your baked goods can help separate them from the tray so that they can be moved to a cooling rack or plate.</li> <li>Keep clothes in place – If your silk or delicate clothes have a habit of slipping of their hangers, floss is your new best friend. Wrap it around the tops of wire or plastic hangers for a non-slip surface at a fraction of the cost of fancier hangers.</li> <li>Get crafty – If you’ve got a craft box for your grandkids, a packet of floss won’t go astray. String often frays after heavy use and wire isn’t ideal for small children. Floss is the perfect alternative for art activities and other games like threading.</li> <li>Up your dessert game – Floss makes the perfect cutting tool for cake and other soft foods, allowing you to cut perfect slices without crumbling.</li> <li>Clean your keyboard – You’ve probably heard that computer keyboards harbour a whole range of germs. Floss is designed to clean out small crevices and thus makes the perfect tool to remove gunk and crumbs from between your keys.</li> <li>Hang ornaments – Whether it’s during the festive season or another special occasion, floss makes the perfect hook for your favourite decorations.</li> <li>Prevent fraying – Stop a rope or stranded cord from fraying by binding the ends with floss to stop them unraveling.</li> </ol> Have you ever used floss around the house? Tell us your secrets in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/06/can-your-house-be-too-clean/">Is it possible for your house to be too clean?</a> <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/05/toxic-items-in-your-home/">10 toxic items in your home that might surprise you</a> <a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/05/tips-for-maintaining-wooden-floors/">4 commandments of looking after wooden floors</a>

Home & Garden

7 top tips for keeping your dentures like new

If you’re one of the many Australians who have either partial of full dentures, you’ll know that they need extra care. Keep them in tip-top condition with these seven golden rules. 1. Give them a break Both your mouth and dentures need a break for between six to eight hours per day. This gives your mouth tissue time to recover and your dentures time to be cleaned and sterilised. Most people take their dentures out overnight and leave to soak in a denture cleanser which helps remove stains, plague, tartar and bacteria. 2. Handle with care Dentures are a necessary expense. Easily breakable, the last thing you want it to have them broken. Always clean over a folded towel or bowl of water in case you accidently drop them. Never use toothpicks or hard brushes on them and keep out of reach of children and pets. 3. Clean them daily Dentures may not be your ‘real’ teeth but this doesn’t make them immune from the build up of stains, plaque and tartar. Plaque in particular can lead to infection and irritation in the gums underneath. Brush your dentures daily with a soft bristled or denture specific toothbrush and toothpaste. 4. Take care of your mouth Even if you have complete dentures, you still need to take care of your gums. Whenever you take out your dentures, give your mouth a rinse and massage your gums with a soft toothbrush. 5. See your dentist Having dentures doesn’t mean that regular dentist visits are a thing of the past. You should still see your dentist yearly to ensure good oral hygiene. 6. Watch for changes in fit If your dentures become uncomfortable, it’s important to visit your dentist. The gums and bones in our mouth can change over time, which leads to issues with fit. Adjusting your dentures is a quick and easy process, so don’t delay. 7. Nourish the rest of your body Dentures can make eating some foods difficult. Ensure you’re eating well and fuelling your body with the essential nutrients it needs. When was the last time you got to the dentist? Let us know in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/05/student-straightens-own-teeth/">Student straightens his own teeth for less than $80</a> <a href="/health/body/2016/05/surprising-tips-for-using-a-toothbrush-more-efficiently/">Surprising tips for using a toothbrush more efficiently</a> <a href="/finance/insurance/2016/05/8-most-bizarre-insurance-claims-ever/">8 most bizarre insurance claims ever</a>

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Dog dental assistant helps calm patients

A dental surgery in the US has employed a special helper to comfort those who experience anxiety during visits to the dentist – a 6-year-old golden retriever named JoJo! JoJo, a trained comfort dog, was a first responder to survivors of the horrific Sandy Hook massacre in 2012. Today, she works every week at the Paediatric Dentistry of Northbrook in Illinois, calming children during their dental appointments. According to her handler, Lynne Ryan, “JoJo had to be trained to get used to all the different noises in a dental office, like the sound of the drill and the suction,” she explains. “But now, she gets up on the chair and reclines on children’s laps.” Clearly the beloved pooch has made a big difference to anxious children. Staff member Veronica Renteria says JoJo helps the children take their minds off the situation and makes the appointment run faster and more effectively. “When Jo Jo comes in with them and sits in the chair, they’re comforted. They can just sit and pet her as they’re getting their teeth cleaned. She’s does a great job with them,” she told <a href="https://www.thedodo.com/dentist-office-hires-comfort-dog-1700145805.html" target="_blank">The Dodo</a>. “She loves coming in. She’s very well trained and knows what she’s doing. We all benefit from her so much.” Image: Paediatric Dentistry of Northbrook / Facebook Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/04/blind-dog-has-sight-restored/">Blind dog has his sight restored</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/04/dancing-dog-shows-off-his-moves/">Dancing dog shows off his moves</a> <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/grandpa-and-dog-go-viral/">90-year-old grandpa’s photos with new dog will warm your heart</a>

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Costa Cruises appoints robot staff

It might seem like the plot of a science fiction film, but it seems as though Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises are embracing the latest cyborg technology to help passengers. From Spring 2016, Costa and AIDA will employ humanoid robots on-board their ships. Costa has an exclusive agreement (said to be worth over a million Euros) to use Pepper, the world’s first robot that has been designed to read and interpret human options. Pepper is fitted with four mics, two HD cameras, 3D sensors, touch sensors in the head and hands and can interpret human emotions by analysing variations in expressions and voice tones. The first batch of robots will be introduce on the AIDAprima and Costa Diadema in Spring, with the rest of the robots to be rolled out across the fleet by the rest of summer. Technophobes needn’t fear the possibility of a robot uprising however. Instead of steering or doing anything that you’d want a human to be doing, Pepper is on hand to provide tips on restaurants, events and excursions and can communicate in multiple languages. Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group said: "With an emotional robot on board our cruise ships we are once again continuing our tradition of innovation. For us, this is an important step towards a digital future for our brands. I am confident that our guests will love Pepper". This isn’t the first time we’ve seen robots on the high seas however. Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class of ships already feature robot bartenders and the line introduced robot dance shows at Cafe 270 on both Anthem and Quantum of the Seas. And while a robot greeting staff might not be everybody’s cup of tea, you have to agree that it’s a nice little novelty to add to Costa Cruises offering. And on the plus side you don’t have to worry about the robot greeters taking all the prawns away at the ship’s buffet at dinner. Related links: <a href="/travel/cruising/2015/12/po-newly-redesigned-cruise-ships/">Inside P&O’s newly-redesigned cruise ships</a> <a href="/travel/cruising/2015/11/cruising-to-venice/">Does cruising to Venice have a future?</a> <a href="/travel/cruising/2015/11/picturesque-ports-to-visit/">8 picturesque ports to visit</a>

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