Dental health
Braces aren't just for kids anymore. Lasers are no longer "future" dental tools. And cavities can be contagious. Orthodontics and dentistry are evolving, but some people, mostly children, fail to benefit from such advances. Learn about these topics and more, including tips for children and even infants' oral health.
5:38 PM EDT, April 18, 2013
Oklahoma dental patients diagnosed with hepatitis C, HIV
Dozens of Oklahoma dental patients have been diagnosed with hepatitis C and at least one case of HIV, state health officials said Thursday, four weeks after finding a multitude of health code violations, including rusty tools, at a dental practice in Tulsa.
7:42 PM EDT, April 3, 2013
Lawyer defends record of Oklahoma dentist in HIV-exposure scare
A lawyer for an Oklahoma oral surgeon accused of using improper sterilization procedures and rusty surgical tools that may have exposed patients to HIV and hepatitis said on Wednesday his client had an impeccable record and provided dedicated care.
8:20 PM EDT, April 2, 2013
1,200 dental patients in Oklahoma screened for HIV
About 1,200 patients have been screened for exposure to HIV and hepatitis in Oklahoma after authorities found a Tulsa dentist using improper sterilization procedures and rusty surgical tools, a public health official said on Tuesday.
8:29 PM EDT, March 21, 2013
Advocates, insurers duel over cost of child dental coverage
Like most 3-year-olds, Mariah Venable is a climber and a jumper. And sometimes she lands on her face instead of her legs.
November 24, 2012
The latest toothbrush that's not a toothbrush
Emmi-dent. It's the toothbrush you're not supposed to brush your teeth with. But that's not to say you shouldn't use it regularly.
7:29 PM EDT, October 17, 2012
Soda falling flat
Phosphoric acid gives soda that "zippy taste," Dudash said. But that acid can also be corrosive to the protective enamel found on your teeth; decay results.
4:25 PM EDT, October 4, 2012
Gum disease linked to psoriasis: study
People with chronic gum disease seem to be slightly more likely to develop the skin condition psoriasis, according to a new study.
September 12, 2012
People with developmental disabilities face increased risk of oral health problems
People with developmental disabilities face increased oral health problems because of a host of physical, cognitive and financial challenges, according to a recent study in the Journal of the American Dental Association.
1:40 AM EDT, August 23, 2012
New dental techniques and tools
From dental chairs to scanners, check out these handy new dental tools.
4:10 PM EDT, August 20, 2012
Dental health linked to dementia risk
People who keep their teeth and gums healthy with regular brushing may have a lower risk of developing dementia later in life, according to a new study.
6:15 PM EDT, June 18, 2012
Is toothpaste giving your kid allergies?
Soap, toothpaste and mouthwash may fight germs, but it also could make your child prone to allergies, new research has found.
1:26 PM EDT, April 19, 2012
Do clean teeth protect against heart disease?
Older adults who get thorough dental cleanings may be somewhat less likely to have a heart attack or stroke than their peers who are less careful about oral hygiene, a new study suggests.
March 30, 2012
More patients with routine dental problems turn to hospital emergency rooms
Meredith Postlewaite's mouth throbbed constantly, but self-employed and without dental insurance, she had few options.
11:51 AM EST, February 9, 2012
Don't blame whitening agents in toothpaste for those breakouts
A dab of toothpaste has long been a favorite home remedy for clearing up pimples. But could it also cause them?
3:01 PM EST, December 28, 2011
How to pick an orthodontist
Getting braces or other orthodontic work can require frequent appointments and hefty payments, so choosing the right doctor is a must. "You are entering a relationship that could last years," says Dr. Alan Bagden, an orthodontist in Springfield, Va. Some tips:
2:36 PM EST, December 7, 2011
Forming a habit is a marathon, not a sprint
I tried for years to do two simple things: brush my teeth for two minutes every night and floss.
4:32 PM EST, November 30, 2011
Mercury fillings 'filled' with controversy
Silver amalgam fillings, which have plugged American cavities for more than 150 years, have lost their luster over the last couple of decades thanks to the rise of more attractive tooth-colored fillings and concerns about the environmental and health impact of their chief ingredient: mercury.
11:42 AM EDT, October 13, 2011
Startup helps extract financial pain of dental visits
Jake Winebaum is betting on a Web-based solution to take the hassle and price worry out of a health obligation many of us fear and some can't even afford — going to the dentist.
3:43 PM EDT, October 5, 2011
How often do you really need dental X-rays?
Every six months like clockwork, Melissa O'Brien takes her two children, Alexandra and Evan, to the dentist for a cleaning. They're nearly perfect patients — Alexandra, 13, has no cavities, and Evan, 10, has had only one — but O'Brien suspects she may not be the dentist's favorite mom, because when the dentist suggests X-rays, O'Brien sometimes says no, and she can tell that doesn't sit well.
July 4, 2011
The Healthy Skeptic
Are whitening toothpastes a bright idea?
It's hard to believe, but there was a time not long ago when everyone walked around (in public!) with naturally colored teeth. Today, with so many whitening gels, strips and trays out there, yellowish grins aren't as common — nor the natural look as appealing — as they used to be.
July 4, 2011
More homeless veterans getting dental care in Maryland
Kenneth Mumford smiled into the mirror and saw a full set of pearly white teeth for the first time in years.
4:29 PM EST, February 23, 2011
How to get the most out of your toothbrush
Brushing (and flossing) is the best way to protect your teeth and gums — but not if your toothbrush is in bad shape. "Toothbrush bristles that are worn or frayed from use cannot effectively remove plaque, which is critical to maintaining healthy teeth and gums," says Sebastiana Springmann, a dentist in Williamsburg, Va. Some advice:
4:34 PM EDT, June 29, 2011
Mouthwash claims don't all stand up to scrutiny
Freshens breath! Gives your mouth a tingling sensation! But what do mouthwashes really accomplish?
February 28, 2011
The Healthy Skeptic
Over-the-counter devices probably won't help sleep apnea
Cheap, do-it-yourself mouthpieces are no substitute for a doctor's treatment.
4:26 PM EST, February 9, 2011
Clearing up confusion on wisdom teeth removal
It seems just about everyone has to have his wisdom teeth extracted. For most, it's an easy procedure and an easy recovery. But many people don't understand why we have those third molars to begin with — or if there are alternatives to removal. We asked Dr. Robert E. Williams, a clinical associate professor at the University of Maryland Dental School who also practices in Baltimore and Bel Air.
September 29, 2010
FDA warns companies to stop mouthwash claims
The Food and Drug Administration has warned three companies that market mouth-rinse products to stop making unsupported claims that they remove plaque and promote healthy gums.
Dentists, doctors experimenting with social media
Teeth-cleaning and whitening treatments offered by Groupon, other discount sites.
September 10, 2010
Poor dental health may lead to Alzheimer's
We really show off our teeth only when we first get them.
Calming dental patients
It keeps 60 million people from going to the dentist each year. Fear. Anxiety. A local dentist believes he has the antidote ... and it's not a drug.
July 22, 2010
Braces go three-dimensional
Looking at a 3-D model of her teeth, Sara McClure didn't recognize her smile. The image her orthodontist had pulled up on a laptop didn't show her upper-row gaps—rather, it showed the perfect alignment that would be hers in 13 months.
Foods that improve your dental health
Shittake mushrooms? Onions? Find out how they affect your dental health.
June 14, 2010
How to stop teeth grinding
Roughly 20 percent of adults grind or clench their teeth to the point that they're at risk for permanent tooth and jaw damage, dentists say.
Help your heart. Brush your teeth twice a day
Good oral hygiene includes, at a minimum, brushing your teeth twice a day and visiting the dentist every six months. People who do that will not only be rewarded with better dental health, they are also less likely to develop heart disease, a study finds.
February 15, 2010
Bruxism makes life a grind
You can practically track Steve Barkley's stress by the level of activity in his temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull and helps people chew, talk and yawn.
October 19, 2009
THE HEALTHY SKEPTIC
Teeth grinders get some help
Sure, snorers can be loud. But for really cringe-worthy nighttime noise, it's hard to beat a dedicated grinder. With jaw muscles clenched tight -- perhaps because of stress or misaligned teeth -- a grinder can create a crunching sound reminiscent of two icebergs passing in the night. Some people grind with a force of nearly 1,000 pounds per square inch, enough to crack teeth and obliterate fillings.
Vegetables for healthy teeth and gums
Do you cringe when you get that postcard in the mail about your next dental cleaning? Are you confident that your teeth are healthy? If not, try these vegetables that have Vitamin C to help keep your gums and teeth healthy.
YOUR MONEY / YOUR HEALTH
Dental care on a budget
Dodging the dentist over cost can be pound-foolish. There are ways to save.
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