A small preliminary trial suggests turmeric may help treat and prevent gingivitis, a common condition also known as inflammation of the gums. Turmeric is often used for its anti-inflammatory action such as arthritis so this is exciting news that it may also help with diseases of the mouth. More research is needed. Stoyell KA, et […]
READ MOREWound healing
A healthy diet helps wound healing following dental surgery. The importance of nutritional intake for wound healing is well established. For example, the elderly are particularly prone to nutritional deficiencies due to various factors such as poor dentition, relying on dentures, difficulty chewing food, and being on various medications, and are therefore more likely to […]
READ MOREDental anxiety
Dental anxiety helped with relaxation & music distraction. A trial of 90 patients with dental anxiety compared brief relaxation with music distraction and found both methods helped to reduce anxiety. Brief relaxation was significantly better than music distraction and the researchers concluded “brief relaxation was safe, economically sound and effective as a non-pharmacological approach to […]
READ MOREPeriodontal disease (PD)
Prevention is best. Visit your dentist once a year for a regular check-up and clean. Periodontal disease, also known as periodontitis, is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums and teeth. Recent research suggests that PD may have a systemic effect and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease, heart attacks, vascular […]
READ MOREDental caries & Periodontal disease
Green tea extract mouth rinses can help treat periodontal disease and prevent dental caries. Green tea extract mouth rinses may play a role in the treatment of periodontal disease and prevention of dental caries as the green tea catechins can inhibit acid production in dental plaque build-up. Hirasawa M, Takada K, Otake S. Inhibition of […]
READ MOREDental caries
A good reason to avoid sugars in your diet. Dental caries are more prevalent if sugars are consumed frequently. Children should be encouraged to eat healthy snacks and foods, and discouraged from sugars and frequent consumption of juice, sugary drinks, snacks and sugary foods e.g. lollies, chocolates, toffees, lollipops. Children should be encouraged to brush […]
READ MOREBad Breath
Bad breath or Halitosis helped with mouth rinses, tongue scraping and chewing mint. Mouth rinses containing antibacterial agents and tongue scraping can help reduce halitosis-producing bacteria on the tongue. However mouth rinses containing alcohol-based mouth rinses should be avoided due to their association with oral and pharyngeal cancer. Warm salt water and zinc rinses are […]
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