Dental implants could be a solution for people suffering from tooth loss, according to a new report.

This form of cosmetic dentistry was highlighted in the study Dental Implants Market: Increasing Familiarity to Drive Growth.

According to the research, the market for people having dental implants will double by 2015.

It pointed out that the procedure is usually used to counter tooth loss and involves the use of prosthetic teeth.

Unlike other options that could be employed, dental implants offer a more permanent solution, according to the report.

The authors stated: "Although there are a number of other restorative options for missing teeth like bridges and dentures, none have proven to be as functionally effective and durable as implants."

Furthermore, they can be used to offer structural support to single crowns and bridges. They can also be used with dentures – something that can add stability and reduce irritation to the gums.

In related news, it was suggested in a letter published in the Nigerian Guardian that loosing teeth can cause embarrassment and psychological trauma.

Brits have been advised about the oral health regimes they should take up to help them keep their teeth in perfect health for their whole lives.

Daily gentle brushing with a soft-bristled tooth brush could help people avoid trips to the emergency dentists, according to Dahlia McDaniel, a dental health expert.

In addition, he advised flossing and regular trips to the dentist for check-ups, as failing to take good care of teeth can lead to a person developing cavities, periodontal disease or gingivitis.

He noted: "The dentist views stagnated areas better than we can and removes calculus (tartar), which we cannot do effectively at home."

Elsewhere, the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) recently gave its backing to plans to implement a ban on cigarette machines across the UK.

The organisation noted that by taking these machines out of public areas, the government is sending a strong message about oral health and the BDHF hopes the move will help to reduce mouth cancer rates across the country.

While it is common knowledge that highly acidic foodstuffs can have a detrimental impact on tooth enamel, scientists have now discovered that alkaline-rich items could also cause erosion.

Research carried out at the University of Gothenburg has revealed that alkaline substances can damage the organic parts of a teeth, leading to a weakening of the enamel and a greater chance of decay, a situation which could result in a trip to see the emergency dentist.

Fabian Taube, a researcher who took part in the study, said: "While occupational oral damage from alkaline is less common than damage caused by acidic substances, it can be a problem."

A study carried out by scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany recently showed that white wine could be more damaging to teeth then red.

It revealed that while red wine can stain teeth, white could wear away tooth enamel, leading to a greater likelihood of white wine drinkers developing sensitive teeth.

Parents should be easygoing about trips to the dentist to help their kids be more at ease, it has been claimed.

Local US newspaper the Gary Post Tribune advised against pressuring children into visiting the dentist, as this can lead to anxiety and an unwillingness to maintain proper oral hygiene in later life.

Failing to have regular check-ups could lead to an increased risk of developing oral health problems and, as such, it is important that children are willing to go to the dentist or they could face having to visit the emergency dentist when an oral health problem gets out of hand when they are older.

Elsewhere, a report carried out by Cosmetic Dentistry Guide recently showed that parents could be passing on their fears of the dentist to their children.

It showed the importance of having a positive experience the first time a child visits the dentist, as this can colour their feelings about having their teeth checked for the rest of their lives.

Brits have been advised to floss regularly or face a trip to see the emergency dentist or worse.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, flossing helps to remove bacteria in the mouth which, if left unchecked, could find its way into the bloodstream and lead to an increase in the build up of plaque in arteries.

In such cases, this plaque can increase the likelihood of strokes or coronary heart disease and lead to complications face more serious than a simple case of bad breath.

AsiaOne Health also recently reported that regular brushing of the teeth can help people avoid the need for teeth whitening and help them maintain a good level of oral health.

The publication noted getting regular dental check-ups is also advised, as by doing so people can be made aware of the specific needs of their teeth and how best to look after themselves so as not to need dental implants or other treatments in the future.

Dentists are seeing up to ten per cent of time being wasted every day by people missing their appointments.

Jim Du Molin wrote in the Dental Management and Marketing Management blog that research has found that one-in-ten appointments are missed by patients every day.

He noted there are a number of courses of action when people miss their appointment, the most common being to issue a warning for a first offence, a fee for a second and finally striking the person from the practice for a third.

Meanwhile, US-based local paper the Courier Journal reported that Dr Ted Raybould, a Lexington dentist and University of Kentucky professor, recently argued that anxiety should not be a factor when patients miss a trip to the dentist.

He claimed that putting off examinations can see people having to take a trip to an emergency dentist when a problem gets out of hand and in any case, new innovations in treatments and medicines now mean that there can be little pain and faster healing times.

Retired dentists in the South Tyneside area are being asked to help cut waiting lists for those looking for an emergency dentist in the region, it has been revealed.

Dentistry.co.uk reported that delaying emergency dentistry treatments can cause a range of long-term problems for patients, including jaw and joint problems and, in some cases, headaches.

"South Tyneside lost two orthodontic surgeons through retirement. If I was with the primary care trust, I would go back to those dentists and see if they could go back to work part-time," commented local councillor Jim Foreman.

The online publication noted that at present, people in some areas are on waiting lists of up to three years.

Elsewhere, children in County Longford, Ireland, have to wait up to two years for treatments because of a lack of qualified dentists in the region.

Local newspaper the Longford Leader reported lists continue to grow and this is a development which could impact on the long-term oral health of children in the area.

The introduction of a ban on cigarette machines has been heralded as a boost to oral health in the UK by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF).

Members of Parliament recently voted to instigate a ban on the machines in the hope it will help to reduce the likelihood of children gaining access to cigarettes, as well as discouraging those who already smoke.

In addition, the BDHF noted a reduction in smoking levels would have a positive impact on mouth cancer rates in the UK, as recent research revealed there is one death every five hours attributed to this disease.

Meanwhile, a dentist in Weston-super-Mare is offering free mouth cancer screenings to patients in November as part of Mouth Cancer Awareness Month.

Twenty 2 Dental, on Milton Road, noted anyone wishing to have a check-up can come along for a free screening – and they do not have to a registered patient at the clinic.

David Beckham spent half of last season playing at AC Milan in Italy and during his stay in Serie A, the club’s dentist felt a minor gap in his teeth was causing his balance to be slightly off, it has been revealed.

According to Richard Conway in his blog for Sky Sports News, the Italian football giants do as much as they can to ensure the long-term fitness of their players, with no detail – no matter how small – being overlooked in the quest for longevity.

Mr Conway wrote: "It was felt that this gap was having an impact on Beckham’s balance and, ultimately, his fitness levels."

As a result, he was asked to wear a mouth support – much like Invisalign braces – to correct the problem.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta Post recently reported Invisalign braces can help a person create a beautiful smile, while teeth whitening can also help make a their pearly whites even more dazzling.

Dentists in the US have taken a step towards helping children avoid a trip to the emergency dentist this Halloween by offering to buy any sweets they do not want.

Dr Steven Johnson of Johnson Family Dental Offices in Santa Barbara is planning to purchase the candies and send them to troops currently serving overseas.

He hopes by offering $2 per pound of sweets, more children will be tempted to hand in their sugary haul rather than eat it and cause possible damage to their teeth.

"Visiting your dentist twice a year and brushing daily are great preventative measures, but doing away with excess sweets altogether would really give your teeth a healthy boost," Dr Johnson noted.

Research recently carried out by the American Optometric Association revealed that since the onset of the global economic downturn, 63 per cent of Americans claim they visit the dentist less now than they did a year ago.