Different foods have been foound to effect teeth differently.

While it is well known that eating sugary foods is detrimental to oral health and could result in a trip to the emergency dentist, a study has been carried out showing which foods can be the most damaging.

Dental Plans reported research published in the journal Pediatric Dentistry revealed the breakfast food which promoted the worst amounts of acid creation – leading to dental plaque – were those which contained raisins and bran.

Dr Christine Wu, director of cardiology research at the University of Illinois at Chicago, noted this food type showed significant acid production into the “well-documented danger zone”.

Elsewhere, a vaccine that could help stop gum disease has been created by pharmaceutical company CSL.

The project has now entered a phase where it will be tested on mice, with human trials likely to begin in the near future if it shows positive results.

Teeth could be strengthened through new discovery.

Researchers from the University of Illinois have discovered an amino acid that helps make teeth stronger.

Cosmetic Dentistry Guide reported proline could play an integral part in strengthening tooth enamel and as such, could be a great help in aiding people avoiding trips to the emergency dentist.

Professor Tom Diekwisch, head of oral biology at the university, commented that tooth enamel is made up of tiny bubbles of proteins and the greater presence of proline helps draw these bubbles closer together, strengthening the tooth.

Applications for the discovery include enabling dentists to repair broken teeth by replacing lost enamel.

Meanwhile, another team of scientists from the University of Illinois recently revealed there is no truth in the old wives’ tale that having dried fruit with breakfast cereal could harm tooth enamel.

Professor Christine Wu commented : “Studies have shown that raisins are rapidly cleared from the surface of the teeth just like apples, bananas and chocolate.”

Dentists in Ireland are urging patients to sign up for treatments.

Dentists in Donegal, Ireland, are urging patients to sign up for any treatments they require ahead of the new year.

The Derry Journal reported budget cuts for free treatments by the Irish government come into effect on January 1st and as such, anyone hoping to get free emergency dentistry treatment is being warned there are likely to be cutbacks and so should book an appointment sooner rather than later.

The government has announced plans to reduce free dentistry entitlements for procedures such as root canal work, dentures, dental implants, fillings and extractions.

The Irish Dental Association commented on the move saying it was “a serious mistake, which will penalise many people”.

Elsewhere, Dentistry.co.uk reported Roddy Kemp, a strategic partner at Clarity SMC, recently stated that as long as UK dentists continue to offer a professional and affordable level of service, then 2010 could be a bumper year for the industry.

Eating an apple a day could be benficial for oral health.

Eating an apple a day could help keep a trip to the emergency dentist at bay, it has been claimed.

The Nassau Guardian reported Dr Chinyere Carey-Bullard of the Advanced Family Medical Center in the Bahamas has said apples are a kind of “super fruit”, as they provide nutrients and fibre that other fruits simply do not give.

“It is a natural food without salt, preservatives and other manmade additives, while being packed with the daily nutrition one would need to maintain good everyday health,” Dr Carey-Bullard commented.

Elsewhere, the Yorkshire Post recently reported a 53-year-old mother from Doncaster was able to eat her first solid meal in over 50 years after receiving cosmetic dentistry treatment from a local surgery.

Teresa Robinson lost all the teeth from her top jaw following years of dental health problems, but dental implants from Fountain Dental, Cosmetic and Implant Clinic in Bessacarr, Doncaster, has helped her eat a solid meal for the first time in more than five decades.

Brits with missing teeth could have dental implants or a bridge.

Individuals who need to undergo emergency dentistry procedures because they have a missing tooth have been advised they have a number of treatment options available to them.

HTR News reported patients could choose to have a bridge fitted or they could have dental implants.

Dentist Dr Jessica Hall told the news provider: “The advantages of implants are that they do not harm any other teeth and, due to advancing technologies, can last a very long time. Some implants even outlast other teeth.”

Dr Hall noted dental implants often consist of a small, titanium screw that is fixed in the jaw bone, which a false tooth is then attached to.

Elsewhere, Consumer Guide to Dentistry recently reported the uptake of dental implants is set to gather pace in 2010.

According to a report by the publication, next year will see an increase in both the variety and affordability of the procedure, as the techniques for manufacturing and fitting the devices become more refined

The dental profession could make a swift recovery from recession in 2010.

The dentistry profession could be set for a bumper year following the end of recession in the UK, it has been forecast.

Roddy Kemp, a strategic partner at Clarity SMC, told Dentistry.co.uk that as long as dentists can be seen to be providing an affordable and professional level of service, then 2010 could be a great year for the industry.

He wrote: “Value for money conveys reassurance and encourages people to come back and refer. In essence, what it means is quality and service.”

Elsewhere, the Bolton News recently reported a new surgery is to be opened in Burnley next year.

A new dental “super-centre”, which could cater for the needs of up to 10,000 patients, is to be built in the town centre.

It is hoped this new facility will improve dental services in the area and make an “enormous difference” to the healthcare provisions for local residents, NHS East Lancashire’s primary care head Peter Sellars told the publication.

Packing the toothbrush is essential for UK holidaymakers.

Brits planning a winter break to escape the UK this year have been urged not to forget their toothbrush when packing for their travels.

“As weight restrictions increase and more and more people are travelling with carry-on baggage, people are being forced to choose between essentials when packing for their holiday,” Olivia Skee, marketing manager of Staysure.co.uk, told the Daily Mail.

However, a poll by the company recently revealed 59 per cent said they could make do without a hairdryer, while 23 per cent thought they could manage without make-up.

Overall, just two per cent said they could do without their toothbrush while on holiday.

Elsewhere, a new waterless toothbrush has been invented in the US that uses a liquid gel rather than toothpaste.

A cannister of the gel is built into the toothbrush, meaning users can brush their teeth on the go. It is believed the device will have applications within the military and also in promoting dental health in developing countries.

Dried fruits in cereal do not damage teeth.

Brits worried about damaging their teeth and the possibility of trip to the emergency dentist because of dried fruit in their cereal have been told to relax.

Professor Christine Wu, who headed a team of scientists from the University of Illinois, carried out a study to reveal whether sticky fruits such as raisins in cereal increased the risk of a person developing cavities.

She commented: “Studies have shown that raisins are rapidly cleared from the surface of the teeth just like apples, bananas and chocolate.”

As a result, no increased effect of decay was recorded, meaning the chances of this old wives’ tale being true are remote.

Elsewhere, Valoplife.com recently reported researchers at Kyushu University in Japan have found eating yoghurt could be beneficial to the gums.

A study by the research team concluded foods which contain high levels of lactic acid could be beneficial in tackling gum disease.

Dental implants help woman eat first meal.A 53-year-old mother from Doncaster is to receive emergency dentistry treatment to help her eat her first solid meal in more than 50 years.

The Yorkshire Post reported Teresa Robinson was left with no teeth in the upper part of her jaw after a lifelong struggle with dental problems.

However, a £20,000 operation carried out at the Fountain Dental, Cosmetic and Implant Clinic in Bessacarr, Doncaster, is to see her fit with dental implants to enable her to eat solid food again.

Ms Robinson said: “It will help me to be able to eat and have food with people. At the moment, I cannot go out anywhere because I am always covering my mouth up.”

Elsewhere, the Consumer Guide to Dentistry recently revealed the number of dental implant treatments being carried out in the UK is growing, with 2010 likely to see a further increase in the use of this technology.

Wearing a mouthguard would help protect the teeth of sportsmen.

The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) recently proposed legislation for the creation of a study on the impact of not wearing mouthguards at high school sports events, according to Dental Plans.

Dr Steven Corben, a Massachusetts dentist, noted that each year, he treats many patients who could have avoided damage to their teeth by wearing these protective devices.

“Many of the injuries I have witnessed could have been avoided by wearing a mouthguard, sparing the athlete significant pain and the cost of dental treatment,” he commented.

Research by the MDS showed that 63 per cent injuries to the teeth are caused by falls.

Elsewhere, Dr Spiker Davis from Houston Cosmetic Dentistry recently invested $100,000 (£62,000) into new imaging technology that helps reduce the need for X-rays and provides clearer images of dental problems.

He claimed the technology is excellent and allows him to save lives by diagnosing underlying medical problems more easily.