Having a dry mouth could be detrimental to oral health.

Many people suffer from a dry mouth but do not realise the harmful effects it can have on oral health, it has been claimed.

Business Week reported in its Executive Health section that symptoms of the disorder can include a sore throat, a burning sensation, hoarse voice, nasal dryness and difficulty speaking and swallowing.

In addition, dry mouth can lead to inflammation of the tissues in the mouth and this can be exceedingly painful.

However, if left untreated, the problem can lead to a build up of plaque, as saliva is needed to help rid the mouth of debris left behind while eating and this in turn can lead to decay and the need for emergency dentistry treatments.

Elsewhere, Cosmetic Dentistry Guide recently reported New Jersey emergency dentistry professional Dr Sherzoy claimed smoking can cause both tooth and bone loss in the jaw.

He therefore warned against the habit and noted it can cause bad breath, tooth discolouration and an increased build-up of plaque.

Children’s tooth development linked to future problems.

Children who have fewer teeth coming through by the age of one could be more prone to orthodontic problems in the future, a new study has shown.

The Telegraph reported the research – which was carried out by teams from Imperial College London, the University of Bristol and the University of Oulu in Finland – showed the delayed appearance of milk teeth has a direct correllation with the need for emergency dentistry treatments as a child grows.

She told the newspaper: “The discoveries of genetic and environmental determinants of human development will help us to understand the development of many disorders which appear later in life.”

Elsewhere, Tod Bigelow recently wrote in a blog for Hattiesburg American parents have been advised by the American Dental Association that letting their children use pacifiers after the age of two could have a detrimental effect on the development of their teeth.

He noted it can lead to a narrowing of the upper jaw in relation to the lower jaw, resulting in an improper bite.

Access to emergency dentistry is poor in Yorkshire, it has been claimed.

Access to emergency dentistry facilities remains poor in Yorkshire, it has been claimed.

Cosmetic Dentistry Guide reported 42,000 fewer adults were able to access dental health services in North Yorkshire in 2009, compared to 2007, despite the fact the government pledged to improve access in 2006 as part of its review into NHS dentistry services in the area.

Dr Susie Sanderson, a Sheffield-based dentist and British Dental Association’s executive board chairperson, said: “NHS dentistry is still facing challenges as many people still can’t access it.”

Elsewhere, the Ormskirk & Skelmersdale Advertiser recently reported more than 16,000 new NHS dentistry places have been created in western Lancashire in order to meet the demand of locals for emergency dentistry procedures.

A new surgery is to be created in Ormskirk at the West Lancashire Health Centre on the Ormskirk Hospital site and in addition, a further 16,000 places are to be created in Preston and Chorley.

A new dental surgery is set to open in Cirencester.

A new dental practice is set to open in Cirencester to help fulfil the emergency dentistry needs of local residents, it has been revealed.

The Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard reported Dr Ross Cutts and his family has moved to the area from Kent to open the new surgery – Cirencester Dental – and he has been able to design the premises from scratch, to ensure all the needs of his prospective patients are catered for.

Dr Cutts told the publication: “The positive comments that everyone has given us has made all the hard work very worthwhile.”

He is a specialist in cosmetic dentistry and dental implants, while the surgery will offer a full range of treatments including Botox and teeth whitening.

Elsewhere, the Goole Courier recently reported a new emergency dentistry surgery is to open in Snaith, North Yorkshire.

It will be operated by partners Dr Tony O’Brien and Dr Chris Siddle and will help to meet the needs of approximately 5,000 patients in the area.

Police have caught a man flossing while driving on the M4.A man was caught by police officers flossing his teeth while driving on the M4 in Gwent.

While it is important to floss regularly, there is a time and a place and behind the wheel of a fast moving vehicle is not one of them.

In total, the crackdown by local police – which took place over eight days during January and February – resulted in 57 people being pulled over, all of which were dealt with either through a fixed penalty notice or the driver being reported for summons.

Inspector Lee Ford told the publication: “The potential risks that some of the offences detected as part of this operation can have not only on the safety of the driver involved, but also other road users, should never be underestimated.”

Elsewhere, a man in Indonesia recently had to have emergency dentistry treatment after a cigarette he was smoking exploded in his mouth while he was riding his motorcycle.

The explosion resulted in him losing six teeth and needing 51 stitches. He is currently in the process of suing the manufacturers of the cigarettes.

Kids in the US have quizzed dental professionals about their oral health.

Children from a school in the US have been asking students from Flint Hills Technical College on how best to maintain good oral health.

Pre-school pupils from Maynard Early Childhood Center were visited by the trainee dentists to help field any questions they may have about their teeth and keeping them in top condition.

Questions ranged from why it is important to brush regularly, through to what can happen if a person has poor oral health.

The kids were also treated to a visit from Major Molar who led them in a song to emphasise how best to brush their teeth. Sang to the tune of Row, Row, Row your Boat, it went: “Brush, brush, brush your teeth, brush them every day; right, left, up, down, brush the plaque away.”

Elsewhere, research carried out by the Pew Centre recently revealed that a fifth of children in the US do not see a dentist every year.

It concluded that most US states lack key policies to ensure children are provided with annual dental health check-ups.

Children should not suck on a pacifier past two.

Parents have been advised that letting their children use pacifiers after the age of two could have a detrimental effect on the development of their teeth.

Tod Bigelow wrote in a blog for Hattiesburg American that a study carried out by the American Dental Association has shown that sucking on a pacifier can be a problem behaviour as children get older, as it can lead to a narrowing of the upper jaw in relation to the lower jaw, resulting in an improper bite.

He noted: “The study reveals that children who continue past age two increase the risk of developing protruding front teeth.”

Elsewhere, My West Texas recently reported that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month in the US and as a result, parents are being urge to ensure their children eat less sugar in order to boost oral health.

Dental professional at Casa de Amigos Fran Billingsley noted eating excessive amounts of sugar can be detrimental to a child’s oral health. She also urged parents to make regular appointments for check-ups.

Antibiotics do not improve dental implant success rates.

A study by Basque Research has revealed the use of antibiotics after dental implant surgery does little to improve success rates.

It showed survival rates for dental implants stand at 99.2 per cent on average and although antibiotics can stop infection, in many cases this has little effect on the longevity of the dental treatment.

A clinical trial of 105 patients who had the procedure carried out showed there was little difference between groups who were given antibiotics and those offered a placebo.

The report concluded: “No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in the number of post-operative infections, in infection free time, side effects [or] number of failures.”

Elsewhere, WorlDental recently reported fixing broken teeth has become increasingly straightforward for dental professionals in recent years with a number of options now available.

In many cases the tooth can be repaired, but if it is too badly damaged then the dentist can carry out an extraction and replace the missing tooth with a dental implant or a bridge.

Sensitive teeth can be a problem, but there are ways to tackle the issue.

Millions of people suffer from sensitive teeth every day and the problem can be very severe and impact on quality of life for sufferers.

However, the Hindu Times reported 46 per cent of people who suffer from sensitive teeth are aged between 30 and 40, but there is very little awareness of the fact that desensitising toothpastes are now available.

The toothpastes work by filling small channels in the dentine of teeth that lead directly to the nerve endings. When this dentine is exposed and comes into contact with cold substances, the heat transfer can cause the nerve to fire creating pain.

Elsewhere, dietician Elaine Hastings recently claimed children should eat a healthy mix of foods in order to keep their teeth as strong as possible.

She noted drinking lots of milk is important, as the calcium contained in the drink is needed – especially when children’s teeth are developing – to ensure enamel stays strong.

Having a healthy set of teeth is important to overall health.

Gum disease has been linked to an array of serious conditions such as diabetes and heart disease and as such, it is important to maintain good oral health, it has been claimed.

Dr Samuel Low, associate dean and professor of periodontology at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and president of the American Academy of Periodontology, claimed just three per cent of people suffering from the disease actually seek out treatment.

He commented: “Patients are not aware of the long-term and potentially dangerous implications of untreated gum disease. There are a variety of myths surrounding periodontal disease.”

Elsewhere, the Manila Bulletin recently reported having dental implants installed could be the next best thing to having real teeth.

Dr Mark Gan told the publication that gone are the days when extractions and other procedures might be likened to torture, as modern methods can be virtually pain free for some people.