More people are griding their teeth.

Teeth grinding is becoming a bigger problem as a result of continuing financial problems and stress for patients, it has been claimed.

A survey carried out in the US by the Chicago Dental Society revealed 75 per cent of dentists reported the patients say their level of stress has increased in their lives since the onset of the economic downturn, with 65 per cent of dental health professionals reporting an increase in patients’ jaw clenching and teeth grinding.

The Dental Society noted severe teeth grinding can cause headaches, as well as creating sleep problems and resulting in inflamed gums.

Elsewhere, Cosmetic Dentistry Guide recently reported smokers have been warned that the habit could be damaging to their oral health.

New Jersey emergency dentistry professional Dr Sherzoy, who practices in Bergen County, claimed smoking can cause both tooth and bone loss in the jaw.

He warned the habit can cause bad breath, tooth discolouration and inflammation of saliva producing glands.

More than a quarter of a million patients have been seen by Bristol dental professionals.

Dentists in Bristol have seen more than a quarter of a million patients over the last two years, new figures have shown.

The report – entitled NHS Dental Statistics for England – revealed the number of people who have seen a dentist in the area rose from 56 per cent in March 2006 to 60 per cent in December last year.

Across the UK, the report showed 83 per cent of children visited a dental professional during this period, up from 78 per cent in the two years prior to 2006.

The report noted there are presently 51 dental health surgeries in the Bristol area.

Elsewhere, Cosmetic Dentistry Guide recently reported improvements to the standards offered by NHS dentistry in the UK are to be carried out following the publication of the Steele Review.

It recommended measures including recording the quality and quantity of treatments for each patient, as well as encouraging more dentists to carry out preventative work.

Children are being called on to eat fewer sweets.

Parents are being urge to ensure their children eat less sugar in order to boost oral health.

My West Texas reported February is National Children’s Dental Health Month in the US and as a result, parents are being advised to ensure their children do not eat so many sweets and to ensure they get regular check-ups with a dental professional.

“The key is they can take in sugar, they just need to brush their teeth to get it off … before everything starts destroying the teeth,” commented director of public relations and marketing at Casa de Amigos Fran Billingsley.

Elsewhere, parents who give their babies sweet drinks in a bottle have been advised on a number of ways to help reduce the likelihood that they will develop tooth decay.

Health Day noted children should not be allowed to take drinks to bed with them and they should ensure they use fluoridated toothpaste to help strengthen tooth enamel.

Botox clinics are to receive a new mark of quality.

The Independent Healthcare Advisory Service (IHAS) is to set up a new government-backed initiative to provide quality assurance for people undergoing treatments of Botox.

Its new Quality Assurance Mark will be given to practitioners that meet the requisite standards for good practice, with random checks being carried out by inspectors to ensure these standards are continually being upheld.

Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen, chairman of the IHAS’ Shared Regulation Group, said: “With growth of an estimated 25 per cent of treatments carried out last year alone, the industry and the Department of Health recognised the need to safeguard patients.”

The scheme has been provided with £200,000 of government funds to ensure it is set up and runs smoothly and will be carried out as a joint effort by medical regulators and the cosmetic industry.

Elsewhere, research published in the JAMA journal Archives of Dermatology recently suggested Botox treatments could be helpful in reducing the effects of migraines.

The study showed the injections could reduce the frequency of attacks by as much as ten times.

Teeth whitening procedures vary both in price and effectiveness.

Teeth whitening services can vary in price, reports the Daily Herald.

According to the publication, not all teeth whitening procedures cost the same amount, or have equally good results.

However, it is not only price that can determine which procedure is most likely to be effective.

Individual characteristics can also have an effect, meaning an expert consultation is essential before deciding on which action to take to attempt to whiten teeth.

Depending on the reasons behind the discoloration of a person’s teeth, bleaching them back to bright white can have varying results.

People with fillings or veneers are also told to seek expert advice before bleaching their teeth, as only the natural enamel is likely to lighten in shade.

“What’s best for you depends on several things, including the type of discoloration and the amount of time and money you’re willing to spend,” the article explains.

Dental expert Dr Richard Hixson recently told Today’s THV that new technology is helping patients to have more control over the final shade of white that is achieved following tooth whitening procedures.

Mouth cancer is being targeted by the 70-strong emergency dentistry team at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, who are encouraging athletes to apply sunscreen to their mouths.

The unique nature of the elements to which alpine athletes are exposed could see their need for emergency dentistry increased, with the high levels of ultraviolet light that they encounter raising their risk of developing oral cancers.

At the present Vancouver Olympic Winter Games, more athletes than ever are being examined to determine whether they exhibit any symptoms of mouth cancer.

More than 70 experts are on hand to provide emergency dentistry services to the athletes who need them, as well as planning to screen 800 participants for signs of mouth cancer.

This is an increase of 100 per cent over the number who were screened at the previous Winter Olympics in 2006, reports Dentistry.co.uk.

Among the measures recommended to help maintain good oral health, athletes are encouraged to apply sunscreen to their mouths to help resist the ultraviolet radiation at high altitudes.

German luge participant David Moeller recently had to seek emergency dentistry treatment after posing with his silver medal between his teeth at the request of the press.

His newly won gong chipped a corner off his tooth – which Moeller quickly had repaired to restore his smile for subsequent photo opportunities.

Poor tooth care could leave children needing dental implants to prevent their adult teeth from becoming crowded.

Damage to children’s teeth could lead to a need for dental implants in order to prevent long-term negative effects on their mouths.

The Morung Express reports that children’s teeth naturally fall out between the ages of around six and 12.

However, they must still be well maintained to avoid lasting damage to the child’s mouth.

This is because they provide the space for the adult teeth to grow into – and must therefore only fall out when the adult tooth is ready to grow through.

Should they fall out early, the publication warns that the gap can close up, meaning the adult teeth will appear crowded when they grow through.

Dental implants could be one way to combat this, filling the gap until the adult tooth can appear.

Meanwhile, US News & World Report recently reported that babies’ teeth should be brushed as soon as they begin to grow through, in order to avoid tooth decay due to their consumption of sweet milk, baby formula or juice.

Always wear a mouthguard when skiing or snowboarding, it has been urged.

Anyone watching the ongoing Winter Olympics and finding the urge to go skiing or snowboarding themselves has been urged to ensure they wear a mouthguard.

The Canadian Press reported the device can provide a high degree of protection and ensure a fall does not mean a hasty trip to the emergency dentist’s office.

Dr Don Friedlander, a member of the Canadian Dental Association, commented: “Most importantly with the young people [is] to get them used to wearing mouth guards and understanding that, you know what, their heroes wear them, it’s cool to wear one, it’s smart to wear one.”

The organisation noted that mouthguards can help to protect against potentially very serious injuries, as not only do they protect the teeth, but they stop the teeth from hurting the rest of the mouth during a fall.

Elsewhere, men’s Olympic luge silver medallist David Moeller recently broke a tooth after he bit down too hard on his medal during a photo op.

The 28-year-old German athlete bit off more than he could chew when photographers asked him to carry out the obligatory bite on his prize.

Healthy diet helps kids keep strong teeth.

Children should eat a healthy mix of foods in order to keep their teeth as strong as possible, it has been claimed.

Dietician Elaine Hastings claimed 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.

Furthermore, she noted: “Dairy products, especially cheese, can actually prevent teeth from losing minerals and in some people, may even restore minerals to teeth.”

Elsewhere, the Las Vegas Review-Journal recently reported maintaining good oral hygiene cannot be stressed enough as it is intrinsically linked to overall health and wellbeing.

The publication noted gum disease can have serious adverse effects on the rest of the body – not just the gums – and this can be particularly devastating in pregnant women, as the illness has been linked to an increased likelihood of still birth.

A King cobra in India has undergone emergency dentistry treatment.

Keepers at the Van Vihar national park in India had to call in the services of an emergency dentist earlier this week in order to help save the life of a King cobra.

The 11ft venomous snake had developed an infection in its mouth and was unable to use its fangs – as it had been part of a snake charming act – but officials from the reserve were able to seize the animal and administer care to it.

“It is the first time that we are operating on a King cobra and we never had a cobra. The treatment was essential as the veins connecting the poison glands were damaged,” commented AK Khare, deputy director at Van Vihar national park.

Elsewhere, the Telegraph recently reported Cyrano – a North American bald eagle – had a big problem with his beak after it had become entangled in some heavy-duty fishing line.

However, dentist Kirk Johnson was able to rebuild the top half of the bird’s beak using cosmetic dentistry putty, making the animal the world’s first bird to receive a filling.