Children in east Lancashire have the worst teeth in England.

Children in East Lancashire have been found to have the worst teeth in England.

Findings from the North West Public Health Observatory revealed that 51 per cent of 1,232 children aged five examined in the Blackburn with Darwen area were found to have either missing teeth or signs of serious tooth decay.

Indeed, other areas fared almost as badly – Pendle (46.9 per cent of those examined), Hyndburn (45.9 per cent) and Burnley (43.5 per cent).

Roy Davies, chairman of Blackburn with Darwen’s health scrutiny committee, said: “We brought in an advisor on this a while back and we have put measures in place. We have got people who go into schools and teach children about toothcare.”

Elsewhere, local newspaper the Chorley People recently reported a new emergency and cosmetic dentistry office is to open in Chorley.

The publication noted the practice will offer places to up to 7,000 patients and the new Ravat & Ray Dental Care office will have three surgeries.

Acupuncture could be of use in reducing anxiety.

People worried about emergency dentistry treatments might like to have acupuncture sessions in order to reduce their anxiety, it has been stated.

A study by researchers from Sheffield and Denmark showed that in the majority of cases, anxiety levels can be reduced following acupuncture, as the body releases natural chemicals to calm a person.

Those that took part in the research all claimed to have had a fear of the dentist for between two and 30 years, yet the results showed that typical levels of stress were more than halved for those who underwent acupuncture.

“Acupuncture prior to dental treatment has a beneficial effect on the level of anxiety in patients with dental anxiety and may offer a simple and inexpensive method of treatment,” the study’s authors noted.

Elsewhere, the CNN Wellness blog recently reported that not coping with stress properly can lead to real problems with oral health, as people tend to grind their teeth more.

Indeed, the post revealed that in many cases, people who are stressed do not realise they are grinding their teeth, as they do it in their sleep.

People do not just have to use toothpaste to brush their teeth.

Everyone knows that maintaining a regular oral health routine is beneficial to the long-term health of their teeth, but when a person runs out of toothpaste, there are alternatives that could help them avoid missing their daily brush.

WorlDental reported household baking soda is a constituent of some toothpastes and at a push, using a small amount of a brush with water can help to clean the teeth due to its abrasive qualities.

Furthermore, using a clean cloth soaked in warm water can also be a useful way to clean the teeth, although the publication noted that none of these methods should be used on a long-term basis.

Elsewhere, Mark Wolff, chair of cariology and comprehensive care at New York University School of Dentistry, recently told Boston.com that people should refrain from brushing their teeth directly after drinking acidic beverages.

He noted that the enamel is weakened by acidic foods and drinks and therefore brushing soon after consuming these things could be detrimental to long-term oral health.

Students in Japan are practicing dentistry on a robot.

Dentistry students In Japan are now able to practice their skills on a robot, ahead of actually treating human patients, it has been revealed.

According to News Centre, 88 students at Japan’s Showa University have been able to carry out treatments on a robot that mimics the human mouth. It enables the students to hone their skills safe in the knowledge that they cannot cause any harm.

“Medical skill and ability is first built upon failures. One’s skills only improve once they have failed once,” said vice-director of Showa University Dental Hospital Koutaro Maki.

As a result, the institute has developed a robotic surrogate on which students can practice their skills without harming anyone in the process.

Elsewhere, Dr James McAnally, director of the Healthy Heart Dental Program, recently revealed that having good oral health is key in the fight against gum disease.

He noted taking the time to get regular check-ups from the dentist could dramatically improve a person’s health and increase their lifespan in the process.

Children could harm their teeth by eating too much sugar this Easter.

Ahead of the Easter bank holiday parents have been advised to ensure their children do not develop such a sweet tooth this year.

The Suburbanite has reported that while Easter is often a time for copious amounts of chocolate and sweet treats for children, oral health should not be far from parents’ minds.

Indeed, the publication noted that after eating sweets- such as Easter eggs – teeth can come under a 20-minute acid attack and it is therefore best for anyone eating these foods to wash their mouths with water afterwards.

Elsewhere, psychologist Dr Pat Spungin recently told the Telegraph that it is normal for extremely young children to suck their thumb as it can be comforting.

However, this can become a problem as teeth start to come through, as the constant pressure of sucking can mean they are not straight when they are fully developed, resulting in children needing cosmetic dentistry or braces.

Children should not undergo jaw surgery, it has been argued.

A former dentist is continuing to campaign against jaw surgery for children.

81-year-old John Mew, a former dental professional, has said he will continue to lobby the industry to stop resorting to unnecessary surgery for young people with jaw problems.

He claimed that operations to fix a problem known as an under-bite are unnecessary and can put children at risk of complications.

Mr Mew stated the surgery has no guarantee of success and can often leave patients with a permanent disfigurement. And at the same time, he noted there are less invasive procedures that can be carried out which will often result in the same, if not better, results for sufferers.

Elsewhere, the Leaf Chronicle recently reported Clarksvill dentist Dr Bill Wall has pioneered the use of new equipment that could help reduce pain for those undergoing emergency or cosmetic dentistry treatments.

He is using stereolithographic-imaging models to replace the old plaster of paris casts for making bridges and prosthetics and this is a less invasive and more accurate treatment.

Poor dental hygiene is Kelly Osbourne’s pet peeve.

Kelly Osbourne has claimed that one of her biggest pet peeves is people not having good oral hygiene.

The 25-year-old relayed a story of being in a London taxi and having to hold back her rage as the driver incessantly sucked and licked his teeth throughout the journey.

She tweeted: “In a taxi and the driver keeps licking and sucking his teeth and it’s making me SICK and putting me in the worst mood.”

The reality TV and pop sensation made her comments while back in London last week – although she spends most of her time living in Los Angeles.

Elsewhere, it was recently revealed that Lady Gaga has commissioned a set of gold teeth to promote her new single.

The pop star has splashed out on a set of false teeth made of solid gold, which she will use during her stage show while performing her new song Teeth.

Dental implants last for a long time and patients should not be worried about their hardiness, it has been claimed.

A recent study has shown that in 98 per cent of cases, dental implants will last longer then five years for patients.

Nobel Biocare revealed its results after completing a five-year follow-up study on patients who had full-arch restorations utilising these cosmetic dentistry devices.

It showed that in the vast majority of cases, few problems were had with dental implants and that the devices helped maintain bone structure in the jaw and supported surrounding teeth in the process.

Furthermore, the company claimed that the study has helped prove it uses “very demanding study protocols and is very transparent in its reporting of bone remodelling.”

Elsewhere, New York periodontist Dr Hiroshi Kimura recently said the use of dental implants could be the perfect solution for someone who has lost a tooth.

He noted the devices can offer a permanent solution to tooth loss and the prosthetic that is attached can be treated and maintained just as a person would one of their own teeth.

Botox treatments could help people with spasticity problems.

US veterans could soon benefit from Botox treatments to help ease the suffering of those with debilitating limb spasticity, it has been claimed.

The Montgomery Courier reported that when injected into muscles that have gone into spasm, the botulinium toxin is able to allow them to relax, restoring movement and easing pain.

“The purpose of the procedure is to assist patients in facilitating their rehabilitation goals and to reduce the pain caused by intense spasms,” said Dr Stephanie Sneed, director of the Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury Programme.

“We find the use of Botox extremely helpful in improving a veteran’s quality of life.”

Elsewhere, the Manila Bulletin recently reported that individuals who suffer from excessive sweating could benefit from Botox treatments to get their situation under control.

The publication noted Botox injections can be a quick and relatively painless solution to the problem, as the botulinum toxin is able to paralyse the nerve cells which send the signals to produce the sweat.

Chemotherapy patients must look after their oral health.

People undergoing chemotherapy treatments must ensure they maintain a good oral health routine in order to avoid their teeth becoming a problem for them, it has been claimed.

Dental Plans reported US dental professional Dr Steven McConnell said that teeth can become weaker due to the treatment and be more susceptible to decay as a result. Therefore, it is important to brush them regularly and visit a dental professional for regular check-ups to ensure no problems are going undiagnosed.

He commented: “Establishing optimum oral health is important for everyone at any age. After cancer treatment it is imperative.”

Elsewhere, Dr James McAnally, director of the Healthy Heart Dental Program, recently published new evidence highlighting the importance of good oral health in maintaining physical wellbeing.

He noted that taking the time to get regular check-ups from the dentist could dramatically improve a person’s health and increase their lifespan in the process.