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.

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.

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.

Olympic silver medallist breaks his tooth.

Men’s Olympic luge silver medallist David Moeller has broken a tooth after he bit down too hard on his medal during a photo op.

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

Moeller noted: “It is annoying when you can’t smile as you normally do. And because I want to have nice pictures and happy memories of my Olympic Games, I went to the dentist to get it repaired.”

Meanwhile, gold medal winner Felix Loch carried out the pose for photographers without a hitch – the sign of a true champion.

Elsewhere, WorlDental recently reported anyone who has broken a tooth has been advised not to panic and instead to wash their mouth with warm water and to try to stop any bleeding – while remembering to keep hold of any bits of tooth that have fallen out.

Broken teeth can be repaired by an emergency dentist.

A broken or chipped tooth can be extremely painful, but people have been advised there are a number of ways to fix this problem.

WorlDental reported anyone afflicted with this problem has been advised not to panic and instead to wash their mouth with warm water and to try to stop any bleeding – while remembering to keep hold of any bits of tooth that have fallen out.

Individuals should then contact an emergency dentist who in many cases can repair the tooth if it is not significantly fractured. If this is the case, then the dentist can carry out an extraction and replace the missing tooth with a dental implant or a bridge.

Elsewhere, research carried out by George Huang, the Herbert Schilder chair in endodontics and director of the postdoctoral programme in endodontics at the School of Dental Medicine, recently highlighted a new technique that could be used to re-grow broken or decayed teeth.

The procedure works by extracting living stem cells and using them to create any missing structures within a mature tooth.

NHS dentists in Northampton are to see the same patients.

Three NHS emergency dentistry centres are to be closed in Northamptonshire in order to ensure patients see the same dentist whenever they have a check-up.

Premises at St Leonard’s Road, Far Cotton, as well as in Daventry and Corby, are to shut down in order to provide greater continuity in care.

Diane Fenton, NHS Northamptonshire’s deputy head of primary care contracts, commented: “One of the problems with the current arrangement of services is that there’s no continuity of care for patients if they are not seeing the same dentist each time.”

Elsewhere, Cosmetic Dentistry Guide recently reported recommendations made in the Steele Review are to be put into practice in order to boost efficiency and the level of care offered by NHS dentistry services.

Recommended last July, the measures include recording the quality and quantity of treatments for each patient, as well as encouraging more dentists to carry out preventative work.

Snaith is to receive a new dental surgery.

A new emergency dentistry surgery is to open in Snaith, North Yorkshire.

The Goole Courier reported the surgery 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.

Snaith had been identified by NHS East Riding of Yorkshire as being an area that was in need of additional dental provision and therefore, the opening of this new surgery will be welcome news to locals.

Dr O’Brien said: “This is an exciting time as plans are in place for a first-class, modern, two chair dental surgery for Snaith.”

Elsewhere, the Gazette & Herald recently reported a new emergency dentistry surgery is set to open in Pickering, North Yorkshire.

Dr Isobel Greenstreet is set to move to a new surgery at the Hungate Joinery Works in Hungate, where she will be able to offer dental services to her 975 patients.

A man from Indonesia has needed emergency dentistry after his cigarette exploded.

A man in Indonesia had to have emergency dentistry treatment after a cigarette he was smoking exploded in his mouth causing him to lose a number of teeth.

The man was riding his motorcycle at the time and the explosion resulted in him losing six teeth and needing 51 stitches.

A spokesman for Clas Mild cigarettes, the brand Mr Susanto had been smoking, commented: “We are communicating with the police and still waiting on the forensic laboratory tests.

“We do not put any strange materials in the cigarettes, so we think that this is a weird case.”

Elsewhere, News Sentinel recently reported the debate continues to be held in the US over whether dentists should still be using mercury amalgam for fillings.

The treatment has been widespread, especially in those aged over 40. However, there are now concerns that the heavy metal used in the amalgam could cause long-term illness.