Essex dentist Tony Clough has been chosen to manage the team of dentists who will care for the teeth of thousands of Olympic athletes at the 2012 Games. Tony, from Chelmsford, is well experienced in the area, having provided dental care for the competitors, their back-ups and the officials at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Tony points out that they were likely to see a lot of emergency dentistry treatments carried out among the 40,000 strong Olympic team, with the focus on quick procedures that can keep the events rolling along smoothly. He says; ‘If it’s something that is minor we can patch it – maybe a tooth that’s broken. Within about five or ten minutes they’re back on the field of play. If they’ve got a loose tooth we can splint it and get them back on.’
Athletes, although in good shape physically, can sometimes neglect their teeth whilst training and competing, leading to problems such as abscesses and gum disease. Tony comments that a lot of athletes come from underprivileged backgrounds, and so haven’t received a good quality of dental care thus far. He adds ‘It’s because they’re constantly drinking sports drinks, fizzy drinks and sweet drinks, because they need to. For example, with a rower, they need to put in 4,000 to 6,000 calories per day and the way they do that is through drinks.’
Mr Clough and his team will be based at the Olympic Park in Stratford, with two satellite clinics working in Weymouth and Eton.

Emergency dentistry treatment could be prevented if individuals ensure their teeth brushing technique is effective in ridding the mouth of bacteria.

Carrying out the task twice a day for at least two minutes is vital in ensuring oral health issues, such as gum disease and tooth decay, do not develop.

This view is echoed by the Times of India, which suggests that brushing teeth in an ineffective manner is a leading cause of cavities and other problems.

Marking the launch of Oral Health Day earlier this week, the newspaper revealed that oral health is among the most neglected issues across the country.

According to Colgate, individuals should begin their teeth brushing routine by cleaning the outer surfaces of their upper teeth, then continue with the lower areas.

The organisation also states that brushes with soft bristles can be more effective for removing plaque and limiting the risk of oral health issues.
 

Drinking green tea on a regular basis could provide benefits for oral health and limit the chances of needing emergency dentistry, one expert has claimed.

Dr Pravesh Solanki from Cosmeticdentistryguide.co.uk suggested that the beverage contains natural antioxidants that can reduce the build-up of plaque.

The dental expert suggested that a number of foods can be beneficial for oral health, but it is important to avoid sugary snacks and fizzy drinks to help teeth and gums.

In addition, Dr Solanki advised health-conscious individuals to increase their consumption of a variety of substances in a bid to limit the risk of developing problems.

“Milk and yogurt are good for teeth because they contain low acidity. Milk is also a good source of calcium, the main component of teeth and bones,” he explained.

According to the recent research published in Network Health Dieticians, consumption of black tea can provide similar benefits to green tea, including the prevention of heart disease. 

Increasing numbers of prospective patients are looking to receive dental implants to replace teeth that have been lost as a result of decay or sporting accidents.

Data collected by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) has revealed that the treatment has topped a list of enquiries, along with crowns, bridges and removable appliances.

The figures represent a drastic shift in the types of issues patients are concerned with in recent years, with 2006 results showing many were worried about rising dental charges.

In addition, the latest statistics revealed that higher numbers of individuals have shown an interest in improving their oral hygiene by carrying out research into the issue.

Sharon Broom, director of operations for the BDHF, said: "Overall, the public has remained fairly consistent with its information needs over the past five years.

"We are pleased that the number of calls regarding oral hygiene is increasing."

Last month, the BDHF announced the launch of the Mouth Cancer Action Month scheme, in a bid to educate the public about the symptoms of the fatal illness. 

Emergency dentistry could be increasingly common among US sports players after recent figures revealed tooth fractures were one of the most commonly sustained injuries.

Statistics from the US National Youth Sports Safety Foundation have estimated that more than three million pearly whites will be lost this year as a result of accidents.

Dr Stephen Mitchell, associate professor in the paediatric dentistry department of the University of Alabama, revealed that basketball and baseball were two of the main sports that can result in the injuries.

The shocking figures have spurred a number of the country's dental experts to urge athletes to ensure they wear mouth guards at all times during contact sports.

"If the child has a full set of permanent teeth then a custom guard can be made that will provide protection but be small enough to make it easy to communicate with teammates," Dr Mitchell added.

This news comes after the American Dental Association estimated that mouth guards prevent approximately 200,000 injuries each year in school and college football alone. 

Individuals hoping to avoid needing emergency dentistry should avoid consuming large amounts of junk food in a bid to protect their oral health.

A group of New Zealand researchers have discovered that the effects of sugary and acidic foods may cause more damage than can be reversed by brushing teeth.

Scientists from the Dental Association found that individuals who eat high quantities of junk food were at a considerably higher risk of sustaining dental holes.

The research emerges after statistics revealed that only 21 per cent of young people in New Zealand had considered limiting their intake of sugar to promote overall health.

Deepa Krishnan from the Dental Association said: “The study suggests the effects of junk food extend beyond poor nutrition, obesity and its associated risks, to poor oral health, which remains the most common chronic disease in New Zealand.”

The British Dental Health Foundation recommends that people consume a diet that is high in vitamins and minerals, such as fruit and vegetables, to prevent gum disease.

Smokers who are hoping to limit their chances of developing mouth cancer should attend regular appointments with an emergency dentist to check for any symptoms.

The life-threatening illness, which affects almost 6,000 individuals per year, generally affects people aged 50 or over, with 87 per cent of cases in the UK accounted for by this age group.

However, young people who take part in regular drinking and smoking could be increasing their risk of developing mouth cancer, and should attend dental appointments on a regular basis.

This view is echoed by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF), which urges individuals of all ages to take small steps to reducing the chances of developing the potentially fatal illness.

Ensuring lips are protected in a warm climate could also be beneficial through the use of a high factor sun cream and block to ensure they are not affected by the sun’s harmful rays.

This advice comes after the BDHF highlighted its role in the Mouth Cancer Action Month campaign, which will take place in November to educate people about the symptoms of the illness.

Individuals who attend regular check-ups with an emergency dentist should increase their awareness of mouth cancer in a bid to prevent the development of the illness.

As part of a new campaign, the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) is calling upon dental professionals and medical staff to educate the public about the disease.

The If In Doubt, Get Checked Out initiative will see Cancer Research UK team up with Denplan in a bid to give advice about limiting the risk of contracting mouth cancer.

Set to take place throughout November, the scheme emerges after figures revealed that 6,000 new cases of the illness are diagnosed in the UK each year.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the BDHF, said: "If the profession can inform and urge patients that regularly attending checkups increases the chances of mouth cancer being detected at an early stage, together we can help to raise awareness."

Earlier this year, the organisation unveiled a new product – which takes form as an artificial nose – that is able to distinguish between head and neck cancer patients. 

Individuals who are worried about the pain associated with emergency dentistry could be relieved to hear of a new discovery from scientists in Yorkshire.

Researchers from Leeds University have established a method of regenerating decaying teeth in a non-surgical manner, removing the need for the use of a drill.

Using the revolutionary breakthrough, the scientists claim that the treatment could reverse the damage caused by acid and rebuild teeth as new.

In addition, the experts have suggested that the move could have a positive effect on overall dentistry and encourage more people to attend regular checkups.

The method involves the use of a fluid that is painted on to the tooth to prevent the first signs of decay, which attracts calcium and spurs regeneration.

College professor Paul Brunton said: "If we can offer a treatment that is completely non-invasive, that doesn't involve a mechanical drill, then we can change that perceived link between dental treatment and pain."

Web MD advises individuals to clean in between their teeth every day using floss or interdental cleaners in a bid to ward off bacteria.  

Individuals taking measures to prevent needing emergency dentistry could drink black tea to stop the development of potentially harmful bacteria.

Dr Carrie Ruxton from the Tea Adivisory Panel has urged people to drink the beverage on a regular basis in a bid to kill bacteria in the mouth that could lead to problems.

Her advice comes after researchers claimed that black tea offers the same range of health benefits as green because they are derived from the same plant, Camellia sinensis.

The findings, set to be published in Network Health Dieticians, also suggest that the product could improve cardiovascular health and prevent diabetes.

Ms Ruxton stated that drinking tea was a significant part of British culture where people like to sit down with a cup, relax and catch up on the latest events.

"Tea [contains] flavonoids have [that] potent anti-bacterial properties and can kill bacteria in the mouth which cause tooth decay. Tea also contains some fluoride which protects tooth enamel."