Several brands of teeth whitener have been found to be dangerous.

Two do-it-yourself teeth whiteners are being recalled because of harmful side-effects that include chemical burns to users' mouths.

The products recalled are "Bright White Express – Advanced Teeth Whitening Kit" and 'Proteethwhitening – Professional Teeth Whitening Pen", both supplied by a company called Pro Teeth Whitening.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, David Bradbury today signed a Consumer Protection Notice ordering the company to recall the kits to protect consumers from high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide that may cause chemical burns to a user's mouth and gums.

“These products contain the bleaching agent hydrogen peroxide in higher concentrations than the recognised safe limits as set out in the Poisons Standard 2011 and are unsafe for DIY teeth whitening,” Mr Bradbury said. “Following negotiations with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, 22 teeth whitening products with unsafe levels of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide have already been voluntarily recalled by eight other suppliers since December 2011.

“Consumers are advised to cease using these products immediately and visit the Recalls Australia website www.recalls.gov.au for more information on returning the goods for replacement or refund.”

Pro Teeth Whitening has three days to comply with the compulsory recall order.

“DIY teeth whitening kits have grown in popularity, but kits with high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide may cause painful injuries to a user's mouth and gums, including sensitive teeth and chemical burns,” Mr Bradbury said.

“The Australian Dental Association has also reported that dentists are seeing an increasing number of patients presenting with mouth injuries attributed to home teeth bleaching. Some cases have also been treated in emergency departments of hospitals.

“Poisons Information Centres in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria have received a combined total of at least 58 reports of injuries involving teeth whiteners since 2004.”

If you experience any adverse symptoms after using a DIY teeth whitening kit you should seek medical treatment.

Article Source http://www.smh.com.au/national/diy-teeth-whiteners-ordered-off-the-market-20120206-1r1fz.html#ixzz1lfs45zbi

Who it affects

Bad breath can affect anyone, as there are a range of different causes, each with its own treatment. Many people believe bad breath is directly related to the foods that they eat, which is true – but only in the short term. Foods such as garlic and onions do have the ability to cause bad breath, but those symptoms are generally short-lived.

However, people who suffer from halitosis are more prone to prolonged bouts of bad breath, caused by sulphur-producing bacteria. The symptoms include a white film on the tongue and / or teeth, dry mouth, a constant bitter or metallic taste and bad breath.

There is no single treatment for halitosis, due to the numerous causes – your doctor or dentist can offer proper diagnosis and recommend treatments.

How to prevent it

Avoiding halitosis can be as simple as improving your oral hygiene regimen. There are several mouthwashes and toothpastes on the market that have been formulated to help fight the bacterial cause, and mask or negate many of the unpleasant symptoms.

In extreme cases, a course of antibiotics may be suggested by your health care professional.

The main cause for tooth loss in adults is gum disease. It's believed that the bacteria associated with gum disease contributes to the narrowing of the artery walls. Strokes are
caused by blood supply to the brain being blocked. Other research has shown that gum disease is linked with heart disease, so there's even more reason to take care of your
chompers.

 Top tips for healthy teeth: Brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily and stay away from sugary foods.

When to see a dentist: It's recommended that you get a dental checkup every six months. If you notice that you have bleeding red or swollen gums, or if your teeth have gotten more sensitive or loose, you may be showing signs of gum disease.

 Call 1300 764 537 or click here for an appointment.

Tea also contains antibacterial substances that reduce the amount of acid-producing bacteria that cause cavities. So drink tea, as well as brushing and flossing, to protect those pearly whites. It’s just what the dentist ordered.

Article Source - bodyandsoul.com.au

Signs and symptoms of bruxism include:

Audible grinding sounds while the person is asleep

Headache, jaw joint and/or ear pain

Aching teeth, particularly upon waking

Aching and/or stiffness of the face and temples upon waking

Aching or stiffness in the jaws while chewing, particularly during breakfast

Clenching the jaw when angry, anxious or concentrating

Temperature-sensitive teeth

Cracked or chipped tooth enamel

Tooth indentations on the tongue

Raised tissue on the cheek mucosa caused by cheek biting (linea alba)

Mobile teeth.

Complications of bruxism

Teeth grinding can cause a range of dental problems, which may include:

Cracked tooth enamel

Excessive wear and tear on the teeth

Broken teeth or restorations

Strain on the joints and soft tissue of the jaw joint (temporo-mandibular joint)

Temporo-mandibular disorder

Tooth loss (rarely)

Enlargement of the jaw muscles (rarely).

A range of causes

Some of the many factors believed to trigger bruxism in susceptible people include:

Emotional stress, such as anger or anxiety

Mental concentration

Physical effort or stress, such as illness, nutritional deficiency or dehydration

Incorrect tooth alignment, including fillings that are too ‘high’

Drug misuse (particularly amphetamines)

Eruption of teeth (babies and children).

Diagnosis

If you suspect you grind your teeth, see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will examine your teeth and may take x-rays to gauge the severity of the problem and the damage to teeth and bone.

Dental treatment

You should consult your dental professional for their recommended course of treatment. Dental treatment options include:

Repair of tooth damage

Adjustment of fillings that may be too high and interfering with the bite (not adjustment of teeth)

Mouth appliances to be worn at night (bite splints), so that you grind the appliance and not your teeth. In most cases, these appliances will only provide relief from the associated symptoms and will not stop you from grinding your teeth.

Other treatments

Other treatments that may help to manage teeth grinding include:

Stress management therapy

Relaxation techniques

Cognitive behaviour therapy

Regular exercise

Muscle relaxant medication.

Where to get help

Your dentist

Dental specialist

Psychologist, to help with stress management

image supplied by tips 4 dental care

Local dentists in most cities of Japan are using a variety of techniques and methods to make the Japanese look like little vampires or like wild animals. The most common procedure usually includes using adhesive and non-permanent fangs. The cost for such innovative ‘cosmetic’ procedure varies, and in the most dental salons of Tokyo it is possible to ‘improve’ the alignment of your teeth for the price of about 300-400 USD.

There is a great deal of fans of the ‘yaeba‘ look, and many of them post their photos and promote the look quite actively. They consider that this little dental imperfection can make anyone look cute, pretty and much more sexy. Specialists suppose that the main driving force of this trend is our natural desire to look younger, because this alignment is linked in our minds to not only with animal-type teeth, but also with baby-type teeth. In addition, this alignment is associated with smaller mouth which is also considered prettier and more cute.

Western dental specialists and psychologists see some other causes on this interesting trend in today’s Japan. Some believe that it can be a result of too high standards for perfection in modern world. ‘The white standard got too white. The perfection standard got too perfect,’ Dr Marc Lowenberg, one of the most popular New York dental care specialists, comments to American mass media. Other scientists are sure that this tendency can be explained by our natural desire to have certain ‘perfect imperfections’.

At the same time, there are world-famous celebrities who also promote ‘yaeba‘ look. Actress Kirsten Dunst is known for her snaggle fangs which absolutely for sure add to her sensitivity and sexuality. Despite of the fact that the trend is becoming more and more huge in Japan, experts are sure that it will not spread around the world and become something global in the nearest future.

Article Source Tips 4 Dental Care

Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is different

The average woman smiles about 62 times a day!

A man? 8

Kids laugh around 400 times a day

Grown-ups just 15

Year commercial floss was first manufactured: 1882

1994 a prison inmate in West Virginia braided floss into a rope, scaled the wall and escaped 

Causes

Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when a child's teeth are frequently exposed to sugary liquids for long periods of time, usually through extended nursing on milk (including breast milk), formula or juice at bedtime or naptime.

How to Avoid It

Never use a feeding bottle as a pacifier.

Try not to put your child to bed with a bottle. If you must, make sure it contains plain water instead of milk, juice or formula.

Don't give a baby a pacifier that has been dipped in honey or sugar.

Caring for Your Baby's Gums

After each feeding, gently brush your baby's gums using water or a baby tooth and gum cleanser on a baby toothbrush that has soft bristles. Or, wipe your baby's gums with a soft, damp washcloth or gauze pad.

Many people don't know that you don't have to wait until the first tooth appears to begin efforts to prevent tooth decay. Fact is, you need to start providing good oral care for your children right from birth, because from healthy gums come healthy teeth.