Learn how to properly brush while wearing braces.

University of Saskatchewan dentistry professor emeritus Dr. Kunio Komiyama and his colleague Dr. Gerry Uswak are recruiting 120 teens willing to brush with a prototype light-powered toothbrush and sit in a dentist’s chair for a few extra inspections.

The manufacturer, the Shiken company of Japan, is paying the researchers to investigate whether the brush, which causes a chemical reaction in the mouth, does a better job of eliminating plaque and bacteria than a conventional toothbrush.

STICK WITH SOFT BRISTLES Hard bristles damage teeth and gums unless they’re used very carefully. Dentists universally recommend using a soft-bristle brush, said Dr. Howard S. Glazer, a former president of the Academy of General Dentistry, an organization devoted to advocacy and continuing education.

Taking care of babies first teeth is an important step to good health. We visit a pediatric dentist who gives us tips on how to start your child with good dental care that lasts a lifetime.

Get the answers to basic dental questions we think we should already know, but were too shy to ask.

Read the full U.S. News article at
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/02/14/21st-century-dentistry.html

Previous scientific research findings have helped to warn consumers that the pH (potential of hydrogen) levels in beverages such as soda could lead to tooth erosion, the breakdown of tooth structure caused by the effect of acid on the teeth that leads to decay. The studies revealed that, whether diet or regular, ice tea or root beer, the acidity level in popular beverages that consumers drink every day contributes to the erosion of enamel.

Learn about how to prevent dental cavities by going to the dentist, with expert tips on dental health and oral hygiene in this free video clip.

“Any kind of carbohydrate that sits and ferments in the mouth can have an adverse effect,” she says. “Bacteria mix with sugars to form an acid that will then attack the enamel of your teeth and promote cavities. This, of course, depends on how much carbohydrate you consume and how long it stays in your mouth.”

Learn about how to prevent dental cavities by using a water pik, with expert tips on dental health and oral hygiene in this free video clip.

The dental health of Americans is improving as people take better care of their teeth. But that encouraging trend doesn’t extend to some of the country’s most vulnerable individuals — children.