Today's Dental News

This election season, political candidates’ smiles could be the deciding factor in whether candidates gain voters’ trust, asserts Charles Martin, DDS, founder of the Richmond Smile Center.

“If you hide your smile, what else will you hide?” is a question many voters may be contemplating, Dr. Martin said. “Not everyone wants to hear it, but candidates’ looks determine whether they gain votes.

“The better you look, the more votes you’ll score. Research shows that your smile, which is usually the most prominent feature on a face, has a direct effect on how others perceive you—even more than the eyes—and what happens in the voting booth supports this time and time again. Voters may not even realize they’ve been swayed by a candidate’s smile rather than the candidate’s platform.”

Read more: Smiles Could Impact Political Races

Four out of five dentists think it is appropriate to continue to use the courtesy title of ‘Dr.’ according to a poll carried out by the British Dental Association (BDA). The survey was carried out as part of a discussion hosted on the communities section of the BDA Web site between late July and early September. The debate attracted high levels of interest, being viewed more than 2,800 times.

The discussion, which was open from late July to early September, saw contributions from BDA members across the United Kingdom. The results of the poll will be used to emphasize the profession’s concerns in the BDA’s formal response to the General Dental Council’s consultation on the issue.

Read more: Majority of Dentists Overseas Believe Use of Doctor Title is Fine

Bad breath, morning breath, breath odor, or halitosis are all terms used to describe a noticeably unpleasant odor exhaled on the breath. Halitosis is not a problem by itself, but it can cause concerns in our interpersonal relationships.

We are all familiar with how the consumption of certain foods such as garlic and onions can affect our breath. This occurs because these foods are absorbed into our bloodstream, where they are transferred to our lungs and exhaled. Fortunately, bad breath caused by the foods we eat is only temporary.

The truth is, most breath odor comes from food particles trapped in our mouths. When food remains in the mouth, it becomes a breeding ground for the bacteria that can cause bad breath. Other causes can include poor oral health, improper cleaning of dentures, periodontal disease, as well as smoking and tobacco products. Bad breath can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition of the stomach, lungs and bloodstream.

Read more: How Bad Is Your Breath? Simple Tips to Reduce Mouth Odor

US scientists have found a strong link between the success of gum disease treatment and the likelihood of giving birth prematurely, according to new research published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

There are a number of factors, such as low body mass index, alcohol consumption and smoking that are associated with an increased rate of preterm birth. More recently, researchers have reported that oral infection may also be associated with such an increase.

Read more: Periodontal Therapy May Reduce Risk of Preterm Birth