Photo © ADAM

Celiac disease causes the body's immune system to damage and attack the small intestine upon consumption of proteins in barley, rye, wheat and possibly oats. Since there are no specific blood tests to determine if someone has Celiac disease, doctors use blood tests to look for certain autoantibodies and biopsy the small intestine to look for traits of Celiac disease.

Nancy Lapid, our Guide to Celiac Disease, points out that certain dental conditions are more common in people with this disease, which puts dentists in a good position to help notice when a patient might have Celiac disease.

Some examples of dental related problems in a patient with Celiac disease are tooth enamel defects, canker sores and delayed eruption in the teeth.

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Just in time for Mother's Day! Orawave is offering the "Pink Ribbon" 2-Minute TwinSpin Power Toothbrush for only 6.99, with 10% of sales donated to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to fund breast cancer research, education, treatment and screening.

These cool electric toothbrushes come in a beautiful display case and are available in pink or white. Both colors feature the pink ribbon breast cancer symbol on the handle. There is also a mail in offer in the box to receive a free pink ribbon pin after purchasing the toothbrush.

If you prefer a manual toothbrush, Orawave also offers offers a pink ribbon twin-pack manual toothbrush set that includes a silver toothbrush and a pink toothbrush for only 2.99. According to the Orawave website, these brushes are available in many stores.

At these prices, and with a portion of the proceeds going to breast cancer research, I'm going to buy one for myself and stock up for birthday, teachers and Christmas gifts!

Related Articles:

• Complete Information About Breast Cancer
• Which is Better, Manual or Electric Toothbrushes?
• How Often Should You Brush Your Teeth?
• What is the Proper Way to Brush Your Teeth?
• How Often Should You Change Your Toothbrush?

Photo ©Tammy Davenport

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, has been used for many years in dental offices to help patients relax. Some people don't like the way nitrous oxide makes them feel and some people refuse to have dental work without it.

After you learn what nitrous oxide is and the safety of using it, please come back and answer the poll below and feel free to leave any comments.

According to a study by German researchers, women have better periodontal health than males, but fewer teeth. This is very interesting, especially since periodontal (gum) disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.

These researchers believe that these findings could be the result of the number of children born which is linked with socioeconomic status, women using estrogen and bone metabolism.

More About Gum Disease:

• What is Gingivitis?
• What is Periodontitis?
• 8 Warning Signs of Gum Disease
• How To How to Prevent Gum Disease
• Gum Disease Linked to Pancreatic Cancer
• The Connection Between Diabetes and Gum Disease

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April is National Youth Sports Safety Month. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, soccer players and basketball players are more likely to sustain injuries to the mouth and teeth than football players.

Since about 1/3 of dental injuries are related to sports activity, a mouth guard is an important piece of sports equipment for both males and females that shouldn't be overlooked.

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Dental problems are never any fun, but the good news is that most of them can be easily prevented. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, eating properly and regular dental check ups are essential in preventing dental problems.

Educating yourself about common dental problems and their causes can also go a long way in prevention.

Related Dental Topics:

• Smoking and Dental Problems
• Tips for Handling Dental Emergencies
• Dental Health Issues Associated With HIV / AIDS
• The Connection Between Diabetes and Gum Disease
• Oral Hygiene is Especially Important Among Women

Photo © Kostas Konstantopoulo

Since boiled eggs will more than likely be in your kitchen this Easter, why not show your child a fun and easy dental experiment?

Kids of all ages can learn how brushing actually removes plaque with this hands on science experiment and learn why brushing their teeth is so important.

Related Dental Topics:

• What is Plaque?
• What is a Cavity?
• How Can Cavities be Prevented?
• How to Brush Children's Teeth

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center, Indiana University and the University of California shows that 30 percent of students ranging from ages 10 to 14 years have tooth erosion. This increase in tooth erosion is blamed on acids in sweet drinks.

Tooth erosion can be caused by medical factors, but it is more commonly caused by the high amount of acids in certain foods and drinks that are consumed.

Related Dental Topics:

• What is Tooth Erosion?
• How to Prevent Tooth Erosion
• Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Erosion
• Proper Nutrition and Oral Health

Most people don't consider going to the dentist a pleasant experience. In fact, dental anxiety is one of the main reasons that a large number of people avoid the dentist. Avoiding the dentist can be a vicious cycle because dental problems won't go away on their own.

The New York Times reported that many dentists are now using relaxation dentistry, also known as conscious sedation, where patients have little or no memory of their dental visit.

There are critics who are against conscious sedation, however, everyone that I have spoke to that have actually experienced relaxation dentistry said that they would definitely do it again. What do you think?

Photo © Tammy Davenport

In the past year, there have been toy recalls due to possible lead contamination, poisonous toothpaste alerts, tampered dog food and now, possibly dental crowns.

The American Dental Association recently reported that a crown made in an overseas dental lab may contain lead. While they are not sure if this is an isolated incident or a larger problem, the ADA is working closely with federal regulatory agencies to investigate this problem.

The American Dental Association advises that you ask your dentist whether he / she makes the crowns in the office or sends them off to a lab. If they are made in a dental lab, ask where the lab is located and if the dental lab ships the crowns to a foreign country. If so, they should be able to provide written documentation that they are registered with the FDA.

Poll: Have You Ever Had A Crown Made Overseas?

• Yes
• No
• Not Sure
• View Results