Increasing Number Of Adults Turning To Braces

US News & World Report reports that adults are increasingly “getting braces to straighten their teeth, fix their bites and improve their smiles.” The article reports that “adults made up a record high of nearly 1.5 million orthodontics patients in the U.S. and Canada,” according to a 2014 survey from the American Association of Orthodontists. According to the article, “This rising popularity” is due in part to “orthodontic options that make braces inconspicuous.”

Consulting With A Dentist Advised For People With Sleep Apnea

WebMD (7/18, Helmer) encouraged people “struggling with snoring and sleeplessness” to contact their dentist, stating that these may be “signs of obstructive sleep apnea, and your oral health could be to blame.” Sleep apnea may occur when “the muscles in the back of the throat are flaccid, the tongue is too large, or the jaw is too small, causing airway obstructions.” A dentist in New York who specializes in sleep apnea, said, “A dentist is often the earliest diagnostician of sleep disorders.”

While Not Recommended, Nail Biting And Thumb Sucking Reduce Risk Of Developing Allergies, Study Finds

CBS News (7/11) reports on its website and during a broadcast that “children who bite their nails and suck their thumbs are about one-third less likely to develop certain allergies,” according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. “Cat, grass, house dust mite, and dog [allergies] – those were reduced, some significantly, some borderline,” said study author Malcolm Sears, a researcher for the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at McMaster University School of Medicine, in Ontario, Canada. “When they suck their thumbs or bite their nails they’re exposing themselves to additional microbes or dirt which is stimulating the immune system.” CBS News adds that the findings do not imply parents should encourage their kids to bite their nails or suck their thumb, noting “the American Dental Association advises that while thumb- or finger-sucking is a natural reflex in young children, intense sucking can cause problems with a child’s tooth alignment.”

New Toothbrush Shows Inside Of Mouth While Brushing

CNBC reported on its website that a new toothbrush debuted on Thursday that lets users “watch a live video feed of the inside of their mouth as they brush their teeth.” The WiFi- and Bluetooth-enabled brush, called Prophix, is used with an iPhone app, letting “users stream the feed to a mobile device and track their oral health with photo albums to share with their dentist.”

Certified Therapy Dogs Easing Dental Anxiety

The Chicago Tribune (5/10) stated that a certified therapy dog is helping patients at the Chicago Dental Society Foundation Clinic. Although patients at the clinic may experience stress and anxiety, the canine “has been trained to sense these negative emotions and to offer a gentle nudge of her head against a patient’s hand or simply her quiet and calm presence.” According to the article, “The response of patients has been overwhelmingly positive.”

        WFMJ-TV Youngstown, OH (5/10, Keller) reported on its website that a dental office in Hermitage, Pennsylvania also uses a “hypoallergenic, certified therapy dog” to provide comfort to patients with dental anxiety.

Consulting With A Dentist Advised To Treat Bruxism, Sleep Apnea

The Huffington Post (4/17, Cunnington) “The Blog” states that there are several “links between your teeth and sleep,” noting, for example, that bruxism “commonly occurs during sleep and can cause pain and damage to teeth.” According to the article, bruxism is “very common” and may be “exacerbated or precipitated by stress and/or anxiety” or sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea. Using oral appliances is one strategy for managing bruxism, and they also may be an option for treating sleep apnea, the article states, recommending people speak with their dentist if they think they may have sleep apnea or bruxism. MouthHealthy.org provides additional information on bruxism and sleep apnea.

DIY Dentistry Could Cause Major Damage

USA Today (3/23, Florian) reports in continuing coverage that a senior at the New Jersey Institute of Technology used “his 3D printing skills” to create “his own Invisalign-like braces.” The article reports that “orthodontists, however, caution against homemade braces.” According to the article, an orthodontist in North Carolina said DIY dentistry comes with risks, adding that the student could have caused major damage to his teeth.