Oral dryness can lead to significant problems, such as tooth decay, infection and impaired quality of life. This article provides a comprehensive overview of dry mouth, including the role of saliva in health, causes and management of dry mouth, and the role of dental care professionals in dry mouth
As more patients opt to have implants, dental nurses need to be able to recognise the signs of possible complications or implant failure. Failure and complications can occur at any time, from during the surgical and healing phases to after treatment has been completed
Chewing gum and confectionery often contain xylitol, a low-calorie sugar substitute. Xylitol, however, has other potent effects on oral health beyond simply replacing cariogenic substances such as sucrose and glucose. This article looks at the use of xylitol and its benefits for oral health
Dental Advisor with the British Dental Health Foundation, Karen Coates, breaks down the different types of mouth ulcers, what causes them and how they can be treated
Interdental cleaning can remove plaque that toothbrushes cannot reach. Flossing is not the only method—other interproximal aids include tape, superfloss, interdental brushes, woodsticks and waterjets. Trudie Dawson explains how interdental aids work, and when and how they should be used
Leong PM, Gussy MG, Barrow SY, de Silva-Sanigorski A, Waters E (2013) A systematic review of risk factors during first year of life for early childhood caries. Int J Paed Dent23(4): 235-50
Saliva has a number of functions in oral and dental health, and is central to general wellbeing and quality of life. The article discusses the composition and functions of saliva, the anatomy of the salivary system and the problems that occur with having too much or too little saliva
Assisting with orthodontic procedures may completely bypass some dental nurses, particularly those working in general practice or other specialised fields of dentistry. This article aims to outline some of the day-to-day duties and responsibilities that orthodontic nurses carry out
Asthma is a common medical condition in children in the UK, and affected children generally have poorer oral health than their peers. Preventive care is important and specific considerations must be made for the safe and successful management of these patients
Care pathways, along with motivational interviewing techniques and self-care plans, can encourage patients to take ownership of their oral health. With a move to the use of self-care plans in the NHS service re-design, this article discusses their applications so far as well as the dental team's rol
Checking patients’ mouths for amalgams has become an important part of dental check-ups. But how did our modern concept of thinking about fillings come about? Steve Ainsworth investigates
Nickel is the metal most likely to cause an allergic reaction and is also present in many orthodontic appliances. This article examines what a nickel allergy is and the considerations involved for patients with the condition
Renton T, Janjua H, Gallagher JE et al (2013) UK dentists’ experience of iatrogenic trigeminal nerve injuries in relation to routine dental procedures: why, when and how often? Br Dent J12: 633-42
There are a number of complex reasons as to why some patients are unable to comply with instructions or recommendations provided by a dental care professional (DCP). It is therefore important for the DCP to address these issues in order to effectively treat chronic conditions such as periodontal dis
Cystic fibrosis is a common genetic disorder and presents challenges to the dental team. This article reviews the necessary considerations for the successful management of paediatric dental patients with cystic fibrosis
