Do You Know?

Do You Know? For patients. When someone struggles to keep up with brushing, the cause is often not carelessness. Mental health conditions affect energy, routine and even saliva. What studies show* In adults, depression is associated with a higher chance of tooth decay, and tooth loss is associated with a higher chance of depression, suggesting a two-way cycle. * Children with ADHD have higher rates of decay than their peers. * Some medicines used for depression and ADHD reduc

Do You Know? For patients. Looking after your gums and keeping your teeth may do more than protect your smile. Large studies that followed people for years have linked gum disease and tooth loss with a higher chance of memory problems later in life. What the research shows* A review of 47 long-term studies found that poor gum health was linked with a higher risk of cognitive decline (about 23% higher) and of dementia (about 21% higher). * A review of 18 studies with over 350,

Do You Know? For patients. Your daily routine at work shapes your teeth more than you might think. Some jobs expose teeth to acid or sugar; others bring long hours, stress and snacking. Examples* Swimmers, swimming coaches and lifeguards: studies of competitive swimmers found tooth erosion in more than a quarter of them, linked to hours spent in pool water whose chemistry was not balanced for teeth. * Bakery, sweet-shop and food workers: frequent tasting and easy access to sw

Do You Know? For patients. Some people cannot stop chewing ice. It feels like a harmless habit, but a strong, persistent craving for ice has a medical name, pagophagia, and it can be a sign of low iron. What the research shows* Craving and eating non-food items (pica), including ice, is reported by about 40 to 50% of people with iron deficiency. * In one study of men with iron-deficiency anaemia, about a third craved ice, and the craving went away once their iron was replaced