Health Tip: Do You Have an Impacted Tooth?

(HealthDay News) -- Teeth below the gums are supposed to continue growing and break through. But sometimes, teeth -- most often wisdom teeth -- don't emerge and become impacted.

Head and neck pain may signal an impacted tooth, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. Here's a more complete list of common symptoms:

• Persistent bd breath.
• Problems trying to open the mouth.
• Sore or tender gums, or pain in the jaw.
• Headache.
• Swollen or red gums near the impacted tooth.
• Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck.
• Persistent bad taste in the mouth.

Sports Drinks May Be Tough on Teeth

(HealthDay News) -- Though some might see sports drinks as a healthier alternative to soda, a new study shows that the citric acid they contain can damage teeth.

The finding comes from a study involving teeth from cows. New York University College of Dentistry researchers cut the teeth in half and placed them in top-selling sports drinks. After soaking for up to 90 minutes, which the researchers said simulated sipping on the drinks throughout the day, the enamel coating of the teeth was partially eaten away. This allowed the drinks to leak into the bonelike material underneath the enamel, causing the teeth to soften and weaken.

The condition, called erosive tooth wear, can result in severe tooth damage and tooth loss, if not treated.

"This is the first time that the citric acid in sports drinks has been linked to erosive tooth wear," study leader Dr. Mark Wolff, chairman of cariology and comprehensive care at the NYU College of Dentistry, said in a news release issued by the school.

The findings were to be presented Friday at the International Association for Dental Research general sessions in Miami Beach, Fla.

Perhaps surprisingly, brushing immediately after having a sports drink might actually cause more damage, Wolff said, as the softened tooth enamel is vulnerable to the abrasiveness of toothpaste.

"To prevent tooth erosion, consume sports drinks in moderation and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth, to allow softened enamel to re-harden," he said. "If you frequently consume sports drinks, ask your dentist if you should use an acid-neutralizing, re-mineralizing toothpaste to help re-harden soft enamel."

More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about oral health.

An Online Guide to Cope With Recession-Related Stress

(HealthDay News) -- People struggling with emotional turmoil during these uncertain economic times can find help online through a new U.S. government-sponsored guide.

"Getting Through Tough Economic Times" offers resources and referrals to help people cope with the recession's repercussions. The guide includes information on spotting signs of mental distress and contains links to agencies and organizations that can offer assistance.

Developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the guide spells out the risks that unemployment and other forms of economic trouble -- such as foreclosure or severe financial loss -- can pose to your health. The guide, based on a review of scientific research for the last two decades, also explains that economic problems may affect people differently.

It also offers coping skills, such as exercising to manage stress better, strengthening connections with family and friends, or learning new job skills.

"The guide is a quick and easy tool that people can use to better manage their emotional well-being. By helping people remain resilient, we can help promote the overall recovery of our nation," Dr. Eric Broderick, acting SAMHSA administrator, said in a news release issued by the agency.

Incidents of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and compulsive behaviors -- including over-eating and excessive gambling and spending -- tend to rise during a poor economy, according to research cited by the guide.

SAMHSA, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, compiled the guide with help from several other government agencies and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.

More information
To read the guide, visit SAMHSA.

Scientists Find Gene for Tooth Enamel

(HealthDay News) -- A gene that plays a role in immune function and the development of skin and the nervous system also controls the production of tooth enamel, Oregon State University researchers have found.

Their discovery about the gene Ctip2 (a transcription factor) could lead to new methods of repairing damaged enamel and preventing cavities, restoring teeth or even producing replacement teeth.

"It's not unusual for a gene to have multiple functions, but before this, we didn't know what regulated the production of tooth enamel," Chrissa Kioussi, an assistant professor in the college of pharmacy at Oregon State, said in a university news release. "This is the first transcription factor ever found to control the formation and maturation of ameloblasts, which are the cells that secrete enamel."

Kioussi and her colleagues studied baby mice in which the Ctip2 gene had been "knocked out" and its protein was missing. The mice had rudimentary teeth ready to erupt, but the teeth lacked the proper enamel coating and would never have been functional.

The findings appear in this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Using this new information about Ctip2, it might be possible to use tooth stem cells to stimulate the growth of new teeth, Kioussi said. She noted that some researchers have successfully grown the inner portions of teeth in laboratory animal experiments, but the teeth had no hard coatings because the scientists didn't know which gene controlled enamel growth.

"A lot of work would still be needed to bring this to human applications, but it should work," Kioussi said. "It could be really cool -- a whole new approach to dental health."

Many people have problems with eroded tooth enamel, and most cavities start as a hole in tooth enamel that allows decay to begin.

More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about oral health.

Health Tip: Help Stop Thumbsucking

(HealthDay News) -- Many children suck their thumbs, but it can cause dental problems if children continue to suck their thumb beyond age 4.

Most children stop on their own, but continued thumbsucking could be a sign of a behavioral problem, such as anxiety or depression.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions to help your child quit the habit:

• Ask your pediatrician about having your child use a thumb guard.
• Apply a bitter-tasting material on your child's thumb. But always check with the child's doctor to make sure it's safe.
• Make a deal with your child. If he or she agrees to stop sucking the thumb, offer a reward.
• Offer praise and attention when you notice that your child isn't thumbsucking.
• If your child's teeth have been affected by thumbsucking, talk to the child's dentist about what can be done to correct it.

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