Green Lanes Dental

17/06/2026

Most people think acid reflux is a problem of the stomach or esophagus. What often goes unnoticed is its effect on the teeth.

Each reflux episode can expose the mouth to stomach acid with a pH low enough to gradually dissolve minerals from tooth enamel. Unlike cavities, which are caused by bacterial acids, dental erosion from reflux is a direct chemical attack on the tooth surface.

The damage typically occurs slowly over years. Teeth may become thinner, smoother, more transparent, and increasingly sensitive as enamel is lost. In advanced cases, the underlying dentin becomes exposed, accelerating wear and altering the natural shape of the teeth.

For some patients, the first visible sign of chronic acid reflux may appear not in the chest—but in the smile.

23/05/2026

Most people think wisdom teeth only become a problem when they hurt.

But impacted wisdom teeth can quietly damage the healthy tooth beside them long before any pain starts.

When a lower wisdom tooth grows sideways or gets stuck under the gums, it can trap bacteria and food between the teeth — creating an area that is extremely difficult to clean properly.

Over time, this can lead to cavities forming on the back side of the second molar, often hidden deep below the contact point.

A clinical study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry found that distal decay in the second molar occurred in about 1 in 4 cases involving impacted lower wisdom teeth. The risk was especially high when the wisdom tooth was horizontally impacted and touching the neighboring tooth near or below the gumline.

The dangerous part is that this damage can remain completely silent in the early stages.

Many patients discover the problem only after:
• deep decay develops
• food gets stuck constantly
• the second molar becomes painful
• root canal treatment is needed
• or the healthy tooth beside the wisdom tooth can no longer be saved

That’s why regular dental X-rays are important — especially if you still have impacted wisdom teeth.

Sometimes, the tooth that hurts the least can cause the most damage.

📄 Reference:
Marques J, et al. Impacted lower third molars and distal caries in the mandibular second molar. Is prophylactic removal of lower third molars justified? J Clin Exp Dent. 2017;9(6):e794-e798.

21/05/2026

Researchers in Texas have reported a possible connection between periodontal disease (gum disease) and a wide range of eye conditions, raising new questions about how oral inflammation may affect overall eye health.

In this large retrospective study, researchers analyzed anonymized medical records to investigate whether people with periodontal disease were more likely to develop eye diseases over time. The study included patients who had visited both a dentist and an eye specialist. One group included patients diagnosed with periodontal disease, while the control group included patients without gum disease. After matching both groups for factors such as age, medical conditions, smoking history, medications, and eye injuries, each group included 12,507 patients.

The researchers then evaluated the 10-year risk of multiple ophthalmic conditions. Patients with periodontal disease showed significantly higher rates of several eye problems, including conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, inflammation inside the eye (iridocyclitis), retinal and chorioretinal inflammation, retinal hemorrhage, retinal artery occlusion, dry eye syndrome, blepharitis, cataracts, optic atrophy, and both open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. Increased rates of certain retinal degenerative conditions were also observed.

Because periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition influenced by oral bacteria and the immune system, the researchers believe inflammation may play an important role in these associations. However, the study does not prove that gum disease directly causes eye disease. The authors noted that further research is needed to better understand the relationship and whether additional eye screening may benefit patients with periodontal disease.

📄 Source: Nanduri RS, Govindaraju P, Golovko G, Banaee T. The Effect of Periodontal Disease on Ophthalmic Conditions: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study. Presented at: Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting; 2026. Abstract 3068-0406.

21/05/2026

19/05/2026

A massive Danish study following more than 568,000 people found that children with severe tooth decay and gingivitis had a significantly higher risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) as adults — including heart attacks and ischemic stroke.

Researchers also found that persistently poor or worsening oral health during childhood was linked with even higher cardiovascular risk later in life.

This does NOT mean cavities directly “cause” heart disease.
But it adds to growing evidence that oral health and overall body health are deeply connected.

Possible mechanisms include chronic inflammation, oral bacteria entering the bloodstream, long-term immune system effects, and shared lifestyle and health risk factors.

This study highlights why prevention, early dental care, and healthy habits in childhood may have lifelong importance far beyond the mouth.

📄Study:
Nygaard N, D’Aiuto F, Belstrøm D, et al. Childhood oral health is associated with the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in adulthood.
International Journal of Cardiology (2026)

18/05/2026

When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area no longer receives the stimulation it depends on to stay strong.

Every day, teeth transmit tiny forces into the jaw during chewing and swallowing. These forces travel through the periodontal ligament — the tissue that connects the tooth to the surrounding bone — helping the jawbone continuously remodel and maintain its strength. But once a tooth is missing, that stimulation disappears.

The body then begins to break down the unused bone in that area — a process called bone resorption. First, the bone that once supported the tooth starts shrinking in width, then in height, and gradually in overall volume. Research shows the jawbone ridge can lose up to 25% of its width within the first year after tooth loss, with the fastest changes often occurring during the first 6–12 months.

As the bone shrinks, the gum tissue can also recede. Nearby teeth may begin to shift, chewing efficiency may decrease, speech can change, and bite problems may develop over time. The more teeth that are lost, the greater the loss of support and function.

And the changes may not stop there. As bone loss progresses, the deeper jawbone beneath it can also begin to resorb. Over time, the lower face may lose structural support, causing the cheeks to appear more sunken and the distance between the nose and chin to shorten, contributing to a prematurely aged appearance.

Replacing missing teeth early, especially with options that help restore normal chewing forces, can help preserve jawbone strength, facial support, and long-term oral function.

📄 References:
•doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2011.02375.x.
PMID: 22211303.

•doi: 10.1177/1758736012456543. PMID: 22924065

17/05/2026

Flossing may do more than protect your teeth and gums — new research suggests it could also be linked to a lower risk of certain types of stroke and an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Researchers followed more than 6,000 adults for 25 years and found that people who flossed at least once a week had a lower risk of ischemic stroke, especially cardioembolic stroke — a type caused by blood clots traveling from the heart to the brain.

The study also found a lower risk of AFib among regular flossers. AFib is a common heart rhythm disorder that can increase stroke risk.

Scientists believe one possible reason is inflammation. Poor oral health and gum disease can trigger chronic inflammation in the body, which may affect blood vessels and heart health over time.

Compared to non-flossers, regular flossers showed:
• 22% lower risk of ischemic stroke
• 44% lower risk of cardioembolic stroke
• 12% lower risk of AFib

Researchers also noted that flossing alone is not enough to prevent stroke, but it may be one small part of an overall healthy lifestyle alongside proper diet, exercise, blood pressure control, sleep, and good oral hygiene.

Your mouth is connected to the rest of your body more than many people realize.

📄 Source: American Heart Association News. Research presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2025.

16/05/2026

From cavities and gingivitis to cracked teeth and enamel erosion, there are quite a few common dental problems that many people deal with every day. The good news is that most of them are treatable when caught early. Which of these have you experienced?

You can book your appointment now here,via whatsup: 07852203373
Email :[email protected]
Or call the land line

15/05/2026

Most parents think baby teeth “don’t matter” because they eventually fall out.
But dentists have known for years that severe decay in baby teeth can sometimes affect the permanent teeth developing underneath.

When cavities in primary teeth become deep or infected, the bacteria and inflammation may interfere with the enamel formation of the adult tooth below.

Research has linked severe decay in baby teeth with developmental enamel defects, discoloration, delayed eruption, and structural changes in some permanent teeth. Early loss of baby teeth can also contribute to crowding and alignment problems later in life.

Primary teeth help guide jaw growth, maintain space for incoming adult teeth, and support normal chewing and speech during childhood. Keeping them healthy is an important part of protecting long-term oral development.

📄 References:
1. Lo ECM et al. SAGE Journals — Does Caries in Primary Teeth Predict Enamel Defects in Permanent Successors?

2. Carvalho JC et al. NIH/PMC — Dental caries in deciduous teeth associated with delayed permanent tooth development

13/05/2026

A tooth can appear completely healthy while decay quietly spreads between teeth.

These hidden cavities often develop in tight contact areas where brushing cannot clean effectively, allowing bacteria and plaque to slowly damage the tooth underneath the surface.

Common warning signs can include:
• Food getting stuck repeatedly
• Bad odor between teeth
• Sensitivity to sweets or cold
• A dark shadow between teeth or near the gumline

Many cavities between teeth are only discovered on dental X-rays after significant damage has already occurred.

Daily flossing helps remove plaque from surfaces brushing misses. Detecting cavities early can help prevent larger fillings, root canal treatment, fractures, and even tooth loss later on.

Not all cavities are visible until the damage becomes serious.