Publications with The Conversation Media Group

Most of us can’t smell our own breath. If someone bravely informs you your breath smells, believe them, and do something about it. Or if you are worried you have bad breath, seek out a trusted opinion.

Your breath can be the first sign something in your body needs attention. Here are some tips to help you identify the cause, and how to fix it.

Most of us brush our teeth on autopilot. So let’s stop and ask: are you doing it properly? For a full two minutes? Do you use the correct type of brush and toothpaste?

Did you know you’re supposed to spit, not rinse after brushing?

And brushing soon after eating acidic foods, like citrus, can damage your teeth?

Here, I answer five questions commonly asked at the dentist.

Tooth enamel is one of the hardest tissues in the human body. It acts as a protective layer for our teeth, and gives our smile that pearly white shimmer. But when enamel erodes, it can’t regrow itself. 

In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers recently discovered a way to regrow human tooth enamel.

If you went to your dentist for a check-up and dental clean in the last year, give yourself a pat on the back. Not everyone loves the dentist, but research shows people who visit at least once a year for preventative care are happier with their smile.

Regular dental visitors are also less likely to need a filling or have a tooth removed.

So how often do we need to go to the dentist? Most of us can get away with an annual trip, but some people at higher risk of dental problems should visit more often.

Thanks for your great question, Lilia. I’m a dentist, so I know a bit about what’s happening inside our mouths, and I can tell you saliva is very important.

It helps us enjoy our food, it helps sores in our mouth get better, and it fights nasty germs – just to name a few.

But first, let’s look at how we make saliva.

As a dentist, my patients often ask whether they still need to floss even though they brush their teeth. The answer is – that depends.