/oss/taxonomy/term/1392/all en /oss/article/health-and-nutrition/defence-maligned-root-canal <p>Over the course of my thirty-five-plus years of practicing dentistry, I have been asked many questions concerning the safety of various dental agents and materials, most notably silver fillings and fluoride. Undoubtedly, the internet has provided the masses with a plethora of sound information at their fingertips. Conversely, accompanied by its social media counterpart, it has become the primary gateway to the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories.</p> Fri, 04 Feb 2022 20:48:44 +0000 Mark Grossman BSc, DDS, Contributor 9016 at /oss /oss/article/health-and-nutrition-history/sweet-and-sticky-science-sugar <p>Sugar is sweet and sticky.  That’s a fact.  In fact, during the reign of Edward the Confessor in the early eleventh century, "ale tasters" were employed to check on the work of brewers.  They would test the ale by spilling some on a wooden seat and sitting on the spill in their leather breeches.  If they had difficulty getting up after a short time because their breeches stuck to the seat, they knew that the ale had been sugared.  Today we don't have to worry about such adulteration of our ale, and I think in any case we would have a hard time finding leather breeches.  But the stickiness o</p> Fri, 03 Dec 2021 23:31:20 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8944 at /oss /oss/article/health/halitosis-how-it-happens-and-how-help <p>Halitosis or chronic bad breath is very common, affecting <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3633265/">up to 50% of the general population.</a> Unlike onion or morning breath, halitosis is a condition that persists and is not remedied by breath mints or mouthwash. Though the occasional bout is common, those with chronic halitosis may endure embarrassment, lack self-confidence and see social relationships suffer. Often, people are unaware of the problem with others reluctant to tell them lest causing discomfort.</p> Fri, 30 Apr 2021 21:10:05 +0000 Mark Grossman BSc, DDS, Contributor 8717 at /oss /oss/article/health/great-floss-debate-or-when-science-and-common-sense-collide <p>Dental patients around the globe were ecstatic following a 2016 Associated Press article disputing the merits of flossing in preventing cavities and gum disease. No more shaming during routine dental appointments. ‘Toss your floss’ parties became all the rage. Conversely, dentists were appalled, having long professed the importance of flossing. So what to make of this egregious finding? Could toilet paper be next?</p> Mon, 17 Feb 2020 18:43:00 +0000 Mark Grossman BSc, DDS, Contributor 8120 at /oss /oss/article/health-and-nutrition-quackery/carbonated-water-bad-your-teeth <p>It's a well-known fact that soda is bad for your health. We've all read the reports and articles detailing how the sugar in pop will rot our teeth, cause obesity, or give us diabetes. So perhaps, like many other people, you've turned to carbonated water to fill that cold, bubbly niche in your life. Companies like La Croix or Perrier have grown immensely in recent years, signalling a rising popularity in soda waters- sometimes flavoured, often calorie-free, ‘healthy’ alternative to Coke or Pepsi.</p> Mon, 13 Nov 2017 19:18:19 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 6817 at /oss /oss/article/controversial-science-health-news-supplements/seems-neurosurgeons-are-not-immune-neuroses <p>Recently a number of people have forwarded me bits of wisdom emanating from Dr. Russel Blaylock, neurosurgeon. While at one time he may have been in possession of an acceptable brain, mental fog now seems to have set in. <span>I have long followed Dr. Blaylock’s rants against food additives, aluminum cookware, fluoridation and dental amalgam. A career in neurosurgery obviously does not confer expertise on these issues. But let’s dig a little deeper into the mind of this man, a mind filled with conspiracy theories. He opines that the social drug problem in the U.S.</span></p> Wed, 08 Jan 2014 03:06:38 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2061 at /oss