We’ve all heard the news and some of us may even have been affected by the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland. Yet, most people probably remain unaware that fluoride, from the volcanic ash, has been identified as posing a big risk to human and animal health...

This threat comes from the fluoride, in volcanic ash, contaminating our drinking water and as a result of animals, such as cattle and sheep, consuming ash deposited on grass and soil. With the volcano erupting a second time in a month there are fears that this risk may be bigger than first thought.

The fluoride debate has been raging for quite some time. There are those, like the Australian Dental Association (ADA), that believe there is no convincing or credible scientific evidence that fluoride, when supplied at the optimum level (one part per million) in drinking water, causes any adverse health effects.

However, other health experts believe that dental fluorosis is the first visible sign of fluoride poisoning. Scientists from the American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after studying all the evidence, concluded that the public water supply should not be used "as a vehicle for disseminating this toxic and prophylactically useless ... substance."

With over three quarters of UK adults suffering from visible plaque, it is vital to maintain good oral hygiene habits to prevent periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis – serious infections that can lead to drastic dental surgery or even tooth loss.

The aloe vera plant has a long history of healing power. Its ability to heal burns and cuts and soothe pain has been documented as far back as the 10th century. Legend has it that Cleopatra used aloe vera to keep her skin soft.

Amazingly the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) admitted that aloe ointment actually did regenerate skin tissue. Apart from that unexpected endorsement, aloe vera is also widely acknowledged for it's use in helping to treat digestive problems and boost your immune system and well-being.

This recent study is not the first to make the connection between Rheumatoid Arthritis and gum disease and supports previous research, which showed that extracting painful teeth had a positive effect on arthritic pain. About 1 per cent of the world's population is afflicted by Rheumatoid Arthritis - It is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that can be a disabling and painful condition, which can lead to substantial loss of physical function and mobility. Gum disease is inflammation of the gums (gingivae) and damage to the bone that anchors teeth in the jaws. Gum disease affects more than half of adults with natural teeth. It can be treated by a dentist or hygienist and, in the early stages, the effects can be reversed.

Researchers from Japan suggest that the antioxidants in green tea may be responsible for the protective effects of green tea against gum disease. Previous research indicates that the antioxidant has anti- inflammatory effects, and gum disease has been linked to an inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria in the mouth.

A number of studies have shown that exposure to fluoride can cause behavioural changes. At a 1998 conference on fluoride in Washington, Professor Roger Masters reported a significant link between the blood lead levels of 280 000 children in Massachusetts and the use of silicofluorides (the fluoride added to our water supply – waste products of the fertiliser and glass industries).

There is no debate: Fluoridation of drinking water should be banned. Like mercury (dental fillings), fluoride is not an obvious choice for dental health. The reason for this: It’s a poison – more poisonous than lead and slightly less poisonous than arsenic. The fluoride used in toothpaste, mouth rinses and dental gels usually is sodium fluoride – a waste product from the aluminium industry. The fluoride added to our water supply is hydrofluorosilic acid or sometimes silicofluoride – waste products of the fertiliser and glass industries.

Mouth sores can be painful, annoying and unsightly. Some appear inside the mouth -on the gums, tongue, lips, cheeks or palate (roof of the mouth). Others can appear outside the mouth, such as on and around the lips, under the nose and on the chin. But which is which? Are these sores the same thing? Although many people use the terms canker sore and cold sore synonymously, they are different conditions. Let’s take a look at these two common types of mouth sores: canker sores (aphthous stomatitis) and cold sores (orofacial herpes).

The most important factors contributing to oral cancer are tobacco usage and excess consumption of alcohol, the two acting separately and synergistically. Laboratory studies have repeatedly shown that alcohol enhances the penetration of tobacco-associated carcinogens (cancer promoting agents) in the mouth and mucus. Alcohol is used in mouthwashes principally as a solvent for other ingredients. However, at 10–12 per cent it also acts as a preservative, antiseptic and caustic agent. Previous studies have shown that high concentrations of alcohol in mouth rinses may have detrimental oral effects such as epithelial (tissue-lining) detachment, keratosis (skin growths), mucosal ulceration, gingivitis, petechiae (bleeding into the skin or soft tissue) and oral pain.