Thousands of Australians use antibiotics every year. While these medications can help people recover from dangerous medical conditions, antibiotics can also lead to unwanted side effects. Tetracycline is a type of antibiotic that Australian doctors sometimes prescribe, but the drug can sometimes cause tooth staining. Find out what you can do if you or someone you love suffers tooth staining as a result of tetracycline. Why doctors prescribe tetracycline Tetracycline antibiotics prevent the growth and spread of bacterial infections.

Orthodontic treatment can help correct problems with crooked teeth or a misaligned bite. Thousands of children and adults across Australia wear special braces to help correct these problems, but some people are at risk from unwanted complications or side effects. Learn more about endocarditis, and find out how orthodontic treatment can affect the risk of this disease. How endocarditis affects the body Endocarditis is a serious heart infection that occurs in the valves or inner membrane of this vital organ.

When a serious infection develops around one or more of your teeth, your body forms an abscess to contain the infected material. A tooth abscess is a painful dental condition, but prompt treatment will normally fix the problem. Unfortunately, severe side effects can sometimes occur, including a condition that dentists refer to as Ludwig's angina. Learn what causes this unpleasant condition, and find out what you will need to do to deal with the problem.

Root canal treatment is a relatively common dental procedure that many Australians undergo every year. If you have damaged or infected tooth pulp, a dentist will need to remove the problem material and fill the space. Root canal work is often relatively quick and simple, but a dentist cannot guarantee success. Here are five scenarios when your root canal treatment could fail. Branched canals To get access to the root canal, your dentist must open the tooth through the flat part at the top.

Private health insurance helps Australians manage the cost of medical treatment. It's reassuring to know that if you need to go to hospital, your private health insurance will generally foot the bill. Many medical insurers offer packages to cover extras (or ancillary services), but a lot of consumers are unsure what they can and can't claim for. A lot of Australians take out extras cover to help with dental bills, but they don't always get what they expect.

As a parent, you need to understand the basics of a range of common injuries and emergencies, and chipped or cracked teeth are one of them. If you have an active child, you may eventually face a cracked or chipped tooth at some time. Whether you are in the midst of a dental emergency or just researching in case something happens, here is what all parents need to know about cracked teeth: