Dental Health Info

Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone or in combination with acetaminophen are better at easing dental pain than opioids, according to new research. […]

School-based prevention programs can substantially reduce children's cavities -- but what type of treatment should be delivered in schools to best prevent tooth decay? A new study suggests that cavity prevention programs with a combination of prevention strategies may be more effective than one alone for reducing tooth decay. […]

Researchers have designed a convenient and natural product that uses proteins to rebuild tooth enamel and treat dental cavities. […]

Inequalities in dental health are most evident in 3 to 6-year-old children, according to new research. Preschoolers in socioeconomically disadvantaged families had a more than four times higher risk of tooth decay compared to age cohorts with better living conditions. […]

Researchers have found a key role in tooth development for the transcription factor Specificity protein 7, or Sp7. Using an animal model, the researchers found that a lack of Sp7 interrupts the maturation of two types of specialized cells that help create teeth. Such basic knowledge about the development of teeth or bones adds to understanding of craniofacial abnormalities, which are among the most common birth defects in humans. […]

The ability to robustly and predictably regenerate dental, oral and craniofacial (DOC) tissues through tissue engineering and/or regenerative medicine strategies is a major goal for clinicians. While many technologies have shown proof of principle in small animals, few have made it into the clinic. […]

Many clinical studies link Chronic Periodontitis (CP) to various systemic disorders and lately age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in elderly, is found to be associated with periodontal disease. The keystone oral-pathobiont and one of the major causative organism for CP, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), has been identified with the ability to invade epithelial, fibroblasts and dendritic cells. […]

The supragingival oral microbiome is the fundamental pathogenetic element for dental caries development, including its severe, early-onset form -- early childhood caries (ECC). The supragingival biofilm likely harbors taxonomic and functional information that can be leveraged to inform 'precision dentistry' in early childhood. […]

Severe gum disease is among the most prevalent chronic infection in particular in African-American populations and is associated with complex microbial infection in the sub-gingival cavity. The polybacterial nature of periodontal disease is a risk factor for several various systemic diseases. […]

Losing two or more teeth during middle age is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Having fewer natural teeth by middle age is linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk. […]

Having a larger family is linked to a heightened tooth loss risk for moms, suggest the results of a large European study. […]

An analysis of nine toothpastes found that none of them protects enamel or prevents erosive wear. Specialists stress that diet and treatment by a dentist are key to avoid the problems originated by dentin exposure. […]

The absence of TTP, a protein critical to the control of inflammation, may lead to rapid and severe bone loss, according to a new study. […]

A team of scientists has shown for the first time that nicotine residue can be extracted from dental plaque on the teeth of ancient tobacco users. Their research provides a new method for determining who was consuming tobacco in the ancient world and could help trace the use of tobacco and other intoxicating plants further back into prehistory. […]

Evidence suggests that sipping wine may be good for your colon and heart, possibly because of the beverage's abundant and structurally diverse polyphenols. Now researchers report that wine polyphenols might also be good for your oral health. […]

Without a doctor or dentist's guidance, some parents don't follow national recommendations for early dental care for their children, a new national poll finds. […]

A trip to the dentist or orthodontist usually instills a sense of dread in most patients, and that's before the exam even begins. Add to that the fear of oral surgery with a painful recovery, and many people will avoid these visits at all costs. Now, one group reports a pre-clinical study showing that they could potentially reduce pain and recovery time with the aid of specialized nanotechnology. […]

When patients go to the dentist to fill a cavity, they're trying to solve a problem -- not create a new one. But many dental patients get some bad news: bacteria can dig under their tooth-colored fillings and cause new cavities, called recurrent caries. U of T researchers designed a novel solution: a filling material with tiny particles containing antimicrobial drugs, designed to stop bacteria in its tracks. […]

Dentists’ calculation of the benefits vs the risks of X-rays is being distorted by financial incentives.&nbs […]

A scientifically based approach that includes a tooth-decay risk assessment, aggressive preventive measures and conservative restorations can dramatically reduce decay in community dental practices, according to a new study. […]

Researchers have performed research to develop adhesive materials that will prevent white stains from appearing on the teeth of people who use brackets. […]

Researchers have found a way to remove plaque from dental implants to improve oral hygiene. […]

A new study adds to accumulating research that gum disease is associated with some cancer risk. It reports a 24 percent increase in the risk of cancer among participants with severe gum disease. The highest risk was observed in cases of lung cancer, followed by colorectal cancer. […]

The bacteria that cause periodontitis, a disease affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth, seems to play a part also in the onset of pancreatic cancer. […]

An archaeologist is set to redefine what we know about elderly people in cultures throughout history, and dispel the myth that most people didn't live much past 40 prior to modern medicine. […]

The presence of oral health problems was linked with greater risks of being frail and developing frailty in older age in a recent study. […]

Researchers have evaluated a new dental material tethered with an antimicrobial compound that can not only kill bacteria but can also resist biofilm growth. In addition, unlike some drug-infused materials, it is effective with minimal toxicity to the surrounding tissue, as it contains a low dose of the antimicrobial agent that kills only the bacteria that come in contact with it. […]

An analysis of bacteria present in the mouth showed that some types of bacteria that lead to periodontal disease were associated with higher risk of esophageal cancer. […]

Elevated pathogen colonization and a lack of bacterial diversity in the mouth were identified in people with precancerous lesions that could precede stomach cancer, finds a new study. […]

American children and adolescents who do not drink tap water, which is typically fluoridated, are much more likely to have tooth decay, according to a new study. However, the study confirms that those who drink tap water are more likely to have elevated levels of lead in their blood. […]

A simple colour-changing test to detect fluoride in drinking water could in the future prevent the crippling bone disease, skeletal fluorosis, in developing countries such as India and Tanzania. […]

Researchers have investigated dental development for better estimations of chronological age in African populations. […]

Talking about dental health with children and parents - about what is healthy and unhealthy for your teeth - can be one way to prevent children from becoming overweight. […]

Human teeth hold vital information about Vitamin D deficiency, a serious but often hidden condition that can now be identified by a simple dental X-ray, anthropologists have found. […]

Researchers find that people who drink alcohol or men who smoke are more likely to suffer a failed dental filling. The research team also found a genetic difference in some patients associated with increased filling failure rates. In contrast, no major difference in filling failure rates was found between traditional amalgam and newer composite resin fillings. The results suggest that personalized dental treatments could lead to improved outcomes. […]

Extracellular polysaccharides play a central role in the survival capabilities of caries-causing bacteria in dental plaque, researchers report. […]

For older adults, dry mouth can be a common side effect of prescribed medications. However, there's much we don't understand about the connection between medications and dry mouth in older adults. Recently, researchers examined 52 related studies to learn more. […]

People who undergo root canals may soon have a tiny but powerful ally that could prevent infection after treatment. In a new paper, researchers write that combining nanodiamonds with gutta percha, a material used to fill disinfected root canals, may enhance the gutta percha's protective properties. […]

There's something endearing about the crooked, gapped-tooth smiles of children whose permanent teeth are coming in. While it's normal for adult teeth to show up at very different times, should we expect the same good oral health conditions for all children at all times? […]

The results of root canal treatments could improve because of an antimicrobial gel recently discovered and developed. A research team has developed an injectable antimicrobial gel that could disinfect a tooth during a root canal procedure. […]

Researchers have revealed that RANKL expressed by osteocytes is essential for the bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement. This result can facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies in orthodontics. […]

Modeling the interplay between neurons and astrocytes derived from children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), researchers say innate inflammation in the latter appears to contribute to neuronal dysfunction in at least some forms of the disease. […]

Dental procedures are an overlooked source of antibiotic prescribing, which is a concern as these medications increase the risk of developing C. difficile. […]

Researchers have developed a new method for extracting tooth root pulp that quadruples the number of stem cells that can be harvested and replicated to treat a variety of medical conditions. […]

Researchers have made a novel discovery connecting highly variant types of the caries bacterium Streptococcus mutans and their adhesive function to children with rampant caries and increased risk of dental caries. […]

Dental researchers have now developed a very fast dissolving ‘bioactive’ glass which they are putting in toothpaste to repair decayed teeth. […]

The mix of microorganisms that inhabit a person's saliva are largely determined by the human host's household, new research shows. The study shows that early environmental influences play a far larger role than human genetics in shaping the salivary microbiome--the group of organisms that play a crucial role in oral and overall health. […]

Squid ink could one day make getting checked for gum disease at the dentist less tedious and even painless. By combining squid ink with light and ultrasound, a team led by engineers has developed a new dental imaging method to examine a patient's gums that is noninvasive, more comprehensive and more accurate than the state of the art. […]

The dental health of middle-aged Americans faces a lot of problems right now, and an uncertain future to come, according to new national poll results. One in three Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 say they're embarrassed by the condition of their teeth, and that dental problems have caused pain or other problems in the past two years. Forty percent of those polled don't get regular cleanings or other preventive oral care. […]

Alcohol abuse, dental conditions, and mental health were found to be the main causes of avoidable emergency room visits in the US, a new report reveals. […]

Dental implants occasionally entail complications: Six to fifteen percent of patients develop an inflammatory response in the years after receiving a dental implant. This is caused by bacteria destroying the soft tissue and the bone around the implant in the worst case. […]

Worldwide, people are eating far too much sugar. This has negative consequences for their teeth and for their purses: seen at the global level, the costs of dental treatment are currently running at around $172 billion (€128 billion). […]

Researchers have created a small molecule that prevents or impedes tooth cavities in a preclinical model. The inhibitor blocks the function of a key virulence enzyme in an oral bacterium, a molecular sabotage that is akin to throwing a monkey wrench into machinery to jam the gears. […]

A new study delves into the mystifying fact that wounds in your mouth heal faster and more efficiently than wounds elsewhere. […]

The majority of low-income Michigan residents and dentists who participated in a program that provided free dental care in exchange for volunteer work said they liked it, and most patients felt their oral health had improved. […]

An ice cold drink is refreshing in the summer, but for people with sensitive teeth, it can cause a painful jolt in the mouth. This condition can be treated, but many current approaches don't last long. Now researchers report the development of a new material with an extract from green tea that could fix this problem -- and help prevent cavities in these susceptible patients. […]

Postmenopausal women who have a history of gum disease also have a higher risk of cancer, according to a new study of more than 65,000 women. […]

Treatment for osteoporosis may also help prevent gum disease, according to new research that examined the prevalence of periodontitis in postmenopausal women. […]

Hairless dog breeds differ from other dogs not only by lacking a coat, but also in the number and nature of their teeth. Scientists studied the skulls and teeth of pedigreed hairless dogs from the collection of the Phyletisches Museum of the University of Jena. Thus, they furthered our understanding of the involvement of the FOXI3 gene in the development of teeth - not only in hairless dogs, but potentially also in other mammals including humans. […]

People with diabetes are susceptible to periodontitis, a gum infection that can result in tooth loss. New research helps explain why: Diabetes triggers changes in the oral microbiome that enhance inflammation and the risk of bone loss […]

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) describes a variety of conditions that affect jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints and nerves associated with chronic facial pain. Symptoms may occur on one or both sides of the face, head or jaw, or develop after an injury. TMD affects more than twice as many women than men.    Updated: November 2008  &nbs […]

What is Dental Amalgam (Silver Fillings)?   Most people recognize dental amalgams as silver fillings. Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury, silver, tin and copper. Mercury, which makes up about 50 percent of the compound, is used to bind the metals together and to provide a strong, hard, durable filling. After years of research, mercury has been found to be the only eleme... […]

Orofacial pain includes a number of clinical problems involving the chewing (masticatory) muscles or temporomandibular joint. Problems can include temporomandibular joint discomfort; muscle spasms in the head, neck and jaw; migraines, cluster or frequent headaches; or pain with the teeth, face or jaw.   You swallow approximately 2,000 times per day, which causes the upper and lower teeth t... […]

What is a Composite Resin (White Filling)?   A composite filling is a tooth-colored plastic and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. Composites are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.   How is a composite placed?   Following preparation, the dentist ... […]

In our fast-paced lives, many of us may be eating in a hurry, taking giant bites of our food to get done quickly and on to the next task. Fast-food restaurants advertise giant burgers and sandwiches as a selling point, but often those super-sized delicacies are larger than a human mouth.   Taking bites that are too big to chew could be bad for your jaw and teeth, says the Academy of Genera... […]

The History of Dental Advances   Many of the most common dental tools were used as early as the Stone Age. Thankfully, technology and continuing education have made going to the dentist a much more pleasant – and painless – experience. Here is a look at the history of dentistry's most common tools, and how they came to be vital components of our oral health care needs.   Where did t... […]

Dry socket, the most common postoperative complication from tooth extractions, delays the normal healing process and results when the newly formed blood clot in the extraction site does not form correctly or is prematurely lost. This blood clot lays the foundation for new tissue and bone to develop over a two-month healing process.   Updated: October 2008   &nbs […]

If you experience frequent headaches and pain in your lower jaw, check your posture and consult your dentist about temporomandibular disorder (TMD), recommends the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education.   Poor posture places the spine in a position that causes stress to the jaw joint. When people slouch or hunch over... […]

Men: Looking for a Better Job? Start by Visiting the Dentist   An online poll of 289 general dentists and consumers confirms the traditional stereotype that men are less likely to visit the dentist than their female counterparts, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education.   Why? Nearly 45 percent... […]

Why is Oral Health Important for Men?   Men are less likely than women to take care of their physical health and, according to surveys and studies, their oral health is equally ignored. Good oral health recently has been linked with longevity. Yet, one of the most common factors associated with infrequent dental checkups is just being male. Men are less likely than women to seek preventive ... […]

What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?   Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent and long-term exposure of a child's teeth to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk, formula, fruit juice, sodas and other sweetened drinks. The sugars in these liquids pool around the infant's teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria in plaque. Every time a child consumes a sugary liquid, acid... […]

Pacifiers Have Negative and Positive Effects   It’s one of the hardest habits to break and can require a great deal of persuasion: Parents often struggle with weaning their child off of a pacifier.   There is much debate regarding the use of pacifiers, but there is evidence to show that there are both pros and cons, according to a study in the January/February 2007 issue of Gene... […]

Is My Child at Risk for Early Childhood Tooth Decay?   The average healthy adult visits the dentist twice a year. The average healthy 2-year-old has never been to the dentist. By kindergarten, 25 percent of children have never seen a dentist, yet dental decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease in America.   The culprit? A combination of misinformation about when a c... […]

When Should My Child First See a Dentist?   Your child's first visit to the dentist should happen before his or her first birthday. The general rule is six months after eruption of the first tooth. Taking your child to the dentist at a young age is the best way to prevent problems such as tooth decay, and can help parents learn how to clean their child's teeth and identify his or her fluori... […]

How Do I Care for My Child’s Baby Teeth?   Though you lose them early in life, your primary teeth, also called baby teeth, are essential in the development and placement of your permanent teeth. Primary teeth maintain the spaces where permanent teeth will erupt and help develop proper speech patterns that would otherwise be difficult; without maintenance of these spaces, crowding and misali... […]