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Dentistry news

Oncology & Cancer

Bacteria involved in gum disease linked to increased risk of head and neck cancer

More than a dozen bacterial species among the hundreds that live in people's mouths have been linked to a collective 50% increased chance of developing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a new study shows. Some ...

Health

Yes, you do need to clean your tongue. Here's how and why

Has your doctor asked you to stick out your tongue and say "aaah"? While the GP assesses your throat, they're also checking out your tongue, which can reveal a lot about your health.

Dentistry

Engineers' invention improves dental safety

UIC Distinguished Professor Alexander Yarin and a team of researchers at UIC invented a product that helped the dental industry and made it safer.

Dentistry

Altered blood markers detected in individuals with periodontitis

Individuals with periodontitis have altered concentrations of various proteins in their blood, according to a new study from Umeå University, Sweden. These findings pave the way for research into biomarkers for periodontitis ...

Health

Oil pulling for oral health: To swish or not to swish?

After scrolling social media, you might be tempted to ditch your typical oral care regimen in favor of melted coconut oil, or other similar oils, for a practice known as oil pulling. A method of traditional Ayurvedic medicine ...

Dentistry

Eating problems are common among older home care clients

Eating problems are common among older home care clients, a new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows. Nearly 30% of the 250 older care clients studied reported poor appetite, 20% had problems with chewing, 14% ...

Diabetes

Diabetes may weaken teeth and promote tooth decay

People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are prone to tooth decay, and a new study from Rutgers may explain why: Reduced strength and durability of enamel and dentin, the hard substance under enamel that gives structure ...

Health

How to choose a toothbrush and when to throw it out

The toothbrush is the most basic tool for maintaining healthy teeth, but many people give their toothbrush little thought and don't know when to swap it out for a new one. It can also be difficult to choose what type of brush ...

Dentistry

Tiny bots that can deep clean teeth

Nano-sized robots manipulated using a magnetic field can help kill bacteria deep inside dentinal tubules and boost the success of root canal treatments, a new study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) ...

Immunology

How one inflammatory disorder exacerbates another

The immune system remembers. Often this memory, primed by past encounters with threats like bacteria or viruses, is an asset. But when that memory is sparked by internal drivers, like chronic inflammation, it can prove detrimental, ...

Health

Study suggests wearing dentures may affect a person's nutrition

Dentures may have a potentially negative impact on a person's overall nutrition, according to new research from Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Dentistry. The research team leveraged electronic dental ...

Dentistry

Dental visits declined among adults from 2019 to 2020

From 2019 to 2020, there was a decline in the percentage of adults with a dental visit in the previous 12 months, according to an April data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National ...

Dentistry

Important step toward development of biological dental enamel

Currently, cavities and damage to enamel are repaired by dentists with the help of synthetic white filling materials. There is no natural alternative to this. But a new 3D model with human dental stem cells could change this ...

Immunology

Double-stranded RNA induces bone loss during gum disease

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology researchers reported on a new discovery regarding the mechanisms for bone loss in gum disease (periodontitis). They found that double stranded RNA molecules can activate the ...

Dentistry

For kids, toothaches become another kind of pandemic pain

Very little has been normal for children these past two years, and some youngsters are feeling the pandemic's effects in their mouths. Pediatric dentists report seeing more decay and cavities, along with serious infections—some ...

Cardiology

How flossing and brushing may be good for your lungs

Did you ever think that a simple task like brushing your teeth could actually keep your lungs healthy—in addition to preventing cavities and gum disease? From chewing sticks to using twigs, hog bristles and horsehair, people ...

Dentistry

Nocturnal teeth grinding may damage temporomandibular joints

Nocturnal teeth grinding and clenching of the upper and lower jaw are known as sleep bruxism and can have a number of consequences for health. In dental science, the question of whether sleep bruxism is associated with the ...