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Dentistry news

People with disabilities often experience poorer oral health—training could drive improved care

People with disabilities continue to face major barriers when seeking oral health care, according to new research that explores the perspectives of patients, caregivers and health care professionals in different countries.

The road to better health requires a map of the microbes in your mouth

There's a lot of buzz about the gut microbiome—the trillions of microbes that help us digest food and support the immune system. But your mouth is also home to its own highly specialized microbial community, and new research ...

From fear to trust: How music is transforming dental care

Treating patients who have spent years—sometimes decades—avoiding dental care because of fear, disability, trauma or painful past experiences can be challenging. "They are afraid and don't want to be treated," said Adela ...

Fluoride and kids' IQ: What a decades-long analysis shows

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has been shown to strengthen teeth and reduce cavities. Many municipalities add fluoride to their drinking water—a process called community water fluoridation—as a public health ...

Visualizing the global burden of facial pain

Facial pain is one of the most common forms of chronic pain. Despite this, there has previously been no standardized burden measurements, such as impact on the individual and health care costs across countries and in relation ...

The hidden dangers of oral cancer

Oral Cancer Awareness Month is observed every April, and it highlights the urgent need for early detection. According to the American Cancer Society, oral and oropharyngeal cancers still claim about one life every hour in ...

Study warns fluoride bans may raise tooth decay in children

Removing fluoride from drinking water could lead to more cavities in kids and higher health care costs, a new analysis suggests. Researchers estimate that if five states stop adding fluoride to public water, more than 132,000 ...

Call for dentists to reduce unnecessary nitrous oxide use

Nitrous oxide used for sedating patients during dental appointments has a significant environmental impact, with wide variation in use and wastage across the UK, according to a new study by UCL (University College London) ...

Uneasy at the dentist? You're not alone

Settling into a cushy reclining chair and closing your eyes while soft music plays is appealing, except perhaps at the dentist's office. According to a recent report in the Journal of the American Dental Association, 72% ...