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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

Evolution of aesthetic dentistry

2019 marks the Centennial of the Journal of Dental Research (JDR). Over the last century the JDR has been dedicated to the dissemination of new knowledge and information on all sciences relevant to dentistry and to the oral ...

Dentistry

Cognitive decline and periodontitis

Cognitive functioning and dementia can dramatically affect the conditions for oral health. A new dissertation by researcher Helena Nilsson reveals after she participated in a unique global study on aging.

Dentistry

Special sensory cells in the gums protect against periodontitis

Newly discovered chemical-sensing cells in the gums protect the mouth by standing guard against infections that damage soft tissue and destroy the bone that supports the teeth, report researchers from the Monell Chemical ...

Health

The toll dental disease can take

In 2007, a 12-year-old boy from Maryland died after an infection from an untreated dental abscess spread to his brain. His mother, homeless and dependent on Medicaid, had been unable to find a dentist to treat her children's ...

Dentistry

New study questions value of fluoride varnish

Fluoride varnish has become a popular anti-cavity treatment for children, and it isn't hard to see why. It's relatively easy to apply, and not just for dentists or dental hygienists. Pediatricians can do it as well, with ...

Dentistry

How pipeline programs can increase diversity in dentistry

The field of dentistry has a diversity problem. Despite calls for a more diverse workforce, only 15.2 percent of dental school applicants in 2016 were underrepresented minorities, according to the American Dental Education ...

Dentistry

How often should I get my teeth cleaned?

If you went to your dentist for a check-up and dental clean in the last year, give yourself a pat on the back. Not everyone loves the dentist, but research shows people who visit at least once a year for preventative care ...

Health

Dental decay and flavoured water

A laboratory study published in the International Journal of Environment and Health looks at the effects of flavoured mineral water drinks and sugar substitutes on the exogenic erosion of tooth enamel. Given that many more ...

Dentistry

Root canal work not so bad after all

Root canal work is not as bad as people think when compared to other dental procedures. Self-reporting of their dental health suggests that patients find the procedure no worse than other dental work which overturns the popular ...

Genetics

Genes could play a role in tooth decay and gum disease

Tooth decay and gum disease impact on illness and healthcare spending, yet the role of genetics in dental problems is largely unknown. New research led by an international team, including researchers at the University of ...