https://medicalxpress.com/dentistry-news/ en-us Latest medical news and research in Dentistry A combination of omega-3 and low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) produced results comparable to antibiotics in treating severe periodontitis. This conclusion is based on a study conducted by researchers affiliated with Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital, Guarulhos University (UNG), the University of Taubaté (UNITAU), and the Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry at USP (FORP-USP) in Brazil, as well as Harvard University in the United States. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-omega-dose-aspirin-antibiotic-results.html Fri, 07 Aug 2026 12:00:05 EDT news705319681 CT images taken before patients begin treatment with bone resorption inhibitors may contain measurable clues about who will later develop medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), according to a retrospective study by a researcher at Hiroshima University. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-pretreatment-ct-scans-clues-medication.html Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:43:20 EDT news705321782 Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have created an innovative treatment for periodontitis that targets and eliminates harmful bacteria while preserving beneficial oral microbes essential for health. The findings were published in the Journal of Translational Medicine. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-therapy-gum-disease-bacterium-beneficial.html Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:40:01 EDT news705066901 Somewhere in Australia, a child is wobbling a baby tooth loose as an adult tooth pushes up behind it. For one in seven Aussie kids, that new tooth arrives already weak, marked with a creamy white or brownish patch in the enamel. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-mystery-weak-teeth-australian-kids.html Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:20:03 EDT news704968322 Fermented plant-based foods such as kimchi and sauerkraut could help inspire a new generation of microbiome-informed dietary strategies for supporting oral and gut health, according to a review paper published in Nature Reviews Microbiology. The study, led by investigators at Penn's School of Dental Medicine with collaborators at Penn Medicine, Penn Nursing and Jeonbuk National University in South Korea, examines how fermented foods interact with the microbes that live in the mouth and gut. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-fermented-food-precision-nutrition-oral.html Mon, 03 Aug 2026 10:00:03 EDT news704964967 Exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke during the first days of life can cause changes in tooth enamel mineralization without causing visible changes to the teeth. This was demonstrated in an animal model study conducted by researchers at the Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry at the University of São Paulo (FORP-USP) in Brazil. The results were published in May in the scientific journal Calcified Tissue International. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-rat-early-secondhand-exposure-tooth.html Sat, 01 Aug 2026 07:00:03 EDT news704769247 Oral health is known to be linked to overall health, and research has shown relationships with a variety of diseases. Impaired oral health has been linked to prognosis in colorectal cancer and esophageal cancer. Previous studies have also shown an association between oral health and postoperative complications in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the more lethal forms of cancer. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-natural-tooth-term-survival-pancreatic.html Fri, 31 Jul 2026 09:56:29 EDT news704710562 A major study has ruled out inflammation as the cause of a developmental condition affecting children's teeth while also revealing how common the condition is. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-root-common-dental-defect-children.html Thu, 30 Jul 2026 10:20:03 EDT news704622291 Vaccinations have traditionally been administered in primary care settings or pharmacies. However, for about a decade, some states have authorized dentists to administer vaccines, and many others did so during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effectiveness of this approach has led some countries and states to expand or consider expanding the role of dental providers in delivering routine vaccines, including those against COVID-19 and the human papillomavirus (HPV), and in providing vaccine education. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-role-dental-rethinking-vaccines.html Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:40:05 EDT news704530922 Every year, untreated tooth decay sends thousands of young U.S. children to emergency departments for dental problems doctors can't treat. Many eventually undergo surgery under general anesthesia, while others endure pain and infection. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-silver-diamine-fluoride-treatment-halt.html Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:20:05 EDT news704381521 Chronic gum disease (periodontitis) may worsen bone deterioration in people with osteoporosis by disrupting the microorganisms that support gut health, according to collaborative research between Griffith University and Nanjing University in China. The study, published in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, reveals the biological mechanism linking oral inflammation to whole-body bone loss, highlighting the importance of maintaining oral health as part of osteoporosis management, particularly for older adults. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-gum-disease-worsens-bone-loss.html Mon, 27 Jul 2026 13:20:01 EDT news704366041 Findings from a new study comparing the effects of different beverages on mouth acidity suggest that unsweetened sparkling water may be better for your teeth than sugar-sweetened soda. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-choice-teeth.html Sun, 26 Jul 2026 09:30:03 EDT news704100361 Gum disease bacteria may spur calcium buildup in the heart's aortic valve, leading to a common and serious heart valve disease, according to preliminary, independent research presented at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2026, held in Boston, July 13–16, 2026. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-bacteria-gum-disease-inflammation-harden.html Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:00:07 EDT news702889593 A team of researchers from VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, the VCU School of Dentistry and the University of Pennsylvania recently published a study in Nature Communications examining why some oral inflammatory diseases progress much more rapidly than others. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-oral-inflammatory-diseases-human.html Sat, 11 Jul 2026 13:00:01 EDT news702822164 Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of more than 30 conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw. So what could a small tissue sample from a rat's knee have to do with treating them? https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-advanced-imaging-uncovers-3d-nerve.html Tue, 07 Jul 2026 16:00:06 EDT news702654928 A paper published in the journal Biomarker Research by a cross-university team led by Queen Mary University of London researchers validates the use of a noninvasive brush biopsy test that can detect oral cancer within one hour. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-oral-cancer-hour.html Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:00:02 EDT news702563805 Using social media can have a negative impact on adolescents' confidence about the appearance of their teeth, new research shows. University of Otago–Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka researchers have co-authored a paper, published in Health Marketing Quarterly, that recommends policymakers move away from idealized smile imagery in oral health marketing. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-social-media-affects-teen-dental.html Mon, 06 Jul 2026 11:20:04 EDT news702552781 Researchers at NYU College of Dentistry have uncovered what may be biologically driving oral health issues unique to Down syndrome. Their study, published in Cell Reports, describes a molecular mechanism—a defect in calcium signaling—behind low saliva production, along with other factors that may contribute to gum disease. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-faulty-calcium-dry-mouth-syndrome.html Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:00:21 EDT news701970721 Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide, caused by the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). In Japan alone, approximately 80% of adults 30 and older are affected or considered at risk. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-cryo-em-mechanisms-dental-plaque.html Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:20:08 EDT news702038341 Noma, a deadly, rapidly progressing, noncontagious infection that destroys the soft tissues and bones of the mouth and face, remains one of the world's most neglected diseases. With a mortality rate of 80% to 90% if left untreated, the disease mainly affects young children living in extreme poverty and was only added to the World Health Organization's list of neglected tropical diseases in 2023. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-reveals-hidden-noma-disease-nigeria.html Mon, 29 Jun 2026 23:40:01 EDT news701954847 Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a miniature dental robot that could one day automatically prepare teeth for crowns. The technology could help reduce the number of appointments needed for dental treatment. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-mini-robot-dental-treatment-teeth.html Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:00:07 EDT news701426761 Continuous consumption of foods containing heat-inactivated Lactiplantibacillus pentosus can help reduce gum bleeding, report researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo. These postbiotic foods can improve inflammatory conditions and enhance gum health in adults with mild gingivitis. The study suggested that these postbiotic foods offer a simple and practical way to support oral health in daily life without altering oral care habits. The findings also aid in the prevention of early-stage periodontal disease. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-postbiotic-gummies-gum-weeks-trial.html Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:20:01 EDT news700914617 The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted routine health care in unprecedented ways, forcing providers and patients alike to delay or forgo preventive services. At the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Dental Medicine, those disruptions allowed a team of oral health and informatics researchers to better understand what happens when routine periodontal maintenance is paused, and what those findings mean moving forward. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-pandemic-era-gaps-dental-reveal.html Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:40:01 EDT news700846682 Your child's small, delicate, chalk-white baby teeth fall out. In their place grow yellowish-brown, fragile teeth—much to everyone's surprise. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-mysterious-tooth-condition-affecting-millions.html Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:20:09 EDT news700746721 As the debate over the value of adding fluoride to public drinking water percolates in communities across the nation, a new nationally representative survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania finds Americans sharply divided over the use of fluoride in public drinking water. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-americans-fluoridation-opposition-maha-notable.html Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:20:01 EDT news700393141 People who follow a short-term low-calorie diet may have reduced markers of inflammation associated with gum disease. A study by King's College London, published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, highlights how lifestyle modifications could be important alongside plaque control in managing gum disease. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-fasting-mimicking-diet-gum-disease.html Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:10:05 EDT news700242182 Diabetes is associated with complications in multiple organs, including the oral cavity. As a group, people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for oral diseases. According to a new thesis by dentist Anna Trullenque Eriksson from the University of Gothenburg, people with diabetes have an increased risk of periodontitis (gum disease) and tooth loss, and the risk of inflammation and bone loss at dental implants was also higher. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-diabetes-higher-tooth-implant-loss.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:40:04 EDT news700215797 A new toothpaste for relieving tooth sensitivity has been developed by UCL researchers using a nature-inspired material that supports bone regeneration. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-nature-toothpaste-sensitive-teeth.html Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:00:04 EDT news700220102 Excessive bite force does not cause alveolar bone loss but significantly worsens it when combined with periodontitis, report researchers in a new study. While traumatic occlusion has long been suspected to exacerbate periodontitis, the molecular mechanisms behind this link were poorly understood. Now, using mouse models of both conditions separately and combined, the researchers conducted comprehensive gene expression analysis across multiple periodontal tissues, identifying key inflammatory pathways upregulated in bone when both conditions were present. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-mechanical-stress-bone-destruction-periodontitis.html Sun, 07 Jun 2026 14:00:03 EDT news699542974 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. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-people-disabilities-poorer-oral-health.html Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:20:01 EDT news699700131