Today's RDH
Today's RDH is for curious and passionate dental hygienists. We deliver the latest dental hygiene news, research, and entertainment on your phone, tablet, and computer.
Researchers Evaluate the Effects of Bruxism on Implant Failure and Bone Loss
Bruxism is defined as “the repetitive jaw muscle activity characterized by the clenching or grinding of teeth and/or by bracing or thrusting of the mandible.” It can occur during sleep or while awake. It has been linked to multiple negative consequences associated with oral health.1
A systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of bruxism on implant failure....
Researchers Compare Dentists’ and Hygienists’ Awareness and Clinical Management of Xerostomia
Saliva has several important functions that assist in preventing oral diseases, including lubricating soft tissues, regulating pH levels, clearing food particles, antimicrobial function, and facilitating tooth mineralization. The lack of saliva can be determined through both subjective sensations (xerostomia) and objective evidence (hyposalivation). Medications and systemic diseases can contribute to xerostomia. Xerostomia greatly increases the risk of developing dental...
Researchers Assess Cost Effectiveness of Supportive Periodontal Care
The importance and effectiveness of supportive periodontal care have been well established. However, disease progression is not uncommon among individuals being treated with supportive periodontal care, requiring the patient to re-enter an active phase of therapy. An active phase of therapy might include surgical or non-surgical periodontal therapy to achieve stability again.1
A recent study aimed to characterize the periodontal...
Systematic Review Summarizes the Evidence on the Association Between Periodontitis and Dental Caries
Periodontitis and dental caries are the most common chronic oral diseases affecting humans worldwide. Though periodontitis and dental caries share some common risk factors and social determinants, it is a common clinical finding that severe forms of either disease specifically affect different individuals. This may be due to specific microbial signatures within each disease’s dental-associated biofilm.1
The relationship between dental...
Research Examines Dental Side Effects of Treatment in Childhood Cancer Survivors
Childhood cancer affects one in 285 children in the United States.1 The 5-year survival rate has improved and currently hovers around 80% in developed countries. Survivors of childhood cancer often face numerous complications, including those affecting dental and craniofacial development. These individuals exhibit a higher incidence of oral and dental issues compared to controls. Factors such as the type...
Research Evaluates CBD as an Alternative Analgesic for Acute Dental Pain
Dental pain is often managed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, or, in severe cases, opioid medications. There are some limitations to managing dental pain in patients who cannot take NSAIDs, acetaminophen, or opioid medications. A new study assessed the effectiveness and safety of cannabidiol (CBD) as an analgesic for patients with emergency acute dental pain.1
There may be potential...
Ancient Teeth Reveal Insights into Evolution of Oral Microbiomes
A study conducted by researchers from Trinity College Dublin, in collaboration with archaeologists from Atlantic Technological University and the University of Edinburgh, has discovered insights into the evolution of oral microbiomes. The study analyzed the microbiomes extracted from two remarkably preserved teeth, dating back 4,000 years, that were unearthed from an Irish limestone cave.1
The Study
Two sets of molars discovered...
Research Examines the Association Between Severe Malocclusion and Daytime Sleepiness in Children
Sleep disorders, particularly sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), are significant concerns affecting children, with obstructive sleep apnea being a common type. SBD can lead to decreased sleep quality. Symptoms of decreased sleep quality in children can be snoring, nocturia, irritability, learning difficulties, behavioral disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and daytime sleepiness.
Various factors, such as enlarged adenoids and tonsils, obesity,...
OSAP Announces Exciting Rebranding to Association for Dental Safety (ADS)
May 31, 2024 (ATLANTA) — The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP), the leading organization dedicated to ensuring every dental visit is a safe visit, is thrilled to unveil its new name: Association for Dental Safety (ADS).
After careful consideration, OSAP has decided to refresh its brand identity to reflect better its values, vision, and commitment to our members...
Chlorhexidine and Diabetes: Effects of Mouthwash on Periodontal Pathogens and HbA1c Levels
Research into the relationship between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has identified a bidirectional association. Some studies have found chlorhexidine-containing mouthwash was a successful preventative measure in reducing the risk of developing periodontitis by impeding periodontal pathogens. Yet, the impact of mouthwash on both oral and systemic health parameters in individuals with T2DM remains unexplored.1
In a recent...
Researchers Identify New Phenotype and Inflammatory Responses Triggered by Oral Biofilm
A study led by researchers from the University of Washington for the first time has comprehensively identified and classified how individuals respond differently to biofilm accumulation. Additionally, they found a previously unrecognized host protective mechanism that prevents inflammatory bone loss during the reversible stage of gingival inflammation, gingivitis.1
Unchecked biofilm can pave the way for gingivitis, causing gingival inflammation, which...
Research Shows Association With Social Isolation and Accelerated Tooth Loss in Older Adults
A study conducted by researchers at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing has identified a concerning association between social isolation and tooth loss in older adults, with potential implications for global health. The study, published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, reveals that older adults who experience social isolation are not only more likely to have missing teeth but...
Researchers Look at the Relationship of Molar Emergence and Evolutionary Life History
While permanent molars typically appear at ages six, twelve, and eighteen in humans, chimpanzees attain them at a much earlier age: three, six, and twelve years old. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University investigated the late emergence of adult molars in humans compared to their closest relatives, chimpanzees.1
The evolutionary success story...
Research Examines the Association Between Heartburn Medication and Periodontal Disease Severity
A study conducted at the University at Buffalo has uncovered a potential association between the use of heartburn medication and a reduction in the severity of periodontal disease. The study focused on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), a class of drugs commonly prescribed for conditions like heartburn, acid reflux, and ulcers.1
The researchers hypothesize that PPIs may influence bone metabolism, the...
Research Finds Potential Association Between Oral Bacteria and High Blood Pressure
Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has identified an association between certain oral bacteria and the development of hypertension among postmenopausal women. The potential association may offer new insights into the prevention of this disease in older adults.1
Researchers from the University at Buffalo-State University of New York conducted a comprehensive study involving 1,215 postmenopausal women...
Researchers Find the Mechanism Behind Potential Anticancer Properties in Lidocaine
Lidocaine is a widely used local anesthetic in dentistry, known for its ability to successfully inhibit pain signals from sensory neurons, typically administered through topical creams or injections. Additionally, it has been found to have potential anticancer properties.1
Past research discovered lidocaine's potential anticancer properties, yet the exact mechanism behind this discovery has remained elusive until now. A recent study...
Oral Microbiome and Diet: Researchers Analyze DNA From Ancient “Chewing Gum”
What did people consume along the west coast of Scandinavia 10,000 years ago? A recent study involving the analysis of DNA found in a piece of chewed resin provides insights into their diet. It reveals that their food included deer, trout, and hazelnuts. Additionally, the study highlights that one individual among them had significant dental issues.1
An international research team...