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.
Test Your Sharpen-Free Instrument Knowledge!
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Bactericidal Effects of Ultraviolet-C Light on Streptococcus mutans
Healthy teeth and gingiva impact our overall health and well-being. In a new study, researchers explored the use of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light in fighting Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium associated with tooth decay.
Clinical Uses for Ultraviolet-C Light
The sun emits UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C irradiation. Ultraviolet light intensity is measured in milliwatts per square centimeter per second (mW/cm² * seconds) and exists in...
Troubled Relationship Between Periodontitis and COVID-19 May Further Exacerbate Disease Severity
COVID-19 is being studied by researchers all over the world. Where did it come from? How can we stop it? While we cannot answer these questions definitively, researchers are still tackling the pandemic and its relationship with other serious health problems. For example, researchers have been studying the effects that COVID-19 may have on common diseases, such as periodontitis.
The...
International Study Looks at Whether People Can Inherit Periodontal Disease
Can someone's oral health be predetermined by their family's genetics? A Swedish study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology examined just that. The study was titled "Using National Register Data to Estimate the Heritability of Periodontitis."
About Periodontitis
Periodontitis is an advanced stage of periodontal disease caused by virulent pathogens and poor dental hygiene. Dental plaque is an oral microbial biofilm...
Study Evaluates Changes in Dental Fluorosis Over Time
Fluoride is commonly found in nature, like in rocks, as well as in fluoridated water, dietary supplements, mouthwash, and toothpaste. It desirably protects against tooth decay, but too much exposure during childhood may lead to a condition called dental fluorosis. In milder cases, it causes light white lines or spots on the teeth, but it may lead to physical damage...
Cirrhosis and Cirrhosis Treatments Damaging the Oral Health of Dental Patients
Medical doctors have noticed that the dental health of their liver transplant patients is poor enough to cause worry about the general outlook and lives of their patients that can be easily destroyed with the smallest infection. A patient's oral status can even weigh in on whether the doctor believes that their patient will take adequate care of their...
Research Reveals Dental Care Needs of Foster Care Youth
There are over 153 million orphans around the world, according to the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). An estimated 5,700 children become orphans every day and end up in foster care until they find a suitable family to live with and take care of them. Many of the children are surrendered due to neglect, abuse, or poverty. One or both...
Oral Myeloid Sarcoma Lesions Linked to Acute Myeloid Leukemia
A study by the Journal of the American Dental Association recently explored how Oral Myeloid Sarcoma can manifest as gingival or mucosal swelling in certain patients. The research, titled "Oral myeloid sarcoma as an uncommon manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia," compares the results of multiple case studies.
About Acute Myeloid Leukemia
According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is the second-leading cause of death...
Potential Link of Periodontitis and Valvular Heart Disease Found
A retrospective study in Taiwan has revealed a potential link between periodontitis and the development of valvular heart disease. The results of the study were published in the June edition of the Journal of Clinical Periodontology under the title, "Periodontitis is associated with incidental valvular heart disease: A nationwide population-based cohort study."
About Valvular Heart Disease
A healthy heart has four...
Systemic Review Looks at How Boric Acid Can Help Periodontal Therapy
Boric acid is a popular remedy for a variety of health concerns. The International Journal of Dental Hygiene recently published a systemic review titled "Boric acid as an adjunct to periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis" that analyzed its efficacy on patients who suffer from periodontal issues.
More Information About Boric Acid
Boric acid, also known as hydrogen borate, is a white...
Laser Treatment during Periodontal Surgery Shows Promising Results for Osteoporosis Patients
Scientists have made a recent discovery that could impact patients diagnosed with osteoporosis. The findings from the study were published in the FASEB Journal by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology under the title "Laser irradiation decreases sclerostin expression in bone and osteogenic cells." Researchers hope dentists may be able to use laser irradiation as a potential treatment for...
Differentiated Learning and Mouthwash Increases Dental Health in Visually Impaired Patients
Appropriate dental care in children with disabilities can seem overwhelming, and not just for the parents. Their dental health is a major concern because, as we all know, the state of our mouths contributes directly to our physical and mental stability.
Much scientific study has been dedicated to the needs of children with developmental disabilities because many of these children...
Azadirachta Indica (Neem) as a Treatment for Oral Cancer
The Neem tree found on the Indian subcontinent exhibits a cluster of biological applications. Every piece of the neem tree is useful, whether it is the bark, the stem, the leaves, the flowers, the fruit, or the sap. This tree's technical name is Azadirachta indica from the Meliaceae plant family. Researchers recently did a systemic review of the plant's...
Dental Caries Among the Geriatric Population: A Decade Long Study
Scientists have long speculated about the prevalence of dental caries and their potential long-term risk factors among the geriatric population. Recently, the topic was further explored in an article titled, "Caries disease among an elderly population—A 10-year longitudinal study." The piece was published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene, which is the official scientific peer-reviewed journal of the International...
Research Shows Women’s Menstrual Cycles May Impact Oral Health
A recent study has shown that a woman's oral health can be strongly linked to her menstrual cycle.
The study noted that, even when women practice good oral hygiene, the hormonal changes created during menstruation can present harmful, short-term changes in the microbial load in saliva. Consuming sugar and smoking can make these changes even worse.
About the Study
The study, published...
Does Past Sexual Abuse Affect Patients’ Dental Anxiety and Homecare?
If a child is not familiar with going to the dentist or unsure what treatments they will be subjected to, anxiety may arise but should mostly dissipate with age. When dental anxiety occurs in older teens, especially without a history of anxiety, there may be another problem that they are dealing with that we, and their guardians, may be...