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.
Research Supports SARS-CoV-2 May be Spread through Saliva
Finding the Virus Vectors
During the first year of the pandemic, there was growing worldwide consensus that COVID-19 was spread primarily through respiratory means. It was also shown quite early in the pandemic that transmission from presymptomatic/asymptomatic carriers was a virus vector as well.
The reported respiratory studies drove the vast majority of research and focus to those areas, and reporting...
Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy May Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Inflammation
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system, which is responsible for protecting the body from harmful bacteria, starts to malfunction and attack healthy cells instead. The autoimmune and inflammatory disease can cause inflammation in the joint area of the knees, ankles, hands, and wrists. Patients may feel pain or stiffness when they move. The most common symptoms associated with...
Silent Osteoporosis and Its Relation to Periodontitis in Middle-Aged Patients
Periodontitis is one of the most widespread preventable diseases in the world. A vast majority of studies, both qualitative and quantitative, looked at the association between periodontal disease and osteoporosis in geriatric populations. But what about the occurrence of periodontal disease and osteoporosis in adults that are currently determined to be 'middle-aged'? Are the two conditions related to someone...
More Research Shows Periodontal Disease May Lead to Alzheimer’s
To some, it may seem impossible that bad (virulent) bacteria in your mouth can affect memory cells in your brain. DNA researchers, however, discovered that bacteria in the mouth that cause periodontitis could move from the mouth to the brain. The most common periodontal bacteria found in patients with Alzheimer's is Porphyromonas gingivalis, also known as P. gingivalis.
Data from...
Virus Prevention in the Dental Chair: Should Clinicians Give HPV Vaccines?
Have you ever thought about administering vaccines in a dental office? It sounds very unusual when most of the injections we give in our offices come in the form of local anesthesia but never a medication known to prevent an STD that can lead to cancer.
HPV, or the human papillomavirus, is a sexually transmitted disease that causes cancer not only...
Can Type 2 Diabetes and Hyperglycemia Affect A Patient’s Dental Implants?
More than 34 million Americans have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since the disease is so prevalent among adults and young children, scientists in the dental community are very focused on understanding how the disease may impact a patient's oral health or the effectiveness of treatment plans. Recently, a team of researchers located in Germany conducted...
How Dental Professionals Can Help Women Exiting the Criminal Justice System
Women who live under the poverty line tend to favor other responsibilities over dental care, which may seem like elective care to some individuals. Many studies have been completed on the reasons behind a lack of dental knowledge in poverty-stricken communities. The specific detriments to adequate dental care are the same all over the world.
Perceptions of Access to Oral...
Systemic Review Reveals Green Tea Variants in Oral Rinses Show Efficacy
It's no secret that the number of people that seek out healthier options to increase the quality of their everyday lives is growing. Some choose to take the stairs instead of using an elevator. Some try to eat more natural foods.
How do we approach herbal dental care with our patients if they should ask for our advice?
We have previously...
Adjunctive Use of Experimental Calculus Disruption Solution Decreases Scaling Time
A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota decided to organize a clinical trial last year to determine whether an experimental solution could help clinicians remove calculus deposits more quickly when using in conjunction with hand-held instruments. The article, titled "Efficacy of a Prototype Solution to Facilitate the Removal of Supragingival Dental Calculus: A Proof of Concept Study,"...
7 Reasons to Date or Marry a Dental Hygienist
We may be a bit biased being a dental hygiene publication and all, but we think dental hygienists are awesome people! The following are seven reasons why dating or marrying a dental hygienist is a wonderful thing!
1) Dental Hygienists are Well-educated!
Hygienists have spent years in college and have gone through rigorous training to get where they are. So needless...
Effectiveness of Fluoride Varnish Combined with Silver Nitrate and Tricalcium Phosphate
People of all ages suffer from dental caries, but it can lead to disastrous effects for children because it can interrupt their school performance and quality of life. To remedy this, a group of Chinese researchers at the University of Hong Kong decided to investigate the effectiveness of two fluoride application protocols in arresting caries in the primary teeth...
Research: Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles May Stop Tooth Decay Before it Begins
Scientists have discovered a new nanoparticle solution that can prevent the formation of plaque and dental caries before it can damage the teeth. The initial proof of concept was presented online by an esteemed professor from the University of Illinois at Chicago during the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting & Expo. The meeting featured more than 6,000 presentations on...
Test Your COVID-19 Infection Control Knowledge!
How up-to-date are you with best practices for infection control during the COVID-19 pandemic? Test your knowledge below!
Periodontitis Linked to Reduction in Renal Function Due to Oxidative Stress
A recent scientific breakthrough revealed a potential causal link between renal function and periodontal inflammation. A group of dental professionals at the University of Birmingham conducted a study with patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease to find more information. Due to their advanced tools and research methods, they were able to confirm that an imbalance of oxygen-producing free radicals due to...
International Study Displays Efficacy of Miswak Chewing Sticks
Miswak chewing sticks are a traditional teeth cleaning aid used predominantly by people living in African, Asian, Arabian, and Middle Eastern countries. A team of scientists from Kuwait decided to conduct a study to further examine their effectiveness. The results of their research, titled "A clinical investigation into the efficacy of miswak chewing sticks as an oral hygiene aid:...
Severe Periodontal Disease Linked to 21% Increased Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Poor oral health is associated with a 21% increased risk of colorectal cancer, new research confirmed. The scientists came to this conclusion after evaluating the results of 14 studies that involved 634,744 participants. The study was published in the December 2020 edition of the International Journal of Dental Hygiene.
Information About Colorectal Cancer
According to statistics gathered by the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer...
Porphyromonas Gingivalis Linked to Diabetes and Heart Disease
New evidence suggests that a common bacterium associated with periodontal disease can cause a metabolic syndrome to develop and eventually lead to diabetes and heart disease due to its ability to alter microbiomes in the gut. Metabolic syndrome involves a variety of conditions, including obesity, high blood pressure, altered lipid metabolism, systemic inflammation, and high blood glucose levels that...