Dental Research

Teeth whitening is a billion-dollar industry. People from all over the globe routinely buy teeth whitening products with the hopes that it will remove stains and make their teeth appear brighter. Now there is new research that suggests teeth whitening products can potentially damage a patient's smile. The study, titled "Teeth whitening products can harm protein-rich tooth layer: Researchers...

Over 90% of all head and neck infections develop from tooth abscesses. In rare cases, these infections may develop into potentially life-threatening sepsis. Other serious complications from odontogenic infections include obstructed airways, endocarditis, and tissue necrosis. To understand the causes and progress of serious odontogenic infections, a German research team examined the characteristics that caused these infections to progress. The...

A recent study published in Pediatrics, "Genetic and Early-Life Environmental Influences on Dental Caries Risk: A Twin Study," revealed that a person's genetics does not affect their chances of developing tooth decay. However, their data did suggest that young children with overweight mothers were more likely to develop cavities at a young age.  About the Dental Study The lead researcher of the...

Patients have probably heard stories about the way poor oral health can lead to a variety of medical conditions, some of them serious. However, some patients may have doubts about the seriousness of the oral-systemic link. In June of this year, the Mayo Clinic put many people's doubts to rest when it published "Oral Health:  A Window to Your Overall Health." This analysis concluded...

Recently, Governor Mike Parson of Missouri signed a new law that restricts the ability of dentists to prescribe opioids. Under the new law, dentists cannot prescribe more than the equivalent of 10 Vicodin pills per day, and can't write prescriptions for time-released opioids like OxyContin at all. The bill was crafted in cooperation with the Missouri Dental Association, who welcomed...

Orthodontics make teeth straighter. It is often assumed that straight teeth will make patients more confident, and therefore more optimistic and happier. Researchers in Australia recently put that assumption to the test. The Study Design The study followed a cohort, or group, of adolescents in Australia. The children were chosen in the late 1980s when they were 13 years old. Over time,...

The Journal of Dental Hygiene recently published a study titled "Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge: Attitudes and screening practices of Minnesota dental hygienists." The article, which was published in the journal's June edition, examined the current knowledge and attitudes among Minnesota dental hygienists on the subject of obstructive sleep apnea. About Obstructive Sleep Apnea Obstructive sleep apnea is a medical term used to describe patients...

Scientists have discovered a link between poor oral health and several gastrointestinal cancers. The study, which was published in the United European Gastroenterology Journal, provides strong evidence that lackluster dental health can significantly increase someone's chances of developing liver cancer and other serious illnesses in their lifetime. About Liver Cancer The liver is a necessary organ that helps eliminate bacteria from the...

Researchers have found a new and exciting application for "magnetically driven" robots: to clean teeth. The Penn State scientists developed and examined two methods for using this technology to remove biofilm. One was through a tray that a patient would put in their mouth. The tray would be 3D printed, allowing the microbots to get in between the teeth. A patient would...

Finnish researchers at the University of Tampere have new findings that show the presence of common oral bacteria in cerebral emboli for the first time. The article that documents their findings, "Oral Bacterial Signatures in Cerebral Thrombi of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Treated With Thrombectomy," focuses on the association between infection-causing oral bacteria and ischemic strokes. The Journal of the American Heart Association published...