Last update:

Dentistry news

Rare gene variants linked to dental differences that shape our smiles

Rare variants in a gene involved in early development have been linked to a range of dental differences in people, including missing teeth, unusual tooth shapes and teeth present at birth. By studying changes in the same ...

One tooth, six clues: How a single tooth can help in identifying deceased persons

A single tooth can contain valuable clues to a person's identity, even when remains are severely decomposed or reduced to bones, according to a study by researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo. By applying multiple ...

Cranberry juice may be a boon for oral hygiene

Boil them, mash them, simmer them in a sauce. Whether they're sweetening a salad, garnishing a cocktail or brightening up home decor, cranberries are an iconic ingredient in holiday festivities. UIC College of Dentistry researcher ...

Why do I keep getting mouth ulcers?

If you've ever had a mouth ulcer, you'll know even the smallest sore on your lips, gum, tongue or inside cheek can make eating and talking extremely painful.

Teeth reveal hidden signs of a rare bone disorder

In hypophosphatasia, a rare inherited condition that weakens bones and teeth, early tooth loss can be the first or even the only obvious sign. Yet why dental symptoms differ so much between patients has remained unclear.

Scientists target gum disease with bacteriophage virus

Scientists have shown that a naturally occurring virus can dismantle complex bacterial communities responsible for severe gum disease, offering a potential alternative to traditional antibiotics. In the first study to demonstrate ...

Sugar tax could improve oral health

Millions of cases of tooth decay could be prevented if Australia introduced a 20% tax on sugar, new Griffith University research has found.

From fear to trust: How music is transforming dental care

Treating patients who have spent years—sometimes decades—avoiding dental care because of fear, disability, trauma or painful past experiences can be challenging. "They are afraid and don't want to be treated," said Adela ...

Fluoride and kids' IQ: What a decades-long analysis shows

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has been shown to strengthen teeth and reduce cavities. Many municipalities add fluoride to their drinking water—a process called community water fluoridation—as a public health ...

Visualizing the global burden of facial pain

Facial pain is one of the most common forms of chronic pain. Despite this, there has previously been no standardized burden measurements, such as impact on the individual and health care costs across countries and in relation ...

The hidden dangers of oral cancer

Oral Cancer Awareness Month is observed every April, and it highlights the urgent need for early detection. According to the American Cancer Society, oral and oropharyngeal cancers still claim about one life every hour in ...