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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.

Study warns fluoride bans may raise tooth decay in children

Removing fluoride from drinking water could lead to more cavities in kids and higher health care costs, a new analysis suggests. Researchers estimate that if five states stop adding fluoride to public water, more than 132,000 ...

Call for dentists to reduce unnecessary nitrous oxide use

Nitrous oxide used for sedating patients during dental appointments has a significant environmental impact, with wide variation in use and wastage across the UK, according to a new study by UCL (University College London) ...

Uneasy at the dentist? You're not alone

Settling into a cushy reclining chair and closing your eyes while soft music plays is appealing, except perhaps at the dentist's office. According to a recent report in the Journal of the American Dental Association, 72% ...

Underbite is associated with tooth loss risk

Malocclusions, or misaligned bites, refers to a condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not align properly when the mouth is closed. It can arise from a variety of factors, including tooth position and jaw relationships. ...