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.

Can botox be used to alleviate pain in a jaw disorder?

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) limits jaw function and is so painful that it lessens the quality of life. Botulinum toxin—also known as botox—is emerging as an effective treatment option, but there are concerns about side ...

Early challenges to the immune system disrupt oral health

Modupe O. Coker from the School of Dental Medicine and a collaborative team of researchers identified changes over time in the oral microbiome of children living with HIV, offering insights into how early immune challenges ...

Cannabis use disorder triples risk of oral cancer

A recent study by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has found that individuals with cannabis use disorder (CUD) are more than three times more likely to develop oral cancer within five ...