The Academy of General Dentistry (6/1) shared that dental sports medicine is exploring the benefits of mouthguards beyond dental protection, focusing on their role in enhancing athletic strength and neuromuscular activation. A new scoping review published in General Dentistry synthesizes peer-reviewed literature on how mouthguards and jaw clenching can improve strength-related performance. Read more
DrBicuspid (5/28) reported that a study (5/13) published in PLOS One reveals a Neanderthal tooth from Chagyrskaya Cave in Russia, dating back 59,000 years, shows the earliest evidence of deliberate dental intervention. The tooth, featuring a large cavity, exhibited scratches indicative of tool use, confirmed by microtomographic analysis. The study, led by Alisa Read more
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (5/24) reported that hormones significantly affect women’s oral health, influencing teeth and gum conditions. Hormonal changes during life stages like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can exacerbate dental issues such as gum disease and tooth decay. The article emphasizes the importance of regular dental check-ups and maintaining good oral Read more
The Academy of General Dentistry (5/26) shared that a study in General Dentistry explored the use of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) to manage dental anxiety in children. Two pediatric patients with severe dental anxiety showed significant improvements in behavior and reduced stress levels during dental procedures when AAT was used. The therapy involved Read more
Food & Wine reported that researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are developing a bioengineered chewing gum from lablab beans to target microbes linked to head and neck cancers, including HPV and specific bacteria. In early lab tests, the gum significantly reduced HPV levels and nearly eliminated harmful bacteria without affecting Read more
SELF Magazine (4/22) reported that flossing is linked to reduced risks of dementia, stroke, and cardiovascular disease, as well as improved management of diabetes. Experts, including Dr. Kami Hoss and Dr. Richard Nejat, emphasize that flossing disrupts bacterial biofilm between teeth, reducing plaque and gum inflammation, which can lead to systemic Read more
Dimensions Of Dental Hygiene (4/17) reported that the ongoing debate over fluoride’s safety has increased interest in hydroxyapatite (HAp) as an alternative for caries prevention. While fluoride remains effective in preventing dental caries, concerns about dental fluorosis and systemic toxicity persist. Hydroxyapatite, the primary mineral in teeth and bone, offers a Read more
DrBicuspid (4/17) reported that Bruce Bryen, CPA, CVA, discussed the complexities involved in valuing ownership interests in dental practices, particularly when partners have unequal production levels. Bryen emphasized that the value of a practice at 100% is not directly divisible among partners, especially when one partner contributes more to the practice’s Read more
DrBicuspid reported that Debra “Debbie Z” Zafiropoulos, an oral cancer advocate, emphasizes the need for daily oral cancer screenings in dental practices, beyond April’s Oral Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society projects over 60,000 oral cancer diagnoses in the U.S. this year, with a five-year survival rate of 68%. Read more
DrBicuspid (3/24) reported that a review in the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice suggests patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcers are at higher risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Led by Maria Cláudia Alves from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, the study highlighted that GERD patients had higher Read more