Harper’s Bazaar (3/17) reports on over-the-counter “whitening strips and pens, LED lights, and toothpastes” that “deliver brightening results in a few weeks or even less.” Harper’s consulted with an industry expert and cosmetic dentists “for their thoughts on the top products to use for safe and efficacious results.” Link: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/health/g32176566/best-teeth-whitening-kits/
The St. Joseph (MO) News-Press (3/17, Holleron) reports, “To help offset the shortages of dentists, the University of Missouri – Kansas City is expanding its program with a satellite location at Missouri Western State University.” UMKC “foresees that the rural health-focused expansion will see the number of graduates from its school of dentistry increase by 10% annually” from the current 109 to 119. UMKC is also “open to exploring the implementation of more satellite programs across Missouri.” Read more…
Dentistry IQ (3/15) reported that “a revolution is underway as dental professionals integrate advanced digital technologies into their practices, transforming patient care, diagnostics, treatment planning, and office management.” With current technology, “data can be gathered via 2D radiographs, 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), intraoral and extraoral scans, and photogrammetry” and “precise treatment plans are created by aligning, superimposing, and capturing all the data with digital software programs.” Link: https://www.dentistryiq.com/dentistry/article/55274600/a-digital-revolution-in-dentistry
The hard, outside layer of your teeth is called enamel. When it is properly cared for, enamel can give your teeth their white color and protect the sensitive inside layers of nerves and the blood supply. If your teeth are repeatedly exposed to acid, the enamel can wear away. This is called dental erosion. Some common causes of dental erosion are• acidic foods or drinks• acid reflux (sometimes called gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD])• repeated vomiting Read more…
Dr Bicuspid (3/18, Barros) reports that Dr. Gustavo Avila-Ortiz, a former faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, and currently a visiting professor in the Harvard School of Dental Medicine Division of Periodontics, explained the new classification system for periodontal health and disease. The new system “delineates three types of periodontal health: health of an intact periodontium, health of a reduced periodontium in a non-periodontitis Read more…
Dr Bicuspid (3/18, Turner) reports, “United Concordia Dental and Harmony Health are piloting a saliva test and mobile app aimed at improving dental care access for underserved Pennsylvanians.” The saliva test “is designed to detect oral health risks like cavities, gum disease, and diabetes.” Link: https://www.drbicuspid.com/dental-hygiene/hygiene-tools/saliva-testing/article/15739925/united-concordia-harmony-partner-on-saliva-test-app
Academy of General Dentistry (3/17) reports on a study that “compared orofacial radiographs of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) with those of a group of healthy controls.” Generally, those with SCD were more likely to show “generalized osteopenia, enlarged medullary spaces, thinning of the inferior mandibular border, and radiopaque lesions.” Those findings “support the value of orofacial imaging for identifying signs of osteoporosis, reporting a high prevalence of enlarged medullary spaces in SCD patients.” The Read more…
If you have diabetes, studies suggest that good oral health may be helpful for overall health. Research has shown that people with diabetes who take care of their gums are more likely to have good glucose levels than those who have problems with their gums. Also, people who maintain a healthy glucose level are more likely to have healthy gums. GUM DISEASE Gum disease develops when bacteria build up beneath the gum line. This can Read more…
WFLA-TV Tampa, FL (3/18, Rousseau) reports that the city of Bartow, Florida “will continue adding fluoride to the community’s drinking water after commissioners decided during a meeting Monday night.” The vote was 3-2 and followed “multiple discussions, a large amount of public comment, and passionate back and forth between commissioners.” CBS News Miami (3/18, Rynor) reports, “The Miami-Dade commission has decided to postpone their discussion and subsequent vote on the removal of fluoride from the county’s drinking water.” CBS Read more…
Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not manage blood sugar levels properly. Typical early signs of diabetes include increased thirst and urination. Unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, increased hunger, and sores that do not heal may also occur. People with diabetes may not be aware they are also at risk of developing a number of oral health problems. These can include gum disease, dry mouth, and sores. Your dentist may be Read more…