February 2024
New guidelines from the American Dental Association (ADA) are cracking down on the use of opioids for tooth pain. The guidelines say that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken alone...
Read about opioidsFebruary 2024
The heavy lead apron dentists drape over you during dental X-rays may soon be a thing of the past. On Thursday, the American Dental Association (ADA) announced that its member dentists can dispense...
Read about dental X-raysJanuary 2024
A newly developed "brush biopsy" allows dentists to screen for the most common form of mouth cancer, a new study reports. Dentists use a small brush to gently collect cells from potentially...
Read about brush biopsiesJanuary 2024
New research in mice is pointing to a surprising connection: Gum disease could exacerbate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Because gum disease (periodontitis) is a chronic, inflammatory...
Read about gum health and COPDDecember 2023
A person's toothbrush could be a true lifesaver if they land in a hospital ICU, according to new evidence review. Regular toothbrushing is associated with lower rates of death in the intensive care...
Read about the benefits of brushingNovember 2023
If you're getting a tooth pulled or having another painful dental procedure, you're much less likely to get opioids than you were just a few years ago, new research reveals. That's good news...
Read about opioidsOctober 2023
People want whiter teeth, surveys show, and the American Dental Association (ADA) has some advice on how to accomplish that. Over time, teeth can become less white due to a number of causes,...
Read about tooth whiteningSeptember 2023
Good oral health is one of the keys to healthy aging, but a sobering new study shows that many U.S. nursing home residents have significant dental issues. Close to two in every 10 residents have...
Read about nursing home dental issuesAugust 2023
Children having short-term dental pain from extractions or toothache should not be prescribed opioids but rather manage those aches with over-the-counter ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen, according to...
Read about avoiding opioidsJuly 2023
Fluoride may have found its match in preventing cavities. New research shows that toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite, one of the main mineral components in teeth, can prevent cavities as...
Read about hydroxyapatiteJuly 2023
Add risk of developing memory problems later in life to the list of consequences linked to poor oral health. Not taking care of your mouth and teeth has already been associated with heart disease,...
Read about oral hygiene and dementiaJune 2023
Dentures may hide harmful germs that cause pneumonia, British researchers report. For the study, the investigators took samples from the dentures of nursing home patients who did and didn't have...
Read about dentures and pneumoniaMarch 2023
Diabetes is a known risk factor for mental decline and dementia. Paired with total tooth loss, the potential harm to the brain is even more significant, new research indicates. The findings...
Read about tooth loss and dementia