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Health News

Dental health topics in the news.
Dentists' group issues new pain-control guidelines for teens, adults
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...

Dental group says lead aprons no longer needed for x-rays
February 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...

Brush biopsy could be easy dental office cancer screen
January 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...

Could unhealthy gums worsen COPD?
January 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...

Your toothbrush could be a life saver in the hospital
December 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...

Americans Are Now Getting Far Fewer Opioids for Dental Pain
November 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...

Tooth Whitening: Expert Help on Getting a Brighter Smile
October 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,...

Dental Issues Plague America's Nursing Home Residents
September 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...

Avoid Opioids for Short-Term Dental Pain in Kids, New Guidelines Say
August 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...

Fluoride Toothpaste, Make Room for a New Competitor
July 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...

Brushing, Flossing Could Help Shield Your Brain From Dementia
July 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,...

Could Dentures Raise Your Odds for Pneumonia?
June 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...

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