MEDICAL EXPRESS - DENTISTRY

1. Bacteria in your mouth may hold clues to your brain health and dementia risk

   Could the bacteria in your mouth predict whether you are at risk of dementia? Emerging research suggests that the bacteria living on your tongue and gums may affect how the brain works and how it changes as we age. In turn, this could affect whether someone ages normally or develops dementia.

2. Expert highlights importance of fluoride for oral and overall health

   Fluoride not only strengthens teeth and leads to better health overall but also is one tool communities can use to reduce health disparities, according to Hugh J. Silk, MD, MPH, professor of family medicine & community health.

3. Microbiome in oral biofilms differs by sex, and shapes immunity differently in females vs. males

   Imagine a bustling metropolis within your mouth—a dynamic community of microorganisms forming biofilms on your teeth and gums. This oral microbiome is not only essential for maintaining oral health, but also plays a pivotal role in shaping your immune system. But there is more: a new, fascinating aspect of this ecosystem is that it differs between females and males, possibly influencing immunity in sex-specific ways.

4. Preliminary study suggests regular dental flossing may lower risk of stroke from blood clots, irregular heartbeats

   Flossing your teeth at least once a week may be linked to a lower risk of stroke caused by a blood clot blocking brain blood flow and irregular heartbeats, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2025, held in Los Angeles, Feb. 5–7, 2025.

5. An expert breaks down how fluoride helps kids

   Fluoride is an important component of children's oral health in the United States.

6. Healthy mouth, healthy baby: Experts emphasize oral health for expectant mothers

   With the start of the new year, prioritizing women's oral health should become a key resolution. Women's oral health is about more than just a beautiful smile—it is a critical aspect of overall well-being that is often overlooked. From puberty to menopause and every stage in between, hormonal changes can significantly impact oral health, affecting everything from gum disease risk to overall systemic health.

7. Oral microbiome may influence dementia development, study suggests

   The microbial ecosystems within our mouths may affect our cognitive function as we age, according to a study. Interventions such as prebiotics, including dietary nitrate, have the potential for delaying cognitive decline.

8. Over 1/3 of parents say their child has experienced dental problems that reflect oral hygiene habits

   More than one in three parents say their child has faced issues like tooth decay, cavities, stained teeth, gum concerns or tooth pain over the past two years, a national poll suggests.

9. Green tea-based adhesive films show promise as a novel treatment for oral mucositis

   Green tea shines as a natural powerhouse of antioxidants, with catechins leading the charge among its polyphenols, which protect cells from oxidative stress. These powerful compounds neutralize harmful free radicals generated during cancer treatment. The anti-inflammatory properties of green tea can alleviate oral mucositis, a painful inflammation of the mouth lining often caused by chemotherapy and radiation.

10. Mapping 'dental deserts' in the US: Millions face long journeys for basic care

    Imagine having to travel for hours for a routine dental cleaning or wait days to get treatment for a toothache. For nearly 1.7 million people in the U.S., this is a reality.

11. Link between gum disease and brain function exists, small study says

    Gum disease appears to disrupt brain activity, potentially increasing a person's risk of cognitive decline.

12. 3D printed scaffolding to rebuild jaw bones: Clinicians have success using custom design

    Clinicians have successfully used custom-made 3D printed bone scaffolds, printed on-site at The University of Queensland, to rebuild part of a man's jawbone.

13. Saliva proteins linked to gum disease progression identified

    Measuring levels of key proteins in patients' saliva may be a relatively easy way for dentists and even patients themselves to track the progression of gum disease (periodontitis), suggests a new study led by researchers at Penn Dental Medicine.

14. Denture use tied to better cognitive health in older adults with partial tooth loss

    Denture use may help protect against cognitive decline in older adults with partial tooth loss, according to a study published in Aging Medicine.

15. Non-opioid pain relievers beat opioids after dental surgery, trial shows

    A combination of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) controls pain after wisdom tooth removal better than opioids, according to a Rutgers Health study that could change how dentists treat post-surgical pain.

16. Investigation uncovers poor quality of dental coverage under Medicare Advantage

    Medicare Advantage—the privatized form of Medicare that offers benefits beyond traditional Medicare, such as dental insurance—is gaining in popularity, but a new analysis reveals that the quality of dental coverage offered by Medicare Advantage is poor, with only 8.4% of plans offering a dental benefit that met the study's quality standards.

17. Study reveals economic burden of tooth decay is highest in UK's deprived groups

    The economic impact of dental caries (tooth decay) is disproportionately higher in the most deprived groups, with estimated per-person costs of approximately £18,000 in the UK that could be dramatically reduced with targeted preventative measures, found new research.

18. The impact of early childhood exposure to fluoride on cognitive neurodevelopment

    The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) and the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) has announced the publication of a new study in the Journal of Dental Research that examines how cognitive development among young children is affected by early exposure to fluoride.

19. VR-haptics-enhanced training holds potential to transform dental education

    A new comprehensive literature review of the benefits and challenges of integrating haptics-enhanced virtual reality training, or VR-haptics for short, in dental education curricula highlights the transformative potential of VR-haptics in dental education.

20. Japanese researchers test pioneering drug to regrow teeth

    People with missing teeth may be able to grow new ones, say Japanese dentists testing a pioneering drug they hope will offer an alternative to dentures and implants.

21. Innovative toothbrush can improve the quality of life for older people

    After seeing the oral health of many of his older patients deteriorate drastically, dentist Johan Flyborg started looking for a solution. After five years of research in applied health technology at the Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden, he can show that an innovative, intelligent, powered toothbrush can make a big difference in the oral health and quality of life of older people.

22. Fluoride in drinking water is in the spotlight again. Let's not forget how it transformed our oral health

    Fluoride is back in the news, after incoming US "health czar" Robert F. Kennedy Jr called for its removal from drinking water.

23. Potential biomarkers for peri-implantitis discovered

    Peri-implantitis (PI) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects dental implants, posing challenges in management and exhibiting a high rate of recurrence. Current treatment for PI often mirrors that of periodontitis, but underlying differences in the pathogenesis of these conditions remain unknown.

24. Water fluoridation helps prevent tooth decay. How growing opposition threatens a 70-year-old health practice

    Driving through downtown Dallas, you might see a striking banner hanging at the U-turn bridge, near the Walnut Hill exit on Central Expressway (US 75): "Stop Fluoridation!" Below it, other banners demand action and warn of supposed dangers.

25. Surface protein study highlights a potential link between dental caries and renal lesions

    IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is an immune response disease affecting the filtering units of the kidneys. It is an intractable disease with a complex physiological process. Streptococcus mutans, a dental caries-causing bacterial pathogen, has been linked to IgAN disease progression. Now, researchers from the Okayama University, Japan, have uncovered a virulent role of Cnm—a surface collagen-binding protein expressed on S. mutans in IgAN development—highlighting a potential link between dental caries and renal lesions.

26. Battery-free dental brace reveals crucial health data via smartphone

    The human mouth holds a wealth of information about overall health. From body temperature to head and jaw movements during sleep, this data can be essential for understanding health conditions and dental issues. However, collecting such data is often cumbersome and uncomfortable.

27. Photodynamic therapy with annatto colorant found to be effective against bad breath

    A study by researchers working in Brazil shows that antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in which blue light targets annatto colorant is a feasible and effective option for treatment of halitosis in mouth-breathing children.

28. One in three kids will injure their mouth or teeth—here's what to do when it happens

    Every parent has witnessed it: A toddler takes a bad tumble, a youngster flies off their bike, a Little Leaguer has an unfortunate encounter with an errant baseball. Ideally, it's nothing a Band-Aid, some ice, and a big kiss can't make better.

29. Q&A: Dental expert discusses what to know about your temporomandibular joint

    In recognition of National Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Awareness Month, Dr. Seema Kurup, associate professor and division chair of Oral Medicine and Orofacial Pain at the UConn School of Dental Medicine answers the most frequently asked questions about TMJ and temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

30. Multi-quantifying maxillofacial traits via a demographic parity-based AI model

    A study published in BME Frontiers has unveiled a novel artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of multi-quantifying maxillofacial traits with remarkable precision and demographic parity. The research was conducted by a team of experts including Zhuofan Chen, Xinchun Zhang, Zetao Chen, and their colleagues at the Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology.