MEDICAL EXPRESS - DENTISTRY

1. AI dental assistant reads X-rays with near-perfect accuracy

   The Ateneo Laboratory for Intelligent Visual Environments (ALIVE) and international researchers have developed a deep learning model that aims to revolutionize dentistry, with the capability to identify tooth and sinus structures in dental X-rays with an accuracy of 98.2%.

2. With few dentists and fluoride under siege, rural America risks new surge of tooth decay

   In the wooded highlands of northern Arkansas, where small towns have few dentists, water officials who serve more than 20,000 people have for more than a decade openly defied state law by refusing to add fluoride to the drinking water.

3. Utah becomes first state to ban community water fluoridation

   With a new law, signed by Gov. Spencer Cox on March 27, Utah has become the first U.S. state to ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water, The New York Times reported. The law will go into effect on May 7, 2025.

4. Going to the dentist is expensive. Here are 3 things you can do to protect your oral health—and 3 things to avoid

   Around 1 in 3 Australians delayed their visit to a dentist in the last financial year—or didn't go at all—due to cost.

5. Fresh breath starts with healthy gums

   Bad breath can be an unwelcome distraction in social and intimate moments. Whether you are on a first date, attending an important meeting or simply spending time with loved ones, fresh breath plays a crucial role in making a good impression. While most people associate bad breath with certain foods like garlic, onions or spicy dishes, they are not the main cause. In reality, studies show that in 80–90% of cases, the main issue is poor oral hygiene and bacterial buildup in the mouth.

6. Severe gum inflammation found after using white snus

   Painful inflammation that takes months or up to a year to heal—this can be seen in the mouth after using white snus. Researchers in oral medicine at the University of Gothenburg will now look more closely at the effects of the popular white snus.

7. Study links lack of oral health care with complications during pregnancy

   For pregnant women in the U.S., the use of oral health services during pregnancy remains low, with fewer than 40% seeking preventive oral health care. So reports a study conducted by the Oral Health Workforce Research Center, part of the Center for Health Workforce Studies at the University at Albany's College of Integrated Health Sciences, which was featured on the cover of the Journal of the American Dental Association.

8. Urgent action needed to address oral health in aged care, researchers say

   New research from the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) research center based at SAHMRI has revealed one in five people living in Australian residential aged care (RAC) facilities has a significant oral health problem, with little access to dental services.

9. Cannabidiol may be a promising agent for promoting dental biomineralization

   In vitro tests indicate that cannabidiol can stimulate the biomineralization of teeth even under inflammatory conditions, thus promoting tissue repair.

10. Bottle feeding to get a toddler to sleep comes with health risks, says study

    Parents and caregivers should avoid using a bottle to put toddlers to sleep, say experts, after new research reveals the practice is linked to dental cavities and overweight in early childhood.

11. Understanding dental implant failure: Key risk factors and future directions

    Dental implants have revolutionized the treatment of missing teeth, providing a reliable and aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional dentures and bridges. However, implant failure remains a concern, particularly in the first two years after placement.

12. Scientists use technology behind Forth Bridge paint to create dental treatment

    Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have developed a new dental treatment to protect the teeth from decay and acid erosion, using cutting-edge civil engineering technology used to create the Forth Bridge paint. The new treatment, Varnish VLC, is designed to combat tooth decay and acid erosion caused by everyday habits, particularly in children.

13. Pandemic dental office closures linked to increased burden on ERs from kids with dental issues

    Dental office closures early in the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with a 62% increase in the share of emergency department visits from toothaches, abscesses, and other painful dental issues among children covered by Medicaid, according to a new study led by researchers at NYU College of Dentistry.

14. Hard evidence of soft teeth: The oral symptoms of hypophosphatasia

    Hypophosphatasia is a relatively common skeletal disease that primarily affects bone and tooth strength. In the third national dental survey of hypophosphatasia in Japan, recently published in Scientific Reports, researchers analyzed the dental issues faced by Japanese patients in their largest survey to date. Their findings provide valuable information for dentists and medical doctors who treat this often misunderstood disease.

15. 1 in 3 kids has dental problems, poll finds

    More than one in three parents say their child has struggled with cavities, stained teeth, gum problems or tooth pain in the past two years, a new national poll shows.

16. Gum health: A key indicator of women's overall well-being

    "Many women don't realize the connection between hormonal changes and their gum health," says Nicola West, secretary general of the European Federation of Periodontology. "Throughout different stages of a woman's life, such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause, hormone fluctuations can make gums more vulnerable to disease, making oral care ever more essential for overall health."

17. Children get tooth brushing lessons as UK battles dental care crisis

    England on Friday launched a national campaign to teach children in schools and nurseries how to brush their teeth properly, as the nation grapples with a dental health crisis.

18. Q&A: What to know before, and after, you get dental implants

    A generation ago, many people who lost teeth due to age-related complications typically wore dentures. Now, dental implants are a common alternative. In this process, a provider places a screw into the jaw, later fitted with a crown, to create a permanent replacement tooth. In the U.S., roughly 2.5 million people receive implants each year.

19. Do you need fluoride treatment after a teeth cleaning? Dental experts weigh in

    When Tristen Boyer recently had a couple of cavities filled, her dentist suggested she get fluoride treatment afterward. She has Crohn's disease, which puts her at increased risk for tooth decay.

20. Dental implants still functional after 40 years, finds study

    Dental implants used to replace single teeth continue to function well after several decades, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg. After nearly forty years, all examined implants were still in place and fully functional.

21. How does toothpaste affect the good bacteria in your mouth?

    The goal of brushing one's teeth is to have fresh breath and prevent cavities. But the effect of toothpaste on the complex ecosystem of bacteria in our mouths—the oral microbiome—is often overlooked.

22. Utah moves to ban fluoride in public water

    Utah may become the first state in the U.S. to ban fluoride in public water statewide, a move that would override local decisions on whether to add the cavity-fighting mineral to drinking water.

23. Oral microbiome dictates starch's effect on cavities, study finds

    It's common knowledge that sugar causes cavities, but new research provides evidence that—depending on your genetic makeup—starches could also be a contributing factor.

24. More work needed on children's supervised toothbrushing programs

    Barriers to running supervised toothbrushing programs for young children must be overcome if the UK government is to successfully tackle childhood tooth decay, researchers say.

25. Frequent cannabis use can lead to cavities, severe tooth loss, according to study

    It's long been known that smoking cannabis can lead to problems in the lungs, heart and brain.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. An expert breaks down how fluoride helps kids

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