Tooth Decay News and Research

RSS

Also termed caries, tooth decay refers to the destruction of the hard white enamel on the surface of teeth that protects the inner pulp and nerves inside from the elements. This causes exposure of the inner nerves to hot and cold food or drink which leads to pain.

Shrink Nanotechnologies files patent applications for CellAlign advanced tissue engineering technology

Shrink Nanotechnologies, Inc., an innovative nanotechnology company developing products and licensing opportunities in the solar energy production, medical diagnostics and sensors and biotechnology research and development tools businesses, announced today that certain patent applications related to its advanced tissue engineering technology platform, CellAlign™, have been filed.

15 Jul 2010

Counseling parents of infants about when to stop using bottle can reduce tooth decay, obesity and iron deficiency

Family doctors and pediatricians can influence when parents wean their children from the bottle, thereby helping to reduce tooth decay, obesity and iron deficiency, according to a new study by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

12 Jul 2010

Colgate-Palmolive teams up with a trio of Saints to champion good oral health among Gulf Coast children

Colgate's Bright Smiles, Bright Futures national campaign to improve children's oral health joins Super Bowl champions Jonathan Vilma, Pierre Thomas, and Marques Colston and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast, to host festivals highlighting the importance of maintaining good oral health. More than 600 children in New Orleans and Mississippi's Hancock and Harrison Counties will receive free dental screenings, oral health education and treatment referrals this weekend. They will also join New Orleans Saints Vilma, Thomas, and Colston in a brush-a-thon to promote oral health awareness.

9 Jul 2010

ODA suggests tips for good oral hygiene to parents and kids

The Ontario Dental Association is asking parents to put oral health at the top of their kids camp preparation list. An oral care kit should be on the packing list, complete with a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste and dental floss.

7 Jul 2010

Healthcare policies need to adequately address dental health of entire families

Dr. Steven Adair, Chief Dental Officer for FORBA, one of the nation's largest dental practice management firms focused on high-quality dental care for underserved communities, today raised concerns that a new government report on a lack of dental coverage for adults may also underscore ongoing oral health challenges for children from low-income families.

23 Jun 2010

Preschool children with tooth decay more likely to be obese: Study

Preschool children with tooth decay may be more likely to be overweight or obese than the general population and, regardless of weight, are more likely to consume too many calories, a new study indicates. The results will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 92nd Annual Meeting in San Diego.

23 Jun 2010

ATP-driven bioluminescence predicts children at high risk for tooth decay: OHSU study

Researchers at the Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry have determined that ATP-driven (adenosine triphosphate-driven) bioluminescence - a way of measuring visible light generated from ATP contained in bacteria - is an innovative tool for rapidly assessing in children at the chair-side the number of oral bacteria and amount of plaque that can ultimately lead to tooth decay.

23 Jun 2010

Children with special health care needs at increased risk of oral diseases

At the beginning of 2010, as many as 17 percent of children in the United States were reported as having special health care needs. Behavioral issues, developmental disorders, cognitive disorders, genetic disorders and systemic diseases may increase a child's risk of developing oral disease, according to an article published in the May/June 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry.

22 Jun 2010

Oragenics awarded additional $500,000 to further development of MU 1140, DPOLT antibiotics platform

Oragenics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, announced today that the National Science Foundation has awarded the Company an additional $500,000 in funds to support the previously awarded SBIR Phase II grant for the Company's DPOLT Lantibiotic Synthesis Platform.

14 Jun 2010

FDA advisory panel to focus on dental amalgam's potential risk to vulnerable populations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced plans to hold an advisory panel on Dec. 14-15, 2010, to discuss several scientific issues that may affect the regulation of dental amalgam, used for direct filling of carious lesions or structural defects in teeth. The panel meeting will focus particularly on the potential risk to vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, fetuses, and young children.

11 Jun 2010

Head Start Dental Home Initiative launched to benefit low-income children in Illinois

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry today announces the launch of its Head Start Dental Home Initiative to benefit the one-in-three low-income children in the state of Illinois. The Initiative links children participating in Head Start programs to local dentists who will provide children with a "dental home" which will ensure that each child's oral health care is delivered in a comprehensive, ongoing, accessible, coordinated and family-centered way by a participating dentist.

27 May 2010

States struggle with poor dental care

Reports show that California and Wisconsin have poor dental care, while various communities try to improve lagging dental care indicators.

25 May 2010

Family plays vital role in children's oral health: General Dentistry

Parents are a child's first teacher in life and play a significant role in maintaining his or her overall health. Providing oral health education to mothers and families is essential to teaching children healthy habits and preventing early childhood tooth decay, according to an article published in the May/June 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry.

18 May 2010

Better health care for the indigenous population

A report from Melbourne University says that Indigenous Australians are six times more likely than other Australians to be blind and more than a third of this population has never had an eye examination. Now a substantial number of optometrists will be sent to remote Aboriginal communities under a $6.5 million federal program.

16 May 2010

Indigenous Australians at higher risk of diseases: studies

Central Australia ranks first in incidences of pneumonia among children with alarming figures like 78.4 cases per 1,000 children annually. This is much higher than even South Africa, Uruguay, Gambia, Fiji or Pakistan.

16 May 2010

Certain genetic variations linked to tooth decay, periodontitis

Certain genetic variations may be linked to higher rates of tooth decay and aggressive periodontitis, according to two recently published papers by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and their collaborators.

16 Apr 2010

CDHP applauds dental coverage in health care reform legislation

The Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP) today applauded the historic dental health care provisions that were recently enacted as part of the health care reform legislation signed into law by President Obama. The provisions contained in the legislation represent an unprecedented investment in the oral health of all Americans, especially children.

15 Apr 2010

Drinking tap water is a cost-effective way to fight tooth decay

Tooth decay affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC states that tooth decay, if left untreated, can cause pain and infections that hinder eating, speaking, playing and learning.

15 Apr 2010

Research shows direct link between dental health and general health

Research has shown a direct link between the health of our mouths and our general health. Periodontal (gum) disease may increase adult risk of diseases such as heart, stroke, diabetes and respiratory diseases. Tooth and gum disease and is one of the most common dental problems of older adults.

7 Apr 2010

Dry-mouth and dry-eye symptoms often misdiagnosed by healthcare professionals

Results from a recent survey of 400 Sjogren's syndrome patients showed that half of those surveyed experienced common symptoms such as dry mouth or dry eyes for three or more years before receiving an accurate diagnosis from a healthcare professional.

6 Apr 2010