Every four hours an infant is treated for mouth injury

COLUMBUS, Ohio, USA: Researchers have found that children who are learning to walk are at the highest risk of injury from baby bottles, sippy cups and pacifiers. For the first time, they analyzed nationwide statistical data from the last 20 years and found that, on average, 2,270 injuries related to these products are treated in U.S. emergency rooms every year.

May 18, 2012 | USA

Skeptic of coated stainless steel crowns turns advocate

When early childhood caries creates the need for restorations, a treatment of choice for strength, durability and protection has long been basic stainless steel crowns. But when it comes to aesthetics — especially with anterior teeth — shiny stainless steel quickly loses appeal. That can mean facing the challenges of strip crowns or composites.

May 17, 2012 | USA

Athletes are reminded to wear mouthguards

TAMPA, FL, USA: This year, more than 3 million teeth will be knocked out during youth sporting events, and the cost of replacing a knocked-out tooth can mount to $20,000, according to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation.  Athletes are 60 percent more likely to suffer an injury to the mouth when not wearing a mouthguard.

May 16, 2012 | USA

Researchers examine ancient diets using dental plaque

Reno, Nev., USA: By investigating dental plaque from skeletons buried in a Spanish cathedral, researchers from the USA have found a new way to gain information about the diet of ancient peoples. Their method could be a useful alternative to common research methods of this kind, usually conducted on bone, hair, muscle or nails.

May 15, 2012 | USA

Sports and energy drinks found to erode tooth enamel

CHICAGO, Ill., USA: Tests on tooth enamel samples have shown that the consumption of sports and energy drinks may result in considerable enamel weight loss within a few days. In a recently published study, researchers have warned that acidic levels in these popular beverages vary significantly between brands and between different flavors of the same brand.

May 15, 2012 | USA

Composite is said to kill bacteria, remineralize tooth structure

Baltimore, Md., USA: Scientists using nanotechology at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry have created what they call the first cavity-filling composite that kills harmful bacteria and regenerates tooth structure lost to bacterial decay. Rather than just limiting decay with conventional fillings, the new composite is a revolutionary dental weapon to control harmful bacteria, says professor Huakun (Hockin) Xu, PhD, MS.

May 14, 2012 | USA

Oral bacteria resposible for artificial joint failure

CLEVELAND, Ohio, USA: Study results have suggested that periodontal bacteria can migrate from the mouth to the synovial cavity, which might be the reason for the failure of artificial joints. In recent DNA tests, researchers detected the same bacterial DNA in synovial fluid and dental plaque in 14 percent of patients with arthritis and periodontitis.

May 10, 2012 | USA

A new smile takes flight

NEW YORK, NY, USA: Tyler covered his mouth when he smiled, barely spoke and refrained from eating in public whenever possible. Although he was in desperate need of dental treatment, he had not seen a dentist in many years. Unable to work, his mother is on dialysis several times a week and his father, a veteran, suffers from a brain injury incurred during his time in the service.

May 9, 2012 | USA

Novel portable probe detects early oral cancer

AUSTIN, Texas, USA: In order to reduce the time taken to diagnose oral cancer, researchers have developed the first prototype of a handheld detection device capable of fast imaging with a large field of view. They said that this miniature confocal probe could be used by dentists to screen for early-stage cancer cells in the future.

May 8, 2012 | USA

High fluoride levels in African groundwater put oral health at risk

DURHAM, N.C., USA: Researchers have suggested that the dental health of about 8 million people living in the Main Ethiopian Rift is jeopardized by high levels of naturally occurring fluoride in their groundwater. Their studies revealed a 100 percent prevalence of dental fluorosis in the teeth of the local residents. Furthermore, they found that additional milk intake may reduce the severity of this disease.

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