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Can replacements of missing teeth protect against cognitive decline?
People with new fixed prostheses as a replacement for missing teeth have a lower risk of poor cognition, as per a study. New removable prostheses were linked to a higher risk of poor cognition. Loss of teeth without replacement was not tied to a higher risk of poor cognition. These findings suggest the protective effects of these replacements against cognitive decline.
International Association for Dental Research
Gum inflammation matches with cytokine levels in saliva
Researchers evaluated saliva samples and gums of participants with periodontal disease by measuring a combined score of cytokine levels and PISA scores. They found that PISA scores were linked to cytokine scores independent of gender, smoking, BMI, and age. But, these findings should be validated in diverse populations to understand this connection even in other conditions.
New York University
Can dental implants act as hearing aids?
A recent study showed that dental implants had higher sensitivity for bone conduction than mastoid bones and natural teeth at certain frequencies. These findings also suggested dental implants in the posterior teeth had a higher threshold to detect vibrations than anterior teeth implants. It could be because of differences in bone density between the back and front teeth.
The Register
Vaping could increase dental cavities, says a study
The aerosolized e-liquids or aerosols used in vaping pens could cover the teeth of vapers in a sticky and sugary film to promote bacterial growth. A study showed that e-cigarette users are at remarkably higher risk of cavities than those who did not use them. Researchers suggest vapers should be prescribed dental treatments like mouthwash and fluoride toothpaste.
NBC News
WHO: Almost 50% of the world's population has oral diseases
Severe gum disease, oral cancers, tooth decay, and tooth loss are common oral diseases worldwide. Around 2.5 billion people worldwide are suffering from tooth decay, while 380,000 new oral cancer cases are being diagnosed yearly. Oral health is being neglected due to high out-of-pocket costs and the unavailability of dental equipment in primary healthcare facilities.
Twitter @Reuters_Health
Dentists prescribing antibiotics to high-risk patients can prevent endocarditis
The risk of developing infective endocarditis (IE) was approximately ten times higher when dental extraction was done in high-risk patients without antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) than when they received AP, according to researchers. Also, the IE risk was 12.5 times higher when oral procedures were done in high-risk patients without AP than when done with AP.
University of Sheffield
Non-opioid pain medications for tooth extraction are effective, says a study
A study showed that efforts to reduce opioid medications for pain after tooth extraction could be effective. Investigators prescribed NSAIDs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen in combination with gabapentin instead of opioid pain medications. The treatment failure rates with these drugs were lower than that with opioids, suggesting potential alternatives to opioids.
Twitter @JAMANetworkOpen
Taste dysfunction common after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer
Taste dysfunction occurred in over 91%, 75%, 33%, 8%, and 6% of patients after one week, 3 and 6 months, and a year after intensity-modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, respectively, as per a study. Taste dysfunction was associated with a higher oral cavity dose of 4000 cGy or more. Reducing the oral cavity dose may help improve taste recovery after radiotherapy.
Twitter @JAMAOto
Green light treatment could lead to fewer cavities and whiter teeth
Researchers combine copper oxide nanoparticles, sodium alginate and bismuth oxychloride nanoparticles into a thick mixture and evenly coated on the surface of teeth. Then they sprayed the concoction with calcium chloride solution to form a strongly adhering hydrogel. This hydrogel and green light on the stained teeth and the teeth got whiter without damage.
American Chemical Society
New antiseptic mouthwash shows promising effects with less CHX
Curaprox Perio plus regenerate showed a potent antibacterial effect with only 0.09% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) and a unique additives blend, as per a study. Additives like citrox reduce biofilm viability, xylitol inhibits biofilm formation, hyaluronic acid enhances wound healing, and poly-L-lysine boosts active compounds' substantivity in the mouth.
Dental Tribune
