Saliva, known colloquially as spit, is what’s produced by the mouth’s salivary glands in order to fulfill a variety of functions, such as keeping the mouth moist and bacteria-free as well as making it easier to eat or chew food by making it softer. The mouth lubricator doesn’t only aid digestion—it also assists in expulsion of bacterial and viral foreign bodies in tandem with mucus or snot and phlegm from
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is urging members to report adverse events from clear aligners to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) database, as the volume of submissions may prompt stronger action and public warnings. The FDA oversees the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database, which tracks adverse events involving medical devices, including direct-to-consumer (DTC) clear aligners, according to an AAO press release dated September 18.
Actor Billy Boyd, best known as Pippin in the trilogy “The Lord of the Rings,” perspired, ungluing his hairy hobbit feet while receiving a dental filling sans a numbing agent so he could get back to work. The story was published on September 26 on ABC 4. Billy Boyd. Image courtesy of Wikipedia. For the first time in a decade, Boyd reunited with fellow hobbits, Frodo and Merry, better known
About 60% of dental patients self-medicate — most commonly with analgesics and antibiotics — for their oral health problems, including unbearable pain, according to a large systematic review published on September 19 in BMC Oral Health. Therefore, prompt, effective interventions may be needed to address the elevated prevalence of self-medication for dental problems, the authors wrote. “The prevalence of self-medication is very high, and it is one of the major
Medical device company Vivos Therapeutics has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its device that treats moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring in children. This device, part of Vivos’ CARE line, is designed for children ages 6 to 17 who experience snoring or OSA and need orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontists may be more likely to support early extraction of third molars to prevent crowding and cavities, while oral surgeons focus on avoiding pericoronitis and infections. This study was recently published in BMC Oral Health. Furthermore, women were more likely than men to prefer extraction of partially impacted third molars to prevent cavities on second molars, which could be relevant in gender medicine, the authors wrote. “This study has been
Patients with periodontitis may have distinct blood protein profiles, with changes in specific proteins and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). This research was published in the Journal of Dental Research. The discovery of these altered blood biomarkers may pave the way for the development of drugs that may slow the progression of severe gum disease, the authors wrote. “A distinguishable serum protein profile was evident in periodontitis cases,” wrote the authors,
Migraines and severe headaches may be associated with the number of missing posterior teeth, according to a very large study of U.S. patients published on September 9 in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. However, missing back teeth that were restored were not linked to migraines or severe headaches, the authors wrote. “Preserving the morphological and functional integrity of posterior teeth may contribute to reducing migraine or severe headaches,” wrote the
Between 2017 and 2023, dental amalgam restoration placements in U.S. patients U.S. plummeted by about 80%, according to a study published on September 6 in the Journal of the American Dental Association. However, the reduction was the smallest among the most socially vulnerable of those identified at higher risk of developing serious health effects from mercury exposure by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the authors wrote. “Within the
This week, Dr. Shalin Shah from CDOCS provides a clinical tip that help every dentist improve his or her skills when it comes to the orthodontic side of the dental practice. Learn more about CDOCS, and learn more about CDOCS’ hands-on workshops. Video transcript “When etching the surface of enamel, what you want to do is make sure that you’re not only covering the area in the etching gel that you’re looking
In the last 30 years, little progress has been made to address the global incidence of severe periodontitis and tooth loss, highlighting the need for effective public health interventions. The study was published in the Journal of Periodontal Research. Furthermore, as the population grows and ages, more people are expected to be affected, the authors wrote. “Both severe periodontitis and edentulism are highly prevalent globally, imposing a significant burden on
Chemicals frequently applied to electronic devices and furniture to prevent burning or to slow the spread of fire have been associated with periodontitis and its severity, according to a study published in BMC Oral Health. However, future studies should focus on investigating the underlying mechanisms of brominated flame retardant (BFR) exposure on gum disease to confirm and strengthen the results, the authors wrote. “These findings offer novel perspectives on the
