Gum disease germ may be linked to heart rhythm disorder

The spread of a certain gum disease bacterium to the heart may exacerbate atrial fibrillation (A-fib), according to a news release dated May 9. It may represent a pathway that explains the relationship between periodontitis and atrial fibrosis. Specifically, the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) can enter the bloodstream and infiltrate the heart, increasing the risk of A-fib, according to the release from Hiroshima University. “P. gingivalis invades the circulatory

Fluoride, hydroxyapatite, and honest conversations: What we owe our patients

One of the most common questions from patients recently is “Should I be using fluoride or hydroxyapatite?” The increased attention on ingredient transparency, “natural” solutions, and wellness culture has pushed us to communicate more intentionally about what we recommend and why. It’s not about fluoride versus hydroxyapatite. It’s about understanding function, science, and how we educate patients without creating confusion. Topical fluoride vs. systemic fluoride: A quick reframe Fluoride works.

Dental Implants: A Long-Term Solution to Restore Your Smile

A healthy, complete smile not only enhances your appearance but also plays a vital role in your overall well-being. Missing teeth can affect your ability to speak, chew, and smile with confidence. Fortunately, dental implants offer a permanent, reliable solution for tooth restoration that looks, feels, and functions just like natural teeth. At Avalon Dental Group, we specialize in advanced dental implant procedures designed to restore both function and aesthetics.

This tool may prevent oral diseases in real time

A new smartphone application may help dentists monitor bite force in real time, offering feedback to improve diagnosis and treatment. This study was recently published in the International Dental Journal. Furthermore, the app may maintain balanced bite force by collecting data to prompt patients for self-correction, the authors wrote. “This intelligent application was designed to provide dentists with real-time monitoring, intelligent feedback, and effective intervention of bite force in their

What sleep bruxism may say about your kids

Sleep bruxism (SB) in children as young as 4 may be linked to suppressing symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as other sleep disturbances. This study was published recently in Sleep Medicine. Early intervention for SB may positively affect children’s long-term health by reducing the risk of damage to permanent teeth, the authors wrote. “Frequent episodes of possible sleep bruxism in early childhood could represent a warning sign for

Clinical tip: The importance of photography with orthodontics

This clinical tip from CDOCS focuses on the orthodontic portion of your practice and the importance of quality photos to obtain the best results for your patients. Learn more about CDOCS. Video transcript “Hi, this is Shalin from CDOCS. Today’s tip of the day is photography, and photography as it relates to your clear aligner submissions. “It’s essential that when you’re not only submitting your case for the very first

It’s OK. Kids can get their teeth bleached.

Vital and non-vital tooth bleaching may be a safe procedure for children and adolescents, offering effective color change with minimal side effects. This study was published in May in the Journal of Dentistry. However, the bleaching techniques, agents, and concentrations that are most effective don’t have consensus, the authors wrote. “Tooth bleaching of vital teeth is a safe and effective treatment in children and adolescents,” wrote the authors, led by

FDA aims to pull fluoride supplements from the market

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on May 13 that it is taking steps to remove concentrated ingestible fluoride prescription drops and tablets for infants and toddlers from the market following a safety review and public comment. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, MPH, has instructed the U.S. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research to evaluate the evidence regarding the risks of systemic fluoride exposure from FDA-regulated pediatric ingestible

A Painless Root Canal – Does It Exist? Yes…

“Painless” might not be the word that springs to mind when you think about the prospect of having a root canal. In fact, it could previously have been considered a complete oxymoron to put “painless” and “root canal” in the same sentence. But today, things have changed. Root canal treatment is less painful, more accurate, there is less chance of reinfection following the procedure, and it takes less time to

3 things that may prevent tooth loss

Routine toothbrushing, visiting the dentist regularly, and receiving oral health education may reduce the risk of tooth loss, according to a study recently published in the International Dental Journal. Additionally, interdental cleaning may offset the impact of metabolic syndrome, potentially contributing to a lower prevalence of missing teeth, the authors wrote. “The present study provides substantial evidence supporting the relationship between the frequency of interdental cleaning and dental health,” wrote

Global survey highlights the challenges of VR-haptic technology in dental education

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A recent global survey of 156 institutions reveals strong interest in VR-haptic technology for dental training, yet significant barriers impede widespread adoption. The study was led by the University of Eastern Finland and published in Frontiers in Dental Medicine. Combining virtual reality with force feedback, VR-haptic technology is becoming more and more common in dental education where it complements traditional preclinical hand skill training methods. The

Texas investigating illegal marketing of fluoride toothpastes

The attorney general in Texas has launched investigations into Colgate-Palmolive and Procter & Gamble for illegally marketing fluoride toothpaste to parents and children in ways that are “misleading, deceptive, and dangerous.” Attorney General Ken Paxton sent civil investigative demands to the companies due to the growing body of scientific evidence that shows excessive fluoride exposure may not be safe for children, according to a press release dated May 1 from