Eating disorders linked with poor gum conditions, quality of life

Patients diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia have significantly worse periodontal conditions and poorer oral health-related quality of life, such as physical and psychological limitations, according to a new study published in the Journal of Periodontology. This quantitative cross-sectional study included 60 patients admitted to the Specialized Mental Health Clinic of the Medical School of Marília in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2018. Half of the patients were diagnosed with anorexia or

Orthodontist indicted on fraud, bribery charges

A well-known orthodontist in Arkansas has been charged with 15 counts of fraud and wire fraud on charges that he allegedly paid bribes to and performed free dental work for a former state senator in exchange for legislation that benefited his dental clinics. According to court documents filed on August 16 with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Benjamin Burris, DDS, is accused of giving bribes

CDC: Vaping linked to severe lung disease

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a cluster of severe lung disease linked to electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, or vaping. Patients experienced cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue that eventually led to hospitalization. Fifteen confirmed cases and almost 100 probable cases were reported in 14 states this year between June 28 and August 15. The disease was originally thought to occur in teenagers and young

Study questions whether fluoride can lower kids’ IQ

Prenatal fluoride exposure may have neurotoxic effects, according to a study published August 19 in JAMA Pediatrics. Researchers found that children with greater prenatal fluoride exposure had lower IQ scores as preschoolers. The study included data on fluoride exposure and IQ scores from hundreds of mothers and their children in six major Canadian cities. About 40% of the participants lived in communities with a fluoridated water supply, all of which

SmileDirectClub hopes to raise $100M in IPO

Direct-to-consumer teeth-straightening service company SmileDirectClub filed an initial public offering (IPO) on August 16. The company hopes to raise $100 million, according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Nashville-based company, which sells clear aligners at a fraction of the cost of what patients pay to get traditional braces, stated in its SEC filing that it had treated more than 700,000 patients in the U.S. Puerto, Rico,

Removing Wisdom Teeth? Relax. Here’s Our 5 Tips for Easy Recovery

Wisdom teeth removal may be a life milestone, a rite of passage — most people have them taken out in their early to mid-20s — but it’s definitely no picnic. Relax. It’s actually not as bad as you think — with the right care and wisdom teeth recovery tips. Here’s what to do and what not to do to encourage the healing process of wisdom teeth and feel

Week in Review: Dentures found in patient’s throat | 5-year plan | Access to patient records

Dear DrBicuspid Member, An older patient comes to your practice days after surgery, citing pain, bleeding, and swallowing difficulties. Is your first thought that your patient might have a respiratory infection, or should you check for something blocking the throat — like maybe their dentures? While the need to remove dentures before surgery seems basic, the above story is a good reminder that sometimes steps are missed during procedures. I

Socioeconomic, hygiene status predict kids’ oral health

Lower socioeconomic status and ineffective oral hygiene habits directly predicted gingivitis in 12-year-olds in a new study. However, positive oral health beliefs and higher self-esteem predicted more frequent toothbrushing, which linked directly to more effective oral hygiene, the researchers reported in the Journal of Periodontology (August 5, 2019). The cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the effect that socioeconomic status had on the dental health, self-esteem, toothbrushing frequency, oral hygiene effectiveness,

Prenatal vitamin D improves kids’ dental health

Prenatal exposure to vitamin D may bolster children’s dental health. The children of women who took high doses of vitamin D during pregnancy had fewer enamel defects at age 6 in a new study. When enamel defects stem from a developmental cause, the teeth erupt with a hypomineralized and porous appearance. These defects can lead to tooth sensitivity and pain, and the teeth may be more prone to caries, the

Review focuses on avoiding discoloration after regeneration

Tooth discoloration can sometimes occur after a regenerative endodontic procedure, such as root revitalization. Researchers conducted a literature review to see how to sidestep this issue. Their analysis of the literature found that most of the materials used in these procedures had the potential to stain tooth tissue, so they recommended a technique to help reduce or eliminate staining. The review was published in the Journal of Oral Science (August

U.S. Oral Surgery Management partners with Atlanta practices

Management services company U.S. Oral Surgery Management has partnered with Oral & Facial Surgery Associates, a practice with three locations in the Atlanta area. This is the first expansion into Georgia for the organization, which has partnerships with 14 practices in 42 locations in Colorado, Georgia, and Texas.

Tooth trouble linked to cognitive decline in Chinese adults

Researchers found a link between tooth symptoms and a decline in cognitive function among older Chinese adults in the U.S., according to a new study. However, they did not find a link between cognitive changes and gum problems. Their study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (August 12, 2019). The researchers of the retrospective epidemiological study used data from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in