Pericoronitis is a dental condition or disorder involving the gums surrounding a wisdom tooth. When this particular gingiva swells and gets inflamed due to an infection or because of something happening to the third and final set of molars adults get in their early twenties or late teens, then that’s when you know you’re suffering from pericoronitis. This “something” could be partial wisdom teeth impaction and/or poor dental hygiene from the Petri
Three U.S. nonprofits have petitioned the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the Maine Board of Dental Practice to ensure it is enforcing the state’s fact sheet law about the mercury content in amalgam fillings. Consumers for Dental Choice, Organic Consumers Association, and Mercury Policy Project sent a petition to the FTC, stating the board is violating antitrust laws. The groups claim the board engages in actions that evade enforcement of
Virtual care company TeleDentists now offers second opinions about dental procedures to patients. Patients who have been prescribed extensive dental procedures can use the company’s website to connect with third-party professionals who can confirm treatment plans. To take advantage of the new service, called Dental Second Opinion, patients must obtain their dental records and x-rays and transmit them using TeleDentists’ website. A general dentist and a specialist will review the
The November issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association touches on several topics, including the history of water fluoridation in the state and pediatric pain. The article “A History of Water Fluoridation in California: Lessons Learned” discusses the state’s fight for water fluoridation, including the passage of the water fluoridation act in 1995. In other fluoride-related news, the authors explain why medical and dental providers should offer fluoride
Two Illinois women have filed a class-action lawsuit against the maker of an orthodontic pacifier for toddlers, claiming the company’s deceptive marketing and packaging led them to believe that the product promotes good oral health. Shelly Benson, of Elgin, and Lisa Caparellil, of Plainfield, filed a lawsuit on October 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division against Newell Brands and its subsidiary Nuk
A new internet challenge gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “my lips are sealed.” Teens, mostly girls, are posting videos of themselves gluing their upper lips with different adhesives to achieve perfect pouts. In videos posted on the video-sharing app TikTok and YouTube, girls show themselves putting eyelash, nail, and other types of glue on their upper lips, waiting for them to start to dry, and then sticking
U.S. residents are more than five times as likely to use prescription opioids than immigrants, according to a study published October 25 in JAMA Network Open. Immigrants who had been in the U.S. between five and 15 years were more than three times as likely to use opioids than new immigrants, while those living in the U.S. longer than 15 years were four times likelier, researchers found. The team also
Benzocaine has been in the news lately, and, with that, here is another reminder for dental professionals about the anesthetic’s potential problems as well as what they need to tell their patients about it. In mid-September, a 25-year-old woman checked into a Rhode Island emergency room experiencing shortness of breath, dizziness, and weakness. Doctors also noticed a bluish tint to her skin and nails. All signs pointed to a rare
Having crooked teeth can drastically affect your appearance. Even with just a minor tooth misalignment, it can lead you to feel self-conscious about smiling, speaking, and even laughing. When it comes to your dental health, having crooked teeth can lead to soreness of teeth, teeth grinding (bruxism), and TMJ disorders. Six Month Smiles, a variation on traditional braces that targets the front teeth, is one way of treating crooked teeth.
Dentists may be writing fewer opioid prescriptions for Medicaid patients, but recipients are still likely to get the drugs if emergency room practitioners or others treat their dental problems, according to a study in October issue of thethe Journal of the American Dental Association. Medicaid patients who receive oral healthcare at emergency departments are about seven times more likely to be prescribed opioids to manage their dental pain. Those with
A third of dental patients in Ireland would consider sedation for procedures such as fillings and extractions, because of their fear of going to the dentist, according to a news report published in the Digital Journal. In a survey commissioned by the James Clinic and conducted by Google Survey, researchers found that 32.5% of patients would choose to be sedated, while 42.7% stated they would not like to be sedated,
Teens who spend much of the day watching TV or on their phones consume more sugared, caffeinated drinks, linking extended screen time and potential health problems, including obesity, caries, and diabetes, according to a new study published October 22 in PLOS One. Despite overall soda and energy drink consumption decreasing among teens, approximately 27% of them exceeded recommended sugar intakes, and about 21% exceeded the recommended daily caffeine levels, the