Study: Salivary mucins play a key role in fighting caries

Salivary mucins, key components of mucus, actively protect teeth from one of the principal bacteria that causes caries, Streptococcus mutans, according to a new study in Applied and Environmental Microbiology (October 24, 2014). The findings suggest that bolstering native defenses might be a better way to fight dental caries than relying on exogenous materials such as sealants and fluoride treatment, according to the study authors. S. mutans attaches to teeth

Oral Health and Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just a few days away have you decided how and what you will be making that during the festivity? If you have no idea of what you will be cooking, then we invite to read this week tips and obtain ideas for Thanksgiving Dinner. However, we advise all of our readers to be alert and carefully select the ingredients and quantities in the foods that you will cook.

Study: Triclosan presents risk of liver toxicity

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (November 17, 2014) has found that, after long-term exposure, triclosan can cause liver fibrosis and cancer in laboratory mice through what the researchers called “molecular mechanisms that are also relevant in humans.” However, the study authors emphasize that triclosan does have “health value” in certain toothpastes. Triclosan is an antimicrobial found in toothpastes, soaps, shampoos, and other

NCOHF announces silent online auction

The National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF): America’s ToothFairy has announced the Virtual ToothFairy Ball Silent Auction, which runs through November 24. The foundation noted that 100% of event proceeds will go to helping vulnerable children access vital oral healthcare and education. Items donated include a Nomad handheld x-ray device by Aribex, curing lights, an automatic sterilizer, and more. You can click to view the auction catalog here.

Sjogren?s Syndrome

There are many diseases that can occur in our body, some of these we can understand; while other are more complicated. Also, at times some of these disease can be caused by our own body; in addition there are several autoimmune diseases that can affect us. Can you imagine feeling sad or happy, but not being able to cry? An autoimmune disease that can slowly developed and affects millions of

Heart infection rises as dentists prescribe fewer prophylactic antibiotics

In a new study, U.K. scientists report that the incidence of life-threatening heart infection has increased significantly in England since the introduction of the 2008 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, as dentists have written fewer prescriptions for prophylactic antibiotics before invasive procedures. The study findings were presented this week at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago. The study, also published online in Lancet (November

SISU partners with CCM Hockey on mouthguards

SISU Guard and CCM Hockey have entered into an exclusive brand partnership to offer cobranded CCM mouthguards powered by the SISU technology. The partnership will create a larger retail network for the introduction of innovative, high-tech SISU mouthguards to athletic markets, according to the companies. CCM Hockey and Akervall Technologies, the manufacturer of the SISU mouthguard, have executed the first phase of the agreement. The two companies will now work

DrBicuspid.com Endodontics Insider: Root canal therapy can reduce multiple dimensions of pain

Dear Endodontics Insider, Welcome to our first Endodontics Insider, sponsored by Essential Dental. In our exclusive Endodontics Insider, contributing writer Rabia Mughal writes that root canal therapy can reduce multiple dimensions of pain, including intensity, duration, and its interference with daily activity, according to a new practice-based research network study published in the Journal of Endodontics. Also in the Endodontics Community, when a patient is rushed in with an injured

Cardiologists have knowledge gaps about perio disease

A new study in the Journal of Dental Hygiene that looked at cardiologists’ knowledge of the relationship between periodontal disease and heart disease found that many were unclear about the cause of periodontal disease. But they would like to have more information about the potential link between the two conditions, the researchers found. The oral-systemic link has gained increasing importance in recent years as periodontal disease has been linked to

New study reviews calcium-enriched cement as endodontic option

A new review study by researchers in India has analyzed the effectiveness of calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement in endodontic applications. They published their findings in Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics (November 3, 2014). Bioceramic materials are, simply, biocompatible ceramic materials that are used in both dentistry and medicine. The family of these materials includes alumina, zirconia, bioactive glass, glass ceramics, calcium silicates, hydroxyapatite, and resorbable calcium phosphate, among others. These have

Periodontal disease linked to increased risk of kidney disease

In a study of African-Americans with normal kidney function, those with severe periodontal disease developed chronic kidney disease at four times the rate of those without severe periodontal disease, according to a presentation at the recent American Society of Nephrology meeting in Philadelphia. Periodontal disease disproportionately affects African-Americans and has been implicated as a potential risk factor for CKD. To investigate this potential link, researchers led by Vanessa Grubbs, MD,

DentalEZ launches 360° Customer Care Program

DentalEZ Group has launched its new 360° Customer Care Program, a comprehensive online customer service tool for all StarDental customers. The program is an extension of DentalEZ Group’s professional and preventive maintenance and repair support program, according to the company. Geared toward all dental professionals and distribution partners, the program provides a newly designed repair support program that provides labels for repair requests and also a collection of educational and