MEDICAL EXPRESS - DENTISTRY

1. Three ways to make dental care kinder for anxious patients

   For many, a visit to the dentist brings fear, anxiety, or memories of uncomfortable experiences. But dentistry is changing—and it's becoming much kinder.

2. Common bone medications linked to serious jaw disease

   Certain medications used in the treatment of bone conditions, particularly when combined with corticosteroids, may significantly increase the risk of a rare but serious jaw disease. This finding comes from a study by the University of Oulu, which analyzed data from Finnish adult patients who began bone medication between 2013 and 2015. The researchers recommend more careful monitoring and consideration in the use of such medications.

3. Patients say 'yes..ish' to the use of AI in dentistry

   As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be integrated into health care, a new multinational study involving Aarhus University sheds light on how dental patients really feel about its growing role in diagnostics. The verdict? Patients are cautiously optimistic, welcoming the potential benefits of AI but drawing a firm line: humans must stay in charge.

4. National fluoride ban would substantially increase children's tooth decay and dental costs, modeling study finds

   Fluoride has been added to public water systems in the United States since 1945 to strengthen tooth enamel and fight off bacteria, ultimately reducing tooth decay. Mass General Brigham researchers developed a model to estimate dental health outcomes for children if the United States were to ban fluoridation of public water. The new study, published in JAMA Health Forum, found that banning fluoride would substantially increase dental decay and costs particularly for publicly insured and uninsured children.

5. Attaching fluorescing dye to oral cancer proteins could yield powerful prediction tool for varying cancer types

   Some 10 million people in the U.S. have oral premalignant disease, a group of diseases that show up as red patches, white patches or rough patches in the mouth and that might—or might not—develop into cancer.

6. Hypnosis may help in the management of pain and stress experienced by dental patients

   Hypnosis could play a significant role in at least three areas of dental care: managing acute pain during dental procedures, reducing the anxiety associated with visiting the dentist, and alleviating chronic orofacial pain.

7. Fluoride bans in public water systems threaten oral health of rural and low-income kids, pediatrician warns

   Florida recently became the second state to sign into law a ban on fluoride in public water systems, joining a wave of local and statewide efforts to restrict community fluoridation. The policy takes effect in July 2025. Meanwhile, FDA announced last week plans to remove ingestible fluoride supplements for children from the market.

8. Florida becomes second US state to ban fluoride in drinking water

   The US state of Florida became the second to ban fluoride in public water supplies, joining Utah in skipping the widespread dental hygiene practice.

9. Study shows long-term benefits of saving 'hopeless' teeth

   A major long-term study presented at EuroPerio11, the world's leading congress on gum health and implant dentistry by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), reveals that saving teeth with severe bone loss through periodontal regeneration (PR) offers benefits equal to—if not greater than—replacing them with dental implants or bridges.

10. US to withdraw prescription fluoride for children

    US President Donald Trump's administration has announced plans to withdraw prescription fluoride drugs for children, part of a growing movement reexamining public exposure to fluoride.

11. To increase childhood vaccine uptake, researchers look to dental visits

    In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal data showed declining rates of childhood vaccinations as more and more people were avoiding non-emergency contact with the health care system. So, to help reverse this trend, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) put out a call for solutions with the Promoting Pediatric Primary Prevention (P4) Challenge.

12. Study finds proinflammatory diets worsen gum disease and boost inflammation over time

    New research presented at EuroPerio11 sheds light on the profound connections between diet, inflammation, and gum health. Three studies explore how dietary choices influence systemic inflammation, the effectiveness of periodontal therapy, and the benefits of avoiding sugar on oral and overall health.

13. Heart rhythm disorder traced to bacterium lurking in gums

    Tempted to skip the floss? Your heart might thank you if you don't. A new study from Hiroshima University (HU) finds that the gum disease bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) can slip into the bloodstream and infiltrate the heart. There, it quietly drives scar tissue buildup—known as fibrosis—distorting the heart's architecture, interfering with electrical signals, and raising the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib).

14. Overexpressing miRNA-27a in human dental pulp stem cells yields anti-inflammatory effect, may regenerate tissue

    Dental caries (tooth decay) is a common oral health condition that often causes significant pain and discomfort and may even lead to tooth loss. In severe and untreated cases, bacterial infection combined with the host's immune response can cause bone resorption, or the breakdown of bone tissue in the tooth root. Moreover, traditional treatments for advanced dental caries, such as surgery, can result in bone defects that require complex bone grafting procedures.

15. How Utah dentists are preparing patients for the first statewide fluoride ban

    With Utah's first-in-the-nation ban on fluoride in public drinking water set to take effect Wednesday, dentists who treat children and low-income patients say they're bracing for an increase in tooth decay among the state's most vulnerable people.

16. From vigorous brushing to clear aligners, here's what might be causing your gums to recede

    One of the most common concerns patients bring to the dental chair is receding gums. Often, the immediate assumption is: "I must have gum disease." While this can be true, gum recession isn't always a clear-cut sign of disease. In fact, many people don't notice any problem until they begin to experience tooth sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweet foods—or they notice their smile changing, with more visible tooth surfaces or small gaps appearing between the teeth.

17. Exploring the link between poor oral hygiene and cardiovascular disease

    The mouth is often described as a window to overall health—and for good reason. A growing body of research reveals a significant link between poor dental hygiene and cardiovascular disease. While these two areas of health may seem unrelated, the condition of your oral health can have far-reaching effects on the heart.

18. Florida moves to ban fluoride in drinking water

    Florida state lawmakers have approved a bill to ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water, a move that public health experts say could harm dental health across the state.

19. Revealing the key player in oral submucous fibrosis: Could COMP be the solution?

    Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a serious disease that impairs mouth functionality, often leading to restricted opening and a high risk of malignant transformation. New research has uncovered a crucial player in this disease: cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP).

20. From aesthetics to precision: How clear aligners are transforming orthodontic care

    Malocclusion affects nearly half of the global population, impacting oral function and aesthetics. Clear aligners have gained popularity due to their discreet appearance and ease of use, but their effectiveness varies depending on the type of tooth movement required.

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

    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.

22. Want straighter teeth or a gap between? Don't believe TikTok—filing them isn't the answer

    After decades of Hollywood showcasing white-picket-fence celebrity smiles, the world has fallen for White Lotus actor Aimee Lou Wood's teeth.

23. Lab-grown teeth might become an alternative to fillings

    Adults could one day grow their own replacement teeth instead of having fillings—as scientists make a key discovery. This research offers a potential way to repair teeth and a natural dental treatment alternative.

24. VR-haptic simulators improve preclinical endodontic training, study finds

    The use of virtual reality haptic simulators can enhance skill acquisition and reduce stress among dental students during preclinical endodontic training, according to a new study published in the International Endodontic Journal.

25. Diving deep into the fluoride debate: Q&A

    Fluoride in drinking water has become a highly charged topic in recent weeks. In March, Utah became the first state to prohibit the addition of fluoride to the state's public water systems, a move praised by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. However, some health groups are raising the alarm.

26. Titanium microparticles prevalent in oral tissue around dental implants, study shows

    Titanium micro-particles in the oral mucosa around dental implants are common. This is shown in a new study from the University of Gothenburg and Uppsala University, which also identified 14 genes that may be affected by these particles.

27. Firearm violence creates an impact on dental health

    Higher firearm violence in neighborhoods is linked to lower rates of people going to the dentist and higher rates of total tooth loss, known as edentulism, according to Rutgers researchers.

28. Poor oral health linked with body pain and migraines in women

    New research from the University of Sydney has revealed poor oral health is significantly associated with higher instances of migraines, abdominal and body pain in women.

29. Research reveals a high prevalence of tooth and gum issues in teenage professional footballers in England

    The prevalence of tooth and gum issues among teenage (academy) professional footballers in England is high, finds research published in the open-access journal BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine.

30. Cross-disciplinary research reveals oral microbiota as promising screen for autism spectrum disorder

    A cross-disciplinary research team from the Faculty of Dentistry and the Department of Psychology of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has found a promising connection between oral microbiota and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Their study, published in the Journal of Dentistry, introduces a prediction model with an 81% accuracy rate for identifying children with autism through simple oral sampling.