MEDICAL EXPRESS - DENTISTRY

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. How dentists could help tackle obesity in children

    As a specialty registrar in pediatric dentistry, I've seen first-hand the pain children experience because of poor oral health. Tooth decay happens when teeth are damaged by acids produced by oral bacteria breaking down sugar from foods and drinks—and although it's largely preventable—it's the most common reason for hospital admission in children aged between 5 and 9 in England.

11. RFK Jr. says he plans to tell CDC to stop recommending fluoride in drinking water

    U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday said he plans to tell the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoridation in communities nationwide. Kennedy said he's assembling a task force of health experts to study the issue and make new recommendations.

12. Researchers combine 3D bioprinting with AI to personalize oral soft tissue grafts

    A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has developed a method to fabricate personalized gingival (gum) tissue grafts using an innovative combination of 3D bioprinting and artificial intelligence (AI).

13. AI dental assistant reads X-rays with near-perfect accuracy

    The Ateneo Laboratory for Intelligent Visual Environments (ALIVE) and international researchers have developed a deep learning model that aims to revolutionize dentistry, with the capability to identify tooth and sinus structures in dental X-rays with an accuracy of 98.2%.

14. With few dentists and fluoride under siege, rural America risks new surge of tooth decay

    In the wooded highlands of northern Arkansas, where small towns have few dentists, water officials who serve more than 20,000 people have for more than a decade openly defied state law by refusing to add fluoride to the drinking water.

15. Utah becomes first state to ban community water fluoridation

    With a new law, signed by Gov. Spencer Cox on March 27, Utah has become the first U.S. state to ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water, The New York Times reported. The law will go into effect on May 7, 2025.

16. Going to the dentist is expensive. Here are 3 things you can do to protect your oral health—and 3 things to avoid

    Around 1 in 3 Australians delayed their visit to a dentist in the last financial year—or didn't go at all—due to cost.

17. Fresh breath starts with healthy gums

    Bad breath can be an unwelcome distraction in social and intimate moments. Whether you are on a first date, attending an important meeting or simply spending time with loved ones, fresh breath plays a crucial role in making a good impression. While most people associate bad breath with certain foods like garlic, onions or spicy dishes, they are not the main cause. In reality, studies show that in 80–90% of cases, the main issue is poor oral hygiene and bacterial buildup in the mouth.

18. Severe gum inflammation found after using white snus

    Painful inflammation that takes months or up to a year to heal—this can be seen in the mouth after using white snus. Researchers in oral medicine at the University of Gothenburg will now look more closely at the effects of the popular white snus.

19. Study links lack of oral health care with complications during pregnancy

    For pregnant women in the U.S., the use of oral health services during pregnancy remains low, with fewer than 40% seeking preventive oral health care. So reports a study conducted by the Oral Health Workforce Research Center, part of the Center for Health Workforce Studies at the University at Albany's College of Integrated Health Sciences, which was featured on the cover of the Journal of the American Dental Association.

20. Urgent action needed to address oral health in aged care, researchers say

    New research from the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) research center based at SAHMRI has revealed one in five people living in Australian residential aged care (RAC) facilities has a significant oral health problem, with little access to dental services.

21. Cannabidiol may be a promising agent for promoting dental biomineralization

    In vitro tests indicate that cannabidiol can stimulate the biomineralization of teeth even under inflammatory conditions, thus promoting tissue repair.

22. Bottle feeding to get a toddler to sleep comes with health risks, says study

    Parents and caregivers should avoid using a bottle to put toddlers to sleep, say experts, after new research reveals the practice is linked to dental cavities and overweight in early childhood.

23. Understanding dental implant failure: Key risk factors and future directions

    Dental implants have revolutionized the treatment of missing teeth, providing a reliable and aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional dentures and bridges. However, implant failure remains a concern, particularly in the first two years after placement.

24. Scientists use technology behind Forth Bridge paint to create dental treatment

    Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have developed a new dental treatment to protect the teeth from decay and acid erosion, using cutting-edge civil engineering technology used to create the Forth Bridge paint. The new treatment, Varnish VLC, is designed to combat tooth decay and acid erosion caused by everyday habits, particularly in children.

25. Pandemic dental office closures linked to increased burden on ERs from kids with dental issues

    Dental office closures early in the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with a 62% increase in the share of emergency department visits from toothaches, abscesses, and other painful dental issues among children covered by Medicaid, according to a new study led by researchers at NYU College of Dentistry.

26. Hard evidence of soft teeth: The oral symptoms of hypophosphatasia

    Hypophosphatasia is a relatively common skeletal disease that primarily affects bone and tooth strength. In the third national dental survey of hypophosphatasia in Japan, recently published in Scientific Reports, researchers analyzed the dental issues faced by Japanese patients in their largest survey to date. Their findings provide valuable information for dentists and medical doctors who treat this often misunderstood disease.

27. 1 in 3 kids has dental problems, poll finds

    More than one in three parents say their child has struggled with cavities, stained teeth, gum problems or tooth pain in the past two years, a new national poll shows.

28. Gum health: A key indicator of women's overall well-being

    "Many women don't realize the connection between hormonal changes and their gum health," says Nicola West, secretary general of the European Federation of Periodontology. "Throughout different stages of a woman's life, such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause, hormone fluctuations can make gums more vulnerable to disease, making oral care ever more essential for overall health."

29. Children get tooth brushing lessons as UK battles dental care crisis

    England on Friday launched a national campaign to teach children in schools and nurseries how to brush their teeth properly, as the nation grapples with a dental health crisis.

30. Q&A: What to know before, and after, you get dental implants

    A generation ago, many people who lost teeth due to age-related complications typically wore dentures. Now, dental implants are a common alternative. In this process, a provider places a screw into the jaw, later fitted with a crown, to create a permanent replacement tooth. In the U.S., roughly 2.5 million people receive implants each year.