Researchers found that restoring IGFBP5 reduces stem cell senescence and enhances periodontal bone regeneration by activating WNT5B signaling. IGFBP5 overexpression improves cell survival and bone-forming ability in stressed stem cells, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for age-related periodontal bone loss.
Researchers found that Piezo1 and Piezo2 channels regulate odontoblast differentiation by modulating Wnt signaling, leading to decreased odontoblast height and impaired tooth development in mice. Exogenous supplementation of Wnt10a restored odontoblast differentiation, suggesting the channels' role in tooth development.
A new NIH-funded center, co-led by UT San Antonio School of Dentistry, aims to accelerate evidence-based dental care by exploring pulpotomy as an alternative to root canal procedures. The center will develop, implement, and evaluate a national training platform to improve clinical practice.
A 20% sugar tax could prevent millions of cases of tooth decay and gum disease in Australia, saving the country from 3.7 million tooth decay cases and 115,000 complete tooth losses. The research also found that a sugar tax could generate approximately half a million health-adjusted life years for the 2019 Australian population.
Researchers developed a new approach to eliminate pathogenic bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis in periodontitis without harming healthy tissue. This therapy preserves beneficial oral microbes, reducing bone loss and improving oral microbiota in mouse models.
Researchers found changes in tooth enamel mineralization in rats exposed to secondhand smoke, with increased carbon content and reduced phosphorus levels. This suggests a potential impact on tooth strength and hardness.
A study in PLOS One identified T. rex as the likely cause of some tooth marks on fossils from Cretaceous-era Wyoming, providing insights into animal behavior and ecosystem dynamics. The researchers developed a guide to interpret tooth traces on fossils, distinguishing between natural and bite-related marks.
The Enamel 11 Symposium-associated special issue explores key findings on enamel development, mineralization, and pathology, highlighting emerging technologies for prevention and repair. The issue provides a comprehensive overview of current research into dental enamel, one of nature's most extraordinary biomineralized tissues.
A team of researchers discovered an epigenetic mechanism that protects tooth progenitor cells from mechanical stress, preserving tissue renewal. The study found that the enzyme KDM6B removes repressive chromatin marks, allowing genes to be active and preventing excessive activation of mechanosensitive ion channels.
A new survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds Americans sharply divided over the use of fluoride in public drinking water. Supporters of the Make America Healthy Again movement are notably more skeptical about fluoridation's health effects, while a majority trust the American Dental Association's stance on its safety.
Persons with diabetes are at higher risk of periodontitis, tooth loss, and peri-implantitis. Poor blood sugar control exacerbates these risks, highlighting the importance of close collaboration between healthcare and dental care providers.
A Mount Sinai study reveals that early-life exposure to common environmental metals may shape brain development and behavioral health more than a decade later. The research combined baby teeth with advanced brain imaging, pinpointing specific weeks during pregnancy and infancy when the developing brain appears most vulnerable.
Researchers have demonstrated that stem cell treatment can be effective even when initiated after motor deficits appear in cerebral palsy. The study used stem cells from human primary tooth pulp to treat chronic-phase cerebral palsy in rat experiments, showing improved motor and learning functions in the treated group.
A recent study from Tohoku University found that adults with an anterior crossbite are at a higher risk of tooth loss. The research team analyzed data from over 17,000 adults and discovered that anterior crossbite is linked to a higher prevalence of tooth loss, particularly in older age groups. In contrast, adults with an anterior open...
Researchers identified cilia-mediated Hedgehog signaling as a key regulator of tooth development. The study found that disrupting Cilk1 levels can lead to stepwise changes in tooth formation and morphology, including extra teeth or fused molars. This discovery may support earlier diagnosis for children with ciliopathies.
Researchers developed an artificial saliva containing sugarcane protein, CANECPI-5, to aid in treating teeth of patients with head and neck cancer. The solution significantly reduced bacterial activity and tooth demineralization when combined with fluoride and xylitol.
A new study reveals that a hand-held, wireless intraoral scanner paired with AI-assisted software can identify early childhood tooth decay as accurately as visual exams. The technology creates a detailed 3D model of a child's mouth within minutes, providing a comprehensive picture of their dental health.
Researchers found that oral bacteria from tooth infections can worsen diabetes risk through IL-17-driven inflammation. The study revealed a mechanistic link between Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced periapical disease and systemic metabolic dysfunction.
Researchers demonstrate that intraoral administration of abaloparatide combined with orthodontic force supports alveolar bone thickening. ABL-induced alveolar bone formation is linked to the focal adhesion pathway, where FAK activation plays a crucial role.
Researchers developed standardized guidelines to diagnose and treat cemental tears, reducing misdiagnosis and improving patient outcomes. The consensus identifies key risk factors, diagnostic strategies, and treatment principles, empowering clinicians to recognize and manage this hidden threat more effectively.
Male ghost sharks have a unique forehead appendage with retractable teeth, which are likely used to grasp females during mating. Genetic and fossil evidence confirms the teeth's origin from oral teeth, demonstrating an extraordinary example of tooth development and evolution.
A UC Berkeley professor and her team have discovered gene clusters in the oral microbiome that produce molecules helping good bacteria stick to teeth, outcompeting acid-producing cavities. The researchers plan to introduce these gene clusters into healthy bacteria to form strong biofilms, reducing cavities.
A study of over 4,400 Australian children found that those experiencing tooth loss were more than four times as likely to be bullied. Children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and rural areas were disproportionately affected. The researchers highlight the need for improved access to dental care and prevention programs.
Saliva plays a crucial role in protecting the mouth from apple juice's effects, which wear off within 10 minutes. The study suggests moderate consumption of fruit juice may not be as damaging as previously thought, but repeated exposure can overwhelm the mouth's natural repair mechanisms.
Several companies in the UK are promoting tooth stem cell banking as a treatment for autism, type 1 diabetes, and other conditions, despite a lack of evidence. Experts say these claims are 'outrageous' and risk exploiting vulnerable parents.
UNLV anthropologist Brian Villmoare and an international team discovered new fossils in Ethiopia that indicate Australopithecus and Homo species coexisted between 2.6 and 2.8 million years ago. The findings suggest a more complex tree-like pattern of human evolution, challenging the traditional linear model.
Researchers discovered traces of betel nut compounds in dental calculus from a 4,000-year-old burial site in Thailand, shedding light on the ancient practice. The study used new methods to analyze ancient teeth and found evidence of psychoactive plant use that was previously invisible to archaeologists.
New research from the University of Chicago reveals that dentine, the inner layer of teeth, first evolved as sensory tissue in ancient fish. Fossil studies confirm that early vertebrates used sensory organs in their armor to sense conditions in the water, similar to modern arthropods.
Penghu 1, discovered on the seabed of the Penghu Channel in Taiwan, is revealed to be a Denisovan mandible dating back to 10,000 years ago. The fossil's molecular identification sheds light on the mysterious distribution and appearance of Denisovans in eastern Asia.
A recent study published in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine found that nearly 3 out of 4 teenage professional footballers in England have inflamed gums or periodontitis, with many experiencing tooth wear and breakage. The researchers emphasize the importance of good oral health for overall wellbeing and sporting performance.
Researchers have found that chemicals used to preserve shark jaws do not affect isotopes, enabling the use of preserved jaws for revealing what sharks eat and where they feed. This study contributes valuable insights to the field of stable isotope analysis in shark and ray teeth.
A lack of access to dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in hospital visits for children's painful dental issues. Research found a 62% increase in emergency department visits from Medicaid-insured kids, with young children being seen twice as often.
Researchers from Osaka University analyzed dental issues faced by Japanese patients with hypophosphatasia, finding two distinct groups: odonto-type disease (early tooth loss) and non-odonto-type disease (tooth misalignment and softening). The study aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for this often misunderstood disease.
Researchers used a novel approach to estimate megalodon's body length and shape, finding it closer in shape to a lemon shark or large whale. The study suggests the prehistoric predator may have reached about 80 feet in length and weighed an estimated 94 tons.
Researchers discovered that the ability to quickly gain or lose complex fish teeth drives rapid species formation. Complex teeth appeared 86 times but are rare in modern fish, whereas African cichlids retain the genetic program for both types of teeth.
Despite increased priority and awareness, many three- to five-year-olds in deprived areas lack access to supervised toothbrushing programmes. The study highlights the need for more funding to implement targeted schemes that improve children's oral health and education.
A recent study found that Streptococcus anginosis, a common mouth bacteria, is abundant in the guts of people with acute stroke and linked to a worse prognosis. The researchers also discovered that levels of this bacteria were associated with increased mortality rates two years after stroke.
A preliminary study found that regular dental flossing may lower the risk of stroke caused by blood clots and irregular heartbeats. The study, which followed over 6,000 participants for 25 years, found a significant reduction in irregular heartbeats among those who flossed regularly.
A national poll suggests that over 1/3 of parents report their child has faced issues like tooth decay, cavities, and gum concerns due to irregular oral care. Regular brushing and flossing help prevent these problems, but fewer than half of children follow recommended practices.
A study published in Science found that nitrogen isotopes in tooth enamel of Australopithecus individuals indicate a primarily plant-based diet. The analysis revealed low nitrogen isotope ratios similar to those of herbivores, suggesting that human ancestors did not regularly hunt large mammals.
Researchers at OIST have developed a customizable method for studying detailed dental characteristics of living fish and vertebrates without harming them. This approach allows for non-destructive examination of tooth replacement and development over time, revealing valuable information on feeding habits and comparative anatomy.
A new study reveals that targeted preventative measures can significantly reduce the economic burden of tooth decay, particularly in deprived groups. The research estimates that implementing upstream and downstream interventions could save £14,000 per person in the most deprived group.
Researchers at UW and PNNL studied atomic composition of enamel samples from two human teeth, one 22-year-old and one 56-year-old, to understand how enamel changes with age. The study found higher levels of fluoride in the older tooth's shell regions, which could have implications for understanding tooth health as we age.
Researchers identified genes that impact tooth development and variation among ethnic groups. They found associations with tooth dimensions on genes inherited from Neanderthals and other genetic variants.
Researchers have used ancient DNA to corroborate a 800-year-old Norse saga about King Sverre Sigurdsson's military raid. The study reveals details about the 'Well-man,' including his likely blue eyes, blond hair, and ancestral origins in southern Norway.
Researchers analyzed compacted hairs from Tsavo lion museum specimens to find that historic lions preyed on humans, giraffes, wildebeests and oryx. The study provides insights into the ecology and diet of lions in the past and potential human-lion conflicts in Africa.
A recent Cochrane review has found that the dental health benefits of adding fluoride to drinking water may be smaller now than before fluoride toothpaste was widely available. The review analyzed data from over 2,900 children in the UK and Australia, estimating a slight reduction in tooth decay, but with significant uncertainty.
SourceCochrane·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·TypeSystematic review·DateOct 3, 2024
A new study published in PNAS suggests that delivering microparticles containing CCL2 directly to the gums can inhibit bone loss and speed up bone repair in a mouse model of periodontal disease. The therapy modulates the immune response, shifting macrophages from inflammatory M1 type to anti-inflammatory M2 type.
Researchers in human nutrition developed an innovative tool to assign a healthy hydration recommendation score to governments, promoting water and discouraging sugary beverages. The study analyzed 93 countries with dietary guidelines, finding that 48 had complementary messages encouraging water and reducing sugary beverage intake.
Researchers analyzed fossilized tooth roots of ancient mammals, finding growth rings that revealed lifespans of eight to fourteen years. These early mammals grew more slowly but lived substantially longer than their modern descendants.
A Dartmouth study suggests that social rank determines whether animals prioritize short-term energy consumption over long-term health, with dominant monkeys consuming food quickly to maintain dominance, while lower-ranked monkeys invest time in washing their food to prevent tooth damage. The findings shed light on the disposable soma h...
Researchers used synchrotron X-ray tomography to image growth rings in fossilized tooth roots, estimating lifespans and growth rates of early mammals. The study found that the modern mammal growth pattern emerged around 130 million years ago, with earlier animals growing more slowly and living longer.
Scientists discovered that Komodo dragons' serrated teeth are tipped with iron, giving them razor-sharp cutting edges. This unique feature may provide clues about how carnivorous dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex killed and ate their prey.
Researchers found sharks maintained high levels of functional diversity for most of the Cenozoic era before declining over the last 10 million years. The decline is attributed to the loss of ecologically unique species, including the megalodon, a key apex predator.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have identified clear stress patterns among children undergoing dental treatment, particularly during anesthetic injections. The study used a sensor tool to monitor hand movements and sweating, revealing that invasive treatments were significantly more stressful for longer periods.
A 6-centimeter-wide fossil of a large cat species, Homotherium, was discovered on the Texas coast. The fossil provided key evidence for the cat's expansion across habitats in Africa, Eurasia, and the Americas.
A study of Neanderthal and Palaeolithic human teeth reveals that the two species experienced childhood stress at different developmental stages. Neanderthal children faced increased stress post-weaning, while Palaeolithic humans were less stressed after weaning.
Researchers found that matcha mouthwash significantly reduced levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis in saliva samples from people with periodontitis. Matcha's bactericidal activity against the pathogen was confirmed through lab experiments.
Researchers will use high-resolution scans and data analysis to investigate the influence of genes and environment on tooth morphology in two primate species. The study aims to advance bioanthropological practice and provide a comprehensive understanding of dental genetic architecture.
Researchers found that baby teeth alongside permanent saber teeth provided stability and protection during the growth process. The 'double-fang' stage lasted up to 30 months, allowing young cats to experiment and learn how to hunt without damaging their sabers.