dentistry

Is American Dentistry in a Silent Decline? A Wake-Up Call for the Profession

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For decades, the local dentist has been a pillar of the community—a trusted clinician and a master of their craft. However, a provocative new perspective published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) suggests that the foundation of U.S. dentistry may be cracking under the weight of commercialization, debt, and burnout. Dr. Joe Iwanaga of Tulane University argues that without major structural reforms, the profession faces an “untenable situation” that could permanently erode public trust. The Weight of the $300,000 Degree One of the most significant threats to dental integrity starts before a dentist even sees their first patient: Student Debt. According to the American Dental Education Association, the average dental graduate in 2024 walked across the stage with $312,700 in debt. This staggering financial burden does more than just stress out new doctors; it changes how they … Read more

Investigation Between Oral Health and Alzheimer’s Disease

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Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that attacks the brain cells responsible for memory, thinking, and behavior. Over time, the symptoms worsen, leading to memory loss, confusion, difficulty with language and reasoning, and changes in personality and behavior. In the later stages, sufferers may require assistance with daily activities. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, but it’s linked to the buildup of abnormal proteins in the brain. Maintaining good oral health is essential for a good smile, but a new report suggests it may also play a role in protecting your brain. The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health has released a study highlighting a potential connection between poor oral health and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The study was published at https://www.carequest.org/system/files/CareQuest-Institute_Poor-Oral-Health-May-Contribute-to-the-Risk-of-Dementia-Visual-Report_4.25.24.pdf The report raises several interesting points. Adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s … Read more

Sweeten dental injections to reduce pain for kids

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A new article titled “Efficacy of administering a sugar-free flavor before dental injections on pain perception in children: A split-mouth randomized crossover clinical trial” appears in International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry written by Ola B. Al-Batayneh and et. al. (April 16, 2024). Getting a shot at the dentist can be scary for kids, but a this study suggests a simple trick might help: sugar-free flavoring. Researchers compared giving kids a sugar-free flavor before a dental injection to giving them plain water. The study included 84 children ages 4 to 9 who needed injections on both sides of their mouths. One side received injections after a sugar-free flavor was applied, and the other side received water. Image by Jenny Friedrichs from Pixabay The kids had their heart rates measured as an objective indicator of pain using a fingertip pulse oximeter. Further … Read more

Missing Teeth Could Lead to More Gray Hair

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An interesting article titled “Premature gray hair development in the interbrow region owing to the loss of maxillary first molars in young mice” written by Masae Furukawa and et. al. appears in Genes to Cells (published 20 February 2024). The article suggests that losing your teeth might also be affecting your appearance in a way you wouldn’t expect and suggests a link between missing teeth and premature graying hair in the eyebrows. Image by Pexels from Pixabay Chew on This: Less Chewing, More Gray Hair? This study, the first of its kind, investigated the connection between reduced chewing due to tooth loss and the development of gray hair. Researchers extracted upper first molars from young mice and observed them for three months alongside a control group that kept their teeth. Mice missing teeth developed gray hair between their eyebrows, while … Read more

Microscopic Robots Could Revolutionize Stopping Infections

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Its possible one day that tiny robots one day can swim through your bloodstream, delivering medication directly to infected cells or removing harmful bacteria. This is the future of medicine, and it’s being made possible by microrobotics. Microrobots are micrometer-sized robots that have the potential to revolutionize healthcare. They can be used for a variety of purposes, including: Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania propose using microrobots to deliver medication and remove biofilms more effectively. Microrobots can be powered intrinsically or extrinsically. Microrobots are still in the early stages of development, but they have the potential to transform healthcare. These microrobots may be used to target infections stuck in areas, such as between the teeth. The technology may reduce antimicrobial resistance. Image by Thor Deichmann from Pixabay Microrobots also offer a new way to collect microbial samples that could be used to diagnose other diseases. Microrobotics relies on … Read more