Gum disease may raise the risk of developing gastric cancer by up to 25 per cent, according to a large-scale study published in BMC Medicine. The research, led by Southeast University’s School of Public Health in China, analysed health data from nearly six million adults in Sweden. It is the first study to use sibling-controlled … Read more
The mouth is the second most diverse microbial system in the human body after the gut—but researchers at Penn Dental Medicine say it behaves very differently when it comes to long-term health. In a study published July 16 in Microbiome, researchers compared the oral microbiomes of Nigerian children living with HIV, those exposed to the … Read more
A review of 21 studies conducted between 2014 and 2024 suggests that artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning (DL) algorithms, shows strong potential in detecting and predicting early childhood caries (ECC). Published July 26 in Nature, the study found that DL algorithms—models based on complex neural networks that mimic how the human brain detects patterns … Read more
A new University of Michigan study has found that tooth nerves are more than just pain detectors — they also play a protective role that could have major implications for future dental treatments and innovations. “When we consider regenerating a tooth pulp, we need to bring back the nerves.” In a peer-reviewed paper published in … Read more
While sweet drinks and snacks aren’t recommended for children, a new study has found no significant association between their consumption patterns and the development of early childhood caries (ECC) in low-income children under the age of two. Published July 13 in BMC Oral Health, the study followed 127 Medicaid-eligible children from birth at two university-affiliated … Read more
Engineers have developed a novel method to deliver vaccines without needles — using dental floss. In a study published July 22 in Nature Biomedical Engineering, researchers showed that vaccine-laced floss can deliver therapeutics through the junctional epithelium, a thin, porous tissue where the gums attach to the teeth, also known as the base of the … Read more
Drawing data from 7,633 children in Bristol, England, a recently published study shows that childhood abuse can increase the risk of developing caries in children ages 7 to 10. “This knowledge can help dentists identify vulnerable children or families during routine dental visits,” the researchers wrote in their paper, published in the Journal of Dentistry. … Read more
Drawing on his interdisciplinary work in dental anatomy, geometry and human evolution, London-based dental surgeon Dr. Rory Mac Sweeney has proposed a new interpretation of the geometry behind Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man. Historians and mathematicians have long debated the meaning of the famous sketch, including why da Vinci drew the man inside both a … Read more
A new Japanese study has found that older adults with abnormal blood test results may also have declining oral health—suggesting a potential link between oral function and the risk of lifestyle-related diseases. The study, published online in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation on April 17, 2025, was led by Professor Mitsuyoshi Yoshida, chair of the … Read more
Tufts University scientists are developing a new kind of dental implant they hope will eventually feel and function like real teeth — right down to sending signals to the brain. “They lack the nerve elements that natural teeth have.” That’s how Dr. Jake Jinkun Chen, professor of periodontology and director of the Division of Oral … Read more
Scientists have developed a novel biomanufacturing method that converts human urine into hydroxyapatite—a high-value, biocompatible mineral commonly used in dental and bone implants. The process, led by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, involves genetically engineered yeast that transforms waste into hydroxyapatite (HAp), a calcium phosphate compound that can also be used to restore … Read more
A recent in vitro study shows that adding calcium to energy drinks can reduce enamel erosion, addressing rising dental health concerns in North America. In Canada alone, the energy drinks market is projected to reach approximately US$4.4 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3 per cent starting in 2024. … Read more
A University at Buffalo research team led by oral biologist Dr. Hyuk-Jae (Edward) Kwon has advanced the understanding of genetic disorders that weaken tooth enamel by turning off a gene known as KMT2D in mice. The study, published in the Journal of Dental Research, marks the first in-depth investigation identifying KMT2D as a key regulator in enamel formation … Read more
Thanks to their durable structure — from enamel to plaque — teeth have once again shed light on the history of human evolution. In one study recently published in the Journal of Human Evolution, researchers suggest that uniform pitting on tooth enamel dating back two million years — seen in specimens from Paranthropus, Australopithecus, and … Read more
UK researchers initially set out to investigate whether cementum rings—similar to tree rings—could be used in forensic settings to estimate a person’s age when DNA is not available. But what they discovered was something entirely different. The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, found that smokers and ex-smokers exhibited signs of disruption in the … Read more
The dental research community continues to explore innovative bioengineering techniques. In a new effort, the American Dental Association (ADA) is collaborating with Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts to improve the regeneration of bone and tissue lost to periodontal disease. According to the WHO, about 19 per cent of the global adult population — more … Read more
Saving teeth with severe bone loss through periodontal regeneration (PR) offers benefits equal to — or greater than — replacing them with dental implants or bridges, according to a study that tracked patients for two decades, the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) reported. “The idea that a tooth with severe loss of bone must always … Read more
A lower diversity of microbes in the mouth—particularly bacteria—is associated with depression, according to a new study led by researchers at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. An estimated five per cent of adults globally suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Oral diseases affect nearly 3.7 billion people worldwide, and their … Read more
A new study based on data from more than half a million people in the U.K. has found that individuals with signs of gum disease are more likely to experience multimorbidity — the presence of two or more chronic health conditions. The research, led by University College London (UCL), in collaboration with the universities of … Read more
Microplastics have been found in breast milk, infant formula and even in the placentas of unborn babies. Now, a new study shows that patients’ dentures release minimal microplastics (MPs) during daily use and dental procedures. “Denture resins release small amounts of MPs during daily use, which may accumulate in the oral cavity and other organs … Read more