Dental Research Archives - Oral Health Group

How CHMS oral health data could help flag systemic disease in CDCP era | Episode 37

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New findings from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) reveal a surprising trend: Canadians are losing fewer teeth but gum disease is getting worse. Dr. Paul Allison, Professor at McGill University, unpacks what the data really means, why oral health may signal broader inflammatory disease, and how dentists could help screen for chronic conditions. He … Read more

UB professors receive US$440,275 NIH grant to study salivary gland regeneration

Salivary gland disorders affect an estimated 20 per cent of people worldwide, according to the researchers. (iStock)

Two researchers from the University at Buffalo have received a two-year US$440,275 grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to study how salivary glands repair and regenerate after injury. Rose-Anne Romano, PhD, associate professor of oral biology in the University at Buffalo University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, is leading the … Read more

Gum disease in children increases cardiovascular risk in adult life

Researchers say early childhood oral health may have long-term implications for cardiovascular risk. (iStock)

Gum disease in children is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular complications in adulthood, according to a new Danish study of more than half a million children. Researchers analyzed data from 568,778 children born between 1963 and 1972 using records from the Danish Health Authority’s National Child Odontology Register (SCOR). They compared those records … Read more

Team developing gum-healing prototype wins U of T bioengineering competition

SmileHacks 2026 winning teams presenting dental innovation prototypes at University of Toronto

A prototype aimed at supporting gum healing using electromagnetic stimulation earned first place at the University of Toronto’s bioengineering competition, SmileHacks, on Saturday. Ten teams — primarily undergraduate students — presented ideas ranging from xerostomia solutions and gamified pediatric oral health tools to robotic automation designed to address staffing shortages in dental offices. The $800 first-place prize … Read more

Study reveals gums are pre-wired for immune defense — even in health

In health and disease, the gingiva remains on immune alert to protect the oral barrier, researchers report. (iStock)

Researchers have generated a detailed multi-omics atlas of the human oral mucosa, revealing that the gingiva is organized into distinct immune zones that remain structurally intact even during inflammatory disease. The study, published Feb. 9 in Nature Immunology, describes a “remarkable immune zonation” at the tooth–gum interface, where a dynamic epithelium is underlined by a … Read more

U of T biomedical engineering competition expands nationally, tackles oral health

Members of The NeuroHack organizing team pose at the opening ceremony with keynote speaker Taufik A. Valiante from the Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, during last year’s BMEC. (Photo supplied)

The University of Toronto’s Biomedical Engineering Design Competition (BMEC) is expanding nationally for the first time this year, with dentistry and oral health selected as the central theme — an area drawing increased national attention. As of Dec. 31, more than six million Canadians have been approved under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), with … Read more

Trump signs bipartisan spending bill boosting dental research as broader public-health cuts loom

Most notably, funding for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research rises by $5 million, bringing its total budget to $525 million. (iStock)

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a $1.2-trillion bipartisan federal spending bill that increases funding for dental research, oral-health programs and workforce development, even as the administration signals cutbacks in other areas of public-health spending. The fiscal 2026 funding package, approved by both chambers of Congress and signed Feb. 3, ends a partial government shutdown. … Read more

U.S. researcher: Oral health care an ‘underrecognized’ factor in secondary stroke prevention

One abstract showed that people who visited a dentist at least once a year had a 39 per cent lower risk of secondary ischemic stroke. (iStock)

Regular dental care may significantly reduce the risk of a second ischemic stroke among patients with cardiovascular disease, according to research presented at the International Stroke Conference (ISC) 2026. One abstract showed that patients who visited a dentist at least once a year had a 39 per cent lower risk of secondary ischemic stroke compared … Read more

University of Saskatchewan to host Canadian Oral Health Summit on June 18–20

The Administration Building at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. (iStock)

The University of Saskatchewan will host the 2026 Canadian Oral Health Summit in Saskatoon, bringing leaders in dental education, research and care together June 18–20.

Antioxidant in red and pink produce linked to lower severe gum disease risk

Lycopene is found in red and pink fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, watermelon and grapefruit. (iStock)

A natural antioxidant called lycopene, found in red and pink fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, watermelon and grapefruit, has been associated with a reduced risk of severe periodontitis in older adults, according to a new observational study published in The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory gum disease that … Read more

Natural amino acid in saliva shows promise in reshaping harmful dental plaque

Researchers say arginine could be safely incorporated into toothpastes or oral rinses, particularly for patients at higher risk of cavities — including children. (iStock)

Researchers testing a naturally occurring amino acid found in saliva say it could help make dental plaque less damaging — and potentially reduce the risk of cavities before they start. In a small human clinical trial, scientists from Aarhus University found that arginine, an amino acid already present in the mouth, can alter dental plaque … Read more

Researchers find Atlantic wolffish teeth contain rare material that shrinks under pressure

The Atlantic wolffish is known for its powerful bite, capable of crushing hard-shelled prey. (iStock)

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that the Atlantic wolffish’s teeth contain a rare internal material that contracts in every direction when compressed — a mechanical behaviour almost never seen in natural mineralized tissues. The study, led by Prof. Ron Shahar of the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine at Hebrew University, found that … Read more

Tooth loss — not diet — linked to cognitive decline in aging mice

Mice that lost their molars showed significant memory impairment — even when their protein intake matched that of control animals. (iStock)

A study published in Archives of Oral Biology suggests that tooth loss — rather than reduced protein intake — plays a central role in driving cognitive decline in aging male mice, underscoring a growing link between oral function and brain health. Low protein intake has long been linked to frailty, muscle loss and cognitive impairment … Read more

Developing 3D-printed titanium constructs with calcium phosphate coatings for craniofacial reconstruction: A NSERC Discovery Grant Program

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A five-year NSERC Discovery Grant to support a transformative research program has been awarded to Dr. Zeeshan Sheikh with the aim to develop 3D-printed titanium constructs coated with calcium phosphate for craniofacial reconstruction.

Dental research: The keystone of clinical practice

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In our day-to-day clinical practice, we have a keystone—dental research, which helps us to ensure that our treatments are evidence-based and effective.

Global study links alcohol to rising cases of lip and oral cavity cancer

Alcohol-linked lip and oral cavity cancers nearly doubled since 1990, with fastest growth in Southeast Asia and low-middle SDI regions, study finds.

Heavy alcohol consumption has sharply increased the global burden of lip and oral cavity cancers over the past three decades, with the steepest rise seen in Southeast Asia and in lower-middle SDI regions, according to a new analysis based on Global Burden of Disease 2021 data provisionally accepted for publication in Frontiers on Sept. 15. … Read more

Could tea tree oil help high-risk caries patients? Study finds strong anti-plaque effect

Tea tree oil significantly reduced caries lesions in rats, though its effect on the broader oral microbiome remains under study.

A new study suggests tea tree oil (TTO) could help patients at high risk of dental caries by inhibiting the growth of key oral bacteria and preventing biofilm formation. Published in Scientific Reports on Aug. 29, the research highlights TTO as a “potent antimicrobial agent against cariogenic bacteria,” potentially offering a natural alternative or complement … Read more