MEDICAL EXPRESS - DENTISTRY

1. Heart rhythm disorder traced to bacterium lurking in gums

   Tempted to skip the floss? Your heart might thank you if you don't. A new study from Hiroshima University (HU) finds that the gum disease bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) can slip into the bloodstream and infiltrate the heart. There, it quietly drives scar tissue buildup—known as fibrosis—distorting the heart's architecture, interfering with electrical signals, and raising the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib).

2. Overexpressing miRNA-27a in human dental pulp stem cells yields anti-inflammatory effect, may regenerate tissue

   Dental caries (tooth decay) is a common oral health condition that often causes significant pain and discomfort and may even lead to tooth loss. In severe and untreated cases, bacterial infection combined with the host's immune response can cause bone resorption, or the breakdown of bone tissue in the tooth root. Moreover, traditional treatments for advanced dental caries, such as surgery, can result in bone defects that require complex bone grafting procedures.

3. How Utah dentists are preparing patients for the first statewide fluoride ban

   With Utah's first-in-the-nation ban on fluoride in public drinking water set to take effect Wednesday, dentists who treat children and low-income patients say they're bracing for an increase in tooth decay among the state's most vulnerable people.

4. From vigorous brushing to clear aligners, here's what might be causing your gums to recede

   One of the most common concerns patients bring to the dental chair is receding gums. Often, the immediate assumption is: "I must have gum disease." While this can be true, gum recession isn't always a clear-cut sign of disease. In fact, many people don't notice any problem until they begin to experience tooth sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweet foods—or they notice their smile changing, with more visible tooth surfaces or small gaps appearing between the teeth.

5. Exploring the link between poor oral hygiene and cardiovascular disease

   The mouth is often described as a window to overall health—and for good reason. A growing body of research reveals a significant link between poor dental hygiene and cardiovascular disease. While these two areas of health may seem unrelated, the condition of your oral health can have far-reaching effects on the heart.

6. Florida moves to ban fluoride in drinking water

   Florida state lawmakers have approved a bill to ban the addition of fluoride to public drinking water, a move that public health experts say could harm dental health across the state.

7. Revealing the key player in oral submucous fibrosis: Could COMP be the solution?

   Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a serious disease that impairs mouth functionality, often leading to restricted opening and a high risk of malignant transformation. New research has uncovered a crucial player in this disease: cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP).

8. From aesthetics to precision: How clear aligners are transforming orthodontic care

   Malocclusion affects nearly half of the global population, impacting oral function and aesthetics. Clear aligners have gained popularity due to their discreet appearance and ease of use, but their effectiveness varies depending on the type of tooth movement required.

9. Global survey highlights the challenges of VR-haptic technology in dental education

   A recent global survey of 156 institutions reveals strong interest in VR-haptic technology for dental training, yet significant barriers impede widespread adoption. The study was led by the University of Eastern Finland and published in Frontiers in Dental Medicine.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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).

22. 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%.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.