Postmenopausal women may find that they are more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth loss as a consequence of falling estrogen levels during menopause. As declining hormone levels increase (post)menopausal women’s risk of developing the bone-thinning disease known as “osteoporosis,” decreasing bone density in the jaw bones gives rise to a higher likelihood of tooth
read moreWhen chewing or tapping on a tooth causes it to feel tender, it may be a sign of “apical periodontitis,” inflammation at the root’s tip that is most often caused by tooth decay. To relieve the pain and treat the underlying infection, patients undergo “root canal” (or “endodontic”) treatment, during which the inflamed or infected
read moreThe future of dental implants may include those with a built-in reservoir that contains slow-release drugs, which will eliminate “bacterial biofilms” that may lead to infection. These implants, which are currently in the research phase, are made of porous composite material through which the drugs can gradually diffuse from the reservoir to the outside of
read moreA number of studies link tooth loss with dementia. According to one of these studies involving people 75-98 years old, those with few teeth (zero to nine) had an increased risk of developing dementia during the study, compared with those who had 10 or more teeth. This finding may best be explained by the possibility
read moreReceding gums, known as “gingival recession,” is a common condition that occurs when the gum tissue that normally surrounds the tooth pulls back and exposes the tooth root. If the recession goes untreated and becomes severe, there is increased risk that the exposed tooth root will become decayed and/or infected. If gum recession is caused
read moreA team of researchers recently discovered that an Alzheimer’s drug has the ability to stimulate the renewal of living stem cells in tooth pulp, thereby paving the way for natural tooth repair. “Dentin,” the primary component of teeth, is the bone-like substance that surrounds the tooth pulp and provides support for the overlying layer of
read moreWhile dentures are not subject to decay, they do accumulate plaque, tartar, and stains. With this in mind, it is important to care for dentures much the same way natural teeth are cared for (except dentures are cleaned outside the mouth). This entails brushing dentures with a non-abrasive cleanser at least once a day. They
read moreWhen researchers recently searched the Internet to find what constitutes a perfect smile, using terms such as “best smile” or “ideal smile” and “celebrities” or “Hollywood,” they selected 32 pictures of famous men and 62 images of famous women. They then compared the celebrity pictures with photographs of 200 dental students using computer software that
read moreWhile the electric toothbrush has been hailed for its ability to effectively remove plaque, improper brushing technique can lead to potentially serious problems. To avoid such complications, it is important to note that an electric toothbrush should not be used in the same way that a manual toothbrush is used. Instead of brushing hard and
read moreWhen one or more missing teeth must be replaced, the dentist will likely recommend a “bridge.” This prosthetic device is made of artificial teeth that are fused to a metal frame. This is held in place on either side by virtue of attachment to implants or healthy teeth that are outfitted with crowns. The anchoring
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