Oral Care News

Trouble thinking? See the dentist

A new study hints that good oral care - regular brushing and flossing and trips to the dentist - may help ageing adults keep their thinking skills intact.

How your tongue tastes bubbles

Like the fizz of a soft drink? Thank your tongue's sour-sensing taste buds.

Drool excessively? Try surgery

If you feel as though you drool too much, studies suggest you should seriously consider surgery to take care of it, say researchers.

Gum disease may cause cancer

The health hazards associated with chronic periodontitis (gum disease) extend way beyond the mouth.

Mercury dental fillings harmless

The US Food and Drug Administration said that silver-coloured dental fillings that contain mercury are safe for patients, but added they are considered "moderate risk" devices.

Receding gum treatment success

A therapy that helps regenerate receding gum tissue seems to hold up over the long term - and may offer patients an alternative to more-extensive dental surgery.

Memory, oral health linked

The National Institutes of Health has awarded $1.3 million to an interdisciplinary team that will investigate how people's oral health might affect their memory, and vice versa.

Bile acids used to fill cavities

Scientists in Canada and China have developed a hardy material using human bile acids, which they hope can be used to fill dental cavities.

Sports drinks damage teeth

Though some might see sports drinks as a healthier alternative to soda, a new study shows that the citric acid they contain can damage teeth.

Health clues from saliva

The human mouth is a major gateway for bacteria into the body, and bacteria in saliva could provide insights into how diet and cultural factors affect our health, researchers say.