Tooth-binding micelles containing antimicrobials may provide long-term cavity protection
Science Daily
A new study suggests that tooth-binding micelles (or particles) may provide long-term cavity protection by adhering to tooth surfaces and gradually releasing encapsulated antimicrobials. Formulation of a mouthwash-based delivery system is anticipated, ultimately simplifying application and increasing at-home patient compliance. The researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha and the University of Florida, Gainesville report their findings in the November 2009 issue of the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.More

Dentistry, a high-tech version: Robots not far off
The Record via Ashland Daily Tidings
Robots may practice dentistry one day, but there will always be humans telling you to open wide, said a teacher on the cutting edge of tooth care. Dr. Nicolas Elian, an oral surgeon, said that while robots might even perform his specialty, dental implants, they won't be able to replace a dentist's years of education and hands-on experience. "There's no substitute for expert skill and clinical judgment," Elian said. "We, as the doctors, will still have to make the commitment" to taking personal care of patients."More

Bottled water a risk factor for early childhood caries
Medscape Medical News
Drinking bottled water was the only modifiable risk factor related to early childhood caries in a retrospective investigation presented here at the American Public Health Association 137th Annual Meeting. The study was prompted by the fact that 62 percent of children referred to an oral health clinic in the San Francisco area had caries by the age of 2 years. More than half of them drank bottled water, from which fluoride is usually removed, together with impurities, by reverse osmosis.More

Saliva proteins change as women age
Science Daily
A step toward using human saliva to tell whether those stiff joints, memory lapses, and other telltale signs of aging are normal or red flags for disease, scientists are describing how the protein content of women's saliva change with advancing age. The discovery could lead to a simple, noninvasive test for better diagnosing and treating certain age-related diseases in women, they suggest in a report in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research.More

The science and art of tooth whitening
Dentistry IQ
Tooth whitening removes intrinsic and extrinsic staining. Many tooth-whitening options are currently available, including in-office treatments and home-use products that can be office-dispensed or purchased over the counter. Each type of treatment has its own advantages and disadvantages. Management of potential side effects such as tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation must be considered and managed if necessary. Tooth whitening is safe, effective and desired by patients in our esthetically conscious society.More

Study suggests increased risk of birth defects with UTI treatments
MedPage Today
Although most antibiotics are safe for pregnant women, two preferred classes of drugs for urinary tract infections were associated with significant, life-threatening birth defects, according to a CDC-sponsored study. A population-based, case-control study in 10 states revealed that sulfonamides and nitrofurantoins were associated with significant risk of birth defects, including anencephaly, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and cleft lip with cleft palate.More

Neuromuscular mouth guard draws performance debate
USA Today
All mouth guards are designed to direct and distribute the impact of force to the jaw to minimize injuries such as lacerations, damaged teeth and concussions. Neuromuscular mouth guards are different from the traditional boil-and-bite ones that can be purchased at sporting goods stores, and even from the custom-fitted ones dentists often make for individual players of pro sports teams. Rather than focusing on the pre-existing relationship where the teeth come together and the jaw joints set in the sockets to find the bite like traditional dentists, neuromuscular dentists relax the muscles for a "verifiable position" that usually results in a joint socket position that's typically more down and forward.More

New gum could replace toothpaste for soldiers
UK News
In the past, America's fighting men and women have relied on sugary gums found in rations as a way to clean their teeth. Thanks to research conducted  at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, GI's of the future could be carrying a type of chewing gum that will prevent dental decay and worsening dental problems down the road. The cavity fighting gum developed for soldiers who are deployed in areas where they often don't have the time or the means to brush or floss is receiving global attention as the product nears testing in an upcoming Phase I clinical trial.More

OSHA issues directive to address flu prevention for health care workers
Infection Control Today
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration  issued a compliance directive to ensure uniform procedures when conducting inspections to identify and minimize or eliminate high to very high risk occupational exposures to the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus.More