Dental

About 10,000 years ago, a group of hunter-gatherers were hanging out in what is now south-western Sweden chewing pieces of birch tar. New analysis of that substance reveals that they may have had very modern dental issues.

The most comprehensive genetic map of oral stem cells to date has provided new insight into their specialized development pathways and opens the door to targeted regenerative medicine and interventions, such as therapies to grow or repair bone.

Researchers have examined the teeth of Swedish Vikings and found that aside from decay and loss, they engaged in surprisingly advanced dental practices not dissimilar from modern practices. The study provides a rare insight into Viking life.

We can’t regenerate damaged tooth enamel, but scientists have now grown mini teeth in the lab that secrete enamel-producing proteins. This could be the first step towards “living fillings” that patch up cavities, or even lab-grown replacement teeth.

Humans have done remarkably well in evolutionary terms, but one design flaw has to be our inability to replace lost teeth throughout our lives. Now, scientists believe they have the antibody treatment to do just that, and it could be available by 2030.

Researchers have just found a bacteria that forms superstructures when it gets caught in sticky traps made by other bacteria, helping it erode enamel and form cavities. The finding could lead to new ways to keep our teeth clear of the invaders.

Researchers have developed a tool that rapidly detects bacteria in saliva using SHERLOCK, the evolution of CRISPR. You may soon be leaving the dentist with comprehensive information about the health of your mouth as well as your overall health.

A new longitudinal study has investigated the link between a commonly occurring oral bacteria and coronary heart disease, improving our understanding of how infection affects the development of the disease.

Smoking is no good for your teeth, that is well-known. But what about vaping? New research from Tufts University suggests using e-cigarettes may not be that much better, finding an association between increased risk for cavities and vaping.

If you needed more motivation to brush your teeth, this could do the trick. Scientists have discovered that cavity-causing bacteria and fungi in saliva can team up to form “superorganisms” that can sprout limbs to crawl and even leap across teeth.

Researchers are reporting a new type of dental coating, which is made by tweaking the composition of a naturally-occurring mineral to emulate the microstructure of natural enamel, and do so in a way that offers even greater strength.

A common type of oral bacteria associated with periodontal disease has been linked to neuroinflammation and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The research builds on a prior evidence linking poor oral health with dementia and neurodegeneration.