A dentist is rarely the lead character of a book, movie or TV show, let alone cast in the role of action hero. The latter is about to change with the forthcoming anime The Dragon Dentist, the story of which features an underlying message about the importance of preventing tooth decay. The [...]
Researchers at the University of Sydney recently made a breakthrough that refines our understanding of teeth enamel and could play a role in preventing tooth decay. Tooth decay and gum disease remain widespread problems that can affect the appearance of your smile, lead to deteriorating dental health, and increase your risk for [...]
We all know that sugar poses a threat to our teeth. Sugar feeds certain bacteria in the mouth, and the byproduct is acid that eats away the teeth enamel. As a recent column by an Australian dentist and cooking-show participant points out, however, people are often unaware just how much sugar they consume. The hidden [...]
The shifting baseline syndrome was identified by marine biologist Daniel Pauly, and it applies as readily to our oral health as it does our oceans’ health. In essence, the shifting baseline is that each generation perceives the world that he or she grew up in as normal. For Pauly, the shifting baseline had ecological implications; [...]
Gingivitis is a widespread form of gum disease. Conventional wisdom dictates that gingivitis can evolve into periodontitis--a severe infection that damages gum tissue and can eventually erode jaw bone that supports the teeth. But new research indicates that periodontitis is more than just advanced gingivitis, and perhaps the conditions aren't as closely [...]
