Today's RDH
Today's RDH is for curious and passionate dental hygienists. We deliver the latest dental hygiene news, research, and entertainment on your phone, tablet, and computer.
Research Examines Relationship between Salivary Defensins, Tooth Loss, and Periodontal Disease
It is well understood among dental professionals that the risk of periodontal disease increases with age. Epidemiologic studies have confirmed this, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states, "Periodontal disease increases with age, 70.1% of adults 65 years and older have periodontal disease."1 Determining the factors contributing to this increased incidence of periodontal disease among the older...
Using Artificial Intelligence to Detect Bone Loss in Dental Implant Patients
Dental implants help our patients to smile with confidence and chew their food properly, thus improving their quality of life. But unfortunately, dental implants can lead to bone loss if not properly taken care of. This may happen for a variety of reasons, like from infection and inflammation due to peri-implantitis or even from the type of implant itself....
American Dental Hygienists’ Association CEO, Ann Battrell, Passes Away on June 7, 2023
CHICAGO, June 8, 2023 – It is with profound sadness that the American Dental Hygienists’ Association announces that ADHA CEO, Ann Battrell, M.S.D.H., passed away June 7, 2023. She had recently announced to ADHA leadership that she was extending her medical leave to focus on her health.
Ms. Battrell became the first registered dental hygienist and first former ADHA president...
Research Explains Link Between Periodontal Disease and Overall Health
We've long known that there was a correlation between chronic health risks, such as arthritis and diabetes, and periodontal disease rates; however, the reasons why have always eluded researchers. But a team of University of Toronto researchers may have finally established the missing link, and their study published in the Journal of Dental Research reveals it's all due to your body's natural responses...
Research Shows Possible Metabolic Links Between Periodontitis and a High-fat Diet
A study has found that a high-fat diet can have lasting implications on a person's oral health. The research findings were presented in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology under the title, "Untargeted and Targeted Gingival Metabolome in Rodents Reveal Metabolic Links Between High-Fat Diet-induced Obesity and Periodontitis."
Information About High Fat Diets
Your diet can have a lasting impact on your overall quality...
The Effects of Menopause on Oral Health: Xerostomia Risk Is High
As women age, their chances of developing an oral mucosal disorder or xerostomia increase, especially with the onset of menopause. Statistical differences caused several researchers to study what other effects menopause will have on your oral health.
The Assessment of Effect of Menopause on Saliva and Oral Health Status studies the dental health of 80 women, broken up into two groups of...
Bacteria Found in Pickles Helps Improve Oral Health & Reduce Caries
It's long been established that there's a clear bidirectional relationship between the foods your patients eat and the state of their oral health. However, the exact specifics of this relationship is incredibly complex. For instance, we know that acidic foods increase the risks of erosive tooth wear. But a recent study has actually identified the benefits of one type of acidic food:...
Study Examines the Link Between Mental Health and Oral Health
Is the phrase mind over matter true? A group of scientists has decided to test this theory by evaluating whether a person's sense of coherence and other psychological factors can have a noticeable impact on their oral health-related quality of life after receiving periodontal treatment. Their study, "Do psychological factors predict changes in oral health-related quality of life and...
Periodontitis May Affect Conception: Further Study Is Necessary
Periodontitis is chronic, degenerative, and, unfortunately, a common disease that affects a large population. It's the cause of most of the common and serious dental problems that we have to address every day as dental hygienists and has been exhaustively studied without end. We know how to prevent it, and we can treat it to an extent, but we...
Study Shows Botox May Help TMJ Patients without Significant Bone Changes
Botulinum toxin (or Botox) injections is an innovative treatment for patients who suffer from intense pain in their jaw and facial muscles. A recent study published in the September 2020 edition of the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation titled, "Effect of multiple injections of botulinum toxin into painful masticatory muscles on bone density in the temporomandibular complex" examined the effects of the...
Geriatric Patients with Poor Dental Health Linked To Respiratory Issues
The American Society for Microbiology published an article in the journal mSphere titled, "Tongue Microbiota and Oral Health Status in Community-Dwelling Elderly Adults" that discusses in detail how a patient's poor dental health can lead to respiratory issues. Scientists arrived at those conclusions after examining the results of a large study conducted on geriatric patients living in Japan.
The American Society...
Researchers Find Groundbreaking Connection between Oral Bacteria and Stroke
Finnish researchers at the University of Tampere have some findings that show the presence of common oral bacteria in cerebral emboli for the first time. The article that documents their findings, "Oral Bacterial Signatures in Cerebral Thrombi of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Treated With Thrombectomy," focuses on the association between infection-causing oral bacteria and ischemic strokes. The Journal of the American Heart...
Research Examines Whether People Are Genetically Predisposed to Tooth Decay
A study published in Pediatrics, "Genetic and Early-Life Environmental Influences on Dental Caries Risk: A Twin Study," revealed that a person's genetics does not affect their chances of developing tooth decay. However, their data did suggest that young children with overweight mothers were more likely to develop cavities at a young age.
About the Dental Study
The lead researcher of the...
Global Study Unveils Breakthrough Discovery in Regenerative Dentistry
The scientific journal Nature Communications recently published a breakthrough study that is poised to further advance the field of regenerative dentistry. The study unveiled new information about the dental cell type atlas and other mechanisms necessary to reconstruct and engineer teeth. Based on their findings, it is highly likely the information provided by the research will likely encourage further studies of the...
Research Looks at Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Dental Professionals
The majority of our education in dentistry rightfully consists of increasing our patients' quality of life by addressing current dental issues and preventing future problems. We provide an essential service to our communities full of people who desperately need our help and guidance.
At the same time, who is looking out for us?
Our jobs can be very physical, which may...