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.
Study Looks at Impact of Female Hormones on Obstructive Sleep Apnea
As dental hygienists, we often find ourselves in a unique position to spot early signs of systemic health issues in our patients. One such issue that's gaining more attention is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. A study has shed light on the increased prevalence of OSA in middle-aged women, particularly...
Research Reveals New Possible Pathogens Related to the Severity of Dental Caries
A study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in conjunction with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Tufts University has revealed surprising new players associated with the virulence of dental caries.1
For years, dental professionals have pointed to Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium that forms biofilm and produces acid, as the primary culprit...
Research Looks at the Impacts of Diet on Sleep
Dental hygienists play an important role in nutritional counseling and screening for sleep apnea and airway issues. A recently published study offers new insight into the effects of diet on sleep. In the study conducted by Uppsala University, researchers explored the impact of high-fat/high-sugar vs. low-fat/low-sugar diets on sleep patterns. The study involved healthy participants who were given both...
The Unreliability of Bitemark Evidence: Implications for Forensic Odontology in Legal Proceedings
In the world of forensic science, bitemark evidence has long been presented as a valuable tool in criminal trials. However, a recent review of the literature conducted by a team from the School of Dental Medicine at the State University of New York in Buffalo has highlighted the years of scrutiny on the serious flaws associated with this type...
Research Examines the Connection Between Periodontitis and Atrial Fibrosis in Atrial Fibrillation
As dental hygienists, we know the importance of maintaining oral health, not just for a healthy smile, but for overall health too. Recent research from Hiroshima University has shed light on an intriguing connection between periodontitis and atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition characterized by an irregular heartbeat.1
The Study
Considering the evidence of the oral-systemic link, the implications that inflammation due...
Activated Charcoal in Toothpaste: Systematic Review Looks at Whitening and Abrasive Effects
Activated charcoal has become a popular ingredient in toothpaste, touted for its natural teeth-whitening properties. However, a recent systematic review has cast doubt on the effectiveness of activated charcoal as a whitening agent and has highlighted its abrasive effects on teeth.1
The review, which analyzed a range of in vitro studies, found that most commercially available activated charcoal toothpastes resulted...
Clinical Trial Shows Effectiveness of Silver Diamine Fluoride for School-based Caries
Dental hygienists play a vital role in promoting oral health among children, and recent research has uncovered an exciting breakthrough that could revolutionize cavity prevention. A study involving nearly 3,000 schoolchildren has revealed that silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is as effective as dental sealants in preventing cavities. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, highlight the potential of SDF...
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...