Tips For Enjoying Holiday Sweets And Keeping That "Sweet Tooth" Intact
Eating a lot of holiday sweets may satisfy that "sweet tooth," but too much of a good thing might lead to unintended results for your teeth and gums, according to an American Dental Association (ADA) consumer advisor."If you don't bother to properly clean your teeth, the results might be tooth decay, gum disease and possible tooth loss," says Dr. Matthew Messina, an ADA consumer advisor and practicing dentist from the Cleveland area. [click link for full article]

Parents Reminded To Monitor Infants' Fluoride Consumption
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced it will permit bottlers to make claims that fluoridated water may reduce the risk of tooth decay. The FDA's decision means bottlers may now claim what dentists have long known -- that optimally fluoridated water helps prevent tooth decay. [click link for full article]

Don't Forget To Floss Your Arteries!
Can a toothbrush help clean out your heart? Surprisingly, yes. Brushing your teeth has been shown to be the first step in preventing periodontal disease that can lead to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes complications. Dr. Chris Kammer of the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry says that 80% of adults have periodontal disease and most cases go undetected. [click link for full article]

Osteoporosis Meds And Jaw Pain: What's The Risk?
Reports of osteoporosis drugs causing jaw problems have you wondering: Should you stop taking them?It's true that there have been reports of partial death of a jawbone (osteonecrosis) related to osteoporosis medications, but the risk is very small, according to the December issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.In contrast, the health risks associated with osteoporosis - a disease that causes bones to become brittle and to fracture - are high. [click link for full article]

General Dental Council Seeks New Fitness To Practise Panel Members, UK
The General Dental Council (GDC) is seeking dental professionals to join its independent Fitness to Practise Panel. Members of the panel are responsible for hearing cases where a dental professional's fitness for registration has been called into question by their conduct, health or professional performance.Membership of the Fitness to Practise Panel is drawn from an independent pool of dental professionals, as well as lay people. [click link for full article]

Converging, Connecting, Creating: ADEA Fall Meetings Address Diversity And Access In Dental Education
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) held its first ever joint Fall Meetings in Baltimore, Maryland, December 7-9, 2006, addressing issues of diversity, access, and recognition in dental education. [click link for full article]

Tooth Whiteners Do Not Cause Cancer
Common tooth whitening products, which have been used by millions of people, are found to be safe and do not increase the risk of oral cancer when used as directed. This exhaustive review of the literature, including numerous unpublished clinical studies involving over 4,000 human subjects, appeared in an article by Dr. [click link for full article]

Toughness Of Dental Composites Quadrupled By Fibers Used In Bullet-Proof Vests
Vistasp Karbhari, a professor of structural engineering at UC San Diego, has developed fiber-reinforced polymer composites as strong, lightweight materials for aerospace, automotive, civil and marine applications, so he thought, "If they work so well in highway bridges, why not dental bridges"" [click link for full article]

Leading Orthodontist Presents Benefits Of OrthoCAD IQ(TM) At Major Orthodontic Meeting
Cadent, Ltd., provider of the OrthoCAD market-leading suite of 3-D digital solutions for the orthodontic industry, today announced that Dr. Michael Mayhew presented the benefits of OrthoCAD iQ(TM) at the combined 2006 Annual Meeting for the Northeastern Society of Orthodontists (NESO) and Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists (MASO) held earlier this month in the Bahamas. Dr. [click link for full article]

Targacept Begins Phase II Clinical Trial In Acute Post-Operative Pain
Targacept, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRGT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of drugs known as NNR Therapeutics(TM), today announced that it has initiated a Phase II clinical trial of TC-2696, its product candidate for the treatment of acute post-operative pain. The proof of concept trial is designed to evaluate the analgesic effects of TC-2696 following dental surgery. [click link for full article]

Speedometer For Crystal Growth Controlled By Biomolecule Properties Uncoverd By Scientists
From gemstones to transistors, crystals are everywhere in our daily lives. Crystals also make up the mineralized skeletons of all organisms, including seashells and our own teeth and bones. Perhaps the most widely used biominerals are found in the calcium carbonate family. Understanding how this mineral forms is of particular interest because of its widespread occurrence over geologic history and its close relation to the calcium phosphate found in the bones and teeth of all mammals. [click link for full...

Spherix To Begin Testing Of Naturlose(R) Toothpaste To Fight Gingivitis, Plaque
Spherix Incorporated (Nasdaq: SPEX) is proceeding with initial plans to enter the toothpaste market by offering Naturlose(R) as a natural toothpaste ingredient that fights gingivitis and plaque, while also being safe enough for children to use. [click link for full article]