Sleep Apnea: Oral appliance could help you (and your partner) sleep better

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that causes throat muscles to relax and narrows the airways of those affected while they are asleep. Snorting, choking or gasping while sleeping are the indicators of the condition. Usually the sufferers' partner notices before they do!

People with mild to moderate sleep apnea experience daily fatigue and a shortened attention span from lack of sleep. Sleep apnea can also have more serious consequences; people have died from very severe forms of the condition.

"Your eyes are closed but you're not resting," explains Dr. Cynthia Concepción-Medina, Research Assistant at the Department of Orthodontics at Hiroshima University Hospital who contributed to the study with her colleagues Associate Professor Hiroshi Ueda and Dr. Yu Matsumura.

National Children’s Dental Health Month highlights optimally fluoridated water

This year the February observance of National Children’s Dental Health Month honors the 75th anniversary of community water fluoridation with its theme, “Fluoride in water prevents cavities! Get it from the tap!”

“I am excited to share in the celebration of the 75th anniversary of community water fluoridation this year with the rest of the dental community, and especially the public at large, who reap the benefits of fluoridation,” said ADA President Chad P. Gehani. “More than 75 years of scientific research has consistently shown that a recommended level of fluoride in community water is safe and effective. It also prevents tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and adults.”

Dr. Gehani continued: “Simply by drinking water, Americans can benefit from fluoride's cavity protection. My fellow dentists should proudly impart the message with their patients and communities this and every year.”

ADA President-elect Daniel J. Klemmedson noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named community water fluoridation as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. He encouraged dentists to take advantage of ADA resources this month to arm themselves with the facts about water fluoridation to help children and their parents in the quest for better oral health.

The Stress-Oral Connection: How Mental Wellness Impacts Clinical Dental Outcomes

The relationship between mental health and dental health is a complex, bidirectional pathway. While behavioral changes are often the first sign of struggle, the physiological effects of stress and anxiety can cause significant, long-term damage to your teeth and supporting structures.

At CJ Henley, DMD, we provide a judgment-free environment focused on Complex & Medically Involved Care, helping patients navigate dental recovery alongside their mental health journey.

The Physiology of Stress: Cortisol and Inflammation

Stress is not just "in your head"—it is a systemic hormonal event. High levels of the stress hormone cortisol can suppress the immune response, making it easier for pathogenic bacteria to invade the gingival tissues. This can lead to:

• Accelerated Periodontal Disease: Chronic inflammation that is harder to treat due to a compromised immune system.

• Delayed Healing: Slower recovery times after routine or surgical dental procedures.

• Recurrent Oral Lesions: Stress-induced aphthous ulcers (canker sores) that can impact nutrition and comfort.

Medication Side Effects: The "Dry Mouth" Challenge

Many life-saving antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications carry a common clinical side effect: Xerostomia, or chronic dry mouth. Saliva is the mouth’s natural defense mechanism, responsible for neutralizing acids and remineralizing enamel. When saliva flow is reduced, the risk for "rampant decay" increases significantly. Our practice specializes in Medically Informed Protocols to protect patients on these medications, utilizing specialized fluoride therapies and biocompatible materials designed for high-risk environments.

Bruxism and Mechanical Wear

Anxiety often manifests physically as Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching), particularly during sleep. This mechanical force can result in:

• Loss of Vertical Dimension: Permanently wearing down essential molars.

• Fractured Restorations: Breaking existing crowns or fillings due to excessive force.

• TMJ Dysfunction: Chronic jaw pain and headaches that impact quality of life.

For patients exhibiting severe wear, our approach to Advanced Restorative Dentistry focuses on rebuilding function and protecting your smile with custom-engineered occlusal guards.

A Humane, Unhurried Approach

We understand that visiting the dentist can be a source of anxiety itself. This is why we prioritize an unhurried, two-hour new patient evaluation. We take the time to listen to your history, review your medications, and design a care plan that respects both your dental needs and your mental well-being.

Reviewed and Updated February 2026

Preventing, healing tooth decay with a bioactive peptide

Conventional treatment for dental cavities involves removing decayed tissue and filling the hole with materials, such as amalgam or composite resin. However, this procedure can damage healthy tissue and cause severe discomfort for patients. Hai Ming Wong, Quan Li Li and colleagues wanted to develop a two-pronged strategy to prevent and treat tooth decay: 1) prevent colonization of the tooth surface by the plaque-forming bacteria that cause cavities, and 2) reduce demineralization, or the dissolving of tooth enamel, while increasing remineralization, or repair.

The researchers based their anti-cavity coating on a natural antimicrobial peptide called H5. Produced by human salivary glands, H5 can adsorb onto tooth enamel and destroy a broad range of bacteria and fungi. To promote remineralization, the team added a phosphoserine group to one end of H5, which they thought could help attract more calcium ions to repair the enamel than natural H5. They tested the modified peptide on slices of human molars. Compared with natural H5, the new peptide adsorbed more strongly to the tooth surface, killed more bacteria and inhibited their adhesion, and protected teeth from demineralization. Surprisingly, however, both peptides promoted remineralization to a similar degree. After brushing, people could someday apply the modified peptide to their teeth as a varnish or gel to protect against tooth decay, the researchers say.

First adult molars are 'living fossils' that hold a 'health record' dating back to the womb

Dentin, the material under the enamel that makes up the bulk of a tooth, forms in microscopic layers that compare to the rings of a tree. Adequate formation of those layers is dependent on Vitamin D. Dark streaks develop in periods when the body is deprived of the critical nutrient, usually because of a lack of sunlight.

The researchers, led by anthropologist Megan Brickley, had previously established that such microscopic defects remain in place and can be read later, in the same way a tree trunk can show years of good and poor growth. Because teeth do not decay as rapidly as flesh and bone, they can retain such information for hundreds of years post-mortem.

Combined with other data, Brickley says, patterns in dentin can create rich banks of knowledge about past conditions, including the health impacts of living in low-light environments.

"It's a living fossil of your life, starting in utero," Brickley says. "Conceivably, it would be possible to remove the molar of anyone and compare their health to the evidence in the tooth."

Early colonial settlers in Canada, for example, who were often wrapped head to toe, even in summer, commonly developed conditions such as rickets, or died prematurely from other conditions related to poor access to vitamin D.

Now the same team of researchers has established the value of such records, which begin during the original formation of teeth in the fetal stage, for reflecting the health of the mother during pregnancy. All of the body's primary or "baby" teeth, which start forming in utero, are lost in childhood.

The first permanent molars -- which emerge around age 6 -- also start forming in utero and stay in the mouth throughout one's adult life, where they retain a record of Vitamin D intake dating back to the mother's pregnancy.

From high school student to dentist, Give Kids A Smile volunteer continues commitment

For Dr. Theressa Eliscar-Hewett, it was the excitement of the young patients arriving at the Give Kids A Smile event that solidified her desire to be a dentist.

"You can't put that into words. It's a wonderful experience seeing how their faces light up and how excited they are to get the exam," she said.

Dr. Eliscar-Hewett, 29, began volunteering at the Nassau County Give Kids A Smile event in Long Island, New York, as a high school student while taking a dental assisting course at Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center. Although volunteering started off as a requirement for the course, she continues to volunteer more than 10 years later, only now as a dentist.

Give Kids A Smile will hold this year's national kickoff event Feb. 7 at the Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis. More than 6 million underserved children have received free oral health services through Give Kids A Smile since the program's national launch in 2003.

Dental fillings could last twice as long

A team of researchers with the OHSU School of Dentistry in Portland, Oregon, have created a filling material that's two times more resistant to breakage than standard fillings, according to a study published by the journal Scientific Reports. The new filling uses the additive thiourethane, which is also in protective coatings for cars and decks.

The team also has developed an adhesive that's 30 percent stronger after six months in use than adhesives that are currently used to keep fillings in place. This new adhesive was described in a recent study published in the journal Dental Materials.

Combined, the new adhesive and the composite are designed to make longer-lasting dental restorations.

"Today's dental restorations typically only last seven to 10 years before they fail," said Carmem Pfeifer, D.D.S., Ph.D., corresponding author of the studies published in Scientific Reports and Dental Materials. Pfeifer is an associate professor of restorative dentistry (biomaterials and biomechanics) in the OHSU School of Dentistry.

"They crack under the pressure of chewing, or have gaps form between the filling and the tooth, which allow bacteria to seep in and a new cavity to form," Pfeifer said. "Every time this happens, the tooth under the restorations becomes weaker and weaker, and what starts as a small cavity may end up with root canal damage, a lost tooth or even life-threatening infections.

"Stronger dental materials mean patients won't have to get fillings repaired or replaced nearly as often," she said. "This not only saves them money and hassle, but also prevents more serious problems and more extensive treatment."

The adhesive described in the Dental Materials study uses a specific kind of polymer -- known as (meth)acrylamides -- that is much more resistant to damage in water, bacteria and enzymes in the mouth than standard adhesives currently used in dentistry. The composite material described in Scientific Reports uses thiourethane, which holds up much better to chewing.

Cancer and Dental Health: Managing Your Oral Care During Treatment

More than one-third of all cancer patients—and nearly 100% of those undergoing radiation for head and neck cancers—develop oral complications. These side effects are not merely uncomfortable; if left unmanaged, they can become severe enough to delay or interrupt your vital cancer treatments.

At CJ Henley, DMD, we serve as an essential part of your oncology team, providing specialized care for patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.

Why Your Dentist is a Vital Part of Your Cancer Care Team

Your mouth is a high-risk area for infection when your immune system is weakened by chemotherapy. Before treatment begins, a pre-treatment dental evaluation is critical to:

• Identify and eliminate existing infections that could become life-threatening during immunosuppression.

• Stabilize compromised teeth to prevent the need for emergency surgery during active treatment.

• Establish a baseline for your oral health to manage changes as they occur.

If you are beginning treatment in Jacksonville, we coordinate directly with oncology teams—including our ongoing collaboration through the Baptist MD Anderson Head and Neck Tumor Board—to ensure your dental care is timed perfectly with your medical schedule.

Common Oral Side Effects of Cancer Treatment

Radiation and chemotherapy affect the rapidly dividing cells in the mouth, leading to several common conditions:

• Oral Mucositis: Painful mouth sores and inflammation that can make eating and speaking difficult.

• Xerostomia (Extreme Dry Mouth): Radiation can permanently damage salivary glands, leading to thick, sticky saliva and a significantly increased risk of rapid tooth decay.

• Increased Infection Risk: Fungal (thrush) or bacterial infections are more common when the immune system is suppressed.

• Jaw Pain and Stiffness: Particularly for those receiving radiation to the head and neck.

Specialized Care for Complex Medically Involved Patients

For patients managing Complex & Medically Involved Care, the stakes are higher. Our practice specializes in the specific protocols required for:

1. Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) Prevention: For patients who have received high-dose radiation to the jaw, certain dental procedures (like extractions) carry high risks. We utilize conservative management and specialized surgical protocols to maintain jaw bone health.

2. Post-Radiation Restorations: Saliva is the mouth's natural defense against decay. When saliva flow is compromised, we use specialized high-fluoride protocols and biocompatible materials designed for longevity in a high-risk environment.

Your Path Forward

Whether you are just received a diagnosis or are currently in the recovery phase, we provide an unhurried, two-hour comprehensive evaluation to understand your medical history and design a protective care plan.

Are you or a loved one beginning cancer treatment? Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Contact us today to schedule your oncology-focused dental consultation.

Reviewed and Updated February 2026

Elite athletes have poor oral health despite brushing twice daily

The findings, published in the British Dental Journal, highlight potential for improvement as most of the athletes expressed an interest in changing their oral hygiene behavior to improve their oral health.

The UCL Eastman Dental Institute research team surveyed 352 Olympic and professional athletes across 11 sports, including cycling, swimming, rugby, football, rowing, hockey, sailing and athletics, when they provided dental check-ups for male and female athletes measuring tooth decay, gum health and acid erosion.

The researchers also asked athletes what they did to keep their mouth, teeth and gums healthy.

The dental check-ups revealed substantial amounts of oral disease as reported in a 2018 paper, finding that nearly half (49.1%) had untreated tooth decay, the large majority showed early signs of gum inflammation, and almost a third (32%) reported that their oral health had a negative impact on their training and performance.

Elite athletes have poor oral health despite their efforts to care for their teeth: this new study found that 94% reported brushing their teeth at least twice a day, and 44% reported regularly cleaning between their teeth (flossing) -- substantially higher figures than for the general population (75% for twice-daily brushing and 21% for flossing).

The researchers found that the athletes regularly use sports drinks (87%), energy bars (59%) and energy gels (70%), which are known to damage teeth.

Scientists uncover key new molecules that could help to tackle tooth loss and regeneration

Now new research published in the Journal of Dental Research has shed light on the science behind the formation of the periodontal ligament, which helps keep the tooth stable in the jawbone. This improved understanding will also help scientists work towards regenerating the tissues that support teeth.

The study, led by the Universities of Plymouth and Geneva, shows how a signalling pathway called Notch, which is known to be activated in stem cells and cancer, is important for periodontal ligament development.

Abnormal activation or inhibition of certain signalling pathways can lead to cancer and other conditions, including problems with tissue regeneration.

A key finding in the new study, which was conducted in rodent teeth, is that Lamin A, a cell nuclear protein, is a direct target of Notch pathway.

Lamin A is best known for its mutated form progerin, which causes fatal 'early ageing' disease, Progeria syndrome -- but by uncovering its involvement in periodontal ligament formation, scientists have better insight into how molecules function during tissue regeneration, and how the process could be affected during disease.

Corresponding author Dr Bing Hu, Associate Professor of Oral and Dental Health Research in Peninsula Dental School at the University of Plymouth, said: "The periodontal ligament starts to properly hold the tooth in the jawbone when a tooth breaks out and becomes functional.

"Understanding the mechanisms of how periodontal ligaments develop and the molecules that assist the tissue becoming mature is really important for our understanding of tissue regeneration and repair.

"The next steps are for us to see if and how the molecules we have identified in this study can be translated into a human-only model and, in turn, how they are affected in both healthy and diseased conditions."

Dr Hu is also part of the University's Institute of Translational and Stratified Medicine (ITSMed).

This research is a part of the MD-PhD thesis of Dr Balázs Dénes of the University of Geneva, entitled Post-emergent tooth eruption: eruption rate, periodontal ligament maturation and cell signalling, directed by Professor Stavros Kiliaridis.

Dr Dénes said: "We believe that our findings are an important stepping stone to better dental treatments in situations involving the periodontal ligament, such as gum disease (periodontitis), tooth restoration by dental implants or orthodontic tooth movement."