Snus linked to gum damage but tooth decay risk unclear

Snus is clearly linked to damage to the gums. The connection to tooth decay, however, remains unclear, according to a systematic review. When it comes to white snus, more studies are needed. The researchers reviewed 26 European studies on Swedish smokeless tobacco (snus) and oral health. The overall picture that emerges is nuanced. There is … Read more

New strategy targets Porphyromonas gingivalis without harming healthy microbes

For years, treating gum disease has meant scraping away plaque, cutting out damaged tissue or turning to antibiotics that kill bacteria indiscriminately. While newer therapies can regenerate lost tissue, doctors still lack a precise way to stop the infection without harming the mouth’s healthy microbiome. New research from the University of Florida College of Dentistry offers … Read more

Prenatal lead exposure linked to lower cognition six decades later

Exposure to lead before birth is associated with lower performance 60 years later on tests of thinking and memory skills in female participants, according to a study published on February 18, 2026, in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study does not prove that lead exposure is the cause of the lower … Read more

Fact Check: Claim That Roasted Cloves Cure Cavities Is Misleading

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – A Facebook post [archive] claims that roasting cloves can cure cavities. Since it was posted on December 26, 2025, the content has attracted 6,800 users, garnered more than 2,100 shares, and received dozens of comments. The 25-second video demonstrates the process of roasting cloves and grinding them into a fine powder. The uploader then … Read more

Psychological stress, trauma can harm dental development

Stress from living on the border near Gaza affects not only the psychological health of children and teens but also their dental health, according to a first-ever study conducted by the Maccabident Research Institute, the dental division of Maccabi, the second-largest health fund in Israel. The study found that ongoing security tensions led to significant … Read more

Is fluoridated water safe during pregnancy? Studies say yes

Analyzing nearly 11.5 million births across four decades, researchers use rigorous methods to show that fluoridated drinking water is not linked to lower birth weight. Study: Community Water Fluoridation and Birth Outcomes. Image credit: Tatjana Meininger/Shutterstock.com While fluoridated water is widely considered a public health benefit, its potential association with reduced birth weight has often … Read more

New research links maternal smoking to tooth defects in kids

A systematic review uncovers links between maternal smoking and tooth defects in children, from missing teeth to enamel damage, while calling for stronger research to confirm the risks. Study: The association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and dental development in offspring: a systematic review. Image credit: HenadziPechan/Shutterstock.com A recent systematic review in the journal Evidence-Based Dentistry explored … Read more

Want to eat slower? Pick meals that need chopsticks, not hands

Two meals, three sequences, one finding: meal type, not the order of eating, shapes how long we chew and eat. Bento meals increased duration and chewing, while pizza prompted faster, shorter eating. Study: The Meal Type Rather than the Meal Sequence Affects the Meal Duration, Number of Chews, and Chewing Tempo. Image Credit: Aedka Studio / Shutterstock … Read more