Researchers Aim To Shed Light On Lab-Grown Teeth, Tissue Regeneration

The University of California – San Francisco states that “one of the enduring puzzles for stem cell researchers” is how these cells “know when it’s time for them to expand in numbers and transform into mature, adult cells in order to renew injured or aging tissue.” In an attempt to understand this “decision-making process,” the release states researchers are studying the front teeth of mice to identify the signals that trigger the teeth to continuously grow. UC San Francisco’s Ophir Klein, MD, PhD, a professor of orofacial sciences in UCSF’s School of Dentistry, explained, “Our lab’s objective is to learn the rules that let mouse incisors grow continuously to help us one day grow teeth in the lab, but also to help us identify general principles that could enable us to understand the processes of tissue renewal much more broadly.” A study published in Cell Stem Cell discusses some of their findings into this process.

Coverage Continues: 13,000-Year-Old Teeth May Contain Earliest Evidence Of Fillings

The Daily Mail reports that researchers have discovered in 13,000-year-old front teeth what may be “the earliest example of the use of a filling.” Each tooth, found in northern Italy, has a “hole that extends down to the pulp chamber” the article reports. According to the article, tiny scratch marks inside the holes suggest a sharp stone was used “to remove diseased cavity tissue,” before the holes with then filled “with the tar-like substance bitumen.” The article reports that “the discovery of bitumen suggests the procedure was done out of medical necessity to remove decayed matter from the teeth and prevent further loss.” The findings are published in a paper in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology.

        International Business Times reports the teeth with bitumen filling are “one of the oldest pieces of evidence of ancient dentistry.”

        Ancient Origins (4/9, Karasavvas) reports the find may be “the world’s most ancient dental fillings.”

NYTimes Examines Health Benefits Of Chewing Gum

The New York Times analyzes the health claims that William Wrigley Jr., founder of the Wrigley Company, made in the 1930s about the company’s chewing gum. In a letter mailed at the time, Wrigley wrote that chewing gum “is good for children’s teeth, which need more exercise than they get with modern soft food.” According to Dr. Jade Miller, president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, there is no evidence supporting this or other claims of oral health benefits from chewing the gum sold in the 1930s, which all contained sugar. However, the article notes that since then, “dental experts have come to the conclusion that chewing sugar-free gum after meals increases the flow of saliva, which can help clear sugars and bacteria from the mouth, neutralize plaque acids and strengthen teeth, all of which can help to prevent cavities.” In addition, Dr. Miller said the increased salivary flow may be particularly beneficial for people with dry mouth. “That can be caused by a lot of medications or medical problems, and increased salivary flow can really be helpful for reducing the risk of cavities,” he said.

Brushing Tongue An Important Part Of Proper Oral Hygiene

Fox News carries an article first published on WomensHealthMag.com that discusses the importance of not only brushing teeth and flossing, but also brushing the tongue. The article states that when people do not brush their tongues, a “coating of bacteria, food particles, and dead skin cells called a biofilm” can form on it, which contributes to bad breath. People are encouraged to use the correct approach when brushing their tongues by starting at the back and gently brushing toward the front.

        MouthHealthy.org provides information on tongue scrapers and bad breath.