RIG Dental CARE Specialist

10/12/2025

A single dental X-ray exposes a person to a very small dose of radiation—roughly three times less than what you would receive during a typical one-hour airplane flight.
This comparison helps illustrate how low the exposure truly is, since air travel naturally exposes passengers to higher cosmic radiation at altitude.
Dental X-rays are carefully regulated and designed to use the minimum radiation needed to capture clear diagnostic images.
Because of this, they are considered safe for routine checkups and are used only when clinically necessary.
According to the Harvard Medical School, the radiation from modern dental imaging is minimal and poses very little risk when proper precautions are taken.

10/12/2025

A breakthrough in dentistry is closer than ever: Japanese researchers are beginning human trials for a drug that can naturally regrow teeth. Created by Toregem Biopharma in collaboration with Kyoto University, the treatment works by blocking a protein called USAG-1, which normally prevents new teeth from forming. In animal studies, just one dose triggered the growth of a completely new tooth.

If these clinical trials succeed, this innovation could eliminate the need for implants and dentures — potentially transforming dental care worldwide by 2030.

09/12/2025

Scientists are making exciting progress in developing gels that can regrow tooth enamel — the hardest substance in the human body, but one that cannot naturally repair itself once damaged.

Traditional treatments like fillings only patch up cavities, but these new approaches aim to restore enamel biologically, using materials that mimic how enamel forms naturally.

A 2025 breakthrough from the University of Nottingham introduced a protein-based gel that encourages enamel regeneration by guiding calcium and phosphate ions (naturally found in saliva) to form a new crystal structure identical to natural enamel.

The gel forms a scaffold on damaged teeth, helping enamel-like crystals regrow in place.

This approach, based on a process called epitaxial mineralization, has shown excellent results in lab conditions, with the new layer matching natural enamel’s strength and resistance to acid.

Separately, researchers published a study in Scientific Reports (Springer Nature, 2025) describing an inorganic gel made purely of calcium phosphates.

This gel, when applied to early-stage cavities, successfully bonded with tooth surfaces and formed a new mineral layer without the need for drilling or traditional filling materials. Its crystal structure also mimicked real enamel.

These findings are backed by broader reviews published in Nature Communications and Frontiers in Dental Medicine, which confirm the global scientific interest in creating non-invasive, regenerative dental treatments.

Experts agree that such gels could drastically reduce the need for drills and synthetic fillings in the future.

08/12/2025

Putting a child to sleep with a bottle may seem comforting, but it exposes developing teeth to serious, preventable damage. When milk or juice pools around the teeth during sleep, natural saliva flow drops and sugars remain on the tooth surfaces for hours. This creates the ideal environment for harmful bacteria to thrive and produce acids that dissolve enamel.

Early childhood caries—often called baby-bottle tooth decay—can begin as soon as the first teeth erupt. It typically starts on the upper front teeth and can spread quickly, leading to pain, infection, difficulty eating, and even problems with speech development.

To protect your child’s smile, avoid bedtime bottles with anything except plain water. Clean the gums and teeth daily, schedule early dental visits, and help establish healthy habits from the start.

08/12/2025

06/12/2025

Gum disease is not just a dental problem — it is a chronic inflammatory disease that damages the gums and the bone supporting the teeth. When inflammation becomes long-standing, it does not stay in the mouth. It can affect the blood vessels throughout the body, including those responsible for erectile function.

Researchers from the European Federation of Periodontology report a significant association between poor gum health and ED. They explain that shared risk factors such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, and high cholesterol contribute to reduced blood flow and high inflammation. Oral bacteria entering the bloodstream may further impair vascular health.

Oral health is not a luxury - it is a vital part of general health, especially for men. Regular dental visits and proper daily oral hygiene can help to prevent or delay heart disease, diabetes complications, and even erectile dysfunction

Source:
European Federation of Periodontology

06/12/2025

A new study shows that children born to vitamin-D-deficient mothers are more likely to develop tooth decay in their first years of life.

Vitamin D is essential for proper enamel formation before birth. When maternal levels are low, developing baby teeth may mineralize poorly, resulting in weaker enamel that is more vulnerable to early childhood cavities.

Researchers at Zhejiang University in China followed more than 4,000 mother–child pairs and observed a consistent pattern: higher maternal vitamin D throughout pregnancy was linked to fewer cavities and healthier smiles in early childhood.

Screening and improving vitamin D during pregnancy — through safe sunlight exposure, balanced nutrition, and doctor-guided supplementation — may help protect children from cavities before they are even born.

Source:
Xu N, Chen Z, Wang B, et al. Vitamin D Levels During Pregnancy and Dental Caries in Offspring. JAMA Netw Open. 2025

06/12/2025

In a groundbreaking dental breakthrough, scientists in South Korea have developed a patch capable of regrowing teeth, potentially ending the need for dentures forever. This innovative technology stimulates natural tooth regeneration by activating stem cells in the gums, allowing new teeth to grow directly in the mouth.

Unlike implants or dentures, this method leverages the body’s own biology, offering a natural, long-lasting solution for tooth loss. Early tests show promising results, with regenerated teeth being functional and fully integrated with surrounding tissue.

This development could transform dentistry, giving millions of people a chance to restore their natural smiles without invasive procedures. It also opens doors for future regenerative treatments that could repair other tissues and organs.

While still in the research phase, the patch represents a revolutionary leap toward fully biological dental care, offering hope for a future where missing teeth are no longer a permanent problem.

06/12/2025

Thumb-Sucking and pacifier use are natural soothing habits in infancy. However, when the habit continues for too long, it can place constant pressure on developing teeth and jaws. This may negatively affect the bite and change how the teeth and jaw grow, especially if the habit continues beyond age 3. In some cases, bone changes can begin as early as 18 months.

Common Dental Problems Caused by Prolonged Thumb-Sucking or Pacifier Use

🔹 Protruding front teeth
Constant sucking pressure can push the upper front teeth outward. This may make it difficult for children to close their lips comfortably, contribute to speech challenges, and increase the risk of trauma to the front teeth.

🔹 Open bite
If the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap properly, a gap remains when your child bites down. An open bite can interfere with normal swallowing patterns and speech development.

🔹 Crossbite
Excessive sucking can cause the upper teeth to sit inside the lower teeth. If not corrected early, a crossbite can shift the jaw to one side, leading to asymmetrical jaw growth and long-term dental issues.

How to Help Your Child Break the Habit

Most children naturally stop thumb-sucking or pacifier use between ages 2 and 4. If the habit continues, try these supportive strategies:

1. Bitter Taste Nail Solutions
These specially designed products taste unpleasant and discourage children from putting their fingers in their mouths.

2. Bandages or Finger Wraps
Gently wrap your child’s finger(s) at bedtime to reduce nighttime thumb-sucking.

3. Modify the Pacifier
For children aged 3–4 who still rely on a pacifier, cutting the tip removes its suction effect, making it less satisfying to use.

4. Consult a Dentist
If home strategies are unsuccessful, seek guidance from your dentist. Depending on your child’s needs, they may recommend gentle orthodontic appliances to help stop the habit and guide healthy jaw development.

04/12/2025

Vitamin D is a core regulator of oral health. It supports calcium absorption, enamel formation, bone density, and the immune defenses that protect the gums from inflammation and periodontal pathogens.

When Vitamin D levels drop, enamel becomes weaker, saliva loses protective efficiency, and the immune system struggles to control oral bacteria. This increases the risk of dental caries, gingivitis, and progressive gum disease.

Deficiency is common due to limited sun exposure, indoor lifestyles, and dietary gaps. Regular screening, safe sunlight, balanced nutrition, and appropriate supplementation help maintain optimal Vitamin D levels.

Combine strong Vitamin D status with daily brushing, interdental cleaning, and routine dental checkups to reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease and strengthen long-term oral and systemic health.