Skeptics Stack Exchange
Skeptics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [dentistry]

The study or practice of medicine as it relates to the oral cavity and related structures.

69 questions
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Healing Tooth Decay via Electrically Accelerated and Enhanced Remineralisation?

According to The Guardian scientists from the UK have developed a tool to repair cavities without filling or injections. The new treatment, called Electrically Accelerated and Enhanced Remineralisation (EAER), accelerates the natural movement of…
Donlad Lee
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Is brushing your teeth after vomiting dangerous for your teeth?

There's a claim (Day9 / Centre for Clinical Interventions) out there that goes: Don’t brush your teeth immediately after vomiting. While the teeth are covered in stomach acids, the vigorous action of the toothbrush may scratch the tooth…
npst
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Is bruxism (teeth grinding) linked to parasitic infection?

There seems to be the common conception that bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching) is a symptom of parasitic infections. For example, this article by a dentist: Sometimes teeth grinding is caused by worms like intestinal parasites and pin…
Alex Petrosyan
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Are children's baby/milk teeth a potentially useful supply of stem cells?

There's a raft of claims recently that baby (or milk) teeth are are a rich source of stem cells and could be used in the future to help cure diseases to or regrow failed and damaged organs. These claims are encouraging parents to save their…
RemarkLima
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Do dental chews for pets reduce plaque and tartar?

Many manufacturers and retailers of dental chews for dogs and cats claim it will help reduce plaque and/or tartar. For example: Greenies Dental Chews: Unique texture fights plaque and tartar Pedigree DentaStix: These treats are clinically…
Beefster
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Root canals cause heart attacks?

There is a widely viewed Youtube video (400,000 views as of now), by a cardiologist, referencing his book, co-authored with a dentist, that claims that root canals, even if they are done well, cause systemic infections which cause inflammation, and…
user17561
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Does regular tongue scraping improve overall immune function?

Gillian Mandich of MindBodyGreen writes in 5 Reasons Why Everyone Needs A Tongue Scraper: The tongue is part of the first line of defense in your immune system. Scraping your tongue prevents toxins from being reabsorbed into your body and boosts…
Christian
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Are dental X-Rays safe?

Although I had to take 5 this month on individual teeth, my dentist reassured me that with the current technology there is absolutely no risk and that I can take as many as I need. If you search the web, you see lots of opinions about this so maybe…
Jahia
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Is wisdom tooth impaction causally linked to soft, processed foods?

In a book by an anthropologist at Ohio State, it is claimed that (1) third molar impactions dectupled after the Industrial Revolution, and (2) this was due to a new abundance of soft, processed food. Is (1) accurate (and not a matter of increased…
Feryll
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Do ultrasonic scalers produce shockwaves that damage bacterial cells in the mouth?

I came across an interesting claim that ultrasonic power scalers, besides for removing and crushing existing hard plaque on the teeth, create shockwaves that disrupt harmful bacterial cells that cause tooth decay: How they work: These instruments…
Steven Carter
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Does baking soda remove stains from your teeth?

I've heard this a few times now with people claiming that brushing your teeth with baking soda is a good way to whiten your teeth and generally a better product to use than toothpaste. Toothpaste manufacturers have obviously heard this too as there…
Ardesco
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75% of headaches due to poor bite?

I read the following claim on a commercial dentistry website: Some estimates suggest that 75% of all headaches are muscle-contraction headaches that could be tied to a poor bite. Wow! What research is there to back this claim up?
Ben
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Does Sensodyne Total Care Toothpaste remove plaque, protect against tooth decay and help sensitive gums?

As shown in the toothpaste cover: It is mentioned that using Sensodyne Total Care toothpaste can do the following: Protects against sensitive teeth Protects against tooth decay Removes plaque Helps maintain healthy gums 24/7 Sensitivity…
Jack
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Does Milk Protect or Harm Your Teeth?

In the book Kiss Your Dentist Goodbye, Ellie Phillips DDS recommends ending each meal with a "tooth healthy" food such as milk or cheese which neutralizes acid loving bacteria that contribute to tooth decay. Most parents believe that milk is vital…
S.O.S
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Is "tongue on roof of mouth" the correct tongue posture?

There is a movement / theory paddled by Dr. Mew, that heavily revolves around tongue posture (among other things). The claim is that the tongue should rest in a suction hold on the roof of the mouth. This is supposed to provide a multitude of…
user1721135
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