Oral health

Vaping renders immune cells unable to move to meet threats, say researchers

Inhaling vapour from an e-cigarette may be stopping frontline immune cells from working typically. A study shows that even moderate smoke exposure suppresses cell activity. 

Two-thirds of year 10 pupils who vape daily show signs of nicotine dependency

Evidence collected by Public Health Wales has shown dependence on vapes among secondary school pupils is having a detrimental impact on students' ability to learn. Some are even leaving lessons to...

At-home test designed to detect gum disease

Engineers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have developed a new device that can warn consumers about early risks of tooth decay from diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.

Researchers identify a protein which drives oral cancer pain and growth

An essential protein that acts as a gatekeeper for calcium entering cells promotes the growth of oral cancer and generates pain, according to a new study published in Science Signaling led by...

Vaping threatens oral health as much as smoking, warns federation

For years, it has been known that smoking can contribute to serious damage on gum and oral health, with smokers having more gum diseases, more tooth loss, and increased levels of oral cancer. It has...

Daily queues for NHS dentistry are at risk of ‘becoming the new normal’, says association

The British Dental Association (BDA) has urged the government to step up as Leigh, a town in Greater Manchester, joined the growing list of communities where struggling patients have queued from the...

Dental checks for fishing communities in Cornwall and Devon

Between September 14 and December 14, 2023, fishermen and their dependent family members can access free dental checks, emergency treatment and oral cancer screening from a mobile dental unit in eight...

Boys who smoke in their early teens risk passing on harmful genetic traits to future children

A new study suggests boys who smoke in their early teens risk damaging the genes of their future children, increasing their chances of developing asthma, obesity and low lung function.

E-cigarette manufacturers use targeted marketing to lure in young adults, says researcher

Research led by Minji Kim, assistant professor of health promotion, education, and behaviour at the University of South Carolina, has found that marketing strategies used by e-cigarette manufacturers...

Researchers urge governments to raise the legal age to purchase cigarettes to 22 years or higher

A study presented at the ESC Congress 2023 suggests that smokers who start below age 20 become more addicted and find it difficult to quit.

Annual NHS dental statistics for England report released

New figures published on August 24, 2023, in the annual report on ‘NHS Dental Statistics for England’ in 2022-23, show that the number of patients being seen by NHS dentists remains below pre-pandemic...

Charity calls for the NHS to provide free dental repairs for seizure damage

Data from the Epilepsy Society shows that half of people who have suffered dental injuries during a seizure have not had them repaired because they can’t afford the treatment. Sixty-nine per cent had...