Today's Dental News

A recent study indicates that a smile may have a lot to do with success.

A group of researchers from the University of Seville in Spain concluded that many of the 100 most influential people in the world—determined by Time Magazine’s rankings—had similar facial features. The researchers examined the facial features of the most influential people from 2006 through 2011.

Many of these influential people possessed similar physical features even though there were various occupations, genders, or ethnicities analyzed. Certain standards tended to impact the expressions on their faces.

Read more: Smiles May be Secret to Success

Mouth rinsing, in unison with brushing, has a greater chance to reduce plaque and gingivitis than simply just brushing.

The information appears in the January/February 2013 issue of General Dentistry.

The logic is simple when analyzing the makeup of the mouth. Mouthrinses can get to every part of the mouth whereas brushing can only access the teeth, which comprises about a quarter of the mouth. Bacteria have the ability to survive despite brushing and flossing.

The study concluded that utilizing germ-killing mouthrinse two times per day could lower the onset of plaque and gingivitis when used as a supplement to brushing.

Read more: Mouthrinse May be More Effective Than Brushing

Researchers recently learned a great deal of information about oral health from DNA preserved in calcified teeth bacteria.

It was learned that negative changes regarding oral bacteria developed after humans became farmers. The Industrial Revolution led to even worse oral health based on the manufactured food that was created.

The information, which was compiled by the University of Adelaide’s Center for Ancient DNA, appeared in the February 17 issue of Nature Genetics. The Department of Archeology at the University of Aberdeen and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge (United Kingdom) also participated in the study.

Read more: Ancient Teeth Bacteria Display Evolution of Disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration may soon make major changes to sugar consumption.

The FDA, after being urged by the Center for Science and Public Interest, is going to explore creating a new sugar level for products, meaning a number in which added sugar can’t exceed in a given product. The goal is to boost oral health, in addition to combat diabetes and heart disease, among other health issues.

The CSPI filed a 54-page petition with the FDA. The petition goes in depth about the overwhelming evidence that added sugars cause major health problems.

The average 20-oz bottle of soda possesses 16 teaspoons of sugar from high-fructose corn syrup. The American Heart Association only recommends consuming half of that amount throughout the entire day. No person should consume more than 9 teaspoons of sugar each day, according to the AHA.

The CSPI and researchers involved with this data agree that diet soda is healthier than regular soda despite some studies that say otherwise.

Sugary drinks comprise the largest source of calories in the American diet, according to some studies. The average American consumes between 18 and 23 teaspoons each day.

The CSPI is also requesting other industries lower the amount of sugar in various other consumable products.