cavities news stories on Newser

Cavities Are Contagious

Matt Cantor — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:53:00 CDT

Candy and cookies aren’t the only cavity culprits: tooth decay can actually be contagious, scientists have found. That’s because cavities result from bacteria hanging around in your mouth—and these germs can be passed from person to person, the New York Times reports. It’s a noted problem in young children;...

Bottled Water: Bad News for Your Teeth?

Evann Gastaldo — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:01:22 CST

As if bottled water didn’t have a bad enough rap already , it turns out it can also contribute to tooth decay. Many dentists and pediatricians are concerned that children who only drink bottled water may experience more cavities, thanks to the fact that most bottled water does not contain the...

Coming Soon: Cavity Fills Without Drills

Evann Gastaldo — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 11:00:00 CDT

If the thought of the dentist’s drill has you squirming in your chair, some good news: Soon, the dreaded instrument may no longer be needed to fill certain cavities. Dentists are experimenting with a new treatment called Icon, which can stop the progress of cavities that are not too advanced....

Sweet! 'Lolly Lover' Kid Wins Dream Job as Candy Taster

Mary Papenfuss — Fri, 15 May 2009 02:24:41 CDT

A lollipop-obsessed boy has won a dream job right out of a Willy Wonka fantasy: he's going to become a British candy company's taster for a year, reports the Telegraph . "I'm sure the next year is going to be a real adventure," said 12-year-old Harry Willsher, who'll be chomping on...

US Faces Tooth Decay Crisis

Peter Fearon — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 08:02:33 CDT

American dentists are getting richer—but teeth are getting worse. A half century of improvement in dental health is being thrown into reverse because 100 million Americans have no dental insurance and can't afford care, reports the New York Times . It's far more than a cosmetic issue. Two children died...

6 Ways to Avoid Yellow Teeth

Sophie Goldstein — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:31:22 CDT

Nothing ruins a smile more then a set of filmy yellow teeth. Newsweek says you can keep your set sparkling by avoiding these habits: Constant coffee or tea sipping—stains teeth. Frequent snacking on sweets—increases the decay-causing bacteria in your mouth. Not drinking water after a meal—water washes...