We received a fun update in the mail recently from our friend Deborah Deaton, with the Virginia Hospital Center Medical Brigade! Thank you for helping us share smiles across the globe.

Thank you to all of our wonderful friends and dental family for their warm thoughts during the holiday season.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is seen in 23 percent of the population, with half of these people suffering with a recurrence of RAS within three months. The Greek term “aphthai,” credited to Hippocrates, was first used to describe oral disorders. RAS is idiopathic in nature, with local trauma and stress being the most likely precipitating factors.

Targeted swallowing exercise may help alleviate swallowing dysfunction resulting from chemo-radiation therapy (CRT), according to a study published in the April issue of Archives of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery.

Oral bacterial biofilm contains an estimated 700 species including oral as well as respiratory pathogens.

Oral probiotics in the form of mints or chewing gums introduce healthy bacteria to the oral cavity. The goal is to change the balance of the oral flora to one of health.

For centuries, green tea has been consumed in Asia with the belief it yields significant health benefits.

More than 110 years later, researchers continue to discover new uses for Aspirin.

Something to think about when drinking your ‘energy’ drinks.