Oral Health Implications of Risky Behaviors in Adolescence.

Adolescence is a time for new discoveries, which may lead teens to engage in impulsive behaviors. Although social media and the Internet have brought great benefits to the world, they can also have a negative influence on adolescents, facilitating their engagement in risky behaviors. Positive parenting and healthy friendships in adolescence have a protective effect against sensation-seeking behaviors. Dental practitioners also have a significant role in steering young patients toward healthy behaviors. They play an essential role in the early recognition, initiation of appropriate interventions, and referrals for treatment of youth at risk.

Molar-incisor malformation: Eight new cases and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Molar-incisor malformation (MIM) is a recently described dental abnormality. While MIM mimics dentin dysplasia, it presents in a localized pattern. Furthermore, it is speculated that MIM is caused by significant early-life medical history. AIM: The purpose of this study is to present a series of MIM cases and compare the findings with the literature. DESIGN: An extensive search of all published cases of MIM in the English-language literature was conducted. Additionally, an institutional review board-approved retrospective search was performed within the University of Florida oral pathology biopsy service archives. Radiographic consultation cases were also included. Cases lacking radiographs were excluded. RESULTS: Seventy-nine cases were identified in the literature, and eight cases were identified in our retrospective search. All but one case involved the permanent first molars. The average age at diagnosis was 9 years. Many patients reported significant early-life medical histories. CONCLUSIONS: MIM usually affects the permanent first molars and may be linked to early-life medical conditions or interventions. Oral healthcare providers, especially paediatric dentists, should be aware of MIM to avoid misdiagnosing it as dentin dysplasia. Long-term follow-up studies with thorough medical history documentation are essential to understand the pathogenesis and aetiology and to create treatment guidelines.

Intrauterine infections: a literature review.

During gestation, many microorganisms can infect the fetus, causing severe birth defects. Such organisms and the resulting clinical syndromes have been categorized as TORCH infections, a useful acronym referring to Toxoplasma gondii, other microorganisms (like syphilis), rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpesviruses. Since dental patients typically report pregnancy or previous infections as part of their health history, and TORCH infections can manifest oral symptoms, the dentist is in a position to act as an educator and screener for these infections. This article reviews TORCH agents for dentists to help the clinician in educating pregnant patients about the risks these infections pose to the fetus. The authors also note oral symptoms related to these infections.