BLOG: Researchers Receive Grants To Examine How Smoking Affects Oral Health

The University of the Pacific (CA) (8/7) stated that “two research projects at University of the Pacific’s Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco received state grants to learn more about the potential effects of smoking on oral health.” The article reported that a two-year, Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP) grant will help fund research […]
BLOG: Science Says Fluoride in Water is Good, Yet Practice Still Sparks Some Debate

NBC News (10/17, Chuck) reports on its website that “a small but vocal minority — are disputing long-established science to say that fluoride added to tap water lowers IQ and causes everything from acne to anemia to Alzheimer’s.” According to the story, “The frets over fluoride are reminiscent of the unfounded fear that vaccines cause […]
BLOG: Vaping Interferes With Wound Healing, Study Indicates

The Daily Mail (UK) (10/18) reported that vaping interferes with wound healing, according to research published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery by Boston University researchers. Corresponding author Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel, who is chief of facial plastic surgery at Boston Medical Center, said, “Based on our findings, e-cigarettes are not a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes […]
BLOG: FDA Launches Ad Campaign Against Youth Vaping “Epidemic.”

USA Today (9/18, O’Donnell) reports the FDA is launching a public service campaign targeting teen vaping. The FDA plans to place ads in 10,000 school restrooms and on websites. The campaign follows FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb’s announcement last week that teen e-cigarette use is an “epidemic.” Gottlieb said that the restroom ads are being placed […]
Blog: Black “Hair” On Tongue May Stem From Medications, Smoking, More.

CNN (9/5, Nedelman) discusses a condition known as black hairy tongue, stating that “despite the name, black hairy tongue isn’t hair at all.” CNN says that it actually “refers to tiny nubbins on the tongue, called papillae, that have grown longer” and are “thought to trap microscopic food particles, giving bacteria and other microbes a […]