News - March 2026

Natural zinc concentration in dentine mapped across entire teeth

Researchers in Germany have mapped how the element zinc is distributed throughout teeth in unprecedented detail. The findings could help clinicians better understand how zinc-containing dental materials interact with natural tooth tissue.

Dentine density and tubule porosity vary markedly across the tooth, especially towards the pulp, and although zinc was already known to increase in this direction, it had not been systematically quantified across entire intact teeth or directly related to these structural gradients.

To investigate how chemistry relates to dentine structure and establish a baseline for comparison in future studies of disease and restorative treatment, the researchers combined micro-CT with quantitative micro-X-ray fluorescence imaging and used healthy, intact teeth. The CT scans provided a 3D map of dentine density and dentinal tubule distribution, while the fluorescence technique measured the concentration of elements such as calcium, phosphorus and zinc throughout the tooth.

The results showed that calcium and phosphorus were distributed relatively uniformly across the tissue. Zinc, however, followed a striking gradient. Its concentration increased fivefold to tenfold from the denser outer regions of dentine towards the pulp. The finding that zinc concentration rose as dentine density decreased suggests that the element is localised in or around the dentinal tubules.

The findings could thus have implications for clinical dentistry. Since zinc is widely used in dental materials, understanding the natural distribution of zinc in dentine may help researchers evaluate how such materials interact with tooth tissue and whether they influence enzymatic processes involved in dentine degradation, with possible implications for bond durability.

From: https://www.dental-tribune.com/news/natural-zinc-concentration-in-dentine-mapped-across-entire-teeth/.

Fixing a tooth infection may improve blood sugar and heart health

New research suggests that treating certain dental infections could help lower inflammation associated with heart disease, while also improving blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Researchers at King’s College London conducted a clinical study examining changes in blood chemistry after patients received root canal treatment for a common dental infection (apical periodontitis). This infection can allow bacteria from the tooth to enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammation. Increased inflammation has been linked to higher risks of heart problems and difficulties controlling blood sugar. Although scientists have long suspected that oral infections can affect overall health, the potential benefits of successfully treating these infections had not been closely examined until now.

The researchers found several encouraging changes in patients after successful root canal treatment: improved glucose metabolism; better lipid profiles; reduced inflammation; and, bacteria originating from infected teeth appeared to influence the body’s overall metabolic processes.

The study monitored 65 patients receiving care at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Researchers followed participants for two years after their root canal procedures. During that time, scientists analysed molecules circulating in the patients’ blood to better understand how the body processes sugar, fats, and other important substances. These analyses also revealed how the body responds to infection and treatment.

Lead author Dr Sadia Niazi said: “Our findings show that root canal treatment doesn’t just improve oral health – it may also help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. It’s a powerful reminder that oral health is deeply connected to overall health”.

The study is published in the Journal of Translational Medicine.

From: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260315225156.htm.

This common tomato nutrient may help prevent severe gum disease

A recent study suggests that older Americans who do not get enough lycopene in their diet face a much higher risk of developing severe periodontitis. The analysis focused on US adults aged 65 to 79, and found that risk levels varied by both race and sex. The findings were published in The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging. The research was led by Katherine Kwong from the Department of Human Development at Connecticut College.

Researchers examined health and nutrition data from 1,227 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-2014). Nearly half of the older adults included in the study, about 48.7%, showed signs of periodontitis. At the same time, more than three-quarters, or 77.9%, were not consuming enough lycopene. Lycopene is a carotenoid found mainly in tomatoes and other red fruits.

After accounting for factors such as age, sex, race, smoking habits and education level, the researchers found a strong association between lycopene intake and gum health. Older adults who met recommended lycopene intake levels had roughly one-third of the odds of severe periodontitis compared with those whose intake was insufficient. The study also identified clear disparities. Severe periodontitis appeared more frequently in men and in non-Hispanic Black adults than in other groups.

According to the authors, the results suggest that dietary lycopene could be an important factor that can be changed to help prevent severe gum disease in older adults. However, they caution that the study design was cross-sectional, meaning it cannot prove that low lycopene intake directly causes gum disease.

From: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260208233841.htm.