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Penn in the News
A round-up of Penn mentions in local, national, and international media.
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Penn In the News
Penn finds a surprising benefit to wisdom tooth surgery: better taste
Research by Richard Doty of the Perelman School of Medicine and Dane Kim, a student in the School of Dental Medicine, found that people who have had wisdom teeth removed had a slightly stronger sense of taste over time. Earlier studies have focused on the temporary loss of taste associated with the procedure.
Penn In the News
A dental student on TikTok says she knows if someone is pregnant by looking in their mouth—is this possible?
Mark Wolff, dean of the School of Dental Medicine, said it’s “an overstatement” to say doctors can tell if someone is pregnant by examining their gums, as purported in a viral TikTok video. However, he said, even those “that take really good care of their mouth” can develop sudden gingivitis during pregnancy.
Penn In the News
The weirdest sign of COVID-19 fatigue? More Americans are grinding their teeth
Thomas Sollecito of the School of Dental Medicine spoke about the increase in patients experiencing pain from grinding or clenching their teeth. He recommended meditation and physical exercise to reduce stress but encouraged patients with persistent pain and tension to call their dentists.
Penn In the News
Stress from COVID-19 has led to a surge in teeth grinding, dentists say
Thomas Sollecito of the School of Dental Medicine commented on teeth grinding during the pandemic. “The stress and distress of the world’s events will affect things like sleep and someone’s clenching and grinding,” he said. “If we’re constantly under that duress, the frequency and intensity of clenching and grinding is just going to continue.”
Penn In the News
The 11 best at-home teeth-whitening kits, according to dentists
Dean Mark S. Wolff of the School of Dental Medicine offered advice to those looking to whiten their teeth using at-home kits.
Penn In the News
What’s up with my bad mask breath?
Mark S. Wolff of the School of Dental medicine explained why mask-wearers are suddenly smelling of their own bad breath. “The mask doesn’t make us have bad breath,” he said. “It makes us more conscious that we have bad breath.”
Penn In the News
Coronavirus myth: Mouthwash can reduce the spread
Dean Mark S. Wolff of the School of Dental Medicine debunked the idea that mouthwash can prevent the transmission of the coronavirus. “The virus doesn’t just sit inside the mouth, so [that] if we swish it will be dead,” he said. “A chemical in the mouth is not getting into the nasal cavity or the lungs.”
Penn In the News
Dental school grads find it hard to beat back student debt
Dean Mark Wolff of the School of Dental Medicine said dental school tuition has increased because dentistry, in general, has gotten more expensive. “You used to get the X-rays in your mouth taken with film, put inside your mouth. Today, we put sensors inside the mouth, capture it directly into the computer,” he said. “Film used to cost a few dollars a pack. That sensor is a $7,000 sensor.”
Penn In the News
New program aims to expand oral health care for those with disabilities
Dean Mark Wolff of the School of Dental Medicine spoke about the school’s efforts to better equip providers to care for patients with disabilities.
Penn In the News
Kids are using too much toothpaste and it’s actually a problem
Commenting on the risks of children consuming too much fluoride toothpaste, Dean Mark Wolff of the School of Dental Medicine said the hazard “is not about using too much toothpaste once or twice” but for years.