#OralHealth

Harmful microbes living in the mouth could triple the risk of pancreatic cancer, according to a new international study that follows people over nearly a decade and maps their oral bacteria and fungi to cancer outcomes. The researchers found that certain bacteria and a yeast species commonly present in gum disease may travel from the mouth to the pancreas via saliva, potentially influencing cancer development. While the findings stop short of proving a direct cause-and-effect relationship, they mark a pivotal shift in how scientists understand the links between oral health and one of the deadliest cancers. For Thai families, where oral hygiene is closely tied to daily routines and family well-being, the implications are both practical and urgent: protecting your teeth and gums could become part of a broader strategy to reduce cancer risk.

A sweeping analysis of oral microbes in more than 120,000 adults has found that hundreds of bacteria and fungi living in the mouth may be linked to the risk of pancreatic cancer. Researchers developed a microbial risk score that combines 27 oral microbes, and every standard deviation increase in this score was associated with a 3.44-fold higher risk of pancreatic cancer. The finding, published in a leading medical journal, signals a potential new pathway for risk stratification in the general population, offering a noninvasive way to identify individuals who might benefit from closer surveillance given the dire challenge of early pancreatic cancer detection.

A new study in Scientific Reports suggests that regular exercise combined with omega-3 supplementation can reduce the severity of chronic tooth root infections. Conducted by researchers from São Paulo State University in Brazil, the work points to non-invasive ways to protect oral health and prevent tooth loss. The findings resonate with Thai communities seeking accessible preventive care and lifestyle approaches to dental well-being.

Chronic apical periodontitis (AP) is a hidden inflammation around the tip of a tooth’s root. Often undetected because symptoms are subtle, AP can result from tooth decay, injury, or previous dental treatment. If left unchecked, it can cause jawbone deterioration and eventual tooth loss. In Thailand, disparities in access to dental care and prevention awareness persist in both urban and rural areas, contributing to untreated dental infections.

A recent study published in Scientific Reports offers new hope for those suffering from chronic tooth root infections, revealing that a combination of regular physical exercise and omega-3 supplementation can significantly lessen the severity of this often hidden dental condition. The research, conducted by a team from São Paulo State University (UNESP) in Brazil, may pave the way for non-invasive strategies to help protect oral health and prevent tooth loss—a message of particular relevance to Thai readers navigating high rates of dental problems and seeking accessible preventive care solutions (New Atlas).

A new wave of candid warnings from doctors and scientists is drawing public attention to seemingly ordinary habits that are quietly robbing people of their health—often before symptoms appear. From untreated snoring to skipping daily flossing, these experts highlight how such behaviors can have dire long-term consequences, especially for Thais navigating both traditional and modern health risks. The latest insights echo global concerns, emphasizing that lifestyle choices in Thailand, as elsewhere, are critical determinants of future well-being—and that many dangers are hidden in plain sight.

Doctors and researchers warn that ordinary habits may quietly harm health long before symptoms appear. From snoring to skipping daily flossing, these behaviors can have serious consequences. For Thais balancing tradition with modern lifestyles, the message is clear: small daily choices shape long-term well-being.

Thailand faces a high burden of non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. Data from Thailand’s public health programs show these conditions account for a large share of deaths. Medical professionals say risks lie not only in tobacco and alcohol but also in everyday actions at home, at work, and at school. The concern is echoed by recent public discussions and studies that highlight how harmless habits at first can lead to bigger problems later.

A new wave of dental research is exposing the hidden dangers behind some of the most widely endorsed health habits—casting a spotlight on dietary and lifestyle choices that may be undermining oral health despite their “wellness” reputations. Recent guidance from a leading holistic dentist, shared in a widely discussed interview with DailyMail.com, cautions that certain routines—ranging from sipping lemon water to blending green smoothies—could leave Thai readers and global wellness enthusiasts facing an unexpected risk: damage to teeth enamel and a heightened threat of cavities (Daily Mail).

A wave of dental research is challenging some widely trusted wellness practices. In a discussion highlighted by Daily Mail coverage, a holistic dentist warns that routines like lemon water, green smoothies, and dried fruits can quietly threaten enamel and raise cavity risk. For Thai readers, this prompts a closer look at how popular health trends may impact oral health alongside everyday diets.

In Thailand, healthy eating and wellness culture have surged alongside urban lifestyles and global trends. Yet new findings suggest that not everything labeled wellness is safe for teeth. An unnamed dentist, following Thai journalistic standards, notes that many well-intentioned habits can erode dental integrity. Frequent sipping of acidic beverages, persistent snacking on dried fruits, consumption of sports or energy drinks, and the popularity of starch-heavy snacks for children emerge as notable concerns. Even behaviors like nail biting or inadequate sleep carry implications for oral health.

In a striking new development, recent Iranian research has suggested that depression and anxiety may be “contagious” between romantic partners—not simply due to shared circumstances, but through the exchange of mouth bacteria during intimate interactions such as kissing. The study, published in the journal Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine and widely reported by StudyFinds, offers a fresh biological perspective on why couples often mirror each other’s moods and mental health (studyfinds.org).

A provocative study from Iran suggests that depression and anxiety may spread between romantic partners beyond shared circumstances. The research points to the exchange of mouth bacteria during intimate moments like kissing as a potential pathway. The findings, published in Exploratory Research and Hypothesis in Medicine, have sparking discussions about how mood can be influenced within intimate relationships.

Why this matters for Thai readers: Mental health is a growing priority in Thailand, with rising rates of depression across age groups. Understanding how relationships and daily habits impact well-being could inform more holistic approaches to care. Thai families often share close daily routines and meals, making the concept of mutual influence particularly relevant.

In the shade of Thailand’s grand temples and quiet family gardens, the sweet-scented flowers of the Pikun tree (Mimusops elengi) have brightened landscapes for centuries. Known as the “Spanish cherry” or “Bullet wood,” it is valued in Thai traditional medicine and admired for beauty. Today, modern research is turning this ornamental plant into a living pharmacy, inviting a thoughtful dialogue between heritage and science. For health, culture, and travel interests, Pikun offers a compelling glimpse into how nature, culture, and evidence-based practice intersect in Thailand.

In the fragrant shadow of Thailand’s grandest temples and the quiet corners of family gardens, the sweetly scented flowers of the Pikun tree (Mimusops elengi) have bloomed for centuries. Revered in Thai traditional medicine and cherished for its beauty, the “Spanish cherry” or “Bullet wood” is more than an ornamental plant—it is a living pharmacy whose age-old uses are now drawing the interest of modern science. As the world looks increasingly toward natural remedies, Pikun stands at the crossroads of tradition and research, offering lessons in healing, culture, and caution.

Streblus asper, known locally as Khoi, has long been a steadfast companion in Thai homes and communities. Revered in traditional healing, embedded in folklore, and tied to early Siamese literacy, the tree is more than a plant — it is a cultural symbol. Today, researchers are reexamining Khoi to understand its real potential in modern health while honoring its heritage.

In Isan and other rural regions, Khoi twigs were once chewed as a daily dental care practice. Murals in Ayutthaya even depict children using Khoi bark, illustrating its enduring place in daily life and ritual. The wood’s bitter aroma and distinctive texture have made it a go-to for personal care for generations. But what does current science say about Khoi’s safety and effectiveness?

In the world of Thai traditional medicine, few remedies conjure as much intrigue as “khon dok” (ขอนดอก), a unique crude drug derived not from the foliage or flowers of a plant, but from the fungus-infused heartwood of ancient trees, specifically the sacred “pikul” (Mimusops elengi) and “tabak” (Lagerstroemia calyculata). Revered for centuries across the region, khon dok resonates as an intersection of deep-rooted animist tradition, classical Thai and Ayurvedic healing, and emerging biomedical research. Today, as both practitioners and scientists re-examine humble old formulas in the quest for greener, more localized therapeutics, the story of khon dok stands as a compelling model of how ancient wisdom and modern science can harmonize.

Khon dok is a remarkable Thai traditional remedy drawn from fungus-infused heartwood, not leaves or flowers. It comes from pikul or tabak trees and is used in many communities to support digestion, heart health, and as a general tonic. Today, researchers are re-examining this ancient formula as interest in local, sustainable medicines grows.

Thai herbalists across the central, northern, and northeastern regions have long valued khon dok for its purported astringent, cooling, and anti-inflammatory properties. In the era of antibiotic resistance and concerns about side effects from synthetic drugs, scientists are revisiting khon dok to understand what makes the wood-fungus complex potentially beneficial.

For centuries, the sturdy branches of ข่อย (Khoi)—scientifically known as Streblus asper—have woven through the everyday lives and healing traditions of Thailand and its Asian neighbors. Revered in traditional medicine, immortalized in local folklore, and even etched into the chronicles of early Siamese literacy, this unassuming “toothbrush tree” continues to captivate the attention of healers and scientists alike. Today, the resurgence of interest in natural health remedies repositions Khoi not just as an artifact of folk heritage, but as a candidate for contemporary herbal medicine, demanding a closer look at the science behind its storied reputation.