#Oralhygiene

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.

In a sweeping new directive, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced plans to remove ingestible fluoride supplements for children from the market, raising concerns and debate among dental health professionals, policymakers, and parents worldwide. The move is driven by new scrutiny over the potential impact of systemic fluoride on children’s gut health and overall development, but it contradicts decades of dental best practices and global recommendations for caries prevention. As Thailand continues to battle high rates of childhood dental decay, this decision has important implications for local public health strategies.

A major policy shift in the United States could reshape how Thailand approaches child dental health. The FDA announced plans to remove prescription fluoride tablets and drops for children in non-fluoridated areas, citing new questions about systemic fluoride’s effects on gut health and development. The move has sparked debate among dental professionals, policymakers, and parents worldwide. In Thailand, where childhood tooth decay remains a pressing issue, the development carries important public health implications.