Dental Caries

4 articles published between August 5, 2026 and September 1, 2026.

Covered in Body, Science and Living Well.

EXPLAINER

Amalgam fillings fail less often than composite. FDA's caution is about specific groups.

Cochrane found composite resin restorations had almost double the failure rate in children's permanent teeth. The FDA does not recommend removing intact amalgam fillings from anyone.

5 min read

ANALYSIS

Modern fluoridation studies show a benefit of about a quarter of a tooth

Cochrane's 2024 review found low-certainty evidence of a small effect since fluoride toothpaste became widespread. The IQ meta-analysis that reopened the argument reported a null below 1.5 mg/L in one key analysis.

6 min read

EXPLAINER

No fluoride-free toothpaste category has evidence comparable to fluoride for cavities

Oil pulling and miswak have real short-term data on plaque and gum inflammation. Charcoal dentifrices have almost none, and a third of the products reviewed contained bentonite clay.

4 min read

WHAT THE STUDY ACTUALLY SAYS

No trial has tested whether flossing prevents cavities. Cochrane says so twice.

Two Cochrane reviews found low- to very low-certainty evidence that floss slightly reduces gum inflammation. Neither found a single trial measuring interproximal decay, the thing flossing is sold to prevent.

4 min read

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