Benzocaine OK for toothaches? And, 5 natural anticariogenic agents

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Benzocaine has long been used to treat a variety of oral pain, with the exception of toothaches because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says there isn't enough published evidence establishing its efficacy for this application.

A team of U.S. researchers is hoping to change this with the results of a study published in the latest Journal of the American Dental Association. Click here to read their findings, including how much benzocaine gel was most effective in providing temporary relief of toothache pain.

In other dental news, anticariogenic agents are used to complement oral cleanings by targeting and interfering with biofilm formation. Click here to read about five such agents that can be found in nature -- even in some common, everyday foods -- and when we might see them in commercial products.

Finally, in her latest Sheri's Solutions column, Dr. Sheri Doniger shares some tips for how to utilize Craigslist to your advantage when looking for new employees. Read more.