Dental Visit Was “Turning Point” For Runner With Eating Disorder

In an article in The Guardian (UK) (1/8), marathon runner Tom Fairbrother described how he developed and recovered from an eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, stating the “turning point” was when he went to the dentist to seek care for a toothache. Fairbrother said the dentist “asked if I was making myself sick, because my front teeth had been eroded by 75% due to the stomach acid from vomiting.” Fairbrother said, “It was the first time I had ever been asked directly, and I had no choice but to confess to him,” adding, “He informed me that if this behaviour continued, within six months I would lose my front teeth entirely.” The ADA provides additional information on eating disorders and oral health at MouthHealthy.org.

JADA Looks At Effectiveness Of Fluoride Varnish Treatment For Carious Lesions

The ADA News (1/29, Manchir) reported that “fluoride varnish may be an effective treatment for the reversal of incipient carious lesions in primary and permanent dentition, according to research in the February 2016 Journal of the American Dental Association.” After conducting a “systematic review and meta-analysis,” the researchers “found a significant trend of effectiveness of fluoride varnish on the reversal of the lesions,” although “further clinical trials concerning efficacy of topical fluorides for treating those lesions are still required, mainly regarding fluoride gel, researchers noted.” Lead author Tathiane Larissa Lenzi, PhD, said, “There is no clear evidence supporting the additional benefit of fluoride gel on reversal of active enamel caries lesions subjected to weekly supervised tooth brushing. However, there is an association between the number of inactive enamel lesions and the number of gel applications.” The full article is available online.

Inventor Creates Caffeinated Toothpaste

Business Insider (1/19, Price) states in continuing coverage that Dan Meropol invented Power Toothpaste, a caffeinated toothpaste that provides about “80mg of caffeine per brushing.” The toothpaste is “launching on Indiegogo on Tuesday, starting at $12 per tube.”

Some Groups Propose Expanding Medicare To Include Dental Coverage

Health Affairs (1/21, Pope) states that the majority of Medicare Advantage plans include preventive dental care, whereas standard Medicare coverage excludes “routine dental care.” According to the article, “As only 21 percent of Medicare beneficiaries purchase standalone dental insurance, while coverage for the 14 percent also eligible for Medicaid is threadbare to non-existent in most states, the majority of seniors lack dental coverage.” Given this, some groups have called for expanding “Medicare to include dental coverage, with Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders introducing legislation to cover dental care under Medicare Part B.”

        Meanwhile, Steve Chapman of the Chicago Tribune (1/20) discussed Sanders’ proposed “Medicare for All” plan, that would cover “‘the entire continuum of care,’ including long-term care and dentistry.”

Study: Children With High Risk Of Cavities Not Receiving Needed Preventive Dental Care

PRNewswire (12/29) hosts a Delta Dental Plans Association release announcing that its “study of more than 97 million dental claims...found two-thirds of children who are at higher risk of developing cavities aren’t getting recommended preventive dental care.” The study determined 27 percent of children are at higher risk of developing cavities based on their history of recent fillings. Of those children, the study found that “65% did not receive two fluoride treatments per year,” “68% of 6- to 9-year-olds didn’t receive sealants on their first permanent molars,” and “85% of those ages 10 to 14 didn’t receive sealants on their second permanent molars.” According to the release, the ADA “recommends children at higher risk of tooth decay receive two fluoride treatments a year as well as sealants on their first and second permanent molars.” The ADA provides fluoridation FAQs online.

American College Of Prosthodontists Releases Guidelines For Patients With Dental Restorations

Globe Newswire (12/29) hosts a release from the American College of Prosthodontists, which announced it has published new clinical practice guidelines suggesting “patients with dental restorations supported by natural teeth such as crowns, bridges and veneers, or supported by implants can keep their teeth healthy using a lifelong recall and maintenance approach.” Carl F. Driscoll, DMD, FACP, the President of the American College of Prosthodontists, said, “The take home message from the systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines is that implant supported restorations require ongoing at-home maintenance and regular recalls for an enduring result.”

Dental Visit Was “Turning Point” For Runner With Eating Disorder

In an article in The Guardian (UK) (1/8), marathon runner Tom Fairbrother described how he developed and recovered from an eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, stating the “turning point” was when he went to the dentist to seek care for a toothache. Fairbrother said the dentist “asked if I was making myself sick, because my front teeth had been eroded by 75% due to the stomach acid from vomiting.” Fairbrother said, “It was the first time I had ever been asked directly, and I had no choice but to confess to him,” adding, “He informed me that if this behaviour continued, within six months I would lose my front teeth entirely.” The ADA provides additional information on eating disorders and oral health at MouthHealthy.org.