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.

Postmenopausal Women With Periodontal Disease May Have Higher Risk Of Developing Breast Cancer

Psych Central (1/1, Pedersen) reported in continuing coverage that a new study by the American Association for Cancer Research finds that postmenopausal women who have periodontal disease may have a higher risk for developing breast cancer. According to the article, the researchers monitored nearly 74,000 postmenopausal women, finding that “the risk of breast cancer was 14 percent higher in those with periodontal disease.” In addition, “of all the women who had quit smoking within the past 20 years, those with periodontal disease had a 36 percent higher risk of breast cancer,” while “women who were smoking at the time of this study had a 32 percent higher risk if they had periodontal disease, but the association was not statistically significant.”

Dental Care Advised Before, During, And After Cancer Treatment

The About (12/29) website states that “mouth complications...can and do occur in more than one-third of those being treated for breast cancer,” adding that untreated dental problems may impact treatment. Given this, the article recommends seeing “your dentist as soon as you know you will be having chemotherapy,” adding, “Consider your dentist a part of your care team as you will be seeing him or her during treatment, as needed, and after treatment is completed.”

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. Additional information on fluoride is available on MouthHealthy.org.