Consulting With A Dentist Advised For People With Sleep Apnea

WebMD (7/18, Helmer) encouraged people “struggling with snoring and sleeplessness” to contact their dentist, stating that these may be “signs of obstructive sleep apnea, and your oral health could be to blame.” Sleep apnea may occur when “the muscles in the back of the throat are flaccid, the tongue is too large, or the jaw is too small, causing airway obstructions.” A dentist in New York who specializes in sleep apnea, said, “A dentist is often the earliest diagnostician of sleep disorders.”

Chewing Sugar-Free Gum May Promote Oral Health, Reduce Dental Care Costs

Men’s Health stated chewing sugar-free gum is an inexpensive and “simple” method to help promote oral health and reduce dental costs. “Anything we can do to reduce the amount of acid and bacteria in your mouth will help prevent tooth decay,” said Dr. Matthew Messina, an ADA spokesperson, “and that means less dental work over time.” According to the article, chewing gum increases saliva production, which helps remove food and neutralizes acids that wear away at enamel. Dr. Messina notes that gum does not replace brushing and flossing, adding, “There’s no better way to take care of your teeth than the usual brushing, flossing, and occasional check in with your dentist.”

Using Silver Diamine Fluoride To Treat Kids’ Cavities

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) tooth desensitizer, a product called Advantage Arrest, is an alternative treatment for cavities in children and adults with root caries. According to the article, the product “can halt the progression of cavities and prevent them.” Many insurers do not cover SDF as a cavity treatment, according to the New York Times, but the treatment can be “relatively inexpensive” when compared to a traditional drilling procedure. New York University College of Dentistry professor Dr. Richard Niederman summarized the benefits of the treatment by saying, “Being able to paint it on in 30 seconds with no noise, no drilling, is better, faster, cheaper.”

Study: Artificial Sweeteners May Lead To Greater Calorie Consumption

Forbes reports that a new University of Sydney study published in Cell Metabolism found that fruit flies “ate 30% more calories when their food was artificially sweetened than when it was naturally sweetened.” A similar result was also found when the experiment was replicated with mice. Study author Greg Neely explained, “After chronic exposure to a diet that contained the artificial sweetener sucralose, we saw that animals began eating a lot more. Through systematic investigation of this effect, we found that inside the brain’s reward centers, sweet sensation is integrated with energy content. When sweetness versus energy is out of balance for a period of time, the brain recalibrates and increases total calories consumed.”

Patients Advised To Consult With A Dentist Prior To Any Tooth Whitening Regimen

The New York Observer discusses how to achieve and maintain white teeth. The article emphasizes preventive dental care and drinking plenty of water to maintain white teeth, noting that coffee, red wine, and tobacco products may stain teeth. The article states that “Not everyone is a good candidate for teeth whitening,” and also mentions that professional whitening is not effective on crowns and fillings. If a dentist does determine a person is a candidate for teeth whitening, the article encourages the patient to discuss what shade may be achieved from treatment.

        The University Herald reported that DIY teeth whitening methods “might have negative impacts.” Lemon juice in some DIY treatments, for example, may erode enamel “due to its acidic property.” The article adds that dental experts advise consulting with a dentist when considering teeth whitening.

        MouthHealthy.org provides additional information for patients on teeth whitening. ADA.org provides a Statement on the Safety and Effectiveness of Tooth Whitening Products. In addition, several whitening toothpastes and a whitening product have the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Study Finds Drinking Soda Can Shorten Lifespan

Uncommon Wisdom reports a recent study by the University of California at San Francisco has “found that habitual soda drinking may shorten your lifespan by an average of five years.” According to the study’s lead author, Elissa Epel, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry at UCSF, “Regular consumption of sugar-sweetened sodas might influence disease development, not only by straining the body’s metabolic control of sugars, but also through accelerated cellular aging of tissues.” The study was based on changes to people’s telemores, “the protective units of DNA that cap the ends of chromosomes in cells,” with results showing “telemores were shorter in the white blood cells of survey participants who reported drinking more soda.”

Some Medications May Cause Xerostomia

The Global Dispatch discussed xerostomia, describing how saliva helps promote oral health by flushing out bacteria and “helping to provide a healthy environment for beneficial bacteria.” Noting that dry mouth can result as a side effect from some medications, the article identified symptoms of decreased salivary production and provided treatment tips, such as chewing sugarless gum and using oral rinses.

Chewing Sugar-Free Gum May Contribute To Oral Health

In article titled, “This $1 Habit Could Save You Hundreds In Dental Bills,” Men’s Health stated chewing sugar-free gum is “a simple (and incredibly cheap!) trick” to help promote oral health and reduce dental costs. “Anything we can do to reduce the amount of acid and bacteria in your mouth will help prevent tooth decay,” said Dr. Matthew Messina, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. “And that means less dental work over time.” According to the article, chewing gum increases saliva production, which helps remove food and neutralizes acids that wear away at enamel. Dr. Messina recommends chewing sugar-free gum after eating for at least 20 minutes, adding that gum does not replace brushing and flossing. “There’s no better way to take care of your teeth than the usual brushing, flossing, and occasional check in with your dentist,” said Dr. Messina.

US Surgeon General Warning Opioid Abuse May Begin Following Wisdom Tooth Removal

NBC News (6/21) reports in an online video that US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is “sounding the alarm” about the nation’s epidemic of opioid abuse, warning that for “many teens, opioid abuse can begin with” the removal of wisdom teeth. A study published in JAMA found that following a tooth extraction, 61 percent of 14- to 17-year-olds received prescriptions for opioids. NBC News reports Dr. Paul Moore of the University of Pittsburgh is encouraging dentists to alter prescribing behavior.

        ADA.org provides resources and information on opioid abuse.

Analysis: Sugary Breakfasts Approximate Dessert

Vox food reporter Julia Belluz writes that American “breakfast is often nothing more than disguised dessert,” noting that common items like pancakes, muffins, granola, cereal, and yogurt are packed with sugar. For example, Belluz asserts that “companies like Yoplait and Chobani have built yogurt empires in America by saturating their products with sugar. Yoplait recently lowered the sugar in its classic 6-ounce strawberry yogurt from 26 grams to 18 grams (4.5 teaspoons), but that’s still more than the 15 grams you’ll get in a standard brownie.” For consumers looking for healthier breakfast alternatives, she recommends Siggi’s yogurt, which “has about 100 calories and 25 to 50 percent less sugar than mainstream brands,” and eggs.

Stem Cell Research Aims To Help Heal Damaged Teeth

In continuing coverage, CBS News reported on its website and during a broadcast that researchers from the University of Nottingham and Harvard University’s Wyss Institute are “developing a new treatment strategy that could someday help heal a damaged tooth using the patient’s own stem cells.” The process involves “stimulating native stem cells inside teeth, triggering repair and regeneration of pulp tissues.” While “still in its early stages,” if the strategy is successful, “a treatment like this could someday offer significant benefits for millions of dental patients each year,” CBS News added.

        Digital Trends reported the “groundbreaking dental treatment” involves “a filling-like material seeded with stem cells to promote properties that encourage the growth of inner tooth pulp and dentin, structural components of a tooth.”

        HowStuffWorks added the new synthetic biomaterial is “now in preclinical trials,” and then must go through clinical trials. Adam Celiz, a Marie Curie research fellow at the University of Nottingham, said, “It will be a few years before you probably see this material on the market.”

Scientists figured out how to regenerate teeth and eliminate root canals

Root canals are always fun, right? In reality, word that you need a root canal is some of the worst news most people get at the dentist. Whenever your dentist tells you that's the next procedure you're going have to go through, two things are clear beyond the pain you're about to endure: One, that your throbbing will finally soon go away, and the second is that the tooth that's getting the root canal is dead.

However, researchers have come up with a new kind of biomaterial that not only encourages the natural regeneration of teeth, but also might eliminate root canal procedures for good.

So how do we get root canals in the first place?

It all starts with a cavity that needs to be filled with either porcelain, a tooth-colored filling material, gold or other metal alloys. But as soon as that filling fails, the pain returns. That usually means the nerve and vascularization of the tooth are infected and need to be removed. Their place is taken by a special compound that is then cemented into the tooth. All that is done via a root canal procedure. The tooth is saved, but it's no longer served by nerve or blood vessels. And over time, the tooth might be lost because of that.

Researchers from the University of Harvard and Nottingham have come up with a biomaterial for fillings that is regenerative, according to Popular Science. The material stimulates the growth of stem cells in the pulp, which could prevent further tooth decay. Because fillings wouldn't fail as often, root canal procedures could be virtually unnecessary.

The team took home the second prize in the materials category during the Royal Society of Chemistry's Emerging Technologies competition. That said, we likely still have quite a long wait until this new synthetic biomaterial becomes widely available.

(Chris Smith reports in Fox News Technology)

Dental Decay Is Five Times More Common In Children Than Asthma, But Preventable

In an article for The Inquirer, Dr. Daniel Taylor, an associate professor at Drexel College of Medicine and a pediatrician with St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, discussed early childhood caries, writing that the condition is “five times more common” than asthma, yet preventable. Early childhood caries can cause a variety of problems, Dr. Taylor said, such as “pain, loss of teeth, infections in a child’s head and neck, cavities later in life, impaired growth and weight gain, missed school days, speech problems, and a poorer quality of life.” Dr. Taylor noted that the American Dental Association offers caries risk assessment forms to help evaluate a child’s risk of developing caries. Several risk factors for dental caries include not having a dental home, not having exposure to fluoride, and having a mother with recent caries.

We use the CAMBRA protocol to control and recalcify teeth that in the pass would have been "drilled and filled."

While Not Recommended, Nail Biting And Thumb Sucking Reduce Risk Of Developing Allergies, Study Finds

CBS News (7/11) reports on its website and during a broadcast that “children who bite their nails and suck their thumbs are about one-third less likely to develop certain allergies,” according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. “Cat, grass, house dust mite, and dog [allergies] – those were reduced, some significantly, some borderline,” said study author Malcolm Sears, a researcher for the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at McMaster University School of Medicine, in Ontario, Canada. “When they suck their thumbs or bite their nails they’re exposing themselves to additional microbes or dirt which is stimulating the immune system.” CBS News adds that the findings do not imply parents should encourage their kids to bite their nails or suck their thumb, noting “the American Dental Association advises that while thumb- or finger-sucking is a natural reflex in young children, intense sucking can cause problems with a child’s tooth alignment.”

Dental Decay Is Five Times More Common In Children Than Asthma, But Preventable

In an article for The Inquirer, Dr. Daniel Taylor, an associate professor at Drexel College of Medicine and a pediatrician with St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, discussed early childhood caries, writing that the condition is “five times more common” than asthma, yet preventable. Early childhood caries can cause a variety of problems, Dr. Taylor said, such as “pain, loss of teeth, infections in a child’s head and neck, cavities later in life, impaired growth and weight gain, missed school days, speech problems, and a poorer quality of life.” Dr. Taylor noted that the American Dental Association offers caries risk assessment forms to help evaluate a child’s risk of developing caries. Several risk factors for dental caries include not having a dental home, not having exposure to fluoride, and having a mother with recent caries.

We use the CAMBRA protocol to control and recalcify teeth that in the pass would have been "drilled and filled."

Washington Post Columnist Questions Benefit of Dental Benefit Plan

A Washington Post columnist wrote about his experience trying to select a dental benefit plan. After doing the math, he determined there didn’t seem to be much benefit to cost of the premium and deductible compared to simply paying for dental care out of pocket. The ADA has resources for consumers on finding and paying for dental care at MouthHealthy.org and also provides numerous resources for ADA members on third party payer issues at ADA.org/DentalPlans.

Team Uses 3D Printer To Restore Patient’s Face

The New York Observer reports in continuing coverage on its website and in an online video that a team from Indiana University has designed a new jaw for a 68-year-old Vietnam veteran who “lost the lower half of his face to tongue cancer.” The team “digitally designed a prosthesis” to complement the man’s face “perfectly.” According to the article, “Their process, dubbed the ‘IU Shirley Technique,’ is now being used to help other patients—representing the latest breakthrough in 3D printing prosthetics.”

Tooth Tip Tuesday: How Can I Get My Child to Brush Her Teeth?

Does your child run in the other direction every time you reach for the toothbrush? Get some tried-and-true tips for making brushing fun from a dentist who’s been in your shoes. Watch now! For more dental health Q&A to share with your patients, visit mouthhealthy.org/askanadadentist.

Mothers May Not Be The Only Source Of Tooth Decay-Causing S. Mutans Bacteria, Study Says

MedPage Today reported, “Mothers have long been identified as the source of the Streptococcus mutans bacteria that can cause tooth decay in their children,” research suggests. Now, “a longitudinal genetic analysis of S. mutans strains, conducted in a small Alabama town, suggested that there are many other sources, including other kids,” the study found. The findings were presented at the ASM Microbe 2016 meeting.

WebMD Considers “15 Myths And Facts” About Dental Caries

WebMD provides a list of “15 myths and facts,” about dental caries, featuring quotes from American Dental Association spokesperson Dr. Kimberly Harms throughout. For example, the list states that it is a myth that sugar is the only cause of dental caries. Dr. Kimberly Harms states, “The truth is, acid produced by bacteria in your mouth is the cause of cavities.” Another myth is that children have more dental caries than adults. As a result of fluoride in tap water, “we’ve actually cut decay in school-aged children by half in the last 20 years,” Dr. Harms says. On the flip side, more senior citizens are getting dental caries because of medication that reduces saliva, she says. WebMD also states that the following are myths: aspirin on a tooth will alleviate a toothache; all fillings will eventually need replacing; people will know if they have a cavity; bruxism causes dental caries; gaps in teeth lead to dental caries; dental sensitivity means there is decay; dental caries are the cause of root canals; and dental caries aren’t possible in baby teeth. In addition, the article states it’s true that acid causes dental decay; once treated, the decay stops; dental caries are more likely to appear between teeth; dental chips and cracks can lead to decay; and proper dental hygiene helps prevent decay.

Dentists Can Play “Major Role” In Oral Cancer Detection

Noting the link between the Human Papilloma virus (HPV) and oral and oropharyngeal cancers, the Cape Cod (MA) News reports that “a thorough oral exam during your dental visit and dialogue about the subject can save lives.” Dr. Alessandro Villa, an associate surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said, “HPV-associated cancers are a concern for all providers, and dental health care may play a major role in diagnosing oral cancer.” The article adds that “approximately 48,250 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year and that translates into 132 new cases of oral cancer every day.” Several symptoms may indicate oropharyngeal cancers, such as a persistent sore throat, trouble swallowing, ear pain, vocal changes, coughing up blood, and sudden weight loss.

Dental Decay Is Five Times More Common In Children Than Asthma, But Preventable

In an article for The Inquirer, Dr. Daniel Taylor, an associate professor at Drexel College of Medicine and a pediatrician with St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, discussed early childhood caries, stating the condition is “five times more common” than asthma, yet preventable. Early childhood caries can cause a variety of problems, Dr. Taylor said, such as “pain, loss of teeth, infections in a child’s head and neck, cavities later in life, impaired growth and weight gain, missed school days, speech problems, and a poorer quality of life.” Dr. Taylor noted that the American Dental Association offers caries risk assessment forms to help evaluate a child’s risk of developing caries. Several risk factors for dental caries include not having a dental home, not having exposure to fluoride, and having a mother with recent caries.