Rising Use Of Charcoal In Personal Care Products Leads To Warnings From Health Officials

On its website and in a broadcast, KFVS-TV Cape Girardeau, MO reported on the growing popularity of activated charcoal in personal care products, including some that say the black powder can whiten teeth. KFVS noted that “activated charcoal has been used in emergency rooms for years to absorb poison in the stomach or in case of overdoses,” and medical professionals and health experts are cautioning against using activated charcoal for other purposes. For dental health, KFVS reported a dentist recommends brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits.

Dentists Can Play A Role In Helping Patients Quit Smoking

Noting that the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout is Nov. 17, the ADA News (11/14, Manchir) reports that “dentists can talk with their patients about tobacco abuse, which is the number one cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” Dentists and dental hygienists have a unique opportunity to address tobacco use with their patients, according to Dr. Scott Tomar, professor and interim chair of the department of community dentistry and behavioral science at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. “Dentists can ask their patients for permission to discuss their tobacco use and ask their patients how tobacco fits into their lives,” Dr. Tomar said. “Our goal is to have patients articulate why they want to quit, and then work with them to move them toward taking action.”

        The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers resources for dentists to help patients quit smoking, including videos, fact sheets, and handouts. Dentists can also refer their patients to the ADA’s consumer-friendly website, MouthHealthy.org, for information about oral health and tobacco. 

Tips For Choosing New Health Benefits Includes Recommendation To Consider Dental Plans

Virginia Business Magazine features a list of five tips for people taking advantage of open enrollment season to find a new healthcare plan, so that they can “make more informed choices that may improve [their] health and even save money.” The first four tips include: “take time to review your options;” “look for incentive-based wellness programs;” “take advantage of health care apps and online tools;” and “open a health savings account.” The fifth piece of advice is to pay attention to other sorts of benefit plans, notably dental, vision, accident and critical illness insurance plans. The magazine states, “Research shows a connection between oral health and overall health, so adding a dental plan may help prevent larger medical problems.”

Oral Health Issues May Indicate Other Health Conditions

Good Housekeeping identified several oral health issues that may signal other health conditions. For example, chronic halitosis may be a sign of gum disease, says ADA spokesperson Dr. Sally Cram, who recommends brushing and flossing daily to help reverse early gum disease. If gums become swollen and bleed even with proper oral hygiene, the article states, this may be a sign of diabetes, warranting a trip to a dentist or physician. In another example, having prolonged tongue pain is a common early sign of oral cancer, says Dr. Cram. If the pain persists for longer than two weeks, or if any “sores, lumps or lesions” do not disappear, visiting a dentist or physician is advised.

Many Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Dental Care

Fox Business (8/20) carried a Motley Fool article that explains some of the differences between the “original” Medicare package of Part A and Part B and the “Medicare Advantage plan, sometimes referred to as Part C.” The article noted that “while original Medicare doesn’t cover hearing, vision and/or dental care, many Medicare Advantage plans do.”

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.

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.