Flossing Still Beneficial For Oral Health

The McGill (CAN) Tribune discusses flossing in light of the AP story that questioned the benefits of the practice. The article notes the ADA has stated “flossing is an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.” Moreover, “most other dental associations recommend that their patients remove plaque with the aid of a physical support,” the article adds. “There is much we do in medicine and dentistry that is not evidence-based, but that doesn’t mean it does not work,” said Dr. Øyvind Asmyhr, head of the Norwegian Dental Association. Also commenting on the AP story, McGill Dentistry Professor Omid Kiarash said, “The notion that no flossing is somehow better than flossing simply because the strength of the studies are not high quality is ridiculous.”

        The ADA has released a statement on the benefits of using interdental cleaners, and a Science in the News article titled “The Medical Benefit of Daily Flossing Called Into Question” discusses evidence about the impact of flossing on oral health.

Dental Sealants Effective At Preventing Tooth Decay

FiveThirtyEight reports in continuing coverage that dental sealants have been “shown to be very effective at preventing cavities.” The article notes that “sealants can prevent tooth decay from starting and can also stop early-stage decay from progressing into a cavity,” according to newly updated practice guidelines from the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. The article adds that the groups recommend clinicians “reorient their efforts toward increasing the use of sealants” on the biting surfaces of primary and permanent molars in children and adolescents.

Drs. Oz and Roizen: Flossing Still Beneficial

The Dubuque (IA) Telegraph Herald carries an article written by Michael Roizen, MD, and Mehmet Oz, MD, discussing recent AP reporting questioning the benefits of dental flossing. Drs. Oz and Roizen state, “What the AP findings actually showed was that there haven’t been enough reliable clinical trials to state definitively that flossing prevents cavities or periodontal disease.” The two note that the American Dental Association stated in response to the study, “The bottom line for dentists and patients is that a lack of strong evidence doesn’t equate to a lack of effectiveness.”

        The ADA has released a statement on the benefits of using interdental cleaners, and a Science in the News article titled “The Medical Benefit of Daily Flossing Called Into Question” discusses evidence about the impact of flossing on oral health.

FDA Approves Intranasally Administered, Needleless Dental Anesthetic

UPI reported in continuing coverage that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved Kovanaze, “a nasal spray anesthetic” for use during a restorative procedure “after it was shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials.” The FDA approved Kovanaze, which is a combination of tetracaine and the nasal decongestant oxymetazoline, “for use with patients over 88 pounds, though the company plans to investigate its use with children, as well as for other procedures.” The article noted that the results of the phase 3 trial are published in The Journal of the American Dental Association.

        In a release carried on EurekAlert (8/25), the University of Pennsylvania stated Kovanaze “was deemed safe and effective in a recent Phase 3 clinical trial led by University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine researchers.” Dr. Elliot V. Hersh, the study’s lead author and a professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Pharmacology at Penn Dental Medicine, said, “This is obviously a great thing for needle-phobic individuals, and it can reduce inadvertent needle-stick injuries in the clinic as well.”

        The ADA (7/15) had reported previously that “Kovanaze™ is indicated for regional pulpal anesthesia when performing a restorative procedure on teeth 4 through 13 and A through J in adults and children who weigh 40 kg (88 lbs) or more.”

Dental Care Available At the Olympic Games Rio 2016

 The Voice Online (UK) stated a report by dental researchers found athletes have “a significantly higher risk of tooth erosion than non-athletes.” The study found the athletes had “high carbohydrate consumption, including sports drinks, gels, and bars during training,” which may have contributed to “a higher risk of tooth decay and dental erosion.” Dr. Nigel Carter, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, said, “If everyday people taking part in sport, including children, are looking to copy their Olympic hero’s habits, it is important to limit the amount of times they have anything acidic or sugary.”

        

MouthHealthy.org provides additional information for patients on foods that affect dental health.

Dental Care Costs May Impact Retirement Expenses

In a feature piece, the Spokane (WA) Spokesman-Review examines the impact of dental care costs in retirement, stating these costs add “to the bottom line of living expenses,” and “it’s a common misconception that basic Medicare covers regular trips to the dentist and certain oral procedures.” The article notes that some Medicare Advantage plans do cover preventive dental services, although “the extra coverage varies by the plan and may not cover such expenses as X-rays, fillings and crowns.” A retired Spokane dentist recommends people receive “major dentist work” before retirement and also set money aside “to continue to come to the dentist” during retirement.

Strategies Identified To Prevent Halitosis

In a release on Newswise University of Alabama at Birmingham identifies strategies to help prevent halitosis, recommending brushing teeth and the tongue two times a day, flossing regularly, making dietary changes, and visiting the dentist regularly. “Dentists can help identify the cause of bad breath,” the release states. “If the bad breath is due to an oral condition, dentists can develop a treatment plan to help eliminate it.”

Coverage Continues: Research Suggests Mothers May Not Be The Only Source Of Tooth Decay-Causing Bacteria

Science Daily carries a release from the University of Alabama at Birmingham stating that ongoing research at its Department of Biology and School of Dentistry shows “more evidence that children may receive oral microbes from other, nonrelative children.” While literature has previously identified mothers as the source of microbes that cause tooth decay in children, researchers have found “72 percent of children harbored at least one strain of the cavity-causing Streptococcus mutans not found in any cohabiting family members.” The findings were presented at the American Society for Microbiology MICROBE 2016 Meeting in Boston.

Researchers Use Nanoparticles To Reduce Plaque, Prevent Dental Decay

Science Daily carries a University of Pennsylvania release stating “the bacteria that live in dental plaque and contribute to tooth decay often resist traditional antimicrobial treatment, as they can ‘hide’ within a sticky biofilm matrix, a glue-like polymer scaffold.” University of Pennsylvania researchers have conceived a new strategy that uses “iron-containing nanoparticles to catalyze the activity of hydrogen peroxide,” finding it effectively “reduced the onset and severity of cavities” in an animal model. The findings were published in the journal Biomaterials.

Senate Passes Bill That Allows Veterans To Purchase Low Premium Dental Coverage

The ADA News reports in continuing coverage that on July 13 the Senate passed the VA Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act, which would allow “veterans to purchase low premium dental coverage from private insurers.” ADA president Carol Gomez Summerhays, a third-generation Navy veteran, said, “We’re supportive of all efforts to extend dental coverage to veterans, and reauthorizing this program certainly would do that.” Sen. Richard Burr, (R-NC), who sponsored the bill, said in a news release, “Making sure veterans have dental care is the right thing to do.”

Increasing Number Of Adults Turning To Braces

US News & World Report reports that adults are increasingly “getting braces to straighten their teeth, fix their bites and improve their smiles.” The article reports that “adults made up a record high of nearly 1.5 million orthodontics patients in the U.S. and Canada,” according to a 2014 survey from the American Association of Orthodontists. According to the article, “This rising popularity” is due in part to “orthodontic options that make braces inconspicuous.”

Presidental Health: 3 Historical Tooth Tales

From the myth about President George Washington’s wooden dentures to the alien conspiracy theory surrounding President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s emergency crown, commanders in chief have quite the history with their teeth. Here are three more fascinating facts about past presidents and their connections to dental health.

Legend has it that during the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant went into battle for six days with no other baggage but a toothbrush. Unfortunately, his later affinity for cigars took a toll on his mouth and his overall health. Our 18th president was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1884 and died the following year. 

Abraham Lincoln’s signature style was a stovepipe hat. Teddy Roosevelt’s was a mustache. “As he approached early adulthood, TR made a conscious decision to grow a ‘walrus mustache’ to cover his prominent, but attractive set of teeth,” states an article in the Fall 2007 Journal of the History of Dentistry. 

Still, that didn’t stop people from referring to his “squirrel teeth”, as seen in a 1903 newspaper article. The article reads: “When President Roosevelt was in Sharon Springs, Mo., a countryman stepped up and said to a member of the presidential party:’ Whar’s the President?’

Mr. Roosevelt, scenting something good, said: ‘Do you wish to see him particularly?’ 

‘I never seen but one president in my life, an’, of course, I would like to see him on gen’ral principles,’ replied the countryman. ‘But what I wants to see this one fur mos’ particular is to see if he’s got them squirrel teeth the papers say he has.’ 

And then and there the president displayed his ‘squirrel’ teeth in the broadest of grins. ‘Gosh, ter blazes, you’re the feller,’ said the man as he hurried away.”

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.”

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.”

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.

Study Finds Association Between Good Oral Hygiene, Reduced Risk Of Some Cancers

Daily tooth brushing and regular dental visits “may reduce the risk of some head and neck cancers by a small margin,” according to a study published in the Annals of Oncology. The researchers examined “data from 13 studies including a total of almost 9,000 mouth, pharynx or similar tumor patients and more than 12,000 comparison subjects without cancer,” finding “people with fewer than five missing teeth, annual dentist visits, daily tooth brushing and no gum disease had lower odds than others of having head and neck cancer.” Lead author Dr. Dana Hashim of the department of preventive medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, said, “I would argue that it is appropriate to say that this is a causal relationship because this study uses incident – that is, newly diagnosed cases of cancer, after oral hygiene indicator data was collected.”