Studies Examine How Triclosan Affects The Body

The ADA reports that a “study by Poole et al. in the May 2016 issue of mSphere...was designed to examine whether use of consumer products,” including toothpaste, “would alter gut microbiome composition, endocrine function, and markers for obesity, diabetes, and inflammation.” The ADA says the study does not provide insight as to how fluoride toothpaste containing triclosan “[reduces] plaque and gingivitis more than toothpaste containing fluoride alone,” as was demonstrated in a 2013 Cochrane review. Moreover, the results of the mSphere study “are not consistent with the hypotheses that use of triclosan at physiologic levels achieved through the use of consumer products has a major impact on human gut or oral microbiome composition.”

        Regarding the mSphere study specifically, HealthDay also reports that “triclosan doesn’t dramatically alter the microbiome of the gut or the mouth, or significantly affect the endocrine system.” After randomizing “13 healthy people to use household and personal care products with or without the ingredient,” researchers found “little effect on the endocrine system” and “now major blow to oral flora or gut flora.”

        TIME reports that “in light of new evidence” that the antibacterial triclosan may be linked to “bacteria resistance, hormone disruption, and possibly even liver cancer,” the Food and Drug Administration is “currently reviewing” those studies.

19th Century Dentists Documented Exploding Teeth Cases

BBC News (UK) (3/2, Morris) reports that several cases of exploding teeth were documented by 19th Century dentists, including Pennsylvania dentist WH Atkinson, who “documented an outbreak of exploding teeth” in the journal The Dental Cosmos. In a 1965 publication, the British Dental Journal also detailed “tales of detonating dentine throughout history.” The article adds that “although there were five or six reported cases in the 19th Century, there has been no documented case of exploding teeth since the 1920s.” Despite several hypotheses for why these cases occurred, no evidence exists supporting the explanations. The article concludes, “So either an unknown process was causing the explosions or the patients were exaggerating symptoms which were far more mundane.”

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.