PLANNING HEALTHY HALLOWEEN HABITS

Plan healthy habits at Halloween and all year to avoid cavities

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Delta Dental of Illinois urges good oral health habits such as drinking plenty of water this Halloween to avoid a “monster mouthful of sugar” that leads to cavities.  Smiling skeletons prove the importance of preventing cavities!

This tombstone in a neighbor’s  haunting Halloween display inspired, “Didn’t drink water right after eating sweets.”

The ghosts and goblins are out in force, and they’re coming for children’s teeth armed with sugary treats. Perhaps the spookiest thing about the Halloween holiday is the potential harm to children’s teeth as they munch on their trick-or-treat candy. With so much focus on candy, Halloween is a good time to review good oral health habits for children.
Nearly one in three Illinois children had cavities last year. And with national candy sales for Halloween expected to reach $2.5 billion this year, parents have their work cut out for them to keep their children’s mouths healthy.

Suggestions to help avoid cavities all year round

Delta Dental of Illinois offers these suggestions for parents trying to help children avoid Halloween cavities this year:

• Don’t start the holiday with a houseful of candy: hand out non-food treats this Halloween, such as glow sticks, stickers and temporary tattoos.
• All treats are not created equal. Hard candy and chewy, sticky treats are harder on teeth than other candy. Chocolate is a better treat option because it dissolves quickly, decreasing the amount of time sugar stays in contact with teeth. The best option: sugar-free gum, which helps rinse away food particles.
• Send kids out trick-or-treating on a full stomach so they will be less likely to fill up on their Halloween candy.
• Have your kids drink water and more water: water can help wash away sugar and dislodge candy particles that could remain to cause tooth decay.
• End your kids’ trick-or-treating holiday by having them brush for two minutes and floss around teeth.
• Everything in moderation: ration candy consumption daily and make it easy for kids to enjoy smaller portions by allocating smaller amounts in clear plastic bags.
• Ask your dentist if he or she participates in a candy buy-back program. Dentists participating in buy-back programs will buy kids’ candy by the pound, often shipping it out in care packages for U.S. soldiers overseas.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, and sugar is a major cause of tooth decay and cavities.
“Every October, we turn our attention to the sugar found in Halloween candy, and the potential damage to children’s mouths,” stated Katina Spadoni, DDS, dental director for Delta Dental of Illinois, in a news release.
“It’s important to remember that any holiday candy – in addition to regularly consumed sugary food and drinks – can wreak havoc on oral health. Parents can help children practice good oral health by following these guidelines all year long,” Spadoni added.

Links to more advice

How do your Halloween treats stack up? Find out at http://www.youroralhealthhub.com/sweets-stack-up.
For some tooth-friendly Halloween activities for the kids, go to http://www.ToothFairyTrickyTreats.com. 

STRONG LINK BETWEEN ORAL HEALTH AND OVERALL HEALTH

http://www.kob.com/health-news/good-oral-care-contributes-to-overall-health/4265873/?cat=504

Do You Grind Your Teeth? You might not even realize it...

Teeth grinding not uncommon, but treatment can help lessen the impact

 A mouth guard, as well as cutting down on caffeine, can help with teeth grinding. (Source: CNN)

(CNN) - We all know it's important to take care of our oral health but something that tends to get overlooked is teeth grinding.


And because this typically happens when we're not awake, most people aren't aware of how harmful it can be.


Whether it's brought on by stress or anxiety, teeth grinding is not uncommon.


Experts say grinding or clenching your teeth on a regular basis can not only damage your pearly whites, but can cause other health issues by putting pressure on the muscles and tissues around your jaw.


In some cases, the chronic grinding can result in fracturing a tooth or worse, a permanent loss.
So what can you do to prevent this? Talk to your dentist. They may recommend a mouth guard to protect your teeth from grinding during sleep.


You can also try avoiding anything that contains caffeine, like sodas, coffee and chocolate.
Also, cut back on the alcohol. Grinding tends to get worse after a few drinks.
Don't chew on pen caps or anything that isn't food, including gum. Chewing gum only allows your jaw muscles to get used to clenching and that's what you want to avoid.


Copyright 2016 CNN. All rights reserved.

Evidence Indicates Children Strongly Benefit From Sealants

Good Morning, LISA PARNOW July 26, 2016

Editor's Note The ADA Morning Huddle compiles news stories from a wide range of sources to let you know what the general media is saying about dentistry, whether or not it agrees with the ADA’s views. Publication of an article in the Morning Huddle in no way implies ADA’s endorsement, agreement, or promotion of a particular article.

Dentistry in the News Evidence Indicates Children Strongly Benefit From Sealants. The ADA News (7/25, Manchir) reports that the August edition of The Journal of the American Dental Association contains “a systematic review” of the use of sealants as well as “clinical practice guidelines” that have been updated as a result of that review, which indicate the benefit of using sealants to prevent and manage occlusal caries in children and adolescents. “The guidelines show that sealants are more effective in managing pit and fissure caries than fluoride treatments, such as varnish,” said the article’s lead author, Dr. John Timothy Wright. “They also show that benefits are obtained by the variety of materials currently marketed in the United States for sealant use (e.g. resin based materials, glass ionomer materials, polyacid-modified resin, and resin-modified glass ionomers).” According to the article, the analysis indicated that “children treated with sealants have about a 70 to 80 percent reduction in the incidence of occlusal caries compared with children that do not receive sealants.”         The ADA Catalog offers three illustrated handouts to help explain sealant benefits to patients: the brochure “Dental Sealants: Protecting Teeth, Preventing Decay,” (W291); the mini-brochure “Seal Out Decay” (W191); and the “Sealants Quick Reference,” a two-sided card (W276).         MouthHealthy.org provides additional information on sealants.

FROM THE ADA CSA Calls on All Dentists to Utilize Sealants The new systematic review on the utility of sealants to reduce risk of caries and progression of carious lesion in children and adolescents demonstrate that they are very effective. The updated clinical practice guidelines derived from this systematic review from the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs (CSA) and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) provides insight about their use. The key findings include: Sealants reduce the incidence of carious lesions in occlusal surfaces of permanent molars by approximately 80 percent in children and adolescents; People who received sealants saw a 73 percent reduction in the risk of developing new caries, compared to those who received fluoride varnishes; CSA recommends dentists use sealants on the primary and permanent molars of all children and adolescents. Download the guidelines, “Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Pit-and-Fissure Sealants,” systematic review, “Sealants for Preventing and Arresting Pit-and-Fissure Occlusal Caries in Primary and Permanent Molars” and the For the Patient page “Dental Sealants" today.   Connect with ADA: Visit ADA News

Dental Benefits Senate Passes Bill That Allows Veterans To Purchase Low Premium Dental Coverage. The ADA News (7/25, Garvin) 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.” People May Be Unaware Medicare Does Not Cover Many Dental Services. Motley Fool (7/25, Feroldi) states that although “Medicare covers an extensive range of healthcare services,” it still leaves “a few gaping coverage holes.” For example, “Medicare doesn’t cover a wide range of dental services,” such as preventive cleanings or cavity fillings. The article recommends retirees consider a Medicare Advantage Plan if they’re concerned about “coverage gaps.” Health and Safety Flossing Advised “If You Want To Keep Your Teeth.” In an articled titled, “Turns out, you really only need to floss if you want to keep your teeth,” the New York Daily News (7/25, Pesce) discusses flossing, noting the CDC’s recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found one-third of adults do not floss. “Do you need to floss? It depends on whether you want to keep your teeth or not,” said Dr. Matthew Messina, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. Although many Millennials have benefited from fluoridated water and fluoride toothpaste, resulting in a lower decay rate, “our body chemistry does change as we get a older,” said Dr. Messina. “So some people might have a very high host-resistance (against bacteria) when they’re young, but they are going to find that is not the case as they get older.”         MouthHealthy.org provides additional information for patients on flossing, including how to properly floss teeth. Regular Dental Visits Advised At Intervals Determined By Dentist. The Huffington Post (7/25, Cohen) discusses the importance of regular dentist visits, noting a Colorado dentist recommends people receive regular dental care at intervals determined by their dentist.         The ADA also recommends people receive regular dental care at intervals their dentist determines. Dental Industry Smithsonian Offers Digitized Collection Of Personal Care Products. The Epoch Times (7/21, Vereshaka) reported that the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History’s website offers a digital collection of “approximately 2,000 personal care and beauty products,” including oral care products. According to the article, “The collection documents the advances and changes made in health and wellness throughout American history.” Discussing some of the dental products highlighted from the 20th century, the article stated, “The Smithsonian website notes that in 1931 the Journal of the American Dental Association gave four examples of harmful products and reported on the danger of tooth cleaning products which all contained hydrochloric acid.”         The JADA article from February 1931 is available online. ADA in the News ADA President Visits Rosebud Reservation. The ADA News (7/25, Garvin) reports that ADA president Dr. Carol Gomez Summerhays, together with her husband Soames Summerhays, and Dr. Steve Geiermann, senior manager with the ADA’s Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations, visited the Rosebud Reservation on July 15 “to hear and see firsthand the health care challenges that the Rosebud Sioux Tribe faces.” Paul Knecht, executive director, South Dakota Dental Association, and Dr. Ed Vigna, a past ADA trustee and SDDA consultant, also joined Dr. Summerhays. “It was a high priority to visit Rosebud,” said Dr. Summerhays. “I was aware of the challenges the Lakota people face, but to see it firsthand was very impactful.” According to the article, “Dr. Summerhays offered the ADA’s assistance to support the tribe in pursuing optimal oral health as integral to overall health.” Dr. Summerhays said, “Funding training for more community health representatives and Community Dental Health Coordinators to work together would be tremendously positive in improving oral health by addressing individual specific needs, whether it is transportation, increasing oral health literacy, or securing appointments.” CAPIR Examines Options Available To Help Dental Students Pay Off Loans. The ADA News (7/25, Manchir) reports that in June the ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations “organized a dental loan repayment panel to review some of the options dental students have to receive assistance in paying off their educational debt.” Dr. Cesar Sabates, council chair, said, “In the spirit of helping all of our members succeed, the Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations decided to assemble a panel of experts to help students understand the options that are available to them in dealing with the ever increasing educational loan burden.” Several options discussed include the National Health Service Corps’ Students to Service Program, scholarships, and loan repayment program.         The ADA-endorsed student loan refinancing offer through Darien Rowayton Bank may also be an option for ADA members. Additional information on the DRB ADA member benefit is available at student.drbank.com/ADA. Charitable Dentistry North Carolina Missions Of Mercy To Take Place In Fuquay-Varina July 29-30. The Raleigh (NC) News & Observer (7/25) reports that North Carolina Missions of Mercy, “an outreach program of the North Carolina Dental Society,” is holding a two-day dental clinic in Fuquay-Varina this Friday and Saturday. During the event adults can receive free teeth cleanings, fillings, and extractions. “The services are made possible by community donations and support,” the article adds. Coverage Continues: Minnesota Mission Of Mercy Provides Free Dental Care. Perfect Science (7/25, Bretting) reports in continuing coverage that the Minnesota Mission of Mercy took place Friday and Saturday at Concordia College Memorial Auditorium in Moorhead, “aiming to treat 1,000 patients on Friday, and 1000 more on Saturday.” The article adds, “According to a spokeswoman for the event, by Friday 950 patients had already undergone treatment and volunteers provided nearly $500,000 in care.” Also in the News State-Run ACA Exchanges Facing Financial Challenges As Federal Funds Are Depleted. Congressional Quarterly (7/25, Mershon, Subscription Publication) reports the 13 states running their own Affordable Care Act exchanges are having trouble “raising enough money, through user fees or state funding, to maintain their operations” because the $5 billion provided by the federal government to help establish state exchanges is now almost depleted. CMS officials “hope to ascertain what’s working – and what’s not” by discussing the state exchanges with state officials this week. Monday's Lead Stories  • ADA: Still “Premature” To Determine Utility Of Dental Gel.  • Many Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Dental Care.  • New Report Projects Dental Care Costs To Increase.  • Webinar To Discuss Loan Repayment Program.  • ADA Does Not Recommend Oil Pulling.

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ADA Morning Huddle is a digest of the most important news selected from thousands of sources by the analysts of BulletinHealthcare. This copy of ADA Morning Huddle was sent to supervisor@hillcrestdentalgroup.net as a guest subscription, at the request of an ADA member. These guest subscriptions are available by ADA Member invitation only and are intended for the immediate teams of ADA members. Neither BulletinHealthcare nor the American Dental Association is liable for the use of or reliance on any information contained in this briefing. The presence of advertising does not endorse, nor imply endorsement of, any products or services by ADA. View BulletinHealthcare’s privacy policy. For more information about the American Dental Association, please see www.ada.org/en, or call 312-440-2500. American Dental Association | 211 E. Chicago Ave | Chicago, IL 60611 Copyright © 2016 by BulletinHealthcare | 11190 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 20 | Reston, VA 20191

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

http://mailview.bulletinhealthcare.com/mailview.aspx?m=2016062001adaoffice&r=7914485-5c7e

FDA Announces New E-Cigarette Rules

http://mailview.bulletinhealthcare.com/mailview.aspx?m=2016050601ada&r=6930977-2952

Certain Oral Bacteria May Be Linked To Higher Risk Of Pancreatic Cancer, Study Suggests.

The Washington Post reports that research suggests certain oral bacteria may be linked to a higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Investigators “analyzed oral-wash samples collected over several years as part of two large cancer prevention and screening studies conducted by the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.”

        CBS News reports on its website that the researchers “found that two oral bacteria were elevated in the pancreatic cancer patients: Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.” Individuals “who carried Porphyromonas gingivalis had an overall 59 percent greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer, and those who carried Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were at least 50 percent more likely overall to develop the disease.” The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.

        Medical Daily  similarly reported that the NYU Langone Medical Center study finds “the presence of specific bacteria in the mouth may indicate an increased risk for pancreatic cancer.” After examining “the bacterial contents in mouthwash samples from more than 700 Americans,” the NYU research team found that those “whose mouths contained the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis had a 59 percent greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer,” while those with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans had “at least a 50 percent likelihood of developing the disease.”

        Infection Control Today  reported that senior investigator and epidemiologist Jiyoung Ahn, PhD, said, “Our study offers the first direct evidence that specific changes in the microbial mix in the mouth — the oral microbiome — represent a likely risk factor for pancreatic cancer along with older age, male gender, smoking, African-American race, and a family history of the disease.”

        The Daily Mail reported that Dr Nigel Carter, CEO of the UK Oral Health Foundation, said, “Further investigation into this association needs to be carried out but if confirmed there’s no reason why a saliva test to detect for pancreatic cancer could not be taken by your dentist.”

7 Signs of Disease Your Teeth Can Reveal

http://www.rd.com/health/conditions/teeth-disease-dental-problems/

Most Dental Patients Do Not Require Antibiotic Prophylaxis Prior To Procedures

Consumer Reports (3/18, Carr) stated that compared with previous recommendations, “new guidelines call for fewer people to get antibiotics before a dental procedure.” The article noted that updated “treatment guidelines for dentists now advise antibiotics before dental procedures for only a few types of patients such as those with artificial heart valves, a history that includes a heart infection, or who were born with certain serious heart defects.” The article added that this means antibiotics are not indicated for most patients prior to dental work.

MouthHealthy.org provides additional information on antibiotic prophylaxis for heart patients. Additional information on antibiotic prophylaxis for dental patients with prosthetic joints and orthopedic implants is also available at MouthHealthy.org, which notes, “The American Dental Association has found it is no longer necessary for most dental patients with orthopedic implants to have antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infection.”

Poll Shows Dental Hygiene Highly Correlated With Americans’ Well-Being

The Washington Post (2/23, Chokshi) reports the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which “ranks 190 metropolitan areas by the well-being of their residents based on a survey of more than a quarter-million Americans,” was released Tuesday and found the most satisfied Americans “share at least one unintuitive characteristic: good dental hygiene.” The Post says “places where people have good dental health also tend to be places where they report being generally fulfilled.” The article goes on to list cities and states that rank highly in terms of well-being. At the top of the list for cities are Naples, FL, Salinas, CA, and Sarasota, FL. Florida, California, Colorado, and Texas were “home to many of the communities with the highest well-being scores.” Dan Witters, research director for the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, said dental care habits are a “surrogate” for well-being, adding, “People who take good care of their teeth generally think they have higher well-being lives.”

No, your baby's fever was not caused by teething

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/19/health/baby-teething-no-fever/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

New 10-minute test for cancer developed by scientists

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/12155804/New-10-minute-test-for-cancer-developed-by-scientists.html

BAD BREATH? 6 Causes and 7 Solutions

Bad breath happens. If you’ve ever gotten that not-so-fresh feeling on a date, at a job interview or just talking with friends, you’re not alone. Studies show that 50 percent of adults have had bad breath, or halitosis, at some point in their lives.

What Causes Bad Breath?

There are a number of reasons you might have dragon breath. While many causes are harmless, bad breath can sometimes be a sign of something more serious.

Bacteria
Bad breath can happen anytime thanks to the hundreds of types of bad breath-causing bacteria that naturally lives in your mouth. Your mouth also acts like a natural hothouse that allows these bacteria to grow. When you eat, bacteria feed on the food left in your mouth and leaves a foul-smelling waste product behind.

Dry Mouth
Feeling parched? Your mouth might not be making enough saliva. Saliva is important because it works around the clock to wash out your mouth. If you don’t have enough, your mouth isn’t being cleaned as much as it should be. Dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, salivary gland problems or by simply breathing through your mouth.

Gum Disease
Bad breath that just won’t go away or a constant bad taste in your mouth can be a warning sign of advanced gum disease, which is caused by a sticky, cavity-causing bacteria called plaque.

Food
Garlic, onions, coffee… The list of breath-offending foods is long, and what you eat affects the air you exhale.

Smoking and Tobacco
Smoking stains your teeth, gives you bad breath and puts you at risk for a host of health problems. Tobacco reduces your ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from gum disease. Since smoking also affects your sense of smell, smokers may not be aware of how their breath smells.

Medical Conditions
Mouth infections can cause bad breath. However, if your dentist has ruled out other causes and you brush and floss every day, your bad breath could be the result of another problem, such as a sinus condition, gastric reflux, diabetes, liver or kidney disease. In this case, see your healthcare provider.

How Can I Keep Bad Breath Away?

Brush and Floss
Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss to get rid of all that bacteria that’s causing your bad breath.

Take Care of Your Tongue
Don’t forget about your tongue when you’re taking care of your teeth. If you stick out your tongue and look way back, you’ll see a white or brown coating. That’s where most of bad breath bacteria can be found. Use a toothbrush or a tongue scraper to clear them out.

Mouthwash
Over-the-counter mouthwashes can help kill bacteria or neutralize and temporarily mask bad breath. It’s only a temporary solution, however. The longer you wait to brush and floss away food in your mouth, the more likely your breath will offend.

Clean Your Dentures
If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night, and clean them thoroughly before using them again the next morning.

Keep That Saliva Flowing
To get more saliva moving in your mouth, try eating healthy foods that require a lot of chewing, like carrots or apples. You can also try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies. Your dentist may also recommend artificial saliva.

Quit Smoking
Giving up this dangerous habit is good for your body in many ways. Not only will you have better breath, you’ll have a better quality of life.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly
If you’re concerned about what’s causing your bad breath, make an appointment to see your dentist. Regular checkups allow your dentist to detect any problems such as gum disease or dry mouth and stop them before they become more serious. If your dentist determines your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your primary care doctor. Need a dentist? Find an ADA member near you.

5 Super Snacks for the Big Game

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/nutrition/super-bowl-recipes/?source=Morning_Huddle

Breast Cancer Linked to Periodontal Disease

  Normal (left) versus cancerous (right) mammography image.

 

Postmenopausal women with periodontal disease are more likely to develop breast cancer than those with healthy gums, according to the American Association for Cancer Research.
A study by the University of Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions monitored 73,737 postmenopausal women enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study who did not have any previous breast cancer and found periodontal disease in 26.1% of them.
After a mean follow-up time of 6.7 years, 2,124 of these women were diagnosed with breast cancer. Among all of the women, the risk of breast cancer was 14% higher in those with periodontal disease.
Women with periodontal disease who had quit smoking within the past 20 years had a 36% higher risk of breast cancer, while women overall who were smoking at the time of the study had a 32% higher risk.
Those who had never smoked or who had quit more than 20 years ago had a 6% and 8% increased risk, respectively, if they had periodontal disease. The researchers said that previous exposure to smoking might affect the carcinogenic process since the highest risk was found in smokers who had quit within the past 20 years.
“We know that the bacteria in the mouths of current and former smokers who quit recently are different from those in the mouths of nonsmokers,” said Jo L. Freudenheim, PhD, of the University of Buffalo and lead author of the study.
The researchers noted several explanations for the link between periodontal disease and breast cancer. First, there may be systemic inflammation with periodontal disease that affects the breast tissues. Or, bacteria from the mouth can enter the circulatory system and affect the tissue. Further studies are needed to establish a causal link, though.
“If we can study periodontal disease and breast cancer in other populations, and if we can do more detailed study of the characteristics of the periodontal disease, it would help us understand if there is a relationship,” said Freudenheim. “There is still much to understand about the role, if any, of oral bacteria and breast cancer.”
The women in the study self-reported their periodontal disease status after being asked if a dentist had ever told them that they had it. Also, the subjects already were enrolled in a health study, so they were more likely than the general population to be conscious of health issues. The general population, then, would have higher rates of periodontal disease and other risk factors like smoking, diabetes, and obesity.
The study was published by Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. It was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; the National Institutes of Health; and the US Department of Health and Human Services.

           

22 Dec 2015 Dentistry Today Industry News