Monday, September 19, 2016
Friday, August 19, 2016
Do You Grind Your Teeth? You might not even realize it...
Teeth grinding not uncommon, but treatment can help lessen the impact
(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.
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.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Evidence Indicates Children Strongly Benefit From Sealants
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Dentistry in the NewsEvidence 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.
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Dental BenefitsSenate 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 SafetyFlossing 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 IndustrySmithsonian 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 NewsADA 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 DentistryNorth 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 NewsState-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.
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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.
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Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Friday, June 3, 2016
Thursday, May 26, 2016
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.”
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
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