NIH: Differences Between Those Who Floss And Those Who Don’t Can Be “Striking.”

In its November newsletter, the National Institutes Of Health (11/1) states that although news stories have questioned the benefits of dental flossing due to lacking research, dentists have “seen the teeth and gums of people who floss regularly and those who haven’t,” and “the differences can be striking.” The article notes that “red or swollen gums that bleed easily” can indicate “flossing and better dental habits are needed.” A dental health expert at NIH says, “Cleaning all sides of your teeth, including between your teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach, is a good thing.” While strong evidence showing the benefits of flossing “may be somewhat lacking,” the article observes that “there’s little evidence for any harm or side effects from flossing, and it’s low cost.” The article encourages people to talk to their dentist to address any questions or concerns about their teeth or gums and to learn the proper flossing technique. 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” discussed evidence about the impact of flossing on oral health.

        MouthHealthy.org also provides resources for patients on flossing, including the correct flossing technique.

Study Suggests E-Cigarettes May Be Just As Damaging To Teeth And Gums.

CBS News (11/18, Preidt) reported on its website in continuing coverage that “electronic cigarettes could be as harmful to gums and teeth as regular cigarettes are,” a new study published in Oncotarget suggests. “We showed that when the vapors from an e-cigarette are burned, it causes cells to release inflammatory proteins,” said study leader Irfan Rahman. These, in turn, “aggravate stress within cells, resulting in damage that could lead to various oral diseases.”

FDA Recommends Parents Not Treat Their Kids’ Teething Pain With Homeopathic Teething Tablets, Gels.

The ADA News (10/3) reports the FDA issued a recommendation to consumers to stop providing homeopathic teething tablets and gels to their infants and children due to the risk of “seizures, difficulty breathing, lethargy, excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating or agitation.” The FDA noted that such treatments “are distributed by CVS, Hyland’s and possibly others, and are sold in retail stores and online.”

Dental Caries Detection.

In a release on EurekAlert (10/5), SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, states that new research published in the Journal of Biomedical Optics describes a new method to detect dental caries with “inexpensive long-wavelength infrared imaging.” The study’s authors say the “low-cost” thermophotonic lock-in imaging (TPLI) tool would allow dentists to detect dental caries “earlier than x-rays or visual analysis.” According to the release, “The TPLI tool uses a long-wavelength infrared camera to detect the small amount of thermal infrared radiation emitted from dental caries after stimulation by a light source.”

        The Oral Health Topics on ADA.org offers a resource page on caries risk assessment and management to include discussion of caries detection and newer detection technologies. MouthHealthy.org also provides information for patients on caries.

ADA Responds To News Story Challenging Benefits Of Dental Flossing.

The ADA News (8/2, Manchir) reports that the American Dental Association has released a statement on the benefits of using interdental cleaners after the AP questioned the oral health benefits of flossing. “To maintain good oral health, the American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes, twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth once a day with an interdental cleaner and regular dental visits advised by your dentist,” the ADA said in the statement, adding that interdental cleaners, including floss, “are an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.” Business Insider (8/2, Brodwin) states that the AP report “comes in sharp contrast to recommendations from basically every major dental hygiene organization, including the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology.” The article adds that experts say flossing helps prevent plaque from hardening into tartar, which can contribute to receding gums and gum disease.

        The New York Times (8/2, Louis, Subscription Publication) reports that there is “evidence that flossing does reduce bloody gums and gum inflammation known as gingivitis.” For example, “a review of six trials found that when professionals flossed the teeth of children on school days for almost two years, they saw a 40 percent reduction in the risk of cavities.”

        New York Magazine (8/2) adds, “This very intense investigation doesn’t mean flossing isn’t beneficial,” noting that a dentist for the National Institutes of Health encourages people to continue to floss, stating that “it’s low risk, low cost.”

        MouthHealthy.org provides resources for patients on flossing, including the correct flossing technique, and also provides information on plaque.

ADA Responds To News Story Challenging Benefits Of Dental Flossing.

The ADA News (8/2, Manchir) reports that the American Dental Association has released a statement on the benefits of using interdental cleaners after the AP questioned the oral health benefits of flossing. “To maintain good oral health, the American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes, twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth once a day with an interdental cleaner and regular dental visits advised by your dentist,” the ADA said in the statement, adding that interdental cleaners, including floss, “are an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.” Business Insider (8/2, Brodwin) states that the AP report “comes in sharp contrast to recommendations from basically every major dental hygiene organization, including the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology.” The article adds that experts say flossing helps prevent plaque from hardening into tartar, which can contribute to receding gums and gum disease.

        The New York Times (8/2, Louis, Subscription Publication) reports that there is “evidence that flossing does reduce bloody gums and gum inflammation known as gingivitis.” For example, “a review of six trials found that when professionals flossed the teeth of children on school days for almost two years, they saw a 40 percent reduction in the risk of cavities.”

        New York Magazine (8/2) adds, “This very intense investigation doesn’t mean flossing isn’t beneficial,” noting that a dentist for the National Institutes of Health encourages people to continue to floss, stating that “it’s low risk, low cost.”

        MouthHealthy.org provides resources for patients on flossing, including the correct flossing technique, and also provides information on plaque.

ADA Responds To News Story Challenging Benefits Of Dental Flossing.

The ADA News (8/2, Manchir) reports that the American Dental Association has released a statement on the benefits of using interdental cleaners after the AP questioned the oral health benefits of flossing. “To maintain good oral health, the American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes, twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between teeth once a day with an interdental cleaner and regular dental visits advised by your dentist,” the ADA said in the statement, adding that interdental cleaners, including floss, “are an essential part of taking care of your teeth and gums.” Business Insider (8/2, Brodwin) states that the AP report “comes in sharp contrast to recommendations from basically every major dental hygiene organization, including the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology.” The article adds that experts say flossing helps prevent plaque from hardening into tartar, which can contribute to receding gums and gum disease.

        The New York Times (8/2, Louis, Subscription Publication) reports that there is “evidence that flossing does reduce bloody gums and gum inflammation known as gingivitis.” For example, “a review of six trials found that when professionals flossed the teeth of children on school days for almost two years, they saw a 40 percent reduction in the risk of cavities.”

        New York Magazine (8/2) adds, “This very intense investigation doesn’t mean flossing isn’t beneficial,” noting that a dentist for the National Institutes of Health encourages people to continue to floss, stating that “it’s low risk, low cost.”

        MouthHealthy.org provides resources for patients on flossing, including the correct flossing technique, and also provides information on plaque.