Surgeon General Endorses Community Water Fluoridation

WASHINGTON, D.C. Posted on December 28, 2015

 – The American Dental Association (ADA) applauds U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, M.D., and his endorsement today of community water fluoridation. “Fluoride’s effectiveness in preventing tooth decay extends throughout one’s life,” he said, “resulting in fewer – and less severe – cavities.” This year marks the 70th anniversary of community water fluoridation. Since its introduction in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1945, optimally fluoridated water has dramatically improved the oral health of tens of millions of Americans. “Studies show that community water fluoridation prevents at least 25 percent of tooth decay in children and adults, even in an era with widespread availability of fluoride from other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste,” said ADA President Dr. Carol Gomez Summerhays. “On behalf of the ADA, we wish to thank Dr. Murthy for reaffirming that community water fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay. The ADA is proud to continue its efforts at the state and federal levels to support this safe and proven way to help fight dental disease.”

Binging On Sugar Can Lead To Tooth Decay

Fox News (1/1, Marturana) said that binging on sugar negatively impacts the entire body “in both the short term and especially the long term.” The article described how the body responds to an abundance of sugar, stating, for example, that “eating a lot of sugar leads to tooth decay.” A dentist in Chicago explained, “We have bacteria in our mouths that feed on the sugars that we eat; when this takes place it creates acids that can destroy tooth enamel. Once the tooth enamel is weakened, you’re more susceptible to tooth decay.” The ADA provides additional information on nutrition and dental health on MouthHealthy.org.

Brushing Teeth Before Bed Advised.

Lindsay Holmes, the healthy living editor for the Huffington Post (1/5), includes brushing teeth in her list of “10 things healthy people do before bed.” Holmes states that “the American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day,” adding that “if you don’t, plaque and bacteria can build up pretty fast, making your breath foul and putting your mouth health in jeopardy.”

Warning Signs Of Gum Disease Identified

HealthDay (12/10) states that “gum disease develops when the tissues surrounding your teeth become inflamed,” adding that it may result in tooth loss. According to the article, the ADA identifies some warning signs of a problem, including “gums that bleed easily,” and “gums that are tender and may be red or swollen.” The ADA provides additional information on gum disease at MouthHealthy.org.

Sugar-free drinks can cause dental erosion

The chemical mix of acids in sugar-free soft drinks and sports drinks can cause as much dental erosion as sugared sodas, according to researchers in Australia. Consumers should be made aware of this problem, they noted. Researchers from the University of Melbourne Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre tested eight sports drinks for their impact on tooth enamel. All but two of the drinks caused significant enamel surface loss and enamel surface softening. As a comparison, researchers also tested a major cola brand and bottled spring water. While the cola produced the highest amount of surface loss, both the cola and the majority of the sports drinks caused enamel hardness to decrease by 30% to 50%, the researchers found. They published their findings in a briefing paper  (November 26, 2015). More information can be found here.

ADA Spokesperson Discusses Link Between Oral Health And Overall Health.

In response to a question from a Medicare recipient with Sjogren’s syndrome about dental care options,Kaiser Health News (12/8, Andrews) states that “Medicare only covers dental care in very limited circumstances,” adding that a few options remain for Medicare recipients seeking dental care, such as community health centers and dental schools. Dr. Matthew Messina, a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association, explains the challenges people face who have a medical condition affecting their teeth. In healthcare, “somehow the mouth got disassociated from the rest of the body,” Dr. Messina says. “Oral health is a significant component of whole body health.”

Some Consider Tooth Polishing Unnecessary, Although Not Detrimental?

In response to a reader’s question about polishing teeth, The New York Times (12/4, Saint Louis) “Ask Well” blog stated “the procedure isn’t necessary.” Marcia Lorentzen, the dean of the Fones School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, said that although the procedure does not pose “a significant risk” to enamel, scaling should be used to remove dental stains. However, the article said that “not using a soft toothbrush or brushing too hard daily can damage the softer structures of the teeth, including the cementum, the surface layer of the tooth root.” Blogger's note In my years of practice following the same patient I have not seen  any loss of tooth structure from polishing of teeth with a rubber cup and prophy paste. DKMacLeod