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.

Benefits Of Oil Pulling Not Supported By Scientific Evidence.

UPI (6/14, Feller) states that “coconut oil keeps coming back as a non-pharmaceutical remedy for just about everything,” adding that “there is disagreement, however,” on the reported benefits of the oil. Although some studies suggest “possible benefits” from adding coconut oil to the diet, “concepts like oil pulling and oil detoxes are based less on evidence than on traditional practices and beliefs.” The article states that “oil pulling is a traditional folk remedy” that involves swishing coconut, sunflower, or sesame oil in the mouth, and the purported benefits do not have “much scientific support.” In addition, “studies have shown oil pulling to be far less effective at cleaning the mouth than mouthwash.” The American Dental Association observes oil pulling also has “the risk for adverse health effects.”

        MouthHealthy.org provides additional information on oil pulling, noting that “based on the lack of scientific evidence, the American Dental Association does not recommend oil pulling as a dental hygiene practice.”

Selecting A Toothpaste With The ADA Seal Of Acceptance Recommended.

Money Talks News (5/9, Martin) provides tips for selecting a generic or store brand toothpaste, stating “the first thing to look for when evaluating the quality of a generic toothpaste” is the ADA Seal of Acceptance. The article states that the ADA Seal provides you with “assurance that the product has been objectively evaluated for safety and effectiveness by an independent body of scientific experts, the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs,” according to the ADA website. In addition, the article recommends selecting a fluoride toothpaste.