Dentistry News

[Updated July 2008]

Teeth Bleaching Kiosks Spark Controversy

May 2008 — The booming teeth whitening market has yielded an interesting new development that has been met with disapproval by the American Dental Association (ADA). This development is the emergence of teeth bleaching kiosks at malls and the ADA has concerns about the associated safety and efficacy.

The whitening kiosks in question are not affiliated with dental practices and the employees providing treatment are not dentists. The bleaching agents used at mall kiosks are significantly less concentrated than those used by dentists. Even the light used in conjunction with kiosk whitening is little more than a flashlight bulb; as opposed to the more advanced UV lighting systems used in-office. Most importantly, kiosk whitening is a self-administered treatment. Employees do not touch their clients’ mouth, meaning that the service performed does not technically fall under the dentistry umbrella.

The ADA is deeply concerned about what they consider to be the practice of dentistry without a license. Bleaching kiosk practitioners argue that the self-administered treatment is similar in nature to at-home whitening treatments performed on a daily basis and therefore perfectly legal. The ADA further argues that not all people are candidates for bleaching, and that treatment performed on the wrong person could have oral health consequences, including “technicolor” or mismatched teeth and severe tooth sensitivity.

Professional teeth whitening performed by a cosmetic dentist costs $500 to $650 on average. Bleaching performed at mall kiosks ranges from $50 to $100 on average. Consult with your dentist before undergoing any oral treatment.

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New Tooth Mousse Plus Combats Tooth Decay

AUSTRALIA, May 2008 — Scientists from the Cooperative Research Centre for Oral Health Science (CRC-OHS) in Victoria, Australia have developed a new product designed to target tooth decay. They claim that their innovative Tooth Mousse Plus product not only prevents the development of tooth decay, but also helps reverse the early stages of damage before it progresses to a more serious issue.

Tooth Mousse Plus is a water-based cream recommended for adults. It was originally developed by CRC-OHS in 2006 and is now available in 50 countries worldwide. Its patented design incorporates fluoride — a naturally occurring compound used by oral health professionals to inhibit tooth decay and dental caries — and peptide-calcium phosphate nanocomplex, a substance formulated to penetrate the enamel surface of the teeth. The CRC-OHS team claims that Tooth Mousse Plus can penetrate tooth enamel 10 times more effectively than traditional fluoride treatments currently in use.

Tooth decay is a common problem affecting millions of people around the world. Although tooth decay can be prevented, managed and treated with proper oral hygiene practices, it nonetheless remains a prevalent oral health concern.

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Fruit Smoothies An Oral Health Concern?

May 2008 — The old adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” is now being supplemented with a serious warning that a smoothie a day may cause decay.

The British Dental Health Foundation has issued a warning about the potential harm associated with the frequent consumption of fruit smoothies. Many people are caught off guard by such a warning, believing fruit smoothies to be a healthy dietary option. A 2008 study conducted by the British Dental Health Foundation in conjunction with Oral B found that 30 percent of people believe fruit smoothies to be a tooth-healthy food. The fact of the matter is that fruit smoothies contain a great deal of sugar and acid, both of which can cause the erosion of tooth enamel and damage to the teeth, such as decay and tooth loss.

The popularity of fruit smoothies has been on the rise in recent years as people become increasingly conscious of their diet and general health. Fruits and fruit juices are thought by many to be the healthiest of snack and drink choices, often being supplied by parents to their children as an alternative to unhealthy sweets and sodas. While it is true that the occasional fruit smoothie can serve as an excellent means to consume necessary fruits, a regular habit of consuming fruit smoothies can be incredibly destructive to oral health.

Many dental professionals believe that an “erosion epidemic” could result if people are not warned of the potential harm associated with fruit smoothies. If you are a frequent consumer of fruit smoothies, you are advised to consult with your dentist for more information about maintaining a pro-oral health diet.

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New Study Links Tooth Loss With Cancer

NAGOYA, May 2008 — Researchers in Japan have found a strong link between tooth loss and the development of three cancer types: head and neck, esophageal and lung cancer. While previous studies have already established such a correlation, the Japan study is the largest of its kind and the first to determine a connection between tooth loss and lung cancer.

The study incorporated more than 5,200 cancer patients — measured against a control group of some 10,000 cancer-free patients — and was conducted by researchers at the Aichi Cancer Center in Nagoya and the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine. The results of the study were released in the May 2008 issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research. According to the results, victims of tooth loss are faced with a:

• 136 percent increased risk for esophageal cancer.
• 68 percent increased risk for head and neck cancer.
• 54 percent increased risk for lung cancer.

Tooth loss is reflective of poor oral hygiene practices and is most often caused as a direct result of gum disease and/or tooth decay. A great deal of study has surrounded the oral-systemic connection, with serious health conditions like cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes being linked with gum disease. Maintaining proper oral hygiene practices and getting regular dental checkups is essential for the promotion of oral health and greater general health.

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FDA Issues Warning Regarding Denture Cleansers

April 2008 — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning denture wearers about a common ingredient in denture cleansers that has been linked with serious adverse reactions. The ingredient in question is thought to be persulfate, a compound that aids in the cleaning and bleaching of dentures.

Although FDA officials have speculated that adverse reactions could be caused as a result of misusing denture cleansers, they have nonetheless suggested that persulfates be replaced by an alternative compound. A label change has also been requested by the FDA to ensure that consumers understand the intended use of denture cleansers. It has been speculated that some denture wearers may be incorrectly using these cleansers orally in a similar fashion to mouthwash and other oral rinses. Dentures should be cleaned in a separate container, and rinsed thoroughly before use.

Thus far, approximately 73 severe allergic reactions have been reported by denture wearers — this includes at least one fatality. Symptoms of an adverse reaction can include irritation, rash, hives, gum tissue tenderness / damage, low blood pressure and breathing difficulties. These symptoms may not occur immediately after use. If you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, you are advised to remove your dentures immediately and seek medical assistance.

The FDA strongly urges denture wearers to consult with their dentist about alternative denture cleansers while they continue their investigation.

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How Clean is Your Mouth Guard?

OKLAHOMA, April 2008 — Researchers at Oklahoma State University (OSU) believe that athletic mouth guards may potentially do more harm than good. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that athletes use mouth guards to protect their teeth. While nobody is arguing the benefits associated with athletic mouth guards, questions have been raised about hygiene.

OSU microbiologist Dr. Tom Glass has been studying the contamination potential of athletic mouth guards. Dr. Glass swabbed a number of used mouth guards to study the different types of germs that were present. Expecting to find a variety of bacterium, Dr. Glass and his team were shocked to find that the germs were multiplying at an incredibly dangerous rate. Strep, staph and pneumococci are a mere sampling of the bacteria that can grow on a dirty mouth guard. Dr. Glass even found methicillin-resistant staph on a mouth guard, a potentially fatal bacteria.

Dirty mouth guards are more than an oral health concern. The lungs could be affected from molds that are inhaled during use; the stomach and digestive tract could be affected by ingested bacteria; and cuts in the mouth could allow bacteria from the mouth guard to reach the bloodstream, where it could have devastating effects.

How do you protect yourself? Mouth guards should be washed thoroughly with boiling water after use and kept in a clean place. Unfortunately, washing is not enough to remove all the germs that could penetrate a mouth guard. Oral health practitioners generally recommend that mouth guards be replaced every couple of weeks to prevent bacterial growth and any associated health concerns.

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Anti-Cavity Lollipop is Sweet Protection Against Tooth Decay

LOS ANGELES, March 2008 — UCLA microbiologist Dr. Wenyuan Shi has developed a novel strategy in the ongoing battle against tooth decay and dental cavities. In an effort to promote healthy oral hygiene practices amongst underprivileged children, seniors and people from developing countries, Dr. Shi has proposed the sweetest of solutions in the form of a sugar-free anti-cavity lollipop.

Dr. Shi conceived of the all-natural lollipop as an alternative to what he has described as a failed approach to tooth decay prevention in the United States. His Dr. John’s brand lollipop combines the power of ancient Eastern medicines with modern technology and medical innovation. After nearly 50,000 experiments involving some 2,000 natural herbs, Dr. Shi found his secret anti-cavity ingredient: licorice root.

As reported in the Journal of Natural Products, Dr. Shi and his team were able to isolate the active compounds in licorice and demonstrate their anti-cavity capabilities. The application of licorice root as an anti-cavity tool is a new and exciting method that Dr. Shi believes could revolutionize oral health care. And because the lollipop is all natural, it does not require FDA approval. In order to gain maximum value, two lollipops per day for 10 days, four times a year, is recommended.

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