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Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cavities in children could increase by millions if fluoride is banned, study suggests
The Brief An estimated 25.4 million more teeth will result in tooth decay in the next five years if fluoride is banned from the U.S. public water supply, according to a recent model simulation. The study also predicted an estimated $9.8 billion will be spent on additional dental care over the next five years. Some states like Utah and Florida have already banned fluoride from the state's public water supply. Researchers created a model to estimate the impact a ban on fluoride in the United States water supply would have on children's dental health and the results are bleak. The simulations estimated that a ban would result in tooth decay in 25.4 million more teeth, which is equivalent to a decayed tooth for one out of every three children over the next five years. The results were published in Jama Health Forum on May 30. "There's strong evidence from other countries and cities, such as Calgary in Canada, showing that when fluoride is eliminated, dental disease increases. Our study offers a window into what would happen in the United States if water fluoridation ceased," Lisa Simon, MD, DMD, and senior author of the study, said. Why you should care Not only would eliminating fluoride increase the occurrence of tooth decay, but the estimated cost of dental care would rise exponentially, according to the study. By the numbers The models simulated the potential dental care costs over five and 10 years. $9.8 billion in additional dental care costs over five years $19.4 billion in additional dental care costs over 10 years "Most of the increased cost could be attributed to publicly insured children, meaning it would be a direct public health cost," said Simon. Dig deeper Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the CDC. In 1950, federal officials endorsed water fluoridation to prevent tooth decay, and in 1962 set guidelines for how much should be added to water. Fluoride can come from several sources, but drinking water is the main one for Americans, researchers say. Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population gets fluoridated drinking water, according to CDC data. The addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water was long considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century. The American Dental Association credits it with reducing tooth decay by more than 25% in children and adults. About one-third of community water systems — 17,000 out of 51,000 across the U.S. — serving more than 60% of the population fluoridated their water, according to a 2022 CDC analysis. What they're saying "We know fluoride works. We're able to show just how much it works for most communities and how much people stand to lose if we get rid of it," said Simon. Big picture view U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said he wants communities to stop fluoridating water, and he is setting the gears of government in motion to help make that happen. Kennedy has said he plans to tell the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoridation in communities nationwide. And he said he's assembling a task force of health experts to study the issue and make new recommendations. Two states have already banned adding fluoride to public water systems. These include Florida and Utah. The Source Information for this article was taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, a study that observed oral health and water fluoridation data collected from 8,484 children aged 0-19 which was published in JAMA on May 30, 2025, a Mass General Brigham news release about the study, and reporting by The Associated Press. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
CNET
5 days ago
- Business
- CNET
I Replaced My $200 Electric Toothbrush With This $50 Oral-B, and I'm Never Going Back
About a year ago, a thief broke into my friend's car and stole my luggage out of it. The most expensive thing in my suitcase? My $200 electric toothbrush. I was devastated (particularly since I had reviewed the toothbrush at a previous job and didn't have to pay for it). So I had to quickly search for a replacement. And what I landed on is the Oral-B Pro 1000 Electric Toothbrush. The Oral-B Pro 1000 is a CNET Editors' Choice Award winner, and our CNET testers rated it their top pick for the best electric toothbrush of 2025. That's a whole lot of accolades for an electric toothbrush that costs just $50, a quarter of the price of my previous model. Now that I've spent plenty of time with it, I can honestly say I don't miss my old one at all -- I'm a complete convert. While the expensive toothbrush came with an app, more settings, a glass cup that charged the toothbrush and a travel case, I actually prefer the Oral-B Pro 1000's simplicity. It's easier to use and doesn't take up as much space. It has one daily cleaning mode and a 2-minute timer that reminds you to move mouth quadrants every 30 seconds. What more could I want out of a toothbrush? The Oral-B Pro 1000 has everything I could possibly want from an electric toothbrush: a brushing timer, pressure sensor, affordable brush head replacements and a compact, travel-friendly charger. Plus, it has the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance, meaning it's fulfilled the ADA's safety and efficacy requirements. Anna Gragert/CNET Oral -B Pro 1000's key features One brushing mode Two-minute brushing timer Pressure sensor Affordable brush head replacements ADA seal of acceptance A powerful and functional brush In my quest to replace my expensive toothbrush, I looked at a lot of different models. What finally sealed the deal was CNET reviewer Caroline Igo's commentary on the Oral-B Pro 1000. She tested 12 models over several weeks, and the Pro 1000 was hands-down her favorite due to its simplicity and "impressive" cleaning abilities. "I hardly had to scrub or brush my teeth on my own," she wrote in her review. "The fast-spinning bristles did most of the work for me. It easily glided across my teeth. The smaller brush head also helped me to get to those hard-to-reach places." If you're an Oral-B fan but want something with more bells and whistles, CNET rated the Oral-B Series 5 the best smart electric toothbrush for 2025. At $120, it's more than double the price of the Pro 1000, but you get five brush modes, 3D teeth tracking and real-time advice on brushing habits. Plus, it's also ADA-accepted. The Pro 1000 makes a great gift You might not ordinarily think of an electric toothbrush as a gift, but hear me out. I'm a big fan of giving gifts that are super practical and will make someone's daily routine easier, and the Oral-B Pro 1000 fits that bill. It's one of those items that people don't always think to buy for themselves, but once they have it, they wonder how they ever lived without this remarkably useful thing. For more great gifts, check out our recommendations for the best gifts for Father's Day and graduation.
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
How long should you brush your teeth? Here's what happens if you skip brushing for 2 minutes twice a day
Oral health is a key part of overall wellness. Did you know insufficient brushing time can lead to poor oral hygiene, increased risk of tooth decay and gum inflammation and disease? Brushing habits differ from person to person, but experts recommend brushing twice each day for two minutes at a time. Also read | Don't brush your teeth before sleeping? Doctor explains why skipping brushing may do more harm than just risk cavities According to a May 2019 report on brushing should be done for at least two minutes, twice per day as per the recommendations from the American Dental Association (ADA) . To maintain good oral health, brush your teeth for the full two minutes, paying attention to all surfaces, and don't forget the tongue and gums. If you brush for less than two minutes, you won't remove as much plaque from your teeth. According to a 2009 study published in most people only brush for about 45 seconds. The study looked at how brushing time affected plaque removal in 47 people. The results suggested that increasing brushing time from 45 seconds to 2 minutes may help remove up to 26 percent more plaque. The ADA has shared these guidelines for proper brushing: ⦿ Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. ⦿ Brush with short strokes about the width of one tooth. ⦿ Move your toothbrush back and forth along the outside surfaces of your teeth, applying gentle pressure as you brush. ⦿ Use back-and-forth motion to brush along the chewing surfaces of your teeth. ⦿ To properly brush the inner surfaces of your teeth, hold your toothbrush vertically and brush up and down along the insides of your teeth. ⦿ Brush your tongue using a few back-to-front strokes to remove bad breath–causing bacteria. ⦿ Rinse your toothbrush after you use it. ⦿ Store your toothbrush in an upright position. If your partner, roommate, or family members store their toothbrushes in the same place, make sure toothbrushes don't touch each other. Let your toothbrush air-dry instead of storing it in a closed toothbrush holder. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
CNET
25-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Should You Rinse After Brushing Your Teeth? Our Experts Say No
After you're finished brushing your teeth, you can go ahead and skip the rinse step. As it turns out, it could actually be detrimental to the health of those pearly whites. It might sound (and feel) a little odd, but going without a quick swish of water could improve the health of your teeth in general. According to Edmond Hewlett, a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association and professor at UCLA School of Dentistry, leaving the toothpaste in your mouth for a bit longer allows the fluoride to better protect against tooth decay and gum disease. So next time you brush your teeth, try resisting the urge to rinse right away. Instead, let the toothpaste linger in your mouth for a few extra moments, giving the fluoride more time to work its magic. Your teeth will thank you in the long run. Why you should stop rinsing with water after tooth brushing Fluoride is an important ingredient in toothpaste that helps make your tooth enamel harder and more resistant to acids that cause cavities. Hewlett says it's the most well-established effective ingredient in toothpaste, so make sure yours has fluoride. When brushing your teeth, you clean any film and bacteria from food and sugary drinks. When you go a step further and skip rinsing, you're leaving the fluoride from the toothpaste in your mouth for a longer time, giving you a better effect from the fluoride. Wait at least 15 minutes after brushing to drink water. After brushing your teeth, Hewlett explains, your saliva will clear the toothpaste out so you won't taste it all day. What if you've always rinsed after tooth brushing? If you're just learning about this tip, you may think you've been undoing all your hard work of brushing every day. That's not true. Hewlett says as long as you brush the standard twice a day for 2 minutes each time, the fluoride will remain in your mouth to help protect your teeth. You're still doing what you need to do to have good oral health and protect your teeth. Not rinsing is just an extra step to help the fluoride be even more effective. "When you measure a person's fluoride levels in saliva, if they don't rinse, there's more fluoride," Hewlett said. However, it won't be a waste of your time if you rinse. He said research is still being done to determine the difference it makes in the long term to prevent cavities. Sarah Mitroff/CNET Are there risks to not rinsing after brushing your teeth? According to Dr. Marcus Brian Ward, dentist and founder of Eastern Pines Dental in Greenville, North Carolina, there are no common side effects associated with not rinsing after brushing your teeth. 'Over-the-counter toothpastes have about 1,000 ppm concentrated fluoride -- not enough to cause harm in adults,' he explains. He recommends avoiding off-label use of fluoride because there can be atypical side effects in those circumstances. Some side effects can include: fluorosis, gastrointestinal issues and neurological symptoms. Dr. Naomi Goldman, a restorative and cosmetic dentist at Levy Goldman Dentistry, recommends being mindful of how much toothpaste you use when you brush and limiting it to three times a day. 'You should only be using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your brush during brushing.' For children and toddlers, the same applies but Goldman advises only using a grain of rice-sized amount of toothpaste. Your own dental health also plays a role There are different risk levels for getting cavities per person, Hewlett said. "If you typically don't get cavities, then you should continue using fluoride toothpaste. The decision to rinse or not to rinse after brushing probably won't make a difference." On the other hand, for those who struggle with cavities, not rinsing is probably a better decision. Additionally, you should get help from your dentist to find out why you're getting cavities regularly. For instance, it could be your eating habits, snacking on sugary foods or not brushing your teeth regularly. If you're at higher risk for cavities, you should do everything you can to help prevent them. What about using mouthwash after brushing? Most mouthwashes contain less fluoride than toothpaste, so rinsing with mouthwash right after brushing can wash away the concentrated fluoride from your teeth. Instead, use mouthwash at another time, like after lunch or coffee. More tips for improving your tooth brushing Here are some additional tips for keeping your oral health up to par. Always use a soft bristle toothbrush and never medium or hard. Hewlett said anything but soft can increase the risk of gum recession. It doesn't matter if you floss before or after brushing your teeth, as long as you floss once daily to remove plaque and stuck food. You don't have to aggressively brush your teeth to get them clean. While scrubbing your dishes with extra force may make them extra clean, it's unnecessary for your teeth and can lead to gum recession. Gently brush along the gum line with a soft bristle brush to help prevent gum disease. Always consult with your dentist for personalized advice. They understand what your oral health profile looks like. Dental FAQS How long should you wait before rinsing after brushing? Goldman recommends waiting 30 minutes after brushing to allow the fluoride in the toothpaste to have full cavity prevention effects on the teeth. Ward adds that your natural saliva will vacate much of the product in a few minutes after brushing. Do dentists recommend rinsing after brushing? Dentists' opinions vary on rinsing after brushing. Ward says most dentists are just happy if most people are willing to brush their teeth. 'If you have good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing is more important than whether you rinse or not after brushing,' he says. On the other hand, if you have excessive tooth decay, Ward recommends waiting at least 10 minutes before rinsing. Either way, consult with your dentist first to come up with an appropriate hygiene protocol for your situation and needs.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida joins Utah as the second state to ban fluoride in water
Absurd conspiracy theories about fluoride in drinking water are taking hold in the Republican Party. On Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis became the second governor to sign a bill banning the widely used practice of introducing fluoride in drinking water, after Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a fellow Republican, did so in March. Experts, including at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and major medical associations, have touted the benefits of fluoride in water for decades, particularly for children, to help reduce cavities and prevent tooth decay. In fact, you can read this link for information about the benefits for rural communities, many of which have voted heavily for Donald Trump and other Republicans in past elections. But Trump has accelerated what I've come to see as the stupefaction — or, more simply, the dumbing down — of America, as his administration has spurned and defunded various medical research programs and embraced dangerous, conspiratorial thinking when it comes to health measures. And that behavior is giving Republicans at the state level the green light to engage in similar health-related delusion. The Wall Street Journal's MAGA-friendly editorial board recently criticized Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for launching a conspiracy theory-fueled investigation into two toothpaste companies, Colgate-Palmolive and Procter & Gamble. The Republican AG initiated the probe over baseless claims, saying that the companies are 'marketing toothpaste products to parents and children in ways that are misleading, deceptive, and dangerous.' The Journal's editorial board debunked Paxton's accusation: He's out to nail what he thinks is the vast fluoride toothpaste conspiracy. Mr. Paxton claims there is a 'statistically significant association' between children who ingested too much fluoride and lower IQ scores. He says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends only a 'rice-sized 'smear'' for three-years old and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends 'no more than a pea-sized amount' for children between three and six. Guess who else endorses the pea-sized amount? The toothpaste sellers, who put the same recommendation clear as day on their children's toothpaste labels. The label on Crest Kids toothpaste says 'use a pea-sized amount in children under 6.' The op-ed went on to slam opposition to fluoridated water, as well: Mr. Paxton points to a 2024 National Toxicology Program study to suggest that fluoride is harming children, but the ADA says the study considered children who received fluoride levels twice what's in drinking water. Fluoride has improved oral health, especially in rural communities. American Dental Association President Brett Kessler says dentists 'see on a daily basis the benefits of fluoride—from both drinking fluoridated water and topically in products like fluoride toothpaste.' And the op-ed notes that Paxton may have some ulterior motives in going on this conspiratorial fishing expedition that parrots claims made by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., saying that Paxton 'is running against incumbent GOP Sen. John Cornyn, and he must figure there are primary votes in mimicking' Kennedy. Indeed, politics seem to be the motivation behind this growing anti-fluoride movement. And residents in the states under Republicans' control could bear the brunt of their anti-scientific article was originally published on
