Latest news with #dentalcare
CNA
a day ago
- Health
- CNA
Can you reverse tooth decay? Here's what dental experts say
Most of us know that the best defence against tooth decay – or damage to the surface, or enamel, of your teeth – is to limit sugary foods and to brush and floss regularly. But once that damage has begun, or even progressed into a cavity, can you reverse it? Online advertisements for products like cavity-undoing chewing gums and enamel-rebuilding toothpastes and tooth powders suggest that you can. We asked experts if they work, and if it's possible to backtrack on tooth decay in the first place. HOW DOES TOOTH DECAY HAPPEN? Your mouth is home to both good and bad bacteria, which adhere to your teeth in a sticky layer called plaque. The bad bacteria love to snack on sugary, starchy foods – like sweetened sodas, gummy candies, pastries and fruit juices – and then turn them into acids that, over time, may pull important minerals from your teeth. The more these bad bacteria eat, the more acids they produce that dissolve essential minerals like calcium and phosphate, said John Featherstone, a professor emeritus of preventive and restorative dental sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry. This dissolution is called demineralisation, Dr Featherstone said, and it can weaken your enamel over months to years until it eventually caves in and forms a cavity. How quickly this damage, or tooth decay, develops depends mostly on how much of these starchy, sugary foods you consume and how well you clean your teeth, he said. CAN YOU REVERSE TOOTH DECAY? Tooth decay is technically reversible, but only if it is caught early, said Dr Margherita Fontana, a researcher and professor of cariology at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. During the earliest stage of tooth decay, when some minerals have been lost just below the tooth's surface but a cavity has not yet formed, you (or more likely, your dentist) might notice a white – or sometimes brown or black – spot on your tooth, Dr Fontana said. At this point, you can reverse tooth decay by adding those important minerals back into your teeth – a process called remineralisation, said Dr Yasmi O Crystal, an adjunct clinical professor of paediatric dentistry at the NYU College of Dentistry. Your saliva, which contains calcium and phosphate, naturally remineralises your teeth all the time, such as after eating a sugary snack, Dr Crystal said. But because most of us eat many foods that bad bacteria like, we can't depend on saliva alone to prevent or reverse decay, Dr Featherstone said. The easiest, cheapest and most effective way to support remineralisation is to brush your teeth with toothpaste that contains fluoride, Dr Crystal said. Fluoride not only reduces the amount of acid that bad bacteria produce, but it also helps saliva to more effectively replenish your teeth with lost minerals by attracting calcium and phosphate to them, Dr Crystal said. The fluoride found in most drinking water also bolsters this process, Dr Fontana said, especially when paired with fluoride toothpaste. This cavity-fighting duo is enough to reverse early tooth decay in most people, the experts said. But some, like those more prone to decay because they produce less saliva (such as smokers, older adults, postmenopausal women and people taking certain medications), may benefit from more concentrated fluoride products. These include prescription-strength fluoride toothpastes, as well as mouth rinses, varnishes and gels that dentists may apply during a visit or prescribe to use at home. Chewing sugar-free gum, in addition to your regular oral hygiene routine, may also help reverse early tooth decay, Dr Featherstone said. Chewing produces saliva that, according to the American Dental Association, contains even more enamel-building minerals than the saliva your mouth makes without stimulation from food. Gum may also prevent tooth decay by removing food particles from your teeth, Dr Fontana said. Once tooth decay has caused a cavity, however, you can't reverse it and the cavity should be filled, Dr Crystal said. But you can stop a cavity from getting worse, said Dr Domenick T Zero, a professor at the Indiana University School of Dentistry. Regular dental cleanings and proper oral hygiene – brushing for at least two minutes twice a day and flossing once a day – will keep cavity-causing bacteria out of the hole and prevent it from building up on your teeth, he said. DO THOSE SPECIAL PRODUCTS WORK? Some limited research has suggested that some ingredients like xylitol and hydroxyapatite in products like remineralising tooth powders, toothpastes and chewing gums may help reverse tooth decay by adding minerals back to your teeth. However, all of the experts we spoke with said there wasn't enough evidence to show that they're more effective at reversing decay than fluoride, or that they work at all. Among the handful of small clinical trials that have looked into hydroxyapatite toothpastes, for instance, at least two were funded by the product manufacturers. Dr Fontana also said that these products had been tested mostly on people who are not prone to cavities, so it's challenging to know how effective they may be for people who actually develop tooth decay. 'No one has shown that any of these products come even close to what fluoride toothpaste does,' she said. As with many products you see advertised on social media, if they seem too good to be true, they probably are, Dr Crystal said – 'there are no shortcuts.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lefty NYC Councilwoman Gale Brewer demanding free dental care for illegal migrants: ‘I'm already out $8,000-$10,000'
A lefty Upper West Side councilwoman is demanding free dental care for illegal immigrants — and revealed she's shelled out more than $8,000 of her own dough to keep their pearly whites intact. 'Is someone paying attention to all of their health needs!' Councilwoman Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan) roared at NYC Health Department officials during a May 23 budget hearing. 'They have a lot of health needs. Forget the dental! I'm already out $8,000-$10,000 on the dental. So who is paying attention to them?' she scolded. Brewer, who earns $148,500 as a council member, told The Post Friday she's been fighting tooth and nail for migrants' health needs — including paying out of her own pocket for some of them to root canals, cavity fillings, and other dental procedures. 'I've been doing this kind of stuff for years, especially helping younger people,' said the 73-year-old Brewer, who previously fostered 35 children with her husband, author Cal Snyder. 'This is nothing new for me.' During the hearing, Brewer told Acting Health Commissioner Michelle Morse the agency needs to do a better job spreading the word about what free healthcare assistance is available to migrants at city hospitals — including dental. 'Those guys you see driving those mobile e-bikes, they all have [city-funded health insurance] …, but they don't know what to do with it, to be honest with you,' she said. 'And I assume you can't do dental, because you can't get dental for Americans — let alone for anybody else. They all have dental issues.' 'I happen to know a lot of … asylum seekers [and] support them,' she ranted. 'You can't imagine how well I know then them – extremely well. And so, I've taken on a lot of the young people, a ton of them.' 'These are young guys. They're pretty lost' about what taxpayer-funded health benefits they qualify for, Brewer added. 'I'm really concerned about their health.' Critics said the longtime pol is more concerned with illegal migrants' pearly whites than the needs of her own district. 'This is another example of misplaced priorities from Gale Brewer,' said longtime Upper West Side activist Maria Danzilo. 'It's unfortunate that Gale feels migrants' dental problems are more important that the needs of her own constituents in the community. 'What is she doing about the healthcare needs of her community? Plenty of New Yorkers also lack medical coverage.' Morse said her agency would work with the city's hospital system to expand education to migrants about free healthcare services through the 'NYC Care' program. All city hospitals – both public and private – are required by law to treat emergency patients regardless of their ability to pay or immigration status. Migrants who've applied for political asylum are also eligible for Medicaid benefits. Minors, seniors, and pregnant women are eligible for free health care regardless of their immigrant status. The Health Department declined to comment when asked if Brewer could've saved herself some cash by directing migrants with dental issues to city hospitals or health centers. This isn't the first time during hearings over the next fiscal year's budget where Brewer's gone off on a wild tangent. She told Department of Correction honchos during a March hearing that the food menu offered on Rikers Island is so bad it makes her sick to her stomach. Brewer then proclaimed she wanted the city to feed jailbirds 'farm-to-table' meals, like ones served up at some of the Big Apple's top Michelin-starred restaurants.
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Prop 56 Cuts: Patients Will Suffer from Lack of Access to Proper Dental and Oral Healthcare – Leading to Severe and Costly Chronic Health Problems
ORANGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2025-- Western Dental, California's largest Medi-Cal dental provider, with 223 offices in 35 counties across the state, will be forced to close offices if the current proposal to cut Proposition 56 funding moves forward. The company is evaluating the extent of the expected closures, along with other measures to offset the significant impact to dental offices. Proposition 56, a measure overwhelmingly passed by California voters in 2016, directed revenue from a new tobacco tax to increase access to care for individuals and families that qualify for Medi-Cal (California's version of Medicaid) dental services. Prop 56 has not only made it possible for California dentists to provide access and care to more patients but also allowed new providers to open their doors and create a more stabilized and equitable health care system throughout the state, including areas where dentists were previously in short supply for everyone. 'Medi-Cal dental has been significantly under-resourced for decades. Proposition 56 provided critical funding that helped Western Dental open more than 100 new offices across the state and serve millions of patients, many in underserved areas who were otherwise without access to care,' said Preet Takkar, Chief Executive Officer of Western Dental. 'The current budget proposal represents dramatic cuts to dental reimbursement rates, which would make it impossible to keep many of these new offices open, while also impacting additional practices statewide. This proposal would reignite the dental access crisis that existed before the passage of Prop 56 and would ultimately cost the state more in the long run. Unfortunately, dental practices like ours across California will have to make tough choices—reassessing staffing, hours, and office locations—if this funding is eliminated.' Today, Western Dental employs more than 4,000 people in California, including more than 750 dentists and hygienists who provide more than 1 million Medi-Cal patient visits every year. 'Dental care is more than just getting your teeth cleaned. It's essential primary care for children and systemic care for adults,' said Dr. Peter Truong, Western Dental's Chief Dental Officer. 'If dental care is eliminated or reduced, patients suffer adverse health consequences, including tooth decay, gum disease, systemic health issues and social and economic impacts that are far more costly to treat. Eliminating access to dental care will have significant health consequences for millions of Californians. 'Western Dental will be forced to make hard decisions in the coming weeks and months, should Prop 56 funding be eliminated. Unfortunately, that will likely include closing as many as 50 offices, reducing staff in many offices and reducing the number of Medi-Cal dental patients each practice is able to treat. The choices made by the Governor and California State Legislature will have a direct and immediate impact on access to necessary health care and jobs lost should Prop 56 funding be redirected and removed from dental care' added Mr. Takkar. About Western Dental Western Dental has been serving California communities for over 100 years, with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable dental care. With over 200 locations across the state, Western Dental provides a full spectrum of services including general dentistry, orthodontics, and pediatric care — creating a convenient, comprehensive 'Dental Home' for families across California. As part of the Sonrava Health family of brands, Western Dental shares in the mission to expand access and drive innovation in dental care. View source version on CONTACT: Media Contact Ron Trujillo [email protected] KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT PRACTICE MANAGEMENT STATE/LOCAL MANAGED CARE PUBLIC POLICY GENERAL HEALTH HEALTH DENTAL SOURCE: Western Dental Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/30/2025 11:00 AM/DISC: 05/30/2025 11:01 AM
CNET
3 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.
National Post
4 days ago
- Business
- National Post
The federal dental care plan is expanding. Here's how you can get access
Article content As of May 2025, all remaining eligible adults aged 18 to 64 can apply for dental coverage, with benefits beginning as early as June 1. Article content Since its launch, 3.4 million Canadians were approved to be part of the plan, and 1.7 million have already received care, Ottawa says. The program initially prioritized seniors, children, and people with disabilities, notes the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. Article content Applications are now being accepted throughout the month of May based on age: ages 55 to 64 since May 1, ages 35 to 54 since May 15, and ages 18 to 34 as of May 29. Article content Article content How do you qualify? Article content To qualify, applicants must be Canadian residents for tax purposes, not have access to private dental insurance (for example, through employer or pension plans), have filed their 2024 tax return (and partner's if applicable) and have a net income less than $90,000. Article content These criteria aim to make dental care more affordable for people without access to private insurance, particularly targeting low- and middle-income Canadians, Ottawa says. Article content What does the plan do? Article content The CDCP reduces or eliminates out-of-pocket costs for essential dental services. This could be beneficial for families and individuals who have delayed or avoided dental visits due to cost, enabling them to receive regular check-ups and timely treatments. Article content With the expansion, more Canadians will be able to access preventive services like cleanings and check-ups, which help reduce the risk of severe dental issues and improve long-term oral health outcomes. Article content Article content While the plan covers many essential services, not all treatments are included, and some patients may still face balance billing if the cost of care exceeds the plan's reimbursement rates, says the RCDSO. However, the expansion is expected to make dental care more affordable and accessible for eligible Canadians. Article content Article content Several new dental services are now covered, including tomography, oral surgery anesthesia, injections and assessments for temporomandibular joint (jaw) disorders, and orthodontic services (covered only in cases of strict medical need and with pre-authorization; subject to a maximum spending limit).
