Latest news with #toothdecay
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Removing fluoride from water could result in 25 million cavities and cost $9.8 billion, study estimates
New research suggests that removing fluoride from public water would increase dental care costs and tooth decay for children across the United States. The study, published Friday in the JAMA Health Forum, used a nationally representative sample of 8,484 children aged 0 to 19 from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to estimate projected outcomes of stopping water fluoridation in the U.S. — something some states, including Utah and Florida, have already begun doing. Researchers found removing fluoride was associated with an increase in tooth decay of 7.5 percentage points, or 25.4 million cases, and cost approximately $9.8 billion over 5 years. These effects would disproportionately affect publicly insured and uninsured children, who are already at the highest risk of unmet dental needs, the authors added. Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen teeth and reduce cavities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It does this by repairing and preventing damage to teeth caused by bacteria in the mouth that produce acid, which in turn dissolves minerals in a tooth's surface and can even lead to tooth loss. Tooth decay by itself can be painful and costly to treat but left untreated can cause further problems, including infections and abscesses or even sepsis, according to the World Health Organization. Some research has also linked poor oral health to other complications, such as cardiovascular disease due to inflammation and infection. The addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water was long considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century, but Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has brought it into question, claiming fluoride is linked to a slew of health problems. Dental experts have told CBS News they largely disagree. "Seventy years of research, thousands of studies and the experience of more than 210 million Americans tell us that water fluoridation is effective in preventing cavities and is safe for children and adults," according to the American Dental Association. Fluoride can come from a number of sources, including most toothpaste brands, but researchers say drinking water is the main source for Americans. Plus, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced earlier this year that it is starting the process of removing ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for kids from the market.
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Removing fluoride from water could result in 25 million cavities and $9.8 billion, study estimates
New research suggests that removing fluoride from public water would increase dental care costs and tooth decay for children across the United States. The study, published Friday in the JAMA Health Forum, used a nationally representative sample of 8,484 children aged 0 to 19 from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to estimate projected outcomes of stopping water fluoridation in the U.S. — something some states, including Utah and Florida, have already begun doing. Researchers found removing fluoride was associated with an increase in tooth decay of 7.5 percentage points, or 25.4 million cases, and cost approximately $9.8 billion over 5 years. These effects would disproportionately affect publicly insured and uninsured children, who are already at the highest risk of unmet dental needs, the authors added. Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen teeth and reduce cavities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It does this by repairing and preventing damage to teeth caused by bacteria in the mouth that produce acid, which in turn dissolves minerals in a tooth's surface and can even lead to tooth loss. Tooth decay by itself can be painful and costly to treat but left untreated can cause further problems, including infections and abscesses or even sepsis, according to the World Health Organization. Some research has also linked poor oral health to other complications, such as cardiovascular disease due to inflammation and infection. The addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water was long considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century, but Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has brought it into question, claiming fluoride is linked to a slew of health problems. Dental experts have told CBS News they largely disagree. "Seventy years of research, thousands of studies and the experience of more than 210 million Americans tell us that water fluoridation is effective in preventing cavities and is safe for children and adults," according to the American Dental Association. Fluoride can come from a number of sources, including most toothpaste brands, but researchers say drinking water is the main source for Americans. Plus, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced earlier this year that it is starting the process of removing ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for kids from the market.
CNA
3 days 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
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Most common causes of cavities in the teeth — and how to prevent them
Cavities are incredibly common, affecting 90% of adults between the ages of 19 and 64 — but they are often preventable. Also known as "dental caries," cavities are damaged areas in the hard parts of the teeth caused by tooth decay, according to Mayo Clinic. These areas become tiny openings or holes that can lead to toothaches, infections and even tooth loss. When a cavity is just starting, you may not have any symptoms at all. That's why it's important to be checked regularly at a dentist, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Even if your mouth feels fine, a professional may be able to pick up on smaller signals before the decay grows. Is Ozempic Ruining Your Teeth? What To Know About Impact On Dental Health Read On The Fox News App Once the decay gets larger, there may be symptoms like toothaches, sharp pains when eating, visible holes in the teeth, staining on the surface of a tooth or pain when biting. Dental plaque forming in the mouth is what leads to tooth decay, the process that creates cavities. Plaque forms when bacteria in the mouth mixes with "sugary or starchy food" like milk, juice, bread and pasta, according to Cleveland Clinic. Fluoride Exposure Linked To 'Detrimental Effects' On Health Of Pregnant Women, Infants If those sugars and starches are not removed from the teeth through healthy habits, like regular flossing and brushing after meals, bacteria begin feeding on them, the above source states. The acids from bacteria strip away tooth enamel, leaving tiny openings that mark the beginning stages of a cavity. Bacteria and acid can enter through these holes and reach the vulnerable inner parts of the teeth, causing pain and more severe problems. Fox News Digital previously spoke to Dr. Ricky Marshall about the impact of stomach acid and saliva production on dental health. "The amount of acid coming up and contacting the teeth will absolutely contribute to increased tooth decay," said Marshall, who is the owner of Stratland Dental in Glendale, Arizona, and a dentist at Wolff Family Dentistry & Orthodontics in Queen Creek, Arizona. "A combination of dry mouth and increased stomach acid can be detrimental to teeth," he said. Brush, Floss, Mouthwash: Dentists Reveal What They Believe Is The Correct Order Dry mouth, linked to causes like snoring and potentially certain medications, can increase the risk of tooth decay due to reduced saliva production. "Your saliva clears away the acid and helps to repair the enamel," the CDC states on its website. "If the repair isn't fast enough, bacteria get inside your tooth and make cavities." Cleveland Clinic recommends brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled brush twice a day, and ideally after every meal. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter Experts also recommend cutting back on sugary, starchy foods and drinks. As mentioned above, these can mix with bacteria and promote the buildup of dental plaque. For more Health articles, visit "You should visit your dentist every year, especially to find any cavities," the CDC advises. For small cavities, your dentist may recommend using fluoride or other products. Large cavities may require fillings or even root article source: Most common causes of cavities in the teeth — and how to prevent them
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
From celeb mouthwash to classic salt toothpaste – my smile-saving heroes for National Smile Month
WHY do we have so many awareness days, weeks and months? Some of them seem utterly ridiculous. The health related ones, though, are a good idea. It is National Smile Month. One in three adults have tooth decay, so this campaign promotes eating less sugar and processed food, drinking more water and visiting the dentist. And I've put some products to the test to help you smile . . . MOUTHWASH 3 IF ever there was a man who says 'teeth' it is TV presenter Rylan Clark – his are gleaming! And he has teamed up with British oral care brand Waken. I am not always keen on products pushed by celebs, but Rylan believes in Waken and has invested in it. I like it too. I love their whitening toothpaste and the Waken Advanced Care Mouthwash. It is made with natural peppermint, strengthens enamel with fluoride, and comes in a recycled bottle. This is alcohol free and a 500ml bottle costs £5. The company has just started selling in major supermarkets. See CHEWING GUM I CHEW so much gum I could put a cow to shame – but not all gums are good for you thanks to the sweeteners, sugar and chemicals in them. But some do have health benefits. Peppersmith is one such example. It contains the plant-based sweetener xylitol and is approved by the Oral Health Foundation. Chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol after meals, is scientifically proven to reduce cavities, neutralise harmful acids, and keep breath fresh. Xylitol is a natural sugar alternative that bacteria cannot digest, meaning it actively fights tooth decay. Dentist explains risks of 'Turkey teeth' and other dentistry abroad It also helps to strengthen enamel – unlike sugary mints and gum that mask bad breath and contribute to cavities. The gum comes in mint, lemon and strawberry flavours. I wasn't keen on the fruity ones – but the mint is great and is £1.35 for 15g at Sainsbury's. See TOOTHPASTE SALT toothpaste made by Weleda has been around for more than 100 years, but has soared into the brand's list of bestsellers in the last two years. That's because it is a chemical-free, eco-friendly toothpaste popular with those looking to avoid additives – there are no detergents, bleaches, foam boosters or optical brighteners in the product. No fluoride either – some people are worried that too much can lead to dental fluorosis or skeletal fluorosis, which can damage bones and joints. While rare, fluorosis is a factor. This toothpaste uses sodium bicarbonate, which is a salt that breaks down to form sodium and bicarbonate in water. This helps to promote healing in the mouth, and to ease ulcers, cuts and sore patches. It is totally free from microplastics too. It tastes like bicarbonate of soda but my mouth felt really fresh after using. I liked it. It's priced at £5.95 for 75ml. See
