Oral health a major threat to public health, says India President

New Delhi: Underlining that oral diseases pose a major threat to public health, President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said that they have become leading health problems resulting from tobacco use, alcohol and changing life style. Inaugurating the FDI Annual World Dental Congress hosted by the Indian Dental Association at Greater Noida, Mukherjee said that most people are ignorant of the significance of oral health and its impact on general health.

"The standards of oral and dental health are challenging in this subcontinent. Most people are ignorant of the significance of oral health and its impact on general health. Oral diseases and tooth decay were considered a part of the ageing process and ignored by a large number of people," he said at the function.

Mukherjee complimented FDI and the United Nations for recognition of oral diseases as a part of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, chronic respiratory diseases and cancer, on account of their sharing certain common risk factors.




Inaugurating the FDI Annual World Dental Congress hosted by the Indian Dental Association at Greater Noida, Mukherjee said that most people are ignorant of the significance of oral health and its impact on general health.




"What we need today in India is an Oral Health Revolution similar to the Green Revolution and White Revolution," the President said. He said that dental caries affect 60-80 per cent of our children and periodontal (gum) disease affect nearly 90-95 per cent of the population.

The President also highlighted surge in oral cancer cases in the country with tobacco use being the leading cause behind the fatal disease. "Dentists often are the first to detect any pre-cancerous lesions in the mouth. I am informed that IDA has set up an Oral Cancer Foundation for early detection and treatment of oral cancer along with Tobacco Intervention Initiative for tobacco cessation," he said.

Mukherjee said that an Oral Cancer Registry has also been set up to register exclusively oral cancer cases. The President said that there is a need to sensitize school children about the basic needs of oral healthcare with an emphasis on general health.

"Regular dental check-up camps at schools, which IDA has been organizing, will spread awareness of oral health and hygiene. IDA must work out with the school authorities to reach the maximum number of schools for preventive oral healthcare amongst the school children," he said. The President said with the spread of information about the diseases among patients and their expectations bring a challenge before the professional capabilities of healthcare service providers.

"To meet these expectations, you need to devise methodology to deliver comfortable and affordable dental care to the community and adopt innovative procedures and technology," he said. The President said the use of information technology and digitalisation of patient records have given a new dimension to oral healthcare.

"Latest technologies have significantly improved diagnostic quality, patient comfort and efficiency in dental care. Healthcare is under digital transformation and it is redefining virtually every aspect of clinical practice and related business activity," he said. The President said that IDA must work out how the young population of the country can be utilised by skilling more number of people in oral healthcare sector with the twin purpose of generating the employment as well as creating access of quality oral healthcare to over 1.2 billion population of this country.



Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/oral-health-a-major-threat-to-public-health-says-president/498236-3.html



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The importance of good oral health

Good oral health doesn't begin and end with brushing their teeth after meals. While this practice is commendable, it is not enough. Food particles, especially those at the back of the teeth and in hard-to-reach areas, may remain lodged, causing a host of alarming oral health problems. These include halitosis (bad breath), gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (a gum infection that damages soft tissue and the teeth’s bone support).

Food particles that are not removed by regular brushing may be used as fuel by anaerobic bacteria (bad bacteria) so they can multiply. These bacteria may cause dental problems such as tartar, plaque, and cavities, among others. They also release gaseous elements called volatile sulfur compounds, which are identified as major sources of strong odors in the mouth.



In addition to brushing, most dentists recommend flossing as part of regular oral hygiene. Many also recommend the use of mouthwash, especially if there are problems with oral malodor. Despite these advisories, patients still fail to comply. There are several reasons for non-compliance and one of these may be because the alcohol-based mouthwash they use stings the mouth and leaves a strong aftertaste.



No-sting OraCare Mouthrinse is specially formulated with stabilized chlorine dioxide (ClO2­­) and purified water for a more pleasurable gargling experience. It is an effective way of eliminating harmful bacteria and odor-causing compounds in the mouth.



OraCare is the only mouthwash brand available in leading drugstores and grocery stores nationwide that contains stabilized chlorine dioxide. While it delivers the same benefits as the alcohol-based variants such as killing bad bacteria, preventing plaque build-up and promoting healthy gums, OraCare’s ClO2 also neutralizes foul odor-causing compounds for a really clean mouth. Plus, as an added benefit, it does not stain teeth, even with regular use, unlike mouth rinses that contain chlorhexidine.



Made by Pascual Laboratories, OraCare Mouthrinse has three variants (Cool, Regular and Merrymint) and comes in 80mL, 250mL and 500mL sizes (except Merrymint). It is available in major drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.



Source: http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/10/06/the-importance-of-good-oral-health/



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How often do you need to see a dentist?

A lot of us think that we should visit the dentist every six months – even if it’s not what we do in practice. Whether those biannual check-ups are really necessary is, however, a matter of debate. In fact, it’s not even clear where the six-month figure initially came from. Some believe it dates back to the 18th Century, long before the advent of randomised controlled trials that could test its benefits.



People with a lot of problems with their teeth do, of course, need to visit the dentist often. But what about everyone else? Permanent teeth are more vulnerable to decay soon after they’ve come through, so when children have just grown their first permanent teeth at the ages of six to eight they need those regular check-ups. In the teens, teeth are less vulnerable, until wisdom teeth come through in your twenties. So the risk varies at different times of life.



In 2000, three-quarters of dentists surveyed in New York were recommending six monthly check-ups, despite the absence of studies examining whether the frequency of visits made a difference to patients at low-risk of tooth decay or gum disease. Today, many organisations such as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry still recommend six monthly check-ups.



But for several decades some have been arguing that the choice of six months as the ideal space between visits is rather arbitrary. Back in 1977 Aubrey Sheiham, a professor of dental public health at University College London, published a paper in The Lancet bemoaning the lack of evidence for six monthly check-ups. Almost 40 years on, he’s still making the same point.



In 2003 a systematic review examined the research that had then been done. The results were mixed. Some studies found no difference between the number of decayed teeth, fillings or missing teeth in those who attended the dentist frequently and those who didn’t, while other studies found fewer fillings in those who went a lot. When it came to gums most research found no difference in the amount of bleeding, plaque or gingivitis in permanent teeth. One study found that going to the dentist more than once a year made no difference to the size of tumours at diagnosis with oral cancer, while another found that if people waited more than a year between visits, tumours could be more advanced when they were found.



Last year the Cochrane Collaboration performed a similar systematic review of the research, and they were disappointed with what they found. The quality and quantity of the research was simply too poor to back up or refute the idea of six-monthly check-ups. They found just one controlled study where patients were randomised to attend the dentist either annually or every two years. Those who went annually did better, but it’s possible that the dental staff knew whether patients were in the annual or two-yearly group, which could have influenced the treatment they received and biased the results.



There’s something else we have to bear in mind. Even when a study finds, for example, that children who go to the dentist frequently have fewer fillings, there may be other factors at work. Those same children may have other advantages; they may belong to a higher socio-economic group, eat more healthily and have better quality dental equipment.



There is a secondary purpose to dental visits. Even if the dentist doesn’t spot any problems, they are likely to remind you to keep on caring for your teeth and cleaning them properly – although there’s no consensus about the best way of doing that either.



How often should you visit the dentist, then? Bodies like Nice, which provides guidance for the National Health Service in England and Wales, say that the frequency of dental visits all depends on the individual. They recommend that children go at least once a year because their teeth can decay faster, while adults without problems can wait as long as two years. They even go as far as to say that longer than two years is OK for people who have shown commitment to caring for their teeth and gums. Similar advice is given elsewhere. An expert group reviewing the evidence in Finland back in 2001 recommended that under-18s who are at low risk could visit between every 18 months and two years.



Where does this leave the rest of us the next time we receive a card through the door reminding us our next dental visit is due? We’d all like an excuse to go less often, and the good news is that if you don’t have any problems you can probably wait a little longer than six months between visits. But exactly how long you can wait before your appointment with the dentist’s chair will depend on the assessment you and your dentist make of your individual risk.



Source: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140926-how-often-must-we-see-a-dentist



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Take measures for oral health

Halloween kicks off a series of holidays celebrated with delicious treats from yummy chocolate candies to gut-busting dinners and seasonal alcoholic beverages.



While most parents will make sure their kids brush after eating their treats, National Dental Hygiene Month in October encourages a fuller approach to oral health.



“Teeth and gums are obviously key components of oral health care, but they’re just part of the whole environment inside one’s mouth,” said Dr. Bob Kross, a biochemist who’s been researching and developing oral health-care products since the 1980s.



Kross’ patented Breath Appeal oral rinse, (www.breathappeal.com), destroys both the putrefying anaerobic bacteria that degrade food particles and body cells to form sulfurous bad breath malodorants as well as many of the bacteria associated with gum disease.



“The nooks and crannies in our mouths and gums are not the only places crammed with organic debris, which feed the bacteria that create biofilm, such as plaque, to protect themselves from oxygen,” Kross said. “There are also cracks on the tongue’s surface and in the other soft tissues in the mouth and pharynx where bacteria collect, further compromising dental health and creating bad breath.”



Normal oral bacteria are fine, actually even necessary, when present in proper balance with each other but it’s a problem when putrefying and pathogenic bacteria start to take over, he said.



“The sticky candies and treats children and adults consume during this time of year can disrupt the normal balance of bacteria if good dental hygiene isn’t practiced,” said Kross, who describes how bad breath is created and how we can prevent it.



• If you develop bad breath don’t simply try to mask it with mints. Anaerobic bacteria can also lead to painful and potentially serious conditions such as gingivitis and periodontitis, so it’s best to attack the problem at the root.



Maintaining the proper balance or oral bacteria will not only keep your breath fresh, it will help you maintain good oral health.



• Add tongue scraping and an oxidizing daily rinse to your oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing reach about 25 percent of your mouth, and that’s why you should add tongue scraping and rinsing to your daily routine.



That white stuff you might see on your tongue is a collection of food particles and other organic matter, which can putrefy and create oral malodorants. Oxygen inhibits the growth of the responsible anaerobic bacteria, so scraping off the film and using an oxidizing mouthwash will counter that problem.



• Control bad breath by controlling the mouth’s bacteria. Brush at least twice a day, floss, scrape the tongue and use a non-alcoholic rinse that has oxidizing properties. Individuals suffering from bad breath will experience optimum relief only by using alcohol-free, oxidizing oral hygiene products.



“At least 90 percent of bad breath problems are associated with the sulfurous compounds generated by the putrefying, malodor-forming, anaerobic bacteria, which hide in oral crevices, and which degrade food particles and salivary cell fragments,” Kross said. “For a cleaner mouth and fresher breath, you’ll need oxidants to destroy a major portion of the bacteria in these low-oxygen environments, thereby removing the root cause of persistent halitosis.



Kross is a biochemist associated with All USA Direct, (www.breathappeal.com), producer of Breath Appeal products. Many of Kross’ 40 U.S. patents reflect his interest in biomedical areas, including oral antimicrobials and associated conditions and diseases.



Source: http://www.thespectrum.com/story/life/features/mesquite/2014/09/29/take-measures-oral-health/16453425/



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Talk to Your Kids About Obesity, Nutrition, and Oral Health

If your child prefers cookies to carrots, it's no surprise. Junk food is an unfortunate reality of childhood diets. Sweet snacks and savory treats are the rule rather than the exception for many families, and they're a contributing factor to both tooth decay and obesity.



In observance of National Childhood Obesity Awareness month this September, Delta Dental of New Jersey is calling attention to this problem. It's one that we can solve together.



In the last 30 years, obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Today, more than a third of U.S. children are overweight or obese. As a result, there are an increasing number of obesity-related health problems among young Americans, from pre-diabetes to heart disease.



There also is a link between obesity and poor oral health. While obesity may not necessarily cause poor oral health or periodontal disease, we often find that people who suffer from obesity also have problems with their oral health. In this way, obesity and poor nutrition contribute to the number one chronic childhood disease: tooth decay.



Tips for Healthy Eating



The good news is that you can protect your child's oral health and overall health by making a few significant lifestyle changes. Here are some tips for good nutrition choices that, along with regular exercise, can help your child maintain a healthy weight. Even better, they also are good for your child's oral health.



Tip #1: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Besides being packed with nutrients, certain fruits and veggies can even help clean the teeth and gums. Choose foods rich in vitamin C, including citrus fruits; leafy vegetables and potatoes; foods with folic acid, such as spinach and broccoli; and foods with vitamin B12, such as dairy and meat. Dairy and spinach also have the added benefit of calcium for building strong bones and teeth.



Tip #2: Choose foods that have an added benefit for your teeth. Cheese, chicken, nuts, and milk help to counteract the acidity in your mouth and provide the phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth. These foods may even help to protect tooth enamel. Check the Snack Smart Food List from Delta Dental for other good choices.



Tip #3: If you want something sweet, choose a crunchy fruit. These types of fruits, like apples and pears, for example, have a high water content, which helps dilute the effects of their natural sugar.



Tip #4: Avoid sticky snacks. These include sugary granola bars that only masquerade as being healthy. Also stay away from candies like caramel, gummy bears, and other sticky sweets that will remain on your teeth for longer periods of time. Not only are they 'empty calories,' but they provide fuel for bacteria.



Tip #5: Choose water or low-fat milk for a beverage. Avoid soft drinks and sweetened carbonated beverages; soda can have as much sugar as a candy bar and diet drinks often include flavor-enhancing acids that can harm tooth enamel. Even sports drinks might have more sugar than you think.



Teachable Moments Start at Home



Finally, teach your child to eat slowly by putting their utensils down between bites. Not only does this help with digestion, but it teaches kids to recognize when they feel full and should stop eating. Also, be aware of portion sizes. A useful trick is to use the size of your fist as a guideline for one portion. Always start with smaller portions; take more only if you're still hungry.



Let children have a say in what they want to eat for dinner and, if possible, let them help you prepare it! Talk about the benefits of eating these healthy and tasty foods, like having more energy, feeling fuller longer, and helping to build strong muscles and bones.



Sources: http://www.nj.com/helpinghands/deltadental/index.ssf/2014/09/talk_to_your_kids_about_obesit.html



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CDC: Oral Health in Young Women Needs Improvment

Women of childbearing age in the United States should be encouraged to maintain better oral care and visit the dentist routinely, according to a study published Sept. 18 in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease. Researchers found young pregnant women, those who are non-Hispanic black or Mexican-American, as well as those with lower income and less education, need to improve their oral care.

For the study, researchers looked at self-reported oral health information compiled on nearly 900 pregnant women and almost 4,000 women of childbearing age (between 15 and 44 years old) who weren't pregnant. The information was taken from the 1999 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.



Regardless of whether or not they were pregnant, the researchers found disparities in oral health and use of dental services among women in this age group. The percentage of women who reported having very good oral health was much higher among older pregnant women than younger pregnant women. This suggests that older pregnant women are more aware of their oral health needs and seek out dental care. It could also be that they're more likely to have dental insurance than younger pregnant women. The percentage of younger women who weren't pregnant who said they had good oral health, however, was much higher than the percentage of older pregnant women who said they had good oral health. The study's authors concluded this may be because younger women hadn't developed the same cumulative effects of dental disease.



Oral disease, with symptoms such as cavities or gum disease, may be prevented or treated with regular dental visits. In addition to causing pain, past research has suggested that dental problems may be linked to certain pregnancy problems, according to background information in the study. The study's authors noted prenatal check-ups may provide doctors with a key opportunity to encourage women to get routine preventive dental care.



See more at: http://www.hcplive.com/articles/CDC-Oral-Health-in-Young-Women-Needs-Improvment#sthash.c3sSeLzY.dpuf



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from Affinity Dental Fresno http://affinitydental.livejournal.com/26758.html

Brush teeth before sleep for healthy smile

How often do you attend late night parties and then use plain laziness as an excuse for not brushing your teeth before sleep? Better not forget that cleaning your teeth daily as just one "miss" begins the process of cavity and plaque building.



And don't trust gum, mints or mouthwash as brushing replacements.



"All three can give your mouth a fresher feel but brushing and flossing are the only ways to effectively physically remove the plaque," Indian-origin dentist Deepinder Ruchi Sahota from Fremont, California was quoted as saying in media reports.



According to Sahota, also a spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA), missing night brushing encourages the growth of bacterial buildup in the form of plaque that can lead to cavities and gum disease.



"The longer plaque sits in one place the more likely it is to become tartar - a hard, yellow, rough material in between your teeth," she added.



This can later cause inflammation and bleeding in the gums.



"Untreated for too long and you could risk losing teeth," she emphasized.



Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Brush-teeth-before-sleep-for-healthy-smile/articleshow/42625497.cms



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