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This
week, we learn how dentists might help fight the obesity epidemic, discuss
which foods and beverages are best for your teeth and discover that solid-head
power toothbrushes may retain less bacteria than hollow heads. Join in the
conversation on Twitter using #FridayDentalDL.
1. Healthy
Teeth and Gums Lead to Lower health Care Costs: A recent study that involved checking the health and dental
insurance records of 338,891 people with one of five conditions (type 2
diabetes, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and
pregnancy), found that periodontal therapy can improve health. The researchers
report that within 4 years, people who had treatment for gum disease had lower
medical costs and fewer hospitalizations compared with people who didn’t have
treatment.. For more information click here.
2. Study:
Solid-head power toothbrushes may retain less bacteria: According to a new
study in the Journal
of Dental Hygiene, power toothbrushes with a solid head retain
significantly less bacteria compared to those with hollow heads. The researchers
found that microbial counts were lower in the solid-head toothbrush group than
in the two hollow-head toothbrush groups in nine out of 10 comparisons.
3. American
Dental Association Releases CDT 2015 Codes: The American Dental
Association (ADA) announces the release of CDT 2015. New books, training tools,
and an app help dental professionals stay current on dental coding. The new
codes go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015. For more information visit ebusiness.ada.org.
4. Dentists
Help in Fight Against Obesity, Study Finds: A study, published
in the Sept. 1 Journal of the American
Dental Association, found that counties with a higher number of dentists
per capita have strikingly lower rates of obesity than their peers, even within
the same state. The researchers analyzed data from 2,841 counties across the
United States. Among the factors considered were the percentage of obese adults
– those with a body mass index of 30 or greater – and the number of primary
care physicians and dentists per 10,000 people.
5. What To Eat
For Healthy Teeth: 6 Fortifying Foods to Boost Oral Health: Our foods and
dietary habits affect our mouth’s ability to stop bacteria that contributes to
plaque and cavities. Numerous studies have found that antioxidants and other
essential nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and other
everyday foods boost the body’s immunity while helping to promote good oral
health. To boost your oral health, this article recommends that you eat cheese,
drink black coffee, eat gummy bears, drink red wine, eat steak, and drink green
and/or black tea. For healthy menu tips when planning your next BBQ or party click here.