'
( Reprinted from the Huffingtonpost.com )
By Ronald L. Tankersley, D.D.S., Pres. American Dental Association
The American Dental Association (ADA) disputes many of the health claims made in Mark Hyman's February 20th post, "Mercury: How to Get This Lethal Poison Out of Your Body."
The author's characterization of dental amalgam is factually inaccurate. Dental amalgam, made by combining elemental mercury with other metals such as silver, copper and tin, has been used effectively by dentists to fill cavities for more than a century. Dental amalgam is the most thoroughly researched and tested restorative material among all those in use.
After reviewing hundreds of scientific studies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2009 decided not to place any restriction on the use of dental amalgam and categorized dental amalgam as a class II medical device. This designation places dental amalgam in the same class as gold and tooth-colored composite dental fillings. In addition, the FDA noted that clinical studies have not established a causal link between dental amalgam and adverse health effects in adults and children age six and older.
Many other U.S. and international scientific and health bodies such as the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have stated that based on peer-reviewed scientific evidence, dental amalgam is a safe, durable and effective cavity-filling material. In its 2009 review of the scientific literature on amalgam safety, the ADA's Council on Scientific Affairs reaffirmed that the scientific evidence continues to support amalgam as a valuable, viable and safe choice for dental patients. In addition, because dental amalgam sets quickly, it can be the best filling material for some children and people with special needs to limit their treatment time, thereby avoiding the need for anesthesia.
The author skews the conclusions of published scientific research in order to make his headline appear credible, but the fact is the story is grossly inaccurate. The ADA is a science-based organization. The facts culled from years of scientific research, coupled with the FDA's recent decision, underscore what the ADA has long supported -- dental amalgam is a safe and effective dental filling material.
The ADA encourages patients to talk to their dentists about the treatment options so they can make educated decisions regarding their dental care.
Related Blog Posts
FDA Says Mercury (Amalgam) Fillings Are Safe ( July 29, 2009 )
Sweden Bans All Mercury Fillings ( July 24, 2009 )
FDA Finally Admits Mercury Fillings Are Dangerous ( June 16, 2009 )
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Dentists Could Soon Be Able To Detect Pancreatic Cancer
'
Dental News
In a just-released study, researchers successfully linked changes found in human saliva to the presence of early-stage pancreatic cancer putting dental health professionals on the front line in the battle against the so-called "worst cancer" pancreatic.
A multidisciplinary group of investigators at the UCLA School of Dentistry, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the UCLA School of Public Health and UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has demonstrated the usefulness of salivary diagnostics in the effort to find and fight the disease.
"Worldwide, the prevalence of pancreatic cancer is so high, and the disease is so deadly, that it calls out for a reliable means of early diagnosis," said the study's senior investigator, David Wong, UCLA Professor of Dentistry and associate dean of research at the dental school. "The ability to implement safe, cost-effective, widespread screening could be the answer to saving thousands of lives each year."
"Not only are these saliva-based diagnostic methods for pancreatic cancer simple and noninvasive, they may also represent an improvement in specificity and sensitivity over currently used procedures, such as blood tests, for early pancreatic cancer detection," said James Farrell, Director of the Pancreatic Diseases Program at UCLA.
Related Blog Posts
New Test For Detecting Breast Cancer ( February 9, 2008 )
Dental News
In a just-released study, researchers successfully linked changes found in human saliva to the presence of early-stage pancreatic cancer putting dental health professionals on the front line in the battle against the so-called "worst cancer" pancreatic.
A multidisciplinary group of investigators at the UCLA School of Dentistry, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, the UCLA School of Public Health and UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has demonstrated the usefulness of salivary diagnostics in the effort to find and fight the disease.
"Worldwide, the prevalence of pancreatic cancer is so high, and the disease is so deadly, that it calls out for a reliable means of early diagnosis," said the study's senior investigator, David Wong, UCLA Professor of Dentistry and associate dean of research at the dental school. "The ability to implement safe, cost-effective, widespread screening could be the answer to saving thousands of lives each year."
"Not only are these saliva-based diagnostic methods for pancreatic cancer simple and noninvasive, they may also represent an improvement in specificity and sensitivity over currently used procedures, such as blood tests, for early pancreatic cancer detection," said James Farrell, Director of the Pancreatic Diseases Program at UCLA.
Related Blog Posts
New Test For Detecting Breast Cancer ( February 9, 2008 )
Friday, February 12, 2010
How Dental Science Affected This Year's Super Bowl
'
DENTAL NEWS: Did you know that 35 members of the Super Bowl winning New Orleans Saints wore custom mouth guards that utilized the latest in Neuromuscular dentistry science?
Did you know that these cool new mouth guards probably played little if any role in helping the Saints beat the Colts 31-17 last Sunday?
Last September, these 35 New Orleans Saints players were fit using the J5 Myomonitor -- a special unit designed by Myotronics, Inc. -- to relax the muscles of the face so as to better to find the optimal biting position. Once this 'perfect position' is pinpointed, a dental impression is taken and the mouth guard is fabricated. With the jaw in the optimal position athletes have reported better range of motion, flexibility and balance as well as improved body posture.
This isn't the first time Neuromuscular dentistry has been in the spotlight. The Myotronics, Inc. company's Neuromuscular dentistry system has been featured in both the USA TODAY newspaper and on Monday night football by ESPN football commentator Jon Gruden.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DENTAL VIEWS: Maybe my beloved New York Giants football team will utilize these new mouth guards next year to improve upon their dismal record they had this past season.
Related Blog Posts
Cosmetic Dentistry Secrets The Dental Industry Doesn't Want You To Know ( March 20, 2007 )
When Is A Dental Emergency An Emergency? ( February 7, 2009 )
DENTAL NEWS: Did you know that 35 members of the Super Bowl winning New Orleans Saints wore custom mouth guards that utilized the latest in Neuromuscular dentistry science?
Did you know that these cool new mouth guards probably played little if any role in helping the Saints beat the Colts 31-17 last Sunday?
Last September, these 35 New Orleans Saints players were fit using the J5 Myomonitor -- a special unit designed by Myotronics, Inc. -- to relax the muscles of the face so as to better to find the optimal biting position. Once this 'perfect position' is pinpointed, a dental impression is taken and the mouth guard is fabricated. With the jaw in the optimal position athletes have reported better range of motion, flexibility and balance as well as improved body posture.
This isn't the first time Neuromuscular dentistry has been in the spotlight. The Myotronics, Inc. company's Neuromuscular dentistry system has been featured in both the USA TODAY newspaper and on Monday night football by ESPN football commentator Jon Gruden.
DENTAL VIEWS: Maybe my beloved New York Giants football team will utilize these new mouth guards next year to improve upon their dismal record they had this past season.
Related Blog Posts
Cosmetic Dentistry Secrets The Dental Industry Doesn't Want You To Know ( March 20, 2007 )
When Is A Dental Emergency An Emergency? ( February 7, 2009 )
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Baby Oral Health Tips Via The ADA
'
Dental News
Seeing as how February is National Children's Dental Health Month (and you thought it was only Black History month), the American Dental Association (ADA) has issued several tips on the importance that proper dental care plays in the future health of children, in particular when they're still babies.
The ADA recommends that parents act proactively in this critic stage of a child's development to insure the health of their children's teeth because attitudes and habits established at such an early age are critical in maintaining good oral health throughout life.
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Baby bottle tooth decay can destroy your child's teeth. It occurs when a child is frequently exposed to sugary liquids such as milk, including breast milk, fruit juice and other sweet liquids. The ADA recommends the following steps to prevent your child from getting baby bottle tooth decay.
* Begin clearing your baby's mouth during the first few days after birth. After every feeding, wipe the baby's gums with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque.
* Never allow your child to nurse or breast feed for prolonged periods and don't give him or her a bottle with milk, formula, sugar water or fruit juice during naps or at night in bed.
* Help your child develop good eating habits early and choose sensible, nutritious snacks.
* Encourage children to drink from a cup by their first birthday.
* Discourage frequent use of a training cup.
Baby's First Dentist Visit
The ADA recommends regular dental check-ups, including a visit to the dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, and no later than the child's first birthday. Preventive care such as cleanings and fluoride treatment provide your child with "smile" insurance. Routine dental exams uncover problems that can be treated in the early stages, when damage is minimal and restorations may be small. When necessary, X-rays are taken to see how the teeth are developing and to spot hidden decay.
Related Blog Posts
New Perinatal And Infant Oral Health Guidelines ( June 14, 2009 )
Back To School Means Back To The Dentist Too ( July 27, 2008 )
Dental News
Seeing as how February is National Children's Dental Health Month (and you thought it was only Black History month), the American Dental Association (ADA) has issued several tips on the importance that proper dental care plays in the future health of children, in particular when they're still babies.
The ADA recommends that parents act proactively in this critic stage of a child's development to insure the health of their children's teeth because attitudes and habits established at such an early age are critical in maintaining good oral health throughout life.
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Baby bottle tooth decay can destroy your child's teeth. It occurs when a child is frequently exposed to sugary liquids such as milk, including breast milk, fruit juice and other sweet liquids. The ADA recommends the following steps to prevent your child from getting baby bottle tooth decay.
* Begin clearing your baby's mouth during the first few days after birth. After every feeding, wipe the baby's gums with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque.
* Never allow your child to nurse or breast feed for prolonged periods and don't give him or her a bottle with milk, formula, sugar water or fruit juice during naps or at night in bed.
* Help your child develop good eating habits early and choose sensible, nutritious snacks.
* Encourage children to drink from a cup by their first birthday.
* Discourage frequent use of a training cup.
Baby's First Dentist Visit
The ADA recommends regular dental check-ups, including a visit to the dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, and no later than the child's first birthday. Preventive care such as cleanings and fluoride treatment provide your child with "smile" insurance. Routine dental exams uncover problems that can be treated in the early stages, when damage is minimal and restorations may be small. When necessary, X-rays are taken to see how the teeth are developing and to spot hidden decay.
Related Blog Posts
New Perinatal And Infant Oral Health Guidelines ( June 14, 2009 )
Back To School Means Back To The Dentist Too ( July 27, 2008 )
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
