Health Tip: Your Child's Pacifier

(HealthDay News) -- Sucking is a natural reflex for babies, and it often soothes an upset baby to suck on a pacifier. While it's safe up until the child is about 4 years of age, a pacifier shouldn't be used once his permanent teeth begin to grow.
The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin says if a child still uses a pacifier after about age four, his permanent teeth may grow improperly.
While many children voluntarily stop sucking on a pacifier, some may have a tougher time breaking the habit. And thumb sucking, which could cause similar dental problems, may be an even harder habit to break.
If your child's permanent teeth have begun emerge and he's still sucking on a pacifier or his thumb, talk with a pediatric dentist on the damage the child may be causing. Ask the dentist for suggestions on how to get your child to stop.

Cheek Swab Helps Spot Early Lung Cancer

(HealthDay News) -- One of the reasons lung cancer is so deadly is that it is often detected too late for treatments to be effective.
Now, a new test based on scrapings of inner cheek cells may be useful in identifying early malignancy in high-risk patients, Canadian researchers report.
Using mucosal scrapings from the inner part of the cheek, researchers analyzed changes in the nucleus of those cells to distinguish patients with lung cancer from high-risk patients without malignancy.
The finding could spur more research into the use of cheek cell analysis as a simple, inexpensive method of early detection of lung cancer, the number-one cancer killer of both men and women.
"Ultimately, this test could be administered in primary-care settings or dental offices. The procedure is simple enough that specimen collection could be done by patients themselves," lead researcher Dr. Bojana Turic, the director of clinical and regulatory affairs at Perceptronix, Inc., in Vancouver, explained in a prepared statement.
The findings were to be presented Monday in Montreal at CHEST 2005, the annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians.
"Previous research has shown that cell nuclear changes can extend a significant distance from the site of a malignancy," Turic explained. "We have already conducted a successful clinical trial for our sputum test for lung cancer. New data suggest that the effects of lung cancer can also be measured as far away as skin cells in the mouth."
In their test, Tutic and his team analyzed randomized cheek scrapings of 150 confirmed lung cancer patients and 990 patients at high risk for the disease. "A sufficient amount of cells can be collected by scraping the inside of the cheek with a small wooden spatula similar to a tongue depressor," Turic said.
According to the researchers, the cheek cell test had an overall 66 percent sensitivity -- meaning it spotted cancers two-thirds of the time, and a specificity of 70 percent -- meaning that it had a "false-positive" rate of 30 percent. The test achieved a 61 percent sensitivity when researchers focused on early, stage I lung cancers.
Turic's team cautioned that more testing is needed to validate the test's performance.
Two experts believe this new early detection tool shows promise, but they say it's still not accurate enough to be used in lieu of other diagnostic methods.
"I'm glad to see the work being done," said Dr. Norman Edelman, the chief medical officer of the American Lung Association. "It's a simple, noninvasive, potentially inexpensive test that will pick up early lung cancer. That would certainly be a big help."
However, the test's accuracy in diagnosing stage I lung cancer is only 60 percent, Edelman noted. "That means they will miss 40 percent of cancers. That's hardly a perfect test," he said. "I don't think it's ready for prime time."
"Obviously, we will welcome anything that will aid in the early detection of lung cancer," said Tom Glynn, the director of cancer science and trends at the American Cancer Society. "We're still stuck at about a 15 percent survival rate, and anything that can help improve that obviously is important."
Glynn agreed that the test is still in the early stages of development. "The whole sputum cytology [cell analysis] area has been around for a decade and this study takes it one step further in terms of trying to make it more accurate," he said. "I cannot see this test being universally used until they make it more accurate."

Moe information
For more on lung cancer, head to the American Cancer Society.

Health Tip: Too Much Fluoride Can Harm Young Children

(HealthDay News) -- Although touted as an essential part of daily tooth care, fluoride can harm some children, according to Health Canada.
If children under 6 years old ingest high levels of fluoride while their teeth are forming, they can develop dental fluorosis, white areas or brown stains on the teeth. This may also damage the tooth enamel, causing tooth pain.
To minimize risks, parents shouldn't give fluoridated rinses to children under 6, and they should monitor the amount of toothpaste their child uses. Children should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and avoid swallowing it. Parents should brush the teeth of children under 3 years old without using toothpaste.
The risk of fluorosis decreases when children reach the age of six, since their teeth have finished forming.

Health Tip: If You Have Dry Mouth

(HealthDay News) -- Certain medications and medical conditions can lead to dry mouth, a result of too little saliva flow.
Here's a list of problems that are associated with the condition, courtesy of the American Dental Association:
· A constant sore throat
· A burning sensation.
· Problems speaking.
· Difficulty swallowing.
· Dry nasal passages.
Because saliva washes away food and neutralizes the acids produced by plaque, dry mouth can damage teeth.
Dentists can usually recommend ways to restore moisture, such as sugar-free gum and oral rinses.

Teen Girls Sip More Soda as They Age

(HealthDay News) -- As teenage girls get older, they drink less milk and more soda, which translates into lower intakes of calcium and higher body-mass indexes, a new study finds.
Soda consumption among teens has been a concern of nutrition experts for years, with excess soft drink intake linked to increased risk for dental decay and weight gain, among other health problems.
Now, in a study published in the February issue of The Journal of Pediatrics, researchers followed 2,371 girls who kept food diaries from age 9 or 10 through age 19. The findings mirror those of other studies, but what's new is the length of time the girls were tracked.
"We have 10 years of details," said study co-author Douglas Thompson, a senior statistician at the Maryland Medical Research Institute, in Baltimore.
As participants in the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Growth Health Study, the girls turned in food diaries during annual visits. Over the years, the researchers looked at three-day food records and evaluated them. Participants noted, among other information, their intake of milk, regular soda, diet soda, fruit juice, fruit-flavored drinks and coffee/tea.
Milk consumption decreased by more than 25 percent during the course of the study, while soda intake nearly tripled, becoming the No. 1 beverage consumed by the older girls. Because beverage habits have been associated with characteristics such as age and race, the researchers looked separately at white and black teens.
The consumption of regular soda among white girls rose from about 4.7 ounces a day at age 9 to 13.2 ounces daily by age 18. Among black girls, regular soda consumption was 4 ounces daily at age 9, and rose to 11.8 ounces by age 18. Milk consumption among white girls was 12.3 ounces daily at age 9 but only 8.4 ounces at age 18. Black girls averaged 8.5 ounces of milk a day at age 9, but just 5 ounces by age 18.
The more soda girls drank, the lower their calcium intake and the higher their body-mass index (BMI), the researchers found.
"The nutrient impacts are a great concern," Thompson said, referring to the calcium intake finding. "A girl who drank 200 grams [about 8 ounces] a day decreased calcium intake by 7 milligrams, compared to one who drank only 100 grams [4 ounces]."
Advice for parents? Give your daughter more milk, and fewer other beverages. "The beverages associated with poor nutrient profiles were regular sodas, fruit-flavored drinks, coffee and teas," Thompson said.
"Girls who drank more of those -- regular soda, fruit-flavored drinks [not fruit juice], coffee and teas -- take in more calories generally, have more sugars and less calcium in their diets," he added.
Moderation of soda is key, said Lona Sandon, a spokeswomen for the American Dietetic Association and an assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. "Whether drinking sugary sodas or fruit juices causes weight gain or not, the bigger issue is overall diet quality," she said. "According to the American Dietetic Association's position statement on [the] use of nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners, diet quality suffers when intake of these beverages reaches 25 percent of total calories or above."
"It is pretty clear that as intake of sugary beverages increases, the intake of beverages with higher nutritional quality decreases," Sandon said. "Replacing milk with sodas or fruit drinks means less protein needed for growth and healthy immune systems, less calcium for strong bones for the future, less potassium, less vitamin D and other nutrients needed for optimal health."
"Sweetened beverages providing calories without nutrition should be consumed with caution," she added. "An adolescent eating a diet that meets the dietary guidelines for Americans and nutrients needed for growth and development can safely enjoy a sugary drink occasionally."
By occasionally, Sandon said she meant no more than three to four times a week.
More information
To learn more about nutrition, visit the American Dietetic Association.

Simple Steps Bring Sweeter Breath

(HealthDay News) -- Some simple measures can help put a muzzle on bad breath, according to an article in the June issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter.
Bad breath can be caused by food particles in the mouth, dry mouth, or a health problem. Mayo experts offer these tips to help prevent it:
· Brush your teeth or use mouthwash after you eat. Brushing is the more effective of the two. If you use mouthwash, make sure you swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds before you spit it out.
· Floss your teeth at least once a day in order to remove decaying food.
· When brushing your teeth, brush the back of your tongue, too, or scrape it with a tongue scraper, available at pharmacies.
· Drink water to keep your mouth moist. When your mouth gets dry, there isn't enough saliva to wash away dead cells. You can also chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to help stimulate saliva production.
· Don't eat foods -- such as onions and garlic -- that encourage bad breath. These foods contain oils that are transferred to the lungs and exhaled.
· If you have dentures, clean them daily to get rid of food particles and bacteria.
· If these simple measures don't improve your bad breath, see your doctor or dentist. Persistent bad breath may be a sign of periodontal disease, an abscessed tooth, infection, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, certain kinds of esophageal problems, and other health conditions.
More information
The American Dental Association has more about bad breath.

Health Tip: Preventing Cavities

(HealthDay News) -- Whether you've got a mouth full of cavities or a perfect set of teeth, preventing tooth decay should be a key concern.


The American Dental Association offers these suggestions for keeping your teeth and gums healthy:
· Teeth should be brushed after every meal, or at least twice a day. You should be particularly careful to brush after eating anything sticky or sugary.
· Floss every day.
· Maintain a healthy diet, full of fruits and vegetables. Try to keep snacks to a minimum, and keep them healthy if you do have them.
· See your dentist every six months for a cleaning and an exam.

Health Tip: Lack of Vitamin D Can Cause Rickets

(HealthDay News) -- Vitamin D is needed to help the body absorb calcium and build strong, healthy bones. The vitamin is particularly important for growing children, who need plenty of calcium for good bone health.
Lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets, a condition characterized by soft or weak bones, pain or tenderness in the limbs or spine, and bone deformities such as bowlegs. A child with rickets may also have dental problems including abnormal tooth formation and cavities.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine says treatment usually involves dietary changes to include more vitamin D-rich foods -- such as fish, liver and milk -- and increased exposure to sunlight. Braces on the legs or spine may be needed to counter bone deformities.

Gum Implants Could Treat Periodontal Disease

(HealthDay News) -- Researchers are exploring a promising treatment for severe periodontal disease in which a biodegradable gum implant slowly releases medicines that fight infection.
Word of the new procedure -- designed to be less invasive and more effective then current surgical treatments -- came Thursday at the American Chemical Society's annual meeting in San Francisco.
"I'm extraordinarily confident that this technology will work," said study co-author Kathryn E. Uhrich, a professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
Although animal and human trials have yet to begin, Uhrich said that the laboratory work already conducted with co-author Michelle L. Johnson -- one of Uhrich's graduate students -- indicates that the plastic implant appears to be both effective and safe.
"We're using antibiotic anti-bacterial properties, which everyone already knows about, alongside aspirin-like, anti-inflammatory properties, which everyone also already knows about," she explained. "So it's pretty easy to make, and I see no real significant technical obstacles."
"What's unique here, however, is our plan to treat periodontal disease by combining these properties with a polymer -- or plastic -- implant structure that enables delivery of the drugs with minimal invasiveness," she added.
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, approximately 80 percent of men and women have gum disease of one kind or another.
The authors note that between 8 percent and 12 percent of Americans have an advanced stage of periodontal disease, requiring invasive interventions such as surgery to prevent tooth loss.
Periodontal disease -- literally meaning disease from "around the tooth" -- is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums and bones surrounding the teeth. The disease originates in the bacteria-laden plaque, which routinely forms a sticky film on tooth surfaces.
Poor hygienic habits, poor nutrition, stress, smoking, diabetes, genetic predisposition and certain medications can raise the risk for developing gum disease.
In its less serious stages, the condition can provoke relatively painless gum swelling and bleeding. However, if left untreated gum tissue and bone can literally disintegrate over an extended period of time.
Treatment for advanced gum disease traditionally begins with a dentist removing infected organisms lodged deep in the pockets that develop between teeth and gums -- a process known as "deep scaling."
The elimination of remaining bacteria is sometimes further aided by the placement of topical anti-microbials in the cleaned-out pockets.
If significant bone loss has occurred, the current standard for the second phase of treatment involves the surgical implantation of barrier materials -- such as Teflon -- to separate the gum from the bone and teeth and promote bone regeneration and tissue healing. The barrier is then surgically removed after approximately six weeks.
According to Uhrich, the proposed new procedure would cut the need for invasive surgery in half by relying on an implant that would release both anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory medications over a prescribed time. Meanwhile, the barrier itself slowly disintegrates.
The researchers say patients benefit because the barrier doesn't have to be removed with surgery, and gum tissues are healed with the use of salicylic acid -- the active anti-inflammatory ingredient found in aspirin.
"This is absolutely a unique process, " said Uhrich. "There's nothing out there like this right now."
Uhrich said the procedure could be available to patients in as little as two years, depending on U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval following animal and human trials. Primate trials are already being set up.
However, Robert Genco, a distinguished professor of oral biology, periodontology, and microbiology in the school of dental medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo, had some reservations about the procedure.
"The proof in the pudding is going to be the human trials," he said. "It might be a useful adjunct treatment to the deep-scaling needed to remove tenaciously attached bacteria," he said. "But there is also a possible negative aspect in that the anti-inflammatory impact of this procedure could theoretically reduce the body's ability to cope with the infection by undermining the body's ability to get rid of the most difficult-to-remove bacteria. It's not been shown for sure that this would be a problem, but it's something that would have to be dealt with."
More information
For additional information on gum disease, visit the American Academy of Periodontology.

No Clear Winner in Fight Against Bad Breath

(HealthDay News) -- There's no conclusive evidence to indicate which approach -- mouthwash, breath mint, spray, chewing gum or mechanical tongue cleaning -- is most effective for treating bad breath (halitosis), says a new review of previous clinical studies.
"From the results of some low-powered trials, tongue cleaning, scraping and brushing do appear to have some benefit at reducing halitosis, and the effects appear to be short-lived," review co-investigator Zbys Fedorowicz, a periodontist at the Ministry of Health in Bahrain, said in a prepared statement. "But we were unable to find any reliable evidence confirming any benefits of using tongue-scraping over mouthwash, or vice-versa, at reducing halitosis."
Halitosis is caused by accumulated bacteria and the decay of food particles and other debris in the mouth.
Currently, there are no standard and accepted methods for treating halitosis. Mouthwashes, sprays, mints and gums provide a competing and temporary smell that masks bad breath. Some mouth rinses have ingredients that neutralize the odor or the bacteria that produce it.
Tongue brushing and scraping dislodge trapped food and bacteria, which can also be reduced by improving oral hygiene.
The findings appear in the latest issue of the journal The Cochrane Library.

More information
The American Dental Association has more about halitosis.

Fresh Mouth $22.95 [ learn more ] Fresh Mouth - is our newly formulated treatment spray to which we have added Coenzyme Q-10, Xylitol, and Colloidal Silver. When Fresh Mouth was first put together some years ago, we advised our customer base that the formula would grow as new biological dental information was brought forth.

Limit Your Kid's Sugar for Better Dental Health

(HealthDay News) -- How often and when children consume sugary foods and beverages is as important as how much they consume when it comes to preventing tooth decay and cavities, says the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).
"Most parents know that they need to watch what their kids eat and make them brush regularly. Unfortunately, many are not aware that letting kids sip on sugary drinks for hours or putting them to bed with a bottle of milk can be just as harmful. These habits can expose teeth to sugar for extended periods of time, increasing the risk of tooth decay," said Dr. Phil Hunke, in a prepared statement for AAPD.
Overall, American children have had fewer cavities in recent years, but the incidence of cavities among children ages two to five increased 15.2 percent from 1988-1994 to 1999-2002. This is the only child and adolescent age group with increased rates of tooth decay.
The AAPD offers the following tips on how to limit the frequency and duration of sugar exposure among young children:
· Fill sippy cups with water only. Children shouldn't sip on sugary drinks or munch on sugary foods for extended periods of time. If you give your children beverages other than water, serve them in a glass or can and limit consumption time. If you do put sugary drinks in sippy cups, tell your children to finish them quickly and take away the drink after a reasonable amount of time.
· Don't allow children to go to sleep with a milk bottle, because even milk can cause tooth decay. If you put your child to bed with a bottle, it should be filled with water only.
· Limit your children's candy consumption. Sucking on candy extends exposure to sugar. Make sure children brush their teeth after having any candy.
· Have your children floss daily and brush after meals and snacks.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about child dental health.

Flossing a Quick Fix for Gum Disease, Bad Breath

(HealthDay News) -- Just two weeks of flossing, added to regular tooth brushing, can significantly reduce bleeding gums and bad breath, a U.S. study finds.

The study included 51 sets of twins, aged 12 to 21, divided into two groups. One group brushed their teeth and tongue twice a day, while the other group did the same, along with flossing twice a day.

After two weeks, the group that brushed and flossed had a 38 percent reduction in gingival bleeding and also had less halitosis (bad breath). In contrast, participants who just brushed experienced a 4 percent increase in gingival bleeding.

The study was published in the current issue of the Journal of Periodontology.

"Gingival bleeding and halitosis is often the first sign of poor oral hygiene that may eventually lead to further periodontal problems. A good way to prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay is through at-home oral hygiene care and routine dental visits," study mentor Walter Bretz, of the department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care, New York University College of Dentistry, said in a prepared statement.

More information
The American Dental Association has more about oral hygiene.

Fresh Mouth $22.95 [ learn more ] Fresh Mouth - is our newly formulated treatment spray to which we have added Coenzyme Q-10, Xylitol, and Colloidal Silver. When Fresh Mouth was first put together some years ago, we advised our customer base that the formula would grow as new biological dental information was brought forth.

Overcoming Dental Anxiety

For some people the fear of visiting the dentist outweighs the pain of a toothache. If you’re afraid of going to the dentist, you’re not alone. About 8%–15% of Americans avoid regular treatment solely for this reason. But refusing to visit the dentist out of fear has a paradoxical effect. Procrastination almost invariably leads to more advanced oral health problems and lengthier, more complex procedures.

Most adults who suffer from dental anxiety can trace their fears back to negative childhood experiences. Fortunately, improvements in techniques, medications, and equipment over the last 30 years mean that even the most skittish patients can be assured that their visits now will be more comfortable than those of their youth.

Medications for pain and anxiety Many medications can relieve dental pain and anxiety. These can be used individually, in combination, or along with relaxation techniques. Local anesthetics.

Dentists use a thin needle to in­­ject these pain control medications at the site of the procedure.

In most cases, the medication takes effect within a few minutes and deadens pain for about three hours. Lidocaine (Xylocaine) and mepivacaine (Car­bo­caine, Isocaine, and Polocaine) have replaced procaine (Novocain) as the most commonly used drugs. Many dentists prefer to use one of these drugs along with a small amount of epinephrine, which constricts the blood vessels and keeps the painkiller working longer.

However, this mixture is not an option for people with high blood pressure or other forms of cardiovascular disease. Topical anesthetics. These can ease the sting of an injection or minimize the discomfort of cleanings and minor gum treatments.

Topical preparations typically come in the form of a numbing gel or spray, which your dentist applies to the gums a couple of minutes before beginning work. Some dentists are now using a small adhesive strip that sticks to your gum and releases the painkiller into the tissue.

Antianxiety drugs. Your dentist can offer you diazepam (Valium) or a similar drug to calm your nerves before a dental procedure. You’ll need to arrive for the appointment about an hour ahead of time if you choose this option. You should also ar­range for someone else to drive you home. Conscious sedation.

This approach dulls your awareness without inhibiting body functions such as breathing and swallowing. Drugs of this type usually are used to quell anxiety, but they can be combined with other drugs to reduce pain. One of the most common choices is nitrous oxide, sometimes called "laughing gas." You inhale it through a mask in a mixture with oxygen.

Nitrous oxide produces a sense of relaxation that begins almost immediately and ends when you stop breathing it. It has very few side effects and is safe for most people. For lengthy dental procedures, though, drugs administered intravenously may work better.

Your dentist will mix a sedative or antianxiety medication with a narcotic and sometimes a barbiturate drug. Only specially trained and certified dentists are qualified to offer this type of sedation. General anesthesia. With this form of sedation, you are unconscious and unable to breathe or swallow independently.

General anesthesia is usually reserved for surgical procedures on the mouth or jaw. It’s also used for people whose dental anxiety is so overwhelming that it makes routine care otherwise impossible, and for individuals with mental or physical disabilities that interfere with treatment. Although safe for most people, general anesthesia carries more risks than other forms of sedation. Only professionals trained in anesthesiology can administer it.

From the Harvard Health Publications Special Health Report, Dental Health For Adults: A Guide to Protecting Your Teeth and Gums. Copyright 2003 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College.

FDA Advisers Reject Safety Report on Dental Fillings

(HealthDay News) -- Federal health advisers have rejected a government report suggesting that mercury-containing amalgam dental fillings are safe, saying instead that further study is needed.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel's decision is not a declaration that the widely used fillings are unsafe, the Associated Press reported late Thursday. However, in a 13-7 vote, the panel said a large federal review of data fails to clearly and objectively present the current body of knowledge on the subject.

In a second vote, also 13-7, the panelists said the report's conclusion that amalgam fillings are safe is not reasonable, according to the AP.

The announcement came after FDA committee meetings held Wednesday and Thursday --the first public hearings in more than a decade on the safety of these fillings.
The FDA is not compelled to act on the advice of its advisory committees, although it frequently does.

Dental amalgam contains elemental mercury combined with other metals such as silver, copper, tin and zinc. The fillings, about 50 percent mercury, have been used for generations to stabilize decaying teeth. Dental experts contend that when mercury is bound to the other metals it's encapsulated and doesn't pose a health risk. Consumer groups, however, contend that mercury, a known neurotoxin, does leak out in the form of mercury vapor and then gets into the bloodstream.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the use of amalgam is declining. In 1990, dental amalgams made up 67.6 percent of all dental restorations, by 1999 45.3 percent and, in 2003, an estimated 30 percent. Cavities that previously would have been treated with dental amalgam are now mostly filled with a resin composite.

Several European and other countries, including Canada, Norway, Sweden, Britain, Germany and Denmark, currently advise dentists against using mercury fillings in pregnant women.
The ADA, however, said the recommendation was made despite there being no scientific evidence of systemic health problems or toxic effects.

The ADA maintains its position that dental amalgam should remain an option for patients.
"Our position is one of looking at the scientific evidence and believing it's safe and effective and that dentists and patients should have the option," said Dr. Ron R. Zentz, senior director of the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs.

Zentz pointed, in particular, to two studies (the Children's Amalgam Trials) published in the April issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Those trials compared the use of amalgam to composite dental fillings in children.

The studies found no differences in IQ, memory, attention, kidney function or other measures between children with amalgam fillings and children with composite fillings.

The fillings may even be superior to other materials in certain instances, such as in the back of the mouth where the forces and stress on the fillings are stronger, Zentz said.

According to the Associated Press, officials at the FDA also asked committee members to carefully review findings from an internal agency "meta-analysis" of 34 recent studies. That review found "no significant new information" that might change the FDA's conclusion that amalgam fillings pose no harm to the vast majority of patients.

Earlier on Thursday, one consultant to the panel said the review fell short. "Just by looking at this paper, we are in a sense really limiting ourselves. I am not convinced we are doing justice to the topic at hand," Vanderbilt University professor of pediatrics and pharmacology Michael Aschner told the AP.

Several groups are vehemently opposed to the use of these fillings.

On Sept. 5, a consortium of organizations including Consumers for Dental Choice, the Mercury Policy Project and the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology filed a petition to the FDA to immediately ban mercury fillings for pregnant women so as to protect their unborn children. The FDA has six months to respond to the petition.

"We're doing this primarily as a precautionary measure to protect unborn children from unnecessary exposure to mercury," said Michael Bender, director of the Mercury Policy Project, located in Montpelier, Vt. "We're very concerned that our government is not doing what it should to protect the unborn."

"Why isn't the FDA joining Health Canada and the other countries in banning the placement in expectant mothers?" he continued. "FDA silence over mercury is the same kind of silence our government once had for tobacco."

Still, any ban could have consequences. A study by dentist Howard Bailit and colleagues at the University of Connecticut found that a ban on amalgam fillings would boost costs, cut down on cavities filled and hurt America's oral health.

"Our recommendation is, do not ban the use of dental amalgams," Bailit told the Associated Press.

More information
To learn more about amalgam fillings, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some Local Drinking Water Contains Too Much Fluoride

(HealthDay News) -- The current maximum level of fluoride allowed in U.S. drinking water is too high, and may cause health problems such as bone fractures and, ironically, erosion of tooth enamel.
That's the conclusion of a panel from the National Academy of Sciences commissioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess the safety of fluoride levels in drinking water.
"Our committee unanimously concluded that EPA should lower the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for fluoride in drinking water," said the committee's chairman, Dr. John Doull, a professor emeritus in the department of pharmacology, toxicology and therapeutics at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
However, the committee didn't recommend a specific level to the EPA, but instead urged the agency to conduct risk assessments before devising new regulations.
For some, the panel's conclusions, coupled with the lack of solid recommendations, amounted to too little, too late.
"They say the EPA should lower the standard, but they don't say to what," said former EPA scientist and anti-fluoride advocate Bob Carton. Since the committee concluded that fluoride can cause health problems, he said, the bigger question is, "Why are we still pushing to put fluoride in water?"
Fluoride has been added to many community water supplies since 1945, with the goal being the prevention of cavities. According to the American Dental Association's Web site, the fluoridation of water reduces the amount of dental cavities by 20 percent to 40 percent.
The amount of fluoridation considered optimal to achieve this reduction in cavities is 0.7 to 1.2 milligrams per liter of water (mg/l). Most communities don't add artificial fluoride above these levels, although some small communities in Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia do, according to the report. However, fluoride also occurs naturally, and in some parts of the country is present in much higher amounts than is considered safe.
The current maximum allowed by the EPA is 4 mg/l. According to the report, more than 200,000 people in the United States live in areas where natural fluoridation in water exceeds the EPA maximum.
While drinking water is the largest source of fluoride exposure, fluoride can also come from foods, toothpaste, certain mouthwashes and dental procedures.
In a statement released Wednesday, the American Dental Association noted that the new report "only addresses the levels of naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water that exceeds the EPA's current recommendations. The report in no way examines or calls into question the safety of community water fluoridation, which is the process of adding fluoride to public water supplies to reach an optimum level of 0.7 - 1.2 ppm in order to protect people against tooth decay."
The ADA said it remains a "strong supporter of community water fluoridation."
Too much fluoride can have adverse effects, however. In children under 8 who are exposed to levels higher than 4 mg/l when their teeth are developing, severe enamel fluorosis can occur. Besides being cosmetically unattractive, severe enamel fluorosis strips the teeth of enamel and makes dental decay more likely, the report said.
Severe enamel fluorosis occurs in 10 percent of children who live in communities where the water fluoride levels are 4 mg/l or higher. In those same communities, 15 percent of the children will develop mild-to-moderate fluorosis, which isn't as destructive to the teeth, but is cosmetically unappealing, according to the report.
"It causes pitting and cracking of the teeth. You end up with horrible-looking, dysfunctional teeth," said Carton.
Of more concern, however, is the possibility that fluoride may contribute to bone fractures, skeletal fluorosis and possibly bone cancer. The committee concluded that high levels of fluoride are likely to increase the risk of bone fractures.
"Overall, there was a consensus that under certain conditions, fluoride can weaken bone and increase the risk of fracture," said Doull. Because fluoride accumulates in bone over a lifetime, he said those who are exposed to 4 mg/l in their water would be more likely to have bone fractures than people whose water only contains 1 mg/l.
The committee felt that the evidence wasn't sufficient to make conclusions regarding the risk of skeletal fluorosis or bone cancer. The committee also examined fluoride's effect on the reproductive, neurological, endocrine, gastrointestinal, kidney, liver and immune systems. Again, it found the evidence insufficient to make conclusions as to possible health threats to these systems. The panel did note, however, that people with kidney disease might be more susceptible to high levels of fluoride because they often drink more water.
The panel also recommended that the EPA look at the amount of water people drink, currently assumed to be 2 liters or less per day. But, the committee suggested that some people may be consuming more than that amount, such as people who work outdoors, athletes and people with certain medical conditions. Additionally, infants and children may be at a higher risk because their exposure is greater due to their small size.
Carton said he believes that skeletal fluorosis may be more prevalent than is realized. In its earlier stages, it causes calcifications in the ligaments and tendons, which would cause pain but wouldn't interfere with functioning until it advanced further, he said.
If you're concerned about fluoride levels in your water, you can contact your local water department and ask what the levels are. If they're above 4 mg/l, they're definitely too high, according to the panel's report. The potential risk of levels between 2 mg/l and 4 mg/l is still in question, and this particular committee wasn't asked to look at those levels.
Committee member Charles Poole, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, stressed that once fluoride levels drop to under 2 mg/l, extreme enamel fluorosis is virtually non-existent.
He added, however, that even those levels might not be low enough to protect against all adverse health effects.
Poole said home filtering systems are available, but their ability to filter fluoride varies widely.
If you have children, it's a good idea to supervise them while they're brushing their teeth to ensure they don't swallow toothpaste and with it extra fluoride.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers more information on many communities' water and the level of fluoridation. Click on your state to see if your community participates.

Health Tip: Does Your Dental Visit Require Antibiotics?

(HealthDay News) -- Although dental care is important for everyone, people who have had joint replacement surgery must be especially attentive before visiting the dentist.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, bacteria that cause infections in the mouth can travel through the bloodstream and settle near artificial joints.
Dental procedures that may require preventive antibiotics include work that may cause bleeding, injection of anesthetic into the gums, or dental extractions.
If you have any of the risk factors described below, talk to your dentist about the possible need for preventive antibiotics:
· You have arthritis.
· Your immune system is weak.
· You have type 1 diabetes.
· You had joint replacement less than two years ago.
· You've had a previous infection near an artificial joint.
· You have hemophilia.

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Diabetes Can Harm Young Children's Gums

(HealthDay News) -- Diabetes' links to gum disease are well-known, but a new study shows it can trigger periodontal problems in children as young as 6.
Prior to this study, experts believed the destruction of gums in people with diabetes started at a much later age, and then increased as they grew older.
In the study, researchers at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City assessed dental cavities and periodontal disease in 182 children and adolescents (aged 6 to 18) with diabetes, and in 160 young people without diabetes.
Reporting in the February issue of Diabetes Care, the team found that youngsters with diabetes had much more dental plaque and gingival inflammation than those without diabetes.
Early signs of gum disease were found in nearly 60 percent of the 6- to 11-year-old children with diabetes, compared to about 30 percent of nondiabetic children in the same age group. Nearly 80 percent of the 12-to-18-year-olds had early signs of gum disease.
"Our research illustrates that programs to prevent and treat periodontal disease should be considered a standard of care for young patients with diabetes," principal investigator Ira B. Lamster, dean of the College of Dental Medicine, said in a prepared statement.
"Other studies have shown that patients with diabetes are significantly less likely than those without diabetes to have seen a dentist within the past year," study co-author Dr. Robin Goland, co-director of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, said in a prepared statement.
"This was due to a perceived lack of need, so clearly it's important that physicians and dentists and their patients with diabetes learn that they need to focus extra attention on oral health," Goland said.
This study is ongoing, and will eventually include 700 volunteers.
More information
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more about gum disease.

Poor Mood May Mean Missed Check-ups

mwankovm(HealthDay News) -- Feeling anxious or depressed can block elderly people from going for routine check-ups and other preventive care, a new study suggests.
The finding highlights the need for doctors to screen older patients to determine if they may be suffering psychological distress, the researchers said.
"We must screen for and treat psychological distress because it can translate into better physical health," study leader Joshua Thorpe, assistant research professor in the School of Nursing and senior fellow in the Duke University Center for Aging, said in a prepared statement.
His team analyzed data from about 3,700 people age 65 and older and found those with poor emotional health were 30 percent less likely to receive an annual flu shot; 23 percent less likely to have an annual dental check-up; and that distressed older women were 27 percent less likely to undergo a clinical breast examination.
"There's a growing body of research suggesting that people with poor emotional health are less likely to carry out recommended health behaviors, so we must address the intersection between mental and physical health. If we don't, people might not take their medications or get recommended health-care services," Thorpe said.
"A flu shot is cheap and effective and it prevents the need for secondary care. Without it, pneumonia is a bigger possibility," he noted. "Patients who don't receive regular dental check-ups are also prone to suffer from periodontitis and other dental diseases."
Previous research found that doctors screen for psychological distress in only 14 percent of primary-care visits by elderly patients. Rates of depression among the elderly range from 10 percent to 50 percent, depending on their health, activity level, and living situation, according to the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing.
The Duke study appears in the February issue of the journal Medical Care.

More information
The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry has more about seniors and depression.

Red Wine May Ward Off Gum Disease

(HealthDay News) -- Raising a glass to a new weapon against periodontal disease, researchers say red wine may help keep gums healthy and strong.
Though the results have so far only been borne out in the test tube, a team of Canadian scientists believe antioxidant components in red wine and grape seeds have anti-inflammatory effects that may ward off periodontal troubles.
"Our findings demonstrate that red wine polyphenols have potent antioxidant properties," conclude researchers led by Dr. Fatiah Chandad from the Universite Laval in Quebec City. Her team presented its findings Friday at the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) annual meeting, in Orlando.
Experts believe that upwards of 80 percent of Americans are estimated to have some form of gum disease, either in the relatively mild form known as gingivitis or in a more serious form, known as periodontitis. Periodontitis (meaning "around the tooth") is linked to poor oral hygiene. It is a chronic infection involving bacteria present in plaque that persistently coats teeth.
"I am optimistic that components in red wine can limit the effect of this oral bacteria," Chandad said.
According to the AADR, approximately 15 percent of Americans between the ages of 21 and 50 suffer from this harshest form of gum disease. Among adults over the age of 50, 65 percent are affected.
Smokers, diabetics and those taking steroids, oral contraceptives and certain cancer drugs are a higher risk for developing periodontitis, often in the absence of any obvious warning signs.
And gum disease's effect may extend beyond the mouth: Recent research has indicated that the inflammation and immune responses which accompany serious gum infection may also provoke an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease and birthing abnormalities among periodontal patients.
However, the Quebec researchers say laboratory tests conducted on mouse cell samples revealed that antioxidants found in red wine known as polyphenols may help limit the severity of bacteria-linked gum inflammation.
They note that inflammation is the immune system's natural response to the presence of such bacteria, Unfortunately, that response also involves the accelerated production of unhealthy molecules called "free radicals."
The production of too many free radicals can lead to a further weakening of gums. The result is inflammation, bleeding, and a gradual tissue and bone decay that can ultimately result in the loss of one or more affected teeth.
But Houde and her colleagues found that -- in the test tube, at least -- red wine polyphenols inhibit key proteins at the cellular level to slow free radical production. They speculate that red wine's antioxidant punch could be a useful weapon in the fight against gum disease.
Not everyone is ready to gulp down a glass of Cabernet to fight gum disease, however. Robert Genco, a distinguished professor of oral biology with the School of Dental Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo, stressed the findings are very preliminary.
"I would say that in general these experiments with antioxidants in test tubes give variable results when they are later tested in animals or humans," Genco noted.
He pointed to recent studies that found that the consumption of popular antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C and beta carotene does not appear to provide the health benefits that had been anticipated by the medical community.
"Many antioxidants have been tested in humans, and they have not been too effective," Genco stressed. "We've been very disappointed, so we have to be very careful. So, while this study is an interesting first start, the key now is clinical trials in humans."
Chandad agreed that further studies are needed, but said she's optimistic that these early results will be replicated in animals and humans. Her team has already begun such work, she said -- first with animals, then soon after with human trials.
More information
For more on periodontal disease, visit the

Anti-Inflammatory Drug Might Ease Gum Disease

(HealthDay News) -- In tests on rabbits, a byproduct of omega-3 fatty acids helped protect the animals from the unhealthy effects of gum disease.
Boston University researchers say topical application of the eicosapentanoic acid-derived Resolvin E1 (RvE1) helped prevent soft tissue inflammation and destruction, as well as bone loss associated with periodontal disease.
The team was to present the findings Friday at the annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research in Orlando.
The finding suggest that inflammation may be a good target in the treatment of gum disease, the researchers said.
Resolvins are a new family of biologically active products of omega-3 fatty acids and natural regulators of the inflammatory process.
The Boston group pointed out that gum disease is similar to other chronic inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, where inflammation causes tissue damage.
Currently, oral hygiene and regular dental care are used to control plaque and prevent gum disease. However, plaque control may not be enough to prevent gum disease in susceptible people with a high inflammatory response, according to the study authors.
More information
The American Dental Association offers advice about oral hygiene.