The best way to avoid athletic dental injuries is to wear a properly fitted mouthguard, according to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).
“While there are several good commercially available mouthguard products, all of them require self-adjustment by the athlete and certain amount of practice to achieve good fit,” Dr. Trenton E. Gould from The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg told Reuters Health by email. “Custom fabricated mouthguards, properly fitted by a dentist, can often help optimize fit and comfort, both of which contribute to enhanced compliant usage,” he added. The National Federation of State High School Associations requires mouthguards in only five sports, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association mandates them in only four sports – but oral and dental injuries account for up to 38 percent of all sport-specific injuries, according to NATA. In a new position statement, the organization makes 31 recommendations for preventing and managing sport-related dental and oral injuries. While most of advice applies to athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals, several of the recommendations are relevant for coaches, athletes and parents, too. The most important have to do with the wear and care of mouthguards, which as Gould said should be properly fitted and worn consistently. Athletes should examine their mouthguards daily for fit and for any damage, and the mouthguard should be replaced if it is loose or damaged. Especially for younger athletes, the mouthguard should be routinely inspected for fit and retention to accommodate new teeth and growth. In addition, said Gould, who is one of the authors of the position statement, “Clinicians, athletic trainers, coaches, and parents should have a plan for how to deal with dental trauma.” At minimum, he added, an appropriate oral health care specialist should be identified in advance for emergencies. “Most of the dental injury classifications (including tooth and root fractures) covered in the position statement do not represent a dental emergency,” Gould said. “As such, the athlete can be allowed to return to play immediately as pain permits, often with a mouthguard in place to prevent further injury. No additional time loss is warranted, but the athlete should be referred to a trauma-ready dentist within 24 hours.” In contrast, significant displacement of teeth and tooth loss require immediate removal from participation and referral to a trauma-ready dentist or emergency facility. While the athletic trainer should know how to handle tooth loss, it’s useful for athletes and parents to know what to do with those teeth. Since the single most important factor for optimal healing is putting the tooth back where it came from, this should be the first objective. The tooth might need to be rinsed gently in cold water, milk, or IV salt solution. After it is replanted, the athlete should bite down on a sterile gauze pad to keep the tooth in place until the dentist can take care of it. If the tooth can’t be replanted immediately, it should be submerged in a special salt solution – or, if that’s not available, in cold low-fat milk – for transport. It should not be wrapped in dry gauze or a dry paper towel. Especially for these more serious injuries, it’s up to the dentist to determine when it’s safe for the athlete to return to participation. “It is critical to have the right sports medicine team including athletic trainers in place to address dental injuries should they occur,” Gould said. “Proper prevention and treatment can ensure the right sports safety protocols are in place so that the athlete can return to activity safely and effectively.” The complete set of recommendations and the evidence supporting them appear in the Journal of Athletic Training. Read Article: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-sports-dental-injury-idUSKBN1432RU
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Black raspberries are rich in fiber, vitamins, and phytochemicals. And in a recent study at Ohio State University, they also inhibited the development of oral cancer in rats. The researchers also identified key cancer-related genes that may explain this effect. The results of the study were among the more than 140 posters presented at the American Institute for Cancer Research Conference earlier this November. The study has not been published yet, nor has it been through peer review.
Preclinical and clinical trials in human beings suggest that black raspberries may prevent or slow the development of oral cancers, though there has been little understanding of the molecular basis for their beneficial effects. Previous research also has identified key cancer-related genes in human beings that were switched on and off in response to eating black raspberries. “Our objective in this study was to see whether those same genes were modulated in the rat model so we could determine if we were seeing the same effects,” said Steve Oghumu, PhD, a scientist at Ohio State University and lead author of the study. Christopher Weghorst, PhD, associate dean for research and professor administration at the school, was the principal investigator. The researchers assigned rats with oral cancer to one of 3 dietary groups for 16 weeks: a standard diet, a diet that was 5% freeze-dried black raspberries, or a diet that was 10% black raspberries. A comparison group of rats was cancer-free. At the end of the study period, the researchers analyzed the animals’ tongue and blood for markers associated with inflammation and apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death. Markers of apoptosis showed signs of promoting cancer cell death and markers of inflammation were reduced in the animals that ate the black raspberries, compared to the animals on the standard diet. Also, the tumors in the rats that ate diets that were 5% or 10% black raspberries were reduced by 39% and 29% respectively, compared to the rats on the standard diet. “That was a very surprising result. We didn’t expect the lower concentration to be more effective,” said Oghumu, who also believes that the whole food approach to managing oral cancer is appealing because black raspberries are easily obtained and carry few risks. “This study is important because we confirmed that black raspberries can inhibit carcinogenesis in a rat model, and we have now found a suitable animal model to understand how black raspberries work in inhibiting oral cancer in people,” Oghumu said. Read Article: http://www.dentistrytoday.com/news/industrynews/item/1429-black-raspberries-may-inhibit-oral-cancer TUESDAY, Dec. 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Americans are more likely to skip needed dental care because of cost than any other type of health care, researchers report.
Working-age adults are particularly vulnerable, the study found. Some 13 percent reported forgoing dental care because of cost. That's nearly double the proportion of seniors and triple the percentage of children for whom cost poses a barrier to dental care, the study showed. Cost was the main impediment to dental care even for adults with private insurance. "It seems like medical insurance is doing a better job at protecting consumers from financial hardship than dental insurance," said study author Marko Vujicic. Typically, private dental insurance includes annual maximum benefit limits and significant "coinsurance" -- the patient's share of costs on covered services, Vujicic explained. He is chief economist and vice president of the American Dental Association's (ADA) Health Policy Institute in Chicago. "Anything beyond checkups, like getting a cavity filled or a root canal and a crown, you're looking right away at 20 to 50 percent coinsurance," Vujicic said. Typical fees for fillings range from $86 to $606, according to a 2013 ADA Health Policy Institute survey. Root canals go for $511 to $1,274. For a crown, the range is $309 to $1,450. Evelyn Ireland, executive director of the National Association of Dental Plans, agreed with the report that avoiding dental care can affect overall health. Fortunately, the percentage of the population citing cost as a reason for not getting dental services has declined steadily since 2010, Ireland said. And in 2014, it was the lowest since 2003, she added. Colin Bradley is vice president of business development at Winston Benefits Inc., a company that helps employers administer dental benefits. He said employers who offer private dental plans must emphasize the value of those benefits, including preventive services often provided at no out-of-pocket cost. The new study is published in the December issue of the journalHealth Affairs. The issue is devoted to oral health in America. Collectively, one theme emerges: "that the divide between dental care and medical care is vast, has significant consequences for patients, and is entirely of our own making," wrote Alan Weil, the journal's editor-in-chief. Read Article: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/news/20161206/many-americans-skip-the-dentist-due-to-cost#1 https://www.facebook.com/jared.anderson.dentist1
https://twitter.com/Jared_Anderson9 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-anderson-1a3812132 https://jaredandersondentist.wordpress.com/ http://jaredandersondentist.tumblr.com/ http://jaredandersondentist.weebly.com/ http://AboutJaredAndersonDentist.com/ http://JaredAndersonDentist.org/ http://JaredAndersonDentist.com/ http://www.selectcaredental.com/ http://JaredAndersonDentist.net/ http://JaredAndersonDentistInfo.com/ The Link Between Medications and Cavities
You may wonder why you’re suddenly getting cavities when you haven’t had them in years. As we get older, we enter a second round of cavity prone years. One common cause of cavities in older adults is dry mouth. Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging. However, it is a side-effect in more than 500 medications, including those for allergies or asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain, anxiety or depression, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.This is just one reason why it’s so important to tell your dentist about any medications that you’re taking. Your dentist can make recommendations to help relieve your dry mouth symptoms and prevent cavities. Here are some common recommendations:
Gum DiseaseMany older adults have gum, or periodontal disease, caused by the bacteria in plaque, which irritate the gums, making them swollen, red and more likely to bleed. One reason gum disease is so widespread among adults is that it’s often a painless condition until the advanced stage. If left untreated, gums can begin to pull away from the teeth and form deepened spaces called pockets where food particles and more plaque may collect. Advanced gum disease can eventually destroy the gums, bone and ligaments supporting the teeth leading to tooth loss. The good news is that with regular dental visits gum disease can be treated or prevented entirely. Mouth Cancer According to the American Cancer Society, there are about 35,000 cases of mouth, throat and tongue cancer diagnosed each year. The average age of most people diagnosed with these cancers is 62. During dental visits, your dentist will check for any signs of oral cancer. Regular dental visits are important because in the early stages oral cancer typically does not cause pain and early detection saves lives. Some symptoms you may see include open sores, white or reddish patches, and changes in the lips, tongue and lining of the mouth that lasts for more than two weeks. Paying for Dental Care after Retirement Many retirees don’t realize that Medicare does not cover routine dental care. Begin to plan for your dental expenses in advance of retirement so you don’t have to let your dental health suffer once you’re on a fixed income. Organizations like AARP offer supplemental dental insurance plans for their members. Discount dental plans are another option that typically have a lower monthly fee than traditional dental insurance. You select a dentist within the plan network who has agreed to provide certain services for 10 to 60 percent less than the typical fee. You pay the reduced fee out-of-pocket, and there is no claim paperwork to fill out. You can search for a dental plan at the National Association of Dental Plans website. Many dentists offer no interest or low interest financing plans that may be a better option than paying for your dental work on a household credit card with a higher interest rate. If you have concerns about continuing your dental care due to a limited income, talk to your dentist. He or she may be able to offer solutions. Do I Need to Take an Antibiotic before a Dental Procedure? If you have a heart condition or artificial joint, be sure to tell your dentist. You may think it’s not relevant. After all, what do your heart and joints have to do with your teeth? But, there are conditions with a high risk of infection and an antibiotic is recommended prior to some dental procedures. Dentists follow recommendations that have been developed by the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in cooperation with the American Dental Association. Talk to your dentist about how these recommendations might apply to you. Caregiving for a Disabled or Elderly Loved One You may have a parent, spouse or friend who has difficulty maintaining a healthy mouth on their own. How can you help? Two things are critical:
These steps can prevent many problems, but tasks that once seemed so simple can become very challenging. If your loved one is having difficulty with brushing and flossing, talk to a dentist or hygienist who can provide helpful tips or a different approach. There are dentists who specialize in caring for the elderly and disabled. You can locate a specialist through the Special Care Dentistry Association’s referral directory. For those who wear dentures, pay close attention to their eating habits. If they’re having difficulty eating or are not eating as much as usual, denture problems could be the cause. When you’re caring for someone who is confined to bed, they may have so many health problems that it’s easy to forget about oral health. However, it’s still very important because bacteria from the mouth can be inhaled into the lungs and cause pneumonia. If you are a representative for a nursing home resident who needs dental care and is enrolled in Medicaid, there is a regulation, called an Incurred Medical Expense, that may help pay for medically necessary care as determined by a dentist. The Medicaid caseworker at the nursing facility and the dentist providing care can work together to apply the Incurred Medical Expense to pay for needed dental benefits. Read Article: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/adults-over-60/concerns Traditional treatments for periodontitis, such as surgery and antibiotics, cannot prevent a recurrence disease-causing bacteria. A world-first vaccine developed by Melbourne scientists, which could eliminate or at least reduce the need for surgery and antibiotics for severe gum disease, has been validated by research published this week. A team of dental scientists at the Oral Health CRC at the University of Melbourne has been working on a vaccine for chronic periodontitis for the past 15 years with industry partner CSL. Clinical trials on periodontitis patients could potentially begin in 2018. Moderate to severe periodontitis affects one in three adults and more than 50 per cent of Australians over the age of 65. It is associated with diabetes, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia and certain cancers. It is a chronic disease that destroys gum tissue and bone supporting teeth, leading to tooth loss. The findings published in the journal NPJ Vaccines (part of theNature series) represent analysis of the vaccine's effectiveness by collaborating groups based in Melbourne and at Cambridge, USA. The vaccine targets enzymes produced by the bacteriumPorphyromonas gingivalis, to trigger an immune response. This response produces antibodies that neutralise the pathogen's destructive toxins. P. gingivalis is known as a keystone pathogen, which means it has the potential to distort the balance of microorganisms in dental plaque, causing disease. CEO of the Oral Health CRC, Melbourne Laureate Professor Eric Reynolds AO, said it was hoped the vaccine would substantially reduce tissue destruction in patients harbouring P. gingivalis. "We currently treat periodontitis with professional cleaning sometimes involving surgery and antibiotic regimes," Professor Reynolds said. "These methods are helpful, but in many cases the bacterium re-establishes in the dental plaque causing a microbiological imbalance so the disease continues." "Periodontitis is widespread and destructive. We hold high hopes for this vaccine to improve quality of life for millions of people." Read Original Article: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161205113748.htm |
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