Fluorosis, Dental

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- "Receipt of optimal water fluoridation [between] 2010–2020 resulted in very small positive health effects which may not be meaningful for individuals," according to the largest ever study of its kind conducted on UK adolescents and adults, (LOTUS study), published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology on 1/8/2024, reports New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation (NYSCOF). Fluoridation neither reduced social inequalities in dental health, nor reduced the number of missing teeth, the researchers report. They write, "in high income countries, we may be reaching the limit of what can be achieved through fluorides alone." They suggest we look at diet, specifically sugar's strong link to tooth decay. Cavities are almost universal in adults exposed to fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridation from birth, they explain. NYSCOF President, attorney Paul Beeber says, "Fluoride chemicals, added to public water supplies since 1945, was projected to massively decrease tooth decay, reduce disparities, save money, and put dentists out of business. But none of that happened" A 2022 UK study of children (CATFISH study) reported fluoridation provided no clear benefits to 11-year-old's, and disparities persisted. It's not just the UK. Studies from "Australia, the US, Sweden and South Korea have demonstrated inconsistent effects across age groups and/or absolute differences so small that whether they are meaningful is debatable," the LOTUS researchers write. In 2017, US researchers reported in the American Journal of Public Health "Despite significant financial, training, and program investments [and decades of fluoridation], US children's caries [cavities] experience and inequities continued to increase over the last 20 years." It's not from lack of fluoride. Federal statistics show that 70% of US children and adolescents are fluoride-overdosed, afflicted with dental fluorosis (white spotted, yellow, brown and/or pitted teeth) while 57% of adolescents still get tooth decay (65% of low-income adolescents). Beeber says, "It's unbelievable that in 2024, cities succumbing to political pressure, are poised to mandate fluoridation e.g. Buffalo and Albany NY." "Hopefully, artificial fluoridation's 79th birthday on January 25, 2024, will be its last," says Beeber. January 31 marks the beginning of a federal lawsuit against the US Environmental Protection Agency. EPA is charged with ignoring hundreds of studies showing fluoride is neurotoxic. EPA currently sets safe levels of water fluoride contaminants at levels to ostensibly protect only bones and teeth not brains, where fluoride also collects. SOURCE New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.

OAKVILLE, ON, Nov. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Misinformation can not only be misleading, but it can also be detrimental to one's health, especially when it comes to oral hygiene. Renowned dentist Dr. Vini Bhandari, a respected member of the Canadian Dental Association with over 30 years of experience, seeks to clarify these misunderstandings and debunk common myths about oral health in his latest public guidance. Continue Reading Bhandari Dental Team Photo Myth 1: Brushing Harder Cleans Better This is a common misconception that Dr. Bhandari frequently encounters. In reality, vigorous brushing can damage your enamel and gums. The key is not how hard you brush, but how thoroughly and regularly you clean your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Myth 2: You Shouldn't Brush Bleeding Gums Contrary to this belief, if your gums are bleeding, it's even more important to brush to remove the plaque causing the inflammation. However, be gentle and use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Myth 3: Baby Teeth Don't Matter Dr. Bhandari emphatically refutes this claim. Baby teeth hold space for the permanent teeth. Neglecting them can lead to premature loss, potentially causing future alignment issues for the permanent teeth. Myth 4: Dental X-Rays are Unnecessary "Dental X-rays play a crucial role in diagnosing oral health problems that might not be visible during a standard dental exam," explains Dr. Bhandari. They allow dentists to detect issues early and provide timely treatment. Myth 5: Whitening Ruins Your Tooth Enamel Professional whitening treatments are designed to be safe and, when performed correctly, should not harm your enamel. Always consult with your dentist before starting any whitening regimen. Myth 6: Sugar is the Main Cause of Cavities While sugar contributes to cavities, it's not the direct cause. Cavities form when bacteria in the mouth feed on carbohydrates (including sugar) and produce acids that weaken tooth enamel. Regular brushing and flossing can counteract this process. Myth 7: More Fluoride Equals Healthier Teeth Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making teeth more resistant to acid attacks. But Dr. Bhandari warns, "Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis, especially in children, which can discolor teeth." Myth 8: If My Teeth Feel Fine, I Don't Need a Dentist Regular dental visits are vital to maintaining good oral health, even when your teeth feel fine. "Many dental issues aren't noticeable until they're advanced," Dr. Bhandari notes. He advises biannual check-ups to catch potential issues early. Myth 9: Dental Health Doesn't Affect Overall Health Oral health and overall health are interconnected. Dental problems, like gum disease, can be linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other health conditions. Dr. Bhandari concludes, "Knowledge is power when it comes to oral health. Dispelling these myths is crucial in helping patients take proper care of their teeth and gums, and ultimately, their overall health." He encourages everyone to share these debunked myths within their communities, promoting accurate information and better oral health practices. Dr. Bhandari and his team stand ready to answer any further questions and provide comprehensive oral health consultations at their clinic. ABOUT DR. VINI BHANDARI Dr. Vini Bhandari is a highly qualified dentist in Oakville On, with over 35 years of experience, passionate about providing top-tier dental care. As an esteemed member of the Ontario Dental Association, he consistently keeps pace with the latest advances in dental treatment. His unwavering commitment is to offer the best solutions to his Dr Vineet Bhandari, BSc DIH DDS IV Cons Sed Press Contact: Dr. Vineet Bhandari [email protected] 1-905-825-5110 SOURCE Dr. Vineet Bhandari

TUESDAY, July 18, 2023 -- Fluoride may have found its match in preventing cavities. New research shows that toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite, one of the main mineral components in teeth, can prevent cavities as effectively as fluoride, which has been used in toothpaste since 1956. The findings were published July 18 in Frontiers in Public Health . “If the article is correct based on the data, one might choose the hydroxyapatite over the fluoride, because the hydroxyapatite itself is safer than fluoride,” said Dr. Leonard Patella , a dentist with Northwell Health in Glen Cove, N.Y., who was not involved with the study. “If you give too much fluoride, it can be toxic. And too much fluoride, if ingested, can cause damage to teeth. It can cause something called fluorosis.” Dental fluorosis is a condition that changes the appearance of tooth enamel and can happen when children consume fluoride during their teeth-forming years. In places like the United States, cases are typically fairly mild and usually result in white or brown spots on the teeth. In more severe cases, however, pits can form. “This is a very important issue,” said researcher Dr. Elżbieta Paszyńska , head of the department of integrated dentistry at Poznań University of Medical Sciences in Poland. “Unlike fluorides, hydroxyapatite has a high remineralization effect, biocompatibility, and is safe if accidentally swallowed. Dentists worldwide should be informed about hydroxyapatite to be a safe and efficient alternative to fluorides for daily oral care.” For their research, her team enlisted 171 patients in an 18-month trial, with an aim that none would have an increase in cavities by the study's end. Patients were evenly split, half brushing twice per day with hydroxyapatite toothpaste and half brushing twice per day with fluoridated toothpaste. They were asked to brush at the same time every day with an electric toothbrush. They had a dental exam every six months. At the end of the trial, 89.3% of the hydroxyapatite group and 87.4% of the fluoride group had no new cavities. Both toothpastes worked equally well, the findings showed. But whether hydroxyapatite will steal fluoride's crown for most popular mineral in dental health remains to be seen. Caries, the beginning of tooth decay, are the result of bacteria attacking the surface of the tooth, said Dr. Janet Moradian-Oldak , a professor of dentistry and biosciences/bioengineering at the University of Southern California. “When you eat too much sugar, the bacteria uses the sugar, metabolizes it, and then creates acid, and that acid dissolves the enamel of the tooth," she explained. "And if you don't have good dental hygiene, if you eat acidic food, if you don't brush your teeth, and if dissolving the mineral is faster than rebuilding the mineral in your saliva, that eventually leads to cavity." Fluoride basically slows demineralization, Moradian-Oldak said. “They’re basically protecting the tooth from dissolving too fast," she explained, adding "this is the cheapest way to prevent progression of dental caries.” Hydroxyapatite toothpaste, on the other hand, is more expensive, a Google search shows. Prices range from $11 to $18 for hydroxyapatite toothpaste and between $2 to $5 for fluoride toothpaste. It’s also worth noting that this study looked only at dental caries, and not how hydroxyapatite affects more severe issues like cavities. But, for people who are anti-fluoride, this could be the ideal alternative, Patella said. “There are a lot of patients, kids, parents who say we don't want fluoride, so they use non-fluoridated toothpaste — and by itself, non-fluoridated toothpaste is not as effective in protecting the teeth,” he said. “You're cleaning the teeth, you're removing the plaque, but you're not protecting the teeth, making them stronger as it happens with fluoride. So in this case, if someone is completely against fluoride, and now they have an alternative that could prevent children from getting cavities, I think it's a great solution.” Sources Elżbieta Paszyńska, DDS, MSC, PhD, head, department of integrated dentistry, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland Janet Moradian-Oldak, MSc, PhD professor, dentistry, and professor, biomedical sciences and bioengineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles Leonard Patella, DDS, chairman, dental medicine, Northwell Health Glen Cove Hospital, Glen Cove, N.Y. Frontiers in Public Health , July 18, 2023 Posted July 2023