Adults May Benefit From Fluoride Treatments

The Veterans Affairs developed a protocol for fluoride use in adult patients based upon the performance of the fluoride treatment on patients with a high risk of dental decay.  The objective was to determine of the fluoride treatments reduced the number of new dental restorations needed.

Restorations

In 2008, 51.8% of patients with a high rate of dental decay were provided fluoride, and the percentage rose to 81% in 2012.  After the four year period, 8.6% fewer patients needed two or more restorations, there was a 10.8% decrease in the average number of restorations, and 3.4% fewer patients required new restorations after the initial 12-month period.

The results indicated that restoration rates rose before fluoride was provided and the number of restorations fell consistently after the application of fluoride to more high risk patients.  Therefore, adults, as well as children, can benefit from fluoride applications to protect their teeth from dental decay.

Source:  JADA, 2014, vol. 145, no. 5, 443-451

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Age Appropriate Care

This patient is 97 years old.  His teeth don't look great, there's a lot of stain, discoloration, arrested decay and worn fillings and crowns.  However, he's got great bone, healthy gums, and his teeth are going to last the rest of his life.  God bless him!

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Staying Healthy

Healthypeople.gov is your source for information regarding the importance of oral health as an essential part of staying healthy.  Good oral health allows a person to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and make facial expressions to show feelings and emotions.  A healthy, attractive looking smile can increase your confidence and self esteem at any age.  Poor oral health affects Americans at all life stages, from infancy through older adulthood.  Oral diseases ranging from dental decay to oral cancers cause pain and disability for millions of Americans.  Children and adolescents:  tooth decay affects more than 1 in 4 U.S. children age 2 to 5, and 1 in 2 adolescents age 12 to 15.  Adults:  1 in 7 adults age 35 to 44 has gum disease; after age 65, the rate increases to 1 in 4.  Older adults:  1 in 4 age 65 or older have lost all of their teeth.  More than 7,800 people die from oral and pharyngeal (mouth and throat) cancers each year.  A growing body of evidence has linked oral health, particularly periodontal (gum) disease, to several chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.  In pregnant women, poor oral health has also been associated with premature births and low birth weight.  These conditions may be prevented in part with regular visits to the dentist.    

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's Syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the glands that produce tears and saliva do not function correctly.  As a result, poor salivary production causes dry mouth and lack of tears causes dry eyes.  When the symptoms become more severe, mouth dryness (xerostomia) may feel like a burning or cracking tongue, may result in an increased rate of dental decay, and difficulty swallowing.  It becomes necessary to sip fluids often both with and between meals.  The parotid glands (major salivary glands behind the jaw) may become swollen and painful.  Eye involvement is the other major manifestation.  The decreased tearing causes redness, itching, photosensitivity and a sandy or gritty feeling in the eyes.  There can also be a decrease in mucous gland secretion of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.  One-third of patients can have symptoms outside the glands, effecting joints, muscles, lungs and kidneys.  Treatment attempts to relieve the effects of chronic dryness of the mouth and eyes by increasing the lubrication and moisturization of the affected tissues.  Artificial tears and saliva substitutes have been used.  Medications are prescribed for extraglandular symptoms.  The overall disease course of Sjogren's syndrome requires regular monitoring by a prosthodontist in conjunction with a physician. 

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Fluoride Toothpastes Reduce Tooth Decay in Preschoolers

To study the effects of  fluoride toothpastes on the prevention of dental decay in the primary dentition of preschool children, examiners reviewed 1,932 records and 159 full-text articles.  They compared Fl toothpastes associated with oral health education vs. a placebo or no intervention.  Standard Fl toothpastes (compared to placebo) showed significant decay reduction in number of individuals, number of teeth and number of tooth surfaces.  The study concluded that standard  Fl toothpastes are effective in reducing dental decay in the primary teeth of preschool children, and are recommended for this age group. 

Source:  Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2012, Aug 9,2012

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Xylitol Reduces Adult Tooth Decay

A report published in the Journal of Dental Research, by Ritter, et al., compared the effectiveness of xylitol vs placebo lozenges in the prevention of dental decay in "active-decay" adults.  620 patients were followed for three years.  Participants using the xylitol lozenges had 40% fewer decay lesions on  root surfaces than those using the placebo.

J Dent Res, 2013 (Epub)

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309