March 2011 Dental News
Eat Your Greens To Reduce The Risk Of Oral Cancer
"Eating green leafy vegetables "significantly lowers the risk" of oral cancer among women who smoke, a recent study has revealed.
The research showed for every one serving of green leafy vegetables, the risk of oral cancer for current women smokers is reduced compared to those who have given up or never smoked. "
Potentially Pathogenic Microbes Growing on at Least Half of All Orthodontic Retainers, Study Suggests
"Insufficient cleaning could allow build-up of microbes on orthodontic retainers, researchers at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute have found. Dr Jonathan Pratten and colleagues looked at the types of microbes which live on retainers. This study, which found potentially pathogenic microbes growing on at least 50% of the retainers, is published March 15 in the Society for Applied Microbiology's journal Letters in Applied Microbiology and could indicate a need for the development of improved cleaning products for orthodontic retainers.
Dr Pratten and his team took samples from the mouths of people without retainers and those wearing either of the two most widely used types. As retainers are frequently removed and then replaced in the mouth, the potential for transmission of microbes is high."
National Smile Month To Bring Out The 'Smile Factor', UK
"The UK's leading independent oral health charity, the British Dental Health Foundation, is delighted to announce the theme for this year's National Smile Month, the 'Smile Factor', running from 15 May - 15 June.
The aim of the campaign is to put the smile back on peoples' faces and help them display their full personalities through the 'Smile Factor' theme. Now into its 35th year, National Smile Month remains an integral part of the Foundation's work in promoting greater oral health. As in previous years, the Foundation will also be raising the awareness of a healthy diet and the link between good oral health and good overall body health and promoting the three key messages of brush for two minutes twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste, visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend and cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks. "
Warning For Denture Wearers
"From its involvement in a healthy immune system to its role in cell growth, zinc is an essential mineral for the human body. Zinc deficiency is a worldwide problem that affects approximately 4 million people in the U.S. alone.
Consumed naturally in the human diet, zinc can be found in food sources, such as beef, yogurt, eggs, and fish. Furthermore, zinc is widely used in dental products, specifically denture adhesives. "
Preventive Dental Services By Physicians Reduce Tooth Decay Treatments In Preschoolers
"A preventive dental program targeting preschoolers under age 4 administered by physicians instead of dentists effectively reduces the need for tooth decay-related treatment among young children, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study shows.
The North Carolina program, "Into the Mouths of Babes," trains physicians and nurses to screen and assess risks for dental caries and other problems, counsel parents about children's oral health and apply fluoride varnish to children's teeth. It was established in 2000 by the N.C. Medicaid program in response to rising early childhood tooth decay rates. At the time, nearly 40 percent of children entering kindergarten had a history of early childhood caries, with rates as high as two-out-of-three children in some counties. Eligible recipients are enrolled in Medicaid, since most children with early childhood caries belong to low-income families. "
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