Consumer Tips

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania--Americans of all ages continue to experience improvements in their oral health. However, decay in baby teeth increased from 24 percent to 28 percent among children two to five years of age, according to a recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which compared data collected in 1999-2004 to data gathered 10 years earlier.

WASHINGTON, District of Columbia – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today warned consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China, and issued an import alert to prevent toothpaste containing the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol (DEG) from entering the United States.

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania-- “Teeth are meant to last a lifetime,” says the American Dental Association. "It is a myth that adults can expect to lose many of them later in life."

CHICAGO, Illinois – More than 100 dental experts will be available on Friday, June 29, 2007, to provide free dental advice and answer questions about oral health through the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) SmileLine, a non-profit, toll-free national dental health hotline. The 16th annual SmileLine will take place on Dental Awareness Day in conjunction with the AGD’s 55th Annual Meeting & Exhibits in San Diego, Calif., from June 27-July 1, 2007.

CHICAGO, Illinois – Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women in the United States. In 2006, the American Cancer Society estimated that there would be 212,920 new cases of invasive breast cancer, and in that year, 40,970 women would die from it. Many women’s lives could be saved if this cancer was diagnosed earlier, and early diagnosis could be achieved if there were more and easier opportunities to do so.

CHICAGO, Illinois – Exposing teeth to soft drinks, even for a short period of time, causes dental erosion—and prolonged exposure can lead to significant enamel loss. Root beer products, however, are non-carbonated and do not contain the acids that harm teeth, according to a study in the March/April 2007 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal. That might be something to consider during the next visit to the grocery store.

CHICAGO, Illinois – Minimally invasive dentistry may not be a term with which dental patients are familiar, but many dentists use such techniques every day in their practices. Procedures such as remineralization, sealing, inlays and onlays help to conserve healthy tooth structure, which is better for the long-term health of teeth, according to the February 2007 issue of AGD Impact, the monthly newsmagazine of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). They allow dentists to perform the least amount of dentistry needed while not removing more of the tooth structure than is required.

CHICAGO, Illinois – The statistics are staggering: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over four million children are affected by tooth decay nationwide, a jump of over 600,000 additional preschoolers over the course of a decade. Senior citizens, those with diets high in carbohydrates and people who live in areas without a fluoridated water supply are also likely candidates for cavities.

CHICAGO, Illinois – Reality TV has provided the general public with a glimpse into the world of cosmetic dentistry with shows like “Extreme Makeover”—and people like the “quick-fix” they see. One of these quick fixes is a resin appliance (known as a clip-on smile or snap-on teeth), designed to fit over the teeth to create an esthetically appealing smile.

CHICAGO, Illinois – The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) extends our deepest condolences to the family of 12-year-old Maryland boy Deamonte Driver, who lost his life from a severe brain infection that was caused by bacteria from an infected tooth. Deamonte Driver’s death points to a complete system breakdown. The AAPD continues to advocate across the nation addressing ways to improve access to dental care for all children. As the state and federal Medicaid dental system now stands, it is badly broken in many states. Major improvements need to be made so tha t more children will not fall through the cracks. Although Deamonte Driver is a rare case, many children are at-risk.