Becker's Dental + DSO Review

9 BECKER'S DENTAL + DSO REVIEW - VOL. 4 OCTOBER 2020 Face masks could contribute to gum disease, NY dentist suggests By Katie Adams F requently wearing a face mask could lead to gum disease in individuals who maintained good oral health before the pandemic, a dentist told upstate New York radio station WYRK. Breathing through the mouth when wearing a face mask can cause dry mouth, which leads to bacteria buildup that can deteriorate teeth. "We're seeing inflammation in people's gums that have been healthy forever, and cavities in people who have never had them before," Robert Raimondi, DDS, told WYRK. To avoid mask-induced dry mouth, people can de- crease their caffeine intake, drink more water, use a humidifier, rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash, scrape their tongue and abstain from smoking, and breathe through their noses. n CLINICAL CARE Some dentists refute claim that wearing masks can cause dental issues By Gabrielle Masson S ome dentists are refuting recent claims that wearing masks could lead to dental problems, according to The Los Angeles Times. In response to Anaheim (Calif.) Councilwoman Lucille Kring's Aug. 11 comments that wearing masks can cause serious dental issues, Ra- mesh Gowda, DDS, president of the Orange County Dental Society, said, "There is no scientific basis for that." Several recent articles circulating the internet have included claims that mask-wearing can cause mouth dryness and a buildup of bacteria that leads to dental issues. Dr. Gowda said neither is likely, and if peo- ple are experiencing more dental issues, it's likely due to poor oral hy- giene. Some patients are also hesitant to visit the dentist for cleanings amid the pandemic, which can result in poor gum health, Dr. Gowda said. If masks caused dental issues, medical professionals would have more dental problems because they wear masks every day, said Shruti Gohil, MD, associate medical director of epidemiology and infection preven- tion at UC Irvine. n FDA issues mercury warning for dental amalgam By Gabrielle Masson O n Sept. 24, the FDA issued updated recommendations about dental amalgam and potential risks to certain individuals that may be tied to the mercury-containing fillings. The FDA is recommending individuals that fall into the below high-risk groups avoid getting dental amalgam whenever possible and appropri- ate: • Pregnant women and their developing fetuses • Women who are planning to become pregnant • Nursing women and their infants • Children, especially those younger than 6 years • People with preexisting neurological diseases • People with impaired kidney function • People with known heightened sensitivity (allergy) to mercury While low levels of inhaled mercury vapor are generally not harmful to most, these individuals may be at increased risk. The FDA is not recommending anyone remove or replace existing amal- gam fillings in good condition unless medically necessary, because removing intact amalgam fillings can temporarily increase exposure to mercury vapor and cause potential loss of healthy tooth structure. n What dental conditions are on the rise amid the pandemic By Gabrielle Masson A n official from the Justice Department ar- gued in favor of SmileDirectClub during a lawsuit against members of the Alabama Dental Board, according to Bloomberg Law. Dentists are reporting significant increases in cer- tain conditions, according to the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute's latest poll. The poll, conducted the week of Sept. 21, found that more than half (59.4 percent) of the polled dentists reported increases in the prevalence of bruxism, or excessive teeth grinding. Overall, 53.4 percent of dentists reported increas- es in chipped and cracked teeth, as well as tem- poromandibular disorder symptoms among pa- tients. Nearly a third (29.7 percent) of respondents said they're seeing more patients with periodontal disease, while 26.4 percent of dentists reported an increase in caries. n

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