In 1949 when the New China was founded, there were only 600 dentists and 5 facilities of dentistry in the country. By 1999, the number has increased to around 25,000 but the ratio of dentist to population is still only 1:50,000. The prevalence of dental decay, baby-teeth decay and gum disease are 40%, 80% and 90%, respectively. A high sugar consumption is one of the causes. With regard to oral health habits, 70% of the population did not brush their teeth 10 years ago; that number has now improved, but is still only 50%. The Chinese Government is now hoping that campaigns promoting education, fluoridation, the training of more dentists and the building of more accessible dental clinics will improve the oral health status of its people.

NBC News, Live at 5 (11/3/99)
According to the American Dental Association, seniors have a high rate of cavities and tooth decay three times higher than kids. The major cause of increased cavities is receding gum tissue, which is the biggest risk factor for periodontal disease. This exposes the roots of the teeth and makes that area much more vulnerable to decay and infection. Ninety-five percent of seniors have receding gum tissue. Simple wear and tear over time causes much of the problem, but this normal part of aging is often aggravated by medications commonly taken by seniors that decrease saliva in the mouth. Saliva is one of the body’s natural defenses against tooth decay. Another known problem is the lack of a proper diet. Seniors may not eat balanced meals or receive enough calcium. A daily calcium supplement and a multivitamin is usually a good idea. A lack of fluoride because of bottled water consumption can also cause tooth decay. Some seniors don’t have good oral hygiene because of physical limitations. Conditions such as arthritis can keep seniors from brushing thoroughly. Another problem like people of all ages, many seniors don’t get dental checkups often enough.

The National Enquirer (10/12/99)
From the book "Pearls of Wisdom From Grandma," said supermodel Christie Brinkley: " Whenever my grandma needed a quick break while babysitting my bother Greg and me, she would pop out her false teeth and put them down on the floor in front of us, warning, "Don't move or they'll bite you." We didn't move a hair."

RDH (9/99)
Plaque: It's a beautiful thing!
Introducing the world's first dental plaque tie from INFECTIOUS AWAREABLES. Designed from actual photomicrographs, the AWAREABLES collection includes 14 diseases in 37 color combinations, all in luxurious 100% silk. Sure to generate compliments of epidemic proportions, these ties also serve as exciting educational tools. Woven onto the backside of every tie is a "learning note" highlighting key messages for prevention. A portion of all proceeds benefits agencies dedicated to disease research or treatment. For information visit: http://www.healthmediaint.com.

Newsweek Magazine (9/13/99)
The Tooth of the Matter
"And you thought she was just shy. The cause of the MonaLisa's smile,claims an Italian doctor, was bruxism: compulsive teeth grinding. The diagnosis contradicts earlier theories that she had congenital palsy, a stroke or - our favorite - blackened teeth from a crude syphilis treatment."

People Magazine, (8/16/99)
Letters to the editor
"I couldn't be the only one that gasped at this team -- not at their record or talent, but my gosh, look at their teeth! This outstanding group of young women certainly speaks to excellent dentistry practiced since childhood. Behind each of these women must have been a mother saying, "Brush-a-brush-a-brush-a..."
CPS, Aiea, Hawaii

Access (8/99)
The Best Reason to Floss: It Can Add Years to Your Life
RealAge, a growing online community, lets you take a scientifically-developed quiz to find out your real age. Developed by Michael F. Roizen MD, the quiz asks a series of in-depth questions, then calculates your "real age" -- as distinct from your biological age. According to Roizen, research indicates that plague build-up correlates to hardening of the arteries, so those who floss every day can add years to their lives. You can take the RealAge quiz at: http://www.realage.com.

Consumer Reports 8/99
Dental Health: Stay with three square meals
Anyone prone to cavities may benefit from a simple change of lifestyle: Eat less frequently. Research shows that between-meal snacking does indeed foster tooth decay, says Dr. W. Rory Hume researcher at UCLA. Your mother was right.

Diet soda's also bad for teeth
The sugar in regular soda feeds the bacteria that cause tooth decay. And the acidity from carbonation and from citric or phosphoric acids in the recipe make soda tough on teeth because they can erode the enamel. Diet soda isn't much better for teeth, says Donald White, a research fellow at Procter & Gamble. Diet soft drinks contain the same kind of enamel-eroding acids, though they appear to be less harmful than regular sodas. Pineapple and citrus juices can have the same acidic effect. So some dentists recommend drinking water afterward to cleanse your mouth.

July 15, l998-BROOKLINE, Massachusetts (AP) -- Forget the mouthwash and mints to get rid of bad breath. More and more people seem to be gaga over the tongue scraper, a plastic doodad with plenty of gag potential.
The scraper is sort of a squeegee for the tongue, mucking up icky bacteria. That's good, though what gets scraped out isn't pretty.

"It's startling," Dr. Marc Ehrlich said. "You think your mouth is fairly clean and you kind of wipe this off and it looks like something you cough up when you've got a cold."

Tongue scrapers are not new. Dentists will tell you people in ancient Egypt, China and India were scraping their tongues long before someone coined the term halitosis, the clinical word for bad breath. Somehow, the concept never really took off in the United States. But a public increasingly concerned about banishing bacteria and more vigilance over oral hygiene are giving the scraper a boost.

Tongue scraping, in fact, has become the rage among Hollywood's elite. "We're treating someone now," said Dr. Douglas Hauck, a Beverly Hills dentist who wouldn't divulge the client's name. He did say the patient can be seen on TV every Monday night. (Okay, lets have a contest, guess the TV star. Prize will be a tongue scraper. You were expecting a car maybe?)

The idea behind tongue scraping is simple. The bulk of oral bacteria -- and especially the bad-smelling sulfur compounds that can cause chronic bad breath -- reside on the tongue, particularly on the hard-to-reach back of the tongue. Dentists have long encouraged patients to brush their tongues to reduce bacteria. Problem is, many people gag when they try to get the toothbrush way back there -- if they can reach back there at all.

Long and thin, the tongue scrapers have plastic serrated edges that are designed to slide along the tongue, raking bacteria away. A few quick scrapes, in long motions from the back forward once or twice a day, is enough to keep bacteria in check.

Time Magazine (July 5, 1999)
Mining Cavities
Chew on this: exposure to lead - already blamed for cognitive and behavioral problems in children - may also cause tooth decay. Even after they factored out such variables as poverty and diet, researchers found that every increase of 5 mcg/dL in lead levels in children was linked to an 80% increased risk of cavities. Why? The heavy metal may alter saliva, rendering it less able to fight decay.

Access (May-June 1999)
Eating Chocolate and Puckering Up Send Plaque on the Run
Research suggests that eating lots of chocolate may not be as bad for your teeth as once thought, according to the Academy of General Dentistry. Chocolate contains tannins, which help prevent cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to teeth and gums. When mixed with sugar, tannins can reduce the plaque that causes dental and gum disease. Looking for another way to fend off plaque? Try puckering up with your partner. Kissing stimulates saliva, the academy reports, which washes out the mouth and helps remove cavity-causing food particles that accumulate after meals. For those without a smooching partner, chewing sugar-free gum is another option. It can produce up to three times the amount of saliva regularly in the mouth, and doesn't deliver the excess calories associated with chocolate and other sugar-laden foods.

Access, (May-June 1999)
Man Sues ADA, Manufacturers, and Retailer Over Toothbrush Abrasion
Major toothbrush manufacturers whose products have received the seal of the American Dental Association (ADA) are accused in a suit filed in Cook County (Illinois) of failing to inform consumers of how to properly use their brushes. The plaintiff, of the Chicago area, alleges he was inadequately warned about the consequences of brushing this teeth "too hard," and, as a result, developed toothbrush abrasion. The plaintiff claims to have used soft toothbrushes produced by the major manufactures. Michael Applebaum, MD, JD, his attorney, says he would like to see toothbrushes manufactured with warning labels instructing consumers on how to brush properly. "Toothbrush abrasion is a condition caused by the toothbrush...People use toothbrushes the best they know how, given they're not knowledgeable about the proper use of the tool." Toothbrush abrasion is a major problem caused by scrubbing back and forth at the gumline. Initially the gum is brushed away exposing the root surface of the tooth. If the scrubbing continues, a groove is brushed into the tooth. Sometimes this area becomes extremely sensitive to hot and cold. A desensitizing toothpaste may help or your dentist can place a special filling material in the groove. Of course, preventing the problem in the first place is the best solution. Use only a soft bristled toothbrush.

Here is the proper way to brush:
1. Place the toothbrush bristles along the gumline at a 45-degree angle. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gumline.
2. Gently brush the outer tooth surface of 2-3 teeth using a vibrating back, forth and rolling motion. Move brush to the next group of 2-3 teeth and repeat.
3. Continue brushing the same way on the inner surfaces of the teeth.
4. Tilt brush vertically behind the front teeth. Make several up & down strokes using the front half of the brush.
5. Place the brush against the biting surface of the teeth & use a gentle back & forth scrubbing motion. Yes, you may scrub the biting surfaces!