Why is fluoride NOW in Newport Beach water?About FluorideFluoride helps teeth resist decay by strengthening the protective layer of tooth enamel, and can reverse newly formed cavities. Fluoride has been added to U.S. drinking water supplies since 1945. More than two-thirds of the population in the U.S. are served by public water systems that are optimally fluoridated. FluoridationStarting November 19, 2007, Metropolitan Water District (MWD) began adding fluoride to the water that it serves to Newport Beach. In line with recommendations from the California Department of Public Health, as well as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MWD will adjust the natural fluoride level in the water, which ranges from 0.1 to 0.4 parts per million, to 0.7 to 0.8 parts per million. Currently the City of Newport Beach receives approximately 18% of its water from MWD and 82% from its ground water well sources. The City of Newport Beach will not be adding fluoride to its well sources. The City of Newport Beach's ground water well sources contain a natural occurrence of fluoride Also beginning this November, the City of Newport Beach will begin a fluoride monitoring program to monitor the levels of fluoride throughout the distribution system. Fluoridated Water and SupplementsDrinking optimally fluoridated water on a regular basis makes the use of fluoride tablets or drops unnecessary. However, the continued use of fluoride treatments by professional dental caregivers is recommended. Drinking fluoridated water should be part of a total treatment plan for healthy gums and teeth, combined with brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and using less sugar in your diet. People who do not wish to drink fluoridated water should know that most bottled waters do contain levels of fluoride below the optimum range. Here are some answers to questions we often get askedQ. How does fluoride protect teeth against tooth decay?Tooth decay occurs when acids produced by bacteria in the mouth dissolve or demineralize the teeth. Fluoride protects against tooth decay by slowing down or stopping demineralization, promoting remineralization, and keeping the bacteria from producing too much acid. Technically fluoride reduces the solubility of teeth by changing out a hydroxyl group for a Fluoride ion. Q. Is fluoride harmful to my health?There have been thousands of studies that have looked at whether fluoride in drinking water is harmful to human health. These studies have looked at whether there is a link between fluoride and cancer, bone fractures as well as adverse effects on the immune system, kidneys, digestive system and reproductive system. The American Dental Association, in reviewing the body of scientific evidence, concluded that the overwhelming evidence indicates that fluoridation of community water supplies is both safe and effective. Q. Will I miss the benefits from fluoridation if I drink bottled water, vended water or water from a store or a home filtration system?If you mostly drink bottled water, water from vending machines or water from water stores, you may miss the benefits of an optimally fluoridated water supply. If you use vended water or purchase water from a water store and the water is likely treated by reverse osmosis or distillation, the water is most likely low in fluoride. Q. Should I give fluoridated water to my infant?A national Research Council study has raised the possibility that infants could receive a greater than optimal amount of fluoride. Liquid concentrate of powdered baby formula that has been mixed with water containing fluoride during a time that they are developing teeth may cause them to be more susceptible to enamel fluorosis. The American Dental Association has issued interim guidance on fluoride intake for infants and young children. Among the recommendations are that if liquid concentrate or powdered infant formula is the primary source of nutrition for infants, it can be mixed with water that is fluoride free or contains low levels of fluoride to reduce the risk of fluorosis. Q. Will fluoridated water harm my pets?No evidence exists that indicates fluoridated water at the levels prescribed for human consumption is harmful to animals or pets. *Most of the information here is from the City of Newport Beach website. BisphosphonatesBisphosphonates (i.e. Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva) and their role in bone death.If you use a bisphosphonate medication for osteoporosis or as part of cancer treatment therapy you should advise your dentist. In fact, any time your health history or medications change, you should make sure the dental office has the most recent information in your patient file. The American Dental Association recommends that a patient be examined by a dentist prior to initiating bisphosphonate therapy to reduce further complications. Here's whySome bisphosphonate medications (such as Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva) are taken orally to help prevent or treat osteoporosis and Paget's disease of the bone. Others, such as Aredia, Bonefos, Didronel or Zometa, are administered intravenously as part of cancer therapy to reduce bone pain associated with metastatic breast cancer, prostate cancer and multiple myeloma. In rare instances, some individuals receiving intravenous bisphosphonates for cancer treatment have developed osteonecrosis of the jaw, a rare but serious condition that involves severe loss, or destruction, of the jawbone. Symptoms of Osteonecrosis of the jaw include, but are not limited to:Pain, swelling, or infection of the gums or jawGums that are not healing Loose teeth Numbness or a feeling of heaviness in the jaw Drainage Exposed bone The following information comes directly from the American Dental Association and can be found on their website at www.ada.org OverviewReports of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BON) associated with the use of Zometa (zolendronic acid) and Aredia (pamidronate) began to surface in 2003. The majority of reported cases have been associated with dental procedures such as tooth extraction; however, less commonly BON appears to occur spontaneously in patients taking these drugs. Zolendronic acid and pamidronate are intravenous (i.v.) bisphosphonates used to reduce bone pain, hypercalcemia and skeletal complications in patients with multiple myeloma, breast, lung and other cancers and Paget's disease of bone. Several cases of BON have also been associated with the use of the oral bisphosphonates, Fosamax (alendronate), Actonel (risedronate) and Boniva (ibandronate), for the treatment of osteoporosis; however, it is not clear if these patients had other conditions that would put them at risk for developing BON. The table below lists all oral and i.v. bisphosphonates currently on the market in the U.S.
Clinical PresentationThe typical clinical presentation of BON includes pain, soft-tissue swelling and infection, loosening of teeth, drainage, and exposed bone. These symptoms may occur spontaneously, or more commonly, at the site of previous tooth extraction. Patients may also present with feelings of numbness, heaviness and dysesthesias of the jaw. However, BON may remain asymptomatic for weeks or months, and may only become evident after finding exposed bone in the jaw. Dental ManagementIt is important to understand that, based on the information currently available, the risk for developing BON is much higher for cancer patients on i.v. bisphosphonate therapy than the risk for patients on oral bisphosphonate therapy. Therefore, there are different recommendations for dental management of these patients. For patients on oral bisphosphonate therapyThe risk of developing BON in patients on oral bisphosphonate therapy appears to be very low; however, though the risk is small, currently millions of patients take these drugs. Therefore, recommendations for dental management of patients on oral bisphosphonate therapy were developed by an expert panel assembled by the ADA's Council on Scientific Affairs. These panel recommendations focus on conservative surgical procedures, proper sterile technique, appropriate use of oral disinfectants and the principals of effective antibiotic therapy. There is currently no data from clinical trials evaluating dental management of patients on oral bisphosphonate therapy, and therefore, these recommendations are based on expert opinion only. A comprehensive oral evaluation is recommended for all patients about to begin therapy with oral bisphosphonates (or as soon as possible after beginning therapy).These recommendations do not address treatment of patients on i.v. bisphosphonate therapy or patients with BON. Refer to the information below regarding their treatment. For patients on i.v. bisphosphonate therapyIt is important for dentists to be aware that while on treatment, invasive dental procedures should be avoided in patients receiving i.v. bisphosphonates, if possible. Dentists need to exercise their professional judgment, perhaps after consultation with the patient's physician, in deciding whether invasive treatment is needed under the particular clinical situations. The prescribing information for these drugs recommends that cancer patients: Receive a dental examination prior to initiating therapy with intravenous bisphosphonates (Aredia and Zometa); and avoid invasive dental procedures while receiving bisphosphonate treatment. For patients who develop osteonecrosis of the jaw while on bisphosphonate therapy, dental surgery may exacerbate the condition. Clinical judgment by the treating physician should guide the management plan of each patient based on an individual benefit/risk assessment. Among tools useful to the dentist is a patient's medical history, including medications. Dentists should be aware that patients may not relay information about receiving i.v. bisphosphonates, because these drugs are administered in oncology wards. Therefore, patients with a history of multiple myeloma, metastatic cancer, Paget's disease and osteoporosis may need to be questioned about receiving i.v. bisphosphonates. In addition, it may be important to know of any history of i.v. bisphosphonate administration, because these drugs have a long half-life (years). An expert panel convened by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (the manufacturer of Zometa and Aredia) in 2004, made the following recommendations for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients on i.v. bisphosphonate therapy: Patients should be educated on maintaining excellent oral hygiene to reduce the risk of infection.Dentists should check and adjust removable dentures to avoid soft-tissue injury. Routine dental cleanings should be performed with care not to inflict any soft-tissue injury. Dental infections should be managed aggressively and nonsurgically (when possible). Endodontic therapy is preferable to extractions; and, when necessary, coronal amputation with root canal therapy on retained roots to avoid the need for extraction. For patients with BONRecommendations for the treatment of patients with BON have been published and are posted on the Web site for the Journal of Oncology Practice. |
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