Dr. Bob's Mouthly Report

More than 1 in 4 Americans say they or a family member went without needed health care in the past two years because they felt they could not afford it, according to a new poll.

The survey from Monmouth University released Monday finds that 27 percent of adults say they or a member of their household have avoided necessary medical care in the past two years because of cost. That figure is down slightly from 2017, when 31 percent said they had skipped care.

In addition, 45 percent of the public says it is difficult to pay their deductibles and other out-of-pocket health care expenses.

Relieving the burden of health care costs has been a major driver of the debate over "Medicare for All," with proponents saying that generous government-run insurance is needed to make health care affordable for more people, while opponents argue there are other, more market-based ways to bring down health costs while building on the current system.

Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) are currently working on a bipartisan package aimed at lowering health care costs, including protecting patients from surprise medical bills that they get when a doctor is outside their insurance network.

The poll finds that 20 percent of adults say they have thought about getting a new job or starting a business in the past 10 years but did not pursue it because of the need to maintain their health coverage.

Proponents of Medicare for All say that reducing this “job lock,” or the need to stay in a job to keep the employer-provided health insurance, is a benefit of government-run insurance. Opponents say people often like their employer-sponsored coverage and do not want to be forced to give it up.  

Read more at The Hill

Sales of stevia sweetener — led by Truvia — have eclipsed sales of artificial sweeteners including aspartame, sucralose and saccharin.

“Natural” reigns when it comes to food and beverage trends, and the low- and no-calorie sweetener category is no exception. Sales of stevia sweetener — led by Truvia — have eclipsed sales of artificial sweeteners including aspartame, sucralose and saccharin.

The popularity of artificial sweeteners has dwindled among concerns that they don’t help with weight management and could even cause weight gain. Natural sweeteners have the health halo of being plant-based, but are they as innocent as they seem?

What’s the difference?

Stevia leaves have been used as a sweetener since the 16th century, but the extract has only been approved as a U.S. food ingredient since 2008. Leaves from the stevia plant are harvested, dried and steeped in hot water. The resulting liquid is filtered to isolate the sweet compounds called glycosides, most commonly stevioside and rebaudioside A (also known as reb A).

Stevia is 200 to 300 times as sweet as sugar and is low enough in calories that it can be called “zero calorie.” However, some of the compounds tend to have a bitter aftertaste.

Monk fruit is a melon from China. The sweet component, mogroside V, is extracted and is 150 to 250 times as sweet as sugar. It contains 2 calories per teaspoon so it can be labeled as “zero calorie.” Monk fruit tastes different from sugar and can have an aftertaste.

Which is best for you?

A review found that natural and artificial sweeteners are often reviewed as one group instead of separate compounds, which makes it challenging to tease out whether some are better than others.

Stevia has been determined to be safe for use by the general population, including children. Animal studies suggest stevia extracts are nontoxic.

Monk fruit sweetener is generally recognized as safe by the FDA, but, overall, the research is too young to be able to say much about how it affects human health.

What’s the bottom line?

Do stevia and monk fruit sweetener help people lose weight? So far, the evidence doesn’t support the idea.

Stevia and monk fruit are natural, but the extracts in the sweeteners have been processed and refined. “Natural” doesn’t automatically mean “better.” For example, whole stevia leaves and crude stevia extracts aren’t approved for use in food because of concerns related to kidney health.

It’s also important to consider how you’re using the products. Are you putting them in your coffee so you can have that extra doughnut? Then you’re missing the point. Low-calorie sweeteners should be used as a tool to help lower the added sugars in your diet. Another strategy: Choose foods such as fruit more often to get fiber and nutrients along with natural sugars.

Read more at StarTribune

The acting head of the Food and Drug Administration launched the agency’s first hearing on CBD products Friday with a laundry of list of questions about cannabidiol, better known as CBD, which is already being sold in pills, tinctures, skin lotions, sodas and dog food.

How much of the cannabis extract is safe to consume daily, he asked at the jam-packed, all-day hearing at FDA headquarters in Silver Spring. How will it interact with other drugs? What if a consumer is pregnant? What is CBD’s effect on children? What happens if someone takes it over the course of years?

Acting Commissioner Norman “Ned” Sharpless said answers to most of those questions are still unknown despite the popularity of many CBD products.

“There are important reasons to generally prohibit putting drugs in the food supply,” Sharpless said. And cannabis extracts like CBD “are no exception.”

During the 10 hours of testimony that followed, hemp growers, start-up businesses, academic researchers and consumer advocates argued about how FDA should regulate the already booming CBD industry. Some demanded strict oversight. Others — especially companies with millions at stake — lobbied for looser regulation.

But the common theme among them all: FDA needs to figure out its rules sooner, rather than later.

Read more at The Washington Post

Remember when lighting a grill was the first thing you thought of when you heard the word charcoal?

Not anymore! Now, activated charcoal has been dubbed "black magic" for skin care, makeup, and even toothpaste.

 

Some claim the dark black toothpaste is giving them whiter, brighter teeth.

"Once I'm done using it, it feels really clean on my teeth," said Melinda Isley, a PR specialist in Fort Myers. "It almost feels like I just left the dentist's office after getting a cleaning, and I like that a lot."

Isley started using activated charcoal toothpaste six months ago. So far, she has no complaints, other than the mess it makes.

"You don't want to wear anything nice when you're brushing your teeth. It's like spaghetti. You're going to get it all over you, and it's black," Isley said.

Dentists, like Dr. Phillip Kraver, aren't as optimistic, saying that charcoal toothpaste can actually do more harm than good to teeth.

"They may be damaging your teeth in a way that's irreversible," said Phillip Kraver of Cape Dental Care. "I don't currently recommend charcoal toothpaste to my patients, mainly because it's not proven to be safe or effective,"

Read more at NBC2

Summer sun brings summer fun. While warm months are perfect for spending time together, summer vacation can also throw off your usual dental routine. Here are three ways to prevent summertime tooth decay:  

Stay on a routine 

Whether your kids are staying up to catch fireflies or a fireworks show, resist the temptation to skip brushing before a late bedtime—or let it slide when they sleep in the next morning. “Don’t forget about your smile over the summer,” says ADA pediatric dentist Dr. Mary Hayes. “It’s important for families to consistently brush and floss, which keeps kids on track for healthy back-to-school dental visits.” 

No matter how eventful the upcoming months become, supervise that they are brushing twice a day for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste. Simple things like brushing calendars can help everyone stay on track over the summer. Plus, it’s a chance to spend more time together. Brushing alongside your children for 2 minutes, twice a day for the three months of summer gives you 6 extra hours together, so make the most of them! 

And don’t forget to clean between those teeth once a day. “Your children should be flossing between any two teeth that touch,” Dr. Hayes says. “However, many kids don’t have motor skills to floss until they are over 10 years old.” If your child needs help, try different types of interdental cleaners or put your hands over theirs to guide them and get the job done at the same time.  

Say no to sugary drinks and snacks 

As the temperature rises, it’s common for families to sip and snack during sports tournaments, festivals or nearly any community event. “Watch your family’s intake of lemonade, juice and soda,” says Dr. Hayes. “Consider sugary drinks treats to enjoy once in a while, and not often.” Instead, offer water (even better if it has fluoride) to beat the heat, or milk to drink with meals. And, don’t let summertime grazing damage your child’s smile. “Taking a break from snacking is healthy for your teeth,” says Dr. Hayes. “It allows time for saliva to bathe the teeth, wash away leftover food and get stronger.”  

If you find yourself spending more time at home, snack smarter, and let your children tell you when they’re hungry instead of offering snacks throughout the day. “They’re not afraid to let you know when they want something to eat!” she says.  

Make your back-to-school dental visit early 

Some schools require back-to-school dental visits for certain grades, and these checkups can be a good way to be sure your child’s teeth stayed healthy. It is a good idea to make your child’s back-to-school appointment early in the summer to avoid the August rush and help insure you get the appointment time that works best for you. “We can help spot and take care of any issues, so your child doesn’t have to miss class once school starts,” Dr. Hayes says. “Visiting the dentist regularly can help your child’s smile stay healthy all year long.”  

Read more at MouthHealthy