Dear DrBicuspid Member,
Honey is great for tea, toast, and -- apparently -- teeth. In the top story of the week, periodontist Dr. Alvin Danenberg shared the oral health benefits of honey, as well as some of its more eclectic uses.
Danenberg claims the sweet treat can not only promote better oral and overall health but also be used as a toothpaste and mouthwash. The column explains the science behind Danenberg's rationale and honey's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
If that's not sweet enough for you, this week's episode of Dental Dose is all about grapefruit juice. Pharmacologist Tom Viola, RPh, explained why medications often warn against the tangy citrus drink. He also shared other fruit drinks and medications that can cause a similar interaction.
Orofacial signs of Lyme disease
As if the symptoms of Lyme disease weren't debilitating enough, a new systematic review has identified more than half a dozen orofacial manifestations of the condition. Patients with Lyme disease reported symptoms that included facial palsy, headache, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, and neck pain.
The symptoms of Lyme disease can mimic TMJ disorders, the authors cautioned. They advised oral health professionals to consider Lyme disease as a possibility if a clinical exam fails to identify a specific oral health pathology in patients with unexplained orofacial symptoms.
Hygienists experience inappropriate patient behavior
In a new study, approximately 86% of dental hygienists in the U.S. reported experiencing inappropriate patient sexual behavior at some point in their careers. Another 63% said they experienced this type of behavior within the past 12 months.
Hygienists reported that patients grabbed them, made overtly sexual remarks, and stared at their body parts in a way that made them feel uncomfortable. A study published in June found that dental hygienists in South Korea experienced similar issues.
Dental Medicare still on the table
Last but not least, Medicare dental coverage is still on the table as the $3.5 trillion budget passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week. The bill now goes into reconciliation, a special fast-track procedure that bypasses the need for a 60-vote filibuster-proof majority.
