Week in Review: ADA VP on flossing; soda warnings upheld; and diet and perio disease

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Both consumers and dental professionals were left scratching their heads last week after the publication of an article by Associated Press that questioned the evidence behind flossing. But the vice president of the ADA's Scientific Institute is excited about the possibility that dentists can have a meaningful conversation with their patients about oral healthcare. Read our exclusive interview here.

Switching to a diet focused on reducing inflammation may help those with periodontal disease, according to a small pilot study. Participants who reduced carbohydrates intake and increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids showed a significant improvement in periodontal health. Read Assistant Editor Theresa Pablos' article here.

Sometimes dentists are so focused on giving their patients top-quality care, they forget that the patient doesn't speak their language. Dr. Brad Guyton and Valerie Kendrick came up with a list of the top five things dentists say that inadvertently turn patients away. They offer useful alternatives to help your patients accept needed treatment. Read their column here.

San Francisco is the first U.S. city to require health warnings on ads for sodas and sugary drinks. The pioneering law is a victory over the beverage industry's efforts to manipulate science, according to the authors of an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Read Features Editor Donna Domino's article here.

We've already seen billboards around DrBicuspid.com's San Francisco office reflecting the new law. While any data we receive will probably take some time, anything that can be done to bring more awareness to oral healthcare issues is welcome.