Dental Caries

The American Fluoridation Society comments on the analysis WASHINGTON, March 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of millions of people around the world receive significant dental health benefits because their tap water is adjusted to the recommended amount of fluoride. Yet opponents of water fluoridation often cite a 2019 Canadian study (Green et al.) to claim that fluoride affects children's IQ scores. This claim has been refuted by a new peer-reviewed analysis. This published analysis shows that the Canadian researchers relied on data that cannot report fluoride measurement and does not accurately measure IQ. Continue Reading The CDC reports that fluoridated water reduces tooth decay by 25% for children and adults. Opponents of fluoridation have cited Canadian studies to question the safety of fluoride, but a new analysis exposes serious weaknesses in those studies. The authors of this analysis wrote that studies relying on these data to make claims about fluoride and IQ "should be considered unacceptable for legal and policy purposes." The new analysis was just published by the Journal of Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology. The Green authors and other researchers claimed an association between fluoride exposure and IQ by examining data from the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) database. When the researchers compared the average IQ score between fluoridated and non-fluoridated cities in Canada, the scores were virtually identical. Curiously, the researchers did not highlight that point. Instead, the Green researchers reported a fluoride-IQ association after they estimated fluoride levels of the pregnant women using spot urine samples collected during pregnancy. However, the new analysis reminds readers that spot samples of urinary fluoride cannot accurately measure a person's exposure to fluoride, let alone that of a fetus. Moreover, the measurement of their children's IQs was unreliable, for example, because there were different IQ test administrators in each city. The authors of this analysis conclude: "Because the MIREC database offers neither valid data on maternal or fetal fluoride exposure, nor reliable measures of the IQ of the resulting children, the database cannot be used to make claims that fluoride exposure affects IQ." "This analysis is huge. It means that seven Canadian studies that stand on the MIREC database have come tumbling down like a house of cards," said Dr. Johnny Johnson, President of the American Fluoridation Society. "It's important that we hold all research to high standards." The lead author of the analysis was Juliet Guichon, a professor in the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine. The analytical team included Andrew Rugg-Gunn and Colin Cooper. Rugg-Gunn is a British scientist and international expert in the measurement of fluoride intake. Cooper is a British psychologist who has authored more than a dozen books, chapters or scientific articles about human intelligence and related topics. The fourth co-author was James Dickinson, an epidemiologist and professor of Family Medicine in the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine. A lot is at stake. Tooth decay (cavities) is the most common chronic disease for children and adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that drinking fluoridated water reduces tooth decay by 25% for adults and children. Water fluoridation is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dental Association, and other leading health, medical and dental organizations. Policy makers and health professionals should recognize that the quality of fluoride-IQ studies varies widely. In fact, a 2023 systematic review examined 30 fluoride-IQ studies and found that 29 studies were at moderate to high risk of bias (lower quality). The only study at low risk of bias (highest quality) found no link between fluoride and IQ scores. In addition, a recent meta-analysis of studies reported that "fluoride exposure relevant to community water fluoridation is not associated with lower IQ scores in children." In some cases, the flaws of a study are not recognized until many months or even years after it was published. It's important for journals to follow the lead of BMC Public Health, which retracted a fluoride-IQ study after it learned of serious concerns about the study's methodology. Given the concerns identified in this new analysis, as well as concerns raised by numerous experts, we urge JAMA Pediatrics to consider retracting the Green et al. paper. It should be noted that the journal has retracted papers when similar concerns were raised after their publication. Only one fluoride-IQ study has followed individuals over a 30-year period, testing their IQs at multiple ages to assess whether a link existed. Unlike the Canadian studies, this New Zealand study did not rely on spot urine samples. The New Zealand study found no association between fluoride and IQ scores. Data from Australia, Denmark, Spain and Sweden also have revealed no link between fluoride and cognitive deficits. For more information on the scientific evidence related to fluoride and fluoridation, please visit the American Fluoridation Society at AmericanFluoridationSociety.org. Media Contact: Matt Jacob 202-770-6265 SOURCE American Fluoridation Society

SimplyPERIO uses a proprietary molecular technology to detect and quantify periodontal bacteria, caries, fungal, and viral targets Spectrum Solutions introduces SimplyPERIO. (Credit: Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay) Spectrum Solutions, a US-based biotech company, has officially released SimplyPERIO, a new saliva diagnostic testing product. According to Spectrum Solutions, the new diagnostic solution addresses a growing need in healthcare by providing comprehensive health insights with clinical significance, leveraging 16 oral targets from a single patient sample. As scientific advancements emphasise the intricate connection between oral health and systemic diseases, SimplyPERIO can bridge this gap, offering a smarter approach to health assessment, said the company. SimplyPERIO employs a proprietary molecular technology to detect and quantify periodontal bacteria, caries, fungal, and viral targets. Recognising that the effectiveness of treatments often hinges on host immunity and response, the saliva test is said to have been designed to deliver high sensitivity and specificity. This is aimed at providing healthcare providers with a thorough oral health assessment. The patented blue buffer solution integrated into the collection device’s cap stabilises saliva samples at room temperature. This eliminates the need for special post-collection storage or shipping conditions. Spectrum Solutions said that patients can easily deposit samples one by one for at-home testing and treatment monitoring or collect samples throughout the day for in-office testing. The samples can then be conveniently mailed back to the lab using the provided USPS postage-paid return box for processing, said the Salt Lake City, Utah-based firm. Spectrum Solutions chief science officer David Vigerust said: “We are using science to make saliva diagnostics simple for both Patients and Providers. SimplyPERIO testing is not only pain-free it takes less than 30 seconds for a patient to collect their own sample. “In addition, our CAP accredited laboratory delivers Providers the independent, 3rd party results necessary for intelligent, data-supported patient conversations about stopping and even reversing their disease and systemic risks.”

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Spectrum Solutions®, saliva diagnostic biotech leader, today announced the official release of a new saliva diagnostic testing innovation, SimplyPERIO™. As advances in science continue to focus on the mouth-body connection and its direct link to systemic disease, SimplyPERIO™ fills a testing void by delivering more intelligent health measures with real clinical relevance using 16 oral targets from a single patient sample. Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is one of the most undiagnosed and untreated diseases, but has some of the highest negative impacts on many bodily systems and functions. In addition, gum disease decreases a person’s ability to fight infection and inflammation. SimplyPERIO™ uses a proprietary molecular technology to test for and measure periodontal bacteria, caries, fungal and viral targets all for one affordable cost. Understanding treatment success is often influenced by host immunity and host response, this unique, highly sensitive and highly specific saliva test offers Providers the real opportunity to elevate patient care with the most complete oral health picture. “We are using science to make saliva diagnostics simple for both Patients and Providers. SimplyPERIO™ testing is not only pain-free it takes less than 30 seconds for a patient to collect their own sample,” said Dr. David Vigerust, PhD, Chief Science Officer at Spectrum Solutions. “In addition, our CAP accredited laboratory delivers Providers the independent, 3rd party results necessary for intelligent, data-supported patient conversations about stopping and even reversing their disease and systemic risks.” In the U.S., numbers illustrate that 80% of individuals over 35 have a form of gum disease. Gingivitis, periodontitis and peri-implantitis are all forms of gum disease. These numbers demonstrate that for the vast majority, there may be dangerous and damaging periodontal disease pathogens hiding that can't be identified with a perio-probe or visual exam during regular semi-annual cleanings. Gone unchecked, these harmful oral bacteria and toxins are allowed to sit and accumulate inside the mouth. From inside the mouth these microorganisms move freely to and through the bloodstream with far reaching and catastrophic effects on the heart, arteries, central nervous system and more. The SimplyPERIO™ patented blue buffer solution located inside the collection device’s cap stabilizes saliva samples at room temperature eliminating any special post-collection storage or shipping requirements. Easily deposit one at a time, supporting at-home patient testing for follow-up and treatment monitoring, or gather an entire day’s worth of in-office collections into the USPS postage-paid return box for mailing samples back to the lab for processing. ABOUT SPECTRUM SOLUTIONS® Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Spectrum Solutions is dedicated to empowering complete wellness and bridging the gap between science and innovative healthcare solutions. Our stand-alone and fully integrated test-to-treat solutions support molecular diagnostics and DTC testing applications, advancing product development and accelerating go-to-market applications. Our single-source, end-to-end capabilities include a CAP accredited molecular diagnostic laboratory, onsite compounding pharmacy, product development, manufacturing and fulfillment. SimplyTest® and Spectrum Solutions® are registered trademarks of Spectrum Solution, LLC. For more information, please visit spectrumsolution.com or simplytest.com.