Tag: savanna dental

Following wisdom tooth removal, pain management is important. Painkillers typically play a role post-surgery. Recent research has looked at which is most effective – opioids or non-opioids. This research is helpful, and can advise dentists on the most effective method of treating post-surgery pain.

As many people can attest to, wisdom tooth removal can be challenging. It typically involves pain and normally requires a few days for recovery.

Managing the pain involved in wisdom tooth removal is important. There are many different painkillers available, from over-the-counter medicines to prescription only pills.

Those that are recovering from wisdom tooth removal will often choose between opioids and non-opioids. Many believe that due to the strong nature of opioids, that they are more effective.

However, this may not actually be the case. Now, new research has looked into which is more effective for post-surgical pain – opioids or non-opioids [1].

Wisdom Tooth Removal

Wisdom tooth removal is a very common dental procedure. Most humans have four wisdom teeth – which develop later than the rest of the teeth.

They are the teeth furthest to the back of the mouth, and are commonly referred to as the “third molars.” They usually grow during teenage years [2].

Wisdom teeth often require no treatment at all, and just naturally exist. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, wisdom teeth do not grow properly.

For example, the tooth might not have enough space to come into the mouth fully, or they may be partly covered by the gums. Problems with wisdom teeth can cause pain, gum disease and tooth decay [2].

While wisdom tooth removal is very straightforward, it can cause pain post-procedure. Therefore, pain management is important to ensure comfort during recovery.

Pain management

Non-opioid painkillers are typically available over the counter. For example, these include Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil).

While taking these painkillers daily in the long-term isn’t advisable, they are very effective at treating a range of conditions. These include headaches, colds, sore throats and dental pain.

These painkillers are not addictive, and side effects are rare. However, this is completely different for opioid painkillers.

Opioids are high-strength painkillers. Well-known opioids include Morphine, Hydrocodone and Oxycodone. Unfortunately, they cause a range of side effects, and are addictive [3].

In fact, research shows that the mortality rate of opioid addicts is approximately 6 to 20 times higher than that of the general population – underlining the potential harm [3].

The United States has been battling an opioid epidemic in recent years. In 2017, President Donald Trump declared the epidemic as a public health emergency [4]. Problems have continued in subsequent years.

Due to their potential harm, health organizations have made recommendations against their use in many cases. However, dentists rank among the leading prescribers of opioids.

The Research

The research was carried out by a team from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. Their findings have been published in the Journal of the American Dental Association [1].

Following wisdom tooth removal, dentists often provide their patients with a prescription for opioids. In fact, 8.9 million opioid prescriptions were written in 2022 by dentists in the United States [1].

For many patients, when being prescribed an opioid for dental pain, this will be their first introduction to these medicines. As discussed earlier, they have a high potential for abuse.

The research involved more than 1,800 patients [1]. These patients all had a wisdom tooth removed, before being split into two groups.

The first group were prescribed a combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Meanwhile, the second group were prescribed the opioid hydrocodone and acetaminophen [1].

The patients were asked to rate various outcomes – including pain levels, sleep quality and general satisfaction – over the week post-surgery [1].

Interestingly, the results overwhelmingly found that non-opioids were more effective in the vast majority of situations [1].

Pain is at its highest in the two days immediately after surgery. The non-opioid group reported less pain during this period [1].

Throughout the week, those in the non-opioid group reported better sleep quality and less interference with daily activities during the week [1].

Moreover, the patients in the opioid group had double the chance of requiring a “rescue” pain medication when compared to the non-opioid group [1].

Overall, those in the non-opioid group experienced less pain, better sleep, and higher satisfaction with treatment. Therefore, the findings produced very clear results.

Author comments

The findings suggest that opioids are not necessary for the post-surgery treatment of wisdom tooth removal. Due to the risks associated with opioid use, this is a very positive conclusion.

By only prescribing non-opioids, this can reduce the risk of addiction to these powerful painkillers. Non-opioids are also typically significantly cheaper.

This is also consistent with the American Dental Association’s recommendation for dentists to avoid opioids as a first-line pain treatment for opioids [5].

Cecile Feldman is the dean of Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, and served as the lead author of the study. She was delighted with the findings, calling it “a landmark study” [5].

Continuing, Feldman said that “the results actually came in even stronger than we thought they would” [5]. Moreover, Feldman exclaimed that the study’s results show “there is no reason to be prescribing opioids” outside of “special situations” [5].

The researchers hope that these findings will result in change occurring in the prescribing practices of dentists. Prescribing non-opioids is safer, and as the research here has showed – is more effective.

Furthermore, the researchers are hoping to carry out further studies into dental pain. For example, they will be looking to see if the same results apply to other dental procedures, like root canal treatments [5].

Thinking points…

1) Are you concerned about your wisdom teeth? Maybe they haven’t grown properly, food is getting stuck near them, or you have pain in the area. If so, you should mention this to your dentist at your next check-up, so that they can take a look at the area. We recommend visiting the dentist at least twice per year. We recommend making an appointment now!

2) Do you know anyone that has an upcoming tooth extraction? If so, you could send this article to them. This article is useful as it can show them that they should opt for a non-opioid pain management schedule. This would help to keep them safe and help them to recover more effectively. Why not send the article now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Feldman, C. A., Fredericks-Younger, J., Desjardins, P. J., et al. (2025). Nonopioid vs opioid analgesics after impacted third-molar extractions. The Journal of The American Dental Association. (Pre-publication issue). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2024.10.014.

[2] NHS. (2024). Wisdom tooth removal. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/wisdom-tooth-removal/. Last accessed: 11th January 2025.

[3] Hser, Y-I., Evans, E., Grella, C., Ling, W., & Anglin, D. (2015). Long-Term Course of Opioid Addiction. Harvard Review of Psychiatry. 23 (2): p76-89. DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.1097/HRP.0000000000000052.

[4] Oliphant, J. (2017). Trump declares national emergency on opioid abuse. Available: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-opioid-idUSKBN1AQ2AW. Last accessed: 11th January 2025.

[5] Smith, A. (2025). Non-opioid pain relievers beat opioids after dental surgery, trial shows. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-opioid-pain-relievers-opioids-dental.html. Last accessed: 11th January 2025.

New research has sought to find out if early childhood exposure to the chemical fluoride has an impact on the cognitive neurodevelopment of children. The topic of fluoride has been in the news a lot recently, so research into this subject is important. The findings may help to shape public health policy towards fluoride.

One of the most polarizing scientific debates in the modern day revolves around the chemical fluoride – with its impact and whether or not it should be added to the public water supply being heated discussion points.

Research has consistently found that fluoride is good for our oral health. It helps to strengthen our enamel, combat tooth decay, and fight off harmful bacteria [1].

However, there have been concerns raised regarding fluoride’s impact on children, including fears of over-exposure to the chemical and its impact on cognitive development [2].

Now, two senior organizations in oral healthcare have announced the publication of a new study that examines how cognitive development among young children is affected by exposure to fluoride.

Background

As discussed, fluoride is a chemical that has attracted significant debate. The oral health benefits are clear, and it is a key ingredient in both toothpaste and mouthwash.

However, the main controversy surrounding fluoride is its addition to the public water supply in some areas – known as water fluoridation.

In the United States, the debate over water fluoridation has received more attention recently due to the imminent appointment of Robert F. Kennedy as the head of the US Department of Health and Human Services [3].

Kennedy has opposed water fluoridation, and has announced that he plans on advising all US water systems to remove fluoride from the public water supply.

One of the main concerns put forward by opponents of water fluoridation is its impact on children. Moreover, this is especially in relation to exposure in early childhood.

This includes overexposure to fluoride, and concern about its impact on cognitive neurodevelopment. Therefore, new research has been conducted to look into this further.

This important study has been supported by The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) [4].

The Research

The research was conducted by a team from The University of Queensland’s School of Dentistry. Their findings have been published in the Journal of Dental Research [4].

The team sought to investigate potential effects of fluoride exposure on the cognitive neurodevelopment of children. To find this out, the researchers used the 4th edition of the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV) [4].

The participants in this study were a sample of Australian adults. The sample data was selected from the National Child Oral Health Study (NCOHS) 2012-14 [4].

When adults completed the NCOHS, they were aged between 6 and 16. Data was collected on oral health behaviours, socioeconomic factors, and residential history – the latter of which was crucial for determining which children had access to fluoridated water [4].

Furthermore, the children were examined by trained examiners to assess dental fluorosis – which is a reliable marker of fluoride intake during early childhood [4].

The sample – consisting of 357 participants – were then contacted to provide an update between 2022 and 2023. By this point, the participants were aged between 16 and 26 [4].

This update had the aim of collecting data on cognitive neurodevelopment using the WAIS-IV – which was administered by trained examiners [4].

The researchers then used multivariable regression models to calculate the results and any associations between the various areas [4].

Interestingly, the results showed no statistical difference between those exposed to fluoride and those that were not exposed to fluoride [4].

In fact, the regression analysis even found that IQ scores were slightly higher among those exposed to fluoride [4]. Although this was a very small difference.

Overall, the researchers concluded that early childhood exposure to fluoride does not have an effect on cognitive neurodevelopment, with their analysis demonstrating this [4].

Summary

The researchers were pleased with the findings. They hope that the results of this research will be able to play a part in shaping healthcare policy over the next few months – which coincides with crucial decisions being made in the United States.

Effie Ioannidou is the President of the AADOCR. She commented on the findings, stating that “the fluoridation of drinking water has been enormously beneficial to oral health over the decades, and to public health more generally” [5].

Continuing, Ioannidou said that “it is crucial that a wealth of scientific evidence is always available should the public ever need reminding of this fact” [5]. She says that this research is an example of this.

While there are some risks with fluoride – such as overexposure – managing the balance between the risks and benefits of fluoride is crucial.

But these findings add to the body of research which suggests fluoride has a positive impact on our oral health, and little to no impact on cognitive neurodevelopment.

Thinking points…

1) Some areas have access to fluoridated water, while others don’t. Regardless of whether you live in an area with fluoridated water or not, it is very important to visit your dentist regularly for a check-up. At a check-up, a dentist can take a thorough look at your oral health, and provide advice and suggest treatment if necessary. We recommend that you book an appointment now!

2) With fluoride being in the news so much recently, some people have decided to change to a non-fluoride toothpaste. This has the potential to cause significant dental problems! Therefore, the contents of this article could be very helpful to many people and help to downplay their fears. You could share this article on your social media channels to raise awareness, it could benefit many people. Why not share the article now?!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign[TM]! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. (2024). Fluoride & Dental Health. Available: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/fluoride. Last accessed: 28th December 2024.

[2] Veneri, F., Vincenti, M., Generali, L., Giannone, M. E., Mazzoleni, E., Birnbaum, L. S., Consolo, U., & Filippini, T. (2023). Fluoride exposure and cognitive neurodevelopment: Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. 221. 115239. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.115239.

[3] Mello-Klein, C. (2024). Eliminating fluoride in water would create health problems beyond oral health, experts say. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-11-fluoride-health-problems-oral-experts.html. Last accessed: 28th December 2024.

[4] Do, L. G., Sawyer, A., Ha, D. H., et al. (2024). Early Childhood Exposures to Fluorides and Cognitive Neurodevelopment: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study. Journal of Dental Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345241299352.

[5] International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research. (2024). The impact of early childhood exposure to fluoride on cognitive neurodevelopment. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-impact-early-childhood-exposure-fluoride.html. Last accessed: 28th December 2024.

The Canadian Parliament has approved a $21 billion spending bill, with $317 million of this being allocated to the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). This represents a positive boost for the CDCP. Many people continue to benefit from the plan, with this additional funding likely to improve the CDCP’s potential further.

The Canadian Parliament has agreed to allocate an additional $317 million to the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), in a positive boost to the oral health of Canadians [1].

The CDCP has the aim of improving oral health for Canadians and assisting those with a low income in affording dental care. This additional funding should help to further the potential of the CDCP.

The $317 million addition in funding for the CDCP comes as part of a wider $21 billion spending bill which has been approved by parliament.

What is the CDCP?

The CDCP launched in December 2023. Since then, over one million Canadians have accessed services offered by the plan [2]. Therefore, it has had a significant impact already.

Dental costs are high in Canada, with research showing that approximately 25% of Canadians avoided seeing a dentist in 2022 due to cost concerns [3].

Many Canadians have developed poor oral health, and have not been able to access the treatment they have badly needed. Therefore, financial support for those with a low or medium income is important.

The CDCP assists those with an annual family income of less than $90,000. Prior to the update in parliament, $13 billion had been put aside for the CDCP, though this has now changed [1].

Parliament approves extra funding

Parliament was voting on a $21 billion spending bill, which the ruling Liberal Party had requested last month. The aim is for the $21 billion to fund various programs [1].

For example, one such program was the CDCP. The Liberals wanted a further $317 million to be allocated to the CDCP as part of the spending [1].

MP’s representing the Liberals, New Democratic Party (NDP) and Bloc Quebecois were among those to vote in favour of the additional funding [1]. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has been a vocal supporter of the CDCP.

The Conservative Party opposed the entire spending bill – including the injection of further funding into the CDCP [1]. But there were enough votes in favour to pass the bill.

Overall, this additional $317 million will add to the $13 billion that has already been committed to the CDCP for the next five years [1]. Therefore, this should help with extending the reach of the plan further.

Anita Anand – President of the Treasury Board – has said that she was pleased that “the majority of members in the House of Commons recognize that the supports” are the “supports that Canadians need” [1].

What will happen next with the CDCP?

As discussed earlier, the CDCP has been rolled out on a gradual basis. This means that not everyone is currently available to apply for the services under the CDCP.

For example, the elderly, children, and those with disabilities are among those who are eligible to apply for the plan (provided they meet eligibility requirements).

However, in 2025, the aim is for the CDCP to open up to everyone. It isn’t yet known when in 2025 this will be, but the federal government remains confident of this happening at some point next year [4].

Health Minister Mark Holland has admitted that “I know people are anxious” regarding when they will become eligible for the CDCP [4].

Furthermore, Holland has said the government are working in order to make the plan available “as soon as possible in the new year” to apply for [4].

It is believed that around 9 million Canadians meet eligibility requirements. However, only 3 million of this group are currently eligible. Therefore, there is still a sizeable number of people – mainly those aged 18-64 – who are still waiting to be able to apply [4].

It isn’t known yet whether the additional $317 million will be spent on extending some of the services offered through the CDCP. Currently, services offered include cleanings, fillings and dentures.

Seeing the extra funding being agreed is positive, and underlines the government’s commitment to improving the oral health of Canadians. Hopefully, this funding will further improve the CDCP, and lead to more people benefiting from the plan.

Thinking points…

1) While the federal government are hoping for the CDCP to open to those aged 18-64 during 2025, it isn’t likely to be in the early part of the year. Unfortunately, some people are ignoring pressing dental issues in an effort to wait to become eligible for the CDCP. However, it is important to not wait for the plan, as problems will only become more severe. Therefore, make sure you carry on attending regular check-ups, as these allow a dentist to review your oral health. We recommend booking an appointment now!

2) Earlier we mentioned about how the price of dental care in Canada means that many people are unable to afford care. However, here at our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental, our prices are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which ensures transparent and competitive prices. We would love you to visit our Calgary dental clinic! You can see more about us on our website: https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Oral Health. (2024). Additional $317M approved for federal dental plan after Parliament held an 11th-hour vote on $21B spending bill. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/oral-health/additional-317m-in-the-works-for-federal-dental-plan-as-parliament-to-hold-an-11th-hour-vote-on-21b-spending-bill-1003983166/. Last accessed: 13th December 2024.

[2] Oral Health. (2024). Federal dental plan expands services Nov. 1 after ‘milestone’ of helping more than one million Canadians. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/oral-health/federal-dental-plan-expands-services-nov-1-after-milestone-of-helping-more-than-one-million-canadians-1003982203/. Last accessed: 13th December 2024.

[3] Health Canada. (2024). Government of Canada announces the services covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Available: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2024/02/government-of-canada-announces-the-services-covered-under-the-canadian-dental-care-plan.html. Last accessed: 13th December 2024.

[4] Von Stackelberg, M. (2024). Health minister won’t say when millions more Canadians can apply for dental coverage. Available: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/dental-care-play-expansion-18-to-64-2025-1.7408120. Last accessed: 13th December 2024.