Dr. Steven R. Schwartz, DDS

In a release on PRNewswire Delta Dental Plans Association says that a recent national survey from Delta Dental finds good oral health (67 percent) makes the majority of Americans feel confident, surpassing other top reasons of clear skin (60 percent) and being in shape (57 percent). The Adult’s Oral Health & Well-Being Survey also finds that 53 percent of adults say their smile has a bearing on their overall success, and 70 percent of adults say a smile can make or break a first impression.

The ABC News website reports US toddlers are eating too much added sugar, and the problem only gets worse as they get older, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HealthDay reports that some babies are now consuming added sugar that exceeds maximum levels recommended for adults, US researchers concluded after analyzing data from 800 infants and toddlers between six and 23 months old in the 2011-2014 US Na...tional Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The findings were scheduled for presentation at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting. Meanwhile, HealthDay reported, If more Americans ate healthier diets, the nation could save tens of billions of dollars in health care costs for major problems such as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, strokes, hip fractures and Alzheimer’s disease. After evaluating different scenarios, investigators determined that boosting the number of Americans with healthy eating habits could save between $21 billion and $135 billion a year in health care costs. The study was slated for presentation at the American Society for Nutrition annual meeting. See more

The New York Times Well blog provides an extensive feature on tips for a midlife tuneup, stating that our health needs change with every passing decade, but the good news is that it’s never too late to start taking better care of yourself. In a broad list of suggestions to stay healthy, the article includes oral health tips, observing that losing teeth and getting dentures is no longer an inevitable part of aging thanks to better hygiene and fluoridation. As people ...age, the rules for proper dental care remain the same, the Times states, brush and floss regularly and avoid sweets and sodas, hard candies and caramels to keep your teeth healthy. Still, aging can bring unique oral health challenges, including dry mouth as a side effect of medications, which makes teeth more vulnerable to decay. In addition, bone loss can make teeth less stable and receding gums expose roots to tooth decay. However, the biggest challenge to maintaining oral health with aging is cost, the article says, noting Medicare typically doesn’t cover dental procedures, and only about 10 percent of retirees have dental benefits from their former employer. Given this, prevention is key, the Times says See more

The New York Times reports, Lifting weights might also lift moods, according to an important new review of dozens of studies about strength training and depression that was published in the JAMA Psychiatry. The 33-study review revealed that resistance exercise often substantially reduces people’s gloom, no matter how melancholy they feel at first, or how often or seldom they actually get to the gym and lift.

In continuing coverage, The New York Times discusses Teeth, a new exhibition at the Wellcome Collection in London, stating the exhibition features letters to the tooth fairy, a set of gold grillz, and other weird and wonderful objects. The exhibition is on display through Sept. 16.

Medical News Today reported sleep deprivation was tied to cravings for unhealthful snacks beyond bedtime, increasing an individual's risk for obesity or diabetes, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies. Researchers evaluated data from 3,105 adults from 23 US metropolitan areas and found that those who reported cravings for junk food were twice as likely as other individuals to indulge in night-time snacking, which was tied to an increased diabetes risk.