![]() In a 2015 paper, authors Kim, Manz, and Weyant collected data from a statewide, school-based survey based here in Pennsylvania. No matter, the disproportionate occurrence of tooth decay and tooth loss in the Appalachian region has been confirmed by others too. Unfortunately, I personally cannot access Harris’ brief and I’m not sure whether Singer’s figures come from Harris’ paper or from another source entirely. Dana Singer is a research analyst whose research she dedicates to a long battle against heavily sugared drinks. Harris refers to Pricilla Harris, who in 2009 published a legal brief that explored the depths of the region’s, my region’s, affinity with carbonated beverages. That’s according to calculations by Singer, who is working with Harris,” writes Eliza Barclay, at NPR. “Some 26 percent of preschoolers in the region have tooth decay, and 15 percent of 18- to 2-year-olds have had a tooth extracted because of decay or erosion. “Mountain Dew mouth” has turned into a word of shame, and to me that signals just how little understanding there is of the problem. It’s about a people with inadequate access to affordable dental care, or who have otherwise lost their faith in dental care or whatever anyone has to offer them. It’s about a part of American society that has gone forgotten. “Mountain Dew mouth” is about so much more than soda pop. There is no denying the costs of consuming soda. Are there more pieces to the puzzle, though? Soda is harmful, and it can damage your teeth in many ways, just like it can do harm to other parts of your body. In the dental world, this problem of “Mountain Dew mouth” is often used (rightly or wrongly) to hammer down on the evils of soda and the harm it can do to us. It has also come to define debates around decisions with far-reaching consequences for the Appalachian region - where disproportionately bad oral health has given form to the term and to what it stands for. So for the Appalachian families on Medicaid, they often have few options when or if they want to see a dentist.“Sugar kills,” reads the headline, as the article then proceeds to lecture us on the harm of sugar and soda, using “Mountain Dew mouth” as the emphasis of the argument. The dental dilemma in Kentucky is that nearly one out of every two of the state's children are enrolled in Medicaid, but barely a quarter of dentists accept the insurance. They said the company is "continually expanding our offerings of healthier, more nutritious products" and that they "offer a wide range of sugar-free and caffeine-free products." They also said they are working with schools, non-profits and the government to educate people about healthier lifestyles. CLICK HERE to read the first statement.Īfter a report on the topic aired on "Good Morning America" Thursday, PepsiCo sent an additional statement saying that their products "consumed in moderation, can be part of a healthy, balanced diet." They added that a balanced diet and proper dental hygiene like flossing and brushing teeth after meals and snacks should prevent decay. PepsiCo told ABC News in an initial statement that it's preposterous to blame soft drinks for dental decay, saying that raisins and cookies stay in the mouth longer. Stacie Moore-Martin of the Mud Creek Clinic in Grethel, Ky. I really believe we have to do a better job educating." "Grandma had dentures, mom had dentures, it's just inevitable that I'm going to end up with dentures, is the way some of these kids feel. ![]() "It's a generational thing, I think," said Smith. For many, it's the first and only dental check-up they'll have for years. Most children dread the dentist, but those who line up outside Smith's van are often giddy with anticipation. Several days a week, Smith criss-crosses the curvy roads of 16 eastern Kentucky counties to offer free dental screenings and services to hundreds of students. Kids who need help right now - not just with education, but with the practicalities of getting their teeth fixed." "Our concern is bettering the dental health of these kids. "We would welcome any support we can get from Pepsi," Smith said. "They also discussed how we might support his efforts to educate people in Appalachia about proper dental care and help them lead healthier lifestyles," the statement said. In an earlier statement, PepsiCo said that its vice president of global health policy had reached out to Smith to learn more about his clinic after Smith's appearance on "Good Morning America" Friday.
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