STORY: REFLUX & ORAL HEALTH

SCRIPT #566  SHOOT:  6/12/04

AIRDATE:  Monday, July 19, 2004

DHC Master #19   Timecode: 44:27                   Acid reflux disease may be harmful

                                                                                                to your oral health.

                                                                                                Some dentists are seeing its effects

                                                                                                in their dental patients.

                                                                                                Dr. Linda Niessen has details in

sovt:  1:40                                                                              today’s segment of Dental Health Check.

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MEGAN REX WALKING                                   (VOICE-OVER)

SUPER:  Frisco     :02-07                                    After years of perfect check-ups, Megan

Rex was shocked when dentist gave her the

bad news.  Megan had decay in

seven teeth.

SUPER:   Megan Rex    :08-13                           (“Definitely a shock to come in and have

                    Dental Patient                                   seven cavities between one visit and the

                                                                                                next visit.”)

X-RAYS                                                                 X-rays showed cavities in between Megan’s

teeth, decay which may be related  to a chronic acid reflux problem.

SUPER:   Dr. Jill Wade   :21-26                        (“Unusual in the dental world to just all

                      Dentist                                                             of a sudden have that occur without some

                                                                                                kind of cause.  And so we’re looking for

                                                                                                that cause, asking more questions, trying

                                                                                                to pinpoint what in their diet has changed,

                                                                                                what kind of medications they might be

                                                                                                on , having to take Tums, over the counter

                                                                                                medications, things like that.  Then we’re

                                                                                                pinpointing a lot of this to reflux.”)

MEGAN IN DENTAL CHAIR                            Acid reflux, also called GERD, is a

                                                                                                common complaint in adults.

SUPER:   Dr. Guy Culpepper  :50-55               (“Because there is hardly a patient I see

                     Physician                                          that at some time or another hasn’t taken

                                                                                                over the counter medicine for what they

                                                                                                perceive to be heartburn or reflux.”)

MEGAN RINSING WITH FLUORIDE              In Megan’s case, the decay could

be related to the sugary antacid tablets she frequently chewed.

MEGAN BRUSHING HER TEETH

To improve her oral health, she now

uses a prescription strength

fluoride mouth rinse.  It makes

her tooth enamel stronger.

EATING DISORDER PATIENT                         Stomach acid also can cause tooth enamel

                                                                                                to erode.  Patients who suffer from

                                                                                                bulimia, an eating disorder, often show

                                                                                                signs of dental erosion from frequent

                                                                                                vomiting.

ON CAMERA                                                                       (STAND-UP CLOSE)

SUPER:   Dr. Linda Niessen                1:24-1:28               Research shows chewing gum after

                 Baylor College of Dentistry                               a meal helps reduce acid reflux.  And

                                                                                                we also know that chewing sugarless gum

                                                                                                specifically with xylitol, also prevents

                                                                                                tooth decay.  For Baylor College of

                                                                                                Dentistry, Texas A&M System, I’m

                                                                                                Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.

OPTIONAL ANCHOR TAG                                               (ANCHOR TAG)

                                                                                                Dentists recommend only sugarless

                                                                                                antacid chewable tablets to avoid

                                                                                                tooth decay.