Periodontal Disease and Diabetes

Individuals who seek treatment for periodontal disease may be good candidates for blood tests for diabetes. There is a known correlation between the two conditions, and new research suggests that blood samples taken from the mouth may accurately detect the presence of diabetes.

For the study, researchers from New York University took blood test samples from the mouths and fingertips of individuals seeking treatment for periodontal disease. Fingertips are generally the standard location from which to draw samples.

The results showed that samples drawn from pockets of inflammation in the mouth were as accurate at diagnosing diabetes as ones taken from the fingers.

Given the high number of people with undiagnosed diabetes, the researchers said their findings could be useful in identifying those who may benefit from treatment. This may help improve the health of those suffering from the condition without knowing.

“In light of these findings, the dental visit could be a useful opportunity to conduct an initial diabetes screening – an important first step in identifying those patients who need further testing to determine their diabetes status,” said Dr. Shiela Strauss, who led the study.

Source: privatelabsmd.com

Regular Teeth Cleanings Could Cut Heart Attack Risk

People who visit the dentist regularly to have their teeth cleaned may lower their risk for heart attack or stroke, new research suggests.

The finding is to be presented Sunday at the American Heart Association’s annual meeting, in Orlando, Fla.

In following more than 100,000 people with no history of heart problems or stroke for an average of seven years, researchers from Taiwan found those who had their teeth scraped and cleaned by a dentist or dental hygienist at least twice a year for two years had a 24% lower risk for heart attack and a 13% lower risk for stroke compared to those who never went to the dentist or only went once in two years.

“Protection from heart disease and stroke was more pronounced in participants who got tooth scaling at least once a year,” said Dr. Emily (Zu-Yin) Chen, a cardiology fellow at the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei in a news release from the American Heart Association.

Professional teeth cleanings seem to reduce the growth of bacteria, which causes inflammation and can lead to the development of heart disease or stroke, she added.

One U.S. expert said links between oral health and heart health are well-known.

“The results are not surprising since there have been many studies showing association between inflammation and heart disease,” said Dr. Lawrence Phillips, assistant professor of medicine in the division of cardiology and Director, Nuclear Cardiology at NYU Langone Medical Center, New York City. “With tooth scaling, the thought is that chronic inflammation is decreased. Good dental hygiene is recommended for all patients,” he added.

The study authors noted they did not account for other heart attack and stroke risk factors, such as weight, smoking and race, not included in the Taiwan National Health insurance database they used as the source of their information.

Phillips pointed to other limitations to the study, as well. “It is unclear the additional risk factors that these patients had in each group beyond those recorded in their database, so we do not know if they are comparing similar patients,” he said. “In addition, those people who are proactive about their health may have lower risk of heart disease and stroke, independent of their risk factors. People who go for routine dental work, such as tooth scaling, are likely to be in this group.”

Meanwhile, a separate study from Sweden revealed different types of gum disease may predict the degree of risks for heart attack, stroke and heart failure. The researchers found that fewer teeth and a higher number of infections around the base of teeth increase a person’s risk for congestive heart failure or heart attack. Moreover, they found greater incidence of gum bleeding was also associated with an increased risk for stroke.

Source: Medicinenet.com

Doggy Dentistry Can Now Mean Braces

Owners are typically getting the devices to ease their pets’ pain, discomfort from an abnormal bite.

THURSDAY, Dec. 23 (HealthDay News) — Cynthia Duggan was so surprised to learn her Australian shepherd puppy, Molly, needed dental braces that she hesitated to give her veterinarian the OK.

But after mulling over the $1,000 orthodontic procedure with her husband, the couple finally decided it would be money well spent.

“She’s an incredible dog,” said Duggan of the 9-month-old puppy, already showing potential as a herding champion. “We felt like she deserved it.”

The braces weren’t for appearances, though. Unlike braces for humans, who often endure an ugly mouth full of metal in pursuit of a perfect smile, canine braces aren’t applied for cosmetic reasons. Instead these “oral appliances” alleviate pain or discomfort from an abnormal bite, usually caused by a few crooked teeth.

In Molly’s case, a large upper tooth protruded like an elephant’s tusk, preventing the pup from comfortably closing her tiny mouth, said Dr. Larry Baker, of Northgate Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery in Decatur, Ill.

To correct the problem, Baker attached a rubber band, called a power chain, to the wayward tooth, successfully pulling it back into place in just three weeks.

“She tolerated it well,” said Duggan. “We were pretty thrilled with the way it turned out.”

Baker has used metal braces on dogs, like the ones teenagers wear, but instead prefers to create his own from the material used to fill cavities in people.

“My dog braces do not typically look like human braces,” explained Baker, one of only about 125 board-certified veterinary dentists in the world. “Yet, they accomplish the same result: moving teeth.”

Dr. Daniel Carmichael, a board-certified veterinary dentist at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, said the critical ages for detecting orthodontic problems — only some of which are corrected by braces — are during the first several months of a dog’s life. A veterinarian should check the “baby teeth” at around eight to 10 weeks of age, he said, and then again around six to eight months of age when the permanent adult teeth are present.

Most orthodontic problems that crop up in dogs are hereditary, he said. Breeds predisposed to such dental issues include Irish Setters, Standard Poodles, Shelties and Labrador Retrievers.

“Not all dogs are entitled to the perfect bite, but all dogs are entitled to a healthy, functional bite,” said Carmichael.

Braces realign an abnormal bite to prevent problems, he said, such as difficulty eating, closing the mouth, or trauma to the teeth and gums.

Invisible braces — a transparent, removable alignment originally developed for people — are the latest tool in veterinary orthodontics. The primary benefit is that dogs only need to be sedated one time to create a mold of the teeth. Once the clear acrylic aligners are worn by the dog for as many hours a day as possible, he said, correction occurs in about four to six weeks, which is much faster than in human patients.

He said the condition most responsive to invisible braces is base narrow canines, or “linguoversion,” where the lower teeth point inward, injuring the roof of the mouth.

Carmichael only sees one or two orthodontic cases a month that require some form of treatment. However, Baker of Northgate Veterinary Dentistry sees much more, about one dog a week (and occasionally cats) at his Midwest practice. Not all orthodontic cases, though, require braces to correct a bad bite. Other treatment options include extraction, surgery and tooth extensions.

Such dental problems, of course, are not something the average dog owner has to contend with. “The chances are, they won’t be faced with the prospect of having to get their dog braces,” said Carmichael.

Source;realage.com

Abrasive Foods Massages Gums

Celery protects your teeth in two ways, says Lana Rozenberg, D.D.S., a holistic dentist and founder of Rozenberg Dental Day Spa in New York City. The extra chewing it requires produces plenty of saliva, which neutralizes the bacteria Streptococcus mutans that causes cavities. Additionally, chomping on naturally abrasive foods massages gums and cleans between teeth. Try This: Snack on a handful of raw celery or carrots once a day.

Source: findarticles.com

Floss Your Teeth—On the Double!

In dental offices all over the world, patients are often told they are not flossing enough or instructed to floss more. As the old saying goes, you only need to floss the teeth you want to keep. After all, not flossing regularly can lead to tooth decay and to periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

A study published in the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) demonstrates that including flossing as part of one’s routine oral care can actually help reduce the amount of gum disease-causing bacteria found in the mouth, therefore contributing to healthy teeth and gums.

The study, conducted at New York University, examined 51 sets of twins between the ages of 12 and 21. Each set was randomly assigned a two-week treatment regimen with one twin brushing with a manual toothbrush and toothpaste and the other twin brushing with a manual toothbrush and toothpaste and flossing. At the end of the two-week trial, samples were taken from both pairs of twins and compared for levels of bacteria commonly associated with periodontal disease.

The study findings indicated that those twins who did not floss had significantly more of the bacteria associated with periodontal disease when compared to the matching twin who flossed in addition to tooth-brushing with toothpaste.

“This study illustrates the impact flossing can have on oral health. The twins experimental model is a powerful tool to help sort out genetic and environmental factors that often confound the interpretation of treatment studies. This study demonstrates that flossing can have an important and favorable impact on an individual, as compared to that of a non-flossing individual with similar genetics and possibly similar habits,” explains Dr. Kenneth Kornman, editor or the Journal of Periodontology. “Twins tend to share the same or similar environmental factors such as dietary habits, health and life practices, as well as genetics. In this case, the only difference was flossing, and the outcome was significant. Flossing may significantly reduce the amount of bad bacteria in the mouth.”

The study results support that old saying, and show that including flossing as an integral part of your regular oral care can help reduce the amount of periodontal disease-causing bacteria in the mouth, thereby helping you keep your teeth. Periodontal disease is an infection caused by a build-up of bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. Flossing, or using interdental cleaners, helps clean the bacterial plaque from between your teeth that regular brushing can’t reach.

“As a practicing periodontist, I am constantly telling my patients to clean between their teeth more using dental floss or interdental cleaners,” says Dr. Susan Karabin, President of the AAP. “Patients tend to think that flossing can’t possibly make that much of a difference. But this study demonstrates that the addition of flossing to your dental hygiene routine can significantly reduce the amount of periodontal disease causing bacteria. Even after just two weeks!”

Source: Perio.org

Floss Your Teeth—On the Double!

Twin study published in the Journal of Periodontology demonstrates that flossing can decrease the occurrence of gum disease-causing bacteria.

CHICAGO—August 5, 2008—In dental offices all over the world, patients are often told they are not flossing enough or instructed to floss more. As the old saying goes, you only need to floss the teeth you want to keep. After all, not flossing regularly can lead to tooth decay and to periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

A study published in the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) demonstrates that including flossing as part of one’s routine oral care can actually help reduce the amount of gum disease-causing bacteria found in the mouth, therefore contributing to healthy teeth and gums.

The study, conducted at New York University, examined 51 sets of twins between the ages of 12 and 21. Each set was randomly assigned a two-week treatment regimen with one twin brushing with a manual toothbrush and toothpaste and the other twin brushing with a manual toothbrush and toothpaste and flossing. At the end of the two-week trial, samples were taken from both pairs of twins and compared for levels of bacteria commonly associated with periodontal disease.

The study findings indicated that those twins who did not floss had significantly more of the bacteria associated with periodontal disease when compared to the matching twin who flossed in addition to tooth-brushing with toothpaste.

“This study illustrates the impact flossing can have on oral health. The twins experimental model is a powerful tool to help sort out genetic and environmental factors that often confound the interpretation of treatment studies. This study demonstrates that flossing can have an important and favorable impact on an individual, as compared to that of a non-flossing individual with similar genetics and possibly similar habits,” explains Dr. Kenneth Kornman, editor or the Journal of Periodontology. “Twins tend to share the same or similar environmental factors such as dietary habits, health and life practices, as well as genetics. In this case, the only difference was flossing, and the outcome was significant. Flossing may significantly reduce the amount of bad bacteria in the mouth.”

The study results support that old saying, and show that including flossing as an integral part of your regular oral care can help reduce the amount of periodontal disease-causing bacteria in the mouth, thereby helping you keep your teeth. Periodontal disease is an infection caused by a build-up of bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. Flossing, or using interdental cleaners, helps clean the bacterial plaque from between your teeth that regular brushing can’t reach.

“As a practicing periodontist, I am constantly telling my patients to clean between their teeth more using dental floss or interdental cleaners,” says Dr. Susan Karabin, President of the AAP. “Patients tend to think that flossing can’t possibly make that much of a difference. But this study demonstrates that the addition of flossing to your dental hygiene routine can significantly reduce the amount of periodontal disease causing bacteria. Even after just two weeks!”

Source: Perio.org

Researchers Find Tongue Piercing Could Lead To Gum and Tooth Problems…

Extended wearing of tongue jewelry (barbell-type) could increase your chance of gum recession and tooth chipping

CHICAGO – March 22, 2002 – A study published in the March Journal of Periodontology found that extended wear of tongue jewelry (barbell-type) could increase your chance of gum recession and tooth chipping.

Researchers from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and Ohio State University College of Dentistry examined and surveyed 52 young adults with pierced tongues. They found gum recession in 35 percent of subjects with pierced tongues for four or more years, and in 50 percent wearing long-stemmed barbells for two or more years.

“During tongue movement, long-stem barbells are more likely to reach and damage the gums than short barbells,” said Dr. Dimitris Tatakis, professor of periodontology at the Ohio State University College of Dentistry and coauthor of the study. “Over time, this damage may cause the gums to recede, which can lead to more serious dental/oral complications.”

Additionally, 47 percent of young adults wearing either type of barbell for four or more years had chipped teeth. The prevalence of tooth chipping was significantly greater in those wearing short-stemmed barbells (1/4 inch – 5/8 inch) for four or more years.

Researchers believe tooth chipping is a result of habitual biting of the barbell. “A short barbell is possibly easier to position between teeth, which could be one reason why we are seeing more chipped teeth in this group,” said Tatakis. “Another factor that was not investigated could be the size or material type of the screw caps attached to the barbell.”

Dr. Timothy Roberts from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York presented study results on 4,500 adolescents aged 12 to 21 and found that teens with body piercings are more likely to smoke cigarettes, use drugs and exhibit other types of unhealthy behavior. Study findings were presented at the Society of Adolescent Medicine’s annual meeting in Boston.

“Mouth piercings and smoking combined could cause a mouthful of trouble,” said Dr. Kenneth Bueltmann, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. “As a smoker, you are more likely than nonsmokers to have calculus on your teeth, deep pockets between your teeth and gums and loss of the bone and tissue that support your teeth. Combine these problems with gum recession from tongue piercing and you are on your way to having a serious infection called periodontal disease and not to mention a not so cool looking mouth.”

“Given this new information, I strongly recommend discussing potential risk factors with your dentist before mouth piercing,” said Bueltmann. “Additionally, anyone with a pierced mouth should receive a thorough oral examination of their gums and teeth to identify problem areas. Taking precautions now will increase your chance of keeping your teeth for a lifetime instead of needing dentures like many of your grandparents.”

In addition to periodontal diseases (serious bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold your teeth in your mouth) tongue piercing may cause other complications such as t ongue swelling, difficulties with chewing, swallowing and speech, increase of saliva flow, localized tissue overgrowth and metal hypersensitivity.

Source: Perio.org

7 Steps to Healthy Teeth