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Highly Preventable Oral Disease Affects Millions
Tooth decay affects children in the United States more than any other chronic infectious disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC states that tooth decay, if left untreated, can cause pain and infections that hinder eating, speaking, playing and learning. The controlled addition of a fluoride compound to public water supplies is considered to be the most cost-effective way to prevent cavities and fight tooth decay, according to a study published in the January/February 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry’s (AGD) peer-reviewed clinical journal.
“Fluoride makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before damage is even visible,” said C.H. Chu, BDS, PhD, MAGD, ABGD, lead author of the study. “Studies have confirmed the most effective source of fluoride to be water fluoridation.”
More than 144 million United States residents in more than 10,000 communities drink fluoridated tap water, providing an automatic defense against the harmful ingredients that cause such a preventable oral health disease.
“Instead of drilling holes to fix cavities, dentists would rather educate the public on how to avoid developing tooth decay in the first place,” said Cynthia Sherwood, DDS, FAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. “Drinking tap water to receive fluoride is safe, and it’s easier on your wallet than going to the dentist for a filling.”
The second-most effective source of fluoride is varnish. Varnish, applied quickly and easily by a dentist, is one of the most concentrated products available commercially. Varnishes that contain sodium fluoride adhere to tooth surfaces when saliva is present, providing an excellent fluoride treatment.
Keeping fluoride in the mouth enhances its ability to arrest demineralization and promote remineralization, and varnishes are better for this purpose than fluoridated drinking water or toothpaste. Fluoride varnishes are typically used for patients who don’t receive enough fluoride from other sources.
“The bland flavor and simplicity of the varnish method also makes it well-tolerated by young children and special needs patients,” Dr. Chu said.
Dr. Chu looked at the effectiveness of fluoride in specialty milk and salt products, toothpaste, mouthrinse and gum, but found that only the water fluoridation and varnish methods had the ability to reduce cavities by more than 30 percent.
Patients who suspect that they have a cavity should visit a general dentist right away.
To learn more about fluoride and tooth decay, visit www.KnowYourTeeth.com.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Give Dirty Mouths a Brush
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Toothpaste with Triclosan/Copolymer Kills Harmful Germs
The human mouth is home to an estimated 800 to 1,000 different kinds of bacteria. The warm and moist environment, along with hard tooth surfaces and soft tissues, prove to be optimal factors in boosting germ growth. Many of these bacteria are harmful and can form a film on teeth called “dental plaque,” which causes cavities, gingivitis and eventually more severe kinds of gum disease.
Toothpaste that contains triclosan/copolymer is better than regular fluoride toothpastes at killing the kinds of bacteria that live in people’s mouths, according to a study published in the January/February 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
“Manufacturers add specific agents to toothpastes to provide added benefits to consumers,” said Joseph J. Zambon, DDS, PhD, one of the study’s authors and a distinguished teaching professor at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. “The best known agent is fluoride, which was added to toothpaste to prevent cavities. Triclosan added to toothpaste has been shown in a number of clinical studies to inhibit plaque and gingivitis. The copolymer helps to keep triclosan in your mouth for a longer period of time, which boosts its ability to inhibit oral bacteria.”
The triclosan/copolymer toothpaste and two fluoride toothpastes were tested on several different kinds of lab-grown bacteria that mimic germs found in the mouth. The tests were also done on bacteria taken from the mouths of human volunteers.
“Repetitive testing shows that toothpaste with triclosan/copolymer outperformed the fluoride-only toothpastes when it came to inhibiting the growth of bacteria,” Dr. Zambon said.
Along with brushing teeth twice a day, the AGD recommends the daily use of floss and a mouth rinse to reduce dental plaque and kill germs in the mouth.
“The importance of killing germs is that if you can keep your mouth relatively clean, you can minimize the likelihood of cavities and gum disease, as well as the unpleasantness of bad breath,” said Paul Bussman, DMD, FAGD, spokesperson for the AGD.
To learn more about good oral hygiene and health, visit www.KnowYourTeeth.com.
Toothpaste with Triclosan/Copolymer Kills Harmful Germs
The human mouth is home to an estimated 800 to 1,000 different kinds of bacteria. The warm and moist environment, along with hard tooth surfaces and soft tissues, prove to be optimal factors in boosting germ growth. Many of these bacteria are harmful and can form a film on teeth called “dental plaque,” which causes cavities, gingivitis and eventually more severe kinds of gum disease.
Toothpaste that contains triclosan/copolymer is better than regular fluoride toothpastes at killing the kinds of bacteria that live in people’s mouths, according to a study published in the January/February 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
“Manufacturers add specific agents to toothpastes to provide added benefits to consumers,” said Joseph J. Zambon, DDS, PhD, one of the study’s authors and a distinguished teaching professor at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. “The best known agent is fluoride, which was added to toothpaste to prevent cavities. Triclosan added to toothpaste has been shown in a number of clinical studies to inhibit plaque and gingivitis. The copolymer helps to keep triclosan in your mouth for a longer period of time, which boosts its ability to inhibit oral bacteria.”
The triclosan/copolymer toothpaste and two fluoride toothpastes were tested on several different kinds of lab-grown bacteria that mimic germs found in the mouth. The tests were also done on bacteria taken from the mouths of human volunteers.
“Repetitive testing shows that toothpaste with triclosan/copolymer outperformed the fluoride-only toothpastes when it came to inhibiting the growth of bacteria,” Dr. Zambon said.
Along with brushing teeth twice a day, the AGD recommends the daily use of floss and a mouth rinse to reduce dental plaque and kill germs in the mouth.
“The importance of killing germs is that if you can keep your mouth relatively clean, you can minimize the likelihood of cavities and gum disease, as well as the unpleasantness of bad breath,” said Paul Bussman, DMD, FAGD, spokesperson for the AGD.
To learn more about good oral hygiene and health, visit www.KnowYourTeeth.com.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
American Dental Association unveils new Web site
After a year and a half of extensive research, planning and design, the American Dental Association today announced the unveiling of its new, enhanced Web site, ADA.org,encompassing the latest elements of Web-development technology.
“The new ADA.org represents the collective input from our members and the public and provides enhanced navigation tools for easier access to the wealth of oral health information we have online ,” said Dr. Ronald L. Tankersley, ADA president. “This information includes tools needed for practice management and continuing education as well as news about the latest developments in oral health care.”
Source for professional information; enhanced Find-a-Dentist feature
ADA.org is the dentist’s source for professional oral health information. For example, under the tabs:
· “Professional Resources,” members will find an updated Member Center with a dental practice hub that includes tips and tools to thrive in challenging economic times. An enhanced Find-a-Dentist feature, with updated profile information and photos, will also enable colleagues and patients greater opportunities to connect with them.
· “Education and Careers” includes information about licensure and education and online CE opportunities.
· “Science and Research” features evidence-based dentistry resources and dental standards.
· “Advocacy” addresses the ADA’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the dental profession on Capitol Hill and in state capitols across the country.
Many ADA members refer patients to ADA.org for oral health information. Housed under “Public Resources”, the redeveloped site will continue to offer news and extensive information on hundreds of dental topics, ranging from basic dental care to baby’s first tooth to gum disease to tooth whitening. These topics also include an extensive video collection of various oral health subjects. The public also will find the site easier to navigate, making it more effective and easier for consumers to obtain needed oral health information.
“Refinements to ADA.org will continue as we build on our efforts to make our general and proprietary oral health information easily attainable for ADA members,” added Dr. Tankersley. “This will assist members in offering the highest level of patient care and maintaining thriving practices.”
“The new ADA.org represents the collective input from our members and the public and provides enhanced navigation tools for easier access to the wealth of oral health information we have online ,” said Dr. Ronald L. Tankersley, ADA president. “This information includes tools needed for practice management and continuing education as well as news about the latest developments in oral health care.”
Source for professional information; enhanced Find-a-Dentist feature
ADA.org is the dentist’s source for professional oral health information. For example, under the tabs:
· “Professional Resources,” members will find an updated Member Center with a dental practice hub that includes tips and tools to thrive in challenging economic times. An enhanced Find-a-Dentist feature, with updated profile information and photos, will also enable colleagues and patients greater opportunities to connect with them.
· “Education and Careers” includes information about licensure and education and online CE opportunities.
· “Science and Research” features evidence-based dentistry resources and dental standards.
· “Advocacy” addresses the ADA’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the dental profession on Capitol Hill and in state capitols across the country.
Many ADA members refer patients to ADA.org for oral health information. Housed under “Public Resources”, the redeveloped site will continue to offer news and extensive information on hundreds of dental topics, ranging from basic dental care to baby’s first tooth to gum disease to tooth whitening. These topics also include an extensive video collection of various oral health subjects. The public also will find the site easier to navigate, making it more effective and easier for consumers to obtain needed oral health information.
“Refinements to ADA.org will continue as we build on our efforts to make our general and proprietary oral health information easily attainable for ADA members,” added Dr. Tankersley. “This will assist members in offering the highest level of patient care and maintaining thriving practices.”
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Mouth Breathing Can Cause Major Health Problems
Dentists May Be First to Diagnose Patients Who Mouth Breathe
For some, the phrase “spring is in the air” is quite literal. When the winter snow melts and flowers bloom, pollen and other materials can wreak havoc on those suffering from seasonal allergies, usually causing a habit called “mouth breathing.” The physical, medical and social problems associated with mouth breathing are not recognized by most health care professionals, according to a study published in the January/February 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Dentists typically request that their patients return every six months, which means that some people see their dentist more frequently than they see their physician. As a result, dentists may be the first to identify the symptoms of mouth breathing. And, because dentists understand the problems associated with mouth breathing, they can help prevent the adverse effects.
“Allergies can cause upper airway obstruction, or mouth breathing, in patients,” said Yosh Jefferson, DMD, author of the study. “Almost every family has someone with mouth breathing problems.”
Over time, children whose mouth breathing goes untreated may suffer from abnormal facial and dental development, such as long, narrow faces and mouths, gummy smiles, gingivitis and crooked teeth. The poor sleeping habits that result from mouth breathing can adversely affect growth and academic performance. As Dr. Jefferson notes in his article, “Many of these children are misdiagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and hyperactivity.” In addition, mouth breathing can cause poor oxygen concentration in the bloodstream, which can cause high blood pressure, heart problems, sleep apnea and other medical issues.
“Children who mouth breathe typically do not sleep well, causing them to be tired during the day and possibly unable to concentrate on academics,” Dr. Jefferson said. “If the child becomes frustrated in school, he or she may exhibit behavioral problems.”
Treatment for mouth breathing is available and can be beneficial for children if the condition is caught early. A dentist can check for mouth breathing symptoms and swollen tonsils. If tonsils and/or adenoids are swollen, they can be surgically removed by an ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialist. If the face and mouth are narrow, dentists can use expansion appliances to help widen the sinuses and open nasal airway passages.
“After surgery and/or orthodontic intervention, many patients show improvement in behavior, energy level, academic performance, peer acceptance and growth,” says Leslie Grant, DDS, spokesperson for the AGD. “Seeking treatment for mouth breathing can significantly improve quality of life.”
At this time, many health care professionals are not aware of the health problems associated with mouth breathing. If you or your child suffers from this condition, speak with a health care professional who is knowledgeable about mouth breathing.
To learn more about oral health, visit www.KnowYourTeeth.com.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Three Out of Four Disadvantaged Kids in LA Have Untreated Dental Disease
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A huge percentage of underprivileged kids in Los Angeles County have infectious dental disease that’s gone unchecked, according to a study led by the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California.
In the report, “The Children’s Dental Health Project of Los Angeles County,” researchers Roseann Mulligan and Hazem Seirawan reveal that a staggering 73 percent of disadvantaged kids have untreated caries, the bacterial disease responsible for tooth decay. Dentists screened more than 2,300 children at 59 Head Start centers, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) centers, and elementary and high schools throughout the county.
This groundbreaking study is the most comprehensive study on oral health in underprivileged children ever conducted in Los Angeles County, surveying children of a wide range of ages, races and degrees of caries infection.
A “silent epidemic” with five times the prevalence of asthma, caries is the most common chronic disease in children and can result in serious pain and illnesses affecting parts of the body beyond the mouth, says Mulligan, Chair of the Division of Dental Public Health and Pediatric Dentistry at the Ostrow School of Dentistry. The disease is an infectious process, with bacteria passed between individuals via shared eating utensils, kissing and other forms of contact. The pain caused by the disease is a huge contributor to school absences throughout the county.
The study also explains many of the complex social, logistical and economic factors that make disadvantaged kids more likely to suffer from untreated dental caries. One significant barrier is dental insurance; many kids aren’t covered by Denti-Cal, California’s public dental insurance program, and the parents of those kids that are covered may still have trouble regularly seeing a dentist since only about half of the dentists in Los Angeles County accept Denti-Cal, says Seirawan, research assistant professor at the Ostrow School of Dentistry. Other factors include poor oral hygiene habits, inadequate nutrition, the consumption of bottled versus fluoridated tap water, and more.
The study proposes several suggestions for lessening the impact of dental disease among the county’s underprivileged children. From encouraging better oral health education at the school and community level and supporting the organizations providing care to disadvantaged kids, to helping more dentists serve lower-income communities after they graduate and campaigning for policy changes within local and state government, there’s plenty that members of the community can do to help Los Angeles kids fight dental caries, Mulligan says.
The project was conducted with the help of faculty from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry and was supported by First 5 LA, the Annenberg Foundation, the California Endowment and the California Wellness Foundation.
Learn more about the study.
See the full report.
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A huge percentage of underprivileged kids in Los Angeles County have infectious dental disease that’s gone unchecked, according to a study led by the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California.
In the report, “The Children’s Dental Health Project of Los Angeles County,” researchers Roseann Mulligan and Hazem Seirawan reveal that a staggering 73 percent of disadvantaged kids have untreated caries, the bacterial disease responsible for tooth decay. Dentists screened more than 2,300 children at 59 Head Start centers, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) centers, and elementary and high schools throughout the county.
This groundbreaking study is the most comprehensive study on oral health in underprivileged children ever conducted in Los Angeles County, surveying children of a wide range of ages, races and degrees of caries infection.
A “silent epidemic” with five times the prevalence of asthma, caries is the most common chronic disease in children and can result in serious pain and illnesses affecting parts of the body beyond the mouth, says Mulligan, Chair of the Division of Dental Public Health and Pediatric Dentistry at the Ostrow School of Dentistry. The disease is an infectious process, with bacteria passed between individuals via shared eating utensils, kissing and other forms of contact. The pain caused by the disease is a huge contributor to school absences throughout the county.
The study also explains many of the complex social, logistical and economic factors that make disadvantaged kids more likely to suffer from untreated dental caries. One significant barrier is dental insurance; many kids aren’t covered by Denti-Cal, California’s public dental insurance program, and the parents of those kids that are covered may still have trouble regularly seeing a dentist since only about half of the dentists in Los Angeles County accept Denti-Cal, says Seirawan, research assistant professor at the Ostrow School of Dentistry. Other factors include poor oral hygiene habits, inadequate nutrition, the consumption of bottled versus fluoridated tap water, and more.
The study proposes several suggestions for lessening the impact of dental disease among the county’s underprivileged children. From encouraging better oral health education at the school and community level and supporting the organizations providing care to disadvantaged kids, to helping more dentists serve lower-income communities after they graduate and campaigning for policy changes within local and state government, there’s plenty that members of the community can do to help Los Angeles kids fight dental caries, Mulligan says.
The project was conducted with the help of faculty from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry and was supported by First 5 LA, the Annenberg Foundation, the California Endowment and the California Wellness Foundation.
Learn more about the study.
See the full report.
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Friday, March 5, 2010
Periodontal pathogens enhance HIV-1 promoter activation in T cells
Although oral co-infections (e.g. periodontal disease) are highly prevalent in HIV-1 patients and appear to positively correlate with viral load levels, the potential for oral bacteria to induce HIV-1 reactivation in latently infected cells has received little attention. The researchers involved in this study have proved that periodontal pathogens enhanced HIV-1 promoter activation in T-cells, monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells; however the mechanisms involved in this response remain undetermined.
The objective of this study was to determine the role of Toll-like receptors (TLR) in HIV-1 reactivation induced by periodontal pathogens. The oral Gram-negative but not Gram-positive bacteria enhanced HIV-1LTR activation in BF24 cells. TLR9 activation by F. nucleatum and TLR2 by both Gram-negative bacteria were involved in this response, however TLR4 activation had no effect. Use of NFkB or Sp1 specific chemical inhibitors suggested that these transcription factors are positive and negative regulators of bacterially-induced HIV-1LTR activation, respectively. HIV-1LTR activation and viral replication were similarly induced in THP89GFP cells.
Finally, production of TNFa was enhanced by Gram-negative bacteria and its neutralization reduced HIV-1 reactivation. These results suggest that TLR2 and TLR9 activation by P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum, as well as TNFa produced in response to challenge enhance HIV-1 reactivation in monocytes/macrophages. Increased bacterial growth and emergence of periodontopathogens or their products accompanying chronic oral inflammatory diseases could be risk modifiers for viral replication and transmission, systemic immune activation and AIDS progression in HIV-1 patients.
The objective of this study was to determine the role of Toll-like receptors (TLR) in HIV-1 reactivation induced by periodontal pathogens. The oral Gram-negative but not Gram-positive bacteria enhanced HIV-1LTR activation in BF24 cells. TLR9 activation by F. nucleatum and TLR2 by both Gram-negative bacteria were involved in this response, however TLR4 activation had no effect. Use of NFkB or Sp1 specific chemical inhibitors suggested that these transcription factors are positive and negative regulators of bacterially-induced HIV-1LTR activation, respectively. HIV-1LTR activation and viral replication were similarly induced in THP89GFP cells.
Finally, production of TNFa was enhanced by Gram-negative bacteria and its neutralization reduced HIV-1 reactivation. These results suggest that TLR2 and TLR9 activation by P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum, as well as TNFa produced in response to challenge enhance HIV-1 reactivation in monocytes/macrophages. Increased bacterial growth and emergence of periodontopathogens or their products accompanying chronic oral inflammatory diseases could be risk modifiers for viral replication and transmission, systemic immune activation and AIDS progression in HIV-1 patients.
Successful treatment of periodontal disease lowered preterm birth incidences
Previous studies have explored the effect of periodontal treatment, irrespective of efficacy of treatment, in reducing infant prematurity. In a study titled "Risk of Preterm Birth Is Reduced with Successful Periodontal Treatment," lead researcher M. Jeffcott, and colleagues S. Parry and M. Sammel (all from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia) and G. Macones (Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri) determined whether a reduction in infant prematurity was associated with successful periodontal treatment.
Pregnant subjects between 6 and 20 weeks gestation (using standard pregnancy dating criteria) were eligible for screening and enrollment. Eight hundred and seventy-two subjects with and without periodontal disease were followed. One hundred and sixty subjects with periodontal disease were treated with scaling and root planing. Subjects received periodontal examinations before and after scaling and root planing. Subjects were classified post-hoc according to the results of periodontal treatment: successful treatment ("non-exposure") or unsuccessful treatment ("exposure").
Groups were compared using standard bivariate statistics, odds ratios, and logistic regression analysis. Dichotomous outcomes were compared with chi-square where appropriate.
The primary study outcome for this clinical trial was the occurrence of spontaneous preterm birth <35 weeks. Subjects without periodontal disease had 7.2 percent rate of prematurity less than 35 weeks gestation; subjects with periodontal disease had 23.4 percent rate of prematurity <35 weeks gestation. Pregnant women who were refractory to scaling and root planing were significantly more likely to have preterm infants. Subjects who were successfully treated for their periodontal disease had a significantly lower incidence of preterm birth less than 35 weeks gestation.
Pregnant subjects between 6 and 20 weeks gestation (using standard pregnancy dating criteria) were eligible for screening and enrollment. Eight hundred and seventy-two subjects with and without periodontal disease were followed. One hundred and sixty subjects with periodontal disease were treated with scaling and root planing. Subjects received periodontal examinations before and after scaling and root planing. Subjects were classified post-hoc according to the results of periodontal treatment: successful treatment ("non-exposure") or unsuccessful treatment ("exposure").
Groups were compared using standard bivariate statistics, odds ratios, and logistic regression analysis. Dichotomous outcomes were compared with chi-square where appropriate.
The primary study outcome for this clinical trial was the occurrence of spontaneous preterm birth <35 weeks. Subjects without periodontal disease had 7.2 percent rate of prematurity less than 35 weeks gestation; subjects with periodontal disease had 23.4 percent rate of prematurity <35 weeks gestation. Pregnant women who were refractory to scaling and root planing were significantly more likely to have preterm infants. Subjects who were successfully treated for their periodontal disease had a significantly lower incidence of preterm birth less than 35 weeks gestation.
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