Clean Teeth, Healthy Heart?

INTELIHEALTH - There may be yet another reason to brush your teeth: protecting your heart.
British researchers used information from a Scottish national survey. It involved 11,869 adults. People were asked how often they brushed their teeth. During the next 8 years, 555 of the people had a heart attack, stroke or other heart or blood vessel problem.
People who said they "never" or "rarely" brushed their teeth had a 70% higher risk of a heart problem than people who brushed more often.

The research also looked to see if brushing was linked with inflammation. A protein in the blood can be measured to see if inflammation is present. This blood protein is C-reactive protein, or CRP. High levels of CRP have been linked with an increased risk of heart attack.
In the study, people who brushed their teeth less often had higher levels of CRP.
The research does not mean that poor oral hygiene causes heart problems, however. It may be that people who neglect their teeth tend to have a higher risk of heart problems for other reasons. These could include poor diet, lack of exercise or excess weight. The study did not look at these factors.

Other studies have found links between periodontal disease and heart problems. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It causes inflammation. The body's response to the periodontal infection may contribute to heart disease. People with this condition have been shown to have a 19% higher overall risk of heart disease. In people under 65, the risk increase is 44%.

The study appears in the May 27 issue of the British Medical Journal.

Yogurt May Help To Prevent Kids' Cavities

INTELIHEALTH -- Yogurt may reduce the risk of cavities in young children, a Japanese study has found.

Researchers at Fukuoka University did the study. It included 2,058 children, all of them 3 years old. Their parents filled out a short questionnaire about the children's eating habits.

Children who ate yogurt at least four times a week had less tooth decay than those who ate yogurt less than once a week. Children who ate yogurt most often had 23% less tooth decay.

The researchers also looked at how much cheese, milk and bread with butter the children ate. Studies in the laboratory have shown that milk and other dairy products can help to prevent tooth decay. Dairy products have high levels of calcium and phosphorus that help to strengthen teeth. But in this study milk and cheese were not found to protect against cavities.

Before comparing children based on how much yogurt they ate, the researchers looked at several factors that can affect tooth decay. These included:

Fluoride use
How often the children's teeth were brushed
Their parents' education levels
How often the kids ate between-meal snacks
Whether they were exposed to secondhand smoke
Even if they were similar in these other ways, children who ate yogurt at least four times per week had less tooth decay.

The study appears in the July issue of the Journal of Dentistry.

How To Care For Your Child's Teeth In the First Two Years

For many parents, care of teeth during infancy is an area that lacks attention as we don’t expect any dental problems to manifest till several years of age when the teeth are clearly visible. But, adhering to good oral hygienic practices from the earliest of age have shown to prevent certain disease conditions involving the gums as well as some of the common orthodontic problems which are seen in the early childhood.

When considering how we can take care of a child’s teeth in the first two years of life, we can take two approaches in relation to the first year of life and for the next 12 months. Let us take a look at these time periods separately.
First 12 months: caring for infant teeth

During this time there may not be any teeth or will see the eruptions of teeth taking place during the latter part of the first year. But, the important thing during this time would be to look after the gums as it might give rise to certain problems later on. Thus, gently brushing the gums with water on a soft bristled baby toothbrush or using a wash cloth to wipe out the gums after a feed should be done at least in most instances.

You should schedule the child to be seen by a doctor at regular intervals and schedule a dental checkup appropriately according to the recommendation made at the clinic visits. Although the use of fluoride containing tooth paste is not recommended till the child is two years of age, your doctor would be the best person to decide on the use of such toothpaste depending on the child’s requirement as well as based on the environmental factors.
Second year of life:

During this year, the norm should be to brush the child’s teeth and gums at least twice a day and this should be timed in the morning as well as just prior to going to bed. Brushing should be done with water on a baby toothbrush with soft bristles and the use of toothpaste should be done after consulting with your doctor on its appropriateness and the necessity.

As with the first year of life, the child should be followed-up at the clinics and advice should be sorted in regard to habits such as strong thumb sucking or sucking on a pacifier which may disrupt the formation of teeth. At the same time, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should be given only one cup of fruit juices as it might affect the health of the teeth in the long run, especially when there is added sugar in the fruit juice.

Dental Fear: Don’t be Afraid of the Dentist or Loose Your Teeth

Fear of the dentist is a problem that many people have and that is very hard to overcome.

This fear normally prevents some people from visiting their dentist and taking good care of their teeth.
The primary way to keep your teeth healthy is to prevent the problems prior to them beginning.
The people who fear dentists will usually quit seeing their dentist, which results in problems.

When a person who fears dentists finally does go to the dentist, they usually find that maybe smallest of complications are critical and lots of work is required in addition to as intervention from their dentist.

In spite of the fact that you may not understand it, having your teeth cleaned often is the best way to keep your teeth healthy, and to prevent problems such as cavities and decay.

It is important that there is trust between the patient and the dentist. Because you are going to be seeing the dentist on a regular basis you want to ensure that you can trust him.
The first time you see the dentist, you should tell him about your uneasiness. He should be willing to discuss it with you or else you need to find a new dentist.

You should tell your dentist up front if you have a fear of dentists. That way, he can work with you to conquer your fear. Sooner or later, you should be able to overcome your fear and have a great relationship with the dentist.

It may take some time but the dentist has to be willing to work with you. Before long, you should be over your fear and happier than ever to visit the dentist.

The fact is that is that many people have a real fear of dentists or of visiting a dental office. This unreasonable fear prevents them from learning how to brush their teeth the proper way, having a root canal, or getting the perfect products for teeth whitening.
In addition, they may lose all of their teeth just because they are afraid to visit a dentist.

Via: Worldental

How To Care For Your Children's Teeth

Don't Let Dental Myths Destroy Your Teeth

Don’t Let Dental Myths Destroy Your Teeth

It’s common knowledge that brushing, flossing, and going to the dentist twice a year are good ways to take care of your teeth. But many aspects of dental care are misunderstood, which prompted a faculty member at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine to share the truth about six common dental myths:

Myth 1: Poor oral health only matters to your mouthTooth decay is the most common childhood disease. Decaying teeth can be painful, which can affect a child’s concentration in school. Mouth pain can make poor nutrition more likely as the child eats foods that are easy to chew which are often lower in nutrients. Long-term problems associated with tooth decay can include thinking and growth problems as well as obesity.

Problems with oral health can begin before a child is even born. During pregnancy, what mom eats can affect how the teeth develop in her baby. Lack of calcium, vitamins D and A, and protein can result in oral defects in the unborn child. Lack of vitamin B6 or B12 may also be a risk factor for cleft lip or cleft palate.

Myth 2: Large amounts of sugar cause tooth decayThe problem with sugar and cavities isn’t the amount of sugar. It’s the length of time the sugar stays in the mouth. Soft drinks and hard candies that dissolve slowly in the mouth are in contact with teeth for longer periods of time, which increases the risk of cavities. Teens who drink a lot of soda are at higher risk of tooth decay. Diet or sugar-free drinks as well as liquids with higher acid content such as lemonade have a lower risk of tooth decay, but may also contribute to the loss of tooth enamel.

Myth 3: It’s okay for baby teeth to decaySome parents are not worried about their child’s baby teeth decaying since those teeth will be replaced by permanent teeth. Unfortunately, the same sugary juices and other foods and drinks that cause tooth decay in baby teeth can also cause problems for permanent teeth. The crowns are the flat surfaces of the larger teeth or molars.

As the permanent teeth develop directly under the baby teeth, the crowns of the permanent teeth can be damaged as the baby teeth decay. In addition, the baby teeth act as place-holders for the larger permanent teeth. If the baby teeth decay and fall out too soon, the permanent teeth may lose their spaces and come in crooked, requiring braces at a later date.

Myth 4: Osteoporosis only affects the bonesOsteoporosis is a condition that results in weak, brittle bones. Some people believe osteoporosis only affects the bones in the spine and hips. In actuality, any bone can be affected by osteoporosis, including the bones in the jaw that hold the teeth in place. Vitamins D and K and calcium are important for the health of the bones in the jaw.

Myth 5: Denture wearers eat betterIt may seem that getting dentures or “false teeth” will improve the diet of people with poor teeth. But dentures that don’t fit well can cause mouth pain and problems chewing that lead to poor food choices that can result in poor nutrition. Dentures should fit correctly to allow wearers to chew. Significant weight gain or loss should trigger a visit to the dentist to have dentures adjusted.

Myth 6: Tooth decay is only a problem for young peopleWhile young people seem more likely to get cavities, there are many oral conditions that can affect adults and seniors. As we age, our gums can pull back from our teeth, resulting in root decay along the base of the teeth. In addition, some common medications including antihistamines, sedatives, antidepressants, and diuretics can reduce the production of saliva leaving the mouth too dry which can lead to oral problems. Saliva works in the mouth to remove bacteria and clean the teeth. Drinking extra water can help ease this problem by rinsing the mouth clean.

Good oral hygiene is important at all stages of life. Brushing, flossing, and annual dental check-ups can limit tooth decay resulting in a reduced risk of a variety of other health concerns.

Source:Science Daily

Clinical Study Shows Dental Stem Cells Regrow Bone

Clinical study shows dental stem cells regrow bone

NEW YORK--StemSave, a leader in the field of stem cell recovery and cryo-preservation, has lauded research published in the November issue of the European Cells and Materials Journal that cites reconstruction of the human mandible bone with autologous dental pulp stem cells.


StemSave commends Italian researchers from the 2nd University of Naples for their work.

This marks the first time dental stem cell research has moved from the laboratory to human clinical trials. The repair and regeneration of bone is particularly significant for the oral maxillofacial field because the repair of these bones, which aid in orofacial functions like speech, chewing, swallowing and facial expressions, are intricate and complex.

According to Dr. David Matzilevich, MD, PhD, science advisor to StemSave, "These clinical studies are so significant because autologous dental stem cells were expanded in vitro and for the purpose of oro-maxillofacial bone repair. These cells also facilitated the graft, eliminating immunologic complications such as rejection or excessive inflammation. This is compelling because it creates an environment which proves to be more favorable and successful for new mandibular bone to grow.

"This approach," continued Dr. Matzilevich, "also appears superior to current methodologies utilizing cadaverous tissue or grafting tissue from another part of the body. I am very excited that dental stem cells have emerged as critical players in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine now that they have been proven to differentiate into multiple lineages."

Added Art Greco, CEO of StemSave: "This breakthrough clinical study, which uses the patient's own stem cells harvested from their teeth to repair bone, is the first of what we believe will be an expanding number of applications to treat a broad array of disease, trauma and injury. And because dental stem cells are easy to recover as part of routine dental procedures, this represents the first of many upcoming uses in the field of personal and regenerative medicine and supports the wisdom of banking your own stem cells from your teeth.

Source:http://www.dentalindia.com/latnews.html