Staying Slim May Help Fight Gum Disease

Staying Slim May Help Fight Gum Disease Researchers have found a new reason to stay slim: It may help fight gum disease. A study by the Harvard School of Public Health has found that overweight adults are at a higher risk of gum disease than normal-weight people. The study, led by Monik Jimenez, an HSPH doctoral candidate, looked at the possible links between excess weight and periodontal disease — one of the most common dental diseases. Jimenez and her colleagues analyzed the data of 37,000 men who participated in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, an HSPH longitudinal study funded by the National Institutes of Health, which has been following over 51,000 male health professionals since 1986. All of the men were disease-free at the beginning of the study and were followed for up to 16 years, from 1986-2002. The researchers gathered information such as the men's height, weight and self-reported gum disease diagnoses, as well as waist and hip measurements. According to Jimenez, "Obesity was associated with a 29 percent increased risk of periodontal disease over the course of the study" compared to those of normal weight, The researchers used the standard definition of obesity as a body-mass index of 30 or higher. "This is one of the first, if not the first, study demonstrating such a significant relationship in such a large group of people," Frank B. Hu, a professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology at HSPH told the Harvard Crimson. The study's researchers said they believe that the link is fostered by adipokines, inflammatory chemicals secreted by fatty tissue. Increased adiposity, measured by higher waist-to-hip ratio, leads to increased production of cytokines, which are thought to promote periodontal disease, according to Hu. Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis. According to the American Dental Association, gingivitis is a milder and reversible form of periodontal disease that only affects the gums. Gingivitis may lead to more serious, destructive forms of periodontal disease called periodontitis — which could lead to tooth loss.

Request an appointment today!


Parkhaven Dental Care
5961 Dallas Parkway, Suite 600
Plano, TX 75093
(972) 416-2330
Email: dawnd@parkhavendental.com

Our Parkhaven office is located on Dallas Parkway at Windhaven.


SOCIALIZE with Parkhaven Dental Care

• TWITTER


• YOUTUBE


• VIDDLER


• YELP

Grinding Teeth - Can Impact Dental Health

Stress And Bruxism - Grinding Teeth - Can Impact Dental Health
Is stress at work and in daily life taking a toll on your teeth at night?
German researchers examined studied a small group of patients to see if sleep bruxism—grinding teeth at night—was related to stress.
A total of 69 people, including 48 who were bruxers, were evaluated with a questionnaire to see if they reported daily problems, trouble at work, fatigue or physical problems.
Each participant was between 20 and 40 years old and had a sleeping partner that reported grinding sounds during the night over the past six months. Participants also reported one or more bruxism symptoms before the study, including muscle fatigue or pain on awakening, abnormal tooth wear or shiny spots on restorations and enlarged jaw muscles.
Researchers also measured participants’ bruxism overnight for five consecutive nights, using special thin plates worn overnight in their mouths that record grinding patterns.
Researchers concluded that participants with high sleep bruxing activity tend to feel more stressed at work and in their daily life, and, according to the questionnaire, seem to deal with stress in a negative way. Bruxism is a dangerous dental problem that can not only wear down teeth, but also make them sensitive or loose or even fracture them. Besides worn tooth surfaces, symptoms can include headaches and a sore jaw.
Your dentist can diagnose sleep bruxism and fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth while you sleep. Patients can also benefit from reducing stress, physical therapy, muscle relaxants, counseling and exercise.
Request an appointment today!


Parkhaven Dental Care
5961 Dallas Parkway, Suite 600
Plano, TX 75093
(972) 416-2330
Email: dawnd@parkhavendental.com

Our Parkhaven office is located on Dallas Parkway at Windhaven.


SOCIALIZE with Parkhaven Dental Care

• TWITTER


• YOUTUBE


• VIDDLER


• YELP

Arthritis Pain and Treating Active Gum Disease

Arthritis Pain and Treating Active Gum Disease
Arthritis patients might alleviate some of their pain, morning stiffness and swollen joints by treating active gum disease, according to researchers at Case School of Dental Medicine in Cleveland.

Researchers studied 40 patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease and a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis. Study participants were divided into four groups. One group received medications that blocked production of a specific toxin found at inflamed rheumatoid arthritis sites; the second group received medications plus nonsurgical periodontal treatment to clean and remove infection from bones and tissues in the gums; the third group had nonsurgical treatment only and the last group did not receive any treatment until after the study.

Patients who received nonsurgical treatment, either with or without medications, responded with improvements in their arthritis symptoms.

Oral care may also be more difficult for people with special health concerns, including arthritis. People with dexterity problems may find it difficult to hold onto a toothbrush or dental floss.

The ADA recommends a few "home remedies" for easier oral health care, including using a wide elastic band to attach a toothbrush to the hand; enlarging the brush handle by attaching a sponge, rubber ball or bicycle handle grip or winding an elastic bandage or adhesive tape around the handle; lengthening the handle with a ruler, popsicle stick or tongue depressor; tying floss in a loop for easier handling; and using an electric toothbrush or commercial floss holder.

Request an appointment today!


Parkhaven Dental Care
5961 Dallas Parkway, Suite 600
Plano, TX 75093
(972) 416-2330
Email: dawnd@parkhavendental.com

Our Parkhaven office is located on Dallas Parkway at Windhaven.


SOCIALIZE with Parkhaven Dental Care

• TWITTER


• YOUTUBE


• VIDDLER


• YELP

Healthier Diet and Healthier Gums.

Diet, Food Choices and Healthy Gums
Can food or drink choices help a person have healthier gums?Japanese researchers studied a group of nearly 950 adults to determine whether consuming dairy products with lactic acid like milk, yogurt and cheese, had a lower risk for gum disease.
Participants’ periodontal health was evaluated through two measurements — periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss of gum tissue. Researchers found that participants who consumed 55 grams or more each day of yogurt or lactic acid drinks had significantly lower instance of periodontal disease. They found that consuming milk or cheese was not as beneficial to periodontal health.
Researchers theorize that the probiotic effect of Lactobacillus bacteria could be related to healthier gums. Another Japanese study showed that adults who drank green tea might also lead to healthier gums, because its antioxidants have anti — inflammatory properties.
Tea enthusiasts can also brew up a cup of black tea (minus the sugar, lemon or milk) to help squelch or suppress growth of cavity causing bacteria and acids in the mouth, according to U.S. researchers.
Research has also shown a connection between low intake of dietary vitamin C and gum disease, so noshing on fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C — citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and many other fruits and vegetables — can help you have a healthier diet and healthier gums.

Request an appointment today!


Parkhaven Dental Care
5961 Dallas Parkway, Suite 600
Plano, TX 75093
(972) 416-2330
Email: dawnd@parkhavendental.com

Our Parkhaven office is located on Dallas Parkway at Windhaven.


SOCIALIZE with Parkhaven Dental Care

• TWITTER


• YOUTUBE


• VIDDLER


• YELP

Energy Drinks - No Teeth

The drinking of energy drinks has been found to be a major cause of teeth loss due to high levels of acid and hydrogen which are responsible for tooth decay and premature enamel wear. Certain beverages have a contradictory effect of lowering the pH levels in the mouth which suggests some benefit yet dentists agree that the excessive consumption of canned and bottled beverages can leave you toothless you do not follow their consumption with brushing. Energy drinks have been found to have high acid levels which can eat away the tooth’s enamel further advancing any tooth decay. Their growing popularity among people who live in the fast lane is indeed cause for concern so do brush regularly and it would be best to drink a glass of water to wash away any residue that

Request an appointment today!


Parkhaven Dental Care
5961 Dallas Parkway, Suite 600
Plano, TX 75093
(972) 416-2330
Email: dawnd@parkhavendental.com

Our Parkhaven office is located on Dallas Parkway at Windhaven.


SOCIALIZE with Parkhaven Dental Care

• TWITTER


• YOUTUBE


• VIDDLER


• YELP