Periodontitis is a form of severe gum disease. In this condition, the gum pulls away from the teeth, and pockets that are filled with pus and germs begin to form. The best solution to this problem is to go through gum surgery to save the teeth otherwise; the infection will destroy the bones on the teeth area. When this happens, teeth may fall off or loosen.
Recent studies have shown that most people with diabetes are suffering from gum diseases. Out of twenty four million Americans suffering from diabetes, many have developed complications such as periodontitis. Other complications associated to diabetes include kidney complications and heart problems.
On top of this, it has been discovered that the association between diabetes and gum diseases is two-way. In other words, people with diabetes are not the only ones susceptible to gum diseases. Serious gum problems have also been discovered to affect the control of blood glucose that eventually contribute to diabetes progression.
Research has also shown that people with diabetes are highly susceptible to gingivitis and periodontitis. Patients with diabetes are found to have higher risk to bacterial infection. They also have lesser means of fighting off infections caused by bacterial invasion of the gums.
According to the Surgeon General’s Report, the best solution to this problem is oral hygiene. People, especially those with diabetes, have to maintain regular dental health practices. Flossing and brushing regularly is one of the best ways to avoid dental infections caused by bacteria from plaque.
Aside from brushing and flossing regularly and properly, it is also important to visit the dentist at least two times a year. The sad part however is that most people take dentist check-ups for granted. What they do not know is that this might just save them from life-threatening diseases in the long run. More importantly, it helps prevent future physical, financial, and health problems.
The big question for most people with diabetes is if they are at risk for dental problems. Diabetic patients tend to have higher risk of developing serious gum problem if their glucose levels are not controlled. The bigger complication is that serious gum diseases are contributing factors to the rise of blood sugar levels. As a result, diabetes becomes more difficult to control.
Aside from gingivitis and periodontitis, other oral problems are also reported to have a link with diabetes. This includes thrush, a fungal infection in the mouth and dry mouth which causes ulcers, cavities, soreness, and different kinds of infections.
As mentioned earlier, people with diabetes do not have to fall as mere victims of these complications. Prevention starts with controlling the blood glucose level, and this can be done through regular check-ups. In addition, living a healthy lifestyle is also a must. Avoiding harmful practices such as smoking and eating too much junk food should be minimized, if not totally eliminated.
People should not wait for complications before actions are taken. Visiting the dentist should be made a habit. Start by visiting the Creative Smiles Dental at 4432 Chastant St. Metairie, LA 70006, fax number 504-885-0468, and email: [email protected].
A new study published in Psychosomatic Medicine’s April issue reveals that poor dental health may lead to dementia.
In a dental health research conducted in Japan, four thousand adults in their senior years were examined. Those who had less number of teeth and had not maintained regular visits to the dentists and were not able to wear dentures had an increased risk for early dementia compared to respondents who observed proper dental care and visited their dentists regularly.
Yukio Hirata, a dentists and PHD-holding professor working in the Division of Sociological Approach in Dentistry at Japan’s Kanagawa Dental College, said that identifying risk factors help solve the thorny condition that is dementia. More and more suffer from dementia each day and yet an effective treatment has yet to be found.
Dr. Hirata also noted the surprising finding regarding respondents with fewer or no teeth and didn’t use dentures posed a higher risk for onset dementia. Their counterparts who had been using dentures didn’t pose the same level of risk. The dentist and professor said that the study might encourage the use of dentures for treating dementia.
The dental experts who embarked on this research based their work on information culled from the public healthcare insurance system in the country that sustains individuals suffering from dementia.
According to the researchers, once the link between onset dementia and poor dental health is found, new information may help change policies on health. There have been studies already suggesting that periodontitis, which results to the loss of teeth, becomes a big risk for onset dementia. Dr. Hirata’s team wanted to test the finding with a bigger respondent pool.
Dr. Hirata stressed that the research brings to the fore the constant message of many dentists regarding the importance of dental health. Preventing tooth loss and using denture when necessary now contribute to fighting dementia.
The dentist researchers believe that periodontal disease aggravates inflammatory agents that may trigger pathogens for dementia. Poor nutrition and lack of vitamin intake, which are both related to tooth loss, can also contribute to onset dementia.
A professor of psychiatric epidemiology at the Psychiatry at King’s College in London, Dr. Robert Stewart, on the other hand, relayed to Medscape Medical News that the study linking dementia to oral health needs more conclusive reports.
Dr. Stewart pointed out that it is quite possible that patients with onset dementia are already not taking care of their oral health. He praised the new Japanese study for its method of charting patient’s progress over time. This way they were able to strengthen the argument that poor dental health begets dementia. The factoring of dentures into the equation also made the study more interesting, according to Dr. Stewart.
No matter how contentious the relationship, Dr. Stewart still believes that dentists and clinicians recognize the link between poor dental health and onset dementia.
If you live in Louisiana and are interested in oral health services such as dentures, visit www.CreativeSmilesDentalCare.com. Or you can drop by the Creative Smiles clinic:
Creative Smiles Dental
4432 Chastant St.
Metairie, LA 70006
Phone:
Fax: 504-885-0468
Email: [email protected]
As a result of poor dental hygiene, sporadic visits to the dental clinic, and an accumulation of plaque, gums recede and expose the roots of teeth. Among the problems faced by patients with receding gums are tooth decay, gum inflammation, and bleeding.
To answer this common and unseemly problem, BioMed Central conducted a new study that was published on their free access journal called Head & Face Medicine, describing how a novel procedure involving collagen found in cows helps treat receding and inflamed gums.
The new method showed positive results with some samples showing total gum healing over the exposed roots and better gum-to-teeth margins.
Patients with receding gums may be suffering from tooth sensitivity, continuous inflammation of the gum area, and tooth decay of the teeth’s roots.
An acclaimed team of dentists conducted the study, which was later published on Head & Face Medicine. Dr. Shahram Ghannatii who led a team of dental experts from Switzerland and German, along with Dr. Markus Schlee, looked into the chance of utilizing collagen taken from the bovine pericardium, to be used for treating receding roots of the teeth and covering receding gum areas. The procedure for extracting the collagen involved alkaline, oxidative, and osmotic treatment. This way the cells barriers were pulled down, fats and protein gotten rid of, and pathogens were cleared, along with bacteria and viruses.
Dr. Shahram Ghannatti ad Dr. Markus Schlee’s team of dentists studied 14 patients who, prior to the testing, had practiced good dental hygiene and were overall healthy but had 60 cases of receding gums. Anyone with bad teeth was treated and cleaned before placing the collagen implants before the procedure. The collagen was then installed to cover using surgical threats used on a tooth with receding gums. After two weeks they removed the sutures. As it turned out, the patients were healthy and did not have any infection.
Six months later the dentists Dr. Schlee and Dr. Ghannati’s team examined their patients again to find out how the procedure was holding up.
Many of recession looked improved and some even fully healed, according to Dr, Schlee, who also said that around 50 % of the treated patients had their problem areas fully covered. Half of the number of exposed roots involved in the study was fully covered at the end of the procedure. The results went beyond what was expected by the dentists conducting this breakthrough study.
What happens is that collagen serves as scaffolding for the body’s repairing cells that address damage in the body. The results of the method are described by the experts to be close to the case of connective tissue grafts. With patients going to the dental clinic without donors of tissue can now look into bovine tissue. This will also save those who cannot undergo surgeries for health reasons.
If you leave in Louisiana and have problems with receding gums, then visit www.CreativeSmilesDentalCare.com to learn about relevant dental services. Or you can drop by the Creative Smiles clinic in Louisiana:
Creative Smiles Dental
4432 Chastant St.
Metairie, LA 70006
Phone:
Fax: 504-885-0468
Email: [email protected]
Recent studies have shown that dental plaque triggers endocarditis, a life-threatening inflammation of the heart’s inner layer. Further research has also found new drugs to cure the infective heart disease.
According to the study presented in Dublin, the bacteria streptococcus gordonii, a normal inhabitant of the mouth, can cause havoc if it enters the blood stream. These bacteria contribute to the formation of plaque on teeth. They can enter the blood stream through bleeding gums.
Researchers have discovered that S. gordonii is capable of producing molecules on its surface that imitate the protein fibrinogen. This human protein has blood clotting capacity that, if found in the wrong places, can be harmful. Fibrinogen activates the platelets, which creates mass in the blood vessels. These clots protect the bacteria from antibiotics and immune system. The danger of these clumps is that it can result to growth on the valves of the heart. As a result, it blocks the blood supply to the brain and heart.
Dr. Helen Petersen, one of the chief researchers of the study, said that understanding the connection between platelets and bacteria can help save lives. At the same time, treatment of the disease depends on further research about this discovery.
Since, the bacteria are able to protect themselves from both natural and artificial cure, it is important to look at the mechanisms behind how they produce clotting. This way, finding cures and medicines for infective endocarditis is possible.
Although the current treatments for the disease include surgery and administering strong antibiotics, the problem lies on the bacteria’s growing resistance to various treatments. In fact, thirty percent of patients suffering from endocarditis die while others have to go through surgery to replace the infected heart valve with that of an animal.
The good news is that researchers have now found the important components of S. gardonii bacteria that imitate fibrinogen. Researchers are now closer to finding compounds to inhibit the bacteria. This medication would eventually prevent clotting caused by S. gardonii. Aside from this, researchers such as Dr. Petersen from the Royal College of Surgeons are looking for other bacteria that carry the same effects as S. gardonii.
What all these studies are trying to pinpoint however, is the emphasis on oral health care. Studying the S. gardonii and other bacteria with similar components will help find cure to the diseases that they bring.
More importantly, it is important to remember that prevention is better than cure. Being cautious with what causes the disease will save you from suffering from the illness and its cure. The best way to prevent endocaditis, according to the researchers, is to brush and floss regularly. This keeps the bacteria in check.
At the same time, it is also important to brush and floss softly. Remember that the bacteria enter the blood stream through wounds in the gums. These wounds are usually produced by rough brushing and flossing.
To learn more about oral health care, you can visit Creative Smiles Dental at 4432 Chastant St. Metairie, LA 70006. You can also fax them at 504-885-0468 or email them at [email protected].
Major studies have found strong links between the reduced hospitalization costs of diabetics and systematic periodontal therapy. In an experiment conducted by the American Association for Dental Research, subjects were divided into two. The first group received periodontal therapy during the first year and then maintained thereafter. On the other hand, the second group received incomplete periodontal therapy and did not receive any regular maintenance for the entire duration of the 3-year study.
The group who received regular periodontal therapy was noted to experience as much as a 33% reduction in hospital admissions.
Diabetes is a systematic condition wherein a person suffers from high blood sugar. It has long term complications that may include damage to blood vessels, cardiovascular disease, visual impairment, and kidney malfunctions and so on. Therefore, once a diabetic gets wounded, it would take a very long time before the wounds heal. Also, when a diabetic acquires any form of periodontal disease, the intensity of the disease increases and the complications become more severe.
It goes without saying that a diabetic is not only required to visit a physician but is also required to see a dentist for regular checkups. In fact, regular dental checkups are recommended in order to control periodontal disease and its complications.
In a separate study published in the Journal of Periodontology, diabetics are most likely to develop periodontal disease because they are more susceptible to getting infections. As a matter of fact, periodontal disease is now considered to be the sixth most common complication associated with diabetes. If periodontal infections were treated at an early stage; the overall management of diabetes will also improve.
So how can a diabetic avoid periodontal infections?
While there is no sure way to completely avoid periodontal infections especially if you are more susceptible to them, you can reduce its impact to your health. Here are a few tips to consider:
Since formal studies conducted have already confirmed links between periodontal diseases and diabetes, it will now be up to you and your dentist to design your periodontal treatment and how long the treatment will be. Inform your dentist if you are pregnant and/or if you have any other complications aside from diabetes so that he can devise a periodontal management plan that fits your overall health.
If you have diabetes and are experiencing dental problems and other oral diseases, you should visit a dentist right away. Creative Smiles Dental offers professional dental services to suit your needs. The clinic is conveniently located at 4432 Chastant St., Metairie, LA 70006. For details, you may visit their website at CreativeSmilesDentalCare.com or email them at [email protected].
Over-the-counter fluoride toothpaste may not be enough to keep your teeth free from cavities. According to a study conducted by the Yale researchers, the bacteria present in your teeth have some molecular tricks that help them fight the effects of fluoride. This study has encouraged many people to pay regular visits to a dental clinic to seek advice from their dentist on what level of fluoride toothpaste to use and learn more ways to fight tooth decay.
Based on the results of the study, ordinary tooth bacteria have built their own fluoride-detecting switches called riboswitches which function to detect the build-up of fluoride and therefore activate the necessary defenses.
According to the Yale researchers, the riboswitch detects the presence of fluoride and turns on genes to fend of the effects of fluoride. Their research also suggests that these fluoride-detecting switches are very ancient so there’s a strong chance that they have only become immune to fluoride after prolonged periods of exposure.
Future Implications to Dentistry
Now that these new mechanisms have been discovered, it will soon become possible to manipulate them and make fluoride even more toxic to bacteria. However, fluoride riboswitches and proteins are only common in bacteria, not in humans. Therefore, manipulation can only be made possible by targeted drugs. Yale researches are currently working on blocking the protein channels of bacteria in order to help fluoride accumulate and fight cavity more effectively.
Fluoride is the 13th most common element in the Earth’s crust and it is naturally present in the United States. High concentrations of fluoride are found in water supplies. It is the best means to prevent tooth decay, which is the most common dental condition that costs $50 billion each year.
The study further reveals that patients must not be too reliable on the regular use of high fluoride toothpaste. Yes, the use of fluoride is highly influential to a sound dental health but it cannot stop microbes from still causing tooth decay.
Regular Visits to a Dental Clinic is Still an Essential Part of Good Oral Health
Although there are no findings linking that too much use of fluoride toothpaste is detrimental to health, there should be proper consultation prior to its use. You would have to show up at your appointment in a dental clinic so that you preferred dental practitioner can suggest the needed dosage that fits your requirements.
In addition, your dental practitioner from your preferred dental clinic can also recommend other dental procedures that can correct dental issues before they get worse.
Are over-the-counter fluoride toothpastes enough protection?
Ordinary fluoride toothpaste bought without prescription may not be enough to keep your teeth protected. Based on this study, it can get easily worn away by the fluoride-detecting bacteria. But a separate study also reveals that a single layer of fluoride from your favorite toothpaste is only about 6 nanometers thick and thus, you would probably need something stronger and more concentrated.
If you are in Louisiana and are looking for a dental clinic that can address all your dental concerns and needs, visit Creative Smiles Dental at 4432 Chastant St., Metairie, LA 70006. You may also log on to their website at creativesmilesdentalcare.com or email them at [email protected].
Patients suffering from yeast infections, particularly those caused by the Candida albicans and Candida glabrata, have something to look forward to. Scientists reveal that they are at the early stages of using silver nanoparticles to combat oral thrush and dental stomatitis that are common in those wearing dentures. Note that these fungal infections affect seven out of ten denture wearers. At present, infections such as these are quite difficult to treat because of two problems:
• Treatment requires consistency because if you miss a dose of your medication, there’s a strong chance that the fungi would get immune to it and thus, would require a higher dose of antifungal.
• Yeast treatment entails the destruction of the entire biofilm that they have created themselves
With these conditions in mind, scientists went ahead and created conditions that closely mimic those of saliva. This would help make testing more believable. Once done, they applied different sizes and concentrations of silver nanoparticles. Based on the results of these series of experiments, silver nanoparticles were found to be effective in killing yeasts despite their size and concentration.
To address the concern on consistency, scientists are looking at the possibility of including these silver nanoparticles into the formulation of mouthwashes and applied in dentures too.
Safety Issues
Even though the experiment on the use of silver nanoparticles is still in its early stages, it is already met with several safety concerns. Several studies show that silver may be carcinogenic to animals and to humans too so that’s one point that has been raised.
But some separate studies also show that silver has been used as external wound dressings as well as to treat external infections. The use of dressing containing silver is becoming widespread today with the proliferation of more antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Further, the use of silver is also promoted for internal medicine as colloidal silver but it has yet to be proven as safe and effective.
In addition, a specific kind of silver is bioactive and when used in sufficient concentration, it can kill bacteria and yeasts. The disinfectant property of silver is also used in urinary catheters and endotracheal breathing tubes where the possibility of catheter-related urinary tract infection and pneumonia from ventilators is great.
Some parents also oppose to the use of silver in dentistry but they are not well-informed. Of all the heavy metals used in dentistry, like lead and mercury, silver is the least toxic to humans. It is effective both as an antiseptic and as a disinfectant. These properties lay the grounds for the current exploration on its use to treat common yeast infections within the oral cavity.
Professor Mariana Henriques, the lead scientist conducting the study on silver nanoparticles agreed that such a discovery is essential to finally getting a treatment to combat fungal infections that are otherwise difficult to treat. Since these nanoparticles are relatively stable if in a liquid form, scientists are concentrating on using them as a mouthwash.
For more up-to-date information on dentistry, visit www.creativesmilesdentalcare.com.
Studies show that alcoholics are more exposed to risks of developing cancers of the mouth, esophagus and larynx in addition to various other forms of dental disease. And since these individuals are more likely to visit a dental clinic rather than a hospital, a dental is first to see the signs of oral cancer and other related diseases.
According to a study published in December 2011, about 37% of oral and pharyngeal cancers in men and approximately 17% in women were linked to alcohol abuse. This risk is due to the presence of ethanol, one of the main ingredients of alcoholic drinks. Therefore, it is not how many bottles you’ve consumed but on how many percentage of ethanol you’ve had.
Oral Cancer Screening
To check whether you are positive for an oral cancer, you need to visit a dental practitioner that conducts this test. He/she takes note of any abnormalities like bumps and lesions and then collects tissue samples accordingly. If your dentist is a little bit behind technology, he/she may need to reschedule another appointment with you for the results of the tests. However, if he or she has a velscope, then oral cancer screening can be made easier. With the help of such hand held device, your dentist can quickly identify which lesions are cancerous and which are benign. This would result in better management of the possible formation of oral cancer.
Other Dental Problems Associated with Alcohol
Aside from the risks of cancer, too much alcohol consumption can also lead to increased risks of developing periodontal disease. A research conducted by the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, the amount of ethanol in alcoholic drinks that you consume will determine your risk for gum disease.
Researchers postulated that five drinks with a lot of ethanol a week increase your risks of contracting any form of gum disease by up to 10%. On the other hand, the consumption of twenty drinks a week increases your risks by as much as 40%.
In addition, cocktails mixed with sugary fruit juices causes tooth erosion. This is because the acid and sugar content of these drinks play a major role in the deterioration of your teeth. Notice that whenever you visit a dental clinic, your dentist will ask you questions pertaining to your alcohol consumption because he or she will need that information to correlate with his or her findings.
Lastly, too much drinking encourages the neglect of oral hygiene habits. If you’ve had too much to drink, you would almost always get to bed without brushing your teeth. Repeated missed brushings can result in tooth deterioration and that will be evident in your next visit to a dental clinic.
So as the first person to look into your mouth, a dentist should tell you about the effects of your current lifestyle to your oral health. A dental clinic is not only a place where you can run to for cavities and tooth decay but more importantly, it should be a place of healing. Ask your dentist about your oral health and if possible, drink moderately.
Want to talk to a dentist? If you are in Louisiana, visit Creative Smiles Dental at 4432 Chastant St., Metairie, LA 70006. You may also email them at [email protected] or visit their website at www.creativesmilesdentalcare.com.
If you have bad teeth, you probably would not have the confidence to smile whenever you want to. Worst, you may even have to stifle your laughter just because you’re afraid someone would notice your bad teeth. You can have a dental implant to restore your pearly whites but not only is the procedure expensive, it also makes you eat and chew uncomfortably for six months. For a successful dental implant, you will have to change your diet in order to allow the jaw bones to heal around the metal screws implanted into your gums. However, soon, that process will change with a drug coating that hastens bone recovery.
The Linkoping researchers reported that they have developed a drug coating hastens bone recovery around the titanium screws of dental implants. The application of this drug coating does not prolong the process of installing dental implants because it is only a nanometer thin. The drug coating is made up of proteins belonging to the bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonate proteins are usually used to treat osteoporosis.
The success of the process s was first noted on animals, who have displayed that bones surrounding their implants became denser and stronger sooner than expected.
But the true success of the protein drug coating was determined when it was used on humans for the very first time. Sixteen patients were given two dental implants: one coated with this protein drug while the other is not. Neither the patient nor the dental practitioner knew which of the implants had the drug coating on it.
X-rays taken two months after the procedure showed that the bones around the treated screws were almost healed compared to the adjacent screws. Six months after, the treated screws were much better established than the other. There were no complications noted in 15 out of the 16 participants in the experiment.
How much will it cost now?
Generally, the cost of implants will depend on the extent of reconstruction required. It can be divided into the following factors: the cost of the dental fixture including the type of crown used, the dental implantation, the bone grafting and the gum grafting. You can save on the cost if you will just stick to the basic procedure instead of opting for the optional bone grafts and sinus elevation.
If the protein drug coating were to be mass produced and introduced to the market, bone grafts will not be necessary since healing is made faster.
However, if you still lack the money to have full dental implants performed and your dental clinic does not offer monthly installments, you have two options. You can either look for another clinic or you can opt for mini dental implants instead.
Since dental implants involve several procedures for teeth restoration, you may seek the advice of your trusted dental practitioner as to how you can save on the costs.
For more news on dentistry, visit www.creativesmilesdentalcare.com. Creativesmilesdentalcare.com offers a wide range of dental services, including dental implant and cosmetic dental services.
Many residents of Louisiana are fond of food products infused with alternative sweeteners. But a group of dental services experts are saying that a certain sugar substitute found in dairy and sodas may not be as tooth-friendly as many have believed.
A dental organization in Germany started a campaign against the claim that the sugar substitute known as stevia is not as harmful to the dental health of patients as opposed to granulated sugar. The German dentists are calling for more tests need to be conducted to substantiate stevia’s alleged non-harmful effects to the teeth.
Considered about three hundred percent sweeter than sucrose, the sugar substitute is derived from a native South American shrub called Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, and is produced by taking steviol glycosides from the plant’s leaves. Many have promoted stevia, in spite of its potent sweetening properties, because of the belief that it doesn’t harm the teeth. Stevia has been advertised to contain less if no calories and is friendly to the teeth. The substance has been picked up by a number of manufacturers as an alternative to granulated sugar and other synthetic sweeteners for food products.
Experts from Germany however are saying that rigorous scientific tests have not yet proven how friendly stevia truly is to dental health. The German dentists are also challenging Stevia’s nutritional value, and warning the public about forsaking oral hygiene altogether. If tests indeed prove that stevia inhibits the collection of or caries bacteria, experts still insist on the importance of dental hygiene.
A previous test in 2010 conduced by the European Food Safety Authority examined stevia’s viability as an alternative sweetener. After a toxicological test, researchers found out that sweeteners with stevia, and have 95 % steviol glycoside, are not genotoxic, carcinogenic, or in way related with any type of developmental or reproductive toxicity. Stevia, in turn, was believed to be a healthier alternative sweetener. The researchers suggested 4 mg of steviol glycosides in a day as the healthy standard. The European Commission eventually ruled stevia as an approved sweetener in the region.
The US Food and Drug Administration also conducted a review of industry collected data and found out that stevia is safe for use in food products. Earlier in 2009, the FDA ruled that a type of steviol glucose, Rebiana, is a safe alternate sweetener for food products.
Since its introduction to the market in 2004, around 2,000 stevia-infused food products have been manufactured, according to an international trade organization known as the Stevia Council. The association represents businesses that are behind the manufacturing of stevia-containing products. The group also said that countries such as Malaysia, Korea, Russia, Colombia, China, Brazil, New Zealand, Switzerland, Taiwan, Argentina, Uruguay, Australia, and the Ukraine have been sanctioning the use of stevio glycosides in food products.
Stevia has also been used as an alternative sweetener to sodas out in American stores, such as those manufactured by international conglomerates, Pepsi and Coca Coca Cola. Even ecological dairy products, such as a bio-yoghurt in Germany, have used stevia as a sweetener. In spite of these cases, there is still a lack of further scientific studies to ensure the confidence of experts on stevia.
For proper dental care and advice on tooth-friendly tooth products, visit www.CreativeSmilesDentalCare.com. Or you can drop by the Creative Smiles clinic in Louisiana:
Creative Smiles Dental
4432 Chastant St.
Metairie, LA 70006
Phone:
Fax: 504-885-0468
Email: [email protected]