Chronic periodontitis, progressive bone loss and loosening of soft tissue surrounding the teeth, was to add to the risk of head and neck cancers, in particular, cancers in the mouth. In a study published in the most recent issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, researchers came to this conclusion after after studying 463 patients (207 control patients).

“Although the study is comparatively small, the researchers were able to also see an association between bone loss and the risk of head and neck cancer.”

However, the researchers acknowledged that more research needs to be done into other factors, such as tobacco use (smoking and chewing).

What can you do to help improve your oral health?

According to the Canadian Dental Association, besides brushing and flossing,

How often you go for a check up depends on your oral health needs. The goal is to catch small problems early. For many people, this means a check up every six months. Your dentist may suggest that you visit more or less often depending on how well you care for your teeth and gums, problems you have that need to be checked or treated, how fast tartar builds up on your teeth, and so on.

Do you get your teeth checked often enough?

~~~~

Image: Newscom.com

Post from: Blisstree

Oral Health Connected with Head/Neck Cancer

A new article in this month’s Dental Research magazine says that “poor dental health has been linked to a number of chronic diseases.” The article argues that dentists should be asking their patients about their nutritional habits as part of their regular care.

Image: sxc.hu.

Post from: Blisstree

Carbs Bad for Dental Health

A new study from Queen Mary University of London shows that if pregnant women improve their dental hygiene, they might reduce complications in pregnancy and improve health of newborn babies. Researchers examined stomach contents containing swallowed amniotic fluid of 57 newborn babies. The work was presented recently at the Society for General Microbiology.

Why Better Oral Health Helps

Bacteria from a pregnant woman’s mouth may be transmitted through the blood and amniotic fluid in the womb to her unborn child. If that happens, the bacteria could contribute to a slew of problems, including:

• risk of a premature delivery
• low birth-weight baby
• premature onset of contractions
• infection of the newborn child

The researchers are currently sampling the stomach contents of newborn babies by using gastric aspirates, a common sample taken from babies after a complicated pregnancy. Utilizing DNA techniques, they hope to further explore how bacteria from mother’s mouth affects babies.

(Image via stock.xchng)

Post from: Blisstree

Good Oral Health Lowers Newborn Problems

Think chocolate is bad for your teeth? Think again—it may actually be beneficial. A study out of the University of Osaka Graduate School of Dentistry in Osaka, Japan found that after four days of rinsing with a cocoa flavanol extract without other oral hygiene methods (such as brushing or flossing) participants had decreased bacteria and plaque on their teeth.

Can you believe that? In the book Chocolate – A Healthy Passion, dietician authors Shara Aaron and Monica Bearden explores the many health benefits of cocoa, but also recipes for using chocolate in foods but also in bath gels, lip balms, facial masks and soaps.

Definitely something for the true chocoholic!

Post from: Blisstree

Chocolate for Your Heart, Skin and… Teeth!

Xylitol has already been shown to reduce levels of the harmful mutans streptococci (MS) bacteria that are known to cause tooth decay and is actually already being used as the active ingredient in anti-cavity chewing gum. However such a product were not considered to be suitable for young kids. What’s a better product to use as a vehicle then? Gummy bears, what else!

The children in the study were given four bears three times a day, containing different concentrations of xylitol. The results show that after six weeks of gummy bear snacking, the levels of harmful MS bacteria in the children’s plaque was significantly reduced. According to Ly “Based on our findings, it is feasible to develop a clinical trial of a gummy-based caries prevention programme. Such a study is now being carried out in the East Cleveland primary school district (Ohio, USA).”

Photo Credit: Wiretap Studios via Flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Cavity Fighting Gummy Bears

[Professor Wenyuan Shi] determined that an extract of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) is effective against tooth-decaying bacteria, providing the scientific basis for the ancient practice of chewing licorice root. “This was particularly charming because in both Chinese and in Western cultures, people have been chewing it maybe for the taste, but it also has a lot of good health reasons. It stimulates saliva flows, has anti-bacterial properties and keeps bacteria from adhering to your teeth”, explained Professor Shi.

C3 Jian is currently working with a candy manufacturer on the healthy lollipop’s production. It is recommended to eat one lollipop after breakfast and another one before going to bed at night for a period of ten days. Then, in order to maintain the treatment’s effectiveness, one should eat a lollipop about 2-4 times a year.

Cool, huh? Read more from The Future of Things and more related documentation compiled by the Medgadget.

Post from: Blisstree

Cavity-Fighting Lollipop

It seems like something everyone already knows, but that’s how regulation goes. Before any firm can write any health claim on their packaging labels, all these go through rigorous validation processes first. And in fact, not all fluoridated water qualify. According to the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and applied Nutrition, “the food eligible to bear the claim is bottled water [snip] containing greater than 0.6 and up to 1.0 mg/L total fluoride, and meeting all general requirements for health claims….”

The American Dental Association (ADA) applauds this development and also agrees with the FDA that this health claim is not intended for use on bottled water marketed to infants for whom lesser amounts of fluoride are appropriate.

Of course, you might not have to buy fluoridated water. There’s a good likelihood that your tap water also contains fluorine and is as safe and effective in preventing tooth decay. The ADA has a good resource page on fluoride and fluoridation.

Post from: Blisstree

Fluoridated Bottled Water Prevents Tooth Decay