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?

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Image: Newscom.com

Post from: Blisstree

Oral Health Connected with Head/Neck Cancer

It made sense years ago to do everything you could to save your tooth. If you didn’t, you could end up with dentures or partial plates, or just leave the place empty, which can lead to other problems as your jaw copes with the missing teeth. But, the science of dentistry has advanced to the point that this may not be necessary any more. So now, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) has come out on the side of implants that have high rates of success as a first line of treatment, rather than a last-chance response.

A press release issued by the AAID says,

“There really is no justification for undergoing multiple endodontic or periodontic procedures, and enduring the pain and financial burden, to save a diseased tooth,” said John Minichetti, DDS, speaking for the AAID. “The days are over for saving teeth till they fall out. Preserving questionable teeth is not the best option from both oral health and cosmetic perspectives.”

The association points out that a recent study pointed out that single-tooth implants are 98.5% successful at the 7-year follow-up point, while other studies have found that first-time root canals have a 95% success rate, although the rate drops if they need to be repeated.

In the interest of full disclosure, my husband is considering a dental implant for a front tooth so we’ve been looking at the pros and cons of the procedure. The biggest con is the cost and many dental insurance plans don’t cover implants, while they do cover partial plates or bridges.

Of course, when it comes to press releases like this one (Why Save Bad Teeth? Dental ‘Heroics’ Unnecessary and Failure Prone), we have to look at where this information is coming from. The AADI’s mission is to promote awareness of dental implants. That’s not to say they are wrong, but it’s important to keep this in mind.

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Image: PhotoXpress.com

Post from: Blisstree

Sometimes Tooth Not Worth Saving

Doctors have known for a while that there’s a connection between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and oral health and now research has put the two together, according to two separate studies presented at a medical conference in Denmark this week.

The first study found that 56% of people who had RA also had a gum condition called periodontitis . This is the inflammation of the gums. They also had fewer teeth than people without RA, more plaque and looser teeth. It’s not all bad news though. Researchers also learned that if the patients with RA received treatment with an anti-TNF therapy (such as etanercept, or Enbrel) for six months, 80% showed improvement in their mouth.

The second study looked at people who had periodontal disease and then were diagnosed with RA. This study found that non-smokers who had moderate to severe periodontitis could also be at a greater risk for developing RA.

So, back to the basics of mouth care: brush, floss and see your dentist regularly!

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Images: Stock.xchng

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Interesting Connection: Teeth & Arthritis

Here’s who you need to call:

1. Your primary care practioner. You may be surprised to know that PCPs do more than just hook you up with antibiotics when you get strep from the kids or develop a UTI. They also provide preventive maintenance, for lack of a better term. Get a full physical, including a blood work-up, and make sure everything is working the way it’s supposed to.
2. Your ob/gyn. That annual exam really is important! Your doc can answer any questions you may have about stuff that’s going on down there, can remind you of the right way to do your breast self-exam, and provide valuable screening for cancer and sexually transmitted infections — all of which can save your life.
3. Your eye doctor. Even if you hate those glasses, you need to make sure they’re the right prescription, or they can cause lasting damage to your eyes. As we age, our vision changes. That’s why you need to make sure you’re getting an exam at least every 12 months, or more frequently if you notice eye strain or blurred vision.
4. Your dentist. Keep those pearly whites pearly white, and prevent and detect gum disease and all other kinds of lovelies from wreaking havoc in your mouth. And soon, your dental exam might also be an opportunity to screen for osteoporosis and breast cancer!

Now, grab that phone and start making those appointments. And when you’re all done, make one last phone call: to the salon to schedule a pamper session as a reward for your responsible health behavior.

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Time for Your Annual Check-Up!