Source : Medical News Today

Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine researchers found the human body is better at fighting gum disease when fat cells, which trigger inflammation, disappear.

Findings come from a pilot study of 31 obese people with gum disease. Half of the group with an average body mass index (BMI) of 39 had gastric bypass surgery and had fat cells from the abdomen removed. That half fared better than a control group of obese people with a BMI of 35 who also were treated for gum disease but did not have the gastric bypass surgery or fat removed.

What intrigued the researchers is that the majority of those who underwent surgery had a drop in their glucose levels after the procedure, a result that bodes well for overweight people predisposed to diabetes and insulin-related problems.

All study participants underwent nonsurgical periodontal treatments of scaling/root planing and oral hygiene instructions for home care. While both groups showed improvement, the surgery group did even better on the measures for periodontal attachment, bleeding, probing depths and plaque levels.

Inflammation that continues to brew in the body can have harmful effects over time, and inflammation from gum disease can erode bone and cause tooth loss. It can also cause breaks in the gums where harmful oral bacteria can enter the blood stream. Such bacteria have been linked to preterm birth, fetal death, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis, said Nabil Bissada, chair of the department of periodontics at Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine.

Bissada is the lead author of the study, “Response to periodontal therapy in subjects who had weight loss following bariatric surgery and obese counterparts: a pilot study,” published in the Journal of Periodontology.

This study raises two hypotheses about why the surgery group improved.

The first theory is that excessive fat cells (adipocytes) secrete more cytokines (such as TNF and IL-6), which make insulin more resistant to doing its function. As a result, more accumulation of sugar in the blood (hyperglycemia) occurs. Losing weight, therefore, makes insulin less resistant and improves the diabetic status. This in turn helps in the response to periodontal treatment.

The other theory relates to the presence of the leptin hormone that regulates appetite. Leptin plays a role in regulating metabolism and has been linked to inflammation by increasing the production of cytokines and the -C-reactive protein, which is also linked to inflammation. Bissada said leptin production was reduced after bariatric surgery and may be one explanation for the better outcomes in the periodontal treatment.

As the researchers look to the further their research, their next step will be to conduct a longitudinal study to support their preliminary findings.

I was invited to give a lecture at a Greater New York Dental Meeting, one of the largest exhibitions in the dental world. The lecture was for the American Association of Women Dentists.

The topic of the lecture was Maxillo-Facial Rehabilitation…

A very nice group of dentists were in attendance. The topic created a stir of interest around the existing problem of underdiagnosing oral cancer and the associated consequences.

If you have any questions about the symptoms, diagnosis, or treatment of oral cancer, please, don’t hesitate to send me an email with a question.

Dr. Lyssova

Source : MedicineNet.com

When you think about dental health, your focus is likely to be on preventing cavities in your teeth. But it’s important to pay attention to your gums, too. Your gums play a major role not only in your dental health, but in your overall well-being.

In many instances, swollen and bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease. But there are a number of other factors that could be causing your gum problems. Whatever the cause of your sore, painful gums, there are steps you can take to minimize gum damage and discomfort.

Causes of Sore, Swollen, and Bleeding Gums: Improper Brushing Technique

In your quest to keep your teeth clean, you might be tempted to brush your teeth as vigorously as you can. Your gums are made of sensitive tissue, though, so brushing the wrong way could damage them.

Whether you opt for a manual or electric toothbrush, choose one with soft nylon bristles that have blunted ends. Even though you can find brushes with medium or hard bristles, they may damage the enamel on your teeth or cause red and swollen gums.

When you brush, make sure you use gentle, circular motions to massage and clean the teeth and gums. While many people use a back-and-forth motion, this motion can actually irritate and damage your gums, making them sore and more likely to bleed or recede.

Causes of Sore, Swollen, and Bleeding Gums: Improper Flossing Technique

We all know the importance of flossing every day to help remove plaque from places where your toothbrush cannot reach. To make sure that your healthy habit isn’t causing swollen or bleeding gums, be gentle when you floss. Rather than forcing the floss between your teeth, carefully slide it up and down, following the curve of each tooth.

Causes of Sore, Swollen, and Bleeding Gums: Gum Disease

More than three-quarters of American adults over the age of 35 suffer from periodontal (gum) disease. While most people with gum disease have the less severe form, called gingivitis, between 5% and 15% of the population has a much more serious type of gum disease known as periodontitis.

When people do not practice proper dental hygiene, bacteria in the mouth form plaque on the teeth. These bacteria may cause your gums to become inflamed, which results in red, swollen, or bleeding gums. For many people with gingivitis, this inflammation is not painful. If you catch gingivitis early, it can be reversed and healed with proper oral hygiene. But left untreated, gingivitis can worsen and ultimately lead to tooth loss. Be sure to seek medical attention if you have the following symptoms, even if you are not experiencing any discomfort:

• changes in the way teeth fit together on biting, or in the fit of partial dentures
• formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums
• gums that bleed during and after toothbrushing
• loose or shifting teeth
• persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
• receding gums
• red, swollen, or tender gums

When gingivitis progresses, it develops into periodontitis, a condition in which the gums and bones that hold the teeth in place can be severely compromised. The bacteria on the teeth release toxic substances that harm your gums and cause them to become infected. The infection and the inflammation that result when your body attacks the bacteria can degrade your gums and the bones in your jaw. You may experience exceptionally swollen, painful gums that are likely to bleed. If not treated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.

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Source : PennLive

NAME: Warren D. Silvers III TITLE: Owner/Dentist COMPANY: Silvers Family Dental Care in Susquehanna Twp. YEARS IN FIELD: 17

Q: What is dental anxiety and/or dental phobia? How common is it?

A: It has been estimated that about 75 percent of all patients experience anxiety in some form. Anxiety levels can be broken up into mild, moderate and severe. Dental-phobic patients fall into the severe category. They account for 5 percent to 10 percent of patients. Phobic patients have fears so great that they generally avoid dental visits (even routine visits) at all costs. This unfortunately has the effect of letting things go until they become intolerable.

Q: What are some of the reasons that people say they are afraid to go to the dentist?

A: Even with the advances in anesthetics, pain is considered by most people as the No. 1 reason for fearing the dentist. Other fears include the sound of the drill, needles and fear of being lectured by the dentist or being presented with a plan of care they can’t afford.

Q: What can patients who have a fear of going to the dentist do to make it easier?

A: All dentists realize that fear of dentistry is a concern for many patients. Most modern dental offices provide a caring and relaxing atmosphere for their patients. Even patients who are not afraid of the dentist can benefit from dental sedation. Often when patients are sedated during dental procedures, more work can be done in a single visit, eliminating the need for return appointments in many cases. Discuss your concerns about anxiety with your dentist. He or she can make recommendations based on your specific needs.

Several pharmacological methods exist today to help alleviate anxiety. Nitrous oxide (or laughing gas) has been around for a long time and is a very safe and effective way of relieving mild to moderate anxiety. It is delivered painlessly through a mask placed over the nose and breathed in by the patient. At the end of treatment the patient breathes oxygen and there are no lingering effects. This is an advantage for many patients as they can drive themselves to and from the appointment.

Oral sedation is another method of relieving moderate anxiety. This is administered by way of pill or liquid. Dentists sometimes prescribe these medications the night before, as well as the day of, so the fearful patient can get a good night’s sleep and not be up all night worrying about the next day’s visit. This method requires someone to drive the patient to and from the office. IV sedation is another method available to relieve moderate to severe anxiety. This technique produces a state of total relaxation and comfort. Some preparation before the appointment may be necessary (for example: not eating from the night before) and you should be sure to have a ride to and from your appointment arranged.

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Source : Worldental.org

August 16th, 2011 By Dental Health Magazine staff

Each and every dentist likes to create his own treatment plan for the patient.

One dentist might be totally opposing the idea of making dental implants while the patient still has to wear dental braces for let’s say 3 months, while another dentist might consider dental implants and braces extremely appropriate.

It is basically up to the dentist and his expertise what kind of treatment plan he will follow.

Let’s suppose you are in the situation where you need to wear the braces for a few months more, yet your dentist suggests a dental implant should be made in the meantime. Then, it is best if you talk frankly to your dentist and ask him about the advantages/disadvantages of dental implants treatment and why he believes this is the most opportune moment.

If there are a few more months left until your braces come off, the dentist might suggest that you get started on the dental implant treatment, but the implant itself will be fitted only after the braces come off. This is just a mater of timing, and it is quite a good solution then.

However, it is important to keep in mind that if in the respective region where the implant will be fitted, there will be teeth movement (adjustment) as the braces straighten your teeth, you should definitely wait a little longer with the dental implant treatment. Obviously, the dental implant will not be a perfect fit if the teeth around your missing tooth still need adjustment.

It is extremely important to revise the overall treatment plan. Your dentist should explain to you the pros and cons of going through a dental implant treatment right now while you still wear braces.

For adult orthodontics, 3 more months of treatment with the braces will not make huge changes, so technically it is possible to work on your dental implant plan while the orthodontic device is still on.

Source : Teutopolis Press

Naperville, Ill. —

Most Illinois caregivers don’t know that wearing a mouthguard while playing sports helps prevent the likelihood of a concussion, despite recommendations made by dental professionals.

That’s one key finding from a survey of Illinois children’s oral health, conducted on behalf of Delta Dental of Illinois – which is part of a national survey of American children’s oral health, conducted on behalf of Delta Dental Plans Association.

“Mouthguards do more than protect young athletes’ teeth. They can also help prevent concussions by acting as shock absorbers,” said Dr. Katina Morelli, DDS, dental director for Delta Dental of Illinois. “Studies show that concussions can cause serious, long-term consequences for athletes, and the majority of at-risk athletes are children.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 300,000 people suffer from sports-related concussions every year, with children and teens at the highest risk.

Although mouthguards are only mandatory for some youth sports, such as ice hockey, football and lacrosse, dental professionals recommend they be worn for all athletic activities where there is a strong potential for contact with other participants or hard surfaces.

But according to the national survey of children’s oral health, nearly seven in 10 Americans (68 percent) report that their child does not wear a mouthguard at soccer, basketball, baseball and softball practices or games. And studies show that today’s basketball players are 15 times more likely to sustain an oral-facial injury than football players.

Mouth injuries in football have dropped dramatically since mouthguards became mandatory. More Americans report that their child wears a mouthguard for football than for any other sport. However, even in football – a sport requiring protective gear – only seven in 10 caregivers (70 percent) report that their child wears a mouthguard at both practice and games. And according to Safe Kids USA, most organized sports-related injuries occur during practice rather than games.

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Source : Unionville Times

A dip in the pool can take a bite out of your smile, so watch your chemistry.

By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, UnionvilleTimes.com

It may seem odd that when a patient sits in my dental chair I might ask about their swimming habits.  This summer thousands of folks will be splashing away in their backyard pools.  Some of these people may be putting their dental health at risk.

Why?  Pool water can become very acidic if the chemistry is not monitored and adjusted regularly. Simply put, a poorly maintained swimming pool can erode away a lot of dental enamel. This loss of enamel can make teeth weak, discolored and prone to sensitivity and decay. The centers for disease control  (CDC) has reported numerous cases of individuals with compromised teeth related to extended exposure to acidic swimming pool water.  A recent report by the NY College of dentistry highlights the rapid erosion and dental problems associated with poorly maintained pools.

So here it is my first column on dental health and I’m talking about swimming pools.

Maintaining great swimming pool water is an exact science.  Sometimes, keeping swimming pool water in balance is like herding cats. One level goes up, one down and then the sun comes out and messes up the chlorine level, you get the idea. However, for the sake of this discussion we are focused on the pH and why it matters.  When I see a patient with eroded enamel, particularly on the outside of the font teeth (The parts of the teeth you see in a smile)   I always consider the cause.  While grinning during a sandstorm could cause the same dental problems, it’s more often caused by acids.

Read the rest of this entry »

Source : DentistryIQ

July 8, 2011

BROOKLYN, New York–New York City College of Technology’s first participation in the annual American Dental Hygienists’ Association student competition in June 2011 brought home a prize.

Toni-Ann Restivo, a senior and honors scholar, took third place for her presentation, “Alternative Smoking Using a Hookah or Bidi Cigarette: Implications on Oral Health.”

At one of the convention’s 50 student table clinics and poster session in Nashville, Tenn, Restivo displayed a poster and brochure and spoke about the growing fad of smoking tobacco through a hookah, or water pipe. It has become a popular social activity for young Americans, including college students. Hookah cafés and bars have proliferated in the past decade, several of which operate in Brooklyn.

“I felt it was very important to present this at the exhibition,” saidRestivo, a Bensonhurst resident. “It’s a topic that’s surfacing right now in the dental health field.”

She also has personal experience with the subject, having tried both hookah and Bidi smoking in her early 20s.

”I wanted this chance to enlighten all those at the convention about a topic that pertains to them and their patients, to help increase awareness and to aid in prevention,” she said.

Education is important in understanding hookah fad

Hookah smoking originated in India roughly 400 years ago, as did the smoking of “bidi” cigarettes, made by rolling tobacco in the leaves of the tendu tree and sometimes flavoring them for sweetness. As anti-smoking legislation continues to build, bidi cigarettes have become scarce in the New York metropolitan area, while hookah smoking opportunities, even for those of high school age, have become easier to find at lounges, bars, or restaurants offering DJs, dancing, table service, and occasionally an outdoor patio. In 2003, New York Magazine even named the top five hookah bars.

Restivo’s presentation pointed out that many young people mistakenly assume that smoking tobacco through a water pipe filters out harmful ingredients and is much less of a health hazard than cigarette or cigar smoking. Since the tobacco is often fruit-flavored, smokers think it is safer than ordinary tobacco, and don’t believe that it can cause cancer.

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Source : DentistryIQ

Jul 5, 2011

By Bruce G. Freund, DDS

As dental physicians, it is our duty to keep up with the most current technology available in order to afford our patients the best care possible. Recently, dental retrieval and storage of stem cells has become a topic of interest in the dental community. To help you understand this exciting advancement in the dental field, this article will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about stem cells.

The history of stem cells

First, a little history …

2000: Dental pulp stem cells discovered by a researcher at the National Institutes of Health.

2003: National Institutes of Health announces viable stem cells are in dental pulp of teeth.

2004 to present: Over 1,000 published studies identifying therapeutic potential of dental mesenchymal stem cells.

2008: Surgeons from Spain announced the world’s first tissue-engineered whole organ transplant procedure, using a trachea made with the patient’s own adult mesenchymal stem cells. (Mesenchymal stem cells are found within the dental pulp of deciduous teeth, developing third molars, and the follicular tissue surrounding unerupted or developing teeth and permanent teeth with healthy pulp.)

2009: Scientists from Italy announced the first-ever human clinical application using patients’ own dental stem cells to repair mandibular bone defects.

Common questions about stem cells

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are immature, unspecialized cells in the body that are able to grow into specialized cell types by a process known as “differentiation.” There are two primary sources of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Adult stem calls are found in many organs and tissues in the human body, including the dental pulp contained within teeth. Embryonic stem cells have the ability to grow into any cell type in the body. However, there is great ethical controversy regarding obtaining and using these stem cells for medical research and treatment purposes. Until recently, it was thought that adult stem cells could only turn into cells that were the same as those in the tissues and organs in which they were found. It is now known that adult stem cells taken from one area of the body can be transplanted into another area and grown into a completely different type of tissue. This ability to grow and regenerate tissues is the focus of the emerging field of personalized medicine, which uses a patient’s own stem cells for biologically compatible therapies and individually tailored treatments.

How are stem cells being used in medicine?

Stem cell-based therapies are being investigated for the treatment of many conditions, including neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, liver disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and nerve regeneration following brain or spinal cord injury. Currently, patients are being treated using stem cells for bone fractures, cancer (bone marrow transplants), and spinal fusion surgery. New stem cell therapies are continually under review, or have already been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Many other therapies are in various stages of product development. As the number of people affected by degenerative diseases continues to increase, there will be a greater need for new treatment options for the ever-growing aging population. Harvesting and storing stem cells now will ensure their availability in the future when they will be needed most.

How difficult is it to obtain stem cells to bank for future use?

In the case of dental stem cells, the process is not at all difficult. In fact, it is easy. Healthy stem cells are discarded on a daily basis as the result of routine dental procedures (tooth extractions). The stem cells contained within the pulp of healthy teeth are the most easily accessible stem cells that can be recovered. When compared to other types of stem cells and their corresponding methods of recovery — i.e., stem cells obtained from embryos, cord blood, bone marrow, adipose (fat tissue), and peripheral blood — obtaining stem cells from teeth is ethically uncontroversial, non-invasive, less dependent on timing, and far less expensive. As opposed to stem cell recovery from cord blood, wherein there is one single opportunity immediately following the birth of a child, there are numerous opportunities to obtain stem cells from teeth. It is best, however, to recover and store dental stem cells at an early age. Those obtained from the extracted loose baby teeth of a healthy child and those extracted from a healthy adolescent (i.e., bicuspid teeth removed in preparation for orthodontic treatment and extracted wisdom teeth) are ideal.

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Source : TIME Healthland

Bonnie Rochman | Friday, July 8, 2011

Beware the perils of the sippy cup. In New York state, at least, cigarettes and alcohol may not be the only items to warrant warning labels. The legislature wants sippies — those handy-dandy drinking vessels that purport to prevent liquid from spilling out — to feature warnings about childhood tooth decay.

This is the second year that the N.Y. legislature has given the green light for a tooth-decay warning label; it was vetoed last year by former Gov. David Paterson. This time, it heads to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s desk for approval. A spokesman said Friday it’s still under review, so we’ll have to wait and see whether Cuomo will give it the same nod he gave to gay marriage and property-tax caps.

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