How Cavity-Causing Microbes Affect Heart

Not long ago, scientists unveiled that a bacteria often found in our mouths, is the same bacteria that often invades heart tissue.  It may cause a dangerous and even lethal infection of the heart, such an infection is called, "endocarditis."  The study claims that there is now a possibility to create a screening tool "to gauge a dental patients vulnerability to the condition."

It's a well-known fact that S. mutans is a bacterium that causes cavities.  Normally, S. mutans limits its harm to the mouth, it is possible however, for the bacteria to enter the bloodstream, particularly after a dental procedure.  Actually, the immune system destroys them, but sometimes, within a short period of time, they travel to the heart and colonize its tissue.  It's important to note that this bacteria can lead to endocarditis, which can be deadly.

Dentists Can Identify People with Undiagnosed Diabetes

According to a recent study performed by researchers at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, "dental visits represented a chance to intervene in the diabetes epidemic by identifying individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes who are unaware of their condition."

From the nearly 600 individuals who were recruited for the study, half of the group was non-Hispanic, white 40-years-old or older; the other half were Hispanic, or non-white, 30-years-old or older.  None of them had been ever told that they have diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Periodontal Disease and Heart-related Risks

A large Korean study that involved more than 7,000 adults unveiled that periodontal disease is linked with a metabolic syndrome.  These conditions put people at risk for diabetes, heart disease as well as other health problems.

The Korean researchers used information from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

People are diagnosed with a metabolic syndrome if they have three or more of the following:

Study Says: Keeping Healthy Can Lower Dementia Risk

When it comes to the risk of developing Alzheimer's or another type of dementia, researchers say that not maintaining your general health may contribute to development of these types of brain disorders.

"Our study suggests that rather than just paying attention to already known risk factors for dementia, such as diabetes or heart disease, keeping up with your general health may help reduce the risk for dementia," stated principal investigator Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, director of geriatric medicine research, in Dalhousie University.

Dentists Don't Give Preference to Children on Medicaid

According to recent research performed by Joanna Bisgaier, MSW, from the Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and her team; dentists avoid giving appointments to children in the combined Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program.

A team of researchers from the Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, aimed to check out the affect of insurance status on dentists' sharpness to allot an appointment for young people.

Oral Hygiene among British Adults

A recent survey showed that nearly a fifth of British adults go two or more days without brushing their teeth.

According to the poll by the Dental Smile Clinic in Bristol, approximately one quarter of British adults brushes only once a day, despite the fact that it is recommended to brush twice daily; meanwhile two-thirds mentioned that it takes them less than 60 seconds to brush.

It is important to mention that one in 30 men claimed they do not brush their teeth unless their partners tell them to.

17-year Old Boy Dies after Rare Root Canal Surgery

"A 17-year old boy died due to rare complications caused by a root canal surgery just over a week after undergoing in the procedure."

Way back on February, Christopher Schutzius, a citizen of Blue Island, lost a filling after biting down on a caramel and went to Dental Dreams on Western Avenue in order to correct the issue.  It has been documented that before finally collapsing, Christopher Schutzius complained of constant fatigue and pain in his throat after the procedure.

New Dental Device Can See 'Invisible' Tooth Decay and Plaque

A team of scientists from the University of Liverpool are working on a device that will be able to identify early tooth decay, and plaque before it is visible to the human eye.

The innovation will include "a clinical digital camera which incorporates Qualitative Light Induced Fluorescence (QLF) technology, to take images of the mouth using blue light and special filters which can show cavities and plaque."  After the images are taken, they can be easily transferred via wireless technology to a PC, laptop, iPad or smart phone, so a dental care professional can give an immediate assessment and evaluation.

Gene Combination Affects Success of Dental Implants

It's no secret that the health of the surrounding tissue plays a great role in the success of a dental implant, and that is why identifying and reducing risk factors is the most important step in the implant process.  A recent study showed that "a combination of genes has been identified as a possible indicator of greater tissue destruction leading to negative outcomes for implants."

The process of tissue inflammation and destruction is very similar to periodontal disease.  The researchers were trying to find any association of these genotypes.

Obesity Leads to Poor Oral Health

According to a recent study by the British Dental Health Foundation, "Poor oral health has joined the list of knock-on effects of obesity."

Just a few years ago, 1.5 billion adults (ages 20 and older,) were overweight, of that number, over 200 million men and about 300 million women were obese.  Periodontal pockets are food and plaque traps that irritate and decay teeth to the point that the tooth will finally fall out.