by Dr. Novy Scheinfeld

Can working out improve your dental health? Yes, according to one study. Researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine have discovered that people of a normal weight who exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet are less likely to have gum disease. The study, published in the Journal of Periodontology, suggests that a healthy lifestyle may help prevent periodontal disease.

Researchers took the same factors that lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease into account when analyzing data from 12,110 participants. They found that those who exercised regularly, had healthy eating habits and maintained their weight were 40 percent less likely to develop periodontal disease than their counterparts. Those who met two of the criteria lowered their risk by 29 percent, while participants with just one healthy virtue had a 16 percent less chance of developing gum disease.

Overall, only 7 percent of those who met all three of the criteria had some form of gum disease. The participants who had a poor diet, limited physical activity and were considered overweight totaled 18 percent, suggesting that obesity can more than double your chances of developing periodontal disease.

Scientists aren’t exactly sure why these factors may decrease your chances of developing gum disease. It’s already known that healthy eating can help build up your immune system. Scientists now theorize that eating healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, may also help remove dental plaque from teeth. It’s also believed that obesity promotes gum inflammation, while physical activity may decrease it.

While a healthy lifestyle may help improve your dental health, it’s not a substitute for maintaining a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing daily and seeing your dentist twice a year are essential.

Source: http://therightsmile.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/dentist-east-cobb-diet-exercise-may-prevent-gum-disease/

By:Brian Ssenoga

Perhaps, you have heard that conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol,
diabetes, smoking, being overweight, being physically inactive, and having a
family history of early heart disease exposes one to the risk of having a heart
attack.

While certain risk factors cannot be changed, it is important to realise that
you do have control over many others regardless of your age, background, or
health status. Protecting your heart can be as simple as taking a brisk walk,
taking healthy vegetable soup, maintaining a healthy weight and regularly but
properly brushing your teeth.

Recent research from Boston University School of Dental Medicine, suggests oral
disease and coronary heart disease are linked.

Researchers led by Dr Sok-Ja Janket evaluated 256 cardiac patients and 250
non-cardiac patients with similar demographic characteristics for five common
oral diseases (pericoronitis, gingivitis, missing teeth, root remnants and
dental caries) to create the asymptotic dental score for determining cardiac
risk.

Among the five oral diseases, it was found that the strongest predictor of
coronary disease was pericoronitis, followed by root remnants, gingivitis,
dental caries and missing teeth.

Dr Tom Mutyabule, a dental surgeon at Pan Dental Surgery Ltd, says, numerous
studies done about the link between oral and heart health reveal an unexpected
connection of the two indicating that gum disease is associated with heart
disease and chronic periodontitis, is a condition which is an independent risk
factor for coronary artery disease.

“Periodontitis is inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that
support the teeth. This is a result of poor oral health which usually starts
with not brushing your teeth hence increasing the risk of heart attack and
stroke,” explains Dr Mutyabule.

He continues that mouth health is a reflection of one’s general health as an
adult. And so losing teeth can result in risk of heart attack.

“Normally, a full set of teeth is 32 and people with less than 21 teeth have a
69 per cent increase in the risk of heart attacks. Poor dental health not only
gives one a bad breath but also leads to inflammation of the mouth,” he says.

Dr Mutyabule quickly, adds that regular brushing and flossing after breakfast,
lunch and dinner is highly recommended if one is to avoid a heart attack
resulting from poor oral health.

At the same time, regular cleaning at the dentist decreases the risk of heart
diseases in adults by about 25 per cent.

One in seven
Studies show gum disease is affects one in seven adults aged 35 to 44 years and
one in four adults aged 65 years and above.

Dr Drake Kizito of Medcare hospital, Mukono, explains that more than 700
different types of bacteria live in the mouth. He says poor dental hygiene
allows these bacteria to flourish, and bleeding gums gives them direct access to
the bloodstream.

“There are certain types of bacteria which stick onto platelets causing them
(platelet) to form a thicket and therefore cover the bacteria, thus creating
small blood clots which find their way into the blood stream,” says Dr Kizito.

The formation of these small blood clots increases a person’s risk of having a
stroke or a heart attack as it enables the bacteria to evade detection by the
immune system and protects them from antibiotics,says Dr Kizito.

It explains why antibiotics do not always work when they are used to treat
infectious heart diseases.

According to information from the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI), though there is
no clear data to establish the number of people visiting the facility caused
mainly due to poor oral health, on the whole, an average of 100 new cases of
people complaining of a heart problem visit the facility daily and the trend is
increasing.

In fact, in-patients found with Streptococcus in dental plaques worldwide, about
78 per cent are also found with the same bacteria in heart tissues.

Experts warn that a slight swelling, bleeding of the gum or change in its colour
to red should not be ignored as it is a sign of gingivitis is the early stage of
gum disease which later graduates to periodontitis, a more serious type of gum
disease in which the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone loss can occur, and
the teeth may loosen or fall out.

Dr Mutyabule affirms that the severity of poor oral health directly correlates
to the extent of coronary artery diseases advising that “everyone ought to
observe proper oral health not only to prevent bad breath but a heart problems
too.

“Thus therapies to enhance oral health may provide an additional option to
address the ever increasing prevalence of heart disease in Uganda and the
developing world.”
Source: http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Health—Living/For-the-sake-of-your-heart–clean-your-teeth/-/689846/1693170/-/kn5a0z/-/index.html

According to the survey the first thing men notice about a future partner is her
smile, with 58 per cent of men putting their partner’s smile at the top of the
list of important features.

The results of the study were compiled over a 3 year period. Men were asked to
list the top things they judge women on and physical features took up more than
half of the list. An attractive smile topped the list with nice hair in second
place and dress sense and style in third place.

Dr Uchenna, smile director at Oral B, said the results are not surprising and
that there has been a significant increase in the number of men and women having
cosmetic dental treatment to improve the appearance of their smile. Cosmetic
dentistry is becoming increasingly popular as a result.

The study also revealed that women judge men on physical features, with 71 per
cent listing a healthy white smile as the most important feature. Intellect also
plays a part as with 55 per cent of men and 69 per cent of women were said to
judge a future partner on their grammar.

One of the main reasons the smile has become so important is the influx of
celebrity smiles gracing the front pages of newspapers and glossy magazines. The
Duchess of Cambridge, X Factor judge, Tulisa, and Cheryl Cole all appear on the
most popular celebrity smile lists on a regular basis.

Source: http://www.cosmeticdentistryguide.co.uk/news/men-rate-smile-above-figure-or-face-according-to-survey-0972

By. Sarah Wassner Flynn

Good news for those with a sweet tooth: Snacking on certain Gummi Bears may ward
off cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth, according to researchers at the
University of Washington. But it’s not just any gummies that are good for you.
Gummi candy made with the sugar substitute xylitol (commonly used in sugarless
gum) is said to combat tooth decay. Just how does this candy keep your teeth
clean? Read on for more details on the study, plus other helpful dental tips.

GOOD FOR YOU GUMMIES
Recently published in the journal BMC Oral Health, this study reveals that
children who ate Gummi Bears with xylitol three times a day over six hours had
less plaque and bacteria in their mouths than the kiddos who didn’t. And what,
exactly, is xylitol? Sounds scary, but it’s actually a naturally occurring
sweetener found in fruit and veggies, including raspberries, strawberries,
mushrooms, lettuce, endive and corn cobs. Xylitol rebalances the body’s pH
levels, staving off cavity-causing bacteria, viruses and parasites that tend to
grow in an acidic environment. Products containing xylitol not only reduce
cavities by up to 80 percent, they are also lower in calories than their
counterparts containing sugar or other sweeteners.

UP YOUR XYLITOL INTAKE
So where can you get this magical cavity-fighting candy? While you can’t
currently buy Gummi Bears with xylitol (researchers had a California candy maker
make up a special batch just for the study), it is anticipated that
dental-friendly gummies will soon be hitting a candy counter near you. In the
meantime, you can chew on other xylitol-based gums and mints from Altoids,
Carefree, Trident or Orbit.

For maximum effectiveness, experts recommend consuming four to 12 grams of
xylitol per day (one stick of suglarless contains a little over a gram of
xylitol). Any more may produce a laxative effect, thanks to xylitol’s high fiber
content. Check out Emerald Forest and Epic Dental for an array of xylitol-based
products, from gum to jams to chocolate.

OTHER HEALTHY TEETH TIPS
But don’t expect candy or gum to prevent all of your dental dilemmas. To prevent
cavities and keep your gums and mouth healthy, take care of your teeth by
following these dental tips, as recommended by Crest:
1. Brusha Brusha Brusha. Brush twice a day for at least two minutes morning and
night, giving attention to the gum line with small circular movements.

2. Floss. Floss before brushing to remove plaque and loosen debris from the
tooth surface.

3. See your dentist. Get dental check-ups twice a year, especially if you are
taking birth control pills or are pregnant or menopausal, as you have an
increased susceptibility to problems such as gum disease, tooth decay and
cavities.

4. Prenatal care. Visit your dentist before becoming pregnant. Expectant mothers
can suffer from pregnancy gingivitis caused by hormonal changes and increased
blood flow in the body. Plus, regular check-ups throughout a pregnancy can help
diagnose and treat related dental hygiene conditions.

5. Got milk? Increase your calcium intake with a daily supplement and by eating
fruits and vegetables high in calcium, such as dark leafy greens.
Calcium-fortified foods lower the acid buildup in saliva that can lead to the
breakdown of tooth enamel.

6. Sleep counts. Believe or not, adequate shut-eye can improve your dental
health. Sleep at least eight hours nightly to prevent your immune system from
becoming run-down and depleted and leaving you susceptible to infection from
oral bacteria in your mouth.

7. Take a multi. Take a daily dose of vitamins C and D for better absorption of
healthy mouth minerals like calcium and phosphorous, which support the bone and
gum tissue, keeping it healthy. And if taking supplements in pill form is not
your thing, mix a vitamin C-packed packet of Emergen-C in your morning juice.
Try Emergen-C’s newest flavors: acai (super high in antioxidants) or pink
lemonade (50 percent of the profits go towards increasing breast cancer
awareness).
Source: http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/805064/sweets-that-are-good-for-your-teeth-and-other-dentalhealth-tips

By. Dr. Mark Burhenne,DDS

Don’t go crackers
Brace yourself: The No. 1 most cavity-causing food in the world is actually the
saltine cracker. This fact shocks most of my patients, since crackers are
everywhere and are even given to toddlers as a healthy snack.

Saltine crackers are worse than candy for your teeth because they’re a
fermentable and highly processed starch. Many people don’t realize that most
crackers are highly processed and contain genetically engineered ingredients,
essentially increasing the glycemic index and making the food more cariogenic
(cavity-causing).

Dental-damaging sugar doesn’t just come from sugar
“You can blame [tooth decay] on bacteria literally ‘pooping’ in your mouth.”
What’s wrong with sugar? There are naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth
that love sugar and proliferate out of control when your diet is full of these
processed simple starches.

What happens when you eat a saltine cracker? The bacteria in your mouth have a
feast, which allows them to multiply beyond the proper balance in your mouth.

Ever noticed how saltine crackers or Goldfish become sticky in your mouth as
you’re chewing them? Even better for the bacteria, that sticky goo gets stuck
between your teeth and the bacteria can feast for even longer.

Bacteria is literally wasting your enamel

Just like any organism, after bacteria have a meal, they have to “go to the
bathroom” afterwards — and this is the stuff that causes bad breath and tooth
decay. Yup, you can blame that on bacteria literally “pooping” in your mouth. I
use that word to impress my pediatric patients and I encourage you to explain it
this way to your children as well.

Eating simple starches once or twice won’t make your teeth rot — it’s years of
cumulative habits. Cut these foods out of your diet and you won’t wake up 10
years later wondering why your teeth look like your grandmother’s.

Opt for healthier grains
If you have children, replace saltine crackers and Goldfish with a whole-grain
cracker made of ancient grains like Mary’s Gone Crackers. This simple act will
affect your children’s dental health for the rest of their lives. Not
surprisingly, saltine crackers aren’t the only simple starch to avoid. Beware of
the cavity-causing foods lurking on supermarket shelves and in your kitchen —
anything with white refined flour wreaks havoc in your mouth.

As you’re taking stock of cavity-causing foods in your pantry, make sure you put
dental-friendly foods on your shopping list. Try my list of the best foods for
your teeth.

Source: http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/983591/saltines-are-worst-food-for-your-teeth

Teething is a necessary, albeit painful, rite of passage for your baby.
Sprouting her new teeth is hard work, and can leave her irritable, feverish and
with difficulty sleeping as those teeth cut through her delicate little gums and
break the surface.

Because so many parents today are hesitant to use any over-the-counter
medications unless they’re absolutely necessary, there’s quite an interest in
more natural, chemical-free ways of soothing the screams and the pain that
accompany teething.

While each baby is different and will respond to each solution with varying
degrees of relief, here are some of the ways that you might be able to cut the
pain of cutting teeth without reaching for medication.

Keep Gums Cool – One of the most cost-effective methods of drug-free relief of
teething symptoms is wring a wet washcloth out very well, leaving it only damp,
then place it in the freezer. Letting Baby chew on the frozen (or very chilled)
cloth not only helps to reduce swelling, pain and inflammation; it also
satisfies their innate need to chew, in order to speed the process of the teeth
surfacing. The softness of the washcloth versus the sometimes rigid and
uncomfortable plastic of a frozen teething aid might be just what your little
one needs; remember, all babies are different and will like and dislike
different things. Be careful that you supervise her at all times to prevent any
chance of choking, and let her gnaw to her heart’s content.

Choose Teething Rings Carefully – Older teething rings may freeze into very hard
and uncomfortable rings, contain the potentially dangerous chemical Bisphenol A,
also known as BPA and may not be compliant with all modern safety standards.
Teething rings that are hand-me-downs might save money, but they could present a
hazard. The problem of freezing teething rings to boost Baby’s level of relief
has been addressed in recent years, with newer offerings hitting the market
every day that are designed to be placed in the freezer without losing their
pliability.

Rub Her Gums – The first-ever teething aid was Mom’s finger, and things haven’t
changed so much that they can’t be used in a pinch to massage a teething baby’s
sensitive, inflamed gums. Be sure to wash your hands, however; using gel hand
sanitizers can expose your baby to chemicals, dyes and fragrances that should
never been ingested. Good, old-fashioned soap and water is best.

Soothing and Comforting – Sometimes a baby that’s irritable and uncomfortable
from the effects of teething just needs to be held, cuddled and soothed to
sleep. During particularly rough bouts of teething, it may be necessary to spend
more time than usual loving on your little one to get her calmed and feeling
secure enough to sleep despite her discomfort.

Clove Oil – Many all-natural moms rave about the soothing power of clove oil for
teething gums, but it’s important to remember that, in its pure form, clove oil
is very strong and can increase Baby’s discomfort. Dilute the oil with
food-grade carrier oil and test it out yourself before applying it to her gums
via massage, and keep in mind that her gums are far more sensitive than your
own. If the mixture feels uncomfortable, is accompanied by a very strong taste
or is otherwise unpleasant for you, it’s a safe bet that the same will hold true
for your baby a few times over. It’s always a good idea to speak with your
child’s healthcare provider before using homeopathic remedies.

Teething Biscuits – Traditional teething biscuits tend to be laden with sugars
and preservatives that you probably don’t want your little one ingesting, but
there are a wide variety of low sugar or sugar-free, organic offerings on the
market as well.

Cold Spoons – The American Dental Association recommends that teething babies be
given a chilled spoon to suck on, to ease their discomfort without presenting a
serious choking risk. It’s still important, however, that you supervise her at
all times as she gnaws away on the flatware.
Benzocaine and other numbing agents sold over-the-counter and marketed as
teething relief ointments do numb your baby’s gums and reduce her pain, but they
can also numb the rest of her mouth and her throat. That numbness can greatly
increase her chances of gagging or choking, another reason why these remedies
should be avoided whenever possible. Also, the drooling that often accompanies
teething can cause your baby’s skin to become irritated, so be sure to keep her
face, neck and torso as clean, dry and saliva-free as possible to prevent a rash
that increases her discomfort even further.

Original article from www.newborncare.com

About the Author
Newborn Care is a website dedicated to helping parents care for their newborn.
Visit www.newborncare.com to find out more useful and practical infant tips for
moms and dads.

Source: http://drmichaels.com/blog/blog/item/how-to-ease-teething-pain-without-medicine

In addition to candy and red wine, other thought-to-be-bad-for-your-teeth drinks
and treats such as coffee and cheese, can actually help strengthen your enamel
and fight gum disease! So eat and drink up!

Gummy candy
A study published by BMC Oral Health in 2008 found that children who ate gummy
bears three times a day had less plaque on their teeth and bacteria in their
mouth than those who didn’t. Now we aren’t advising you give your kids gummy
bears instead of meals, but a handful of these chewy fruit treats could improve
their dental hygiene! The reason these treats are good for your teeth has to do
with one of the main ingredients, xylitol, which starves off cavity-causing
bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Coffee
Once you get past the stinky coffee breath and slight staining, this caffeinated
morning drink is actually quite good for your dental health! Trigonelline, one
of the main ingredients in coffee, works to help prevent erosion and tooth decay
by providing a protective barrier to your teeth. It also works to keep
cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to your gums and teeth! To avoid stains
and bad breath, brush your teeth and mouth immediately after you drink it.

Red wine
Like coffee, too much of this happy hour favorite could stain your teeth —
however, that’s about the only bad thing it does! Researchers have found that
red wine cuts down on the inflammation caused by periodontal, or gum, disease.
Studies done in Italy have also shown that chemicals in red wine called
proanthocyanidin have strong antioxidant properties that work to prevent
bacteria from sticking to saliva and teeth, which can lead to tooth decay. So go
ahead, enjoy that red wine, if only for your dental health!

Cheese & yogurt
Don’t skip the cheese on your burger this time — it could help fortify the
surface of your teeth! Because cheese has the same properties as milk and other
dairy products, such as yogurt, it raises the calcium properties around the
teeth, which works to protect the enamel and fight off bacteria. Dutch studies
found that children who ate a 5-gram piece of cheese after breakfast each day
for two years had significantly fewer cavities than those who didn’t. Yogurt
works to repopulate your mouth with healthy bacteria and fight away the bad
stuff, which can cause gum disease.

Source: http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/967689/surprising-things-good-for-your-teeth

INTELIHEALTH — If brushing and flossing seem like too much trouble, chew on
this: A 24-year Swedish study has found that middle-aged adults with high levels
of plaque on their teeth are at risk for early death.

The study started in 1985 with 1,390 Swedish adults who did not have periodontal
disease. All were between the ages of 30 and 40. In 1985, dentists did a
complete oral exam and recorded how many teeth each person had. They also
recorded levels of gum inflammation, plaque and tartar (calculus). Everyone in
the study answered questions about tobacco use and dental visits.

Researchers kept track of people through 2009. During that time, 58 of them
died.

Among those who died, 36% were women and 64% were men. The difference between
genders was large enough that it could not have been the result of chance. The
women died at an average age of 61 and the men at an average age of 60. About
60% of the deaths were from cancer.

Compared with survivors, the people who died from cancer had poorer oral health
in 1985, including:

More dental plaque
More gum inflammation
More tartar (calculus)
The researchers adjusted their numbers to take account of other factors that
affect oral health. These included smoking, frequency of dental visits,
education and income. After adjustments, three factors were linked with a higher
risk of early deaths from cancer:

Increased age — increased risk by 98%
Male gender — increased risk by 91%
High levels of dental plaque — increased risk by 79%
The study only shows that cancer and higher amounts of dental plaque are linked
with each other. However, it does not show that having more plaque causes
cancer. It may be that both conditions are linked with other things, such as a
poor diet, obesity or other health conditions.

The study appears in the June issue of the journal BMJ Open.

Source: http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32571/t.32571/pr.3/d.dmtNewsContent/c.1445043.html

By Leslie Horn

Dentists (a.k.a. we’re real doctors, I promise!) might soon be your first line
of defense against cancer through something called salivanomics—meaning
analyzing your spit to see if you have diseases.

UCLA researcher Dr. David Wong argues in a new paper published in the Journal of
the American Dental Association that in saliva lie a number of health
indicators. PopSci explains salivary diagnostics:

Human saliva is made up of molecules, after all, and in those complex molecules
doctors or dentists looking for the right things can find everything from
proteins to DNA to RNA—or basically the entire genome and a slew of other
supporting characters. With these molecules identified and isolated researchers
can then apply any number of scientific tools to them—things like gemomics,
proteomics, and transcriptomics.

Most of us see our dentists more often than we see our regular doctors, and
running tests on a simple mouth swag to check for diseases is not at all
invasive, and in some cases, just as effective testing blood or other bodily
fluids in the diagnosis process. This isn’t something that’s being implemented
quite yet, but it should be; the next time you have a dental exam, you could be
caring for your overall health as well. And it might make you schedule that
teeth cleaning on time for the first time in your life. [UCLA via PopSci]

Source: http://m.gizmodo.com/5953863/your-spit-might-tell-dentists-if-you-have-cancer

Gum disease may cause other new problems, according to a recent study.

Researchers in Taiwan concluded that there’s a correlation between and
psoriasis. The research team from Taipei Medical University looked through data
from 230,000 people with gum disease and determined that 54 percent were more
likely to develop psoriasis during a five-year period when compared to people
without gum disease.

Psoriasis is a skin condition that impacts many people. It causes the skin to be
red, dry and irritated.

There have been many recent studies demonstrating a relationship between gum
disease and various ensuing problems. It is for this reason that oral health is
key. It leads to good overall health and prevents worrying about a wide spectrum
of other health problems.

The complete study appeared in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Source: http://www.dentistrytoday.com/todays-dental-news/8190-gum-disease-may-be-linked-to-psoriasis