January 2011 Dental News
Fighting the Fight for Healthy Teeth
"It is known that teeth can protect themselves, to some extent, from attack by bacteria but that inflammation within a tooth can be damaging and, in extreme cases, lead to abscess or death of the tooth. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Immunology shows that odontoblast cells are part of the immune system and fight to protect teeth from decay."
Healthy Gums, Healthy Lungs: Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums May Reduce Risk for Pneumonia, Chronic Obstructive Pumonary Disease
"Maintaining periodontal health may contribute to a healthy respiratory system, according to research published in the Journal of Periodontology. A new study suggests that periodontal disease may increase the risk for respiratory infections, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. These infections, which are caused when bacteria from the upper throat are inhaled into the lower respiratory tract, can be severely debilitating and are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.
The study included 200 participants between the ages of 20 and 60 with at least 20 natural teeth. Half of the participants were hospitalized patients with a respiratory disease such as pneumonia, COPD, or acute bronchitis, and the other half were healthy control subjects with no history of respiratory disease. Each participant underwent a comprehensive oral evaluation to measure periodontal health status."
Young People With Asthma Run a Greater Risk of Developing Caries
"Children and adolescents with asthma have somewhat more caries and suffer more often from gingivitis (gingival inflammation) than people of similar age without asthma. This is the conclusion of a thesis presented at the Sahlgrenska Academy.
The work presented in the thesis has examined children, adolescents and young adults in the age groups 3, 6, 12-16 and 18-24, with and without asthma. The first study revealed that 3- year-olds who suffer from asthma have more caries than 3-year-olds without asthma. "The children with asthma had a greater tendency to breathe through the mouth; they became dry in the mouth and were therefore given sugary drinks more often. This may have contributed to them developing higher cariesprevalence," explains Malin Stensson, dental hygienist and researcher at the Department of Cariology, Institute of Odontology at the Sahlgrenska Academy."
New Device Set To Combat Fear Of The Dentist's Drill
"An innovative device which cancels out the noise of the dental drill could spell the end of people's anxiety about trips to the dentist, according to experts at King's College London, Brunel University and London South Bank University, who pioneered the invention.
It is widely known that the sound of the dental drill is the prime cause of anxiety about dental treatment, and some patients avoid trips to the dentist because of it. This new device could help address people's fears and encourage them to seek the oral healthcare treatment they need."
HHS Aims To Lower Fluoride In Drinking Water
"Fluoride in drinking water is a contentious issue, scientists say it protects our teeth from decay, while a considerable number of people have been campaigning against water fluoridation, saying it is harmful for health. Today, the HSS (US Department of Health and Human Service) and the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) have announced they are taking steps to make sure guidelines and standards on fluoride in drinking water continue protecting dental health, but at the lowest possible levels."
The General Level Of Oral Health In The UK Is Improving, UK Government Figures Show
"The 2009 Adult Dental Health Survey found the proportion of adults in England with visible decay has fallen by a fifth since the last survey in 1998.
The change in Northern Ireland was found to be similar, declining by almost a quarter, however, there has been a small increase in Wales of two percent - Scotland did not take part in the survey."
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