Lack of guidance may delay a child’s first trip to the dentist

Ann Arbor: Less than half of parents received guidance about starting dental visits from a doctor or dentist, worse among low-income parents.Without a doctor or dentist’s guidance, some parents don’t follow national recommendations for early dental care for their children, a new national poll finds.One in 6 parents who did not receive advice from a health care provider believed children should delay dentist visits until age 4 or older – years later than what experts recommend –  according to this month’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health. (link is external)

Does Good Oral Health Increase Risk for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases?

AGA: A population-based cohort study of more than 20,000 people in Sweden associated poor oral health with reduced risk for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The article, in the April issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, reports that the protective effect increases with the severity of poor dental hygiene. Environmental factors, such as westernization and modernization, are thought to contribute to the increasing worldwide prevalence of IBD. Improved hygiene has reduced human exposures to microbes, which is believed to increase risk for autoimmune disorders such as IBD.

Is it safe for pregnant women to go to the dentist? Yes

TheConversation: According to research from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, in 2011 about two-thirds of pregnant women had their teeth cleaned in the year prior to delivery, but only about one-half had their teeth cleaned during pregnancy. While plenty of factors may keep pregnant women from getting to the dentist, some may avoid going because they are unsure if it’s safe. I am a dental school professor and a practicing dentist, and over the years, some pregnant women told me that they will not see a dentist until after the baby is born. I’ve had pregnant women ask me to diagnose and treat dental infections without dental x-rays. In fact, x-rays, routine cleanings, root canal treatment and many local anesthetics are safe during pregnancy. Despite that fact, many oral and medical health care providers are unsure of the safety of routine dental care for pregnant women and their unborn child.

Fluoride for all

Copenhagen: Fluoride can help prevent dental cavities. This is the main point of a new publication from the University of Copenhagen, which presents the latest information about fluoride, its effects, and opportunities for using it in preventing illness. Fluoride deficiency is especially prevalent in developing countries, but the problem also appears in Eastern Europe, where dental diseases are a major issue in the field of public health.

The high-tech method to perfect, digitally manufactured dental implants

Vienna: In a few years time, the conventional method of taking dental impressions using an impression tray could be a thing of the past. The MedUni Vienna Clinic of Dentistry, Oral and Orthodontic Medicine already uses CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) for taking impressions for and making many of the dental implants required in a special outpatient clinic. The scope of application of this method ranges from single tooth implants to complete dentures. In this respect, the Vienna University Clinic of Dentistry is one of the leading clinics in Europe.

Two out of ten plastic rings for babies release chemicals with hormone-like effect

Frankfurt: In laboratory tests, two out of ten teethers, plastic toys used to sooth babies’ teething ache, release endocrine disrupting chemicals. One product contains parabens, which are normally used as preservatives in cosmetics, while the second contains six so-far unidentified endocrine disruptors. The findings were reported by researchers at the Goethe University in the current issue of the Journal of Applied Toxicology.

Plant chemical could prevent tooth decay

Edinburgh: Oral care products containing a natural chemical that stops bacteria harming teeth could help fight decay, research shows. The plant natural product acts against harmful mouth bacteria and could improve oral health by helping to prevent the build-up of plaque. The compound - known as trans-chalcone - is related to chemicals found in liquorice root.

Amino acid found in some foods could improve oral health

Newcastle: A naturally occurring amino acid found in some foods could help millions of people avoid cavities and gum disease, researchers have revealed. Arginine, a common amino acid, could help significantly improve oral health as it breaks down dental plaque, according to a collaborative study by experts at Newcastle University and University of Michigan, USA. Further clinical trials and studies are planned, but the authors say these early results, published today in the journal PLOS ONE, are promising and indicate that L-arginine could take the place of current plaque-controlling substances. Dr Nick Jakubovics found that in the laboratory L-arginine – present in red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products, and already being used in dental products for tooth sensitivity - stopped the formation of dental plaque.

Is holistic dentistry panacea?

TheConversation: Many Australian dentists’ websites proudly advertise that they practise holistic dentistry, a philosophy that promotes health and wellness rather than simply treating disease, and considers the whole body and mind, not just teeth. It sounds exciting. The implication is that this practice is very different – and superior – to the type of dentistry being practised by mainstream dental professionals. But different doesn’t actually mean superior.

Health check: what’s eating your teeth?

TheConversation: Most of us know sugar is bad for teeth because it feeds bacteria that cause tooth decay. But fewer are aware that equally as damaging for teeth is acid, and that repeated exposure to high levels of acid can cause tooth erosion. Unlike dental caries (decay), tooth erosion is not a disease and it’s not caused by bacteria. It occurs when acid dissolves the hard tissues of the tooth. In its early stages, it strips away the surface layers of tooth enamel. In advanced stages, it can expose the softer dentine that underlies tooth enamel, or even the central pulp of the tooth. Among indicators that your tooth is seriously eroded are chalkiness on the surface, pitting, opaqueness and a scalloping out of the tooth’s top surface, which, in some cases, can leave fillings exposed and teeth feeling very sensitive.

Natural reparative capacity of teeth elucidated

INSERM: Researchers at Inserm and Paris Descartes University have just taken an important step in research on stem cells and dental repair. They have managed to isolate dental stem cell lines and to describe the natural mechanism by which they repair lesions in the teeth. This fundamental discovery will make it possible to initiate unprecedented therapeutic strategies to mobilise the resident dental stem cells and magnify their natural capacity for repair. These results are published in the journal Stem Cells.

Treating all teeth (full mouth) within 24 hours for chronic gum disease (periodontitis) in adults

Cochrane: Long lasting (chronic) gum disease causes damage to the gums and soft tissue structures around teeth. This review seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of full-mouth treatments carried out within 24 hours compared to the more conventional treatment of partial mouth scaling and root planing (SRP) usually done over a number of weeks. The treatments being reviewed are full-mouth scaling (FMS) and full-mouth disinfection (FMD). A secondary aim was to establish if there was a difference in effectiveness between FMS and FMD. This review updates our previous review published in 2008.

Is xylitol better in sweets and toothpaste to prevent tooth decay?

Cochrane: This review has been produced to assess whether or not xylitol, a natural sweetener used in products such as sweets, candy, chewing gum and toothpaste, can help prevent tooth decay in children and adults. Tooth decay is a common disease affecting up to 90% of children and most adults worldwide. It impacts on quality of life and can be the reason for thousands of children needing dental treatment under general anaesthetic in hospital. However, it can easily be prevented and treated by good oral health habits such as brushing teeth regularly with toothpaste that contains fluoride and cutting down on sugary food and drinks. If left undisturbed, the unhelpful bacteria in the mouth - which cause decay - multiply and stick to the surfaces of teeth producing a sticky film. Then, when sugar is eaten or drank, the bad bacteria in the film are able to make acid resulting in tooth decay.
Xylitol is a natural sweetener, which is equally as sweet as normal sugar (sucrose). As well as providing an alternative to sugar, it has other properties that are thought to help prevent tooth decay, such as increasing the production of saliva and reducing the growth of bad bacteria in the mouth so that less acid is produced.
In humans, xylitol is known to cause possible side effects such as bloating, wind and diarrhoea.

How your dentist could help you avoid heart disease

Scimex: Oral infections that destroy teeth structures, caused by the bacteria in your mouth, are linked to an increased risk of heart disease, a US study has reported. The researchers reviewed current literature and found that inflammation-causing oral diseases, including cavities and gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis, are associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Antiseptic treatment (chlorhexidine) to prevent tooth decay in children and young people

Cochrane: This review examined the effectiveness of varnishes and gels containing chlorhexidine in preventing tooth decay in children and young people. Tooth decay is a very common disease that over time destroys the tooth surface. It has been estimated to affect up to 80% of people in high-income countries and, despite being preventable through oral hygiene and dietary measures and the use of agents such as fluoride that reduce risk of decay, it is likely to remain a problem, especially in low-income countries. Tooth decay can result in pain and infection, and in young children may require treatment in hospital under a general anaesthetic. As well as causing anxiety and pain, this may mean the child or young person missing time at school and their parents or carers having to take time off work, possibly losing income and incurring extra costs. Prevention of tooth decay is simpler and possibly cheaper than waiting until it occurs and then requires extensive treatment.
Tooth decay is largely preventable, and a range of things may assist this: twice-daily toothbrushing with a fluoride toothpaste, reducing both the amount of and number of times per day sugar is eaten, and drinking water that contains fluoride (bottled or tap, depending on where you live).

Effect of natural sweetener Xylitol in preventing tooth decay still unproven

Scimex: The natural sweetener xylitol is unproven in preventing dental cavities in children and adults, according to a new research review by UK scientists. The researchers gathered data from almost 6000 participants in 10 different studies but didn't get a conclusive outcome from combining the results. While they did see weak support for adding xylitol to toothpaste, the authors concluded there was no evidence for its benefits in other products and were "particularly surprised to see such a lack of evidence on xylitol-containing chewing gums".

Is it risky to taste wine?

Adelaide: Acid could poses rapid risk to wine tasters' teeth.  New research from the University of Adelaide shows the acid in wine can make teeth vulnerable to erosion within minutes, prompting renewed calls for professional wine tasters to protect their teeth.

Keep Smiling While You are Pregnant (video)

UWS: Women must be aware of the importance of good dental health during pregnancy. Research has shown that more emphasis needs to be placed on oral health during the prenatal period, with many pregnant women not receiving information on the importance of oral health care during pregnancy. Dr Ajesh George said research showed that hormonal changes, morning sickness and food cravings in pregnant women made them particularly susceptible to poor oral health. "Poor oral health in pregnant women can increase the risk of early dental decay in infants and may contribute to lower birth weight and even premature births," Dr George said. "Women who have untreated dental decay can nearly double the chance that their children will have early dental decay after birth. "Women tend to avoid dental care during pregnancy because they aren't aware that it's absolutely safe to have dental treatment done while you are pregnant. In fact it is much better to have any infections removed as soon as possible, rather than waiting until after their baby is born."

Study shows benefits of fluoride to children

Queensland University. Australia: A study showing that tooth decay in Logan-Beaudesert children has dropped 19 per cent since the introduction of fluoridation has been backed by the Australian Dental Association of Queensland (ADAQ).

Nanomedicine for periodontal disease

Radboud University. Netherlands: Periodontal diseases, including periodontitis and peri-implantitis, are oral infections associated with inflammation-mediated loss of the periodontal ligament (PDL) and/or supporting alveolar bone, which finally results in tooth/implant loss. Clinical treatment of periodontal diseases is very costly and time consuming.