A researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry has received a two-year federal grant totalling $432,000, to continue a study concerning the relationship between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes and obesity. Dr. Keiko Watanabe, in a study published in the J. of Periodontology (July, 2008), showed that periodontitis accelerated the inception of insulin resistance in rats fed a high-fat diet. The new study will investigate how periodontitis affects related-diabetic complications, such as the pancreas, retina and aorta. Although this association between obesity and type 2 diabetes and periodontitis has been recognized for some time, the causes are still poorly understood. Dr.  Watanabe hopes that her new study will find the reasons why periodontitis can affect type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, as well as damage organ. This way clinicians may better monitor those individuals at danger of developing the disease in the future. The researchers are hopeful of developing a plan to treat periodontitis, in order that insulin resistance will not hasten the onset of type 2 diabetes.  one main challenge by researchers is to prove causality between periodontitis and obesity and type 2 diabetes. The published reports are loaded with epidemiological or cross-sectional studies, and do not prove causality. Dr. Watanabe will be using female diabetic fatty rats for her animal model, as these rats more closely resemble humans that eat a high-fat diet and consequently develop insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Several published reports have shown that when periodontitis is treated in type 2 diabetic humans, there was significant improvement in glycemic control. However, in human studies, covariates need to be controlled for in order to make a comparation. This isn’t necessary in animal studies.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, September 20th, 2008 at 3:49 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

April 07, 2011 10:44 AM

Six Signs of a Healthy Mouth Leading To a Healthy Body

Six signs of a healthy mouth. Pic: Wan Khairul Shahara Ahmad GhazaliBy Wan Khairul Shahara Ahmad Ghazali KUALA LUMPUR, 7 April (Bernama) — The was an ancient Chinese saying that goes, ‘The mouth is a window into the health of the body, for all illness comes from the mouth, whereas all troubles comes from speech’. The mouth is, however, filled with countless bacteria that is believed to be closely linked to tooth decay and various periodontal or gum diseases, says the President of the Malaysian Dental Association, Datuk Dr How Kim Chuan. Periodontal diseases are bacterial infections that destroy the attachment fibers and supporting bone that hold teeth within the mouth. It is cause by bacterial plaque, a sticky colourless to yellowish film that constantly forms on teeth. It is manifested by redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums, formation of periodontal pockets, loosening of the teeth, bad breathe, toothaches and other symptoms. How also warns that periodontitis is usually not accompanied by pain and patients may not even know they have it. Yet the good news, according to How, is that these signs of inflammation are completely reversible when there is adequate treatment, preventive measures, motivation and cooperation from the patient. LINKS WITH SYSTEMIC DISEASES There are many studies that explore the possible links between oral disease and systemic body health, he says. “Researchers have found that periodontitis, the advanced form of periodontal disease, has a high correlation with systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and bacterial pneumonia,” noted How. further, studies have indicated that bacteria and inflammation play a significant role in systemic diseases such as diabetes, as these diseases lower the body s resistance to infection, making periodontal diseases more severe. “Thus, people with diabetes often have periodontal disease, while some studies even suggest that periodontitis affects the body s regulatory control of blood sugar,” he explained. HEART ATTACK, STROKE AND PNEUMONIA several studies have also linked chronic inflammation from periodontitis with the development of cardiovascular problems, arterial blockages and stroke. How explained that oral plaque might be linked to plaque formation on the blood vessel s lining arteries, which causes hardening of the arteries and restricts blood flow. this formation of arteriosclerosis is worsened by fat and cholesterol deposits and can occur in any artery, notably in those leading to the heart, which causes heart attacks and brain causing strokes. as for pneumonia, How says that researchers are also discovering that poor dental hygiene can increase a person’s chances of contracting aspiration pneumonia. this type of pneumonia is caused when a person breathes in foreign materials, such as food or fluids, irritating the lungs and leading to abscesses, inflammation and pneumonia. Bacteria in the mouth due to cavities and lack of proper oral hygiene, he says, can also be breathed into the lungs, causing this type of pneumonia, as well. IMPORTANT STEPS FOR PREVENTION “Although diseases of the gums may contribute to these health conditions, it is important to understand that, just because the two conditions occur at the same time, it doesn t necessarily mean that one condition causes the other. “Thus, researchers now are examining what happens when periodontitis is treated in people with these various health problems,” says How. Given the potential link between periodontitis and systemic health problems, medical practitioners are emphasizing prevention as an important step in maintaining overall health. He explained that, healthy gums are characterized by pale colour, firm texture and how they fit around the teeth. “Any deviation from these is a sign of a developing pathological process that, if left untreated, can reach the bones, cause loosening of the teeth and may lead to the loss of teeth,” said How in a his speech at the media launching of the new 6 benefits-in-1 Listerine Total Care mouthwash. In an oral health forum of dental experts last January, entitled ?Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body , dentists reached a full consensus to qualify a healthy mouth based upon six key signs. These signs are no visible plaque, tartar-free teeth, healthy gums and soft tissue, no cavities, fresh breath and healthy, natural teeth. PLAQUE AND TARTAR Prevention of periodontal diseases must start with control of plaque or oral film by mechanical removal methods, he explained. “Plaque and tartar from our mouth needs to be removed due to the fact that they and the toxins in them lead to the development of inflammation that is the basis of all diseases of the periodontal and tooth caries,” says How. Tartar or calculus is a form of hardened plaque caused by the continual accumulation of minerals from saliva on the teeth. It leaves a rough surface that provides an ideal medium for further plaque formation, traps more bacteria and threatens the health of gums. The only way to remove tartar, according to How, is by regular professional cleanings by a dentist. HEALTHY GUMS AND CAVITY-FREE TEETH Healthy gums are usually coral pink. changes in colour, particularly increased redness, swelling and an increased tendency to bleed, suggests an inflammation that is possibly due to the accumulation of bacterial plaque. “Thus, you should see your dentist immediately if you notice that your gums bleed during brushing or flossing, are red, swollen or tender or have pulled away from your teeth,” How advises. Cavity or tooth decay is a disease where bacterial processes progressively break down and damage the hard tooth structure, producing holes in the teeth, also known as dental caries. “Today, caries remain one of the most common diseases throughout the world, and if left untreated will lead to pain, tooth loss, infection and in the most severe cases, death,” says How. He also explains that brushing twice daily using toothpaste with fluoride is considered to be the most effective use of fluoride in controlling dental caries. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY as for bad breath or halitosis, How reveal that, in most cases, it originates in the mouth itself, while the intensity differs during the day due to eating certain foods, obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption. “The most common location for mouth-related halitosis is the tongue, where tongue bacteria accounts for 80 to 90 percent of all cases of mouth-related bad breath,” he says. Lastly, How advises that the all people should take responsibility for their own oral hygiene by brushing, rinsing with antiseptic mouthwash, flossing and tongue scraping regularly, along with professional dental check-ups twice a year. These actions are effective in penetrating the bacteria plaque and reaching out to generally inaccessible periodontal pockets. NEW PURPLE LISTERINE Also, it is important to only choose and use suitable dental products which display the Malaysian Dental Association s Seal of Acceptance, which is the symbol of a product s safety and effectiveness. “In the absence of any inflammation, caries or periodontitis, the teeth and gums will be healthy and the breath will naturally be fresh,” he said. meanwhile, Managing Director of Johnson & Johnson Sdn. Bhd., Joyce Lee, said that the latest purple-coloured Listerine s variant represent it s most advanced and complete mouthwash. “It is proven to deliver six superior benefits by combining essential oils to kill up to 99.9 percent of oral bacteria and maintain cleaner and healthier gums and teeth, fluoride for strengthening teeth surfaces, zinc chloride to reduce plaque build-up and keep teeth naturally white,” she said. — BERNAMA

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One of the most common dental conditions in Beaverton OR Dental Office is plaque-induced gingivitis. Gingivitis is often evidenced by swollen gums (or “gingiva”) that nearly look like they will bleed sooner or later. Becoming a periodontal illness, gingivitis destroys gum tissues that surround and support the teeth – also taking the collateral damage are the periodontal ligaments and also the tooth sockets. Unattended and untreated gingivitis may result in a more extreme situation called “periodontitis”, which frequently leads to the loosening of teeth and eventually, sudden tooth loss.

Symptoms of gingivitis include:

1. Swollen gums, tender and reddish/blackish gums.

2. Bleeding gums (attempt softly brushing your teeth and examine your toothbrush for blood).

3. Pus (or in health-related terms, abscess) around the teeth.

4. Bad breath or halitosis

5. Yellowish teeth caused by tartar buildup

6. Bitter sense of taste

8. Regular gum ulcers

More than time, big deposits of plaque will accumulate in the teeth if 1 doesn’t brush regularly. Plaque, in its pure form, is really a transparent, sticky materials comprised of all the dirt accumulated in the mouth as we consume. when that plaque hardens, it becomes tartar or “calculus”. Teeth with tartar are obviously distinct from healthy teeth because with the yellow/brownish pigmentation of tartar-stricken teeth. and elimination of tartar is no easy job – a Parsippany NJ Dental Office will have to scrape it off entirely. but the great news is that plaque buildup can easily be prevented by brushing and flossing the teeth to rid the mouth of meals debris and bacteria.

But plaque doesn’t exclusively trigger gingivitis.

Other medical conditions might set off the onset of the periodontal illness:

1. Poorly fitted mouth braces, dentures, amalgam/composite fillings and other dental appliances.

2. Puberty – around the onset of the menstrual cycle for females

3. Pregnancy – because of body’s radical hormonal response to dental plaque

4. Diabetes – due to insufficient blood sugar control and blood regulation.

5. Leukemia – because of the body’s weakened state of blood regulation, it can’t effortlessly fight bacteria buildup in the teeth.

6. Malnutrition – triggers a chain impact of other medical conditions brought on by vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

7. Scurvy – often caused by little or no vegetables and fruit in one’s diet.

8. Pellagra – brought on by Vitamin B3 deficiency. Niacin will be the one accountable in regulating hormones and blood circulation.

The most proven ways to prevent gingivitis and to bring back again your gums back again to their as soon as healthy state is by:

1. Brush your teeth on a daily foundation. Use toothpastes with higher concentrations of fluoride.

2. Floss in between your teeth after you’re done brushing.

3. Gargle with dentist-recommended mouthwash to prevent plaque buildup and to remove bacteria.

4. Do not smoke. Smoking compromises nearly each and every major physique organ as well as the skeletal structure.

5. Reduce alcohol consumption.

6. Avoid consuming sugary meals and junk foods.

And much more importantly, see your Austin Dentist a minimum of twice a year to know what other sorts of preventive actions you can incorporate into your oral hygiene. Gingivitis is an unsightly situation, so 1 ought to always be protective of his/her teeth and gums and always follow the dentist’s guidance.

Tags: Beaverton OR Cosmetic Dentist, Beaverton OR Dental Office, Beaverton OR Dentist, dental, Dentits

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 at 10:08 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.