Dried Licorice Root Fights the Bacteria That Cause Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Scientists are reporting identification of two substances in licorice -- used extensively in Chinese traditional medicine -- that kill the major bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, the leading causes of tooth loss in children and adults. In a study in ACS' Journal of Natural Products, they say that these substances could have a role in treating and preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

---

Stefan Gafner and colleagues explain that the dried root of the licorice plant is a common treatment in Chinese traditional medicine, especially as a way to enhance the activity of other herbal ingredients or as a flavoring. Despite the popularity of licorice candy in the U.S., licorice root has been replaced in domestic candy with anise oil, which has a similar flavor. Traditional medical practitioners use dried licorice root to treat various ailments, such as respiratory and digestive problems, but few modern scientific studies address whether licorice really works. (Consumers should check with their health care provider before taking licorice root because it can have undesirable effects and interactions with prescription drugs.) To test whether the sweet root could combat the bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities, the researchers took a closer look at various substances in licorice.

For full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120104115106.htm

Website supported by www.aces4ce.com
ACES is the world's leader in providing live webcast dental continuing education

Disclaimer

Content on this blog are for informational purposes only, is neither intended to and does not establish a standard of care, and is not a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ACES is not responsible for information on external websites linked to this website.

Premature Children Have Smaller Teeth

The size of teeth in premature children is smaller than that of children who were full-term, according to a study by the Faculty of Odontology at Malmö University in Sweden.

---

Our knowledge about premature children, and their physical and mental development as they grow up, is constantly growing. In recent years several studies of children's dental health have been published by researchers at the Faculty of Odontology in Malmö. Liselotte Paulsson-Björnsson, a specialist in orthodontics, has studied 80 children born before week 33 of pregnancy.

"We have examined how their teeth are developing and, among other things, we've looked at their bites. We've also checked their need for orthodontic adjustments and found that it is greater than in the control group, children born at full term," she says.

For full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027082747.htm

Website supported by www.aces4ce.com
ACES is the world's leader in providing live webcast dental continuing education

Disclaimer

Content on this blog are for informational purposes only, is neither intended to and does not establish a standard of care, and is not a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ACES is not responsible for information on external websites linked to this website.

Unhealthy Gums Increase Risk of Premature Delivery

Gum disease can do more than affecting just your gums. It can increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and premature delivery. The following is the conclusion arrived at a conference on periodontal disease, held at New York.

Participants at the conference highlighted the accumulating evidence regarding increased risk of serious illness in association with gum disease. They further reflected the need for a collaborative work between both dentists and medical health professionals.


Read more: Unhealthy Gums Increase Risk Of Premature Delivery | MedIndia http://www.medindia.net/news/view_news_main.asp?x=8099#ixzz1ihBajqHi

Website supported by www.aces4ce.com
ACES is the world's leader in providing live webcast dental continuing education

Disclaimer

Content on this blog are for informational purposes only, is neither intended to and does not establish a standard of care, and is not a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ACES is not responsible for information on external websites linked to this website.

DNA Vaccines Show Promise in Preventing Dental Caries

In a report on a preclinical investigation titled "Flagellin Enhances Saliva Ig A Response and Protection of Anti-caries DNA Vaccine," lead author Wei Shi, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and his team of researchers demonstrate that anti-caries DNA vaccines, including pGJA-P/VAX, are promising for preventing dental caries. However, challenges remain because of the low immunogenicity of DNA vaccines.

In this study, Shi and team used recombinant flagellin protein derived from Salmonella as mucosal adjuvant for anti-caries DNA vaccine (pGJA-P/VAX) and analyzed the effects of Salmonella protein on the serum surface protein immunoglobulin G and saliva surface protein immunoglobulin A antibody responses, the colonization of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) on rodent teeth, and the formation of caries lesions. The results showed that Salmonella promoted the production of surface protein immunoglobulin G in serum and secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva of animals by intranasal immunization with pGJA-P/VAX plus Salmonella.

This study is published in the Journal of Dental Research, the official publication of the International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR).

For full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111025143526.htm

Website supported by www.aces4ce.com
ACES is the world's leader in providing live webcast dental continuing education

Disclaimer

Content on this blog are for informational purposes only, is neither intended to and does not establish a standard of care, and is not a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ACES is not responsible for information on external websites linked to this website.

Teeth Crowded in Seniors, as Jaws Shrink

The size of our jaws decreases with age. This is shown in a unique study from the Faculty of Dentistry at Malmö University that followed a cohort of dentists throughout their adult lives.

---

The unique study started in 1949. Plaster molds were made of the jaws of dental students, who were then in their twenties. Ten years later the procedure was repeated, and in 1989, forty years after the first molds, a final round was performed. On that occasion the researchers were in touch with 18 of the original 30 participants.

"We found that over these forty years there was less and less room for teeth in the jaw," says Lars Bondemark, professor of orthodontics, who analyzed the material together with his colleague Maria Nilner, professor of clinical bite physiology at the College of Dentistry, Malmö University.

Full article at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111031114809.htm

Website supported by www.aces4ce.com
ACES is the world's leader in providing live webcast dental continuing education

Disclaimer

Content on this blog are for informational purposes only, is neither intended to and does not establish a standard of care, and is not a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ACES is not responsible for information on external websites linked to this website.

Bad dental health can lead to pneumonia

The Dental Health Foundation has warned that poor oral hygiene could cause the respiratory infection after research found a link between bacteria in the mouth and the lung disease.

Dr Samit Joshi of Yale University School of Medicine found changes in bacteria in the mouth preceded the development of pneumonia.

He concluded that this process “suggests that changes in oral bacteria play a role in the risk for developing pneumonia".

Pneumonia is thought to affect more than 620,000 people in the UK and claims the lives of around five per cent of those who contract the disease.

Although further research is required to determine the exact relationship between oral health and pneumonia, it is not the first time the two diseases have been linked.

For full article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8979191/Bad-dental-health-can-lead-to-pneumonia-Yale-study-suggests.html

Website supported by www.aces4ce.com
ACES is the world's leader in providing live webcast dental continuing education

Disclaimer

Content on this blog are for informational purposes only, is neither intended to and does not establish a standard of care, and is not a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ACES is not responsible for information on external websites linked to this website.

Anticoagulant Patients - Changes to Tooth Extraction

It has been recommended that patients with cardiovascular problems undergoing tooth extraction should be given extra treatment to prevent excessive bleeding.

Problems arise with such patients due to the anticoagulant medication thinning the blood, which can lead to a higher risk of bleeding during tooth removal procedures.

The ‘Journal of Oral Implantology’ carried out research to study the effectives of leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin material, which is often used by dentists to enhance healing in dental tissue.

For full article: http://www.cosmeticdentistryguide.co.uk/news/changes-to-tooth-extraction-for-anticoagulant-patients-9373

Website supported by www.aces4ce.com
ACES is the world's leader in providing live webcast dental continuing education

Disclaimer

Content on this blog are for informational purposes only, is neither intended to and does not establish a standard of care, and is not a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ACES is not responsible for information on external websites linked to this website.

Oral Cancer Screenings

According to a new study in the oral cancer field, more and more patients are asking for mouth cancer checkups in the dental offices.

As many as 88% of dental patients want to have their mouth checked for possible signs that indicate cancerous complications.

However, it has also been reported that only as little as 14% of dental patients say that their dentist has informed them about the symptoms and risks of oral cancer disease.

Even though 90% of the dentists check their patient’s mouth for possible oral cancer signs, very few of them actually discuss this particular issue with their patients directly.

For full article: http://worldental.org/dental-news/dental-patients-cancer-screenings/5381/

Website supported by www.aces4ce.com
ACES is the world's leader in providing live webcast dental continuing education

Disclaimer

Content on this blog are for informational purposes only, is neither intended to and does not establish a standard of care, and is not a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ACES is not responsible for information on external websites linked to this website.

Laser Treatment for Gum Disease

If you’ve got periodontal disease and are dreading the gum grafts or suturing, there is now a less painful way of dealing with the problem. The dentist can use a laser to remove any bacteria and diseased tissue and this may mean less bleeding, swelling and pain for the patient.

The laser is also used to close up "pockets" by sealing the gums to the teeth. The procedure is done with a local anaesthetic.

Laser therapy is safe when used correctly and was approved by the FDA in 2004, so if you are considering having this done, choose a dentist who has experience in this technique.

Laser Therapy May Help Re-grow Gum Tissue

Research carried out at Louisiana State University found that the laser treated gums showed evidence of growing new connective tissue in six patients who had undergone the procedure. All six patients had one tooth treated via laser and one tooth treated by scalpel and suturing.

For full article: http://www.empowher.com/dental-amp-oral-health/content/laser-treatment-gum-disease

Website supported by www.aces4ce.com
ACES is the world's leader in providing live webcast dental continuing education

Disclaimer

Content on this blog are for informational purposes only, is neither intended to and does not establish a standard of care, and is not a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ACES is not responsible for information on external websites linked to this website.

Periodontal Disease Puts Elderly at Risk for Kidney Problems

Older adults with more gum inflammation are at risk for kidney problems, Japanese researchers say.

The study included 317 people. They were all 75 years old. At the start of the study, each person had an oral exam. The researchers calculated how much of each person's gum tissue was inflamed.

People with periodontal disease have inflammation of the gums. This is the body's reaction to bacteria in the plaque that builds up on teeth below the gum line.

The people were followed for 2 years. During that time, 45 of them developed kidney problems.

Full article at: http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.32571/t.32571/pr.3/d.dmtNewsContent/c.1415718.html

Website supported by www.aces4ce.com
ACES is the world's leader in providing live webcast dental continuing education

Disclaimer

Content on this blog are for informational purposes only, is neither intended to and does not establish a standard of care, and is not a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ACES is not responsible for information on external websites linked to this website.