American Heart Association reports that it’s OK to limit pre-dental procedure Antibiotics to high risk Heart Patients

Dallas, TX – The incidence of infective endocarditis among dental patients in Olmsted County, MN did not increase after new guidelines called for giving preventive antibiotics before dental procedures only to those at greatest risk of complications, according to independent research published in Circulation, an American Heart Association journal.

Infective endocarditis Description: External link is a bacterial infection of the heart lining, heart valve or blood vessel.

For full article: http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2012/07/13/american-heart-association-reports-that-its-ok-to-limit-pre-dental-procedure-antibiotics-to-high-risk-heart-patients/

Oral Cancer Virus Associated With Gum Disease

After the discovery that severe gum disease can be associated with a higher risk of head and neck cancer cases caused by the Human Pailloma Virus (HPV), The British Dental Health Foundation aims to educate the public on good oral health. Researchers discovered that in comparison with patients with HPV-negative tumors, those with HPV-positive tumors had a considerably higher bone loss, which is a key element for developing severe gum disease.

According to the latest figures, over 6,000 people in the UK have oral cancer, a disease that claims nearly 2,000 lives. The incident rates of oral cancer due to HPV are increasing, with experts indicating that within a decade, HPV may rival tobacco use as the main cause for oral cancer. Other risk factors for oral cancer include smoking, excessive drinking and poor diet.

For full article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247497.php

Swimmers Risk Stained Smiles, Chipped Teeth

Competitive swimmers may be at risk for developing yellowish-brown or dark-brown stains on their teeth, reports the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education.

  

Athlete swimmers, who often swim laps more than six hours a week, expose their teeth to large amounts of chemically treated water. Pool water contains chemical additives like antimicrobials, which give the water a higher pH than saliva, causing salivary proteins to break down quickly and form organic deposits on swimmer's teeth.

 

For full article: http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=S&iid=331&aid=1324

The new discovery that cavity-proofs your teeth

Kiss the dental drill goodbye: A pair of scientists discovers a revolutionary molecule called Keep 32 that kills all the nasty germs responsible for tooth decay

posted on July 11, 2012, at 7:19 AM

 

Keep 32 is a molecule that fights off the bacteria that causes tooth decay. It could soon be added to toothpastes and candies to keep you out of the dentist chair.

If you'd sooner sit through another rendition of "Call Me Maybe" than visit the dentist office, take heart: Scientists have discovered a new molecule called Keep 32 that kills all the nasty cavity-causing germs in your mouth, thereby making your trips to the dreaded dental chair less frequent and less terrifying. Here, a brief guide to the breakthrough:

For full article: http://theweek.com/article/index/230341/the-new-discovery-that-cavity-proofs-your-teeth

New mouthwash targeting harmful bacteria may render tooth decay a thing of the past

A new mouthwash developed by a microbiologist at the UCLA School of Dentistry is highly successful in targeting the harmful Streptococcus mutans bacteria that is the principal cause tooth decay and cavities.

In a recent clinical study, 12 subjects who rinsed just one time with the experimental mouthwash experienced a nearly complete elimination of the S. mutans bacteria over the entire four-day testing period. The findings from the small-scale study are published in the current edition of the international dental journal Caries Research.

Full article at: http://www.dentistry.ucla.edu/news/new-mouthwash-targeting-harmful-bacteria-may-render-tooth-decay-a-thing-of-the-past

Does more dental plaque mean higher chances of dying from cancer?

By Denise Mann
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, June 12 (HealthDay News) -- The gnarly plaque lurking on your gums and teeth may increase your chances of dying from cancer, new research suggests.

Many studies have linked oral health to chronic illnesses such as heart disease. This latest research, however, suggests that people who have more plaque on their teeth and gums are more likely to die prematurely from cancer.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/18764762/does-more-dental-plaque-mean-higher-chances-of-dying-from-cancer

Screening For Alcohol Abuse At The Dentist's

In a report published in the April edition of the Royal College of Surgeon's Dental Journal, health experts warn that excessive alcohol consumption causes mouth cancer and dental disease. According to the experts, in order to tackle this as fast as possible, screening and treatment for alcohol abuse is critical.

The paper is entitled "Alcohol misuse: screening and treatment in primary dental care."

For full article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/243819.php