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The Mystery of Gum Disease

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Countless people throughout the U.S. and around the world are afflicted each and every year with periodontitis, or gum disease. Although there are several procedures that dentists and dental surgeons can use to fight the condition, there has never been an effective antibiotic developed to help cure gum disease.

The reason is simple – scientists have not been able to understand exactly which bacteria are responsible for causing periodontitis. Until they solve that mystery, an effective antibiotic can’t be developed.

Fortunately, experts have made some progress in this field. A recent study conducted by specialists at Ohio State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that as many as 200 different species of bacteria may exist under 20 different variants within the human mouth. No wonder gum disease has been such a mystery!

During the study, experts collected DNA samples from a healthy human mouth and were able to successfully sequence the bacterium. Named Tannerella BUO63, the newly sequenced bacterium is closely related to another known pathogenic species called Tannerella forsythia, which plays a role in causing gum disease. Scientists were then able to compare the two bacteriums and identify genetic differences.

This kind of research may sound a little complicated to most of us, but the important thing to remember is this: scientists are continuing to study the causes of periodontitis in an effort to more effectively treat this condition in the future. Who knows? Maybe gum disease won’t always be such a mystery after all!

 

 

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140305125146.htm

What Causes Bleeding Gums?

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gums
If you suffer from swollen, tender or bleeding gums, the cause could be as simple as poor oral hygiene.

However, it’s important not to ignore this problem.

While the cause may be quite simple, it could also be an indication of other more serious problems.

Here are a few possible reasons for bleeding gums:

• Lack of oral hygiene – If you don’t brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis, you may start to collect bacteria inside your mouth. Left untreated, the bacteria can lead to infection, and an infection in your mouth can lead to other more serious infections elsewhere in your body.

• Poor diet – If you overindulge in foods that are starchy or filled with sugar, you’ll be more likely to develop problems with your teeth and gums. If your diet is lacking in vitamins, that can also negatively impact your oral health.

• Diabetes – If you suffer from diabetes, you are more prone to developing problems with your teeth and gums. The cause is usually chronic high blood pressure and lack of proper oral hygiene.

• Pregnancy – When a woman is pregnant, it’s common for her body to look for additional sources of calcium, which are often found in the teeth. For that reason, it’s typical for pregnant women to experience more problems with their teeth and gums.

• Medicines – Some medication, particularly blood thinners, can result in bleeding gums.

If you’re experiencing bleeding gums, it’s important to tell your dentist about the problem. He or she can examine your mouth and have a discussion with you in an effort to determine the root cause of the problem.

Source: http://blog.periosciences.com/what-causes-bleeding-gums/

Losing teeth (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotologic/2584900904/) / CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

Non-Surgical Treatments for Periodontal Disease

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keep your teeth clean 2013 Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a problem that is all too common in the U.S. In fact, a recent study by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) concluded that half of all adults aged 30 and over in the U.S. suffer from gum disease.

If you’re one of those people, and if your disease has progressed to a certain point, surgery may be required in order to repair the damage to your gums. Fortunately, surgery isn’t always necessary.

If you’re in the early stages of periodontal disease, your dentist may recommend non-surgical methods to stop the progression of the disease and return your gums to a healthy condition.

Non-Surgical Options

  • Regular dental cleanings:Your dentist may recommend a schedule of regular dental cleanings if you’re in the early stages of gum disease. These regular cleanings will remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line. Most dentists recommend that people without gum disease have their teeth cleaned twice a year. But if you suffer from the early stages of periodontal disease, your dentist will probably recommend that you have your teeth cleaned more often.
  • Scaling and root planing:More advanced stages of gum disease may require scaling and root planing. This procedure, done under a local anesthetic, removes plaque and tartar both above and below the gum line. Rough spots on teeth are smoothed (or planed) during the process. This procedure is usually recommended for people with tartar buildup under the gums.

If you suffer from gum disease, talk to your dentist about which treatment may be right for you.

Source: WebMD http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/gum-disease-treatments

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Why Periodontal Disease Causing Bacteria Must Be Caught Early

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Periodontal Disease - Oral bacteria - Flossing Bacteria, known as Porphyromonas gingivalis, that causes periodontal gum disease alters the body’s immune system, which shuts down the normal functions in place that would otherwise kill the bacteria, according to new research from the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Alabama in Birhingham.

“Since greater than 50 percent of the U.S. population over 50 years-of-age develop adult periodontal disease, we hope that the results of our study will ultimately help in the development of novel treatments that could prevent or ameliorate the chronic infection caused by the pathogen P. gingivalis,'” said Jannet Katz, D.D.S., Ph.D., a researcher involved in the study.

Gum diseases, like periodontal disease, and the infections that cause them are often immensely troublesome to treat. Now, this new study, and other similar research, reveals just how problematic these bacteria are because they extend beyond the body’s built-in defenses, and actually manhandle our body’s immune system so they can survive, comments John Wherry, Ph.D., who is Deputy Editor of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, where the study is published.

The study findings highlight the importance early prevention of periodontal disease or swift intervention to eradicate the bacteria through customized treatment procedures or invention of a effective periodontal disease bacteria vaccine.

One out of every two adults in America over the age of 30 have periodontal disease, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For more information, continue reading the full article.

Photo by: Fío dental / Certo Xornal / CC BY 2.0

Can Periodontal Disease Be Stopped in its Tracks?

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Can Periodontal Disease Be Stopped in its Tracks? Periodontal disease is not a phrase that is as well known as gum disease, but it is a very common form of the problem, which occurs when the bacterial balance falls out of equilibrium. That is to say that when bad bacteria outweigh good bacteria in the mouth for an extended period of time, periodontal disease is allowed to spread. It causes inflammation, discomfort, and can even result in bone deterioration. If it is allowed to progress, it can even impact overall systemic health.

As scary as this dental problem is, there may be renewed hope of its prevention. A recent study utilizing lab mice allowed researchers to both thwart the disease all together and to stop its progression after diagnosis. The researchers were a team from the Department of Microbiology in Penn’s School of Dental Medicine, and they found it possible to block a molecular receptor that was a known target of the bacteria that cause periodontal disease.

The receptor, referred to as C5aR, was attacked by harmful bacteria, thereby stopping the immune response typical in a human body and increasing gum inflammation. Another set of receptors, referred to as TLRs, complement the C5aR response. In order to demonstrate the part that these receptors play in the formation of gum disease, the researchers injected molecules (known to activate C5aR and the TLRs) into the gums. It was noted that inflammation increased substantially, but when the researchers used a synthesized molecule, called C5aRA, they were able to stop 80% of the inflammation seen in typical periodontal disease and even in those mice already affected, they could reduce the swelling by 70%.

To better understand what this means to the dental community, continue reading the full article.

Photo by: Dr. Alan Carr points out the broken root or bad root canal of a right rear molar (tooth), dental tool, orthodontist’s office, full jaw Xray, Factoria, Washington, USA / Wonderlane / CC BY 2.0

Oral Bacteria Linked to Pancreatic Cancer

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As far as cancer goes, that found in the pancreas is considered one of the least favorable.

It has a high fatality rate due to the fact that it is difficult to diagnose in early stages. It accounts for more than forty thousand deaths each year, typically claiming patients within six months of their diagnoses.

If there were ways to predict the onset of pancreatic cancer, it could save many lives each year. A recent study provides such hope, as it discovered a link between certain oral bacteria and cancer of the pancreas.

It has been known for some time that there was some link between periodontal disease and pancreatic cancer, but this latest study, which was published in Gut suggests that detection of certain antibodies in the blood, tied to periodontal disease, could indicate the existence of cancer in the pancreas.

More than 800 adult participants provided blood samples in this study. Those samples were tested for antibodies linked to a bacterial strain known as Porphyromonas gingivalis.

The samples containing high levels of the antibodies demonstrated a two-fold risk for pancreatic cancer. This was followed by the study of detailed health histories and blood samples of 380 thousand participants, which came to the same conclusion.

This, of course, is not concrete evidence that the antibodies suggest cancer, as a weakened immune system could be the cause of both. However, it does point to a path scientists can follow for further information about a fatal condition.

Having headed the research, Jacques Izard and Dominique Michaud plan to continue their research.

For more information about what they have already discovered, keep reading the full article.

Blocking Bone Loss Caused by Gum Disease

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At the University of Louisville, an important discovery has been made that could change the practice of dentistry forever. With so many awful problems being continually linked to gum disease, experts in the field are on a frenzied hunt to find a solution to the problem – the swelling, the bone loss, and the bacterial spread.

Could it be that a single enzyme holds the answers?

David Scott, PhD declares that, at the very least, the problem of gum disease could be effectively treated to reduce swelling and bone loss, by simply blocking the signaling pathway of that sole enzyme.

Known as GSK3b, the enzyme plays a big role in inflammation after gum disease, as well as several other common disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Also on the list of patients who could benefit greatly from this finding are those diagnosed with Type II Diabetes and those with particular forms of cancer.

While the main course of preventative action for periodontal disease continues to be proper oral hygiene – brushing and flossing regularly – once present, it could be possible to stop the destruction of the disease by cutting the lines of communication between that area and the brain.

In particular, by inhibiting the tasks normally performed by the GSK3b enzyme, it is believed that bone loss could be prevented. The inhibitor, SB216763 is still under careful scrutiny to determine if there are any notable side-effects.

For more information on enzyme GSK3b and its role in gum disease, continue reading the full article.

Does Gum Disease Cause Heart Disease and Strokes?

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For some time now it has been thought that the bacteria responsible for periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, had the potential to seep through the blood stream and lead to an increased potential for heart disease or stroke.

However, that belief has no basis at this point in time.

A team of experts in cardiology and dental health came together to determine whether gum disease prevention could reduce one’s chances of developing heart disease or suffering a stroke later in life.

While the link between periodontal disease and heart disease is definitely evident, these studies found no apparent reason to believe that the gum disease caused the other condition. There is no data demonstrating that gum disease leads to atherosclerosis (narrowing of the blood vessels).

The members of the research team were quick to point out that there is a link, but that there are also many triggers common between the two conditions as well.

For instance, smokers are far more likely to suffer the problems with oral health and everyone knows that smoking can lead to many forms of heart disease, as well as stroke. Similarly, both conditions are linked to diabetes and are more often seen in people of a certain age.

Some also believe that the people more likely to take great care of their teeth and gums are the same that would be taking measures to defend against heart-related conditions.

While the data is non-conclusive at the moment, the team has not completely given up on the notion that one might be a cause for the other, but admit that a large, long-term study would be required to prove it.

To continue reading about the potential link and current data, visit the full article.

Men’s Health Week: Dental Care Tips for Men

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In the contest of men versus women, there is one area where women win hands down.

Just by being born male, a person is less likely to partake in proper oral health care. On average, men go to the dentist far less frequently than their female counterparts, with many having a habit of going only when a problem arises.

The average non-smoking male will lose at least five teeth before his seventy-second birthday. The use of tobacco bumps that number to a whopping twelve teeth.

Periodontal disease is a condition that many fail to pay respect to. When asked about their oral health status, many will recite the number of cavities they have had in their life or the fact that they have not yet had a tooth pulled.

However, there is more to oral health than decay.

The same bacteria responsible for cavities can also feed on the gums causing bleeding, persistent bad breath, and gaps in the gums. Ultimately, this condition can lead to tooth loss and has been linked to fatal health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease.

If a man chews or smokes, the likelihood that he will face serious oral health issues escalates exponentially. With a high risk of oral cancer already being present simply because of his sex, a man who chooses to use tobacco is asking for trouble. More than eight thousand people die as a result of oral cancer each year.

Is the risk really worth it?

If you care about the health of your teeth and your body, continue reading more tips about oral health for men.

How Bacteria Team Up to Cause Periodontal Disease

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Periodontal disease affects millions of people each year and, as a result, the dental community is always on the hunt for new ways to prevent the onset of the oral condition.

Understanding how it occurs was part of the battle, but as scientists learn more about how bacteria come together to create the wreckage, a proper form of prevention becomes clearer.

Oral bacteria known as Treponema denticola is often part of the equation that results in periodontal disease. It gangs up with others types of pathogenic bacteria to produce the plaque, which ultimately leads to the uncomfortable and dangerous condition.

Researchers from the University of Bristol have found that a particular molecule on the Treponema is responsible for forming the bond with other bacteria. Referred to as CTLP, it bonds to other oral bacteria.

Among other issues, the CTLP connection can reduce blood clotting, thus resulting in the continuous bleeding of the gums associated with periodontal disease.

Though a treatment has not yet been devised, understanding that CTLP would be a perfect target for dental professionals to attack is a great starting point. A compound is currently being created with the purpose of inhibiting the CTLP.

While the majority of people will not require the preventative treatment being proposed, those at high risk of oral infections would make the ideal candidates for this new inhibitor and preventing the cooperation of bacteria could mean vastly reduced risk of problems in the future, including tooth loss.

For more information about this oral bacteria study and the continued work, continue reading the full article concerning periodontal disease.