Category: Dentistry

Dentistry

Dentistry

Is There an Association Between Body Mass Index and Periodontal Disease?

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Yes, according to a new study.

This study evaluated the association between body mass index (BMI) and periodontal condition in a population of Brazilian women. A hospital convenience sample of 594 eligible women was recruited from a women’s health reference center of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Four groups were formed considering BMI levels: BMI normal group (n = 352), overweight (n = 54), obesity level I (n = 48), obesity level II (n = 56), and obesity level III (n = 74). Full-mouth periodontal examination was performed and biological, demographic, and behavioral risk variables were evaluated. Obese and overweight women showed statistically significant differences in bleeding on probing, probing depth and clinical attachment level ≥4 mm, and frequency of periodontitis (p < 0.05) compared to women showing normal BMI. The final multivariate model for the occurrence of periodontitis revealed that obesity groups were significantly associated with periodontitis. In addition, age (25-45), smoking, diabetes, and hypertension remained significantly associated with the occurrence of periodontitis (p < 0.05). Periodontitis was positively associated with obesity, and this association was more evident as obesity levels increases. These findings indicate the need for early diagnosis and the inclusion of periodontal care in health care programs for obese women.

Periodontal disease is looking like another complication related to obesity.

So, please, watch your diet and exercise regularly.

Your body will really thank you for your diligence.

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Dentistry

Do Licorice Lollipops Reduce Tooth Decay?

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Well, they can reduce the bacteria that lead to dental caries (tooth decay) according to a new study.

Sugar-free lollipops containing licorice root extract significantly reduced the bacteria that causes tooth decay, specifically among pre-school children with high-risk of tooth decay, according to a recent study published in the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

The study, funded by the Research and Data Institute of the affiliated companies of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, New Mexico and North Carolina, analyzed 66 preschool students ages 2 to 5 enrolled in a Head Start Program in Lansing, Mich. For three weeks, each student received an orange-flavored, sugarless lollipop for 10 minutes, twice daily.

Researchers said they were motivated to conduct the survey by the high number of children who face dental decay and cavities. According to Jed Jacobson D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H., chief science officer at Delta Dental, dental decay is one of the most common childhood diseases, with more than half of children ages 5 to 17 having had at least one cavity or filling.

“We are working to find simple, effective regimens that will encourage prevention and control of dental disease,” he said.

Study results showed a significant reduction in Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), the primary bacteria responsible for tooth decay, during the three-week period when the lollipops were being used and lasting for an additional 22 days before beginning to rebound.

If this works, why not?

But, the task may be to get the children to suck on the licorice versus chocolate or other caries causing candy.

The lollipops, manufactured by Dr. John’s Candies of Grand Rapids, Mich., were developed using FDA-approved materials by Dr. Wenyuan Shi, a microbiologist at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA), and C3 Jian, Inc., a research and development company in California.

There are approximately 700 types of bacteria in the human mouth. While most are harmless, S. mutans is considered the primary culprit in tooth decay. They live in a biofilm (plaque) that adheres to the teeth, consume sugar and release acid that erodes tooth enamel, causing decay. Regular brushing and flossing, along with dental checkups, can help keep S. mutans and Lactobacillus casei in check.

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Dentistry

Clifton O. Dummett, D.D.S. R.I.P.

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Dr. Clifton O. Dummett

I am very sorry that I missed Dr. Dummett’s passing a few days ago.

Clifton O. Dummett, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, passed away at the age of 92 on September 7, 2011.

Born in Georgetown, British Guyana on May 20, 1919, Dummett studied at Howard and Roosevelt Universities before earning his DDS from Northwestern University in 1941. He went on to earn masters degrees in periodontics and public health from Northwestern and the University of Michigan, respectively.

Before arriving at USC in 1966, Dummett became Dean of the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in 1947 (at age 28, then the youngest dean ever in the U.S.) before working with the Veterans Administration in Tuskegee, Alabama. In 1955, Dummett enlisted in the Air Force, serving for 24 years; upon his retirement in 1979 he had earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was awarded the Certificate of Merit. An unyielding advocate for social justice and equality for all people, it was his resolution in the American Dental Association House of Delegates that led to the lifting of restrictive membership within the organization. He also served the National Dental Association for 22 years as editor in chief and authored the book that recounted the history of the organization.

At the Ostrow School of Dentistry, Dummett taught dental history and led the Community Dentistry department. An internationally acclaimed author and researcher, he wrote hundreds of articles on dental history, public health issues, social and community issues, and more. His perspective on the importance of dentists’ ability to be sensitive to the needs of all people was at first controversial, but was gradually embraced by dental institutions throughout the nation – with USC emerging as a leader in the field of Community Dentistry.

I will never forget Dr. Dummett as he welcomed me and my fellow students at USC Dental School to his Community Dentistry class.

“Good morning, doctors.”

An outstanding Professor of Dentistry, a warm human being and a credit to our profession.

Dr. Dummett, Rest In Peace and thank you for making a difference in all of our lives.

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Dentistry

Poll Watch: Massachusetts and Connecticut Lead America in Dentist Visits

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According to the latest Gallup Poll.

Three in four Massachusetts residents say they visited a dentist in the last 12 months, a higher rate than in any other state in the nation. Those living in Mississippi were least likely to say they go to the dentist, followed by Louisiana and West Virginia residents.

These state-level data, collected as part of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, are from January through June 2011 and encompass more than 177,000 interviews conducted among national adults, aged 18 and older. Nationwide, an average of 65% of all American adults say they visited a dentist in the last 12 months during this time period, essentially unchanged from past years.

Here is the chart for the most and least dentist visit states:

And, not surprisingly, there is a relationship between having dental insurance and a dentist visit.

Here is the chart:

So, what does this all mean?

There are regional disparities in visiting the dentist. Any programs designed for dental health education will need to be tailored with these regional and perhaps cultural differences in mind.

Poor oral care can lead to many potential negative health outcomes. When combined with other risk factors, poor oral health can be linked to heart disease, stroke, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes, among others. Maternal periodontal disease, too, has been linked to preterm births.

The range in good oral health behaviors across the 50 states is considerable and may be indicative of several factors, including household income. Having health insurance coverage — which is related to income — also appears to be a critical factor in dental visits. However, it should be noted that the Well-Being Index only confirms whether a respondent has health insurance, not dental insurance. Based on the Well-Being Index data, a 10-percentage-point increase in the percentage of Americans with health insurance could mean as much as a 6-point increase in the percentage who visit the dentist each year, with a potentially considerable positive effect on many of the negative health outcomes associated with poor oral health.

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Dentistry

Study: Sugar-Free Polyol Gum, Lozenges and Hard Candy Help Prevent Dental Caries

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Spry Sugar-Free Gum

The study also finds that nonfluoride varnishes also help prevent dental decay.

A multi-disciplinary expert panel, convened by the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Scientific Affairs, issued a report this month containing clinical recommendations that sugar-free chewing gum, lozenges and hard candy including xylitol or polyol combinations, and a prescription varnish with chlorhexidine and thymol could be beneficial in preventing cavities when used as adjuncts to a comprehensive cavity prevention program which includes the use of fluoride-containing products.

The panel noted in its report that these nonfluoride options could provide an extra benefit to prevent cavities in patients at high risk for developing cavities when used in addition to products such as toothpaste, dental sealants and varnishes that contain fluoride as well as community water fluoridation and good eating habits.

The full report is available on the ADA’s Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry (EBD) website (http://ebd.ada.org/). The executive summary of the report is published in the September issue of The Journal for the American Dental Association. The clinical recommendations from the expert panel were reviewed and approved by the ADA’s Council on Scientific Affairs.

What are the exact recommendations?

  • In addition to a comprehensive cavity-prevention program which includes the use of fluoride, the scientific panel recommended that clinicians consider applying a mixture of cholrhexidine-thymol varnish to the teeth of high-risk adults and the elderly every three months to reduce cavities developing in the root of the tooth.
  • The panel encouraged clinicians to consider advising parents and caregivers of healthy children older than 5 years who are at higher risk for cavities to chew sugar-free polyol gum after meals for 10 to 20 minutes to prevent cavities.

A polyol is a low-calorie sweetener such as xylitol, sorbitol or mannitol, which is not broken down by the bacteria in the mouth and therefore does not contribute to tooth decay. The panel also recommended that sucking xylitol-containing sugar-free lozenges or hard candy after meals may reduce cavities in children.

Fair enough and certainly cheap enough that most patients can avail themselves of the protocol.

Application of the varnish in adults could be an access to care issue, however, since it will have to be done in a clinical setting.

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