Tobacco use and smoking is harmful to both your oral health and over all health care. Many studies have been done show links to smoking and gum disease.  According to recent studies they have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. In addition, following periodontal treatment or any type of oral surgery, the chemicals in tobacco can slow down the healing process and make the treatment results less predictable.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham, UK, led by Dr. Ben Scheven, Dr. Wendy Leadbeater and Ben Mead have discovered that stem cells isolated from the teeth, termed dental pulp stem cells (DPSC), can protect retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from death following injury and promote regeneration of their axons along the optic nerve.

You can have gum disease without any clear symptoms.  That is why seeing your dentist at least twice a year for dental checkups and periodontal exams is important in order to maintain good oral health. There are however many warning signs that can signal a problem with the health of your gums. Therefore if your notice any of the below symptoms you should see your dentist right away.

1) Red, Swollen or Tender Gums.
2) Gums that bleed while brushing or flossing your teeth.
3) Consistent bad breath.
4) Loose or separating teeth
5) Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
6) Changes in the way your teeth fit together when you bit.

According to a new study from Colorado School of Public Health shows that despite some modest improvements, poor oral health remains a major problem in the Navajo Nation and among American Indians overall.

Terrence Batliner, DDS, MBA, associate director of the Center for Native Oral Health Research at the School of Public Health, stated that: “The oral health among Native Americans is abysmal with more than three times the disease of the rest of the country and that the number one problem is access to care.”

The study, published recently in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry, showed that 69.5 percent of Navajo children had untreated tooth decay. While that’s better than the 82.9 percent in 1999, it’s still unacceptably high.

The fact is the cost of dentures will very depending on may factors such as what type of dentures, do you have dental insurance, state and where you live etc. Here are some typical cost ranges for dentures.

Basic Denture:  A basic set of denture start at around $300 to $500 per plate (uppers/lowers) or $600 – $1000 for full set (both uppers and Lowers)   Mid Range Denture: Mid range denture start at around $500 – $1500 per plate or $1000 – $3000 per set

Premium Dentures:  Premium Dentures start at around $2000 – $4000 per plant or $4000 – $8000 per set.  If you have dental insurance it may help you with the cost of dentures if dentures are determine to be medically necessary.   Each denture type comes with different benefits and warranties. Talk to your dentist in order to determine which is best for you and your dental care needs.

A retrospective study conducted by researchers at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and colleagues reports that among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the likelihood of having cavities decreased as the number of years receiving dental care increased. The findings, published in the July/August issue of Special Care in Dentistry, may help improve interventions designed to address the oral health of individuals in this population.

There are many factors that can cause your gums to be sore.  Some of these factors include inflammation due to plaque on teeth, Canker sore, Gingivitis, Periodontitis, Dry mouth, and Poor dental hygiene. Other less common causes for sore gums can include a variety of conditions that may irritate the gums such as misaligned teeth, rough edges of fillings, and ill-fitting or unclean mouth appliances Sore Gums.

Inflammatory diseases can occur simultaneously in distinct sites in the same patient, complicating treatment because a medication effective for one disorder may exacerbate the other. One such example is the anti-arthritic medication dexamethasone, which alleviates joint disease but can worsen periodontal bone disease. A study in the August issue of The American Journal of Pathology highlights the effects of a new class of anti-arthritic drugs, specifically DTrp8-ɣMSH (DTrp), that acts via the melanocortin (MC) system to reduce both arthritic joint inflammation and periodontitis.

It is important to be extra vigilant with your oral health over the Christmas holidays. It is not how much sugary food and drink we consume during the holidays but, how often we have these types of treats. If you think about how much is consumed, and how often, particularly over Christmas, your teeth do not really get the chance to recover.

There is nothing good that comes from poor dental hygiene.  By not brushing your teeth or by not brushing regularly, bacteria, plaque and mineral deposits will start to build up on your teeth. This will progress into causing many dental issues such as cavities, gingivitis, gum disease, infections, loss of teeth, and yes even death.

More than 80 per cent of oral health patients are willing to receive rapid HIV-testing in dental settings, which could help reduce the spread of the HIV according to a groundbreaking study revealed at a Sydney University HIV Testing Symposium.

In previous post we talk about what dental tartar was and now it can effect your teeth and gums.  However there are ways to prevent tartar build up and that starts with you at home.

1) Brush your teeth correctly.  Note a quick 30 second brushing in the morning and night is not good enough. You want to brush your teeth for at least two minutes.  Use a soft bristle brush that can easily reach all areas in your mouth. Be sure to brush those are to reach surfaces that are behind your teeth and rear molars.

2) According to some studies electronic or powered toothbrushes may be more effective then manual toothbrushes in removing dental plaque. Though regardless of your choice of toothbrush make sure to choose a toothbrush with the ADA seal of approval.

3) Pick a toothpaste that is tartar-control and with fluoride.

4) Do not forget to FLOSS.  Regardless of how diligent you may brush your teeth brushing if you are not flossing you are only doing half the job needed to keep your teeth and gums healthy.  Flossing daily will remove the plaque between your teeth and prevent tartar formation in these difficult-to-reach areas.

5) No Smoking. According to studies done people who smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products are more likely to have tartar on their teeth and under their gums.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered that stem cells inside the soft tissues of the tooth come from an unexpected source, namely nerves. These findings are now being published in the journal Nature and contribute to brand new knowledge of how teeth are formed, how they grow and how they are able to self-repair.

Once dental tartar forms on teeth it makes it more difficult for you to be able to brush and floss effectively. When this is the case, the acids released by the bacteria in your mouth are more likely to brake down your tooth enamel. Which then leads to tooth decay.

Tartar that forms above the gum line is even more serious.  That is because the bacteria it harbors may start to irritate and damage your gums. Given time this can lead into gingivitis which is the initial stages of gum disease. Gingivitis can usually be stopped and reversed with careful brushing, flossing and by having regular professional dental cleanings.

If gingivitis goes untreated gum disease will start to develop. Gum disease will have serious consequences if left untreated.  Studies have shown that bacteria in gum disease may contribute to heart disease as well as other health conditions.

According to a new study, it found that only one in ten smokers who visited a dentist in the US received advice to quit.

The US Public Health Service (PHS) developed the Tobacco Use and Dependence Clinical Practice Guideline, recommending that all healthcare providers (HCPs) promote tobacco cessation to all patients.

Your mouth has three major pairs of salivary glands. The Parotid, Sublingual and Submandibular Glands, as well as many smaller glands. Salivary glands produce and secrete saliva. In addition to helping you swallow and digest food, saliva promotes oral health by: Flushing food away from your mouth, Stopping acids that can attack tooth enamel,Replenishing minerals in tooth enamel and by Killing or reducing disease-causing organisms

Your tongue is needed for many functions such as speaking and move food for chewing and swallowing. Small bumps called papillae cover your tongue’s upper surface. Your taste buds are located in the papillae. These taste buds allow you to enjoy specific tastes, such as bitter, sour, salty and sweet.   However did you know your tongue also plays a role in oral health. Food particles can stick to your tongue, causing bad breath and promoting tooth decay. To take good care of your tongue, simply brush your tongue whenever you brush your teeth.

Tooth loss from caries and periodontal disease is an outcome from complex, chronic conditions. Several biopsychosocial factors are involved, including accessing care. Individuals reporting dental anxiety may avoid dental care; and individuals with depression may be negligent in self-care. In this study, researchers examined a potential association of tooth loss with depression and anxiety.

Your gums surround your teeth. They help hold your teeth in place. In order to keep your gums healthy, you need to practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth at least twice a day, floss your teeth once a day and making sure to have regular dental visits. If your gums become red and swollen or bleed easily, they could be infected. This is known as gingivitis. Prompt treatment can help restore good oral health. Left untreated, gingivitis can progress to severe gum disease (periodontitis) and possible tooth loss.

Community water fluoridation (CWF) and other fluoride modalities historically have been and remains the cornerstone for the prevention and control of dental caries. There is extensive evidence on the efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of these interventions as well as assessments of the risks associated with fluoride ingestion. In 2006, the National Research Council identified severe fluorosis as the only documented health effect of fluoride at 2 – 4 mg/L in drinking water. Concentrations recommended for CWF and current dosage schedules for other modalities ensure safety. Systematic reviews on fluorides have identified gaps in knowledge or the need to replicate some of the previous studies under current widespread use of fluorides.