Feline Stem Cell Trial Holds Hope For Treating People With Oral Disease

Reuters (3/17, Gruber) reports that researchers at the University of California, Davis are using stem cell therapy to treat cats with feline chronic gingivostomatitis or FCGS, a debilitating, inflammatory mouth disease. The researchers hoped to reduce inflammation and promote tissue regeneration with stem cell therapy, and so far the feline patients are responding favorably to the treatment. According to the article, UC Davis is planning to conduct human trials using stem cell therapy for treatment of inflammatory mouth disease in the future.

Gum Disease Associated With Cognitive Deterioration In People With Alzheimer’s, Study Suggests

BBC News (UK) (3/10, Howell) reported that a small study, published in PLOS ONE, suggests a link between gum disease and “a greater rate of cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease.” The early stage research, led by the University of Southampton and King’s College London, involved “59 people who were all deemed to have mild to moderate dementia.” After tracking the participants for six months, the study found “the presence of gum disease – or periodontitis as it is known – was associated with a six-fold increase in the rate of cognitive decline.”

        The Independent (UK) (3/11, Gander) reported that the research “builds on previous evidence which has linked periodontitis with higher levels of inflammatory molecules associated with deteriorated mental health,” adding that the study suggested that “the body’s inflammatory response to gum disease could explain the link between gum disease and cognitive deterioration.”

Antibiotic Prophylaxis Indicated Prior To Dental Treatment For Select Patients

Consumer Reports (3/18, Carr) reported that “new guidelines call for fewer people to get antibiotics before a dental procedure.” The article noted that updated “treatment guidelines for dentists (3/20) now advise antibiotics before dental procedures for only a few types of patients such as those with artificial heart valves, a history that includes a heart infection, or who were born with certain serious heart defects.” The article added that this means antibiotics are not indicated for most patients prior to dental work.

        MouthHealthy.org provides additional information on antibiotic prophylaxis for heart patients. Additional information on antibiotic prophylaxis for dental patients with prosthetic joints and orthopedic implants is also available at MouthHealthy.org, which notes, “The American Dental Association has found it is no longer necessary for most dental patients with orthopedic implants to have antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infection.”

6 Ways to Reduce Your Child’s Sugary Snacking

March is National Nutrition Month. Many of your patients may know a healthy diet is essential to a healthy life, but how many know that eating right can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease? Small changes can make a big difference, so help your patients and their families start protecting their smiles at snacktime. Share these strategies with the parents in your practice.

Xerostomia Can Contribute To A Variety Of Oral Health ProblemsXerostomia Can Contribute To A Variety Of Oral Health Problems

In an article in the Pharmacy Times (2/10), clinical pharmacy writer Yvette C. Terrie discussed xerostomia, stating that “if left untreated, xerostomia can cause discomfort and contribute to halitosis, dental caries, periodontal disease, and other oral health problems, such as candidiasis infection due to disturbance of the oral microflora resulting from decreased salivary flow.” Medications and medical conditions are among the variety of causes of xerostomia, Terrie noted, adding that “the goals of treating xerostomia include identifying the possible cause, relieving discomfort, and preventing complications such as dental caries and periodontal infections.”

NHL Increasingly Focused On Players’ Dental Health

Many sources are carrying an AP (2/10, Lage) story reporting that although the National Hockey League is scrutinizing player safety “more than ever,” many NHL players still lose teeth as part of the game. Still, there is increasing interest in helping players keep their original teeth, and “when players do get hit in the mouth with a stick or puck during a game, they are moments away from getting professional treatment from a team dentist and perhaps an oral surgeon.” Several teams, including the Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings, are equipped with a dental chair in their arenas. The article adds, “Dental care is one of the progressive moves made by the NHL, according to Predators general manager David Poile.”

Research Shows Gut Microbiome May Be Linked To Bone Health

Dr. Rana Samadfam, the principal scientist in musculoskeletal research at Charles River, writes a guest blog for Scientific American (2/10) saying that our gut microbiome, which is “now known to influence heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease and obesity,” may also help bones heal. Dr. Samadfam says that “exciting new research now shows that the gut microbiome can affect bone strength in both animal models and humans.” Dr. Samadfam says that the results from rodent models may be “related to the immune system,” as “different cells in the immune system can regulate bone density, and an imbalance in this regulation leads to diseases such as arthritis, cancer and osteoporosis (a disease in which bones become weak and brittle).” In addition, treatments with probiotics in rodent models have been shown to improve bone mass, which may “indicate that treatments that affect the composition of the microbiome can also regulate bone health.”

Cardiologist Encourages Proper Dental Hygiene For Heart Health

In a Texas A&M University release on Newswise (2/8), Texas A&M Health Science Center cardiologist, John P. Erwin, M.D., discusses six symptoms that may indicate an unhealthy heart, including “sore, swollen or bleeding gums,” which may be a sign of periodontitis. Dr. Erwin discusses the association between gum disease and heart disease, recommending “people follow up regularly with their dentist for oral hygiene in addition to regular brushing and flossing.” The ADA discusses heart disease and oral health at MouthHealthy.org.

Poll Shows Dental Hygiene Highly Correlated With Americans’ Well-Being

The Washington Post (2/23, Chokshi) reports the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which “ranks 190 metropolitan areas by the well-being of their residents based on a survey of more than a quarter-million Americans,” was released Tuesday and found the most satisfied Americans “share at least one unintuitive characteristic: good dental hygiene.” The Post says “places where people have good dental health also tend to be places where they report being generally fulfilled.” The article goes on to list cities and states that rank highly in terms of well-being. At the top of the list for cities are Naples, FL, Salinas, CA, and Sarasota, FL. Florida, California, Colorado, and Texas were “home to many of the communities with the highest well-being scores.” Dan Witters, research director for the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, said dental care habits are a “surrogate” for well-being, adding, “People who take good care of their teeth generally think they have higher well-being lives.”

WSJ Reviews New Toothpaste That Turns Plaque Green

The Wall Street Journal (2/8, Johannes, Subscription Publication) reviews a new toothpaste that binds to plaque and shows it as green, aiming to improve oral hygiene by showing people areas they missed while brushing. The article states that researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago conducted a short-term study of Plaque HD, finding plaque was reduced by 51.3% after people brushed with the toothpaste for up to 10 days. American Dental Association spokeswoman Dr. Mary Hayes has not tried the toothpaste, but says it could serve as a consistent reminder to patients. Dr. Hayes adds that areas between the teeth and at the gumline are common areas patients miss.