Link between Osteoporosis Drugs and Jaw Infections.
A group of University of Southern California School of Dentistry researchers says it has identified the slimy culprits killing the jawbones of some people taking drugs that treat osteoporosis.
Sold under brand names such as Fosamax, Boniva and Actonel, bisphosphonates are prescribed to millions of patients to combat osteoporosis, a bone-wasting disease that increases the risk of fractures. Parish Sedghizadeh, lead researcher and assistant clinical professor at the USC School of Dentistry said there have been increasing reports of osteonecrosis (bone death) of the jaw in patients who have been taking the drugs for osteoporosis or for treatment from the bone-wasting effects of cancer.
The team used powerful scanning electron microscopes to study patients’ jawbone samples. The images revealed biofilm bacteria sprawling over pitted tissue.This is the first study that identifies microbial biofilms in the bone of bisphosphonate patients who have osteonecrosis of the jaw. Jaw osteonecrosis occurs when bacteria-laden biofilms infect the jaw after the bone is exposed, typically because of a tooth extraction or injury.
The scientists are now trying to determine why bisphosphonate drugs seem to open the door for biofilm-associated infections of the jaw.
Source:www.usc.edu/hsc/dental/news_event/press_releases.
Open your eyes to new possibilities,”The Spa Dentistry”
The word Spa comes from the Latin word Sanus Per Aqua [SPA] -meaning health by or through water . Today’s spa is a center for healing ,nourishing body,mind and spirit.People go to Spas for fitness ,stress management peace of mind ,pampering and pleasure,and health and wellness
To standardize the Spa offerings,the International Spa Association (ISPA) has defined “10 domains of Spa” of the industry as: 1-The waters 2-Food,Nourishment,Diet and Nutrition 3-Touch ,Message,and Body works 4-Movement,Exercise and fitness 5-Mind/Body/Spirit 6-Aesthetics,Skin care,Natural Beauty Agents 7-Physical Space,Climatology,Global Ecology 8-Social/Cultural Arts and Values,Spa Culture 9-Management/Marketing and Operation 10-Time/Rhythm,and Cycles.
Now,talking about “Spa Dentistry” ,the summerizing concept is providing a relaxing and sedative atmosphere within the services that the dental office provides.The offerings of “Spa Dentistry” similar to those defined by ISPA,”International Spa Association” can be divided into 5 domains:
1- Affect mood/decrease stress/use sedative dentistry
2-prepare menu of Spa services/fruit shakes,cold drinks,chochlates.
3-paraffin wax mitts/eye mask/ Herbal pillow/massage mats in the chair
4-Office water fountain/Aromatic candles/Soft Music/LCD screens
5-Digital Equipement/Digital X-ay (RVG)/High tech wireless handpiecesNext time you plan to design a new office,don’t forget to take into consideration to implement the necessary tools for creating a calm atmosphere within your dental office like using soothing colors on your walls,keep a place for a nice fountain to flow,hang the office philosophy on the wall and be sure that soft music is playing in the operatory and waiting room.
Source:www.topix.net (Dental news from Medical news Today.
Amount of Lead reported in Dental Prosthesis poses “highly Unlikely” health risk to adults.
When news of lead contamination in an outsourced dental crown hit the presses in late February, the ADA called on the nation’s leading health agencies to address safety concerns raised by the reports
“Such small amounts of lead as reported, are extremely unlikely to cause adverse health effects in adults,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) told the ADA in its response. “Given the current information, CDC does not recommend that individuals defer needed oral procedures or have existing prostheses removed.” That said, the CDC noted that it recommends against the unnecessary use of lead in consumer products, including dental crowns.
Source;www.ada.org
Is Bad Breath bothering You ?
Whether you call it bad breath or halitosis, it’s an unpleasant condition that’s cause for embarrassment. Some people with bad breath aren’t even aware there’s a problem.
What you eat affects the air you exhale. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to objectionable breath odor. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.
Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Xerostomia or Dry mouth caused due to medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth also causes bad breath. Other causes include tobacco product use or underlying medical disorders like such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment.
Management of halitosis depends on the underlying cause. Schedule regular dental visits for a professional cleaning and checkup. If the odor is due to periodontal (gum) disease, your general dentist can either treat the disease or refer you to a periodontist.
for more read here.
Do you have a Cracked Tooth?
When you bite down you feel a sharp pain. It quickly disappears and you ignore it. You avoid certain foods or chew on only one side of your mouth. Does this sound familiar ? If so you may have a cracked tooth.
A cracked tooth maybe the result of an accident, uneven chewing pressure, endodontically treated teeth that become brittle or grinding or clenching your teeth. It is often difficult to tell if a tooth is cracked or not.
A cracked tooth hurts because the pressure of biting causes the crack to open. When you stop biting the pressure is released and results in a sharp pain. Treatment of cracked teeth varies from bonding to root canal treatment. Severe cases need extraction though. Regular visits to the dentist are important in the management of cracked teeth.
Source:www.ada.org
