Pure Power MouthGuard- A New Sports Aid.

Athletes these days are looking towards a new option-in protective mouthpieces. The pros from many sports have turned to PPM, Pure Power Mouthguard, because it not only offers protection, but it also increases strength and balance. Sound silly? Well, it’s true.

A TENS (Transcutaneous Electro Neural Stimulation) unit is used to relax your muscles and find an optimal jaw position which is used by the PPM dentist to fit the mouthguard. PPM holds the jaws in ideal position, which results in improved vertebrae alignment and better muscled recruitment, balance, and upper body strength.
Most sports like like hockey, golf, basketball, football and also those requiring high degree of technical efficiency like gymnastics, soccer etc can also be affected by use of PPM.
So the next time you play some sport you might want to try the PPM.

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Higher Prevalence Of Periodontal Disease In Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the joints and can lead to long-term joint damage resulting in persistent pain and loss of function in affected areas.Over 1.3 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

The study examined the oral health of 57 RA patients and 52 healthy controls. To determine oral hygiene status, each participant underwent a comprehensive oral examination including an assessment of plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation, both indicators of oral hygiene. Probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss, two markers of periodontal disease, were also measured.

The study findings indicated that RA patients were nearly eight times more likely to have periodontal disease compared to the control subjects. These findings accounted for demographic and lifestyle characteristics such as age, gender, education and tobacco use. For some patients, adverse RA symptoms may affect manual dexterity, which can make one’s daily routine quite difficult. One area that may be affected is oral hygiene which can ultimately lead to periodontal disease. However, these research findings indicate that poor oral hygiene alone did not account for the association between RA and gum disease, suggesting that other factors may play a role as well.

For more read here.

Brushing up on gum disease: How it affects heart health

Brushing and flossing twice a day can keep gum disease and heart disease away. Research has documented that having periodontal (gum) disease can increase – perhaps two-fold – the risk of heart attack and stroke, says Dr. John M. DiGrazia, cardiologist and co-chief of cardiology at CJW Medical Center.

The New England Journal of Medicine published a recent study showing that gum disease(an infection of the gum tissue) is linked with higher levels of blood vessel inflammation.Researchers found higher blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a sign of inflammation, in gum disease patients. Elevated CRP is associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke, declares DiGrazia. Ultimately, treating the gum disease led to reduced inflammation levels in the heart
Preventing gum disease is not just a dentist’s domain. DiGrazia encourages his heart patients to see a dentist if they show signs of gum disease such as discolored or loose teeth.So remember there is no downside to having better teeth and gums.” The upside to a healthy smile is a healthy heart.

Source:www.ada.org and
American Academy of Periodontology.

Nagging Headache Often Linked To Dental Pain

Many headache sufferers might want to consult their dentist as well as their doctor since headaches and dental pain have a lot in common.That nagging headache and painful jaw may be tied to your oral health.

Headaches and toothaches all transmit through the trigeminal nerve, the largest sensory nerve in the head that supplies the external face, scalp, jaw, teeth and much of the intra-oral structures. Pain in one branch of the nerve has the potential to activate other branches of the nerve, and when that pain is chronic and sustained, it is more likely to trigger a sequence of events that might lead to a headache. In people who have headaches, a continuous, sustained toothache can easily trigger one of the episodic headaches such as migraines.

Besides the close anatomical links between head, face and jaw pain, reflexive behaviors caused by pain and tension such as jaw clenching and muscle tightening can exacerbate and transfer pain.There is a good deal of interconnectivity between the orofacial and craniocervical systems; for example, when you clench your teeth you contract your neck muscles inadvertently. So next time you have a headache you might want to think about going to the dentist.

For more read here.

Oral Piercing – Fashion Statement or Health Hazard.

From hairstyles, to clothing, tattoos to jewelry, today’s youth are making a fashion statement. But those who want to look cool with oral piercing may be looking to their dentists and physicians for help afterwards.

Because your mouth contains millions of bacteria, infection is a common complication of oral piercing.
Pain and swelling are other side effects of piercing. There is an increased flow of saliva at the site, and injuries to the gum tissue are very common. If a blood vessel was in the path of the needle during the piercing, severe and difficult-to-control bleeding can result.

For some, chipped or cracked teeth, blood poisoning or even blood clots can occur. For many, the tongue—a popular piercing site in the mouth—could swell large enough to close off the airway.And in extreme cases, a severely swollen tongue can actually close off the airway and prevent breathing.
The jewelry itself also presents some hazards. You can choke on any studs, barbells or hoops  that come loose in your mouth, and contact with the jewelry can chip or crack your teeth.

Unfortunately, many young people with oral piercings don’t realize that these alarming side effects could happen to them. So, skip the mouth jewelry and let your healthy smile make your fashion statement.

For more read here.

Kissable, The New Health and Taste Sensation in Toothpaste

What is Kissable? Is it some irresistible charm, mysterious good looks, or charisma? Developed by Dr. Danielle Wilson, president of Fabulous Smiles of Atlanta it is a new line of oral care products.

Kissable, a new toothpaste developed by Dr. Wilson, brings together natural ingredients and sensational taste for an experience that appeals to consumers’ growing desire to pair holistic health techniques with the best in beauty and cosmetic improvements .Available in three taste experiences, Mango Orange & Pineapple, Peppermint & Spearmint, and Xtra Whitening it contains the highest-quality natural ingredients, chosen for their cleansing, restorative, and freshening properties. The most exciting of the natural ingredients used in Kissable is cranberry extract. Research has shown that cranberry acts like Teflon® for teeth, making it difficult for the bacteria that causes cavities to cling to tooth surfaces.

Also Aloe Vera, long known for its moisturizing effect on skin and its ability to help heal wounds, is a key ingredient. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties combined with powerful antioxidant characteristics helps boost health of gums and mouth tissues. Xylitol, a sweetener derived from fruits and vegetables, also offers an alternative to the artificial products often found in many toothpastes.
So with all these natural ingredients you need to decide how kissable you want to be?

Source:www.pressrelease365.com.

I have sensitive teeth. Can I Whiten Them?

Most tooth-whitening treatments involve the use hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The higher the concentration, the more likely you are to experience sensitivity. Diluted forms, used with enhancers such as heat, light or ultrasonic vibrations, generally have fewer side effects.

It is important to realise that not all teeth can be effectively whitened. Dr Mervyn Druian, co-founder of the London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry (LCCD), says: “Teeth stained greyish-brown as a result of intrinsic factors [inside the tooth] such as long-term use of tetracycline antibiotics or childhood illnesses are more difficult to whiten. However, if your teeth have been visibly darkened by age or the effects of diet, smoking, or drinking coffee or red wine, then better results can be achieved.”

Regarding sensitivity, acidic fizzy drinks erode the enamel, which results in sensitivity to hot and cold food or liquid. Some fruit and herbal teas and health drinks such as lemon and honey can also cause discoloration, as can vinaigrette dressings and citrus fruit. Use a straw directed away from the teeth when drinking any acidic drinks and follow with a glass of water.

Ask your dentist about Wy10 (wy10.com ), a new whitening system from Wyten Technology, which is gentler than regular methods. The Wy10 whitening gel contains an organic activator that reacts with hydrogen peroxide, triggering the release of the active ingredients at more than 10 times the normal rate, thereby enhancing the stain-removal efficacy of the hydrogen peroxide.

For more read here.

Dental Mercury Poses Health Risk To Pregnant Women And Children, Admits FDA

Following the settlement of a lawsuit earlier this week, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its consumer advice on mercury amalgam to say that it poses health risks to pregnant women, children, and the unborn.

The update now states that,”Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetus.

Thus, pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure, including individuals with existing high levels of mercury bioburden, should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner.

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Louisville Cosmetic Dentist Invents New Dental Instrument

Dr. Christian W. Hahn is known for his exceptional dentistry – he has been featured on The Learning Channel (TLC) doing a smile makeover, is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and has been published internationally on the subject of natural cosmetic dentistry. Few, until now, know Dr. Hahn’s other passion – inventing. Dr. Hahn holds one dental product patent already and has several in the works.

His most recent invention, called the Hahn Twin Forceps, allows dentists to adjust the bite and deliver indirect restorations such as caps and veneers with better accuracy and in less time.

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Want to save Mobile Teeth?….Periodontal Ligament Regeneration Might help.

Dutch researcher Agnes Berendsen has investigated a possible solution to loss of teeth due to inflammation and subsequent destruction of the tissues supporting them.(The Periodontium )

The periodontal ligament forms a flexible connection between the tooth root and the surrounding jaw bone. Trauma or inflammation can cause destruction of the periodontal ligament. Berendsen chose tissue engineering to tackle this problem. Berendsen developed a new 3D model in which cells isolated from periodontal ligament were implanted in a collagen network suspended between an artificial root and artificial bone. She wanted to see if viable periodontal ligament could be generated in this way.

The composition of the collagen network in which the cells are located has a considerable influence on the contractile properties of the cells. Contraction of the cells creates internal tension in the network which keeps the cells active. The network must be well attached to the surrounding solid surfaces to prevent its detachment. Berendsen managed to attach the network to these artificial root and bone surfaces present in the model by creating an enzyme-mediated mineral deposition on the surfaces.

By subsequently applying loading to the tooth root (mimicking the process of chewing) in the 3D model, she was able to deform the mineral-anchored network containing the cells. The subsequent response of the cells was dependent on the magnitude of the loading.

Follow-up research will investigate whether the cell-culture results can be translated to an animal model to obtain more accurate insights concerning the potential use of this method in humans.

Source:www.medicalnewstoday.com