Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Study: Treating Gum Disease May Help Reduce Symptoms Of Prostate Inflammation.

Study: Treating Gum Disease May Help Reduce Symptoms Of Prostate Inflammation.


HealthDay (5/23, Preidt) reported that research published in Dentistry suggests that “treating gum disease may help reduce symptoms of prostate inflammation.” In the study, 27 patients with prostatitis and “moderate to severe gum disease” received “treatment for gum disease and showed significant improvement in their gums within four to eight weeks, the study authors said.” Participants “received no treatment for their prostatitis, but symptoms of the condition improved in 21 of 27 of them after their gum disease was treated.”

Friday, May 15, 2015

Study: Gum Disease Risk Increases with Weight Gain

Study: Gum Disease Risk Increases with Weight Gain

Posted on May 15, 2015

Gaining weight may increase a person's risk of gum disease, says a study.
The study looked at data from previous research. It included only long-term studies that focused on possible links between weight gain and gum disease.
The researchers found five studies that involved a total of 42,198 people. The studies showed that people who became overweight had a 13% increased risk of gum disease, compared with people who remained at normal weight. People who became obese had a 33% increased risk of gum disease, compared with those who did not become obese.
"Overweight" usually is defined as having a body-mass index (BMI) between 25.1 and 30. "Obese" is defined as having a BMI higher than 30.
The study appears in the May issue of the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. It was done by researchers in Brazil and South Australia.
Source: SimpleSteps Dental

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Vitamin D During Pregnancy May Lower Infant Caries Risk

Vitamin D During Pregnancy May Lower Infant Caries Risk

Posted on May 13, 2015

EHIME, Japan – Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with bone defects by a number of studies. New research from Japan has now provided additional evidence that it may also be involved in the development of tooth decay, according to Dental Tribune. In a study of 1,210 Japanese mother–child pairs, scientists found that dental caries was less prevalent in children whose mothers had a higher vitamin D intake during pregnancy.
In the study, researchers collected information on maternal vitamin D intake during pregnancy using a diet history questionnaire. In addition, the children underwent oral examination at 36–46 months of age and were classified as having dental caries if one or more primary teeth had decayed or had been filled.
Overall, the analysis indicated that higher maternal vitamin D intake during pregnancy may be associated with a lower risk of dental caries, as children whose mothers took more vitamin D had fewer cavities.
According to the researchers, maternal nutrition status affects pre- and post-natal development of children, including formation and mineralisation of children’s teeth.
The study, titled “Higher vitamin D intake during pregnancy is associated with reduced risk of dental caries in young Japanese children”, was published online on 18 April in the Annals of Epidemiology ahead of print.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Xylitol Among Healthy Sweeteners.

Xylitol Among Healthy Sweeteners.

In a lengthy article titled “A Healthy Candy Revolution,” Canadian Manufacturing (5/13, Hein) reports on several sugar alternatives that candy manufacturers are turning to in their attempt to move their products in a more healthy direction. The article notes that one of those sugar alternatives is xylitol, which “is safe for diabetics and provides substantial oral health benefits.” One manufacturer of the sweetener, has a line of candy that uses xylitol and includes lollipops, gum, hard candy, mints, and taffy that is available at Whole Foods, the article notes. Moreover, “Xylitol has received positive support in the Journal Of The American Dental Association and from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine” and a recent paper in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that xylitol chewing gum “can provide a ‘real clinical benefit’ in terms of several oral health issues that commonly affect many seniors.”