Don’t Overlook the Mouth in Whole Body Health

Earlier this year, a CDC report noted that 94% of COVID deaths involved people with pre-existing conditions. Other research showed that, in particular,

cardiovascular disease may double a patient’s risk of dying from COVID-19. They also discovered that other pre-existing conditions may increase a COVID-19 patient’s risk of death by one-and-a-half to three times.

Unfortunately, chronic health problems like heart disease - or arthritis or cancer or diabetes or any number of ongoing conditions - are increasingly common around the world. Here at home, 6 out of every 10 Americans have at least one; 4 in 10 have two or more. Most are generally preventable, driven largely by diet and other lifestyle factors.

The debilitating nature of many of these conditions exacts a real cost - not just financially but with respect to quality and length of life.

One way of measuring this burden is with something called disability-adjusted life years, or DALYs. As the World Health Organization defines it, this measure

combines years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLLs) and years of life lost due to time lived in states of less than full health, or years of healthy life lost due to disability (YLDs). One DALY represents the loss of the equivalent of one year of full health.

MDLinx recently posted a summary of the 7 most debilitating diseases in the US, based on their DALYs rate. In order of least to most debilitating, these are

• Neurological diseases.
• Endocrine disorders.
• Musculoskeletal disorders.
• Injury.
• Circulatory diseases.
• Cancers and tumors.
• Mental health disorders and substance misuse.

While most of these conditions are multifactorial, it’s noteworthy that dental conditions can be one of those contributing factors.

The mercury that makes up the bulk of a “silver” amalgam filling, for instance, is most known for its neurologic effects and mental symptoms. In fact, the phrase “mad as a hatter” comes from centuries ago, when mercury nitrate was to make felt for hats. “Mad hatter disease” described the neurological and mental symptoms that arose from the toxic exposure.

Mercury is known to impact the cardiovascular (circulatory) system, as well, and to act as an endocrine disruptor.

Another dental factor can play a role in more than half the listed conditions, as well: gum disease. As we saw last week, cancer is just one of them. Poor periodontal health has also been consistently linked with other inflammatory conditions, including arthritis (musculoskeletal), cardiovascular issues, and cognitive decline (neurological).

Injury might seem to stand alone, without a dental relationship, but parafunctional habits such as bruxing (habitual grinding or clenching) can actually contribute over time to chronic TMJ pain or other problems. While not life-threatening, TMJ disorders can still limit activities and significantly detract from one’s quality of life.

To be clear, we’re not suggesting that dental factors are the sole or even primary cause of any of the debilitating conditions that made the MDLinx list - nor will they contribute to the same sorts of problems for every single person. What we are saying is that when seeking healing, it’s important to not overlook the role the mouth may be playing in whole body health.

The following post Don’t Overlook the Mouth in Whole Body Health is republished from: https://pridedentaloffice.com

Mouth/Body Connections: Gum Disease & Cancer

One brutal reality about gum disease is that the damage doesn’t necessarily stay limited to your mouth. Emerging research, for instance, has suggested that it may raise your risk of certain cancers.

One study, published this past summer in the journal Gut, found that those with a history of gum disease had a 43% higher risk of esophageal cancer and a 52% higher risk of stomach cancer. Those who had lost teeth - a consequence of severe gum disease - were also at greater risk: 42% and 33%, respectively.

The risks jumped even more for those with a history of gum disease once tooth loss began.

As this study looked only at the associations, it didn’t have anything to say about possible reasons why, though the research team offered some possibilities in a news release.

The authors point to possible reasons for an association between oral bacteria (oral microbiota) and esophageal and gastric cancer, with evidence from other studies suggesting that tannerella forsythia and porphyromonas gingivalis -- members of the 'red complex' of periodontal pathogens -- were associated with the presence or risk of esophageal cancer.

Another possible reason is that poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease could promote the formation of endogenous nitrosamines known to cause gastric cancer through nitrate-reducing bacteria.

Not long after, another study - this, in Cancer Prevention Research - similarly found a higher risk of developing at least two types of precancerous cells in the colon: serrated polyps and conventional adenomas.

This study analyzed data from over 42,000 participants who had been in one of two health surveys. Those with gum disease were found to have a 17% higher risk of serrated polyps and an 11% higher risk of conventional adenomas. The risk of the polyps was a little bit higher for those who had lost multiple teeth to gum disease: 20%.

Risk jumped even more with respect to conventional adenomas: 28% for those who had lost up to three teeth and 26% for those who had lost four or more.

While this study likewise looked only at associations and not causes, its lead author, Dr. Mingyang Song, similarly suggested the impact of harmful mouth bacteria to Forbes Magazine:

“The oral cavity harbors a wide array of microbial communities,” said Song. “Various factors, including poor oral hygiene, genetic susceptibility, smoking, diabetes, and obesity can result in an excess of oral pathogens that may induce host inflammation and immune dysregulation,” added Song.

Just another reminder that taking care of your oral health is an essential part of maintaining your whole body health.

The following post Mouth/Body Connections: Gum Disease & Cancer was originally seen on: Pride Dental

“Fluoride Is Presumed to Be a Cognitive Developmental Hazard to Humans,” Says NTP Report

Earlier this month, the US National Toxicology Program’s report on fluoride dropped - a review of hundreds of studies, including 60 in vitro studies, 339 animal studies, and 159 human studies. Its conclusion?

The human body of evidence provides a consistent and robust pattern of findings that higher fluoride exposure...is associated with adverse effects on neurocognitive development, including lower intelligence quotient (IQ) in children.

Thirteen of the 29 studies classified as “high quality” found neurotoxic effects at 0.7 mg/L - that is, the recommended fluoridation level here in the US. Another 5 studies found fluoride to affect the brain at less than 1.5 mg/L.

“Fluoride,” the authors said plainly, “is presumed to be a cognitive developmental hazard to humans.”

As noted researcher Dr. Christine Till and colleagues wrote in a recent opinion piece for Environmental Health News,

The loss of a single IQ point for an individual child is imperceptible, but the societal cost of millions of children losing 5 IQ points, or more is enormous. A decrement of even one IQ point translates to a 2 percent reduction in lifetime economic productivity (roughly $20,000), not to mention the additional educational costs required for children with lower IQs.

Many health and dental organizations in North America recommend community water fluoridation. Given the weight of evidence that fluoride is toxic to the developing brain, it is time for health organizations and regulatory bodies to review their recommendations and regulations to ensure they protect pregnant women and their children.

Dr. Till’s own research - which you can read about here - was included in the NTP report. Here she is talking a bit with CTV about her research and what the results showed:

To absolutely no one’s surprise, the American Dental Association is not pleased with the NTP report and is doubling down on their commitment to water fluoridation. Just as unsurprising is the fact that Dr. Till has come under fire for her research. As the Canadian National Post recently reported,

Till has become something of a lightning rod in the debate over fluoridated water since she published a study last year that found an increase in fluoride levels in pregnant women was associated with their children having slightly lower IQ.

Fluoridation experts wrote to York University last week, demanding it convene an independent investigation of the professor’s research, suggesting she may be putting ideology over science.

Some reviews of her study have questioned its methodology and statistical analysis. But the NTP cited it and other research in saying there is a “moderate level” of evidence that fluoride is associated with cognitive effects in children.

Till said the conclusions were no surprise, given the high-profile journal that published her own work first subjected it to an unusual amount of scrutiny and peer review.

“We responded to hundreds of critiques just to get the study published,” she said. “I haven’t heard anything new.”

Image designed by Wannapik

The blog post “Fluoride Is Presumed to Be a Cognitive Developmental Hazard to Humans,” Says NTP Report was originally published to: https://pridedentaloffice.com

Should You Be Chewing Sugarless Gum?

A question posed by a recent headline in Evidence-Based Dentistry seems to beg only one answer: “Well, duh!”

If you’re going to chew gum at all, of course sugarless is the way to go. Sugars make the mouth more acidic as harmful bacteria feed on the sweet stuff. But does sugarless necessarily prevent decay?

For the current study, researchers analyzed data from 38 previous studies on the impact of sugar-free gum on all aspects of oral health. All together, they showed that there was significantly less decay when sugarless gum was used. The effect was even greater in studies that looked only at gum sweetened with xylitol.

And that makes sense, considering that xylitol is known not only for NOT causing cavities but actually helping prevent them. For instance, it’s been found to reduce harmful bacteria such as S. mutans while leaving helpful bacteria alone.

Xylitol isn’t the only sugar substitute with that effect, though. Erythritol, which we’ve looked at before, also seems to inhibit the “bad bugs” and may even be more protective than xylitol. But it doesn’t seem to be used much in chewing gum right now.

More common is stevia, another zero-calorie sweetener that appears to be anticariogenic - that is, protective against cavities, clinically known as dental caries. In vitro studies - studies done outside the body - have found that

Stevia extracts have anti-bacterial activity on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus acidophilus, organisms that are closely related to the production and development of tooth decay.

More, both in vitro and in vivo (inside the body) studies have found that they reduce the production of acids by the bacteria, along with “a lesser effect of the demineralization of the enamel in comparison with other sweeteners.”

One triple-blinded study published this past summer compared stevia directly with xylitol in girls aged 8 to 13 who had more than three decayed, missing, or filled teeth. Saliva samples were taken from all 20 participants who were then divided randomly into two groups. One was given stevia gum while the other got xylitol. Additional saliva samples were taken 15 minutes and 1 hour after they chewed the gum to check for the presence of S. mutans.

Since the study had a crossover design, each group also chewed the other type of gum and again gave saliva samples. In both cases, researchers found a decrease in S. mutans after the gum chewing, leading them to conclude that

Stevia containing chewing gum is equally effective to Xylitol chewing gum in reducing salivary S. mutans counts.

So can chewing sugarless gum help keep your teeth healthy? There's not enough evidence to say that for sure. But we do know what works when it comes to prevention: Eat real food, minimizing sugars and other refined carbs, and practice good oral hygiene.

The post Should You Be Chewing Sugarless Gum? is republished from: https://pridedentaloffice.com/

Oral Pathogens May Fuel Oral Cancer, New Study Says

Oral cancer screening is a crucial part of your oral exam. After all, when caught early, it’s readily treatable, with a 5-year survival rate of 84%.

But less than a third of oral cancers are diagnosed at this stage. This is why the overall survival rate is much lower: just 57% - worse than for many more familiar types of cancer.

By far, the most common form of oral cancer is oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), accounting for 90% of all cases. If the cancer is on the tongue or floor of the mouth, the 5-year survival rate is 75% or better. But if it spreads to the lymph nodes, the survival rate drops by roughly half.

Early diagnosis can be literally life-saving.

Tobacco use, heavy drinking, and HPV infection are the three biggest risk factors, but new research in PLoS Pathogens suggests that some bacteria in the mouth may make these cancers worse.

The guilty parties? Three of the big time drivers of gum disease: P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, and T. denticola. The research team found that, at least in mice, these three “enhanced OSCC cell migration, invasion, and tumor formation.”

But they also found that nisin - “a bacteriocin and a commonly used food preservative” - appeared to interfere with that process. A bacteriocin is a toxin produced by bacteria to inhibit the growth of similar microbes, and this particular one is produced by culturing Lactococcus lactis, which is used a lot in the production of buttermilk and cheese.

According to the authors, this study offers the first direct evidence that a bacteriocin inhibits oral cancer formation mediated by periodontal pathogens. Moreover, the findings suggest that nisin could have broad therapeutic potential as an antimicrobial and anticancer agent, and as an inhibitor of pathogen-mediated cancer formation.

So can keeping your gums healthy help lower your risk of developing cancer - oral or otherwise? More evidence is needed, to be sure. Still, findings like these can be powerful motivation to keep up with the habits that support healthy teeth and gums - not just brushing and interdental cleaning, but also things like healthy eating, quality sleep, regular exercise, and stress management.

P. gingivalis image by Enara Ramirez Monge

The blog post Oral Pathogens May Fuel Oral Cancer, New Study Says is available on: https://pridedentaloffice.com

Need to Stop Snoring? Laser Treatment from Your Dentist May Help

There have been some pretty strange contraptions invented to help folks stop snoring - shock collars (really and truly), tongue-holding devices, open-mouth alarms. Of course, there are plenty of less peculiar appliances and devices, as well, offering various degrees of help, and, of course, plenty of tips for making long-term changes that can help reduce a mighty snore.

But what a lot of folks don’t realize is that there are solutions for snoring that can help more quickly without making you dependent on wearing a mouthpiece, mask, or other gizmo.

This year, our office has begun offering NightLase to patients who are looking for a better, quieter night’s sleep. The procedure uses an E:Yag laser to pulse heat into the soft tissues around the upper airway, tightening collagen and stimulating new growth so air can pass freely to the lungs. (What you hear as a snore is the sound of air being forced through relaxed tissues around the top of the throat.)

There’s no cutting involved. Often, no anesthesia is even needed. The laser and your body’s own renewal mechanisms do all the work. It’s a pain-free procedure. Two or three treatments is all it takes.

Earlier this year, researchers did a systemic review and meta-analysis - basically, a study of studies - on laser treatment for snoring. Seven studies of nearly 250 study participants made the cut. The authors found that laser treatment reduced snoring significantly and that airways were clearly wider.

Patients were followed for up to 36 months. There were “minimal side effects,” and no serious ones. Eighty percent of patients were satisfied with the results.

And while this analysis found no impact on patient AHI scores - high ones being a standard marker for sleep apnea - other studies, such as this one, have suggested otherwise. Snoring, after all, can often - but not always - be a sign of the condition, too.

Another study of cases ranging from simple snoring to severe OSA found that by their third treatment with Nightlase,

patients reported improvement better than 85%. Average improvement after one treatment session was 51% and after the second session, 61%.

Yet other research has shown broad improvement in a number of symptoms associated with apnea and other sleep disordered breathing after Nightlase - symptoms like daytime sleepiness and being wakened by loud snoring or choking. More,

The incidence of dreaming during the night also raised significantly; 30/40 (75%) of cases perceived less tightness in their throat and better breathing after treatment. These results were stable at 20 months follow-up (14–24 q) in 72% of cases.

Overall, Nightlase has a success rate of 90%, with the results typically lasting up to 36 months before retreatment is necessary.

Ready to find out if NightLase might be the solution that you - or a partner - has been seeking in the quest for a better night’s sleep? Give us a call or email us today!

Need to Stop Snoring? Laser Treatment from Your Dentist May Help was first published on: https://pridedentaloffice.com

“Silver” Mercury Amalgam Fillings Aren’t Alright for Everyone, New FDA Guidelines Say

The US took an important step forward this past week when the FDA issued new guidance on mercury amalgam, recommending that it not be used in a number of high-risk populations:

• Pregnant and nursing women.
• Women who are planning on pregnancy.
• Children, especially those under the age of 6.
• People with MS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other pre-existing neurological conditions.
• People with impaired kidney function.
• People allergic or highly sensitive to mercury or other components of dental amalgam.

Still, some folks stressed that this is just a partial victory. “Mercury shouldn’t be placed in anyone’s mouth,” said IAOMT Executive Chair Jack Kall, DMD, in a news release.

All dental patients need to be protected, and dentists and their staff also need to be protected from working with this toxic substance.

This is true. Mercury is extraordinarily toxic, particularly to the brain. Even if you don’t have a single “silver” filling in your own mouth, you are still affected. Roughly 100 tons of dental mercury enters the waste stream each year. About 150 kg (over 330 pounds) is released into the air each year just from breath exhaled by people with amalgams.

But we feel the FDA should still be commended for taking action - as should everyone who shared the truth about dental amalgam in last year’s request for consumer input and subsequent hearings on implanted metal medical devices.

“The decision culminates our three-year campaign that successfully persuaded FDA to reconsider its amalgam policy,” said Charlie Brown of Consumers for Dental Choice and the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry in a recent email.

We organized the non-profit organization community behind the Chicago Declaration to End Dental Industry Mercury Use….we had meetings with FDA top brass….we called for and got the FDA’s scientific advisory committee to reexamine the amalgam issue….we brought 16 expert witnesses to that committee’s hearings….we ran robust petition and public comment drives that showed FDA that we, the people, wanted a change in American amalgam policy….and we got it!

No big, meaningful change of this nature happens overnight. It takes time and perseverance, one step after another until we reach the place where mercury amalgam is nothing but a bad memory.

But for the moment, there’s every reason to celebrate this latest turn of events.

The article “Silver” Mercury Amalgam Fillings Aren’t Alright for Everyone, New FDA Guidelines Say is available on: https://pridedentaloffice.com/

A Common Chemical May Raise Risk of Decay, Says New Study

When it comes to tooth decay, poor nutrition and hygiene typically get most of the blame. But there are other risk factors, too, such as chronic dry mouth, bruxing (habitual grinding) - and, according to new research in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry, possibly a common chemical: perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA).

PFDA is one of a number of synthetic chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS for short, which are used widely in manufacturing. These chemicals hang around a long time, in both our environment and in the human body - and have been found to have some alarming effects on our health.

Studies indicate that PFOA and PFOS can cause reproductive and developmental, liver and kidney, and immunological effects in laboratory animals. Both chemicals have caused tumors in animal studies. The most consistent findings from human epidemiology studies are increased cholesterol levels among exposed populations, with more limited findings related to: infant birth weights, effects on the immune system, cancer (for PFOA), and thyroid hormone disruption (for PFOS).

Because they’re so persistent, even those that have been banned still linger in our water, air, and soil - and in us. They can be particularly prevalent in drinking water systems.

The new study focused on NHANES data from 629 children between the ages of 3 and 11, including samples of blood analyzed for PFAS between 2013 and 2014. Tooth decay and factors such as race, BMI, and hygiene practices were also assessed.

While 7 PFAS were identified, it was PFDA that was linked to higher rates of tooth decay.

Why should this be? The study didn’t look for a mechanism, but the researchers offered one possible explanation:

According to other research, perfluorodecanoic acid may disrupt the health of enamel, which is what makes teeth hard. That disruption can leave teeth susceptible to decay.

But there is some good news. For one, about half the kids in the study showed no detectable levels of PFAS. And those who brushed twice a day and had regular dental visits had less decay than those whose oral care wasn’t so great.

Of course, the other thing you can do is take steps to limit your family’s exposure to PFAS. Do be aware, though, that while home water filters can remove some of these contaminants, not all filters are equal. In fact, a study published earlier this year out of Duke University found that most were only partially effective, while “a few, if not properly maintained, can even make the situation worse.”

“All of the under-sink reverse osmosis and two-stage filters achieved near-complete removal of the PFAS chemicals we were testing for,” Stapleton said. “In contrast, the effectiveness of activated-carbon filters used in many pitcher, countertop, refrigerator and faucet-mounted styles was inconsistent and unpredictable. The whole-house systems were also widely variable and in some cases actually increased PFAS levels in the water.”

The average amount of removal by carbon filters was 73%, and the numbers swung pretty wildly among the filters tested. Those under-sink reverse osmosis units and two-stage filters, on the other hand? They removed 94% of PFAS.

The following article A Common Chemical May Raise Risk of Decay, Says New Study is republished from: https://pridedentaloffice.com

Why Metal-Free, Ceramic Dental Implants Instead of Titanium?

When it comes to replacing teeth, implants are a wonderful option for many folks.

Since organizations like the American Academy of Implant Dentistry want everyone to know this, they’ve proclaimed September to be Dental Implant Awareness Month and are going all out to let people know some of the key benefits these prosthetics have over conventional bridges and partials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r8qMzhMMpI&feature=youtu.be

But in our opinion, not just any kind of implant will do. We favor ceramic over the common titanium implants - devices that may also contain toxic metals such as aluminum and nickel. And that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to the risk of implanting metals into the jaw.

By contrast, ceramic implants - specifically, zirconia - are metal-free and broadly biocompatible, and some research has suggested that they may allow for better blood circulation and bone retention than their metal counterparts.

More, because they’re metal-free, there’s no risk of the implants generating galvanic currents - electrical charges that happen when metal ions meet in saliva. Such currents accelerate the corrosion of such metals, leading to more ion release, raising the risk of developing toxic reactions to the metals.

One study, noted by implant expert Dr. Sammy Noumbissi, “followed 56 patients who developed severe health problems after receiving titanium-based dental implants [and] described medical problems including muscle, joint and nerve pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, neurological problems, depression as well as skin rashes and inflammation.”

Ceramic dental implants are not only the healthier choice; they look better, too. If you have thin or receding gums, over time, the dull grey of the titanium will show through, creating a dark shadow. This is simply a non-issue with zirconia, which is much closer to natural tooth color.

Durable, biocompatible, and beautiful, the ceramic option makes for happy - and healthy - patients.

Why Metal-Free, Ceramic Dental Implants Instead of Titanium? is republished from: https://pridedentaloffice.com/

What Nail Biting Can Do to Your Teeth & Gums

If you’re a nail-biter, you probably don’t think of something like this happening:

Can’t see what that tiny arrow is pointing to? Here’s what doctors removed from the patient’s gums:

While the procedure was a success and there were no ill effects afterwards, cases like this one offer a good reminder that parafunctional habits like nail biting can actually damage your teeth and gums.

“Parafunctional” refers to the habit of using the mouth, tongue, or jaw in ways you don’t normally use them. Other common parafunctional habits include teeth grinding (bruxing), tongue biting, lip chewing, and thumb sucking.

While getting a sliver of fingernail jammed into your gums isn’t exactly common, a serious nail biting habit can contribute to dental problems over time. These include

• Enamel erosion from the friction of the nails against the teeth, making the the teeth more vulnerable to chipping, cracking, and decay.
• Weakening of the tooth roots, resulting in the shifting of teeth and the creation of gaps or malocclusion (a bite that doesn’t come together correctly).
• Injury to the gums. The sharp, jagged edges of bitten nails can scratch those soft tissues, making them more vulnerable to infection. Think, too, of all the bacteria and other grime that collects under your fingernails and how nail-biting introduces that gunk to your body via the mouth.
• Bad breath - again, from all the bacteria you’re introducing to your mouth.
• Bruxism, or habitual teeth grinding, which can eventually lead to chronic jaw, head, neck, and upper body pain.

But any habit can be broken, and there are lots of great tip sheets out there for helping you or your child accomplish that. Another option for both kids and adults is myofunctional therapy, in which such habits are broken by retraining the mouth and facial muscles to work correctly.

The ideal, though, is to get at the cause, not just the symptom. If you find that your habit is often triggered by anxiety or stress, consider what you can do to address those issues. A wide array of natural options are available to help you out, from essential oils to exercise, supplements to meditation. Some of the most commonly suggested herbal remedies include

• Chamomile.
• Passionflower.
• Valerian.
• Lemon balm.
• Kava.
• Lavender.
• Ashwagandha.

Supplements such as magnesium, B-complex, 5-HTP, and L-theanine may also be helpful.

Look, too, for activities that can help you release the stress or anxiety or generate positive experiences in their place. Here are a couple of good lists of ideas to get you started thinking about what might work well for you.

Change doesn’t happen overnight. Science suggests that it takes a little over two months for a new habit to become automatic - sometimes less, sometimes a good deal more. But when you’re making a change to benefit your health - oral and systemic alike - we think it’s worth both the time and effort.

What Nail Biting Can Do to Your Teeth & Gums was originally seen on: pridedentaloffice.com

More Progress in the Fight for Mercury-Free Dentistry

This week marks the 10th annual Mercury-Free Dentistry Week, a joint campaign by Dr. Mercola and Consumers for Dental Choice to raise awareness about the need to completely phase out dental amalgam around the world and the promise of a mercury-free future.

And indeed, a lot of progress has been made over these past 10 years.

Notably, the 27-nation European Union in 2018 banned dental amalgam in children under 15 and in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

* * *

Ten governments have gone further and implemented either immediate bans or a precise phase-out date. In the past year, the Philippines, Ireland, Nepal, Slovakia, Finland, New Caledonia, Moldova and the Czech Republic have all joined Norway and Sweden in the winner’s circle.

It gets better: At the third Conference of the Parties of the Minamata Convention in Geneva in November 2019, all Parties to the treaty (well over 100 countries, including the U.S. and Canada) were instructed to redouble efforts and accelerate the phase-down of amalgam.

This is all great news! Yet although the US lags behind these nations, the tide does seem to be turning. As Charlie Brown, lead counsel for Consumers for Dental Choice, has put it,

The push-back on the United States is huge. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration knows it's way behind and that's why, under our unrelenting pressure, they reopened the FDA rule [on dental amalgam]. We certainly see a different approach from the FDA now than the silence, which has been deafening, for so many years.

Still, many folks still don’t realize that mercury amalgam fillings are a problem - or even that the “silver” fillings in their own mouths are actually about 50% mercury. This is precisely why we need events like Mercury-Free Dentistry Week. As long as there are dentists who place mercury fillings, it’s up to the consumer to become informed so they can make good decisions about their dental care.

One excellent way to introduce people to the issue is to show them the excellent documentary film Evidence of Harm. So we include it here to make it easy for you to share with friends and family who may still be unaware:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwCGoL7kmSk
 

Learn about other ways you can get involved in the fight for a mercury-free future.

The following post More Progress in the Fight for Mercury-Free Dentistry is available on: https://pridedentaloffice.com/

The Power of a Smile

A new study in Experimental Psychology shows that even if you’re not feeling happy, moving your facial muscles to form a smile may trick your mind into being more positive.

Participants were asked to evaluate a range of facial expressions and videos of people walking in various moods. When they held a pen between their teeth, forcing their facial muscles to replicate the movement of a smile, it changed their perceptions of what they saw.

“When your muscles say you’re happy, you’re more likely to see the world around you in a positive way,” said lead author Dr.Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos.

In our research we found that when you forcefully practise smiling, it stimulates the amygdala – the emotional centre of the brain – which releases neurotransmitters to encourage an emotionally positive state.

This lends a bit more credence to the value of turning your frown upside down - and earlier research suggesting that facial expressions can indeed impact how we feel.

Yet one in four people say they avoid smiling due to the condition of their teeth or gums.

Of course, in these days of mask-wearing, self-consciousness about one’s smile may seem like a non-issue. Yet these are also days of Zoom meetings and other video conferencing that can make some of us even more aware of our appearance - and ways in which we’d like to improve it.

Fortunately, there are lots of solutions for straightening out a crooked smile, brightening a smile, replacing missing teeth, or otherwise improving a smile - safely and biocompatibly.

While there are tons of smile whitening products available over-the-counter today, nothing can beat the smile brightening done by a dental professional. For one, we can remove the stains safely, protecting the integrity of your tooth enamel and the health of your gums. We can also be sure that your final tooth shade isn’t too bright but harmonizes with your natural skin tone.

And if you have crooked teeth or a misaligned bite? A gappy smile? “Invisible” aligners like those of the Clear Correct system we use here in our Arlington dental office can gently guide your teeth into their optimal position.

Chips, cracks, or other physical damage? Bonding can come to the rescue. Porcelain veneers can be placed to completely change the look of your teeth all together. And where teeth are missing, ceramic implants can be placed, looking, feeling, and functioning like the real deal.

Teeth, of course, aren’t the only concern. Procedures like gum contouring can help change the appearance of your gums in a way that complements your whole smile.

Here at Pride Dental, we can even do laser facial aesthetics to enhance the smile makeover you choose - remove wrinkles, tighten up sagging skin, give your lips a fuller appearance. All these procedures are non-invasive. No anesthetic is required. It’s a pain-free procedure. No sutures or fillers involved.

With so many options, you won’t have to force a smile to feel better. You’ll smile because you’re already looking and feeling like you’re at the top of your game!

The following article The Power of a Smile was first published to: Pride Dental

Making the Move to Healthier Eating for Kids

Good news: According to a new study in JAMA, the overall diet of American kids has gotten better over the past couple decades.

Not-so-good news: More than half the kids in the US still eat poorly - too many processed foods, too much salt, not enough veg and fruit. 

Crunching 17 years’ worth of data from over 31,000 youth, ages 2 to 19, the researchers found a sharp decrease in kids with poor quality diets (from 76.8% to 56.1%) and a strong uptick in intermediate quality diets (from 23.2% to 43.7%). 

Still, less than 1% of kids had an overall “ideal” diet. Less than 1%!

The dominance of unhealthy eating, of course, has real long term consequences. For one, study co-author Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian told Today, children’s risk of developing conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity go way up. 

Having more than half of our children eating poor diets is really unacceptable, both for their own health and the associated health care costs over their lifetimes. 

Even more concerning is that Mozaffarian and his colleagues found that diets tended to get worse as children got older. For instance, in 2015-2016, the proportion of kids aged 2 to 5 having a poor diet was just under 40%. That number rose to 52.5% for kids aged 6 to 11 and to 66.6% for tweens and teens.  

These habits can easily continue into adulthood, notes Mozaffarian. 

There’s very good evidence that diets established in childhood and adolescence persist through life… so how kids eat at home, at school and when they’re out with friends really makes a big difference for the rest of their lives.

But back to good news: Research has shown that small dietary changes can lead to big benefits. Even some simple substitutions can help you get your kids on the way to healthier eating. Here are just a handful of ideas: 

Snack Swap

Instead of giving kids snacks like chips or Goldfish crackers, throw some cooked garbanzo or white beans in a blender with fresh garlic, olive oil, and a little salt. With cucumber slices or carrots, this quick and easy hummus makes a savory treat for home or school. 

Sweeten Without Sugar

Ditch the sugary yogurt and instead, mix cut-up fruit into plain yogurt and sprinkle with cinnamon or ginger. The probiotics in the yogurt are great for gut and oral health - and the fruit offers a wealth of nutrients in addition to the taste of sweetness. 

Juice & Soda Switch

Juice and soda are big offenders when it comes to sugar and acid overload. Go with whole fruit instead of the juice. If the kids miss soda’s fizz, consider investing in a SodaStream or similar device. Not only is it cheaper and more environmentally friendly, you can also ensure that your fizz is fluoride-free. 

Pair Veg with Saturated Fats 

If eating lots of raw veggies occasionally makes you feel like a cow chewing in the pasture all day, try introducing them to healthy saturated fats. Try spinach sauteed in bacon grease, Brussels sprouts roasted with ghee, or a rainbow of peppers, onions, and mushrooms lightly cooked in a bit of coconut oil. Yum! 

What can be hardest, though, is remembering that you’re in charge, not the kids. It’s important to include them in decision-making, but as with things like screen time, toothbrushing, and homework, you get the final word. Don’t give into unhealthy demands, especially if you’re feeling tempted yourself!

The kids don’t choose whether they eat veggies or whether they brush, but they can provide input on which veggies they want in their lunchbox, just like you might let them choose which fluoride-free toothpaste they want. With the kids on the team and you as their coach, there’s no doubt you can win the healthy eating game!

The following blog post Making the Move to Healthier Eating for Kids  is republished from: https://pridedentaloffice.com

Summer Is Time for Sun Safety – & Sunscreen Safety

Time in the sun - a/k/a getting vitamin D -  is essential for your mouth/body health, but it’s also important to protect your skin from overexposure. Unfortunately, a lot of sunscreens contain some potentially problematic ingredients. 

In fact, a new study in JAMA provides yet more evidence that a number of common sunscreen chemicals commonly enter the bloodstream at levels far higher than the administration recommends. 

For all of the active ingredients studied - avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, and octinoxate - most study participants had concentrations that reached or exceeded the 0.5-ng/mL threshold after just one application of sunscreen. 

While science has shown that at least some of these ingredients may interfere with normal body functions, the authors note that 

multiple active ingredients lack nonclinical safety assessment data, including systemic carcinogenicity, developmental, and reproductive studies to determine the clinical significance of systemic exposure of sunscreen active ingredients.

The FDA has issued a proposed set of final rules governing sunscreen safety and effectiveness, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which issues a yearly guide to safe and effective sunscreens, but putting these new regulations into effect may not come for at least two more years. 

Both EWG and FDA recommend zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as “safe and effective,” and if those aren’t an option for you, EWG also provides a helpful guide to non-mineral sunscreens. 

But you’ve got other options for skin protection, as well, simple as 1, 2, 3: 

1. Safe Sunning

Unless you have a sun allergy or take medications that can increase your sensitivity to sunlight, there are ways you can get your dose of D by safely grabbing rays, sunscreen-free. 

Apps like dminder can continuously monitor your D levels based on skin tone, age, weight, and amount of skin exposed, helping prevent overexposure thanks to a handy stopwatch feature that can let you set a “sun session target.” 

Dr. Mercola also offers good, detailed guidance for safe sun exposure. 

2. Cover Up

If you’re going to be exercising outside or beaching it for longer periods of time, you will definitely need protection one way or another. Clothes and hats to the rescue!

The Skin Cancer Foundation offers tips for the types and colors of clothing protect best. You can also look for clothing with a high UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor. A shirt labeled UPF 50, for example, allows just 1/50th of UV radiation to reach your skin.

From stylish to sporty, there are lots of choices for swimming, fishing, cycling, or just hanging out. Some companies also make skin protection arm sleeves - perfect for golf or tennis, but also for a long and sunny road trip when the sun beats down on the driver’s side. 

3. Make Your Own 

There are a number of natural alternatives to sunscreen - and plenty of recipes out there for DIY sunscreens. It’s important to remember, though, that it can be tough to tell what the actual SPF of your blend might be. Take that into account the first few times you slather it on and head outside. 

Should you get burned - a little or a lot - treat it right away to help your body heal. 

So go ahead and assess the lotions in your bathroom cabinet or beach bag, tossing any with potentially harmful chemicals. Then make a plan for what works best for you and go enjoy some time in the sun!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIYiGA_rIls

Summer Is Time for Sun Safety – & Sunscreen Safety is available on: pridedentaloffice.com

Update on the EPA/Fluoridation Lawsuit

Despite the fact that the fluoridation lawsuit we’ve been following is set to resume soon, and despite this being a landmark case - the first to go to trial under the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which allows citizen groups to petition the EPA to reconsider its previous approval of a chemical, most major media outlets have remained silent about it. 

Here are just a few examples: 

 

 

 

 

One of the few major outlets that’s been providing coverage is the San Francisco Chronicle - most likely because that’s where the trial is being held. Others covering the trial have tended to be smaller or more alternative news outlets, along with legal websites. When you consider that a ruling against the EPA could spell the end of fluoridation nationwide, the silence is truly stunning.

Sure, the current pandemic and related crises could explain why coverage of this case has been so thin, but at least one columnist has suggested a different theory.

It's another example of big pharma's power and influence over the media to not question the status quo.

Of course, Big Pharma isn’t the only stakeholder in maintaining the status quo. For instance, while evidence continues to document fluoride’s potential to harm human health, the ADA keeps busy with their month-long celebration of fluoridation’s 75th anniversary, including webinars like “Mom’s Guide to Fluoride” and “Fluoridation Advocacy.” There is no coverage of the trial in the ADA News or mention of it in their news releases this year. 

Whatever the reasoning behind such editorial choices, thanks to video court proceedings, you’ll be able to see the upcoming status conference - the next step in the trial, scheduled for August 6 - for yourself. According to the Fluoride Action Network, one of the plaintiffs, many who observed the trial itself felt as though presiding District Judge Edward M. Chen intimated “that FAN had essentially won the case,” so hopes are high that victory may be on the horizon. 

Judge Chen has yet to provide details on his calendar for how to connect to the proceedings, but the Zoom viewing is scheduled for August 6 at 10:30am PDT. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, where we’ll share the info once it’s available! 

 

 

The article Update on the EPA/Fluoridation Lawsuit is republished from: pridedentaloffice.com

A Laser Facial Makeover from Your Dentist? Yes!

The COVID-19 crisis has led to plenty of anxiety across the board - including, it seems, increased anxiety about facial appearance. That’s not so surprising as it seems once you consider how so many more of our interactions with others are taking place online.

As if meetings weren’t tough to begin with, now you get to stare at your online image for an hour or more, and it’s hard not to take stock.

Consequently, cosmetic dermatologists and plastic surgeons report being more in demand than ever. As one plastic surgeon recently told InStyle,

“Back in February, we were seeing about 15 to 20 consults for lower facelifts, neck lifts, and jawline tightening procedures…. Post-quarantine, we are seeing double that number! In addition, the patients that are consulting about these procedures are eager to get these procedures as soon as possible.”

But what a lot of people don’t realize is that these types of facial improvements can be done non-surgically, tapping into your body’s own regenerative potential - and that, increasingly, they can be done in a dental office, courtesy of Fotona laser technology.

Why should a dentist be offering such services? Who better understands the structure of the mouth and face? More, it can provide the perfect complement to cosmetic dentistry, with results that harmonize beautifully with your new smile.

For instance, fuller lips can be achieved through LipLase. For this treatment, the dentist uses the laser to stimulate your body’s ability to generate new tissue, creating a tighter, fuller appearance in your lips. No pain. No downtime. No fillers.

The laser can also be used to remove wrinkles and tighten up sagging skin. The basic principle is the same: stimulate your body to make new collagen. The SmoothLase procedure requires no anesthetic and involves no cutting, sutures, or fillers.

The results are typically more natural-looking, as well. There’s no radical change to your appearance - just the erasure of years and gravity’s toll.

But cosmetic procedures aren’t all that we can do with the Fotona laser.

If snoring or mild-to-moderate sleep apnea is an issue for you, NightLase might be the device-free solution for you. Instead of making a sleep appliance for you, the dentist instead uses the laser to reshape the soft tissues around the top of your windpipe, effectively widening your airway.

One recent review of the science found that NightLase effectively widened the upper airway and reduced snoring.

Patients tolerated the procedure well without anesthesia. There were minimal side effects without serious adverse effects.

Of course, we’ll continue to use lasers for all sorts of dental applications, from tongue-tie release to periodontal therapy and plenty in between. Fast, precise, predictable, and gentle, there truly seems to be no end to what this remarkable and versatile tool can do.

The following blog post A Laser Facial Makeover from Your Dentist? Yes! was originally published on: https://pridedentaloffice.com/

More on the Oral Health/Lung Health Connection

Just as your mouth and gut are connected - the health of one depending on the other - so, too, your mouth and lungs. As one recent review put it, the mouth and lungs 

are part of a continuum. This continuity is reflected in their microbiomes. Emerging evidence suggests that dysbiosis of the oral cavity is at the very least associated with and may impact the progression of several lung pathologies.

That is, an overload of harmful bacteria in the mouth may contribute to lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis, COPD, and pneumonia by being inhaled. One study cited in the review, for instance, found that 

Accumulation of dental plaque increased with ICU stay duration, which also increased the likelihood of colonization by aerobic pathogens. This then led to nosocomial infections. [“Nosocomial” means originating in a hospital.]

This reinforces studies like the one we told you about this past spring, which found “substantial evidence” that poor periodontal health is associated with respiratory disease. And new studies on the mouth/lung connection continues to be published all the time. 

This is certainly understandable considering that breathing issues stemming from COVID-19 infections are severe enough to put nearly 20% of US patients diagnosed with the virus in the hospital. Many go on to develop more severe complications such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). 

Because of what we know about the link between oral and lung health, a new paper in the BDJ asks the question explicitly: “Could there be a link between oral hygiene and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections?” And could that mean that good oral hygiene - keeping a healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth - be in some way protective? After all,

The four main comorbidities associated with an increased risk of complications and death from COVID-19 are also associated with altered oral biofilms and periodontal disease, hence why the link between poor oral health and COVID-19 complications is suggested. Periodontopathic bacteria are implicated in systemic inflammation, bacteraemia, pneumonia and even death. Periodontopathic bacteria is also present in the metagenome of patients severely infected with SARS-CoV-2, where high reads for Prevotella (493 reads), Staphylococcus (1,659 reads) and Fusobacterium (463 reads) were discovered. It is clear that bacterial superinfections are common in patients suffering from a severe case of COVID-19, with more than 50% of deaths exhibiting bacterial superinfections. Furthermore, it is common for respiratory viruses to predispose patients to bacterial superinfections, as seen in the influenza outbreaks in 1918 and 2009. Over 80% of patients in ICU exhibited an exceptionally high bacterial load, and treatment has been successful with a dual regime of an antiviral and an antibiotic.

Because of this, the authors recommend “that oral hygiene be maintained, if not improved, during a SARS-CoV-2 infection in order to reduce the bacterial load in the mouth and the potential risk of a bacterial superinfection.” Better oral hygiene, they add “may play a part in reducing the risk of complications.”

So does that just mean brushing and flossing as you should - twice daily for brushing and once for flossing? 

That’s a start. But there’s more you can do. For instance, oil pulling is well-known to be effective at reducing harmful bacteria and staving off gum disease. Probiotics and prebiotics - through foods, supplements, and even toothpastes and other hygiene products - may also help you maintain healthy bacterial balance in your mouth. Healthful eating also plays a role. 

Additionally, recent research suggests that oral rinses containing ingredients such as chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide may reduce infection risk, at least in the short term. 

So what do you plan on doing to take your home hygiene to the next level? 

More on the Oral Health/Lung Health Connection  was originally published on: Pride Dental

It’s Not So Much Which Healthy Diet You Choose, More That You Just Stick To It

Regular readers of this blog know a bit about the relationship between gum health and heart health. And like other inflammatory conditions, both are affected by what you eat. But does sticking to one diet or another better when it comes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in particular? 

A new study in JAMA Internal Medicine aimed to find out, evaluating data from over 200,000 participants, mostly women. None had CVD, diabetes, or cancer at the outset.

Every two to four years, participants reported their health information, including things like weight, physical activity, smoking status, and multivitamin use. They were also given regular food frequency questionnaires so the researchers could analyze how well - or poorly - people stuck with various dietary patterns. 

After adjusting for factors such as age, BMI, and smoking status, the authors found that those who stuck most closely to healthy eating patterns had a 14 to 21% lower risk of CVD compared to those who routinely strayed. 

It didn’t matter which healthy eating pattern participants followed - patterns gauged with the Healthy Eating Index–2015, Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score, Healthful Plant-Based Diet Index, and Alternate Healthy Eating Index. What mattered was stick-to-itveness. As corresponding author Dr. Frank Hu put it in a Harvard news release, 

There is no one-size-fits-all diet that is best for everyone. One can combine foods in a variety of flexible ways to achieve healthy eating patterns according to individuals’ health needs, food preferences, and cultural traditions.

As with any study, this one did have its limitations, such as the lack of diversity among its participants (most were white health professionals) and the emphasis on dietary patterns guided largely by the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans - guidelines that have been widely criticized due to the influence of food manufacturers and other special interest groups. 

We know: Big surprise, right? 

The concept of “healthy eating” shouldn’t be driven by politics but the understanding that our bodies thrive when given the food they were designed to eat - not products but real food, whole food. 

No, there is no single diet that’s right for everyone - perhaps the most important takeaway from this new study. While every family has different beliefs, sensitivities, and needs, the more you learn about proper nutrition, the more there is to discover about all the healthful foods you can eat. (The Weston A. Price Foundation and the Price-Pottenger Foundation are great places to start!)  It’s certainly more empowering than obsessing on what you should avoid. 

All that plus some good oral hygiene, physical activity, and enough sleep and hydration, and you and your loved ones will be well on your way to a healthier heart and a healthier you! 

It’s Not So Much Which Healthy Diet You Choose, More That You Just Stick To It is republished from: https://pridedentaloffice.com/

Perils of Periodontitis: IBD Edition

Perhaps nowhere is the mouth/body relationship clearer than in gum disease - a condition that’s been said to affect nearly 80% of all Americans and scientifically linked to many other inflammatory conditions, from diabetes and heart disease to Alzheimer’s and cancer. 

Another that we can add to the list is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. While earlier research has highlighted the connection, a new study in the journal Cell sheds a little more light on how the health of the oral microbiome may influence the severity of this gastrointestinal disorder.

Studying mice, the research team found two possible pathways oral bacteria take in worsening gut inflammation. In the first, they suggested that periodontitis - advanced gum disease - leads to microbial imbalance in the mouth, with harmful oral bacteria eventually traveling to the gut. 

"The normal gut microbiome resists colonization by exogenous, or foreign, bacteria," explained study co-author Nobuhiko Kamada in a news release.  

However, in mice with IBD, the healthy gut bacteria are disrupted, weakening their ability to resist disease-causing bacteria from the mouth.

Another possible pathway may occur when periodontitis activates T cells in the mouth, which then travel to the gut. While the gut's normal microbiome is held in balance by the action of inflammatory and regulatory T cells that are “fine-tuned to tolerate the resident bacteria,” oral inflammation generates mostly inflammatory T cells. According to the research, once these T cells get to your gut, they actually worsen disease by triggering the gut’s immune response. 

Either way, what you get is essentially a “clash between the mouth and gut microbiomes.”

However, the authors were careful to add that there’s no evidence yet that either of these pathways is the sole cause of gastrointestinal inflammation. The inflammatory response wasn’t observed in healthy mice, just those with “pre-existing gut microbiome dysregulation.” 

William Giannobile, DDS, another co-author, summed up the findings.

This exacerbation of gut inflammation driven by oral organisms that migrate to the gut has important ramifications in emphasizing to patients the critical need to promote oral health as a part of total body health and wellbeing.

Yes, you’ve heard that line of reasoning plenty of times before, but the value of good oral hygiene is so great, it bears repeating again and again. 

And just as with other chronic conditions such as diabetes and arthritis, where symptoms may improve when you up your oral hygiene, knowing you may be able to better manage gut inflammation with daily brushing and interdental cleaning can be good incentive to keep up those healthy habits.

Graphic abstract by Cell

Perils of Periodontitis: IBD Edition was originally seen on: Pride Dental Blog