Dear Randy, Thank you so much for writing this elucidating article regarding the extraction of wisdom teeth post orthodontic treatment. For the past several years, I have been shaking my head regarding the rapidity and frequency of removal of “impacted” third molars after orthodontic treatment. Most of the eights I’ve seen extracted these days don’t … Read more
Inflammation has been studied since ancient times. It was observed that as a result of irritation, injury or infection, tissues throughout the body react by increased redness (rubor), swelling (tumor), heat (calor), and pain (dolor).1 Today, we know that inflammation is a process driven by cells responding to signals from the body to fend off … Read more
INTRODUCTIONChronic adult periodontitis is generally understood to result from the presence of subgingival Gram-negative bacterial biofilms proliferating at the junctional epithelium.1 These biofilms are formed when colonizing microbes encapsulate themselves against the root and epithelial surfaces in a matrix composed of secreted polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids. Close proximity of one microbial cell to another … Read more
I. INTRODUCTION: SETTING THE STAGE FOR PROBIOTICSIt started with an observation in 1928, Robert Fleming recognized the impact of penicillin with the subsequent evolution of antibiotic therapy; and it heralded the beginning of a journey which, unfortunately, has not fulfilled its promise for a variety of reasons. In the 1960s methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aures (Gram Positive) emerged and … Read more
INTRODUCTIONThe main cause for tooth loss today is periodontitis. It predominantly strikes the over 40-year-old age group. Prevention of periodontitis is imperative to general and oral health with the population becoming progressively older.31 Periodontal patients can benefit from the additional data that user-friendly chair side microbiological culture and sensitivity testing provides to augment conventional periodontal … Read more
Tooth extraction is one of the most widely performed dental procedures and tooth removal will generally result in alveolar bone loss, as well as structural and integral changes in the overlying soft tissue.2 A narrower and shorter knife edge ridge can be the expected sequelae of alveolar bone resorption10 and the process of resorption often … Read more
On Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) will announce the global expansion of Text2Floss– an innovative, mobile-based program promoting oral healthcare – at the 89th Annual Greater New York Dental Meeting. At this meeting Latin America will be highlighted with a live broadcast demonstrating Text2Floss. In … Read more
According to a new public opinion survey commissioned by Oral Health America (OHA) and sponsored in part by 3M ESPE, over half of older adults polled in the US prioritize other medical conditions over the health of their mouth and have not given oral health much thought.[1] This makes reaching older adults with this year’s … Read more
The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease continues to explode among Americans. Dr. J G Moellendorf, DC, ND, LCP reports on two preventative measures that can be done to decrease the susceptibility to developing Alzheimer’s. Many genetic and environmental risk factors have been implicated in causing Alzheimer’s disease. Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Chiropractor and Naturopath Dr. J G … Read more
Dental hygienists from across Canada will gather in Toronto from October 3-5 to share leading edge research, clinical experience and knowledge at the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association’s (CDHA) biennial national conference. Celebrating 50 years as a professional association, CDHA has assembled a dynamic group of speakers and scientists, who will present the latest information on … Read more
Washing down sugary breakfast cereal with milk after eating reduces plaque acid levels and may prevent damage to tooth enamel that leads to cavities, according to new research at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. Dry ready-to-eat, sugar-added cereals combine refined sugar and starch. When those carbohydrates are consumed, bacteria in the … Read more
When a woman becomes pregnant, she knows it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure both the health of herself and the health of her baby. New clinical recommendations from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) urge pregnant women to maintain periodontal health as well. Research … Read more
Dental Caries in Children: Prevention and Disease Management The Dental Quality Alliance (DQA), comprised of multiple stakeholders from across the oral health community, was established by the American Dental Association to develop performance measures for oral health care. The DQA’s first set, Dental Caries in Children: Prevention and Disease Management, includes 10 tested and validated … Read more
Helps Provide Oral Health Services for Children in Need
As healthcare reforms promote more preventive care and associated healthy-seeking behaviour, some controversies emerge. I notice, for example, that American employers in their efforts to control healthcare costs, are taking a look at the extra-burden of an employee who smokes. One study shows that this behaviour imposes an additional $5,800 per year on the employer … Read more
Parkinson’s is one of those growing issues in an aging community. The incidence of this disease rises from 17.4 per 100,000 between ages 50 and 59 to 93.1 in 100,000 between ages 70 and 79. Unlike other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinson’s patients remain in the community for a long period. The typical onset … Read more
Parents should be aware that bacteria that cause dental decay can be transmitted from adult to child by sharing eating utensils, or by the parent sucking on a baby’s pacifier to clean it. A study recently published in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, about the immunological benefits of adult saliva does … Read more
In this blog, we listen regularly to that roaring sound in America and the UK which stems from healthcare reform. Here are just a few of the most recent notes: This week we heard that the United Kingdom’s General Dental Council re-wrote the rules of access to dental professionals. British dental patients no longer have … Read more
The word judgment is defined as the “the ability to judge, make a decision, or form an opinion objectively, authoritatively and wisely, especially in matters affecting action”. Judgment is based on good sense and discretion. In today’s world we dismiss this important attribute. Our language is full of “don’t judge me … let go of … Read more
Throughout our patients’ lives we interact at regular intervals, assessing and treating as their oral condition requires. The ongoing progression of disease in dental hard and soft tissue is often a multifactorial downward spiral. It does not have to be. The dental team must fully understand the disease process and then proactively intervene to slow … Read more