Respiratory Bacteria in Oral Biofilm and Saliva

Dr. Farhan Qureshi — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:16:23 +0000

Oral bacterial biofilm contains an estimated 700 species including oral as well as respiratory pathogens. Medically important pathogens include Enterobacter, Hemophilus and various strains of pneumoniae bacteria. Respiratory pathogens in oral biofilm can be released into the saliva and aspirated into the lungs of hospitalized patients, especially those who have a breathing tube in place.

Clinical Implications: Oral hygiene for hospitalized, intubated patients should be considered not only for oral health, but also to prevent aspiration of bacteria into the lungs.

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Vitamin B12 for Treatment of Aphthous Ulcers

Dr. Farhan Qureshi — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:16:23 +0000

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is seen in 23 percent of the population, with half of these people suffering with a recurrence of RAS within three months. The Greek term “aphthai,” credited to Hippocrates, was first used to describe oral disorders. RAS is idiopathic in nature, with local trauma and stress being the most likely precipitating factors. Many treatments have been suggested including herbs, multivitamins, adhesive pastes, local antiseptics, local and systemic antibiotics, topical NSAIDs, topical and systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Vitamin B12 has been shown to provide both immediate and long-term benefits for the treatment and control of RAS.

Clinical Implications: Sublingual vitamin B12 is a simple, easy, inexpensive treatment for patients suffering from frequent aphthous ulcers.

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No Brain Benefit From Chewing Gum

Dr. Farhan Qureshi — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:16:23 +0000

Chewing gum is considered beneficial for oral hygiene, to help cope with air sickness and as an alternative to smoking. Researchers have suggested, anecdotally, that chewing gum enhance brain function.

Researchers at the University of Vienna in Austria wondered whether chewing gum would improve spatial task performance by healthy young adults. Chewing gum did not enhance spatial task performance in there test. Those chewing gum did slightly worse than controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. The addition of sugar for the group chewing sugared gum did not provide any benefit over sugar-free gum or not chewing gum at all.

Clinical Implications: Neither chewing gum nor the presence of sugar in chewing gums enhanced the performance of spatial tasks.

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Smoking is a Serious Risk Factor for Periodontal Disease

Dr. Farhan Qureshi — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:16:23 +0000

Smoking is a serious risk factor for periodontal disease and compromises clinical healing following therapy. Smoking suppresses the body’s immune response, triggers the release of cytokines which destroy healthy connective tissue and prevent these cells from organizing and healing. Despite a great deal of research confirming the role of smoking in the progression of periodontal disease, treatment and maintenance are the same for smokers and non-smokers. There are no well-established protocols to follow when treating established protocols to follow when treating periodontal patients who continue to smoke. Researchers at the Univiersity of Alabama, School of Dentistry in Birmingham, Alabama, reviewed the literature to determine if the use of host modulation therapy in smokers would be beneficial with both scaling and root planing and during maintenance care.

Clinical Implications: Based on the research, it makes sense to offer a host modulation drug to smokers being treated for periodontal disease and smokers receiving periodontal disease.

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Green Tea Linked to Less Depression in the Elderly

Dr. Farhan Qureshi — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:16:23 +0000

For centuries, green tea has been consumed in Asia with the belief it yields significant health benefits. Animal studies show that theanine, a major amino acid in green tea, has a tranquilizing effect on the brain. Other studies show anti-inflammatory and stress-reduction effects associated with green tea.

Clinical Implications: Green tea consumption might have a potentially beneficial effect on the prevention of depressive symptoms.

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Healthy Gums Help You to Stay in Shape

Dr. Farhan Qureshi — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:16:23 +0000

Periodontal disease can lead to Weight control and effect physical fitness.

The health complications of being overweight, such as increased risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers, have long been reported. Health care professionals often urge patients to manage their weight and strive to get physical exercise each day to achieve and maintain overall health. And now, researchers have uncovered another fact about maintaining a fit lifestyle: Healthy teeth and gums.

Periodontal disease involves inflammation and infection that destroys the tissues that support the teeth, including the gums, the periodontal ligaments, and the tooth sockets. Gingivitis is a form of periodontal disease.

In a study published by the Journal of Periodontology, Japanese researchers found that subjects who had a lower incidence of severe periodontitis , maintained a healthy weight and had high levels of physical fitness. Over one thousand subjects aged 20 to 77 were studied in a combined medical and dental study. Using body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat as a measure of weight control, and maxi-mal oxygen consumption (VO2max) as a measure of physical fitness, researchers compared subjects’ weight and fitness variables with the results of a periodontal examination. Those with the lowest BMI and highest levels of fitness had significantly lower rates of severe periodontitis.

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Swallowing Exercises May Aid Patients Undergoing Chemoradiation Therapy Study Shows

Dr. Farhan Qureshi — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:16:23 +0000

Targeted swallowing exercise may help alleviate swallowing dysfunction resulting from chemo-radiation therapy (CRT), according to a study published in the April issue of Archives of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery. “This study provides clear evidence that aggressive swallowing therapy is an important way to improve outcomes after CRT”, said Dr. Genden.

Eric Genden, MD
Professor of Otolaryngology
Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York City

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Oral Probiotics and Experimental Gingivitis

Dr. Farhan Qureshi — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:16:23 +0000

Oral probiotics in the form of mints or chewing gums introduce healthy bacteria to the oral cavity. The goal is to change the balance of the oral flora to one of health.

Clinical Implications: A probiotic chewing gum can introduce and promote colonization of good bacteria, but once daily is not enough to prevent experimental gingivitis.

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Oral Probiotic Reduce Cariogenic Bacteria in Children

Dr. Farhan Qureshi — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:16:23 +0000

Two over-the-counter oral probiotics are now available to control cariogenic bacteria: PerioBalance by Sunstar Butler and EvoraKids by Oragenics. PerioBalance uses Lactobacilli reuteri and EvoraKids uses ProBiora3, a blend of Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus uberis and Streptococcus rattus.

Clinical Implications: Over-the counter oral probiotics are effective in decreasing cariogenic bacteria in children found to be at moderate to high risk of caries.

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Successful Dental Implants For Patients Taking Fosomax, Bonica, Actonel, Etc. (Biphosphonates)

Dr. Farhan Qureshi — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 20:34:15 +0000

Osteoporosis is a well-known disease that weakens bone and increases the risk of fracture, particularly among postmenopausal women. Biphosphonates, an inhibitor of bone resorption, are widely used as a drug therapy for those with osteoporosis. Prolonged use of biphosphonates, however, can lead to a painful refractory bone exposure in the jaws, known as ”biphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw” (BONJ). This condition usually develops after dental treatment, indicating that oral surgery and implants placed into the jawbone can precipitate BONJ. A study published in the Journal of Oral Implantology involved a total of 54 patients, 8 of them female, who ranged from ages 45 to 68 years. All had been taking oral biphosphonates for less than 3 years; a significant increase in risk of BONJ is associated with more than 3 years of biphosphonate therapy. Immediate occlusal loading procedures were used, which require the motion at the bone-implant interface be kept below a certain threshold during healing. This study demonstrated a 100% success rate, with all patients rehabilitate with a full-arch prosthesis supported by 6 dental implants. Two year of follow-up found no adverse events of infection, tissue swelling, or lesions, showing this to be a viable one-stage treatment. (Source: Journal of Oral Implantology, 2012, Volume 38)

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