What causes gum disease. Periodontitis??

What causes gum disease. Periodontitis??

Oral Hygiene

The practice of proper oral hygiene is the most important thing you can do for your teeth and gums. In Part One, you learned that brushing alone is not sufficient to care for your teeth. In addition to brushing, your daily routine should include flossing and, depending on your particular need, the use of balsa-wood tooth-picks, gum stimulators, or water-irrigating devices.


Brushing

Proper brushing involves choosing and caring for your toothbrush as well as using it correctly. There are many different types of toothbrushes available, with a variety of sizes, shapes, and lengths. No single type is best for everyone, but soft bristles are recommended whether you use an electric or manual toothbrush.

Although electric toothbrushes are effective in plaque removal and gum stimulation, they have no proven advantage over manual toothbrushes. Some people, however, simply prefer them. Handicapped individuals, those who wear braces, and lazy children may also benefit from using electric toothbrushes. Continue Reading >>

Health Tip: Get Enough Vitamin C

(HealthDay News) - Vitamin C is an antioxidant that's found primarily in citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, potatoes and other fruits and veggies.

Significant enough vitamin C deficiency can lead to a condition called scurvy.

Here are warning signs that you're not getting enough vitamin C, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Excessively dry hair with ends that split easily.
• Scaly, rough, dry skin.
• Bleeding or inflamed gums.
• Wounds that heal slowly, frequent infections, and bruising easily.
• Frequent nosebleeds.
• Pain and swelling in the joints.
• Anemia.
• Weakened tooth enamel.

Marijuana Bad for the Gums

(HealthDay News) -- Pot smokers face many of the same health consequences that tobacco users do, such as an increased risk of heart disease, but until now, it wasn't known that marijuana use could also destroy gum tissue.

In the Feb. 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers reported that heavy marijuana users have as much as three times the risk of developing serious gum disease compared to those who haven't smoked pot.

"We found in our study that long-term heavy [marijuana] smokers had a greater risk of gum disease by the time they reach their early 30s," said study lead author W. Murray Thomson, a professor of dental epidemiology and public health at the Sir John Walsh Research Institute at the School of Dentistry in Dunedin, New Zealand.

"The gums in a person's oral cavity before the age of 35 seem to be a pretty sensitive marker for adverse lifestyles," said Philippe Hujoel, a professor in the department of Dental Public Health Sciences at the University of Washington School of Dentistry. Hujoel wrote an accompanying editorial in the same issue of the journal.

Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Smoked like tobacco, it has many similar ill health effects. Marijuana use has been associated with increases in the risk of heart disease, head and neck cancers, problems in the lungs and infection. Marijuana has also been associated with social behavior problems, according to NIDA.

For the study, Thomson and his colleagues used data from a group of 900 New Zealanders who have been followed from birth into their early 30s. The group members have been assessed 11 different times since they were 3 years old. The researchers began asking about marijuana use at age 18, and then again at 21, 26 and 32. Dental examinations were conducted at 26 and 32 years of age, according to the study.

Thomson acknowledged that it's sometimes difficult to get people to accurately report illicit drug use. But, he's confident in this case that the use of marijuana was honestly reported, because this group has been participating in this study for so long and knows that its answers will remain confidential.

The researchers identified three marijuana "exposure" groups: No exposure, 32.3 percent; some exposure, 47.4 percent; and high exposure, 20.2 percent.

After adjusting the data to account for tobacco use, gender and a lack of dental care, the researchers found that those in the high-use group had a 60 percent increased risk of early periodontal disease, a 3.1 times greater risk of more advanced gum disease, and a 2.2 times increased risk of losing a tooth due to gum disease, compared to those who didn't use marijuana.

"We think that it is the same as with tobacco smoke: That is, the effect is not directly on the gums as smoke is inhaled. Instead, it acts through toxins being absorbed into the bloodstream via the lungs and then affecting the body's ability to heal itself after bursts of destructive inflammation in the gums," Thomson said.

The bottom line, he said, is "don't smoke, whether it's cannabis or tobacco -- it's not a rational thing to do, and it has far-reaching effects on your health."

If you're concerned about the health of your gums, Hujoel suggested that you avoid risk factors, such as smoking, and ask your dentist or periodontist what additional steps you can take to protect them. If you have early periodontal disease, he said that regular periodontal maintenance care is generally recommended, but there may be other treatments, depending on your individual periodontal health.

More information
To learn more about marijuana and its effects on the body, visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Busting Medical Myths Even Doctors Believe

(HealthDay News) -- Somewhere in the back of your mind is the idea that you should drink at least eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy.

You may have nodded in agreement when someone mentioned scientific studies showing that, on average, we use just 10 percent of our brain.

And you may have lectured your children about the danger of reading in dim light, which could cause permanent eye damage.

None of this is true. But the ideas continue to circulate (and be believed even by some physicians), say Drs. Rachel Vreeman and Aaron Carroll of the Indiana University School of Medicine. They've taken the time and trouble in a two-page report in the Dec. 22-29 British Medical Journal to puncture seven such medical myths.

"We picked these in particular, because we either heard physicians repeat them or heard them in the media a number of times," said Vreeman, who is a fellow in children's health services research at Indiana. "They do appear to be ingrained in the popular imagination, including that of physicians."

Dr. Graham F. Greene, associate professor of urology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, admits he was tempted to believe the 10 percent brain myth, especially because he'd heard it attributed to Albert Einstein (not so), even though Greene is involved with the UAMS Web page devoted to puncturing similar myths.

"But, in reality, the brain is still a huge mystery in terms of capacity," Greene said. "We're still learning about it."

Greene does recall hearing his mother caution his sisters about another myth punctured in the BMJ presentation -- that shaved hair will grow back coarser and darker. The myth persists even though controlled studies done as long ago as 1928 showed no difference in the growth and texture of shaved and non-shaved hair.

Then, there's the one about hair and fingernails continuing to grow after death -- the so-called Dracula effect. What actually happens, Vreeman and Carroll write, is that the skin retracts after death, giving the illusion of growth. That's part of something that happens during life, too -- we grow "long in the tooth," not because old teeth are growing, but because the gums that support them shrink.

There's an air of scientific verisimilitude about another myth cited by Vreeman and Carroll -- that eating turkey makes you sleepy. Supposedly, that happens because turkey is rich in the sleep-inducing amino acid tryptophan, but the tryptophan content is not great enough to bother anyone, Vreeland said. It's probably the wine that comes with the Thanksgiving turkey that lowers the eyelids.

As for drinking eight glasses of water a day, don't try it. Water comes into the body via a number of foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and a zealous endeavor to meet the eight-glass quota might even be dangerous, Vreeman said.

She and Carroll are expanding their myth-busting effort. "We're in the process of writing a book with over 100 of them," Vreeman said.

Have you heard the one about chewing gum staying in your stomach for seven years if you swallow it?

More information
For a clear-eyed take on other medical myths, visit the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Dentists Take Dimmer View of Patients' Smiles

(HealthDay News) -- People tend to be much happier with the condition of their teeth and smiles than their dentists are, Norwegian researchers report.

Patients also view eyes and teeth as the most important aspects of facial attractiveness, and younger people under 50 are most at ease with the appearance of their teeth, the study found.

"Patients had much higher opinions of their smiles than dentists assessing their smiles," said study author Dr. Oystein Fardal, a periodontist in private practice in Egersund, Norway.

Yet despite the inclination towards more favorable assessments, patients did not usually rank their pearly whites as being the best that they could be.

"They only gave themselves scores of six out 10," he noted. "This could mean that they are content, but realize that they do not compare with the 'perfect smiles' of Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie, etcetera."

Fardal and co-author Jannike Jornung, a graduate student in the department of orthodontics in Sweden's Sahlgrenska Academy at Goteborg University, published their findings in the December issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.

To gauge patient and dentist perceptions, the researchers first interviewed 78 patients at a general dental practice in a small rural Norwegian community during September of 2004.
The patients were between the ages of 22 and 84 and, at the time, none were seeking any kind of aesthetic dental care. Nearly two-thirds were women.

Written questionnaires were completed, in which patients assessed on a scale of one to 100 the shape of their lips; the appearance of the soft tissue (gingiva) surrounding their teeth; the shade, shape and alignment of their teeth; and the overall state of their smile.

Patients were also asked to indicate if they thought they had crooked teeth and/or receding gums.

No photographs or mirrors were provided, as patients were asked to grade themselves from memory.

In addition, all the men and women also ranked various facial features according to how important they believed they were to overall attractiveness. Features included hair and hairline, eyes and eyebrows, nose, skin, ears, lips, teeth, chin and the shape of the head.

Digital photos were then taken of the smiles of the first 40 patients, and both the attending dentist and Fardal independently arrived at aesthetic scores based on assessments of tooth shade, spacing, crowding, inflamed tissue and overall appearance.

At no time had Fardal been involved in the dental care of any of the patients.

The authors found that on a scale of 100, average patient satisfaction with the state of their smile came to just over 59 -- a figure that rose significantly among patients under the age of 50.
By contrast, the two dentists' assessments taken together registered at about 40 on the scale.

Specifically, patients were most satisfied with the state of their soft tissue (gingiva) when they smiled. They were least satisfied with the color of their teeth, which they generally described as being too dark.

Skin condition followed teeth and eyes as the most important features contributing to a person's facial attractiveness. Female patients said that teeth and hair were more important to them than did the men, while the men said head shape was more critical.

Fardal and Jernung suggested that dentists should remember that their opinion of the aesthetics of a patient's smile may not match that of the patient.

"Whether the 'perfect smile' exists is a different question," said Fardal. "The smile is made up of the teeth, gums, lips and jaws, and we as dentists use criteria and guidelines attempting to produce the 'perfect smile.' However, how many people actually fulfill these criteria is not known."

"Furthermore, the beauty is in the eye of the beholder," he added. "So there are a lot more smiles that are found to be attractive than just the 'media-created smile'. In addition, social and cultural differences exist, where different features are deemed attractive."

Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a consumer advisor to the American Dental Association, and an associate professor in UCLA's School of Dentistry in Los Angeles, agreed that dentists are trained to look for certain agreed-upon tooth proportions, symmetries, sizes, shapes and coloring when assessing a person's smile.

"I think there is a notion of what the components of an optimally attractive smile," he said. "There are certain parameters that are commonly utilized when a dentist looks at a smile. Then you take these very general parameters and apply them to every individual person with their unique features."

"It's certainly not a cookie-cutter situation, like a Julia Roberts template that we want to stick in everybody's mouth," he stressed. "But when you look at a beautiful smile you do see a lot of the same features -- either because the person is blessed or through orthodontic work -- which we all find appealing.

"Models, for example, consistently have central incisors which tend to be a little bit wider and longer than the other teeth in the front," Hewlett noted. "And yet when you look at two famous actresses -- Kirsten Dunst and Patricia Arquette -- both have a type of crookedness. The incisors are actually tilted back a little, and the canine teeth look more prominent like fangs. Yet both have commented in interviews that they are tired of people telling them to change their teeth. They're quite confident and comfortable."

"And that's the subjectivity of attractive teeth personified," he noted. "They're comfortable in their own skin, and they don't feel the need to conform to some culturally driven ideal of beauty. And that's something I think that dentists need to be sensitive to as well."

More information
For additional information on cosmetic dentistry, visit the American Dental Association.

Obesity Weakens Immune Response

(HealthDay News) -- Obese people find it harder to fight infections, and a weakened immune response may be to blame, suggests a new study from Boston University researchers.

In experiments with mice infected with the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, obese mice had less ability to battle gum infection than their normal-weight counterparts, according to the report in this week's early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"For years, we have had difficulty understanding why obese people have difficulty clearing an infection," said lead researcher Dr. Salomon Amar, associate dean for research at the university's School of Dental Medicine.

"Now we understand that dysfunction in some of the mechanisms, as a result of the obesity, explain difficulty in clearing the infection and also the difficulty in wound healing," Amar said.

In the study, Amar's team tied silk threads infected with the bacteria around the molars of obese and normal-weight mice. They then compared the animals' responses to infection, by measuring both the amount of bone loss and the growth of the bacteria around their teeth.

The researchers found that the obese mice had a compromised immune response to the bacteria, which made the animals more susceptible to the infection.

Amar's group also looked at the animals' white blood cells, which are the main line of defense against infection. The white cells of obese mice had lower levels of an important signaling molecule, and some of the genes that fight inflammation were altered, the researchers found.

Why obesity has this effect isn't clear, but the researchers think it may involve a signaling pathway that controls a protein called NF-kB. Alterations in this protein may be caused by constant exposure to food, Amar explained. "At some point, the body doesn't respond properly to infection," he said.

The same mechanism is at work in humans, Amar added. In fact, studies in obese people have shown they are more likely to have gum disease than non-obese people. The disease is caused by bacteria, which causes inflammation and destruction of the bone underlying teeth.

Amar thinks that obese people need to be treated differently to help them fight infections. "We need to be more aggressive in the use of targeted antibiotics in infections among obese people," he said. "Also, we need to boost the immune response."

One expert agreed the finding sheds light on the connection between obesity and infection.
"Very interesting paper," said Dr. Sara G. Grossi, a senior research scientist at the Brody School of Medicine of East Carolina University. "This is a study that needed to be done, with very interesting results and implications for both obesity and periodontal disease -- two diseases that are easier to prevent than to treat."

More information
For more about gum disease, visit the American Academy of Periodontology.

Oxy-Powder® Complete Cleansing System $147.75 [ learn more ] Complete Cleansing System with Livatrex™, Oxy-Powder®, Latero-Flora™, and two bottles of ParaTrex®.

Tooth Decay Is Kids' Stuff

(HealthDay News) -- The dental health of Americans is improving as people take better care of their teeth. But that encouraging trend doesn't extend to some of the country's most vulnerable individuals -- children.

Studies have found that baby tooth decay is on the rise. One federal report found that decay in baby teeth among 2- to 5-year-olds increased from 24 percent to 28 percent from 1988 to 2004.

This decay can have unwanted lasting effects on a child's overall heath, ranging from impairment of permanent teeth to systemic illness caused by infection from bacteria in the mouth.

Jean Connor, a dental hygienist in Cambridge, Mass., and president of the American Dental Hygienists Association, said parents need to teach their children that a clean mouth is just as desirable as clean ears or hands or feet.

"It's just another part of the body that must be kept clean," Connor said. "If you have a dirty mouth, you're carrying bacteria and infections around."

Baby teeth are often thought of as disposable or temporary. But if left to decay, those teeth can fill the mouth with bacteria that could harm the permanent teeth as they come in. And if baby teeth are pulled early due to decay, the permanent teeth behind them can come in crooked.

Oral cleanliness can come from a variety of techniques. Parents should teach their kids how to brush and floss and also how to keep their mouth clean by watching what they eat.

This care can start even before a child is born, said Diann Bomkamp, a dental hygienist in St. Louis, and president-elect of the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA).

Expecting mothers can give their unborn children an advantage by taking special care of their dental health during pregnancy, Bomkamp said.

"If the pregnant woman does not have good dental care, she could have more of the decay-producing bacteria in her mouth, and it's very likely she could pass these bugs on to her child," Bomkamp said.

Once the child is born, parents should start keeping the mouth clean even before the first baby tooth has erupted.

The ADHA recommends thoroughly cleaning an infant's gums after each feeding with a water-soaked infant washcloth or gauze pad to stimulate the gum tissue and remove food.

"Even before they have teeth, you can clean out their mouths and get the kids used to the idea of it," Connor said.

When the baby's teeth begin to erupt, parents should brush them gently with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.

At age 2 or 3, a parent can begin to teach their child proper brushing techniques. However, the child will need help with brushing and flossing up through age 7 or 8. By then, they will have developed the dexterity to do it alone.

Parents also should be cautious about inadvertently sharing their own mouth's bacteria with their child, through even the most seemingly innocuous behavior.

"Decay bugs can be transmitted through sharing food and drink, through sharing a toothbrush or sharing utensils," Bomkamp said. "Even blowing on food, your saliva can be transmitted to the child."

Watching what children eat also can help protect them from developing cavities or large amounts of decay bacteria in their mouths. This includes making sure that kids are fed regular meals throughout the day, especially breakfast, to keep them from feeling the need to snack on unhealthy foods.

One recent study found that the odds of decay in baby teeth were greater in the children with poor eating habits. Children who don't eat breakfast every day had higher levels of tooth decay, the study found, as did those who don't eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

"If they're eating several snacks a day, they probably aren't eating foods that are good for them," Bomkamp said.

Also, don't let a young child go to bed with a bottle, Bomkamp said, and avoid allowing them to run around with sippy cups filled with sugary juices.

Another potential problem is the increased use of bottled water, she said. Tap water in almost all U.S. cities contains fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay. "Most bottled water doesn't have the fluoride levels we'd like to see," Bomkamp said.

Dental hygienists also urge parents to get their kids in to see a dentist as early as possible, within six months of the eruption of their first baby tooth or by their first birthday.

"Parents often don't think to take their child to the dentist until it's too late to prevent problems," Connor said.

More information
To learn more, visit the American Dental Hygienists Association.

more discussion: Forum
· Addiction Forum · Ask the Doctors Forum · Ayurveda Forum · Ayurvedic & Thai Herbs Forum · Colon Cleansing Forum · Dental Forum · Diabetes Forum · Diet Forum · General Cleansing Forum · Hepatitis A, B. C Forum · Integrated Medicine Forum · Live Blood Analysis Forum · Ozone-Oxygen-Forum · pH - Alkaline - Acidity Forum · Weight Loss Forum

Health Tip: Saving a Knocked-Out Tooth

(HealthDay News) -- If your child has a permanent tooth knocked out, it should be considered a dental emergency, the Nemours Foundation advises.

The tooth is most likely to survive if it is properly placed back in the socket within 30 minutes of the injury.

Here are the foundation's suggestions for what to do if a child's permanent tooth is knocked out:

• Find the tooth, and only handle it by the crown (the part that you'd see in a person's mouth), never by the root.
• Immediately rinse the tooth (don't scrub it) with saline solution or milk. Don't use tap water, which typically contains chlorine, unless that's all that's available.
• If your child is old enough to hold it there, place the tooth gently back in its socket.
• If your child is young, store the tooth in a cup of milk, or hold it in your mouth between your cheek and lower gum.

Go immediately to your dentist or local emergency room.

Health Tip: Your Teething Baby

(HealthDay News) -- A baby's first set of teeth usually starts to emerge at about 6 months of age. While discomfort and irritability are common in teething babies, other symptoms may be warning signs of another problem.
Here are some basics that parents should know about teething, courtesy of the American Dental Association:

• Irritability, fussiness, drooling, and loss of appetite are common symptoms of teething.
• Diarrhea, rash, and fever are not caused by teething, and should be evaluated by a doctor.
• Small cysts near erupting teeth are common and harmless.
• Tender gums may be soothed with a teething ring, pacifier, or a cream that helps numb the gums.
• Gums can also be massaged with a clean finger or damp piece of gauze.

Health Tip: When Your Taste Buds Sour

(HealthDay News) -- Taste impairments can be caused by anything that affects the way the brain processes your sense of taste, including smoking, a vitamin deficiency, a drug, or even the common cold.

Here are other common causes of taste problems, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

Aging.
Strep throat or flu.
An injury to the mouth, nose, or head.
Gingivitis (gum disease).
Conditions such as Bell's Palsy, Sjogren Syndrome, or pharyngitis.
Dryness of the mouth.
An infection in the nasal passages, sinusitis or nasal polyps.

Health Tip: While Chewing Gum May Relieve Stress ...

(HealthDay News) -- While chewing gum may help you feel better when you're stressed, don't overdo it, advises the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

When you're stressed, you may be prone to chewing more vigorously, which can strain your jaw.

Chewing too hard can cause fatigue and soreness in the jaw. It can also trigger a condition called TMJ, affecting the temporomandibular joint. The condition can causes pain in the head and the neck, and difficulty in opening and closing the jaw.

If you have any of these symptoms, give your jaw a rest and stop chewing gum for a few days. If symptoms don't subside, see a doctor.

Health Tip: Problems With Your Dentures?

(HealthDay News) -- Dentures must be properly fitted and cared for to prevent dental problems, discomfort and the need for repair.

Here are suggestions on caring for your dentures, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• Don't use toothpicks on your dentures.
• After eating, thoroughly clean your dentures with plain soap and lukewarm water.
• Keep your gums in good health with daily massaging, rest from your dentures, and a salt water rinse.
• For dentures that don't fit perfectly, try a denture adhesive. If you still have discomfort, see your dentist.

Toothbrushing May Strengthen Gums

(HealthDay News) -- It may seem contradictory, but the cell damage caused by brushing your teeth may help keep your gums healthy, U.S. researchers say.

Toothbrush bristles tear holes in the epithelial cells that line the gums and tongue, causing a momentary rupture, explains a team at the Medical College of Georgia.

"It's very clear that brushing your teeth is a healthy thing to do; no one questions that brushing removes bacteria and that's probably it's main function," corresponding author and Dr. Paul L. McNeil, a cell biologist, said in a prepared statement.

"But we are thinking that there might be another positive aspect of brushing. Many tissues in our bodies respond to mechanical stress by adapting and getting stronger, like muscles. We think the gums may adapt to this mechanical stress by getting thicker and healthier. It's the 'no pain, no gain' theory, the same as exercising," McNeil said.

For this study, he and his colleagues injected fluorescent dye into the bloodstream of rats and then brushed the rats' teeth, gums and tongues.

Calcium (which is abundant in saliva) then moves into the cells and triggers internal membranes to move up and patch the holes, the researchers reported in the August issue of the Journal of Dental Research.

This repair takes a few seconds. During that time, growth factors that promote the growth of collagen, new blood cells and blood vessels leak out of the damaged epithelial cells. The injury to these cells also turns on expression of a gene (c-fos) that's often activated under stress and may be the first step in a response such as cell division or growth, the researchers said.

More information
The American Dental Association has more about cleaning your teeth and gums.

Health Tip: Swollen Gums Can Signal Poor Health

(HealthDay News) -- Swollen gums are a symptom of problems ranging from poor hygiene to a serious health problem such as lack of vitamin C (scurvy). If you discover that you have swollen gums, speak to your doctor or dentist about determining a cause.
Here are possible explanations for swollen gums, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:
Viral or fungal infection.
Gingivitis.
Ill-fitting dentures.
Reaction or sensitivity to toothpaste or mouthwash.
Side effect of medications.
Poor nutrition or malnourishment.
Scurvy.
Pregnancy.

Smoking, Sleeplessness Tough on Oral Health

(HealthDay News) -- Sleepless smokers are at greatest risk for poor oral health, according to a Japanese study looking at the risk factors for gum disease.

The researchers tracked 219 factory workers from 1999 to 2003. The workers were evaluated on the following lifestyle factors: exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking, hours of sleep, nutrition, stress, hours worked, and eating breakfast.

Smoking was found to be the leading factor independently associated with the progression of periodontal (gum) disease, according to the report, which is published in the May issue of the Journal of Periodontology. More than 41 percent of the workers with progressive periodontal disease were smokers, the researchers found.

A lack of sleep was the second most important factor. Workers who got seven to eight hours of sleep per night had less periodontal disease progression than those who slept six hours or less per night.

Lead author Dr. Muneo Tanaka said that suggests a "shortage of sleep can impair the body's immune response which may lead to the progression of diseases such as periodontal disease."

High stress levels and daily alcohol consumption also had a significant impact on periodontal disease progression, the study found.

"This study points out to patients that there are lifestyle factors other than brushing and flossing that may affect their oral health. Simple lifestyle changes, such as getting more sleep, may help patients improve or protect their oral health," Preston D. Miller Jr., president of the American Academy of Periodontology, said in a prepared statement.

More information
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more about preventing gum disease.

Despite Dentists' Urging, Many Don't Take Proper Care of Teeth

(HealthDay News) -- There's limited evidence that so-called behavior management techniques help dentists convince patients to brush and floss their teeth properly.

That's the conclusion of British researchers who reviewed four previous studies that included a total of 344 people with periodontal (gum) disease.

In one study, patients attended five 90-minute groups sessions about proper care of their teeth and gums, while two other studies required patients to meet with psychologists to discuss periodontal care. In the fourth study, patients called or visited a periodontist twice a week.
The review authors noted that there were flaws in how these studies were conducted, which made it difficult to draw any firm conclusions.

"We need better-quality trials assessing the effects of psychological interventions to improve people's oral health. I also think we need broader research on the benefits of the application of psychological theory to dentistry, as I believe it has a great deal to offer," review co-author Dr. Peter Robinson, professor of dental public health at the University of Sheffield in England, said in a prepared statement.

"Dentistry has worked really hard at trying to educate patients to get them to change behaviors, but we have been a bit old-fashioned. We have tended to think that if we give people information, their attitudes and behaviors should change. In fact, people can change a little, but those new behaviors are difficult to sustain. We have a lot to learn from psychologists and other experts in the field if we really want to help people," Robinson said.

The findings are in the journal The Cochrane Library, published by The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.

More information
The American Dental Association has more about oral hygiene.

Amalgam / Mercury Dental Filling Toxicity

An often overlooked, but extremely important source of toxic material is the mercury from silver [mercury] amalgam fillings. Some people who are aware of the situation are confused by the mixture of information available. Unfortunately, statements from dental trade organizations and on a few poorly-researched news reports have muddled the situation.

Here are a few facts about mercury amalgam fillings:
Causes Damage to Brain in ChildrenIn February, 1998, a group of the world's top mercury researchers announced that mercury from amalgam fillings can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and immune system of children.

Amalgam Fillings Linked to Neurological Problems, Gastrointestinal Problems
The first large-scale epidemiological study of mercury and adverse reactions was recently completed and showed that of the symptoms looked at, there was a link seen to gastrointestinal problems, sleep disturbances, concentration problems, memory disturbances, lack of initiative, restlessness, bleeding gums and other mouth disorders.

Mercury / Alzheimer's Disease Connection Found
A study related to mercury and Alzheimer's Disease was recently completed by a team of scientists led by well-respected researcher Dr. Boyd Haley. They exposed rats to levels of mercury vapor diluted to account for size differences between humans and rats. The rats developed tissue damage "indistinguishable" from that of Alzheimer's Disease.

Repeating the experiment showed the same results. Dr. Haley is quoted as saying "I'm getting the rest of my fillings taken out right now, and I've asked my wife to have hers replaced too." Also see: http://www.holistic-dentistry.com/artalzeimer.asp

Amalgam Fillings Since 1970s Unstable
The type of mercury fillings that began to be used during the last couple of decades, non-gamma-2 (high copper), releases many times more mercury than the older style of amalgam fillings. Also, please see the article on the instability of dental amalgam fillings by Ulf Bengsston.

Amalgam Fillings Release Highly Toxic Elemental MercuryMercury is one of the most toxic substances known. The mercury release from fillings is absorbed primarily as highly toxic elemental mercury vapor.

Amalgam Fillings Largest Source of Mercury
By FarBased on a number of studies in Sweden, the World Health Organization review of inorganic mercury in 1991 determined that mercury absorption is estimated to be approximately four times higher from amalgam fillings than from fish consumption. Recent studies have confirmed this estimate. The amount absorbed can vary considerably from person to person.

Gold Crowns, Gum, Bruxism, Computer Monitors Increase Release of Mercury Significantly
Gum chewing, grinding of teeth/bruxism, computer terminal exposure, presence of gold fillings or gold crowns (even if covering mercury fillings), teeth brushing, braces, and chewing cause the release of significantly increased amounts of mercury from the fillings.

Also, please see the following short review related to increases in mercury exposure from dissimilar metals in the mouth, exposure to magnetic fields, chewing, etc.

Cumulative Poison and Builds Up in OrgansMercury released from fillings builds up in the brain, pituitary, adrenals, and other parts of the body.

Mercury Amalgam Fillings Effect Porphyrins
Preliminary results from the first detailed biochemical analysis (scroll half-way down) of patients who removed mercury amalgam fillings showed a significant drop in the excretion of porphyrins (important to heme synthesis -- heme carries oxygen to red blood cells), as well as a number of other key biochemical changes. Also, see the Video of the preliminary results from the study.

Potential Contribuatory Factor in Other Diseases
Mercury from amalgam fillings has been implicated as a possible contribuatory factor in some cases of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, IBS, reproductive disorders, allergies, and a variety of other illnesses.

Mercury Build Up in Brain, Organs and Breast Milk of Fetuses of Mothers With Amalgam FillingsMercury from fillings in pregnant women has been shown to cause mercury accumulation in brain, kidneys and liver of human fetuses (all of the areas tested). Studies have shown that mercury can be passed to infants from breast milk.

Proper Removal of Fillings Produces Eventual Health Improvement
A recent study published in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine related to the proper removal of mercury amalgam fillings from 118 subjects showed an elimination or reduction or 80% of the classic mercury poisoning symptoms. In many cases, it took 6 to 12 months after mercury amalgam removal for the symptoms to disappear.

World-reknowned Experts Agree About Potential Danger
In contrast to statements from dental trade organizations, toxicologists and medical researchers are often quite concerned about the use of mercury. Lars Friberg, the lead toxicologist on the World Health Organization team looking at inorganic mercury and health effects recently stated that he believes that mercury is unsuitable for dental materials because of safety concerns.

Canadian Class Action LawsuitCanadians are in the process of beginning a major class action lawsuit based on the fact that the government knew of but did not warn the public about mercury dangers from amalgam fillings. Legal actions related to mercury exposure from mercury amalgam fillings and vaccines are beginning in the United States. For more information and a directory of Mercury-free dentists, please see the TalkInternation.com web site.

Obviously, not everyone experiences acute toxicity effects from the mercury in amalgam fillings. However, virtually everyone does have mercury build up in their bodies from implantation of such fillings. The large increase in mercury exposure from the newer non-gamma-2 mercury fillings means that only time will tell how much damage has been caused by daily exposure to mercury to such fillings.I do not recommend that people assume automatically that they will be healed by the removal of amalgam fillings.

Many people are helped tremendously and some are healed. The 80% figure for people showing improvement within a year likely refers to people who had good reason to suspect that they were being significantly effected by the fillings. The percentage of people in the general population who might experience health improvement within one year after removal is probably much lower than 80%.

I recommend going into the mercury amalgam removal procedure knowing that, at the very least, you will have removed yourself from a regular exposure to an extremely toxic material such that it will not build up in your organs and possibly cause significant health problems at a later date.Mercury amalgam fillings should be removed only by dentists with experience using the IOAMT mercury amalgam removal protocol (presented with the permission of the excellent Preventive Dental Association web page).

Such dentists are often experienced with proper evaluation and placement of composite fillings, both of which can be crucial for the success of the treatment. Biocompatability tests are often important in determining which composite materials can be safely used. I believe that composite (plastic) fillings are a better replacement than metal (e.g., gold) fillings even in chemically-sensitive individuals.

They are, however, not without safety questions, but are still likely to be much less toxic than mercury amalgam fillings. Proper placement of composites should be left to experienced amalgam removal dentists as the average well-meaning dentist may not be aware of the newer placement techniques.

Further scientific information can be found at Mercury Adverse Effects Web Page, 150 Year's of Russian Roulette Web Page, Alt Corp's Amalgam Page, and Bo Walhjalt's Mercury Articles Web Page. More information about removal, detoxification, and placement of composite fillings can be found at Bioprobe, Inc. and at the Preventive Dental Association. Information about finding a dentist practicing non-toxic dentistry can be found on the Resources For Related to Non-Toxic Dentistry web page.

Also, the AMALGAM mailing list can be a good source of accurate, up-to-date information.

Important Links

• Alt Corp Amalgam Web Page (Scientific links on left of page)


• Adverse Reaction Samples From the Internet - Updated 7/01/96


• Amalgam-Free Dentists (T.E.S.T.)


• Amalgam-Free Dentists (Talk International)


• Bikerchick Amalgam Poisoning web page


• Bio-Probe, Inc. -- Scientific/General/Detox Book & Product Catalog


• Blazing Tattles 3-Part Series on Cleaning Up Dental Work


• Canadians For Mercury Relief (CFMR)


• Chronic Illness and Chronic Mercury Exposure -- Dr. Edelson's Page


• Clifford Consulting & Research (Dental Materials Compatibility Testing)


• Consumers for Dental Choice


• Dental amalgam - 150 years of Russian Roulette (Dagfinn Reiers¿l)


• Hal A. Huggins, DDS, MS - Research In Toxicity


• Mercury/Amalgam Fillings-Related Illness FAQ


• Vimy Dental Group Web page


• Preventive Dental Health Association

Health Tip: Helpful Hints for Flossing

(HealthDay News) -- Flossing is an important part of good dental hygiene to help prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

Here are suggestions on how to floss properly, courtesy of the American Dental Hygienists' Association:

• Using about 18" of dental floss, wrap each end around your fingers until about 2" remains between your thumb and index finger.
• Gently slide the dental floss around each tooth, pulling the floss tight.
• Use a back and forth motion, and be sure to guide the floss around each tooth. Never force the floss between two teeth as you may damage gums -- gently ease the floss between teeth.
• Unwrap and rewrap the floss so that there is clean floss used on each tooth.

WHAT MERCURY POISONING DOES TO YOU

In an overall lifestyle sense, the fact that symptoms come and go leads to the victim having periods of weeks to years of being highly functional and productive, interspersed with periods of being nonproductive and having a hard time getting anything done. Life seems to progress in fits and starts. Great progress is made on projects which later get shelved for long periods.

As the disease continues, the productive periods become shorter, fewer, and farther between.
There are emotional changes in mercury poisoning. Depression slowly sets in. Victims feel fatigued and listless. They lack motivation - even for crucial tasks.

They lose interest in their surroundings and in their own life. They do not enjoy life, or experience happiness or joy. They experience constant fear e. g. of losing their job. They may be very tense. They feel hopeless. They have a sense of impending doom. Every small problem is discouraging. Minor difficulties seem overwhelming and insurmountable.

The altered emotional state of a mercury intoxicated person leads to impaired interpersonal relationships. They become increasingly irritable and sensitive, reacting strongly to relatively innocent remarks. They may not be able to take orders, instructions, or suggestions without losing their temper. They resent criticism and may interpret innocent remarks critically.

They may have an exaggerated response to stimulation and become fearful or anxious and nervous. They may project their fears and anxieties onto others, making inappropriate criticisms or attacks. They become shy and avoid dealing with strangers. While timid, they may unexpectedly lose self control with strangers. They may wish to visit with friends and family extensively, often wishing to engage in long, repetitive conversations, then withdraw for prolonged periods of time. They withdraw more and more from social contacts.

Intelligence gradually deteriorates. Previously bright persons become dull and slow in thinking. They suffer from a progressive decline specifically affecting short term memory as well as the faculties for logical reasoning. Thus their ability to do things like balance the checkbook, do math, or play chess suffers. They lose the ability to concentrate.

Memory problems may be more from distractability and inability to concentrate and pay enough attention to get things INTO their memory than an actual failure to remember things (thus they may complain of memory problems but do well on memory tests). They cease being motivated towards their work or other tasks. Thoughts become heavy, repetitive and pedantic. Creative thinking becomes progressively more difficult, eventually becoming impossible.

They become unable to select the right words to convey their meaning, and make stylistic and grammatical errors. Their ability to express themselves declines progressively.
There is a distinctive cognitive symptom of being unable to think clearly without great effort. The best description for people who have not experienced it is of a hangover without pain. People who have experienced it will recognize the term "brain fog" as entirely descriptive.

As the victim's level of intoxication waxes and wanes they go through periods of life when they do or do not dream. Dreaming may be in black and white.

Early physical symptoms include dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), insomnia, daytime drowsiness, loss of appetite, a tendency towards diarrhea - often alternating with constipation, cold hands and feet, a tendency towards sweating (some people have the opposite symptom and do not sweat at all), flushing or reddening of the skin - particularly on the face and neck. Some people blush frequently, but others do not blush at all. Asthma is a symptom of chronic mercury poisoning. Digestive disturbances are also common.

The skin becomes dry, athlete's foot and toenail fungus progress, and the insides of the ankles, particularly behind the ankle bone and a bit above it become dry, itchy, flaky and peel. This often becomes painful and annoying enough to keep the victim up at night. Even after fungus and yeast infection has been eliminated hyperkeratosis, often with papular erythema and itching are common.

The hair becomes thinner, dryer, duller, less strongly colored, slower growing, and more brittle.

The biological clock is disturbed. Waking up late and staying up late is more common than being an "early bird." Try as they might, the mercury poisoned person simply cannot control their circadian rhythm.

Victims may become photophobic and find bright light uncomfortable and unpleasant. There may be visual disturbances, including alterations in color perception leading to reduced sensitivity to the color red, or color blindness. The ability to focus on distant objects may be sporadically impaired. Peripheral vision may be reduced in the most severe cases.

The hands and feet often become distinctly cold. This can occur suddenly and is most distinctive when combined with sweating. Later in more severe poisoning they may also tingle or lose feeling.

The effects of mercury on the mouth are receding, sometimes spongy gums that bleed easily and teeth that are 'loose' in their sockets and can be wiggled very slightly. It also causes excessive salivation and unusually bad breath.

Mercury interferes with the sense of smell which becomes less acute, and later with hearing, in which perception of sounds does not diminish as notably as the patient's ability to understand and interpret them - e. g. to understand speech directed at them even though they hear it clearly.

Victims often experience discomfort that feels like a "tight band around their head." They may also experience sharp points of discomfort in their ear canals at bedtime.

Mercury also interferes with the body's ability to regulate temperature. Victims may alternate between being hot and cold when the temperature isn't changing, or have to wear more clothes than other people, or have more difficulty than other people in staying comfortable while the temperature changes. Temperature disregulation also leads to 'night sweats.'


more informations at: www.noamalgam.com/