Dental Care and Pancreatic Cancer

A research team from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, MA, were the first to report strong evidence on a link between gum disease and pancreatic cancer, back in 2007. The type of gum inflammation associated with pancreatic cancer in the study was periodontitis, which affects the tissue that support the teeth and can cause loss of bone around the base of the teeth.

The other main kind of gum disease – gingivitis; where the tissue around the teeth becomes inflamed – was not linked to increased cancer risk. However, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis if persistent. Gingivitis happens when bacteria in the plaque around the base of the teeth build up due to bad dental hygiene.

Dental Care and Alzheimer’s

In 2010, researchers from New York University (NYU) concluded that there is a link between gum inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease, after reviewing 20 years of data on the association. In 2013, UK-based researchers from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) built on the findings of this study, by comparing brain samples from 10 living patients with Alzheimer’s with 10 brain samples from people who did not have the disease. Analysis showed that a bacterium – Porphyromonas gingivalis – was present in the Alzheimer’s brain samples but not in the samples from the brains of people who did not have Alzheimer’s. What was interesting was that P. gingivalis is usually associated with chronic gum disease.

Beyond Tooth Decay: Why Good Dental Hygiene is Important

Most of us are aware that poor dental hygiene can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath – but not brushing your teeth could also have consequences for more serious illnesses. Some less well-known and serious conditions that have been linked to poor dental hygiene in recent years: Alzheimer’s disease, pancreatic cancer and heart disease.

Risk of pneumonia in the elderly doubled by sleeping in dentures

Poor oral health and hygiene are increasingly recognized as major risk factors for pneumonia among the elderly. To identify modifiable oral health-related risk factors, lead researcher Toshimitsu Iinuma, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Japan, and a team of researchers prospectively investigated associations between a constellation of oral health behaviors and incidents of pneumonia in the community-living of elders 85 years of age or older.

This study, titled “Denture Wearing During Sleep Doubles the Risk of Pneumonia in Very Elderly,” has been published by the International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR in the OnlineFirst portion of the Journal of Dental Research (JDR).

Combating Periodontal Pathogens: Periodontitis is a common ailment. If the inflammation remains untreated, it could lead to tooth loss. However, it is also suspected of triggering many other diseases, like cardiopulmonary diseases. Researchers are studying the interactions, and developing compounds to combat the causative agents

Oral health problems in elite athletes ‘must be addressed

Poor oral health affecting athletes’ general health and performance shows ‘no signs of improvement’ and must be remedied, say a group of health experts and sporting bodies. In a consensus statement, the authors call for action to tackle poor oral health among athletes. They say that simple measures such as encouraging better brushing and flossing could provide the same marginal performance gains as expensive physical therapies.

According to the ADA’s 2011 survey of fees it found that dentist fees in rural areas are typically lower than in urban areas. By comparison shopping for the procedure you need by calling different dental offices outside your metro area and asking about their fees you may be able to save substantial amount of money, making the drive to the dental office worth it.

One cost saving option if you do not have dental insurance is to look for low-cost or free dental clinics offered in your community by local dentist volunteers. Find opportunities in your area through America’s Dentists Care Foundation.

Another charitable organization with volunteer dental professionals is Dentistry From the Heart, a global nonprofit organization (727-849-2002). Or ask your state’s dental association (find it online) about low-cost care.

Do Not Wait Until The Last Minute to Buy Dental Insurance.

Sadly many people do not buy dental insurance until they need to have larger dental care services. Then they are upset when they find out by doing that they have greatly restrict their plan options. It is important to understand that if you are wanting a dental PPO or Indemnity plan (Free Choice of Provider) insurance plan that these types of plans normally have waiting periods for larger dental care needs.

By waiting until you have toothache before buying this type of plan you quickly find out that you may not have coverage’s for the very service you need. Therefore with these types of dental insurance plans it is key to think ahead. One main benefit of buying a dental PPO and or Indemnity dental insurance plan when you are not in need of larger dental services is that if you have it you may use it and therefore also avoid the need of having to have larger dental care due to having proper preventive care services.

One Way to Save Money on Your Dental Care Is To Ask For It.

Next time you are at your dentist try requesting 10 percent off. Some dentists will take up to 10 percent off the cost of a visit or procedure if you pay in full at the time of the visit. If your dentist does not provide a discount, ask for one. A respectful and polite request has the best chance of success. Or shop around for a dentist, gathering recommendations from friends and then phoning those offices to find out if they offer such a discount

Can I cut back to one cleaning a year?

Question: Right now I do not have insurance and having twice a year cleaning’s do not seem all that important since I do have good teeth can I cut back to just having a check up and cleaning one a year?

Answer: If you do not have any serious dental issues, you can probably get by with one cleaning annually. According to several studies, they have indicated that visiting the dentist twice a year has no notable benefits when compared with a single visit annually.

However, do not skip that annual cleaning and exam it could save you from costly and serious problems. Also talk to your current dentist and see what he/she advise. I would additional suggest that you look into getting dental insurance. Not only will dental insurance save you money on your dental care needs but most plan provide for twice a year check ups and cleans at little to no cost.

How Preventive Dental Care Saves You Money

In many cases, one of the best way to save on the cost of dentistry is to take excellent care of your teeth and gums and teach children healthy dental routines. Such as, did you know that fruit juices, carbonated drinks and acidic foods can help wear away your tooth enamel? Make sure you are brushing your teeth at least twice a day flossing daily and rinsing your mouth out with a germ/plaque fighting mouthwash. Also maintain your regular dental checks ups as advised by your dentist.

What Are Bite-Wing X-Rays: Bite-Wing X-ray is a single X-ray that shows upper and lower teeth teeth (from crown to about the level of the supporting bone) in a select area on the same film. Generally Bite-Wing X-Rays fall under preventive care with most insurance plans and are free to little cost.

What is Amalgam: Amalgam a common filling material used to repair cavities. The material, also known as “silver fillings,” contains mercury in combination with silver, tin, copper, and sometimes zinc. Amalgam is normally the lest costly filling option available, but normally it is not used for teeth that are in the smile zone.

Binge Eating and Your Dental Health

Binging and purging (bulimia nervosa) can do even more damage to dental health. The strong acids found in vomit can erode teeth, making them brittle and weak. These acids also cause bad breath. Bulimia can lead to a variety of serious health problems, so be sure to talk to your doctor if you have been purging.

The acids in wine eat away at your tooth enamel, creating rough spots that make teeth more vulnerable to staining. Red wine also contains a deep pigment called chromogen and tannins, which help the color stick to the teeth. This combination makes it easy for the wine’s red color to stay with you long after your glass is empty.