Poor Oral Health Could Lead to Pneumonia

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 03 January 2012 12:09



There may be a connection between poor oral health and pneumonia, according to Yale University.

The study shows that changes in the mouth resulting from bacteria could lead to pneumonia, according to Dr. Samit Joshi from the Yale University School of Medicine. Older people are also at a higher risk of developing pneumonia.

The study involved 37 participants who were analyzed throughout the course of a month. The research indicated that people who were on ventilators who developed pneumonia went through a major change to their oral bacteria before becoming sick.

The connection between illnesses involving the respiratory system and oral health has been discussed for years. The reason is bacterial infections in the chest stem from breathing droplets from the mouth and throat that seep into the lungs. Also, the more gum issues a person has, the greater the chance of death from pneumonia.

Basic dental care and maintaining good oral health can make the connection between oral bacteria and pneumonia irrelevant to a person.

This information could eventually be beneficial to the way pneumonia is treated

Possible Solution to Dry Mouth Exists

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 05 January 2012 16:18



There may be a way to aid dry mouth condition.

A new battery-powered mouthguard was created to fix this problem. The mouthguard fits over the lower arch of the teeth and enables the production of saliva thanks to little electric shocks. This device is necessary because dry mouth impacts 20 percent of people older than 50.

This device could be extremely helpful because of the importance of saliva in digestion and fighting against bacteria. A healthy person can generate three pints of saliva per day but there are many people that don’t produce enough. The result is the condition of dry mouth, known as xerostomia. The condition usually stems from some kind of medication or cancer treatment.

This new mouthguard is custom designed for each person and triggers saliva production by way of electric shocks. Each patient controls the device and can be worn for up to 10 minutes every hour.

The device can be beneficial for people who developed dry mouth from Parkinson’s Disease and Sjogren’s Syndrome. More tests are on the way.

Scientists have also created mint disks with Xylitol in them, which are thought to aid dry mouth. The disks are applied at night. They melt while the person is asleep and studies from the University of Washington indicate a reduced impact of dry mouth symptoms with one week.

Baby Bottles Result in Tooth Decay

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 06 January 2012 16:36



One of the top causes of tooth decay is a baby bottle, according to dentists.

Tooth decay remains a major problem for babies. There’s now evidence that shows baby bottles are one of the major reasons decay develops.

About two out of five children beginning kindergarten have at least one decayed tooth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It’s disappointing for dentists because this is an issue that can easily be prevented.

Many parents put children to bed with substances full of sugar, including fruit juices, milk, formula and breast milk. This sugar opens the possibility for the bacteria that develops into tooth decay.

When the baby’s teeth start to emerge, the child is already at risk for tooth decay based on the amount of bacteria present. Giving the child water is a solution to this issue.

It’s also common for the caregiver to unintentionally pass on bacteria to the child. Sharing utensils with your child is a surefire way for the baby to eventually develop tooth decay.

When a baby has untreated tooth decay, a dentist may have to pull the teeth because there are times when the teeth cannot be salvaged. That’s why dental visits for babies are just as important as they are for adults.