Some Bacteria may Develop Ability to Move within Mouth

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 06 September 2012 15:26



A new study indicates that some bacteria may be capable of grow an appendage and swimming to a new area. This activity has recently been seen in marine sponges.

This information is applicable to dentistry because it may aid the way harmful bacteria in the mouth are understood. It’s possible that the bacteria in the plaque on teeth and in other areas of the body could be treated in a different, more advanced manner.

Bacteria have the ability to communicate with other bacteria. When a critical mass of bacteria is present in a certain area, an appendage known as a flagellum appears and finds a way to swim to a new area. A new biofilm can then develop.

All things considered, there are more bacteria on earth than all other forms of life combined. The more that is understood about bacteria, the more chance there is that the bacteria will be combatted in a more educated way.

This new study by scientists from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, Indiana University, and University of Colorado Denver’s School of Medicine, appears in the September issue ofMolecular Microbiology.

Some Foods May Boost Oral Health

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 07 September 2012 14:41



At this point, it’s clear that acidic drinks and sugary foods have a negative impact on your teeth. But there are some foods and beverages that could aid your oral health.

Foods such as salmon, quinoa, basil, onions, broccoli and mushrooms will most likely make sure your oral health stays the way it should.

Salmon is high in omega 3 oils, which enables it to prevent inflammation.

Basil could be considered a natural antibiotic, meaning it lowers the amount of bacteria in the mouth.

Quinoa is rich and protein and calcium. This characteristic gives it the ability to keep teeth and bones strong.

Onions possess a sulfur compound that can combat Streptococcus bacteria.

The iron in broccoli forms a protective barrier against tooth decay.

Shitake mushrooms limit the ability of plaque to get caught in the teeth and gums, while fruits high in vitamin C could be considered natural tooth whiteners.

By sticking with these foods instead of foods high in sugar, one can ensure that good oral health is maintained.

Domestic Violence Victims Get Tooth Makeovers

Domestic Violence Victims Get Tooth Makeovers

Written by Dentistry TodayMonday, 12 November 2012 16:14

Dentists are doing what they can to help domestic violence victims.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry is using its charity, known as Give Back a Smile Programs, to reconstruct the victims’ mouths thanks to the dentists who are volunteering their time.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1.5 million people have been abused by their partners. The abuse may result in tooth injuries, as well as mental or physical harm.

Fixing the teeth of domestic abuse victims is a way to enable them to get back self-confidence. When domestic abuse victims are unable to smile with confidence, it may adversely affect the rest of the person’s life.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation began in 1999 and has been helping domestic violence victims since.

University of Utah to Add Dental School

University of Utah to Add Dental School

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 13 November 2012 16:18

The University of Utah plans to finish what it started.

The school is going forward with plans to build Utah’s first public dental school, even though there are some people against the move. Officials just announced the location for the school, which will be named after donors Ray and Tye Noorda.

Many local dentists don’t think there is a necessity for a dental school in that area. The dental school, however, will be a less expensive choice for dental students in Utah. It will also aid the community clinics with dental treatment, which will be provided by students close to graduating.

The dissension stems from a privately run dental school that recently opened in the area. The Roseman University of Health Sciences in South Jordan will produce 64 dentists in 2015 and 80 dentists the following year.

A 2006 survey of Utah dentists showed that 95 percent of people familiar with the dental trade thought the local dental market was saturated. A different study, however, indicated that there were 56.8 dentists for every 100,000 people in Utah that year, which was a decline of about five dentists since 2002. The national average at that point was 59.8 dentists for every 100,000 people.

There could be other issues for these new dental students, such as the amount they owe after graduation.

But the new program has already received 175 applications for the 20 positions in the first year. The interest is certainly there.

At this point, the University of Utah has a contractual agreement with Creighton University to help students interested in studying dentistry. With the new dental school, this arrangement will end.

The only states in the vicinity of Utah with a dental school as of now are Arizona, California and Nevada.

Construction of the school will commence early next year and is expected to be completed in late 2014.

Link Exists Between Obesity and Poor Dental Health for Homeless Children

Link Exists Between Obesity and Poor Dental Health for Homeless Children

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 14 November 2012 16:27

Obesity and dental cavities become worse as impoverished children grow older, according to a new study.

The researchers determined that as body mass index went up as children got older, the numbers of cavities increased as well. Groups at the Case Western Reserve University and the University of Akron conducted the research. The information appeared in the Journal of Pediatric Health.

The research was compiled after analyzing data from 157 children, aged 2 to 17, at an urban homeless shelter. Most of the fathers were not in the picture.

BMI was used as the determining factor for obesity. The cavity total was determined based on missing, filled or injured teeth. Few previous studies in the United States have pinpointed this correlation between obesity, poverty and dental health.

The information from this study indicated that number of obese people and poor oral health cases have just about doubled since 1980, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The problems for impoverished people when it comes to dental health are plentiful. The lack of access to healthy food, the inability to refrigerate food and the lack of running water in some instances are some of the issues. There is also the possibility of spreading gum disease and other oral diseases by sharing spoons, baby bottles, toothbrushes, etc.

Those problems don’t even include the inability to receive dental treatment. And even if the possibility for dental treatment exists, transportation to get to the appointment may not be available.

There is no fast or easy solution to ending these problems.