Here’s the latest news from the world of dentistry and oral health:
* Could Your Brushing Habits be Making You Fat? Researchers at the British Dental Health Foundation have discovered that obese individuals—both men and women—tend to have a higher percentage of the bacteria selenomonas noxia—in their mouths. The researchers are unsure if the large number of selenomonas bacteria are caused by the obesity, or if the selenomonas causes the body to retain weight, but are intrigued by the seeming link. Could better oral hygiene lead to accelerated weight loss? Scientists don’t know for sure. But they do know that oral bacteria can trigger a host of problems ranging from tooth loss to heart disease. Not to mention bad breath.
* Oral Piercings Pose Serious Health Risks. Piercing the tongue, lips and cheeks may be trendy, but they can pose serious problems for teeth, gums and even the mouth itself. Dr. George Koumaras, DDS, dental director for Delta Dental of Virginia, warns that oral piercings can lead to localized pain, swelling, prolonged bleeding, damage to salivary glands, plaque build-up, allergic reactions, nerve damage and generalized damage to teeth and gums. Koumaras suggests that anyone considering an oral piercing first consult his/her dentist and discuss possible ramifications as well as damage control steps should problems arise.
* Could What’s Good for the Teeth also be Good for the Body? For years, dentists have advised their patients to avoid “fermentable carbohydrates,” foods like candy, starches, and many tropical fruits like bananas and pineapples, which turn to simple sugars in the mouth and promote tooth decay. At the same time, many nutritionists advise the public to stay away from fats and proteins that can lead to systemic diseases like heart disease and pancreatic cancer. Now, at least one researcher, Dr. Philippe Hujoel of the University of Washington School of Dentistry in Seattle, suggests that dental disease may be the first warning signs of systemic failures, and that people should avoid fermentable carbohydrates in favor of fats. Hujoel points out that simple sugars can lead to spikes to blood sugar that have themselves been linked to numerous diseases. Will a burger a day keep the doctor away? With regular brushing and flossing, it just might.
* Tooth Whitening Less Dangerous Than Everyday Fruit Drinks. Researchers at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, compared the damage done by popular tooth-whitening processes to that done by common high-acidic drinks like orange juice and soda. They concluded that tooth whitening products and processes with 6 percent hydrogen peroxide are actually far less harmful than everyday fruit drinks, sodas and sports drinks. In fact, the peroxide treatments do very little damage whereas acidic drinks can wear away as much as 84 percent of tooth enamel, the researchers reported. They did not say/report? that tooth damage can be reduced by drinking high-acid liquids quickly rather than over a prolonged period, and may also be helped by regular fluoride treatments.
Professional Dental Assisting Programs at Everest College
Interested in a career in the fast-growing and exciting field of dental assisting? Programs that help you qualify for a variety of entry-level positions are available now at Everest College. For more information, please contact Everest today!
