Category: Preventive

Is skipping meals the key to healthier gums?

Intermittent fasting – an eating pattern cycling between periods of eating and fasting – may help soothe gum inflammation and improve other health markers even when oral hygiene is subpar. The research was presented on May 12 at EuroPerio 11 in Vienna. A study compared a regular, non-fasting diet with two time-restricted diets and found…
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Men, gum disease may be really bad news for sperm

Periodontitis may be significantly associated with decreased sperm mobility, abnormal structure, and increased fragmentation in its DNA, according to a systematic review published on May 21 in BMC Oral Health. The study suggests that chronic mouth inflammation may have systemic effects on the reproductive health of men, the authors wrote. Considering the identified pathophysiological mechanisms,…
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What global tooth loss may look like in 15 years

The worldwide burden of tooth loss (edentulism) is expected to rise due to population growth and aging, with a substantial impact anticipated by 2040, according to a study recently published in the International Dental Journal. High sociodemographic index (SDI) countries and women may face a disproportionately higher burden of tooth loss, the authors wrote. “These…
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Periodontitis may be linked to leading cause of stroke

Gum disease may be associated with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), a leading cause of stroke, in patients with ischemic stroke, according to a new study published on December 5 in the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases. The rates of Fusobacterium nucleatum, a germ that commonly causes gum disease, in the oral cavity were significantly associated with…
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Eating Right for Dental Health: What to Consume and Avoid

Dental health starts in the…kitchen? You read that correctly! Of course, brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits are important, but they aren’t the only things to consider when keeping your pearly whites in tip-top shape. Most people understand that they should limit the sweets and candy they take in, but what should and shouldn’t you…
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Five Smart Questions to Ask Your Dentist

Have a dental appointment scheduled sometime soon? Sit back, relax, and get ready to open your mouth – but not just to have it examined! Taking your smile to the next level involves more than just a routine checkup and cleaning; for truly noticeable changes, you’ll need to start by having an in-depth chat with…
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Bruxism: Teeth Grinding Causes and Preventation

Whether you’re stressed or just anxious, teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, comes in many shapes and forms. And while the occasional grinding doesn’t hurt and is quite common, constant grinding can wear down your health in more ways than one. The worst part of the condition is that it can be difficult to know…
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To Floss or Not to Floss? That is the Question

Every six months, you visit your dentist for a regular checkup, hear about the importance of flossing, and promise you’ll start doing it daily. Naturally, you intend to follow through, but for many, this promise falls to the wayside. While some still ponder the idea of whether they should be flossing or not, the real…
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Stop shielding patients during dental imaging

The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology (AAOMR) no longer recommends patients’ reproductive organs and fetuses be covered during dental imaging, according to guidance published August 1 in the Journal of the American Dental Association. Additionally, the academy recommends discontinuing thyroid shielding during intraoral, panoramic, cephalometric, and cone-beam computed tomography imaging, the authors wrote. This…
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Oral infection indicators may predict cardiovascular disease

Certain indicators of oral infection may help predict a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, according to research presented at the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) meeting in Portland, OR. A team led by Dylan Baxter of the University of Pittsburgh evaluated links between cardiovascular disease (heart surgery, heart valve, heart murmur,…
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