However, only half of the people polled attend a regular dental examination and one in seven has not visited a dentist in the last four years – with four per cent having never visited at all.

Despite the trend for American-style perfectly straight, sparkling white teeth, a British smile was voted the most popular in the poll – with Kate Middleton’s natural smile trouncing the competition and being voted the nation’s favourite.

Not only do we think having a nice smile is important, it seems that we’d do an awful lot to get one:

• One in seven would give up having sex for a whole year if it meant they could get perfect teeth
• One in five would forgo booze for a year if they could have a spectacular smile

More than one in three people said that the expense is the main reason for not visiting the dentist regularly. Although three in ten people have landed themselves in debt or had to make sacrifices in order to cover unexpected dental bills, only one in ten people has dental insurance.

Brian Franks gives the following advice on how to look after your teeth:

Brush your teeth twice a day for around two minutes with fluoride toothpaste to help protect against decay. Pay particular attention to your gum line.

Use dental floss or inter-dental brushes to help remove plaque and small bits of food from between your teeth. It’s important to use the correct technique so get advice from your dentist or hygienist.

Avoid brushing immediately after eating very sugary or acidic foods, which can temporarily soften tooth enamel and make it prone to be worn away during brushing.

Chew sugar-free gum after meals to stimulate the production of saliva which helps to neutralise plaque acid.

Try to avoid sugary foods and drinks as they encourage tooth decay.

Limiting sugar between meals is particularly important.

Limit the amount of alcohol you drink, and if you smoke, stop. Drinking alcohol and smoking or chewing tobacco can increase your risk of developing mouth cancer. Smoking also stains teeth and can increase your risk of gum disease and tooth loss. Alcoholic drinks, and the mixers used with them, often contain lots of sugar, and so increase the risk of tooth decay.

Go to the dentist regularly so that he or she can spot any potential problems early and prevent them from getting worse.

Read the full article: http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/health/Kate+Middleton-240108.html

Nobody wants to have a filling, or worse, a tooth removed.

Living with dental decay causes pain, affects what you eat, and can lead to years of costly treatment. For children with dental decay, the consequences can last a lifetime and we have some parts of Wales where levels of decay are too high. That’s why tackling dental decay in children and promoting good oral hygiene is a key target for the Welsh Government.

Although it is preventable, dental decay is still the most common childhood disease, and in Wales disease levels are highest in our more disadvantaged communities. To get the best start in life, all children need healthy teeth that will last them a lifetime. Improving the dental health of children in the most deprived fifth of the Welsh population by 2020 is one of the Welsh Government’s targets to eradicate child poverty.

Removing even just one tooth from a child usually involves a general anaesthetic, turning it into a more complex procedure. In Wales, more than 9,500 children undergo this each year. Removing baby teeth from children because of tooth decay is entirely avoidable.

Poor dental hygiene, eating sugary foods and drinking sweet fizzy drinks are the main causes of tooth decay. Brushing teeth using a fluoride toothpaste, eating and drinking less sugary products and regular check ups will tackle it. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral which is important for developing healthy teeth in childhood.

Clinical research has demonstrated that fluoride toothpaste, fluoride varnish on teeth and fissure sealants are effective methods of preventing tooth decay. A recent clinical trial has demonstrated the benefits of children brushing their teeth in school; children who took part had better oral health four years later, compared to the control group of children who didn’t participate.

Designed to Smile is the Welsh Government’s programme to improve oral health in children. It aims to ensure children get the fluoride they need to protect their teeth, and learn about keeping their teeth healthy. Community Dental Teams have trained staff in more than 950 schools and nurseries to run daily supervised tooth-brushing sessions for some 62,000 children aged between three and five years old and to provide oral health education.

Designed to Smile teams provide in-depth training to staff in schools and nurseries that sign up and carry out checks once a term, monitoring brushing and hygiene. The Scottish equivalent, Child Smile, began some years earlier, in 2005. Now 94% of all nursery schools and 95% of primary schools in the most deprived areas have taught children how to brush their teeth properly and the number of children ages between five and 11 with signs of tooth decay has dropped by 20% in a decade. I want to see tooth decay levels in Wales falling significantly, so it is no longer normal for small children to have lots of fillings or tooth extractions.

Tooth-brushing in school is also followed up, as children are provided with two “home packs” a year. The packs contain a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, to encourage good oral hygiene.

I’m delighted to report some children are now asking parents to have their teeth brushed after meals.

The programme is focused on using the most effective methods of protecting children’s teeth, and this includes a fissure sealant programme. This involves “painting” a sealant on the area of a child’s first adult teeth where decay can start.

Read more: http://www.dentistryiq.com/index/display/news-display/1665294129.html

The therapy I was telling him about was oil pulling. Although oil pulling has its origins in Ayurvedic medicine, which dates back thousands of years, this modern version is relatively new, at least in the United States. Oil pulling is very simple. Basically all you do is rinse your mouth out with vegetable oil, much like you would with a mouthwash. As simple as it sounds, if done correctly it has a very powerful cleansing and healing affect not only on the mouth and sinuses, but the entire body.

A few days later, Rick called me on the phone. “Wow! This oil pulling stuff really works,” he exclaimed. “My sinuses began to drain immediately. I expelled a lot of dark yellow, gross looking mucous. I’m breathing easier and sleeping better and my headaches are gone!”

I wasn’t surprised with Rick’s success. I hear many similar responses from others with various health problems. “I was skeptical at first,” says Cynthia. “I couldn’t see how swishing oil in my mouth could help with my arthritis. After eight days I noticed the pain in my hands diminished considerably. There was also marked improvement in my neck and I could move my head from side to side without any pain. I was amazed at how quickly I got results. I haven’t felt this good in along time!”

Some people think I’m crazy when I tell them that oil pulling can help those with asthma, allergies, chronic fatigue, diabetes, migraine headaches, PMS, and chronic skin problems. Oil pulling works by detoxifying or cleansing the body. In this way, disease promoting toxins are removed, thus allowing the body to heal itself. As a consequence, health problems of all types improve.

“I’ve suffered for several years with joint and lower back pain,” says Anna. “Every morning it was difficult getting out of bed because the pain. After two months of oil pulling the pain is all but gone. I’m amazed. Although I began oil pulling to relieve the joint pain, a few other things happened that I didn’t expect. I’m surprised to see that the eczema on my arm and hand disappearing and my skin becoming smoother and softer. Nothing I had tried before had helped. I sleep better at night too, so I have more energy during the day. I no longer need my mid-day naps. I have so much energy I almost feel like a teenager again. My periods have become more regular with less cramping and less mood swings. Also, my teeth, gums, and tongue are cleaner than they’ve ever been.”

The first thing that most people notice when they start oil pulling is an improvement in their oral health. Teeth become whiter, breath becomes fresher, and the tongue and gums take on a healthy pink color.  Even problems such as bleeding gums, tooth decay, and gum disease are greatly diminished or completely healed.

“I had a really bad infection in my mouth,” says Brittany. “It was so painful that I could not sleep. Pain medication helped temporarily. I was sure that I needed another root canal. After hearing about oil pulling I decided to give it a try before going to the dentist. I began oil pulling three times a day. By the very next day the pain was gone! No soreness, nothing. I was shocked. I continue to oil pull and my teeth are whiter and healthier looking then they have ever been. My gums have stopped bleeding, they used to bleed after every brushing. They are no longer receding and my teeth feel tighter. On my last visit to the dentist he was amazed at how much better my teeth and gums looked. He told me to continue to do whatever I was doing.”

Oil pulling traces it roots to oil gargling practiced in Ayurvedic medicine. Oil pulling as we know it today, was introduced in 1992 by Dr. F. Karach, MD. Dr. Karach claimed that oil pulling could cure a variety of illnesses ranging from heart disease and digestive troubles to hormonal disorders. He said it cured him of a chronic blood disorder of 15 years duration and within three days it cured his arthritis, which at times was so painful he was bed ridden. He used the method in his medical practice with great success.

Dr. Karach’s method of oil pulling consists of swishing, not gargling, vegetable oil in the mouth. The oil is “worked” in the mouth by pushing, pulling, and drawing it through the teeth for a period of 15 to 20 minutes. It is done one to three times a day on an empty stomach. The best time is in the morning before eating breakfast, but can be done before any meal. The used oil is discarded and the mouth rinsed out with water. The oil is never swallowed because it is loaded with bacteria, toxins, pus, and mucous.

Sunflower and sesame seed oils are the most commonly used for oil pulling, but any vegetable oil will work. People have had success with olive, coconut, almond, and other oils. I prefer to use coconut oil because of its many health benefits. If you use a mild flavored coconut oil it is very pleasant in the mouth. Some oils, such as extra virgin olive oil, are so strong flavored that many people find them difficult to use.

Read More: http://www.coconutresearchcenter.org/article%20oil%20pulling.htm

A new study published in the journal General Dentistry found that energy and sports drinks contain so much acid that they start destroying teeth after only five days of consistent use. Thirty to 50 percent of American teens use energy drinks, the paper says, and up to 62 percent drink sports drinks at least once a day.

Damage to enamel can cause teeth to become sensitive to touch and temperature changes, and be more susceptible to cavities and decay.

“Young adults consume these drinks assuming that they will improve their sports performance and energy levels and that they are ‘better’ for them than soda,” said Poonam Jain, lead author of the study. “Most of these patients are shocked to learn that these drinks are essentially bathing their teeth with acid.”

Jain and colleagues analyzed the titratable acidity, pH and fluoride of 13 different sports drinks and nine energy drinks (including Gatorade and Red Bull) by submerging samples of human tooth enamel in each beverage for 15 minutes. They then immersed the samples in artificial saliva for two hours. This was repeated four times a day for five days. The scientists observed damage to the enamel by the time the five days were up.

Energy drinks were the worst culprits, the researchers said. They said acidity levels vary among brands and flavors of energy drinks, and caused twice as much damage as the sports drinks.

“Bacteria convert sugar to acid, and it’s the acid bath that damages enamel, not the sugar directly,” said Dr. David Katz, director of the Yale Prevention Center. “So by incorporating a high acid load in a drink, we are just cutting out the middleman on the way to tooth decay.”

These drinks are glorified sodas, with as much or more sugar, said Katz.

The American Beverage Association took up arms against the study, noting in a statement that people do not keep any kind of liquid in their mouths for 15 minute intervals over five-day periods.

“Thus, the findings of this paper simply cannot be applied to real life situations,” the statement read. “Furthermore, it is irresponsible to blame foods, beverages or any other single factor for enamel loss and tooth decay (dental caries or cavities).  Science tells us that individual susceptibility to both dental cavities and tooth erosion varies depending on a person’s dental hygiene behavior, lifestyle, total diet and genetic make-up.”

Nevertheless, while Katz said there may be a role for sports drinks for rehydration among endurance athletes under intense training conditions, they make little sense for anyone else.

Read more:http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/05/03/energy-sports-drinks-destroy-teeth-says-study/

In a small randomized study, 13 patients with severe bruxism during sleep receiving onabotulinumtoxin A (Botox) in the masseter muscles of their jaws had significant reductions in self-reported pain and teeth grinding relative to 10 patients who had placebo injections, reported William Ondo, MD, of the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, and colleagues.

Physicians at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, meanwhile, reported that four patients with severe bruxism obtained significant relief with open-label Botox.

Both studies were presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting.

Bruxism is common but usually mild. In severe cases, it can cause pain in the jaw or generalized headache, as well as dental problems. Eventually it can fracture teeth or wear them down. Hypertrophy of the masseter muscle can also occur, altering the facial appearance.

Treatment usually involves mechanical devices that protect the teeth but do nothing to stop the basic clenching/grinding impulse, so headache and jaw pain may continue. Ondo and colleagues noted that drug treatments, such as benzodiazepines and dopaminergic agents, are sometimes effective but that there is no consensus on a standard of care.

The Houston study included polysomnography as well as patient self-reports to determine the effectiveness of Botox injections. Patients with sleep apnea or who failed to demonstrate bruxism during baseline polysomnography were excluded.

Polysomnography showed that sleep architecture and breathing parameters were not altered with Botox relative to placebo, alleviating one concern with the treatment.

The only adverse events in the 13 patients receiving Botox were cosmetic changes in their smiles, the researchers said. No difficulties with chewing or swallowing were reported.

Ondo and colleagues used nine different instruments to measure efficacy — none of which, they indicated, had been validated for bruxism but were the best available.

Mean scores in the primary measures — visual analog scales for bruxism and pain at week four — both showed significant improvements with Botox relative to placebo:

• Bruxism: 47.3 for placebo, 64.5 for Botox (P<0.05)
• Pain: 44.2 for placebo, 65.0 for Botox (P<0.05)

For the other measures, nonsignificant trends favoring Botox were reported. These included the Headache Impact Test, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Self-Rated Anxiety Scale.

The study protocol allowed patients in both treatment arms to receive open-label injections of Botox when bruxism symptoms returned.

Mean time to receive this follow-up treatment differed greatly between treatment arms: 38 days in the placebo group versus 103 days in the Botox group. But it just missed statistical significance (P=0.05) because of wide variation in the Botox group, in which the standard deviation was 78 days.

The Henry Ford group, led by Nawaf Murshed, MD, also reported favorable results in four patients, in whom the condition arose after anoxic brain injury.

The group’s patients ranged in age from 23 to 63. Botox was injected into the masseter and/or the temoporalis muscles.

Read more: http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/AANMeeting/32403

But here they are – our teeth. While it was once a given that growing older meant loosing our precious pearly whites, advances in oral health care, including everything from fluoridated water to the newest in dental procedures, have made it likely that today’s middle-agers will grow into their twilight years with the same pointed cuspids and chomping molars they’ve had since braces and Boy Scouts.

This doesn’t mean we can neglect oral health care. Whether it’s brushing our teeth before eating that piece of birthday cake or playing it cool when it comes to whitening, there are ways to ensure our teeth and gums age as gracefully as possible.

BE AWARE OF SMOKING RISKS

The place to start is lifestyle. Day-to-day choices we make affect our teeth and gums in myriad ways. A poor diet, drinking alcohol to excess and smoking are not only detrimental to our cardiovascular health, they can also cause significant problems for our oral health.

Smokers, for example, are twice as likely as ex-smokers to have poor oral health, and four times more likely than those who have never smoked, according to a recent report from the National Center for Health Statistics. They are also at higher risk for cavities, oral cancers and gum diseases.

Marianne Sampson, outreach coordinator and instructor with the dental hygiene program at the College of Southern Nevada, says long-term of tobacco use can rob the mouth’s ability to absorb nutrients and weaken tissue to the point that gums become fibrous or “leathery.”

“For patients that are smokers or long-term smokers, there is just a very high direct correlation between gum disease, between the loss of the bone that surrounds the teeth, to smoking,” Sampson said. “The chemicals involved in the smoke coming right in contact with the oral tissues cause there to be less blood flow in that area, the vessels actually constrict down so that tissue becomes starved for all the nutrients that keep tissues healthy and, therefore, it causes the tissue to become fibrotic, the bone starts to kind of shrink away because it’s not getting the nutrients and the things that it needs to stay healthy as well.”

Smokers, therefore, need to be especially diligent about taking care of their gums and teeth at home to reduce bacteria in the mouth, Sampson said. Because smoking dries out the mouth, it can result in the buildup of acid, and a decrease in the important minerals and antimicrobials normally carried by saliva, she added.

EAT AND DRINK WISELY

When it comes to drinking alcohol and our overall health, the rule of thumb is to use moderation. The same is true when it comes to our teeth and gum tissue. Heavy alcohol use, for example, is a risk factor for oral and throat cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Combine it with smoking and the risk is even greater.

Georgia Dounis, a dentist with advanced education in geriatric dentistry, and director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Aging Research and Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, also points to a small pilot study the university conducted looking at patients who had dental implants and the success of the implant surgery based on their social habits.

For those who tended to consume more than a moderate amount of alcohol, the implants did not fuse to the bone as successfully as others, she said.

“What the research and literature suggest is that the alcohol accelerates the breakdown of bone and it slows down the formation that normally happens throughout life,” Dounis said.

In the case of either habitual smoking or alcohol use, experts say, patients should seek a dental care professional’s advice in developing an individual oral care routine.

Finally, cavities are an equal-opportunity nuisance that don’t care whether you’re six or 60, so try to limit sugary, starchy foods, and scale back on those sodas. They can cause bacteria in the mouth to release acids that are harmful to tooth enamel and, in fact, will attack the tooth structure for over 20 minutes, Dounis said.

While Dounis doesn’t necessarily discourage brushing one’s teeth after consuming these kinds of foods and beverages, it is a better idea to brush beforehand as a preventive measure. The idea is to remove as much bacteria from the mouth as possible before it comes in contact with the sugary foods and, therefore, limit the production of acid.

“There is one caveat in brushing right after consuming acidic foods or beverages. The acids may weaken the tooth enamel and brushing may damage the tooth structure. Brushing teeth before eating acidic foods or drinking acidic beverages will help to prevent enamel breakdown,” she noted.

Of course, poor nutrition habits that are left unchecked can lead to gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. The experts advise that everyone brush with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste twice a day, and floss twice a day.

Dounis adds that brushing the tongue every day can remove debris that may build up because of smoking, as well as food and bacteria.

‘LONG IN THE TOOTH’

One of the most common oral health issues as we age is gum recession. Anthony Iacopino, director of the International Centre for Oral-Systemic Health, points to the expression “long in the tooth,” which was coined years ago to refer to someone who has gotten older. It stems from the fact that as we age, the gums often recede away from the enamel-covered crown of the tooth and expose the softer root surfaces.

“This is a problem because the root surfaces are more susceptible to decay and to sensitivity, so it’s not unusual to see an older individual’s decay around the necks of the teeth and around the roots of the teeth near the gum line,” he said.

The causes of gum recession can be a thinning of the gums and a loss of elasticity with age, Dounis said. Chronic, aggressive tooth brushing, teeth grinding during sleep, smoking, gum diseases and even genetics are among the other factors that can be associated with recession.

In some cases it can develop into periodontal disease as bacteria gathers in pockets of gum tissue that have formed around the teeth, and bone and connective tissue that help hold teeth in place start to break down.

To prevent periodontal disease, again it’s important to brush with a soft toothbrush and floss twice a day. Another way to help protect the exposed roots is by using a fluoride rinse, which will actually coat the vulnerable areas and help make the teeth resistant to decay, Sampson said.

“It also has some antimicrobial properties and so it’s getting two effects going on there, but the fluoride rinses are regularly and routinely suggested for patients that are having new cavities forming, especially if it’s on the exposed roots,” she said.

People with significant gum recession may need to have more frequent cleanings, perhaps every three to four months, so the bacteria can be removed from those pockets around the teeth, she added.

DISCUSS YOUR MEDICATIONS

As people age, they tend to take more medications. The average number of medications taken by a 65-year-old, for example, is about six, Iacopino said.

Many drugs, such as antidepressants and blood pressure medications, have side effects that can have an impact on oral health. One of the most common problems is dry mouth, or the decrease in saliva. Saliva is important for preventing decay because it contains antimicrobials, as well as minerals such as calcium and phosphorus that help keep teeth strong, Iacopino said.

“So without the saliva we have less resistance to periodontal disease and decay, and we also have more things like ulcerations, delayed healing, fungal infections and those kinds of things,” he noted.

For those having problems with dry mouth, dentists can recommend salivary substitutes that keep the mouth lubricated and, in some cases, contain the needed minerals and elements to fight off harmful microorganisms. Chewing sugarless gum and lozenges is also a way to stimulate the production of saliva, Iacopino said.

Certain osteoporosis medications can also have implications that should be discussed with one’s dentist. While they do help prevent bone loss, there is some question about their ability, for example, to actually rebuild bone in the jaw after procedures such as extractions, Sampson said.

As a side note, the hormonal changes women experience during menopause can affect oral health due to issues such as changing bone density and an increased susceptibility of soft tissue to periodontal disease, according to the experts. Therefore, it’s important to discuss the issue, including any medications that are being taken, with one’s dentist.

“I think the key to take away from all of this,” Sampson said, “is to understand the medications that you’re taking and when you go to any health care provider, whether it’s your doctor, your dentist, take a list of the medications that you’re taking, how much you take, your dosages, what you’re taking it for, so that they can do a complete history and then tell you if there are some of these medications that may be affecting your mouth, or your teeth, or your ability to heal and fight off infections.”

THE MOUTH-BODY CONNECTION

Addressing issues such as gum disease can have larger implications than many realize. These infections of the gums and other tissues that support the teeth can result in harmful microorganisms migrating downward through what are called “pockets,” or the spaces that develop at the gum line as gums recede and the disease progresses.

“And over a period of time that pocket around the teeth is a portal of entry into the body,” Iacopino said. “There is vasculature there, lots of blood vessels in the tissue around the teeth and the bacteria and their byproducts. And all that inflammatory stuff, inflammatory molecules, actually get into the blood stream, they travel around the body and they have cumulative effects over a period of time on organs and tissues in the body that are far removed from the mouth.”

As a result, there are connections between gum disease and heart diseases such as atherosclerosis, as well as certain cancers associated with the ongoing inflammation and bacteria of conditions such as periodontal disease, according to experts. Yet gum disease is not always obvious and can progress without one even realizing it.

Read more: http://www.lvrj.com/health/dental-health-linked-to-eating-brushing-habits-148469155.html

So why do our children’s teeth seem to be getting worse, not better? Today we reveal the shocking state of some of our children’s teeth in North Wales.

It’s highlighted by one case where a three-year-old had to have 14 pulled out in what Wrexham Maelor Hospital call a “heartbreaking case”.

Now this is the extreme end of the spectrum, but the simple truth is that almost half of the children in this region will experience some tooth decay by the time they are five.

It’s costing Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board an amount to the tune of pounds 500k each year, but it’s costing our children’s future well-being even more than that.

So what can we do about it? Well, at the very least we must make sure that both parents and their children have access to a good NHS dentist, because often they will take the trip together.

However – as we have highlighted time and time again in the pages of this newspaper – this is easier said than done, with long waiting lists for free NHS treatment. So to help there must be good education in schools and playgroups about the importance of dental hygiene. They must make it fun and get the parents involved wherever possible.

Because at the end of the day it’s down to the parents. It has to be.

Giving children too many fizzy drinks and sweets in their formative years can do untold damage to teeth.

The sugar-content means it’s often not good for their behaviour and baby teeth are called that for a reason. They are not as robust as grown up teeth and have thinner enamel not able to deal with mass amounts of sugar.

Parent and prospective parents must be educated themselves in good dental health care. But then they must take responsibility and look after their children’s teeth or they are setting them up for a life of dental problems.

Read more:http://www.dentistryiq.com/index/display/news-display/1644821581.html

between my teeth at my gum line. What can be done about this?

Answer: Nothing ruins a date more than when someone says: “You have something stuck between your teeth.” (Except when the date goes to the restroom, never to return.)

These triangular spaces, called gingival embrasures, often get larger as the gum in between shrinks. We call this condition “blunted papillas.”

A novel use of Juvederm helps add plumpness to these areas, often filling the ugly black holes. Dentists in many states now, including Florida, are already trained, licensed and insured to perform this procedure, as well as Botox and dermal fillers on the face. At this point, only dentists would be trained in the treatment of the gums with dermal fillers.

Read more: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/health/gum-use-for-juvederm-dermal-fillers-2241911.html

Why Lake Worth dentures?

There are several reasons why many people at some point in their lives might need Royal Palm Beach dentures. The most common cause is diseased gums West Palm Beach (periodontal disease), which gradually – if untreated – will make the West Palm Beach teeth loosen and eventually fall out. Tooth decay Wellington is another common cause of Lake Worth tooth loss resulting in a need for West Palm Beach dentures. In most cases a Wellington decayed tooth can be successfully treated with a filling. However, if the decay is serious enough to have affected the nerve, or if fillings have already been replaced a number of times, leaving only very little natural tooth substance remaining, the tooth might eventually be lost. Accidents are another reason that may occur to people at any age or situation in life.

Advantages of Palm Beach County dentures

Wellington Florida Dentures have their advantages. The foremost advantage of Palm Beach dentures is the price. Compared to alternatives such as West Palm Beach implants and Lake Worth bridges, Royal Palm Beach dentures are a cheaper solution. Some might mistakenly think that dentures require less care and oral hygiene West Palm Beach than other solutions, because only very few or perhaps no teeth at all are left in the mouth. This is not true, however.

Read more: http://www.dentalhealthpress.com/dentures

The bacteria, called Streptococcus gordonii, contributes to plaque that forms on the surface of teeth. If the bacteria enters the bloodstream through bleeding gums, it can cause problems by masquerading as human proteins, the researchers found.

The study authors, from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, discovered that S. gordonii can produce a molecule on its surface that enables it to mimic the human protein fibrinogen, which is a blood-clotting factor.

This activates platelets (cells that are found in blood and involved in clotting) and causes them to clump inside blood vessels. The resulting blood clots encase the bacteria, protecting the invader from the immune system and from antibiotics used to treat infection.

Platelet clumping can result in growths on the heart valves (endocarditis) or blood vessel inflammation that can block blood supply to the heart or brain.

The findings, to be presented at a Society for General Microbiology meeting in Dublin this week, could help lead to new treatments for infective endocarditis, said study author Dr. Helen Petersen.

“In the development of infective endocarditis, a crucial step is the bacteria sticking to the heart valve and then activating platelets to form a clot,” Petersen said in a society news release. “We are now looking at the mechanism behind this sequence of events in the hope that we can develop new drugs which are needed to prevent blood clots and also infective endocarditis.”

The researchers stressed that it’s important to keep the gums healthy and get regular dental care.

“We are also trying to determine how widespread this phenomenon is by studying other bacteria related to S. gordonii,” Petersen said. “What our work clearly shows is how important it is to keep your mouth healthy through regular brushing and flossing, to keep these bacteria in check.”

Because this study was presented at a medical meeting, the data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Read more: http://news.health.com/2012/03/26/bacteria-from-mouth-can-lead-to-heart-inflammation-study/#more-55232