Gum Disease News and Research

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Gum disease or periodontal disease is an infection caused by bacteria under the gum tissue that begin to destroy the gums and bone. Teeth become loose, chewing becomes difficult, and teeth may have to be extracted. Gum disease may also be related to damage elsewhere in the body; recent studies point to associations between such oral infections and diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and preterm, low-weight births. Research is underway to further examine these connections.

Metro Dentalcare sponsors Halloween candy buyback event

Halloween candy is a sweet treat for kids and a nightmare for parents, but this Halloween, kids can turn their goodies into cash and donations for charities. Thirteen Metro Dentalcare locations around the Twin Cities are sponsoring Halloween candy buybacks on Nov. 2.

2 Nov 2009

Non-surgical alternative treatment for moderate to advanced gum disease announced

BIOLASE Technology, Inc. today announced its new Deep Pocket Therapy with New Attachment™ using the Waterlase MD™ and patented Radial Firing Perio Tips™ (RFPT) for a non-surgical alternative treatment for moderate to advanced gum disease.

29 Oct 2009

Bad breath can be treated

All of us have experienced bad breath at some point. However, suffering from chronic bad breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing and affect your self-esteem and relationships with family, friends and coworkers. The good news -- bad breath is often preventable and easily treated.

12 Oct 2009

United Concordia Dental helps to provide $400,000 in free dental services to nearly 2,800 people in need

United Concordia Dental, one of the nation's largest dental insurers, has helped provide more than $400,000 in free dental services to nearly 2,800 people in need since the beginning of the year.

9 Oct 2009

Cardium's Gene Activated Matrix technology demonstrates benefits in periodontal tissue regeneration

Cardium Therapeutics (NYSE Amex: CXM) today reported on preclinical findings published in the scientific journal, Gene Therapy, demonstrating that Cardium's Gene Activated Matrix(TM) or GAM(TM) technology accelerates periodontal tissue regeneration of oral implant-supporting wounds.

15 Sep 2009

Chronic periodontitis linked to head and neck cancer

Chronic periodontitis, a form of gum disease, is an independent risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This suggests the need for increased efforts to prevent and treat periodontitis as a possible means to reduce the risk of this form of cancer.

8 Sep 2009

Bloodstream infections can be avoided with a daily scrub solution bath

Giving critically ill hospital patients a daily bath with a mild, soapy solution of the same antibacterial agent used by surgeons to "scrub in" before an operation can dramatically cut down, by as much as 73 percent, the number of patients who develop potentially deadly bloodstream infections, according to a new study by patient safety experts at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and five other institutions.

5 Sep 2009

Gene causing periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis identified

Investigators at Hospital for Special Surgery, collaborating with researchers from other institutions, have contributed to the discovery that a gene called interferon regulator factor-8 (IRF-8) is involved in the development of diseases such as periodontitis (gum disease), rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. The study, which will be published online August 30, ahead of print, in the journal Nature Medicine, could lead to new treatments in the future.

2 Sep 2009

Study reveals that downregulation of IRF-8 gene causes gum diseases, arthritis and osteoporosis

31 Aug 2009

Smell and taste disorders can be treated

When flowers aren’t fragrant and spicy foods don’t zing, the senses may be impaired. But don’t assume that diminished senses of taste and smell are due to aging, says the August issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource.

13 Aug 2009

Dental problems may predict future medical issues

Dental disease may be a wake-up call that your diet is harming your body. "The five-alarm fire bell of a tooth ache is difficult to ignore," says Dr. Philippe P. Hujoel, professor of dental public health sciences at the University of Washington (UW) School of Dentistry in Seattle. Beyond the immediate distress, dental pain may portend future medical problems. It may be a warning that the high-glycemic diet that led to dental problems in the short term may, in the long term, lead to potentially serious chronic diseases.

9 Jul 2009

Xerostomia linked to use of multiple medications

Approximately ninety-one percent of dentists say patients complaining about dry mouth are taking multiple medications, according to a nationwide member survey conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

9 Jul 2009

Old drug Auranofin may lead to new antibiotics

A mineral found at health food stores could be the key to developing a new line of antibiotics for bacteria that commonly cause diarrhea, tooth decay and, in some severe cases, death.

1 Jun 2009

Closer to an effective treatment for gum disease in smokers

Scientists in the USA have discovered why smokers may be more prone to chronic gum disease (periodontitis). One of the bacteria responsible for this infection responds to cigarette smoke - changing its properties and the way it infects a smokers mouth.

11 May 2009

Your smile may be connected to your overall health

Scientists at the 87th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research, convening today in Miami Beach, report new studies on the connection between oral disease and systemic disease.

6 Apr 2009

Gum disease linked to gestational diabetes

A new study by NYU dental researchers has uncovered evidence that pregnant women with periodontal (gum) disease face an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes even if they don't smoke or drink, a finding that underscores how important it is for all expectant mothers - even those without other risk factors - to maintain good oral health.

6 Apr 2009