The Importance Of Probiotics In Promoting Dental Health
September 28, 2009
The latest research in the field of medical science has revealed many benefits associated with the use of probiotics. Probiotics are organisms that live in our intestinal tract and contribute to our overall health. In other words, they are the friendly bacteria that are crucial to good physical condition. Many people use probiotics dietary supplements to lower bad cholesterol levels, improving mineral absorption, lowering blood pressure, and controlling lactose intolerance. Recently, scientists have discovered that probiotics also play a major role in promoting oral health of an individual by treating dental diseases through probiotic administration.
One of the most prominent benefits of probiotics is reduction of inflammation. This advantage can be used to treat oral diseases, however, researchers have not been able to locate the best oral probiotic as to yet. It has been observed that probiotic intake must be expanded in order to achieve the desired results. Many sources report that the probiotics S. salivarius and B. coagulans are associated with promoting oral health of a person. These bacteria help in fighting against harmful bacteria present in the mouth and should be consumed on a regular basis to maintain healthy teeth and gums. The best time to take these supplements is after brushing.
Some people take lozenges to clear their throats, which also act as anti-bacterial agents and help in getting rid of foul odor by destroying harmful bacteria. This theory is another basis for developing special probiotics for the treatment of bad breath and other oral disorders including serious conditions. B. coagulans promotes the ability of white blood cells to fight against diseases, thereby boosting the immune system. On the other hand, S. salivarius has been particularly found to be linked with bad breath or halitosis as it helps in balancing the number of good bacteria versus bad bacteria in the mouth.
In addition to promoting the immune system’s ability to defend more efficiently, probiotics also slow down growth of harmful bacteria that cause digestive problems including irritable bowel syndrome and colitis. Since it is an all-natural treatment, it has no side effects of any kind. However, other than the treatment of bad breath, no scientific evidence has not yet been released to public concerning the action of probiotics in controlling oral diseases. Bad breath in itself is a condition normally caused by harmful bacteria and therefore probiotics are an excellent cure for this embarrassing situation. It is important to follow the directions on any supplement product you consume to cure bad breath and promote oral health.
Mostly probiotic supplements are required to be consumed for a period of 15 days to 4 weeks, depending on the severity of your condition. These supplements contain Streptococcus salivarius K12, a probiotic, which has been proposed for use in the oral cavity. Various studies have shown that this agent is safe for human consumption. Many products are available in the form of probiotic mint for complete oral care. EvoraPlus is a popular product that contains a unique beneficial bacterial blend and it not only cures bad breath but also helps in whitening of teeth.
Future Of Plasma For Fighting Oral Infections
September 24, 2009
Oral infections normally occur as a result of thick films of bacteria on the surface of teeth and gum, which ultimately cause cavities and tooth decay. One way to prevent this is to properly brush and floss your teeth; however, prolonged negligence is not as easy to cure. Plasma dental probe is a tool developed for the removal of thick bacterial settlements on the surface of and deep inside a tooth. This device is non-thermal, which means it does not heat up and is safe to touch. Moreover, it does not cause much friction when applied to teeth for the removal of bacterial films.
Although it sounds painful to fire rays of plasma inside the mouth, but as it turns out the blowtorch operates in small pulses, which allows the gasses to cool down before they hit. Until recently, dentists used this tool for sterilizing teeth during root canal treatments. However, now it is also being used for clearing away plaque and thick films of bacteria in the mouth for the prevention of infections and other complications. Plasma is the colorless fluid portion of our blood, which does not contain cells but is composed of antibodies produced by the immune system to fight infections and diseases.
The nanosecond electric pulses last for about 50 to 100 nanoseconds with an intensity of up to 10kV. Dentists have recognized the worth of such a tool in preventing post-operative bacterial infection in endodontology and some other medical fields. Sometimes employing additional procedures, such as mechanical cleaning or application of hypochlorite, for clearing away plaque from the root canal system, results in severe infection in the mouth. Laser systems are also quite effective in this regard, but they are costly and may not be as safe as the plasma probe.
Moreover, laser treatment sometimes causes a condition known as tissue trauma, which takes a long time to recover. Other than cavity disinfection, plasma dental probe can also be used for root canal sterilization and cleaning of tooth and gum surfaces during dental surgery. Plasma probe generates the plasma plume, which ultimately destroys the bacteria within the root canal. Another application of such a device has been seen in the treatment of fungus-related topical diseases. Different types of plasma tools are available for specific applications. The plasma treatment is not only safe but also very effective and simple for root canal sterilization.
More accurately known as nanosecond pulsed plasma dental probe, it is a tubular device developed for disinfecting root canal systems during endodontic treatment. How plasma actually works is not clear, but many scientists believe that atomic oxygen is responsible for clearing bacteria within the mouth. It acts as an antibacterial agent and because of the adjustable reach of plasma plume, it goes to even the most unreachable of areas and clears bacteria from there. The device is not new to the world of medicine. However, due to the latest discovery and its safe operation, the tool will be employed for many dental and medical applications in the future.
Does Oral Health Play a Role in Controlling Alzheimer’s Disease?
September 1, 2009
Several studies have shown that various oral conditions like swelling of the gums and missing teeth increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is a condition that has long been associated with oral health in addition to some other memory-related problems. Another study conducted at West Virginia University has revealed that memory loss might be connected with gum disease.
In fact keeping your gums and teeth healthy not only prevents some serious mental disorders but also promotes your cardiovascular health. No sound evidence is available as of yet to support this theory, however, many scientists believe that microorganisms found in the mouth might be the cause of serious mental disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.
Since Alzheimer’s is an age-related disease, which progresses with time, it has been found to be linked with the inflammatory processes taking place inside the body. This theory is well established through various findings. Gum disease is characterized by inflammation and therefore scientists have started to believe it might be linked with memory loss in its early stages. Doctors are conducting studies in which they try to reduce inflammation in the mouth and then observe any changes in the blood. This way there is a possibility of developing a preventive treatment for Alzheimer’s and other mental disorders.
When we say that two diseases are related to each other, the reciprocal of it is usually true as well. This means that people who do not take care of their oral health are the ones who suffer from memory problems. They either do not remember their appointments with the dentist or forget to take supplements or brush their teeth properly to avoid oral conditions. As a result, both diseases slowly progress and become worse with the passage of time. Moreover, their effect on one another is also increased due to negligence on part of the patient.
It is also an established fact that in order to be generally healthy and fit, you have to have good oral health. People who take care of oral hygiene are at a reduced risk of developing not only Alzheimer’s and other mental conditions but also heart disease and stroke. Moreover, gum disease has also been found to be linked with diabetes, and those who take preventive measures to reduce the chances of gum disease are also reducing chances of developing diabetes. So, all in all we can safely say that oral health does play a role in controlling and preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
Taking care of your oral health for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease is not very difficult. All you have to do is brush your teeth twice a day and visit the dentist regularly to diminish chances of developing gum disease. As a result of this precautionary measure, the risk of becoming a victim of memory loss later on in life will greatly reduce. There is a need to spread awareness among people so that they not only take steps to prevent oral complications but also more serious and irreversible conditions including Alzheimer’s disease.