IN THE NEWS
Belgian Study Reports Infected Gums Leak
Endotoxins Into Bloodstream
[20.02.02]
A recent Belgian research report published in the January
issue of the Journal of Periodontology, suggests that people
with severe gum disease may be prone to releasing bacterial
endotoxins into their bloodstream. This may explain the link
between gum infections and cardiovascular disease.
Lead author Dr. Eric H. Rompen, of the University of Liege
department of periodontology and dental surgery, said
"The mouth can be a major source of chronic or permanent
release of toxic bacterial components in the bloodstream
during normal oral functions".
"This could be the missing link explaining the
abnormally high blood levels of some inflammatory
markers...observed in patients with periodontal disease,"
he added.
Previous research has found that people with periodontal
disease are more likely to suffer strokes and coronary artery
disease. While researchers have shown that bacteria in the
mouth can be released into the bloodstream, they have not
shown that endotoxins--poisons emitted by some bacteria--can
also enter the bloodstream via the mouth.
In their study, Rompen and colleagues sought to determine
whether endotoxins could in fact be released into the
bloodstream by a "usual and frequent oral habit,"
such as chewing gum, and if people with more severe gum
disease might release more endotoxin into their blood. To
investigate, the researchers had 42 people with moderate to
severe periodontal disease and 25 people with healthy gums
chew gum 50 times on each side of their mouth. The
investigators also measured the level of endotoxins
circulating in each individual's bloodstream before chewing
and 5 to 10 minutes afterwards.
According to the report the average amount of endotoxins
present in the blood were significantly higher in all the
patients after the gum chewing. Those with severe periodontal
disease were nearly four times as likely to have significant
levels of endotoxins after chewing than those with healthy
gums. The authors concluded that these findings provide
additional evidence for a link between the bacteria present in
the mouth of those with periodontal disease and inflammatory
reactions linked to heart disease.
Japanese Researchers Link Amalgam Fillings And Atopic
Dermatitis
[20.02.02]
Two Japanese researchers have reported that dental amalgam causes the
chronic skin disease atopic dermatitis and other allergic dermatitis. They
have called for patients to be informed of the compound's potential side
effects and have even asked for the government to prohibit its further use.
Tsunetoshi Shimazu, a Kyoto-based doctor specializing in allergic diseases
made the announcement at the Sixth International Conference on Mercury as a
Global Pollutant (ICMGP) being held last October in Minamata, Kumamoto
Prefecture, Japan.
Shimazu conducted a survey with Nagakazu Ko, an Osaka-based dentist, from
1991 to 1998 on 300 allergic dermatitis patients in western Japan who had
amalgam in their teeth.
According to Shimazu, after replacing the amalgam in their teeth with other
metals or plastic materials, roughly 70% of the patients saw improvements in
their dermatitis conditions a year later and about 58% of patients completely
recovered from the dry, itchy and irritated skin, that characterises the
illness.
Using test tubes, Shimazu and Ko also conducted a survey on the same 300
patients on their lymphocytes' allergic reaction to heavy metals such as
mercury which found about 98% of the patients tested positive for a mercury
allergy.
In a separate study, Shimazu conducted a survey on about 250 elementary
students in Kyoto in 1997 and found about 38% of them had amalgam in their
teeth.
While about 48% of those who had amalgam in their teeth suffered from
dermatitis only 8% of students who had no amalgam suffered from dermatitis,
Shimazu said.
From these results, Shimazu concluded that the mercury in amalgam plays a
major role in triggering allergic dermatitis.
Some nations such as Sweden ban the use of amalgam for pregnant women and
small children. About 1 ton of mercury for amalgam is used in Japan each year.
Shimazu said, "Measures to counter allergies should first focus on
removing the causes, not just relying on steroids. The government should
seriously consider whether to ban the use of amalgam."
Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease
and heart disease. Additional studies have pointed to a relationship
between periodontal disease and stroke...
Gum Disease Links to Heart Disease and Stroke
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Researchers have found that people with gum disease are
almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery
disease.
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Heart Disease
Several theories exist to explain the link between periodontal disease
and heart disease. One theory is that oral bacteria can affect the heart
when they enter the blood stream, attaching to fatty plaques in the
coronary arteries (heart blood vessels) and contributing to clot
formation. Coronary artery disease is characterized by a thickening of
the walls of the coronary arteries due to the buildup of fatty proteins.
Blood clots can obstruct normal blood flow, restricting the amount of
nutrients and oxygen required for the heart to function properly. This
may lead to heart attacks.
Another possibility is that the inflammation caused by periodontal
disease increases plaque build up, which may contribute to swelling of
the arteries.
Researchers have found that people with periodontal disease are
almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those
without periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease can also exacerbate existing heart conditions.
Patients at risk for infective endocarditis may require antibiotics
prior to dental procedures. Your periodontist and cardiologist will be
able to determine if your heart condition requires use of antibiotics
prior to dental procedures.
Stroke
Additional studies have pointed to a relationship between periodontal
disease and stroke. In one study that looked at the causal relationship
of oral infection as a risk factor for stroke, people diagnosed with
acute cerebrovascular ischemia were found more likely to have an oral
infection when compared to those in the control group.
Breast-feeding Lowers Risk of Crossbite
The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively
for the first six months of an infant's life. This recommendation is
based on benefits for both the mother and the child. Breast-feeding
exclusively enhances craniofacial growth and development, and helps
prevent non-nutritive sucking habits. Breast-feeding for less than
six months or not at all has been shown to result in malocclusion
and posterior crossbite in particular. Crossbite in deciduous teeth
develops early and rarely self-corrects, so early preventive action
is warranted.
Researchers in University of Sao Paulo City, in Brazil clinically
examined 1,377 children from 11 public schools in Sao Paulo. The
children ranged in age from three to six years. Mothers completed a
questionnaire to determine breast-feeding history.
Posterior crossbites were divided into three categories: bilateral,
true unilateral, and unilateral with functional deviation of the
mandible. Four categories of breast-feeding were identified: never
(119), less than six months (720), six to 12 months (312), and more
than 12 months (226).
Crossbite was diagnosed in 16.2 percent of the entire group, with
subcategories being 2.8 percent bilateral, 4.4 percent true
unilateral and 9.4 percent with functional unilateral crossbite.
Crossbite decreased with longer history of breast-feeding. In
children who were not breast-fed, the crossbite incidence was 31.1
percent. For those breast-fed less than six months, the incidence
was 22.4 percent. Much lower incidence was found for those
breast-fed six to 12 months - 8.3 percent and 2.2 percent for those
breast-fed more than 12 months.
Clinical
Implications: Breast-feeding exclusively for at least six months and
more than 12 months can reduce the potential for posterior crossbite
in deciduous teeth.
Kobayashi, H., Scavone, H,
Ferreira, R., et al. Relationship Between Breastfeeding Duration and
Prevalence of Posterior Crossbite in the Deciduous Dentition. Am J
Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 137: 54-58, 2010.
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