Association between brain and periodontitis

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An interesting article titled Periodontitis causally affects the brain cortical structure: A Mendelian randomization study written by Mengqiao Wang and et. al. appears in the Journal of Periodontal Research, published December 7, 2023. The authors sought out to estimate whether genetically proxied periodontitis impacts the brain cortical structure. The lines between oral and neurological health blur further, as the article reveals that gum disease isn’t just a dental concern, but can potentially impact the way our brains are wired. The researchers found a causal link between periodontitis, also known as gum disease, and changes in the structure of the brain’s cortex. This is the first study to show such a connection, and may open a new avenue for understanding neurological diseases. To uncover a potential cause-and-effect link between gum disease and brain structure, researchers employed a clever technique called “Mendelian randomization.” … Read more

Stannous Flouride Combination Can Eliminate Dental Cavities

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An interesting article titled “Iron oxide nanozymes stabilize stannous fluoride for targeted biofilm killing and synergistic oral disease prevention” written by Yue Huang and et. al. appears in Nature Communications, vol. 14, No. 6087, 2023. The article discusses a potent therapeutic synergism using approved agents while providing facile stannous fluoride stabilization, to help prevent oral disease and dental caries (cavities). The authors describes a new method for using iron oxide nanozymes to stabilize stannous fluoride and improve the ability to kill biofilms. Biofilms are communities of bacteria that can form on teeth and other surfaces in the mouth. They are difficult to remove and can lead to tooth decay and other oral diseases. Stannous fluoride is an effective antimicrobial agent, but it is unstable and can be difficult to deliver to the site of infection. Ferumoxytol, an iron replacement, stabilizes stannous fluoride … Read more

Dental extractions and surgeries can lead to endocarditis

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An interesting study titled “Antibiotic Prophylaxis Against Infective Endocarditis Before Invasive Dental Procedures,” written by Martin H. Thornill and et. al. appears in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (published online August 17, 2022). The article investigates the association between invasive dental procedures and infective endocarditis, and the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in reducing this. In the study the authors performed a case-crossover analysis and cohort study using data from 7,951,972 million patients in the U.S. from the Commercial/Medicare Supplemental prescription and dental databases and the IBM MarketScan databases. A total of 3,744 patients in the study were hospitalized with infective endocarditis. From the patients hospitalized, 1,651 (44%) were at low or unknown risk for heart infection, 831 (22%) were at moderate risk of heart infection, and 1,292 (34%) were at high infective endocarditis risk. The overall adjusted infective endocarditis incidence within … Read more

Brushing Regularly can Help Heart Health

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An interesting article titled “Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontal pathogen, impairs post-infarcted myocardium by inhibiting autophagosome–lysosome fusion” written by Yuka Shiheido-Watanabe and et. al. appears in the International Journal of Oral Science. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of P.g. infection on post-MI myocardial remodeling. P.g. infection impaired autophagosome–lysosome fusion, a step in the autophagy process. The study showed that the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis can exacerbate heart damage after a heart attack. The researchers found that the bacterium can accumulate at the site of injury and contribute to tissue damage. The mechanisms for which this occurs is stil under investigation. In an effort to understand how Porphyromonas gingivalis contributes to heart damage, the researchers developed a modified version of the bacterium that lacks a key protein called gingipain. This protein is known to protect cells from … Read more

Can You Straighten Your Teeth at Any Age?

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Despite the common misconception that orthodontic treatments are only for children and teenagers, adults can facilitate it equally and receive multiple benefits. Thanks to the advancement of technology, today everyone can have pearly whites and a beautiful smile. This blog post will explain what to anticipate when thinking about orthodontic treatment, whether you’re an adult weighing your options or a parent thinking about treatment for your child. Discover the various elements that affect a straighter smile and the options available to those at any stage of life. Exploring Age and Orthodontic Care There’s no definite age limit to get orthodontic treatment. Adults are now using orthodontics more frequently, even though childhood and adolescence are the best times for this kind of care because of continuous growth. Understanding how age may affect the type and style of treatment is crucial. Adults … Read more