Health

Antimicrobial Gel To Improve Root Canal Procedures

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The American Association of Endodontists estimates that more than 15 million root canals are done each year. During the procedure, the tooth’s pulp and nerve are removed before the tooth is cleaned and sealed. In some cases bacteria, viruses, or yeasts contaminate the tooth which leads to additional follow up dental work having to be performed such as an additional root canal. Researchers at the Indiana University School of Dentistry have developed an injectable antimicrobial gel that could disinfect a tooth during a root canal procedure. The gel has advantages over traditional medications used as antibacterial agents, including calcium hydroxide. The gel offers extended and significantly longer residual antibacterial properties. The gel is biocompatible and contains a low concentration of antimicrobial elements. The researchers feel that creating an antimicrobial space is important during clinical regenerative endodontic procedures. The gel provides sustained antimicrobial properties even when it is … Read more

More Oral Pathogens and Less Bacterial Diversity in the Mouth Could Precede Stomach Cancer

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Researchers at the New York University College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry) and New York University School of Medicine have found that elevated pathogen colonization and a lack of bacterial diversity in the mouth were identified in people with precancerous lesions that could precede stomach cancer. This work provides evidence that the increase in pathogens associated with periodontal disease (gum disease) could contribute to the development of precancerous lesions of stomach cancer. The specific finding of the study is that poor oral health is associated with an increased risk of precancerous lesions of stomach cancer. The potential of developing periodontal disease is one of the main risks of keeping wisdom teeth as discussed over at http://www.teethremoval.com/risks_of_keeping_wisdom_teeth.html. The American Cancer Society estimates that 26,370 new cases of stomach or gastric cancer were diagnosed in 2016, and this lead to 10,703 deaths.  Evidence suggests that chronic … Read more

Dental Material that Kills Bacteria and Resists Biofilm Growth

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Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have developed a dental material tethered with an antimicrobial compound that can kill bacteria and resist biofilm growth. The material is also effective with minimal toxicity to the surrounding tissue, as it contains a low dose of the antimicrobial agent that kills only the bacteria that crosses it’s path. The researchers were motivated to develop a new dental material because the current composite materials to perform restorative procedures, such as filling cavities, are vulnerable to the growth of plaque, the biofilm that leads to tooth decay. The researchers had two goals in mind when developing the dental biomaterial: 1) kill pathogenic microbes effectively, and 2) withstand severe mechanical stress. The newly developed material is composed of a resin embedded with the antibacterial agent imidazolium. Unlike some traditional biomaterials that slowly release a drug, this material is non-leachable … Read more

Benefits and Risks of Medical Interventions

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An interesting article titled “Reaping the Benefits and Avoiding the Risks: UnrealisticOptimism in the Health Domain,” by Hanoch et al. in Risk Analysis, Oct. 4 2018, discusses how people may not be able to accurately perceive the risks and benefits associated with medical interventions. The article looked at 373 adults ages 19 to 76 from the U.S. The participants were asked five scenarios focused only on the benefits. Participants were asked to imagine their doctor had recommended some treatment, this included a drug, dental surgery, ear surgery, kidney operation, or to take a new medication. The participants were also asked to imagine that their doctor had recommended a treatment for a flu (a drug), a life threatening illness (a drug), a fall (knee surgery), depression (anti-depression medication), and a heart problem (heart bypass surgery). The article states the patients were … Read more

9 Things You Should Stop Doing if You Have TMJ

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You might not know much about TMJ, but you use them a lot each time you chew, talk, or swallow. TMJ is temporomandibular joints that connect your jawbone to your skull. When something goes wrong with your jaw muscles and jaw joints because of overuse, jaw injury, or inflammation due to arthritis, TMJ disorders occur. If you have TMJ pain or disorders, you may have to undergo TMJ pain treatment. Your doctor will work with you to reduce your pain and improve the way your jaw functions. In this article, we’ll discuss the things you should stop doing if you have TMJ pain. By avoiding the following activities, you can reduce the stress on your temporomandibular joint and speed up the recovery process: 1. Avoid Clenching Your Teeth Clenching your teeth, also called bruxism,may occur while sleeping or during the day. … Read more