Health

ADA EBD Champions Conference 2010

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The American Dental Association (ADA) is looking for dentists interested in spreading the word about evidence-based dentistry to attend the EBD Champions Conference March 26-27, 2010, at ADA Headquarters in Chicago, IL. The deadline for applications is faster approaching and is Jan. 30, 2010. The conference is sponsored by the ADA and the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice and supported by an educational grant from Procter & Gamble. The event is a unique opportunity for dentists to become resources to their local dental communities by promoting an evidence-based approach to patient treatment and disease prevention. I am glad to see that dentists are gathering to discuss evidence-based dentistry and feel that if you are able to make the conference, it would be well worth it. For more information about the conference or to apply to become an EBD Champion, visit … Read more

Mercury Fillings May Be Less Toxic: Caution Still Needed

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A new study on the surface chemistry of silver-colored, mercury-based dental fillings suggests that the surface forms of mercury may be less toxic than that which was previously thought. Graham George and his colleagues note that mercury-based fillings (amalgams) have been used by dentists to repair teeth for over 100 years. In recent years, their use has become controversial because of concerns about exposure to potentially toxic mercury. Even so, mercury can potentially exist in several different chemical forms, each with a different toxicity. Scientists analyzed the surface of freshly prepared metal fillings and compared these with the surface of aged fillings (about 20 years old) from a dental clinic. Fresh fillings contained metallic mercury, which can be toxic. Aged fillings, on the other hand, usually contain a form of mercury, called beta-mercuric sulfide or metacinnabar. This form is unlikely … Read more

Common Bacteria Linked to MS

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Research suggests that a common oral bacteria may increase autoimmune disease. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease where the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord. It currently affects nearly around 1 in 700 people in the United States. Patients with MS have a variety of neurological symptoms, including difficulty in moving, difficulty in speech, and muscle weakness. Porphyromas gingivalis, a common oral bacterium in humans, produces a unique type of lipid, phosphorylated dihydroceramides (DHCs), which enhance inflammatory responses. These lipids are also likely produced by bacteria found in other parts of the body including the gastrointestinal tract. Researchers led byFrank C. Nichols and Robert B. Clark of the University of Connecticut Health Center administered phosphorylated DHCs in a mouse model of MS to determine if these lipids cause immune-mediated damage in autoimmune disease. The severity of disease was … Read more

Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Bruxism

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New research presented at CHEST 2009 found that nearly 1 in 4 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (mostly Caucasian men) suffers from nighttime teeth grinding. Eight percent of the general US population suffers from bruxism. “The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and sleep bruxism is usually related to an arousal response. The ending of an apneic event may be accompanied by a number of mouth phenomena, such as snoring, gasps, mumbles, and teeth grinding,” said Shyam Subramanian, MD, FCCP, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. “Men typically have more severe sleep apnea, and perhaps may have more arousal responses, which may explain the higher prevalence of teeth grinding in men. Besides, men characteristically tend to report more symptoms of sleep apnea than women, such as snoring, loud grunting, and witnessed apneas.” Anxiety and caffeine use also help explain the relationship … Read more

Dental Sources of Information

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If you are looking for dental information online there are several great sources of information to read. First, thanks for stopping by here at http://www.teethremoval.com. If you are looking for great information from a dentist online,  I would highly recommend Dr. David Leader. He frequently writes articles (usually at least once a month).  You can view his articles over at http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/1435/dr_david_leader.html. Some of the more recent article titles include “What Causes Cavities,” “Oral Surgery – Before and After,” and “Reasons to Call your Dentist.” Another source of dental information is the ADA (American Dental Association) News Today. They have many updated articles on dentists and various dental programs throughout the country. You can visit ADA News Today at http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/index.asp. There are many other websites and blogs that provide useful and informative dental information. Many have been covered before on this … Read more