periodontal health

Association between brain and periodontitis

by

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

Using Artificial Intelligence to Detect Gum Inflammation

by

An interesting article titled “Accuracy of Artificial Intelligence-Based Photographic Detection of Gingivitis” appears in the International Dental Journal written by Reinhard Chun Wang Chau and et.al., 2023. The article used artificial intelligence (AI) to provide automated visual plaque control advice based on intraoral photographs. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that is categorised into gingivitis and periodontitis with reversible and irreversible tissue damages. It is beleived to affect mroe than 50% of the world. Periodontal disease is caused by accumulation of plaque biofilm along the gingival margin, which causes local gingival inflammation. As inflammation occurs at the gingival margin, redness, swelling, and loss of stippling appearance as loss of gingival fiber attachment are observed which are changes detected visually by dentists. The study used a deep learning algorithm named DeepLabv3+ built on Keras with TensorFlow to analyze intraoral photographs … Read more

Dentists Seek new Guidelines for Gum Disease

by

An interesting article titled “When is periodontal maintenance not enough?: The need for clinical guidance,” appears in the Journal of the American Dental Association published on January 21, 2023, written by Stephen K. Harrel and et. al. The article discusses how dentistry should seek to make new guidelines that address the management of periodontal patients who have continued inflammation. In the article discussion is made of how scaling and root planing is typically the first treatment for periodontal disease does not always eliminate inflammation. The initial treatment of periodontal disease consists of the removal of biofilm and calculus and patient education to help them continue to maintain oral hygiene in the future. The authors feel that in the case when inflammation persists, dentists should discuss to the patient advanced therapies and the risks of not undergoing these therapies while also … Read more

Natural Supplements to Improve your Periodontal Health

by

Taking natural supplements can provide excellent health benefits. Previously, on this site there has been discussion of how the omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil could help potentially improve periodontitis, see the post Fish Oil to Help Periodontal Disease. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that is increasingly the cause of tooth loss and a common reason for needing to have wisdom teeth extracted. It is the sixth most common disease in the world. Different pharmaceutical drugs can be used for treatment; however, many are instead interested in natural therapies. Fortunately, research continues to show that omega-3 fatty acids can be used as an adjunct to periodontal therapy. Omega fatty acids are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which cannot be synthesized by the body and must be ingested with food or obtained through supplementation. In a study titled “What is the … Read more