periodontitis

Blueberry extract could help treat periodontitis

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In an article by Amel Ben Lagha and et al titled “Wild Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifoliumAit.) Polyphenols TargetFusobacterium nucleatumand the Host Inflammatory Response: Potential Innovative Molecules for Treating Periodontal Diseases,” a discussion is made that blueberry extract could be used for treating gum disease (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2015; 63 (31)). Gum disease occurs when bacteria form biofilms or plaques on teeth and the gums become inflamed. In ore severe cases this condition is called periodontitis and requires antibiotic use. By potentially using blueberry extract instead of antibiotics periodontitis could be treated. When gum disease occurs the gums get red and swollen an can bleed easily. If the condition is not treated periodontitis can occur. In order to treat periodontitis dentists scrape off tartar and use antiobitics. Researchers have been exploring other natural ways to treat gum disease. As … Read more

Treating Gum Disease Reduces Prostate Symptoms

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Researchers have shown that treating gum disease can lead to a reduction in prostate inflammation or prostatitis. Previous research has shown there is a link between gum disease and prostatitis. The research was conducted at  Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and the Departments of Urology and Pathology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. The research appear in a journal article of Dentistry titled “Periodontal Treatment Improves Prostate Symptoms and Lowers Serum PSA in Men with High PSA and Chronic Periodontitis.” The study included 27 men who were ages 21 and older. Each man had had a needle biopsy within the past year that showed inflammation of the prostate gland and elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. The men all were asked questions on the International Prostate Symptom Score regarding their quality of life and if they had any urination … Read more

Modern Britons Have More Gum Disease than Roman Britons

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A study of skulls at the Natural History Museum by King’s College London has shown that the Roman British population from 200 to 400 AD appears to have had less gum disease than we have today. Gum disease is also known as periodontitis and has been covered before numerous times on this blog. The researchers examined 303 skulls from a Roman-British burial ground in Dorset for evidence of dental disease. Around 5% of the skulls showed signs of moderate to severe gum disease compared to today’s population which shows around 15 to 30% of adults have gum disease. Many of the Roman-British skulls showed signs of infections and abscesses and around half had caries (cavities). In addition the skulls showed extensive tooth wear from a young age likely due to their diet. The researchers say that Roman-British population did not … Read more

Using Ozone Nano Bubble Water to Treat Gum Infections

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Ozone nano-bubble water is a new antiseptic agent that may potentially be used to treat periodontitis or severe gum infections. Researchers at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University published their research in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. The researchers evaluated the bactericidal activities of ozone nano-bubble water (known as NBW3) against two bacterial agents that cause periodontitis. The research results showed that NBW3 can kill periodontal pathogens within 30 seconds of exposure with only a minor impact on the viability of oral tissue cells after 24 hours of exposure. Based on the in vitro results, the researchers concluded that NBW3 could become a potential way to treat periodontitis. Even so in vitro models can not be used directly to compare clinical situations When treating periodontitis (which is inflammation of oral tissues that surround and support teeth) the … Read more

Gum diease can lead to selective disarming of the immune system

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A new study has shown that bacteria responsible for many cases of periodontitis causes dysbiosis in a two prong manipulation of the immune system. The researchers say that periodontal bacterium porphyromonas gingivalis acts on two molecular pathways to block immune cells’ killing ability while preserving the cells’ ability to cause inflammation. This protects these bacteria from being removed by the immune system and leads to bone loss and inflammation which is characteristic of periodontitis. The researchers say when inflammation occurs breakdown products are produced which causes dysbiosis and creates a vicious cycle. P. gingivalis is known as a keystone pathogen. Their presence may be relatively few in the mouth but they can exert a large pull on the overall microbial ecosystem. P. gingivalis doesn’t actually cause periodontitis but is responsible for causing the process that leads to it. The researchers believe that … Read more