Stem Cell Therapy

From treating diseases like diabetes and liver disfunction to restoring vision in an injured eye, stem cell promises to revolutionise healthcare

Today researchers understand that stem cells have the potential to treat serious degenerative diseases such as diabetes, Park­inson’s, muscular dystrophy and myocardial infarctions that are widely prevalent across the world. Often, people have family members or friends who are facing serious ailments and are left helpless as treatment options are limited. Stem cell therapy is looked upon as a potential alternative to the available treatment options.

Stem cells are unspecialised cells that have two defining properties: the ability to differentiate into other cells and to self-regenerate. Differentiation is defined as the ability to develop into other cell types while self-regeneration is when stem cells divide to produce additional stem cells. Therefore, stem cells can potentially be used to treat diseases like diabetes, liver dysfunction, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injuries, stroke, corneal reconstruction, wounds and even be used for cosmetic applications.

For example, a school bus driver from Delhi lost his vision in one eye while trying to save children on board from a bomb blast. Multiple doctors concluded that there was no hope to recover from this situation since the cornea in his eye had been destroyed. As a last resort he was treated by a stem cell therapist who managed to regenerate his cornea from the driver’s own adult stem cells. Today, 20 per cent vision has been restored to his damaged eye.

While stem cells can be found in multiple organs, the most commonly known sources are bone marrow and umbilical cord blood (which is often discarded during birth). However, dental pulp stem cells have certain key advantages in comparison to stem cells from other sources such as they can be cultured and doubled more efficiently. In addition to this, attaining stem cells from teeth is a noninvasive procedure with minimal recovery time.

With the advent of stem cell therapy in recent times this picture is likely to change as they have the potential to cure these degenerative diseases. Trillions of dollars are being spent globally on stem cell research for past decade and the results have been very encouraging and promising. Already there are success stories published for treatment of diabetes, heart ailments, muscular dystrophy, renal failure, etc. The estimated stem cell market in India by 2015 is $40 million. World market at that time will be $64 billion.

Dental stem cells are being studied as a way to help treat a number of medical diseases and conditions. Adult stem cells from teeth have been used to successfully grow jawbone and treat periodontal disease in people. Other potential diseases which can be treated via adult stem cells include diabetes, spinal cord injury, motor-neuron, stroke, heart attacks, liver disease, cornea repair, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s.

Dental pulp stem cell banking can be done from the milk teeth of children in the age group of 5-12 years. Teens that are undergoing orthodontic procedures such as getting braces have the opportunity to bank their premolars that are often extracted during this procedure. Adults have the opportunity to bank their dental pulp stem cells via wisdom teeth.

The Dental Stem cell banking process is fairly simple one. The customer simply needs to contact a clinic, pay the fees and choose a clinic to complete the tooth collection procedure. During the procedure the tooth and a blood sample is collected and kept in the dental sampling kit with details of the customer marked on it. The next step is isolation – the dental pulp, containing the stem cells would be isolated by breaking open the tooth and processed as per the set protocols. The processed dental pulp would be tested for sterility and quality control (assessment of the viability of the stem cells). After that comes cryopreservation, a process in which the processed dental pulp, rich in stem cells, is preserved by gradual cooling. The processed dental pulp is frozen by keeping the levy at a temperature of —196 degree celsius in liquid nitrogen.

The processed vital dental pulp is frozen and stored, with appropriate tagging of relevant details, using cryopreservation technology to maintain their viability for retrieval in future. The last step is the receipt of the sample certificate — after the sample is cryopreserved, a certificate of banking will be sent to the client, which must be preserved for future records.

Today banking stem cells is essential and convenient and is like having a weapon in the armory that can protect you and your loved ones. zz

(The writer is the MD & CEO

of Stemade Biotech, a firm that

banks dental stem cells in India)

Read More

Penn-Led Research Suggests a New Strategy to Prevent or Halt Periodontal Disease

PHILADELPHIA — Periodontitis, a form of chronic gum disease that affects nearly half of the U.S. adult population, results when the bacterial community in the mouth becomes unbalanced, leading to inflammation and eventually bone loss. In its most severe form, which affects 8.5 percent of U.S. adults, periodontitis can impact systemic health.
By blocking a molecular receptor that bacteria normally target to cause the disease, scientists from the University of Pennsylvania have now demonstrated an ability in a mouse model to both prevent periodontitis from developing and halt the progression of the disease once it has already developed.
The study, published in the Journal of Immunology, was led by Toshiharu Abe, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Microbiology in Penn’s School of Dental Medicine.  Abe works in the lab of George Hajishengallis, a professor in the department who was a senior author on the paper. The co-senior author was John D. Lambris, the Dr. Ralph and Sallie Weaver Professor of Research Medicine in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine. Kavita B. Hosur and Evlambia Hajishengallis from Penn Dental Medicine also contributed to the research, as did Penn Medicine’s Edimara S. Reis and Daniel Ricklin.
In previous research, Hajishengallis, Lambris and colleagues showed that Porphyromonas gingivalis, the bacterium responsible for many cases of periodontitis, acts to “hijack” a receptor on white blood cells called C5aR. The receptor is part of the complement system, a component of the immune system that helps clear infection but can trigger damaging inflammation if improperly controlled.
By hijacking C5aR, P. gingivalis subverts the complement system and handicaps immune cells, rendering them less able to clear infection from the gum tissue. As a result, numbers of P. gingivalis and other microbes rise and create severe inflammation. According to a study published last year by the Penn researchers, mice bred to lack C5aR did not develop periodontitis.
Meanwhile, other studies by the Penn group and others have shown that Toll-like receptors, or TLRs — a set of proteins that also activate immune cell responses — may act in concert with the complement system. In addition, mice lacking one form of TLR called TLR2 do not develop bone loss associated with periodontitis, just like the C5aR-deficient mice.
In the new study, the Penn team wanted to determine if the synergism seen by other scientists between the complement system and TLRs was also at play in this inflammatory gum disease.
To find out, they injected two types of molecules, one that activated C5aR and another that activated TLR2, into the gums of mice. When only one type of molecule was administered, a moderate inflammatory response was apparent a day later, but when both were injected together, inflammatory molecules increased dramatically — soaring to levels higher than would have been expected if the effect of activating both receptors was merely additive.
This finding suggested to the scientists that the Toll-like receptor signaling was somehow involved in “crosstalk” with the complement system, serving to augment the inflammatory response. Turning that implication on its head, they wondered whether blocking just one of these receptors could effectively halt the inflammation that allows P. gingivalis and other bacteria to thrive and cause disease.
Testing this hypothesis, the researchers synthesized and administered a molecule that blocks the activity of C5aR, to see if it could prevent periodontitis from developing. They gave this receptor “antagonist,” known as C5aRA, to mice that were then infected with P. gingivalis. The C5aRA injections were able to stave off inflammation to a large extent, reducing inflammatory molecules by 80 percent compared to a control, and completely stopping bone loss.
And when the mice were given the antagonist two weeks after being infected with P. gingivalis, the treatment was still effective, reducing signs of inflammation by 70 percent and inhibiting nearly 70 percent of periodontal bone loss.
“Regardless of whether we administered the C5a receptor antagonist before the development of the disease or after it was already in progress, our results showed that we could inhibit the disease either in a preventive or a therapeutic mode,” Hajishengallis said.
This is significant for extending these findings to a potential human treatment, as treatments would most likely be offered to those patients already suffering from gum disease.
Because not all cases of periodontitis are caused by P. gingivalis, the research team also wanted to see whether C5aRA could effectively prevent or treat the disease when it arose due to other factors. To do so, they placed a silk ligature around a single molar tooth in a group of mice. The obstruction not only blocked the natural cleaning action of saliva, but also enabled bacteria to stick to the ligature itself, resulting in a massive accumulation of bacteria. This microbial build-up rapidly leads to periodontitis and bone loss, within just five days in the mice.
The researchers then injected the gum tissue adjacent to the ligated molar tooth with C5aRA in some of the mice, and gave the other mice a control.
“These mice that got the C5a receptor antagonist developed at least 50 percent less inflammation and bone loss compared to an analog of C5a receptor antagonist which is not active,” Hajishengallis said.
This result gives the researchers greater confidence that the C5aRA treatment could be effective against periodontitis in general, not just those cases caused by P. gingivalis bacteria.
The team is now working to replicate their success in mice in other animal models, an important step toward extending this kind of treatment to humans with gum disease.
“Our ultimate goal is to bring complement therapeutics to the clinic to treat periodontal diseases,” Lambris said. “The complement inhibitors, some of which are in clinical trials, developed by my group are now tested in various periodontal disease animal models and we hope soon to initiate clinical trials in human patients.”
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/news/penn-led-research-suggests-new-strategy-prevent-or-halt-periodontal-disease

Read More

Oral health linked to impotence

Dental cavities and periodontal diseases are now being linked to much greater health concerns than just poor oral health. The most prominent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer have been found to share the same risk factors as gum disease and impotence.
Research is further supporting the concept of 'you are what you eat'. Lifestyle factors such as the rapid increase in the consumption of sugar, alcohol and processed foods are expected to cause a major deterioration in the nation's overall health.
Non-existent or deficient tobacco regulation is found to be compounding the problem. The use of tobacco has been estimated to account for over 90 per cent of cancers in the oral cavity and is associated with inflammation, periodontal breakdown, poor oral hygiene and eventual tooth loss, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The impotence link
A new Turkish study involving 120 male subjects that had periodontitis and moderate-to-severe erectile dysfunction (ED) found that the effective treatment of inflamed, bleeding gums lessened the symptoms of ED within three months.
"To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess a potential link between the severity of ED and the treatment of periodontal disease," wrote the researchers from Inonu University in Malatya, Turkey.
ED is a known side effect of inflammation in the body that contributes to poor oral health, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. The conclusion of the study provides an active solution to the low-reaching problem of erectile dysfunction.
However, the findings fuel controversy of whether periodontitis is the sole cause of ED or if it only shares similar causative factors that compound the problem. Regardless, it's stimulating news for ED sufferers.
The absolute impact unknown
Severe periodontitis or bleeding gums is minimally found in five to 15 per cent of the population. However, the occurrence and seriousness of the problem is greatly under-reported, and the long-term health ramifications are commonly misunderstood.
The cost of traditional dental treatment is often very expensive, but the long-term financial impact is often greater. The cost of pain, suffering and the diminished quality of life is considerable. The long-term cost of heart disease, diabetes and cancer trumps the relative minimal cost of good oral health.
What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis is a severe infection of one's gums that destroys the soft tissue and bone that holds one's teeth in place. Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontitis and is known to cause red, bleeding and swollen gums.
The condition is a major cause of tooth loss and has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Some people may be genetically predisposed to this disorder but the most common cause is lifestyle induced. Lifestyle factors include but are not limited to poor oral hygiene, tobacco use and hormonal changes associated with gaining weight and the development of diabetes. Nutritional deficiencies, medication side effects and excessive stress are additional risk factors.
Brushing doesn't change one's diet 
The first line of defence against any condition is the prevention versus the treatment of the problem. It's important to understand the short and long-term effects that our lifestyle plays on oral, sexual and overall health.
Brushing and flossing one's teeth at least twice a day is paramount in oral health but will not make up for one's poor lifestyle choices that will contribute to the development of periodontitis and beyond.
A leading contributor is the over-consumption of sugar and sugar-producing products. Sugar products are often unknowingly found in processed food sources such as snacks, breads, sodas and other convenience foods. They are a leading cause of weight gain, diabetes, inflammation and impotence.
Eating fresh, whole, unprocessed foods that contain critical vitamins and nutrients has been found essential in maintaining good overall health. Eating soft, mushy, over-cooked foods that are low in fibre has been found to negatively affect the health of one's gums. The actual process of chewing has been found to be vital to healthy teeth and gums.
An anti-inflammatory diet
Important vitamins and minerals include vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, folic acid and zinc. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, kiwi, mango, papaya, strawberry, red pepper, broccoli, brussel sprouts and cantaloupe.
Sun exposure is the most important source of vitamin D. The sun's UV rays trigger the natural production of vitamin D in the skin. Vitamin D is critical for the absorption of calcium in the body as well.
A 2008 study published in the Journal of Periodontology found participants that consumed vitamin D and calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt had significantly lower levels of periodontal disease.
Folic acid, specifically, has been shown to reduce the inflammation and bleeding that is associated with periodontal disease. Foods that are high in folic acid include spinach; dark, leafy greens; beets; whole grains; and milk.
Green and black teas contain flavonoids that are known to inhibit the growth of the bacteria associated with tooth decay. These teas are also known to stimulate one's immune and digestive system that is critical in the absorption of nutrients.
It's important to supplement a good-quality multivitamin/mineral if available. This will improve any dietary deficiencies that are necessary to maintain a healthy, vigorous immune system that will help fight off dental bacteria.
Preventing side effects of medications
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is another critical nutritional support. It is known to improve gum tissue and help decrease receding gum lines. CoQ10 is also critical for muscles throughout the body. Many cholesterol medications are known to destroy CoQ10 and can cause muscle pain and general weakness.
Other medications such as antidepressants are known to induce dry-mouth symptoms that promote unhealthy bacteria that can lead to additional tooth decay. The use of birth-control pills can lead to an increased risk of gum disease by encouraging bacterial growth in the mouth, according to the journal Contraception.
Quitting smoking is one of the most critical to-dos in the battle against periodontal disease, heart disease, diabetes and erectile dysfunction. Over half of the chronic cases of periodontal disease have been linked to tobacco use.
Choices versus genetics
Taking a proactive approach to one's health is the most important aspect in the prevention of disease. Unfortunately, many individuals wait until a health condition develops to find that the reversal of the condition is impossible or significantly more difficult that the prevention of the condition in the first place.
Pre-packaged foods are known to have dangerous food additives, preservatives and colourings that will destroy any quality nutrients and set one on a path of developing inflammation, periodontitis, erectile dysfunction, heart disease, stroke and eventual death.
Our health is impacted by our personal choices more than our genetics. Consume a diet that is rich in natural, whole foods and avoid the food products that are in a can, bottle, bag or box. Our health is ultimately our choice, pick wisely.
• Dr Cory Couillard is an international healthcare speaker and columnist for numerous newspapers, magazines, websites and publications throughout the world. He works in collaboration with the
World Health Organisation's goals of disease
prevention and global healthcare education.
Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement. 
E-mail: drcorycouillard@gmail.com
Facebook: Cory Couillard
Twitter: Cory_Couillard

Read More

Oral Inflammation: The Tipping Point of Health Care

By Daniel L. Sindelar, DMD
I'm going to let you in on a secret. We are entering the greatest era of opportunity dentistry has ever seen — the era of health and wellness.
Don't get me wrong. We still address pain, restorations, and esthetics. But as Bradley Bale, MD, of the Bale/Doneen Method, states, "Don't ever forget; dentists are saving lives every day." How? By addressing oral inflammation and overall health.

By addressing these issues:
1. Our care is elevated
2. Patients' lives improve drastically
3. Dentists succeed like never before

The "tipping point" for health care and the dental profession is undeniable. Oral inflammation causes and increases inflammatory disease, such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, sleep apnea, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, pneumonia, preterm births, and birth defects, just to name a few.
It doesn't take "trench mouth" to initiate the inflammatory response.
When you compile the research by leading health-care institutions on oral inflammation, dentistry's role in overall health and disease prevention is remarkable. At the Second Annual AAOSH Scientific Session, the "rubber hit the road." Some of the world's leading health-care experts and institutional representatives presented just how important the influence of oral inflammation is on major diseases.

Tipping Point:

"Periodontal disease is now considered a medical disease." Dr. Marc Penn, MD, PhD, former director of Cardiac ICU at Cleveland Clinic.
Fifty percent of heart attacks and strokes occur in people with normal cholesterol levels. Inflammation is the key contributor to heart disease and cardiac events.

Tipping Point:

Dr. Yiping Han's research shows that the traditional view of periodontal disease is insufficient to address the effects of the oral apparatus on overall health. Dr. Han's research determined the cause of death of a fetus was oral bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum from the mother's mouth.
Though the mother lived a healthy lifestyle and had no visual signs of periodontal disease, she had a microbial burden and tested as a hyper-responder to inflammation. She lost her baby in the 36th week. This rarely happens. It's not just what we see visually; it's the bacteria present.
"Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease caused by specific or groups of specific microorganisms."— Clinical Periodontology, 9th Edition; Carranza 2002
I still practice what is considered traditional dentistry. Every week, we reduce pain in patients and restore their teeth. We restore their smiles. But I have added four health centers that launch dentists into the future of health care. They include:

• Oral Inflammation Reduction Center

• Sleep Center

• Malocclusion Center

• Wellness Center

The centers are organized, operational, and effective. Best of all, my patients love the fact that we help them protect not only their teeth, but also their overall health.
How many times have you thought that patients just want to get their six-month recall, freshen up, and leave? In the era of health and wellness, your office is no longer just a cleaning station. It's part of a heart attack, stroke, and diabetes prevention center.
Dental professionals have always been "prevention specialists," with recall visits, prophies, radiographs, fluoride treatments, sealants, and more. It's time now for us to be "disease prevention specialists."

Tipping Point:

At a time when most of the country is buried in fear of the economy and rising health-care costs, dentistry is positioned to benefit from whatever health-care agenda is followed. Oral biofilm-associated diseases are now the largest health-care cost of this nation.
The fact is that dentists today are facing serious problems:

• At age 64, only 4% can retire comfortably

• Health care is being commoditized

• Insurance companies are reducing compensation by 20% to 30%

• Cosmetic dentistry is down 30% to 50%

• Malpractice lawsuits occur because of supervised neglect

You will either become obsolete, or you will change and greet the greatest opportunity of your lifetime!

Tipping Point:

"Genetics are the future of all health care." (Dean Ornish, MD)
Dentists have a unique role in testing and treating genetics. Yes, I said dentists. Genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis and neurofibromatosis are present from birth. The key to reduction in disease involves genetic variations, which do not cause disease on their own. They influence susceptibility and the clinical severity of our worst diseases. Genetic variations affect the inflammatory pathway and release cytokines — a key player in inflammatory disease.
"Periodontitis is a complex genetic disease." (Yoshe, Kobyashim, Tai, Galicia; Perio 2000, Vol. 43, 2007, 102-132)

Tipping Point:

One out of three people are IL-1 positive. This means they are hyper-responders to all inflammation — especially oral inflammation — and have the same risk for heart disease as smokers. Every patient should now be tested for the genetic variation IL-1. It's a simple 30-second rinse test that needs to be done only once. Patients are either positive or negative.

Tipping Point:

We are finding that traditional periodontal therapy is not enough. Periodontal disease needs to be defined by pathogens. Bad bacteria enter our bloodstream through periodontal pockets and release toxins. After this, our bodies trigger an inflammatory response to both. The only way to have success is to treat early and effectively, and to address the microbial burden.
"No clinical parameters are able to predict the progression of periodontal disease; salivary diagnostics can!" (Dr. Thomas Nabors, a leading authority in molecular analysis and genetic risk assessment)
When we simply use traditional therapy (SRP), oral biofilm and microbial levels return to their pretreatment levels in just three to seven days. So traditional care is ineffective. We need to treat with antimicrobial therapy. (Petersilka et al. Perio. 2000 Vol 28, 2002)
Think of it this way. If one of your patients is IL-1 positive and has PG, that person had better get his or her affairs in order, because that person will die prematurely. When Porphyromonas gingivalis is present, the risk for heart attack increases by 13.6 times — more than twice the risk of a heavy smoker. (Stein JM et al., Journal of Periodontology) Yes. Dentists are saving lives.
An intensive antimicrobial approach reduces systemic inflammatory markers and systolic blood pressure, and improves lipid profiles with subsequent changes in cardiovascular risk. (D'Aiuto et al, Amer Heart Journal, May 2006)
According to John Tucker, DMD, we now have "dental solutions for medical problems."

Tipping Point:

Oral biofilm is the largest cause of oral inflammation, and oral inflammation is the No. 1 source of inflammation in humans.
"Don't ever forget to look at periodontal disease as an important source of inflammation in reference to cardiovascular disease." (Dr. Marc Penn, MD, PhD)
When the walls of coronary vessels get hot, we have a problem — heart attacks or strokes. Oral inflammation has a direct effect on vascular walls getting hot.
Lp-PLA₂ tells us how hot the walls are becoming. Lp-PLA₂ levels are measured with the PLAC-test, a revolutionary blood panel being performed by preventive cardiologists across the country. The only factor to increase Lp-PLA₂ is periodontal disease and oral inflammation. When you eliminate periodontal disease, you lower Lp-PLA₂.
I am involved in case studies across the country where dentists, in conjunction with physicians, are lowering Lp-PLA₂ by addressing oral inflammation. This helps get at-risk patients out of risky territory for cardiovascular disease.
"Lp-PLA₂ is frequently associated with high levels of causative oral bacteria. I've watched countless Lp-PLA₂ levels plummet by simply implementing an effective strategy to reduce oral infection and inflammation." (Charles Whitney, MD, VP of American Academy of Private Physicians)
Every dental professional needs to be aware of the relationship between Lp-PLA₂ and oral health.
Also, by addressing oral inflammation and periodontal disease, we can lower A1c levels more than medications can in many diabetic patients.
Dental professionals are being asked to:

1. Determine IL-1

2. Determine microbial burden

3. Coordinate risk

So how do we start? Treatment is the last step on the list. First, discover the "why." One of my favorite quotes is from Mark Twain — "The two most important days in our lives are the day we are born and the day we discover WHY."
This is the "why" for dentists. The purpose for dentists is to assist in patients' overall health.

- Get it into your DNA! We save lives every day.

- Get your team on board, and team members will love their new purpose. Hire the inspired and inspire the hired.

- Learn the basics of oral-systemic health. That's why AAOSH was founded.

- Become a leader of dentistry. This is your opportunity.

- Become known for health.

- Start the conversation. Patients know more about their health than you realize. Don't be discouraged if they're not used to hearing it from you. Patients will look forward to your leadership in this area.

- People love hearing about themselves; nothing is more personal than one's health.

- Everyone needs to hear something about five times before recognizing it. So start the conversation immediately.

Treatment list:

In my practice, I have found that once patients value the importance of the care they receive, they seek it. There is no greater value than improved overall health. With that as a baseline, here are some options and actions.
First, perform a "customized full wellness visit."

• Screen patients for risks and current conditions

• Have a four-tiered program in addition to traditional dentistry, including:

• Oral inflammation reduction

• Sleep assessment and care

• Wellness programs that supplement the care we give

• Malocclusion

Oral inflammation reduction center

First determine a patient's genetic and microbial risk via salivary diagnostics with OralDNA Labs.

• Take an antimicrobial approach — treat the bugs

• Coordinate care with patients' physicians, according to their health and risks

• Traditional scaling and root planing

• Treat mechanically by removing biofilm but taking an antimicrobial approach

• Precondition with lasers

• Precondition with antimicrobials

• Microbial-specific treatments, as per their bacterial load

• Systemic antibiotics, when appropriate

• Localized antibiotics

• Periostat, Periogard

• Arestin

• Oxygenate

• Perio Protect

• Advanced home-care systems

• Nutritional and diet programs (Cleveland Clinic Wellness) customized to a patient's health and risk factors

• Smoking cessation programs (Cleveland Clinic Wellness)

• Stress reduction programs (Cleveland Clinic Wellness) customized to a patient's health and risk factors

• Sleep programs (Cleveland Clinic Wellness) customized to a patient's health and risk factors

• Traditional recalls, customized to the patient's needs

• Restorative dentistry customized to the integrity of the dentition and the patient's overall health needs

• Periodontal restorations

• CAMBRA, CariFree

• Xylitol regimens

• Appropriate TMD treatments, customized with stress reduction programs (Cleveland Clinic Wellness)

• Alignment and crowding issues addressed with Invisalign, Six Month Smiles, and orthodontic referrals

• Removal of third molars that may be the focus of infection and inflammation

Sleep center

• As obesity becomes pandemic, sleep disorders are skyrocketing

• Add a sleep center to your existing practice

• Coordinate and work with sleep physicians and sleep center

• Home sleep studies

• Prescribe oral sleep appliances when appropriate

• Offer customized sleep programs (Cleveland Clinic Wellness)

Of course, the most important point to the whole program is to treat in conjunction with physicians and coordinate care.

Malocclusion center

Research indicates that more than 45 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches and migraines. Experts estimate that 80% of these symptoms could be dental-force related.

Wellness center

• Wellness is the future of health care

• Become a disease prevention specialist

• Screen for cancer with one of the advanced systems

• Scan for antioxidant levels, and offer pharmaceutical-grade nutritionals

Don't be afraid to initiate conversations with referring physicians. Recently, a new patient came to the office. She did not see our website, did not receive anything in the mail about our practice, did not see any of our social media, and did not hear about the practice in the news. She was referred by one of our inner circle physicians. This happens regularly in my practice. This is the cheapest, most practical, and most effective marketing that I have found.
By addressing oral inflammation, we are revolutionizing health care. The answer is simple. We now can and must identify genetics, quantify the bacterial load, and coordinate care. I am sure you will improve your care, improve your patients' lives, and succeed.

---

Daniel L Sindelar, DMD, practices full-time in St. Louis, Missouri. As president of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health, he is involved in expanding the awareness of the link between oral health and overall health to healthcare professionals and the public. For more information on the Four Centers of Oral Systemic Health and how oral-systemic health research can be harnessed to make your patients healthier and your practice more successful, visit www.drdansindelar.com or call (314) 394-1920.

http://www.dentaleconomics.com/articles/print/volume-102/issue-11/feature/oral-inflammation-the-tipping-point-of-health-care.html

Read More

Healthy Minute: Gum disease linked to increased health risks

Gum disease develops in the space between the gum line and the teeth. If left untreated this oral health problem can damage more than your gums.
According to everydayhealth.com, gum disease has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and other health problems.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that 80 percent of adults in the United States have some degree of gum disease.
Types of Gum Disease Gum disease is classified as either gingivitis or periodontitis.
Gingivitis results in swollen, irritated gums that bleed easily. Good oral health habits, including daily flossing and brushing, as well as getting regular professional teeth cleanings can prevent and help to reverse this disease, which typically doesn't result in the loss of gum tissue or teeth.
Periodontitis occurs as a result of untreated gingivitis. In periodontitis, the gums significantly recede from the teeth, leading to the formation of infected pockets. As the body's immune system struggles to fight off these infection, tissues and bones may start to break down. Without proper treatment, the gums, connective tissue, and jaw bones that support your teeth may all deteriorate and begin to compromise your overall oral health.
Eventually, the teeth will loosen and either fall out or have to be removed.
Signs of Gum Disease
A sour taste or persistently bad breath
A change in how partial dentures fit
A change in how teeth fit together when you bite down
Bleeding gums
Gum tissue that pulls away from your teeth
Loose teeth or increasing spaces between your teeth
Pain when chewing
Unusually sensitive teeth
Swollen and tender gums
Causes of Gum Disease
Other factors associated with gum disease include:
Smoking and chewing tobacco ‹ tobacco products irritate the gums and make gum disease more difficult to treat.
Systemic diseases that affect the immune system, such as cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS
Taking certain medications, including some blood pressure drugs,
antidepressants, steroids, and oral contraceptives, that can cause dry mouth. The lack of saliva in your mouth makes you more susceptible to gum disease since one of its main functions is to help wash away food particles and bacteria.
Crooked teeth
Dental bridges that don't fit properly
Old and defective fillings
Hormonal fluctuations, particularly those that occur during pregnancy
Genetic differences may make some people more susceptible to gum disease
Stress, which can reduce your body's defenses when it comes to fighting off any infection, including gum infections
Consequences of Untreated Gum Disease
Untreated gum disease has been associated with an increased risk for heart disease and stroke, and for women, an increased chance of delivering a baby with a low birth weight. Gum disease has also been linked to trouble controlling blood sugar among diabetics.
Treatment Options
Regular professional deep cleanings
Medications that are either taken orally or are inserted directly into
infected tissue pockets
Surgery, in more severe cases of gum disease. One type, called flap surgery, involves pulling up the gum tissue in order to remove tartar and then stitching the tissue back in place for a tight fit around the teeth. Tissue grafts can also be used to replace severely damaged bone or gum. In bone grafting, for instance, a small piece of mesh-like material is placed between the bone and gum tissue, enabling the supportive tissue and bone to regenerate.
While it's good to know there are treatments, it's better to avoid gum disease in the first place, by brushing and flossing at least twice a day, eating a balanced diet, and visiting your dentist regularly for exams and cleanings.


http://www.ardmoreite.com/article/20121123/NEWS/121129896/1001/NEWS

Read More

The Link Between Hormonal Changes and Gum Disease in Women

Periodontal disease is a constantly increasing health complication among adults.

However, women seem to be particularly sensitive to developing gum disease complications and side effects.
Those women who generally have got gum line complications such a gingivitis or mild gum disease, will see their condition worsening at certain life stages during their life, especially when hormonal changes occur.
Gum disease and the menstruation period
Some women will note that during that sensitive period of the month, their gums get swollen, and even lesions or canker sores might appear within their mouth. Even more so, some women will also experience gum bleeding.
If this is the case with you, a special dentistry appointment is needed. The dentist will most probably prescribe the proper gum disease treatment or even topical anesthetic which will help relieving the pain and discomfort. Respecting those appointments for regular professional dental cleanings will also ease the discomfort.
Taking Oral contraceptives and gum bleeding
Women who take oral contraceptives might experience inflamed gums. It is extremely important to let your dentist know that you are on oral contraceptives, because he might prescribe some antibiotics which can interfere with the effect of the birth control pills.

Thus, the dentist will be able to work out a dental treatment plan that suits your profile, keeping in mind you take regularly oral contraceptives.
Pregnancy and Gingivitis
During pregnancy, your body goes through immense hormonal changes, and they might develop gingivitis. This is a condition in which the gums become tender, and they can turn red.
These effects are caused by an increased level of hormones your body produces, especially during the second and last trimester of pregnancy. In order to cope better with this condition, your dentist will advise professional dental cleanings more often.
Menopause and the Gum complications
During menopause, women are again going through a tremendous physical-hormonal change. Many women at menopause complain of burning sensation within the mouth, a continuous metallic or salty taste, and dry mouth.
They also mention a greater sensitivity to hot or cold foods. In order to help eliminate these frustrating and annoying sensations, your dentist can prescribe saliva substitutes.
Thus, you will increase your saliva flow and you will get relief from these side effects. Mouth sores, dry mouth or bad breath/bad taste sensation are treated quite successfully with the saliva substitute sprays available in pharmacies.


http://worldental.org/teeth/advantages-invisalign-braces-straight-bright-teeth-effort/4779/

Read More

Gum Disease Treatment for Individuals with Diabetes Can Help Lower Medical Costs

 During Diabetes Awareness Month in November, United Concordia Dental, one of the nation's largest dental insurers, wants people with diabetes to know that medical costs are lower when they receive treatment for gum disease.
Earlier this year, United Concordia conducted a landmark study with parent company Highmark Inc. and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) that showed an annual reduction in hospitalizations (33 percent), physician visits (13 percent) and overall medical costs ($1,814) is possible when individuals with diabetes receive treatment for gum disease. The study, conducted by renowned researcher and former dean of the UPenn School of Dental Medicine Marjorie Jeffcoat, is the largest of its kind showing a connection between oral health in diabetics and medical costs.  
The study analyzed data over a three-year period from nearly 1.7 million individuals with both Highmark medical coverage and United Concordia dental coverage to determine the effects of proper periodontal care. In response to the study's findings, United Concordia developed UCWellness, the first dental program to integrate an engagement and education component, as well as 100 percent coverage for periodontal surgery benefits that some individuals with diabetes will need to treat their disease. 
"When you look at the study's sheer size and scope, as well as its statistical significance, it is clear the results are no fluke - when diabetics have their periodontal disease treated, it not only helps them become healthier, it also helps them and their employers save money in the long run," said James Bramson, D.D.S., chief dental officer.
Recently, Dr. Jeffcoat conducted another analysis of the same study subject to determine if  periodontal treatment for individuals with type II diabetes who are at the highest risk for medical costs can achieve even greater reductions in those costs.
"That analysis found a significant association between cost and risk," said Dr. Bramson. "Simply put, it showed the greater the risk for patients with diabetes, the greater the savings realized."
These findings related to diabetes represent the first in a series of conclusions suggesting how appropriate dental treatment and maintenance can help predict lower medical expenses for various chronic medical conditions. Over the coming months, similar methodologies will be employed by United Concordia to examine the pharmacy benefits cost impact of treating periodontal disease in diabetics, followed by individuals treated for this disease who experienced pre-term births, heart disease and stroke.
"This study underscores a commitment to wellness by both United Concordia and Highmark, highlighting a growing concern about the importance of connecting oral health to overall health," said Dr. Bramson. "If we can mirror this study with those other diseases, we should be able to show some significant health savings there, as well, which would broaden the argument for why it makes sense to treat someone's periodontal disease across a variety of different conditions."
For more information on how dental health affects overall health, visit http://www.UnitedConcordia.com .
SOURCE United Concordia Dental

Read More

Arthritis and gingival health

Arthritis patients can alleviate some of your pain, morning stiffness and swelling of joints by treating active gum disease, according to researchers at Case School of Dental Medicine in Cleveland.

The researchers studied 40 patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease and a severe form of rheumatoid arthritis. Study participants were divided into four groups. One group received drugs that block the production of a specific toxin found in rheumatoid arthritis inflamed sites, the second group received medications in addition to non-surgical periodontal treatment to clean and remove the infection of bone and gum tissue, and the third group had only non-surgical treatment and the last group received no treatment until after the study.

Patients who received nonsurgical treatment, with or without medication, responded with improvements in their arthritis symptoms.

The oral care can also be more difficult for people with specific health problems, including arthritis. For people with dexterity problems may find it difficult to hold a brush or floss.

The American Dental Association (ADA, American Dental Association) recommends a few "home remedies" for oral care easier, including using a wide elastic band to hold a toothbrush on hand, larger brush handle adhiriéndole a sponge, a rubber ball or bicycle handle or enrollándole an elastic bandage or adhesive tape around the handle, extend the handle with a ruler, a popsicle stick or tongue depressor, tie the floss in a loop for a easier handling, and use an electric toothbrush or floss commercial twine.
This article was obtained from Colgate

Read More