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New research from the University of Kent suggests that many of the common orthodontic problems experienced by people in industrialised nations is due to their soft modern diet causing the jaw to grow too short and small relative to the size of their teeth. The research, which was conducted by Dr Noreen von Cramon-Taubadel from the University's School of Anthropology and Conservation, tested the long-debated theory that the transition from a largely hunter-gatherer to an agricultural subsistence strategy across many parts of the world has had a knock-on effect on the growth and development of the human skull and lower jaw.

Dr von Cramon-Taubadel compared the shape of the cranium (skull) and mandible (lower jaw) of 11 globally distributed populations against models of genetic, geographic, climatic and dietary differences. She found that lower jaw shape, and to some extent the shape of the upper palate, was related to the dietary behaviour of populations, while the cranium was strongly related to the genetic relationships of the populations.

In particular, the lower jaw reflects whether populations are primarily hunter-gatherer or agriculturalist in nature, irrespective of what part of the world they come from. This therefore suggests that chewing behaviour causes the lower jaw to grow and develop differently in different subsistence groups, while the skull is not affected in the same way.

Overall, the hunter-gather groups had longer and narrower mandible, indicating more room for the teeth to erupt correctly, while the agriculturalists had generally shorter and broader mandibles, increasing the likelihood of dental crowding.

Dr von Cramon-Taubadel, a lecturer in Biological Anthropology with research interests in human and primate evolution, and in particular the causes of modern human skeletal diversity, said: 'Chewing behaviour appears to cause the lower jaw to develop differently in hunter-gatherer versus farming populations, and this holds true at a global level. What is interesting, is that the rest of the skull is not affected in the same way and seems to more closely match our genetic history.'

Source:  Science Daily

A mouthwash concocted by a UCLA microbiologist may render cavities and tooth decay a thing of the past.

The innovation developed by Wenyuan Shi, chairman of the UCLA School of Dentistry’s oral biology section, acts as a sort of “smart bomb” against harmful bacteria like, S. mutans, a main cause of cavities and tooth decay.

Wenyuan Shi(credit:UCLA) 

“With this new antimicrobial technology, we have the prospect of actually wiping out tooth decay in our lifetime,” he said.

A successful clinical study involving a dozen people found that those who rinsed with the UCLA-developed mouthwash just once over a four-day testing period experienced a near-complete elimination of the S. mutans bacteria.

Shi has been working on the innovation for over a decade with support from Colgate-Palmolive and a company he founded, C3-Jian Inc.

He said the findings may lay the groundwork for developing other target-specific anti-microbials to combat other diseases.

In a news release issued by the school, UCLA School of Dentistry, Dean, Dr. No-Hee Park is quoted as saying, “the work conducted by Dr. Shi’s laboratory will transform the concept of targeted antimicrobial therapy into reality.

“We are proud that UCLA will become known as the birthplace of this significant treatment innovation.”

More extensive clinical trials on the mouthwash may begin as early as March 2012.

Source:  Yahoo! News

How to protect your tooth, we teach you some easy tooth protect methods.
Dear friends, do you how to protect your tooth? The writer like most people, brush my tooth 2-3 times/one day. If there are no time at noon, I will also drink some water to make a simple brush. But I usually take a long time to brush my tooth at night, and sometimes do some oral sports or make a gingiva massage.
I like using a soft bristle brush, the size of the brush according to my comfortable feel degree. I have no special taste on toothpaste, because I think it is more important to have a right brush habits and method than what kind of toothbrush and toothpaste you use.
At here, I want to tell you a secret: the special method for me to protect my tooth is "The diet variety must diversify with reasonable matching, satisfies the human body to many kinds of nutrition needs. And then brush your tooth after eating." This is because if the sugar, protein content is high in food you eat, when you chew them, it is easy to stick in the tooth surface or in your teeth embrasure. But if you eat some coarse fiber food, like vegetables, fruits. It can reduce viscosity, so the food is not easy to stick in the teeth.
If you have a long-term coffee or tea drinking habits, that can make the teeth to become yellow and then black gradually. So in order to avoid the teeth from becoming"Coloring", we suggest every people if you have no time to brush your tooth after drinking coffee or tea, then you can use your tongue to lick your tooth up and down, this method also can clear part of coffee on your tooth. Some friend if you like to have a drink of tea, you can also try to do that.

An important new study from the Laboratory for Developmental Genetics at USC has confirmed cytomegalovirus  (CMV) as a cause of the most common salivary gland cancers. CMV joins a group of fewer than 10 identified oncoviruses - cancer-causing viruses - including HPV.

The findings, published online in the journal Experimental and Molecular Pathology over the weekend, are the latest in a series of studies by USC researchers that together demonstrate CMV's role as an oncovirus, a virus that can either trigger cancer in healthy cells or exploit mutant cell weaknesses to enhance tumor formation.

Lead author Michael Melnick, professor of developmental genetics in the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC and Co-Director of the Laboratory for Developmental Genetics, said the conclusion that CMV is an oncovirus came after rigorous study of both human salivary gland tumors and salivary glands of postnatal mice.

CMV's classification as an oncovirus has important implications for human health. The virus, which has an extremely high prevalence in humans, can cause severe illness and death in patients with compromised immune systems and can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to CMV for the first time while pregnant. It may also be connected to other cancers besides salivary gland cancer, Melnick added.

"CMV is incredibly common; most of us likely carry it because of our exposure to it," he said. "In healthy patients with normal immune systems, it becomes dormant and resides inactive in the salivary glands. No one knows what reactivates it."

This study illustrates not only that the CMV in the tumors is active but also that the amount of virus-created proteins found is positively correlated with the severity of the cancer, Melnick said.

Previous work with mice satisfied other important criteria needed to link CMV to cancer. After salivary glands obtained from newborn mice were exposed to purified CMV, cancer developed. In addition, efforts to stop the cancer's progression identified how the virus was acting upon the cells to spark the disease.

Thus, the team not only uncovered the connection between CMV and mucoepidermoid carcinoma, the most common type of salivary gland cancer, but also identified a specific molecular signaling pathway exploited by the virus to create tumors, being the same in humans and mice.

"Typically, this pathway is only active during embryonic growth and development," Melnick said, "but when CMV turns it back on, the resulting growth is a malignant tumor that supports production of more and more of the virus."

The study was conducted by Melnick with Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC colleagues Tina Jaskoll, professor of developmental genetics and co-director of the Laboratory for Developmental Genetics; Parish Sedghizadeh, director of the USC Center for Biofilms and associate professor of diagnostic sciences; and Carl Allen at The Ohio State University.

Jaskoll said salivary gland cancers can be particularly problematic because they often go undiagnosed until they reach a late stage. And since the affected area is near the face, surgical treatment can be quite extensive and seriously detrimental to a patient's quality of life.

However, with the new information about CMV's connection to cancer comes hope for new prevention and treatment methods, perhaps akin to the development of measures to mitigate human papilloma virus (HPV) after its connection to cervical cancer was established. Jaskoll added that the mouse salivary gland model created to connect CMV to cancer might also be used to design more effective treatments.

"This could allow us to have more rational design of drugs used to treat these tumors," she said.

Melnick said that in the not too distant future, he expects much more information about viruses and their connections to cancer and other health issues seemingly unrelated to viral infection to emerge.

"This should be a most fruitful area of investigation for a long time to come," he said. "This is just the tip of the iceberg with viruses."

Source:  Medical News Today

In a report on a preclinical investigation titled "Flagellin Enhances Saliva Ig A Response and Protection of Anti-caries DNA Vaccine," lead author Wei Shi, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and his team of researchers demonstrate that anti-caries DNA vaccines, including pGJA-P/VAX, are promising for preventing dental caries. However, challenges remain because of the low immunogenicity of DNA vaccines.

This study is published in the Journal of Dental Research, the official publication of the International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR).

In this study, Shi and team used recombinant flagellin protein derived from Salmonella as mucosal adjuvant for anti-caries DNA vaccine (pGJA-P/VAX) and analyzed the effects of Salmonella protein on the serum surface protein immunoglobulin G and saliva surface protein immunoglobulin A antibody responses, the colonization of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) on rodent teeth, and the formation of caries lesions. The results showed that Salmonella promoted the production of surface protein immunoglobulin G in serum and secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva of animals by intranasal immunization with pGJA-P/VAX plus Salmonella.

Furthermore, Shi found that enhanced surface protein immunoglobulin A responses in saliva were associated with inhibition of S. mutans colonization of tooth surfaces and endowed better protection with significant less carious lesions. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that recombinant Salmonella could enhance specific immunoglobulin A responses in saliva and protective ability of pGJA-P/VAX, providing an effective mucosal adjuvant candidate for intranasal immunization of an anti-caries DNA vaccine.

Daniel Smith, The Forsyth Institute, wrote a corresponding perspective article in response to the Shi et al report titled "Prospects in Caries Vaccine Development." In it, he states that DNA vaccine approaches for dental caries have had a history of success in animal models. Dental caries vaccines, directed to key components of S. mutans colonization and enhanced by safe and effective adjuvants and optimal delivery vehicles, are likely to be forthcoming.

"These papers highlight the exciting potential of using vaccines to protect against dental caries," said JDR Editor-in-Chief William Giannobile. "This research is promising and provides optimism to help promote public health of caries-susceptible individuals."

Source:  Science Daily

Journal Reference:

1. W. Shi, Y. H. Li, F. Liu, J. Y. Yang, D. H. Zhou, Y. Q. Chen, Y. Zhang, Y. Yang, B. X. He, C. Han, M. W. Fan, H. M. Yan. Flagellin Enhances Saliva IgA Response and Protection of Anti-caries DNA Vaccine. Journal of Dental Research, Published online Oct. 25, 2011 DOI: 10.1177/0022034511424283

I work since 1985 as a dentist.

I found some ideas which  make our work easier..

Some other dentsist who like ti share those ideas ?

For many dental implant patients, restoring facial volume can be as critical as the dental restoration for optimizing cosmetic outcomes.  In a workshop at the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Annual Scientific Meeting in Las Vegas, Pankaj Singh, DDS urged attendees to pay close attention to facial structures and consider using Botox and dermal filler agents for patients who need facial volume restorations.

"Besides creating beautiful smiles, we like to create harmony between the dento-facial complex by addressing the deep lines and wrinkles in the face that can prevent our patients from looking their best," said Singh.  "Soft tissues that ring the mouth are as important as perfectly restored teeth for an attractive and confident smile," said Singh.  

Botox is a natural and purified protein that relaxes facial muscles by blocking nerve impulses.  Once the muscles are at rest, the skin becomes smoother, creating a more natural and relaxed appearance.  The effects last about three to four months and patients feel little, if any, discomfort after the procedure.  

For older dental implant patients with facial aging, the corners the mouth begin to turn down and wrinkles appear around the lips.  "Botox can be used by dentists to relax affected muscles to raise mouth corners and smooth wrinkles to assure successful and satisfying outcomes," said Singh.

Dermal filler agents, such as Restylane, treat fat and collagen volume loss due to the aging process that causes static lines to develop.  "As we age, our body's production of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), the body's natural filler decreases, which causes facial lines to appear," Singh explained.  He added that it takes about two weeks for dermal filler agents to show results and some patients experience side effects, such as localized pain, infection, bleeding, swelling, redness, bruising and tenderness in and near the injection site.  Results are not permanent and injections will need to be repeated periodically to maintain the cosmetic improvement.

An estimated 8 percent of dentists in North America now provide Botox and dermal filer cosmetic treatments for patients and the number is growing, as state dental boards lobby to allow dentists to use the agents for cosmetic dentistry.    

"Facial volume restoration is the future for the achieving optimal aesthetic outcomes in the delivery of cosmetic and restorative dental care," said Singh.  "Dentists have as much training and knowledge in the oral and maxillofacial area as dermatologists and other providers, so they, with proper training, can be as proficient in administering these agents," said Singh.  

About AAID

AAID is the leading professional society dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of implant dentistry through research and education.  The annual meeting is the field's leading venue for cutting-edge, evidence-based implant research presentations and demonstrations of state-of-the art implantation techniques.  

AAID can help consumers find a local credentialed implant dentist at www.aaid.com.  AAID is based in Chicago and has more than 3,500 members.  It is the first organization dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of implant dentistry by supporting research and education to advance comprehensive implant knowledge.

SOURCE American Academy of Implant Dentistry

Bad teeth can pose more of a health problem to a person than just an aesthetics problem.   More and more studies indicate that the health of the teeth and gums can affect the health of the whole body, and inflamed gums (periodontitis) can especially negatively affect the health of the whole body.   The chronic inflammation weakens the immune system, and is an increased risk of diabetes, heart attacks , rheumatism and lung diseases.

Periodontitis is mostly painless

Inflamed gums – popularly known as gum disease  – usually affects people over the age of 40.  Caused by poor oral hygiene or improper brushing technique itself is a bacterial plaque that eventually attacks the gums. The onset of infection often remains undetected because it causes no pain. The trouble usually begins with bleeding gums, swelling of the gums and bad breath. In extreme cases, it will form gum pockets and bone loss is reduced.

Inflammation spreads throughout the body

But the inflammation is not restricted to the oral cavity.  From the gingival pockets, bacteria and pro-inflammatory mediators travel into the bloodstream.   Inflammation occurs in the blood vessels or even in previously damaged heart valves. The result: the risk for atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke increases. Studies show, for example, that the likelihood of cardiovascular disease in people with periodontal disease is increased by 70 percent.

Bacteria attack the heart and lungs

The connection between bad teeth and the lungs was showed recently by researchers from the U.S.. They found that people with bronchitis or COPD often have bad teeth.  Lung disease is caused when bacteria from the upper throat are inhaled and reach the lower respiratory tract. Various factors such as smoking or a weakened immune system increase the risk of developing lung disease. However, further research is needed to clarify the precise relationship, the researchers said.

Diabetics often have inflamed gums
Particularly well studied is the relationship between diabetes and gum disease. Those with poorly controlled blood sugar levels can result in bad wounds. The excess sugar in the blood promotes inflammation and inhibits healing. Diabetics can suffer up to 3.5-fold increased risk of developing periodontal disease. Conversely, the inflamed gums increase the insulin resistance.

Preventing periodontal disease

To prevent gum disease proper oral hygiene is essential.  Teeth brushing should occur at least twice a day.   The spaces between the teeth should also be cleaned daily with floss or special interdental brushes.   At least twice a year a prophylaxis should be performed by a dentist.   Here, the deposits and tartar are removed, and the teeth are treated with fluoride and given a thorough guide to dental care.

Periodontal Associates

Source:  News Around The World

It's almost Halloween.  As each October creeps up on Cindy Flanagan, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry(AGD), her mind always wanders to the amount of sweets both children and adults will be consuming during the last few months of the year.

"Too many sweets can cause a spooky mouth," says Dr. Flanagan. "People have the tendency to graze on the sugary treats lying around the house during the holidays, and this increases the likelihood of cavities."

Dr. Flanagan knows that candy consumption is almost unavoidable at this time of the year, so she's offering some advice as to which sweets are less damaging to your teeth than others.

The Good:

1. Sugar-free lollipops and hard candies: These treats stimulate saliva, which prevents dry mouth. A dry mouth allows plaque to build up on teeth faster, leading to an increased risk of cavities.

1. Sugar-free gum: Chewing gum can actually prevent cavities, not only because it helps to dislodge food particles from the teeth, but also because it increases saliva. Saliva works to neutralize the acids of the mouth and prevent tooth decay.

1. Dark chocolate: Chocolates are loaded with sugar, but studies have shown that the antioxidants in dark chocolate can be good for the heart and may even lower blood pressure. Just be sure to eat it in moderation.

The Bad:

1. Sugary snacks: Candy corn, cookies, and cake all contain a high amount of sugar, which can cause tooth decay.

1. Chewy/sticky sweets: Gummy candies, taffy, and even dried fruit can be difficult for children and adults to resist, but they are a serious source of tooth decay, particularly when they get stuck in the crevices between teeth and make it nearly impossible for saliva to wash away.

1. Sour candies: High acid levels in these treats can break down tooth enamel quickly. The good news: Saliva slowly helps to restore the natural balance of the acid in the mouth. Dr. Flanagan recommends that patients wait 30 minutes to brush their teeth after consuming acidic foods or drinks, otherwise they will be brushing acid onto more tooth surfaces, increasing the erosive action.

Dental students in a Seattle study had very high rates of colonization with MRSA, the drug-resistant strain of staph, raising new questions about the prevalence of the bacteria outside of hospitals in community health care settings.

People who are colonized with MRSA carry the bacteria in their nose or on their skin, but they may or may not have signs or symptoms of infection. They can spread MRSA to others, however.

Nasal swabs from one in five University of Washington (UAW) Dental School students tested showed evidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and four of seven dental clinics at the school also tested positive for the bacteria in samples taken from dental chairs and floors.

The rate of MRSA colonization was significantly higher than that reported in the general population and in other non-hospital medical settings, but an official with the CDC says the public should not be overly alarmed by the findings.

Arjun Srinivasan, MD, says the high MRSA rate suggests a specific transmission at the UAW facility and is probably not indicative of rates in dental offices in general.

Srinivasan is assistant director for the CDC's Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention Program.

"This study is one of the first to look at MRSA in the dental setting, but it was a small study with just 61 dental students in one facility," Srinivasan tells WebMD. "We don't believe this study necessarily represents a systematic problem in dental clinics across the country."

Community MRSA Rates Rising

MRSA is usually highly resistant to the antibiotics most often used to treat staph infections, and it is a significant cause of illness and death among hospitalized patients with compromised immune systems.

Infections that happen outside the hospital setting -- known as community-acquired MRSA -- tend to occur in otherwise healthy people and they typically show up as skin infections.

Recent surveys suggest that hospital-acquired MRSA has declined within the past few years, while rates of community-acquired MRSA appear to be increasing, according to the CDC.

Outbreaks of community-acquired MRSA have been reported in locker rooms, gymnasiums, prisons, military barracks, and other facilities where skin-to-skin contact is common and people share close quarters.

It is not clear how many people carry MRSA, but studies suggest that health care workers have slightly higher rates of colonization than the general population, University of Washington professor of environmental and occupational health Marilyn C. Roberts, PhD, tells WebMD.

MRSA Common in Buffalo Dental Study

In a study reported earlier this year, Roberts and colleagues found a high rate of MRSA colonization among a group of Seattle-area firefighters.

In their latest investigation conducted at the UAW dental school, the researchers took nasal swabs from 61 dental students and swabbed 95 surfaces considered potential reservoirs for MRSA.

Thirteen (21%) of the students and eight (8.4%) surfaces from four of the seven clinics harbored MRSA.

The study was published online today and will appear in the October issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.

An unrelated study of dental school students and instructors in Buffalo, N.Y., showed an even higher rate of colonization, with 31% of the 84 people showing evidence of MRSA.

That study was presented at a 2009 meeting of dental researchers held in Miami.

Roberts says the Buffalo findings show that the high MRSA colonization rate reported in her study is not limited to her institution.

Roberts and the CDC's Srinivasan do agree that more study is needed to develop a better understanding of the rate of MRSA colonization in non-hospital health care settings.

The extent to which this colonization impacts MRSA infection rates is also not clear, he adds.

"We know a great deal about the infection control challenges related to MRSA in acute care hospital settings, but we know a lot less about this issue in non-acute care settings such as dental and dialysis centers and ambulatory surgical centers," Srinivasan says.

Srinivasan says it does not appear that these settings represent a major source of community-acquired MRSA transmission.

Source:  WebMD

The 2010 House of Delegates resolved to encourage certified dental technicians to attend ADA continuing education seminars, including as presenters.

That resolve will be carried out at ADA Annual Session in Las Vegas this month when Dentists and Dental Laboratory Technicians Team Up for Success is presented. The course, created for both dentists and dental laboratory technicians, is scheduled for 8-10:30 a.m. Oct. 13 in room L3 Palm C. Its goal is to outline techniques dentists and dental lab technicians can use for successful long-term collaborative treatment planning.

“This course is designed to deepen and further define the long-standing symbiotic relationship between dental laboratory technicians and dentists, which has proven through the years to deliver the highest quality dental solutions available to patients in the world,” said Dr. Charles (Bill) D’Aiuto, member of the Council on Dental Practice and chair of its Subcommittee on the Future of Dental Laboratory Technology. “As the dental office paradigm shifts so will the working relationships, needs and requirements that dentists share with our dental laboratory technicians colleagues.”

The course will be presented by Nelson Rego, certified dental technician, who will help participants learn how to communicate about lab prescriptions more effectively, create better impressions and more successful restorations and understand how digital photography can be used for treatment planning.

"In the past, we have become aware of the need to strengthen the long-standing working relationship we as dentists have with our dental technician colleagues,” Dr. D’Aiuto said. “With the advent of vast new technologies in delivering dental prostheses with facilities available around the world to fabricate them, it is now starkly evident that no amount of outsourcing of basic dental prostheses can or ever will replace the need for the collaboration of the dentist with the domestic dental technician in delivering the total dental product that has become the envy of the world. "

Source:  American Dental Association

The British Dental Health Foundation released a rather shocking report that may cause many women to step up their oral hygiene routine. The report, released on February 11, 2011, states that women with gum disease and or missing teeth may be up to 11 times more likely to develop breast cancer.

Sweden's Karolinska Institute studied over three thousand patients, ending with 41 women developing cancer. The women with gum disease and tooth loss were found to be 11 times more likely to develop cancer. This study is said to be the first to examine the relationship between gum disease, tooth loss and cancer. More studies will be necessary in order to fully explain the link, if any, between gum disease, tooth loss, and cancer.

Gum disease is continually popping up in the news as a link or result of serious health concerns. Diabetes, preterm birth, and heart disease are only a few conditions related to this preventable disease.

Source:  About.com

When considering a potential new dentist, there are many important factors to take into account. Blindly picking  a name out of your insurance provider's list of in-network dentists without getting the right information about the practice is not the ideal option! In this article, we'll cover the top 10 key questions to ask your possible future dentist.

Basic Questions

These basic questions can help you figure out if you can work with a dentist in the first place.

1. Are you taking new patients?

Some dentists will only work with a certain number of patients at a time. Once they reach that number, they stop taking new patients and just focus on the ones they already have.

2. Do you treat children, and if so, what types of accommodations do you make for them?

Not all dentists work with kids. Even if you're looking for a dentist for yourself and not your kids right now, it might be better to find a practice that works with children. This way,  you'll already have a good relationship with an office by the time your kids need a check-up or dental work.

If you have kids, it's important to find someone who makes adjustments for young children. This should include smaller tools for smaller mouths, plus comforting items like happy decorations or even TV sets.

3. Do you make accommodations for people with dental anxiety?

If the thought of going to the dentist scares you stiff, you're not alone. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, approximately 35 million Americans experience significant apprehension about dental procedures. Plus, an extra “10 to 12 million are considered to be 'dental phobic' and avoid needed dental care altogether.”

However, dentists are getting better at working with anxious people. Many dentists now offer calming music, nitrous oxide, anti-anxiety medications, and other accommodations to help patients chill out. Again, if you don't have dental anxiety, but someone else in your family does, you may want to start building a relationship with a helpful practice now.

Expertise Questions

These questions are meant to determine if your dentist has what it takes to take care of you.

4. How long have you been practicing?

All else being equal, it's clearly better to pick a dentist who has been practicing longer. Experience is the best teacher.

5. How often do you take continuing education classes?

Both dentists and dental hygienists are supposed to take continuing education courses throughout their careers. If your potential new dentist can't tell you the last time they've taken a continuing education course, that's a big red flag.

6. Do you have any area of expertise, other than general dentistry?

If you know you're going to need a certain procedure soon, like a root canal, it makes sense to start building a relationship with a dentist that specializes in endodontics.  Endodontics deal with how a tooth's pulp and tissues work.

7. Do you have patient testimonials as well as before and after pictures from past patients that I can look at?

Yes, even with online reviews widely available, dentists should still keep patient testimonials, as well as before and after pictures on hand. If a dentist can't provide these, that might be a red flag.

Financing Questions

Daniela Baker from CreditDonkey says, “Of course, finding the best dentist in the world won't do you much good if there's no way you can afford their services, so ask about payment options ahead of time.”

 8. Which types of dental insurance do you accept?

It's important to ask which types of dental insurance your potential dentist accepts, or just ask if they accept your insurance. Also, ask if they will file your insurance claims for you, or if you have to do it yourself.

9. Do you take credit card payments, and if so, which credit cards do you accept?

Many dentists today accept credit card payments, since they are popular with patients. Even if you don't think you'll need this option, it's good to know you'll have it as a plan B in case your co-pays are higher than expected.

10. Do you accept discount dental plans?

Dental offices that accept discount dental plans will perform services at a discounted price for discount dental plan members. If you already have dental insurance, you can still use a discount dental plan to keep costs down after you reach your insurance plan maximum.* Unlike insurance plans, discount dental plans usually do not have annual limits.

These are just 10 of many important questions you should ask a potential new dentist. You should also ask questions that apply to your own needs. The Forestream Dental Group in Buffalo, New York advises making an appointment with a potential new dentist to interview them before having work done.

Remember, the oral health of you and your family depends, in part, on your new dentist, so go the extra mile to get to know them!

*Please consult with your provider prior to beginning treatment.

Only 62% of adults visited a dentist in 2009. It doesn’t take a psychology degree to know that patients aren’t avoiding your office because they love tooth decay. Many times, the fear of dentists is based on traumatic dental experiences. A successful dentist is not only good at cleaning teeth, filling cavities, and restoring smiles, but also at putting patients at ease so that they will keep returning. Here are a few tips to help reduce your patients’ dental fears and anxieties so that you can best treat them and send them home smiling:

• Communicate clearly: Talking through the steps of the treatment with patients can significantly reduce their fear. When a patient comes to your office, sit down with them and talk through what you will be doing, even if it is only a cleaning. 

• Soothe with music: According to a study by the American Dental Association, music is a great tool for distracting patients and reducing their dental anxiety. Have soothing music playing in the examination room, or better yet, encourage your patients to bring an iPod or MP3 player with their favorite song to listen to throughout their appointment. 

• Try a relaxation technique: One of the most effective ways to reduce fear in particularly anxious patients is to have them do a short relaxation exercise prior to their treatment. Consider getting a relaxation DVD or written instructions for a relaxation exercise and encourage anxious patients to listen to it through headphones or read it quietly while in the waiting room before their appointment.

• Distract, Distract, Distract: Some dental offices are beginning to set up television screens above the dental chairs, and allowing patients to choose from a DVD collection or set of television stations prior to their procedure. This is particularly helpful for longer procedures, and can offer a distraction from their fear and anxiety.

As a dentist, you know that dental work does not have to be scary. By communicating clearly with your patients, creating a relaxing and welcoming environment, and offering them distractions such as music and television, you can help your patients to reduce their anxiety and keep fear at bay. Even for patients that do not have obviously high levels of dental anxiety, these tips can help make them feel more relaxed and create a welcoming atmosphere that gives patients positive associations with the dentist.

Allison Gamble has been a curious student of psychology since high school. She brings her understanding of the mind to work in the weird world of internet marketing with psychologydegree.net.

So much more than than a pair of upturned lips, the smile is the most scientifically studied human facial expression. In her new book, Lip Service, Yale psychology professor Marianne LaFrance, PhD, draws on the latest research—in fields from biology to anthropology to computer science—in an effort to shed some light on the happy face. Here, six facts that may make you, well, you know.

People with big grins live longer. In a study published last year, researchers pored over an old issue of the Baseball Register, analyzing photos of 230 players. They found that on average, the guys with bright, bigmouthed beams lived 4.9 years longer than the players with partial smiles, and 7 years longer than the players who showed no grin at all. We can’t credit wide smiles for long life spans, of course, but smiles reveal positive feelings, and positive feelings are linked to well-being.

Smiles exert subliminal powers. When study subjects are shown an image of a smiling face for just four milliseconds—a flash so quick, the viewers don’t consciously register the image—they experience a mini emotional high. Compared with control groups, the smile-viewers perceive the world in a better light: To them, boring material is more interesting, neutral images look more positive, even bland drinks seem tastier.

There are three degrees of happiness… An article in the British Medical Journal reported that it is indeed possible to spread the love: Within social networks, when one person is happy, the feeling migrates to two people beyond her. So if you smile, a friend of a friend is more likely to smile, too.

…and two types of smiles. Genuine smiles and fake smiles are governed by two separate neural pathways. We know this is true because people with damage to a certain part of the brain can still break into a spontaneous grin even though they’re unable to smile at will. Scientists speculate that our ancestors evolved the neural circuitry to force smiles because it was evolutionarily advantageous to mask their fear and fury.

To spot a faker, check the eyes. When someone smiles out of genuine delight, a facial muscle called the orbicularis oculi involuntarily contracts, crinkling the skin around the eyes. Most of us are incapable of deliberately moving this muscle, which means that when a person fakes a smile, her orbicularis oculi likely won’t budge.

Smiles have accents. When reading facial expressions, different cultures home in on different parts of the face. In the United States, we focus on mouths; the Japanese, by contrast, search for feeling in the eyes.

These emoticons say it all:

HappySadU.S.:):(JAPAN(^_^)(;_;)

Source:  Oprah.com

Leading dental and pharmacy organizations are teaming up to promote oral health and raise public awareness of dry mouth, a side effect commonly caused by taking prescription and over-the-counter medications. More than 500 medications can contribute to oral dryness, including antihistamines (for allergy or asthma), antihypertensive medications (for blood pressure), decongestants, pain medications, diuretics and antidepressants. In its most severe form, dry mouth can lead to extensive tooth decay, mouth sores and oral infections, particularly among the elderly.

Nearly half of all Americans regularly take at least one prescription medication daily, including many that produce dry mouth, and more than 90 percent of adults over age 65 do the same. Because older adults frequently use one or more of these medications, they are considered at significantly higher risk of experiencing dry mouth. 

The American Dental Association (ADA), Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) are collaborating to expand awareness of the impact of medications on dry mouth, a condition known to health professionals as xerostomia.

With regular saliva production, your teeth are constantly bathed in a mineral-rich solution that helps keep your teeth strong and resistant to decay. While saliva is essential for maintaining oral health and quality of life, at least 25 million Americans have inadequate salivary flow or composition, and lack the cleansing and protective functions provided by this important fluid. 

“Each day, a healthy adult normally produces around one-and-a-half liters of saliva, making it easier to talk, swallow, taste, digest food and perform other important functions that often go unnoticed,” notes Dr. Fares Elias, immediate past president, Academy of General Dentistry. “Those not producing adequate saliva may experience some common symptoms of dry mouth.” 

Signs and symptoms
At some point, most people will experience the short-term sensation of oral dryness because of nervousness, stress or just being upset. This is normal and does not have any long-term consequences. But chronic cases of dry mouth persist for longer periods of time. Common symptoms include trouble eating, speaking and chewing, burning sensations or a frequent need to sip water while eating. 

“Dry mouth becomes a problem when symptoms occur all or most of the time and can cause serious problems for your oral health,” explains Dr. Matthew Messina, ADA consumer advisor. “Drying irritates the soft tissues in the mouth, which can make them inflamed and more susceptible to infection.”

According to Dr. Messina, who practices general dentistry in the Cleveland area, without the cleansing and shielding effects of adequate saliva flow, tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease become much more common. “Constant dryness and the lack of protection provided by saliva may contribute to bad breath. Dry mouth can make full dentures become less comfortable to wear because there is no thin film of saliva to help them adhere properly to oral tissues,” he adds. “Insufficient saliva can also result in painful denture sores, dry and cracked lips and increased risks of oral infection.”

Common causes
Once considered an inevitable part of aging, dry mouth is now commonly associated with certain medications and autoimmune conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome. Both of these can reduce salivary production or alter its composition, but experts agree that the primary cause of dry mouth is the use of medications.

Radiation treatment for head and neck cancer is also an important cause of severe dry mouth. The treatment can produce significant damage to the salivary glands, resulting in diminished saliva production and extreme dry mouth in many cases. 

“Saliva plays an important role in maintaining oral health,” says Dr. Donald Clem, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. “With decreased saliva flow, we can see an increase in plaque accumulation and the incidence and severity of periodontal diseases.”

How to relieve dry mouth
Individuals with dry mouth should have regular dental checkups for evaluation and treatment. “Be sure to carry an up-to-date medication list at all times, and tell your dentist what medications you are taking and other information about your health at each appointment," advises Mr. Thomas Menighan, executive vice president and Chief Executive Officer, American Pharmacists Association. "In some cases, a different medication can be provided or your dosage modified to alleviate dry mouth symptoms. Talk to your pharmacist if you have any questions regarding your medication.” 

Increasing fluid intake, chewing sugarless gum, taking frequent sips of water or sucking on ice chips can also help relieve dry mouth symptoms. Avoiding tobacco and intake of caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages may also help those with the condition. Your dentist may recommend using saliva substitutes or oral moisturizers to keep your mouth wet. Your local pharmacist is also a helpful source for information on products to help you manage dry mouth.

Source: American Academy of Periodontology

 Scientists have discovered the tool that bacteria normally found in our mouths use to invade heart tissue, causing a dangerous and sometimes lethal infection of the heart known as endocarditis. The work raises the possibility of creating a screening tool -- perhaps a swab of the cheek, or a spit test -- to gauge a dental patient's vulnerability to the condition.

The identification of the protein that allows Streptococcus mutans to gain a foothold in heart tissue is reported in the June issue of Infection and Immunity by microbiologists at the University of Rochester Medical Center.  S. mutans is a bacterium best known for causing cavities. The bacteria reside in dental plaque -- an architecturally sophisticated goo composed of an elaborate molecular matrix created by S. mutans that allows the bacteria to inhabit and thrive in our oral cavity. There, they churn out acid that erodes our teeth.

S. mutans invading a human coronary artery endothelial cell.

(Credit: Image courtesy of University of Rochester Medical Center)

Normally, S. mutans confines its mischief to the mouth, but sometimes, particularly after a dental procedure or even after a vigorous bout of flossing, the bacteria enter the bloodstream. There, the immune system usually destroys them, but occasionally -- within just a few seconds -- they travel to the heart and colonize its tissue, especially heart valves. The bacteria can cause endocarditis -- inflammation of heart valves -- which can be deadly. Infection by S. mutans is a leading cause of the condition.

"When I first learned that S. mutans sometimes can live in the heart, I asked myself: Why in the world are these bacteria, which normally live in the mouth, in the heart? I was intrigued. And I began investigating how they get there and survive there," said Jacqueline Abranches, Ph.D., a microbiologist and the corresponding author of the study.

Abranches and her team at the University's Center for Oral Biology discovered that a collagen-binding protein known as CNM gives S. mutans its ability to invade heart tissue. In laboratory experiments, scientists found that strains with CNM are able to invade heart cells, and strains without CNM are not.

When the team knocked out the gene for CNM in strains where it's normally present, the bacteria were unable to invade heart tissue. Without CNM, the bacteria simply couldn't gain a foothold; their ability to adhere was about one-tenth of what it was with CNM.

The team also studied the response of wax worms to the various strains of S. mutans. They found that strains without CNM were rarely lethal to the worms, while strains with the protein were lethal 90 percent of the time. Then, when Abranches' team knocked out CNM in those strains, they were no longer lethal -- those worms thrived.

The work may someday enable doctors to prevent S. mutans from invading heart tissue. Even sooner, though, since some strains of S. mutans have CNM and others do not, the research may enable doctors to gauge a patient's vulnerability to a heart infection caused by the bacteria.

Abranches has identified five specific strains of S. mutans that carry the CNM protein, out of more than three dozen strains examined. CNM is not found in the most common type of S. mutans found in people, type C, but is present in rarer types of S. mutans, including types E and F.

"It may be that CNM can serve as a biomarker of the most virulent strains of S. mutans," said Abranches, a research assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. "When patients with cardiac problems go to the dentist, perhaps those patients will be screened to see if they carry the protein. If they do, the dentist might treat them more aggressively with preventive antibiotics, for example."

Until more research is done and a screening or preventive tool is in place, Abranches says the usual advice for good oral health still stands for everyone.

"No matter what types of bacteria a person has in his or her mouth, they should do the same things to maintain good oral health. They should brush and floss their teeth regularly -- the smaller the number of S. mutans in your mouth, the healthier you'll be. Use a fluoride rinse before you go to bed at night. And eat a healthy diet, keeping sugar to a minimum," added Abranches.

Abranches presented the work at a recent conference on the "oral microbiome" hosted by the University's Center for Oral Biology. The center is part of the Medical Center's Eastman Institute for Oral Health, a world leader in research and post-doctoral education in general and pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and oral surgery.

Additional authors of the study include laboratory technician James Miller; former technician Alaina Martinez; Patricia Simpson-Haidaris, Ph.D., associate professor of Medicine; Robert Burne, Ph.D., of the University of Florida; and Abranches' husband, Jose Lemos, Ph.D., of the Center for Oral Biology, who is also assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. The work was funded by the American Heart Association.

Source:  University of Rochester Medical Center

Have you thought about chipped teeth, drooling, gum damage, nerve damage, taste loss, tooth loss or infection? The problems that can arise from an oral piercing might surprise you.

Fractured teeth are a common problem for people with tongue piercings. People chip teeth on tongue piercings while eating, sleeping, talking and chewing on the jewelry. The fracture can be confined to the enamel of your tooth and require a filling, or it may go deep into the tooth; in which case, a root canal or tooth extraction may be necessary.

"Every time you swallow, the barbell hits the teeth, causing constant irritation that can result in mouth ulcers," says Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Manuel A. Cordero DDS, FAGD.

Infections are also common. Dentists are learning that oral infections can be linked to other infections. "The tongue is covered with bacteria," Dr. Cordero said. "The moment the tongue is punctured, bacteria are introduced into the blood. When that happens, bacteria can travel to the heart and cause a variety of serious problems."

If you decide to pierce your tongue, take care of it. Once the tongue has been pierced, it takes four to six weeks to heal. Barring complications, the jewelry can be removed for short periods of time without the hole closing. Always remove the jewelry every time you eat or sleep.

Gum recession is another big problem associated with tongue piercing.  Many people with pierced tongues get into the habit of rubbing the gums on the inside of the bottom teeth with the ball at the end of the pierce.  This causes the gum, and ultimately the bone, to become stripped away from the teeth resulting in gum recession.  This will oftentimes necessitate repair of the damage by a periodontist.

To avoid serious infections such as HIV or hepatitis, make sure the piercer sterilizes everything in an autoclave, which uses extreme heat to sanitize surgical instruments. Ask the piercer questions about after-care, cleanliness, equipment and other concerns.

Clean your piercing with an antiseptic mouthwash after every meal and brush the jewelry the same as your teeth to remove plaque.

CARY FEUERMAN, DMD

PERIODONTAL ASSOCIATES

Source:  AGD

A new study in the Journal of Dental Research finds bone fluoride levels are not associated with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer more prevalent in males.

A team of researchers from Harvard University, the Medical College of Georgia and the National Cancer Institute analyzed hundreds of bone samples from nine hospitals over an eight year period from patients with osteosarcoma and a control group to measure fluoride levels in the bone.

Considered the most extensive study to date that examines a potential association between fluoride levels in bone and osteosarcoma, the results indicated no correlation. Three branches of the National Institutes of Health were involved in the study. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) approved the design of the study, and funding for the research was provided by the NCI, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. 

The ADA has issued a press statement and ADA News contains more details about the study.

Patients may ask about the findings of this new study. Here are some points that may be helpful:

• This new study adds to an already strong base of scientific evidence that fluoride is safe and effective at preventing cavities.
• An inconclusive animal study conducted twenty years ago first raised the question of an association between fluoride and osteosarcoma. Since that time, other studies have examined the issue.
• This new study is considered by researchers to be the best science to date because a more accurate and reliable scientific method was used to measure exposure from all sources of fluoride.
• Tooth decay rates have declined dramatically over the past several decades, thanks in part to the use of fluoride.
• The AmericanDentalAssociation advises that people should brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, eat a balanced diet and maintain regular dental appointments to help prevent tooth decay.

CARY FEUERMAN, DMD

PERIODONTAL ASSOCIATES

Source:  American Dental Association