Researchers Link Obesity, Tooth Decay in Toddlers

Researchers Link Obesity, Tooth Decay in Toddlers

Researchers at the University of Buffalo, NY, studied the relationship between tooth decay and obesity in children who were 2 to 5 years old. In doing so, they found a direct relationship between obesity and tooth decay.

“Poor eating habits may play a role in both tooth decay and obesity in preschoolers,” the study’s lead author, Kathleen Bethin, MD, PhD, said. “Dental decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, and obesity in youth is a growing problem. To prevent these problems, the dentist’s office may be an important place to educate families about nutrition,” Bethin is a pediatrician at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Buffalo in New York.

With funding from the New York State Department of Health, the doctors at the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and University of Buffalo studied the relationship between poor dental health and overweight in 65 children who were 2 to 5 years old. All children needed dental work due to decay and had their dental procedure and blood work performed while they were under anesthesia.

Each child’s height and weight were measured before the procedure to calculate the body mass index, or BMI. For most people, BMI reliably indicates the amount of body fat. Also, the child’s guardian completed a questionnaire about the child’s recent average daily food consumption.

The data showed that 18 of the 65 children, approximately 28 percent, had a BMI above the 85th percentile, which Bethin noted might be higher if the children hadn’t been fasting.

The data also revealed that many of the children were eating far more calories than the recommended 1200 calories per day, with some eating upwards of nearly 1600 calories daily.

Study Finds Dentists Uniquely Positioned to Help Smokers Quit

Study Finds Dentists Uniquely Positioned to Help Smokers Quit

Smokers whose dentists offer intervention strategies like nicotine patches or lozenges are far more likely to quit according to a report published in the May issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

In the largest study of its kind, University of Arizona researchers have proven the effectiveness of quit-tobacco interventions in public dental care settings serving low-income patients. People who received an intervention – advice and assistance including nicotine patches or lozenges – were two to three times more likely to have quit smoking 7.5 months afterward than participants who received the usual care, the journal explained.

“The dental setting is different from a medical clinic in that physicians can’t pull out a lung and show the patient the damage caused by smoking. The oral health team has a unique opportunity to show the immediate effects of smoking or tobacco use to their patients,” said lead researcher Judith Gordon, an associate professor in the University of Arizona’s department of family and community medicine.

What Gordon found is that dentists and hygienists are able to simply able to had patients a mirror and show them exactly how smoking is impacting their oral health. Once patients see the damage, the dental staff can explain the long-term risk of cancers of the mouth and throat.

Another reason researchers believe the trained dental clinics were so successful in encouraging patients to quit is that dentists usually see their patients more often than doctors do.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute, the study involved 14 federally funded community health center dental clinics in Mississippi, New York and Oregon that serve racially/ethnically diverse patients.

In randomly selected clinics, staff members were trained to provide interventions as recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service. The training included a 3-hour, in-service workshop on integrating and delivering a brief, tailored tobacco intervention including self-help materials, referral to a tobacco quit line, as well as training on the proper use of nicotine replacement therapy.

Mother’s Oral Hygiene Directly Impacts Child’s Oral Health

Bacteria, Habits Influence Oral Health

Mother’s Oral Hygiene Directly Impacts Child’s Oral Health

A recent study of pediatric dentistry from the Virginia Commonwealth University found that not only does a mother’s oral health impact a healthy pregnancy, it also impacts the overall health of the child.

“Ideally, the oral health education for any family will begin with prenatal education and the establishment of a dental home by the time the child is 12 to 18 months of age,” says Tegwyn Brickhouse, study author. “Many people don’t realize that the oral health of the mother affects both the infant’s future oral health and the child’s overall health.”

Mothers share their oral health habits with their children, setting an example of the importance of regular brushing and flossing. And mothers who visit the dentist regularly are far more likely to make sure their kids get to the dentist both at a young age and at regular intervals.

It’s recommended that children see a dentist at about age 1, or within 6 months of getting their first tooth, and every six months after that to assess teeth for decay, examine bite and evaluate oral health concerns, like use of bottles and sippy cups and thumb sucking.

It’s also been determined that if mothers’ mouths are harboring high levels of the harmful bacteria Streptococcus mutans, it’s likely that her child’s mouth is too.

Streptococcus mutans is a bacteria commonly found in human mouths. S. mutans produces lactic acid which erodes tooth enamel allowing for increased tooth decay.

S. mutans can be transmitted from a mother or another caregiver to an infant or child via saliva. For instance, by allowing infants or children to put their fingers in the parent’s mouth and then into their own mouths, testing the temperature of a bottle with the mouth, sharing forks and spoons, sharing food and “cleaning” a pacifier or a bottle nipple that has fallen by sucking on it before giving it back to the infant or child.

Have You Heard of Oral Care Probiotics?

When Someone Asks…

Have You Heard of Oral Care Probiotics?

Our bodies are homes to thousands of bacteria. Many of those bacteria simply live in and on our bodies because they are simply a convenient environment in which to live. Some of the bacteria in and on our bodies can be harmful (think of skin infections) while still others are beneficial (think of how bacteria in the gut are said to aid in digestion).

Probiotics are live microbial organisms that are naturally present throughout the body. They are often referred to as “beneficial” or “good” bacteria. Because there are bacterial colonies throughout the body, there are different types of probiotics to support good health.

Oral Care Probiotics

There has been much media attention given to the effectiveness of probiotics of to assist in digestion. So, too, are there probiotics that can help support gum and tooth health by competing with harmful bacteria for both nutrients and space in the mouth. In doing so, oral care probiotics also help eliminate the bacteria that creates the volatile sulfur compounds responsible for bad breath.

Oral care probiotics are available in the convenient, easy-to-use, travel-friendly form of mints to be taken twice per day after brushing. Called EvoraPlus, these probiotic mints are available at many major retailers and online.

EvoraPlus also offers a completely safe and natural way to gently whiten teeth to their maximum potential by producing a byproduct of a continuous low dose of natural hydrogen peroxide. Because it is such a low dose of hydrogen peroxide, there are none of the negative side effects associated with using other over-the-counter whitening products, which instead employ high doses of harsh, chemical hydrogen peroxide.

EvoraPlus oral care probiotics offer a cutting edge solution for tooth and gum health, fresher breath and naturally whiter teeth.

Study Links Obesity, Oral Bacteria

Groundbreaking Research from the Forsyth Institute

Study Links Obesity, Oral Bacteria

Researchers at the Harvard-affiliated Forsyth Institute have discovered new links between specific oral bacteria and obesity according to the Journal of Dental Research.

The study found that the makeup of salivary bacteria in overweight women differs from that of those who are not overweight, leading researchers to suspect that oral bacteria may be contributing to the obesity epidemic.

Forsyth Institute researchers collected saliva samples from women with body mass indexes both in the overweight range and in the healthy weight range and found that more than 98% of the overweight women had a bacteria called Selenomonas noxia at levels greater than 1.05% of their total salivary bacteria. Women in the healthy weight range had little or no Selenomonas noxia in their salivary bacteria.

Researchers noted that the reasons for a relationship between obesity and oral bacteria are likely complex. The observed relationship may be circumstantial as being related to diet or opportunistic due to metabolic changes. In the next phase of this research, they plan to further examine this relationship by initially conducting a controlled cohort study to see if this initial observation can be reproduced. In addition, they hope to conduct longitudinal studies in children to see if oral infection relates to weight gain. Ultimately, the development of strategies to eliminate specific oral bacteria would be required to provide definitive evidence that certain oral bacteria may be responsible for weight gain.

This work was supported in part by Interleukin Genetics and a grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

The Forsyth Institute is the world’s leading independent organization dedicated to scientific research and education in oral health and related biomedical sciences.

Dentists Help Doctors Co-Manage Osteoporosis

Bone-Loss Associated with Both Periodontal Disease and Osteoporosis

Dentists Help Doctors Co-Manage Osteoporosis

Dentists might be able to help prevent bone loss in the mouths of patients with osteoporosis by helping keep periodontal disease at bay, according to a study published in the Journal of Periodontology.

Researchers involved in the 2007 study examined more than 1,200 postmenopausal women looking for a potential association between the bacteria responsible for periodontal disease and bone loss in the oral cavity.

The study showed that women with harmful bacteria in their mouths were also more likely to already have bone loss in their mouths, which, left untreated, could lead to tooth loss.

A follow-up study concluded that tooth loss could be managed and even reduced if periodontal disease is under control in those patients who suffer osteoporosis.

Additional studies have concluded that estrogen deficiency not only increases the progression of osteopenia and osteoporosis – it also contributes to periodontal disease. The study concluded that decreasing gingival inflammation is critical to reduce the amount of attachment loss in women with signs of osteoporosis. Researchers found that protecting the fibers and bone that support the teeth significantly reduced the risk of tooth loss.

These studies draw researchers to the conclusion that postmenopausal women, and especially those with signs of osteoporosis, must work diligently with their dental team to help prevent bone loss in the oral cavity and tooth loss.  One way to do that is to help manage the harmful bacteria known to cause periodontal disease.

Forsyth Institute Contributes to Microbiome Project

Forsyth Institute Contributes to Microbiome Project

Scientists from The Forsyth Institute are making a significant contribution to the Human Microbiome Project (HMP), which is seeking to identify and sequence the thousands of species of bacteria that inhabit human body surfaces.

The Harvard-affiliated Forsyth Institute has provided more oral bacteria to the HMP than any other institution, according to institute officials. Genome sequences of these bacteria are being determined in collaboration with the four HMP sequencing centers. These sequences will allow the scientific community to analyze the disease-causing potential of oral microorganisms.

Studying human-bacteria interactions could lead to new ways to monitor human health status and to new methods for preventing or treating oral and systemic human diseases. The Forsyth efforts are supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH. The mission of the HMP is to enable comprehensive characterization of the human microbiota and to determine its role in human health and disease.

“Many of the strains that we have identified, and are making available to the scientific community, are unnamed and previously uncultured species,” said Dr. Floyd Dewhirst, who is part of the Forsyth scientific team. The team also includes Dr. Jacques Izard and Dr. Anne Tanner. “The availability of these strains will allow scientists worldwide to study them for the first time.”

“Researchers can now tackle key questions about these bacteria that comprise communities called ‘biofilms’ and really determine how those bacteria interact with one another and with their human host,” said Dr. Jacques Izard.

This work was also supported by other members of the Department of Molecular Genetics at Forsyth including Drs. Tsute Chen and Bruce Paster, and Oxana Baranova, Jessica Blanton, and Jennifer Mathney. A key collaborator was Dr. William Wade, Kings College London, London, UK. The long-term goals of the Forsyth team are to determine the molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis, particularly in oral diseases. Understanding host-pathogen interactions is essential for developing successful interventions and preventive treatments.

Source:
Jennifer Kelly
Forsyth Institute

Oragenics Adds Two New Independent Board Members

Dr. Frederick W. Telling and Charles L. Pope Bring Invaluable Experience to the Oragenics Board of Directors

Oragenics Adds Two New Independent Board Members

For Immediate Release

Tampa, FL (June 7, 2010) – Oragenics, Inc. (OTCBB: ORNI www.oragenics.com), a biopharmaceutical company, announced today that Dr. Frederick W. Telling and Charles L. Pope formally joined the Company’s Board of Directors on Friday, June 4th, 2010 as independent directors.

David Hirsch, the Company’s CEO said, “Dr. Telling and Mr. Pope are excellent additions to our Board. Dr. Telling brings a depth of experience in the pharmaceuticals industry that will be invaluable to us as we continue to develop our biotechnology assets.  We are very excited to have Fred serve as the new Chair of Oragenics’ Compensation Committee as well as a member of our Audit Committee.. Mr. Pope is a former partner at PwC and has served as the CFO for multiple public companies.  We are equally pleased to have Charlie’s decades of financial expertise to help us in our efforts to realize Oragenics true potential. He will serve as the Chair of the Board’s audit committee and as the committee’s designated financial exper, as well as be a member of the Compensation Committee.”

Mr. Hirsch continued noting that “the addition of Mr. Pope and Dr. Telling as independent directors and constituting the membership of the Company’s audit committee, moves us closer toward meeting our Sarbanes Oxley compliance objectives.”

Set forth below is background information for Dr. Telling and Mr. Pope.

Frederick W. Telling
Prior to retiring from Pfizer in June 2007 after 30 years, Dr. Telling served as Corporate Vice President of Pfizer Inc. and as Vice President of Corporate Strategic Planning and Policy.  Dr. Telling oversaw the company’s realignment and focus on its human and animal health business, which included the divestiture of its Food Science and Medical Technology groups, while acquiring Warner Lambert, Pharmacia and various consumer product brands. Concurrently, Fred was responsible for the company’s policy development regarding the Prescription Drug User Fee Act’s original passage and all of its subsequent reauthorizations, health care reform, pricing and indigent access programs, and other issues.  He represented the company in many industry related outside Boards, including BIO where he served on its Board for over 10 years.  Dr. Telling is a Director of Cell Therapeutics Inc. based in Seattle, Washington, Eisai N.A. Inc. in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and MEDEX Global Group in Baltimore, Maryland.  Dr. Telling is a member of the Board of CED, IBM’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Advisory Council, the National March of Dimes Foundation, EAA, ORBIS and the United Hospital Fund.  He is also a member of the Metropolitan Club of Washington, DC.  Dr. Telling received his BA from Hamilton College and his Master’s of Industrial and Labor Relations and Ph. D. in Economics and Public Policy from Cornell University.

Charles L. Pope
Mr. Pope is a 30 year veteran in executive management, finance and accounting. During his 20 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Mr. Pope served as a Partner in the Audit and Financial Advisory Consulting Divisions, and was a Partner in the Accounting and SEC Directorate. Currently, Mr. Pope serves as the CFO and COO of the Palm Bank in Tampa, Florida. Previously, he held CFO positions for public companies including, Aerosonic Corporation, Reptron Manufacturing and SRI/Surgical Express. He also served as CFO for UTEK Corporation from 2001-2002. Mr. Pope is active in the community, having served on Boards with such organizations as the Boy Scouts of America, Gulf Ridge Council, Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay, and Auburn University, Tampa Bay chapter. He holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Accounting from Auburn University, is a Certified Public Accountant in Florida and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

About Oragenics, Inc.
Oragenics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of unique and novel proprietary technologies, derived from the study of oral biology.  The Company’s offerings include SMaRT Replacement Therapy™, a one-time treatment that provides a potential life-time prevention of dental caries (tooth decay), Mutacin 1140™ (MU 1140), an antibiotic that has proven effective pre-clinically against Gram positive bacteria including MRSA, VRE and Clostridium, the DPOLT™ synthetic chemistry platform that enables the Company to produce MU 1140 and potentially the other 49 known lantibiotics, and ProBiora3® a technology that whitens the teeth, freshens the breath and supports gum and tooth health.  ProBiora3® is incorporated into the Company’s three over-the-counter products; EvoraPlus® (www.evoraplus.com), EvoraKids® (www.evorakids.com) and Teddy’s Pride™ (www.teddyspride.com).  The company has offices located at 3000 Bayport Drive, Suite 685, in Tampa, Florida 33607, and in Progress Corporate Park at 13700 Progress Boulevard in Alachua, Florida 32615, approximately 15 miles from the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Your Patient’s Bad Breath is Likely Caused by a Common Bacteria

Goodbye, Halitosis!

Your Patient’s Bad Breath is Likely Caused by a Common Bacteria

The human mouth is filled with hundreds of bacteria. Many of those bacteria are simply hanging out in the mouth because it’s a nice dark and wet place to live. A few of those bacteria, however, create a waste product called “volatile sulfur compounds” (VSCs) – the root cause of many cases of halitosis (bad breath).

The term “volatile” simply describes the fact that these compounds evaporate readily, even at normal temperatures. The extreme volatility of VSCs explains how these compounds have the ability to offend those around us, instantly.

A person’s mouth is home to  hundreds of different species of bacteria. And on going in our mouth, at all times, is a constant battle for living space between the types of bacteria which do create waste products that cause bad breath and those that don’t. And it is the precise balance between the relative numbers of these two different types of bacteria that will ultimately determine the quality of a person’s breath.

An accumulation of dental plaque creates the perfect conditions for VSC-causing bacteria to thrive on the surfaces of teeth and deep below the gum line. As more and more plaque builds up in a person’s mouth, the bacteria that cause bad breath gain available living space and proliferate, thus increasing the level of odor causing compounds that escape with each breath that is exhaled.

If brushing and flossing alone were enough to combat these VSC-causing bacteria, those who have pretty good dental habits should always have good breath. But bad breath is obviously not always the result of poor dental hygiene, and if antibacterial mouthwashes were the answer, then the same would be true – no one would ever have bad breath.

The true key to eliminating halitosis is to crowd out those VSC-causing bacteria. Probiotic oral care bacteria compete with the bacteria responsible for bad breath. By consuming the same nutrients as the bad-breath-causing bacteria and fighting with them for space on the surfaces of teeth and below the gum line, probiotics crowd out the smelly bacteria and make breath fresh around the clock.

Study Links Periodontal Disease, Cognition

Tooth Loss, Cavities, Gingivitis, Periodontal Disease All Linked to Lower Process of Thought

Study Links Periodontal Disease, Cognition

Researchers at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) released a definitive link between tooth loss/periodontal disease to cognitive decline in one of the largest and longest prospective studies on the topic to date, released in this month’s issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

In what could be called ground-breaking research in the fields of dementia and Alzheimer’s, Dr. Elizabeth Krall Kaye looked for patterns in dental records from 1970 to 1973 to determine if periodontal disease and tooth loss predicted whether people did well or poorly on cognitive tests. She found that for each tooth lost per decade, the risk of doing poorly increased approximately eight to 10 percent.

More cavities usually meant lower cognition – or the process of thought – too. People with no tooth loss tended to do better on the tests.

Dr. Kaye suggests that doctors whose patients are testing poorly for cognitive standards may want to consider dental health. “The findings should also give dentists yet another reason to prevent tooth loss and periodontal disease and encourage patients to do as much as they can to prevent dental disease,” she explained.

With both periodontal disease and dementia/Alzheimer’s incidence rising sharply as Baby Boomers age, these findings could change the future of the hundreds of thousands of people predicted to develop Alzheimer’s and dementia in the next several decades.