More Research Regarding the Relationship Between Oral Health and Cardiovascular Health

Study Links Hypertension, Periodontal Bacteria

The hundreds of bacteria in the human mouth are there for a reason. Many of them are completely innocuous bacteria that like the conditions of the human mouth – it is, after all, warm, dark and wet, which are ideal conditions for growing many types of bacteria.

A handful of the bacteria in the mouth help support the health of teeth and gums. Another handful of bacteria found in the human mouth can be harmful not only to oral health, but to the health of the body as a whole.

Researchers believe that the true link between oral health and heart health lies in the balance of those bacteria.
A recent study published in the May 5, 2010 edition of the Journal of Hypertension revealed that those with significantly higher levels of periodontal bacteria in plaque samples of those with hypertension.

Seven investigators from Columbia University, the University of Miami, the University of Minnesota, and the French School of Public Health collected 4,533 subgingival plaque samples from 653 patients enrolled in the Oral Infections and Vascular Disease Epidemiology Study (INVEST). They analyzed the samples for the presence of 11 different species of periodontal bacteria, including Actinomyces naeslundii and Prevotella intermedia.

The researchers, led by Moise Desvarieux, M.D., Ph.D., found that the odds ratio for prevalent hypertension was 3.05 among the patients in the highest tertile of bacterial burden compared to those in the lowest tertile.

The team found that, after adjusting for conventional risk factors, the mean systolic blood pressure increased significantly with increasing cumulative bacterial burden, at 136, 138, and 143 mmHg for the first, second, and third tertile, respectively (p = 0.0004). The diastolic blood pressure also increased significantly, at 77, 79, and 81 mmHg, respectively.

The prevalence of hypertension was 57%, 62%, and 68%, respectively. This translated into more than threefold higher odds of hypertension between the third and first tertiles; after further adjustment for white blood cell count and titer of hs-CRP, this rose to 3.93. The increase between the first and third tertiles in both hypertension and diastolic blood pressure was more than twice as large for men as for women, while the increase in systolic blood pressure was nearly three times as large in men.

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.

An Interview with Dr. Jeffrey Hillman of Oragenics

By Deacon Keith Fournier
5/14/2010
Catholic Online

In 2008 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the faith in the Catholic Church issued their instruction on the “Dignity of the Human Person.” It began with these words “The dignity of a person must be recognized in every human being from conception to natural death. This fundamental principle expresses a great ‘yes’ to human life and must be at the center of ethical reflection on biomedical research, which has an ever greater importance in today’s world.”

The instruction offers “…a word of support and encouragement for the perspective on culture which considers science an invaluable service to the integral good of the life and dignity of every human being. The Church therefore views scientific research with hope and desires that many Christians will dedicate themselves to the progress of biomedicine and will bear witness to their faith in this field. She hopes moreover that the results of such research may also be made available in areas of the world that are poor and afflicted by disease, so that those who are most in need will receive humanitarian assistance.”

As someone who believes deeply that the Catholic Church gives a great “Yes to Life” I am “on the lookout” for men, women and organizations who view science this way. One of the often repeated fallacies one reads in the media is that the Catholic Church opposes Stem Cell research. The truth is the Church opposes deadly stem cell research such as research on human embryos which always results in taking the life of the embryonic human person. It is immoral to take innocent human life even if one can then use parts of the human person who has been killed to develop a potential cure for another.

The Church wholeheartedly supports research on Adult Stem Cells and cells derived from fetal cord blood. Neither type of stem cell research results in the taking of innocent human lives. They also show tremendous promise! As an example of the encouragement of life affirming stem cell research, a spokesman for the Vatican recently made known their strong support for the research being conducted at the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine using adult stem cells.

As a father of five grown children and grandfather to six, I am well aware of the many needs involved in raising healthy children.  That includes their moral, emotional, spiritual and physical health. Of course, their physical health includes their oral hygiene. Research shows the connection between overall health and good oral hygiene.  As a 55 year old man who lost my father to heart disease, I am sensitized to that subject. I was surprised years ago to find the connection between oral and heart disease.

Dental disease is a quiet, yet growing, national epidemic.  New studies, including recently-published reports from the Mayo Clinic, confirm that periodontal disease and poor oral health are linked to heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and other illnesses.  American Dental Association studies show that three out of four of Americans are affected by periodontal disease at some point in their lives. My friend, Catholic Online’s own Dr. Denton, has taught me much about an integrative approach to health which respects the unity of the human person, body, soul and spirit. He has helped me understand the connection between overall health and what he calls “beautiful living.”

I recently became interested in the science of probiotics which respects the amazing curative qualities of our own body. There are both good and bad bacteria in our systems all the time. The good bacteria are the most effective way to minimize the damaging effects of the bad bacteria. We have seen the application of probiotics in the growing number of products, including yogurt, which promote overall digestive health.

Recently I read of an extraordinary application of probiotics in oral health. It was developed by Dr. Jeffrey Hillman, D.M.D., Ph.D. It is the result of more than 25 years of research which began at the Harvard-affiliated Forsyth Institute in Boston and continued at the University of Florida. The technology has only recently become available for the general public. It provides what is called Replacement Therapy for preventing dental caries or cavities.

I sought an interview with Dr. Hillman through a mutual friend. He gladly assented. I found this him to be humble, self effacing, approachable and genuinely committed to good science at the service of the human person and the common good. His academic and professional credentials are extraordinary. However, what really impressed me was his dedication to his work. He told me “People tend to take a simple approach to oral care in our culture. We think in terms of killing all of the bacteria that are present in the mouth. But it’s just not that simple; the human mouth contains many … types of bacteria, including some that are helpful to us.”

It made a lot of sense to me. As the interview progressed I saw the myriad of applications of the Doctor’s discovery. He holds over a dozen patents and has spent his career trying to alleviate suffering. He told me “tooth decay is the most common infectious disease in the world.” I had never really considered that fact. Now, every morning as I brush my teeth I think of it.

I was intrigued when the good Doctor told me he was inspired by Louis Pasteur. Like Pasteur, Dr. Hillman is serious about the potential of science to lessen human suffering. The faith of Pasteur drove his scientific genius toward the good. Above his tomb in the Pasteur Institute are engraved these words “Happy the man who bears within him a divinity, an ideal of beauty and obeys it; an ideal of art, and ideal of science, an ideal of country, and ideal of the virtues of the Gospel.” It is reported that Pasteur died with a rosary in his hand after listening to the life of St. Vincent de Paul.

Dr. Hillman was impressed with the scientists’ genuine humanism and Pasteur’s discovery that there are good bacteria which might one day be used to fight bad bacteria. Pasteur’s scientific discoveries have led to many scientific advances.  Dr. Hillman told me that his idea of expanding probiotic science, the use of good bacteria to combat the bad, in the arena of oral health care was “like a light bulb going off in my head.” He has dedicated over thirty years to this project.

His father told him “If we can succeed in preventing tooth decay we can apply it to other bacteria” and he set about to do just that. In our extensive interview he explained it to me, a non-scientist, in this very understandable way, “The human body is extraordinarily complex. There are 1,000 or more different types of bacteria. They don’t want to hurt us. We feed them, we clothe them, and we take them to the movies. There are relatively few bacteria which can hurt us. We are simply helping the body by improving on the marvelous design, to prevent them from doing so.”

Doctor Hillman has patented his discoveries and now makes it all available in a line of oral health care products for adults and children.  I also heard of the unique business relationship which has been entered into to distribute the products. The Florida-based biotechnology company Oragenics, Inc., (OTCBB:ORNI) and RICCI PHARMA, a recognized health products company with offices in Rome and Slovakia, have entered into a distribution agreement that the parties anticipate will provide Oragenics’ proprietary oral care probiotic products, EvoraPlus® and EvoraKids^TM, to RICCI PHARMA.

RICCI PHARMA will then  have exclusive distribution rights through Duc in Altum, a foundation whose humanitarian projects are inspired by the social teachings of the late Pope John Paul II. Duc in Altum’s honorary chairman is the Polish Pope’s former private secretary for over 30 years, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, currently Archbishop of Krakow. The foundation, whose projects are known by the Holy See and encouraged by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, is expected to further promote Oragenics’ products with the Church’s capillary network of health services.

When the interview ended I was happy to have discovered one more dedicated medical professional promoting science at the service of the human person and the common good.

Are baby teeth important, since they fall out in a few years anyway?

Absolutely. Watch this video to learn the importance of good oral care for children, including brushing habits, eating habits and how to choose a good dentist for your child.

In addition to making these good choices for your childrens’ oral care, an oral care probiotic like EvoraKids can help keep optimize the bacterial balance in your childs’ mouth in favor of the beneficial bacteria that keep harmful bacteria at bay.

In the Spotlight

EvoraKids in Hygienetown

We’re very proud to learn that EvoraKids, Oral Care Probiotics for Children ages 3 -10, is in the product spotlight this week for Hygienetown’s digital newsletter and on the Hygienetown website.

Hygienetown’s digital newsletter keeps dental hygienists on the cutting edge of their professions.

Written for hygienists as a source of peer education, the Hygienetown website features monthly profiles of dental companies, forums for dental professionals to discuss certain subjects and a monthly poll on various hygiene topics, including Periodontal Therapy, Surgery, Oral Cancer and Clinical Presentations.

Hygienetown is a place for hygienists to share experiences, challenges and tips with others in their professions, as well as a place for hygienists to earn online continuing education credits.

EvoraKids is an innovative new product from Oragenics. This one-of-a-kind oral care probiotic chew contains the patent-pending ProBiora3 blend of probiotics that crowd out harmful bacteria and support tooth health.

EvoraKids reaches where toothbrushes and floss can’t – into the crevices on the pits and fissures in the chewing surfaces of teeth. Because it’s difficult to know how well children are brushing their teeth, EvoraKids offers parents peace of mind that they have taken the extra step needed ensure happier smiles.

The beneficial bacteria found in EvoraKids are natural residents in very healthy mouths. Using EvoraKids daily ensures that the beneficial bacteria have the upper hand in maintaining a healthy bacterial balance in your children’s mouths.

Our thanks go out to Hygienetown for the EvoraKids shout-out!

Green Tea Reduces Inflammation

Green tea – a beverage already touted to have numerous health benefits, including boosting weight loss and improving heart health – can put another notch in its belt.

A 2009 study published by the Journal of Periodontology, uncovered yet another benefit of green tea consumption. In a study conducted at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, researchers found that drinking green tea may promote healthy teeth and gums. Researchers studied the gum health of 940 men and found that those who often consumed green tea had better periodontal health than those who consumed it less.

Green Tea Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Researchers suspect that green tea’s anti-inflammatory properties contribute to periodontal health. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. This inflammatory condition is fueled by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the mouth.

This is big news, as periodontal disease has been associated
with the progression of other diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

In addition to green tea, oral probiotics can help keep harmful bacteria in check by supporting the population of beneficial bacteria in the mouth. These beneficial bacteria compete with
the harmful bacteria for both nutrients and space on the teeth and below the gum line, effectively pushing out harmful bacteria.

With periodontal disease becoming more and more common as we age, pairing oral care probiotics with green tea sounds like a good plan for great health!

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The Side Effects of EvoraPlus

Is There Harm in Employing Oral Care Probiotics?

It seems as though consumers are looking for the new hot oral care product. Everyone seems to want to enjoy a smile so bright it looks as though they have never so much as sipped a cup of tea or drank a little red wine here and there.

After several years on the market, common whitening products such as hydrogen peroxide strips and bleaching trays have shown they are not without side effects. Using such products even as directed can cause tooth and gum sensitivity and can visibly damage the enamel of teeth.

Because these products are available over the counter, they are likely to be used not as directed, making the side effects even more harmful and long lasting.  Some complain of pain, and others of damage to tooth pulp that has led to more serious dental procedures such as root canals. Many users admit to not following package directions, though many claim to have and still suffered the negative side effects.

Using the ProBiora3 blend of probiotics found in EvoraPlus  Probiotic Mints may not give those who commonly use tooth whiteners that quick fix they are looking for, but not only does the continuous low-dose of hydrogen peroxide byproduct of the probiotics gently and naturally whiten teeth, it does so without harmful side effects.

The continuous low-dose hydrogen peroxide byproduct of the ProBiora3 blend of probiotics is so safe that it can be used daily, eventually returning teeth to the whitest state they can achieve! Clinical studies have proven that the powerful ProBiora3 probiotics are one of the most gentle ways to safely and naturally whiten teeth.

Pregnant Women Put Themselves and Baby at Risk With Poor Gum Health

Pregnant women have many things they need to be aware of and concerned about. Don’t eat too much fish so you’re not exposing the baby to too much mercury. Artificial sweeteners cross the placenta, and their safety has yet to be determined – so no diet foods. No bleu cheese, because the bacteria that ferments the cheese may be harmful to baby.

Now pregnant women have one more thing to keep in mind to keep baby safe. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small.

More research is needed to confirm how periodontal disease may affect pregnancy outcomes. It appears that periodontal disease triggers increased levels of biological fluids that induce labor. Data also suggest that women whose periodontal condition worsens during pregnancy have an even higher risk of having a premature baby.

But the connection between periodontal health and a healthy pregnancy doesn’t end there. Pregnant women with gum disease and high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) – a marker of inflammation in the body – are at increased risk of developing preeclampsia, a potentially serious complication involving high blood pressure that often leads to premature delivery.

Additional Health Concerns

As if those conditions weren’t bad enough, further investigation has linked gum disease in pregnant women with gestational diabetes.  Because of these concerns, women are advised to see a dentist before becoming pregnant and to see one at least one time during pregnancy.

According to a study published in the Journal of Dental Research, researchers believe that inflammation associated with periodontal disease has a pivotal role in the onset of gestational diabetes, possibly by interfering with the normal functioning of insulin, the hormone that regulates glucose metabolism.

Along with regular visits to the dentist, pregnant women should consider adding probiotic mints to their oral care regimen. The probiotics in these mints coat the surfaces of the teeth and around the gum line, crowding out the harmful bacteria in the mouth associated with periodontal disease.

Miracle Probiotic Mint from Oragenics in the News!

EvoraPlus Captures Curiosity of Primetime Viewers

Dr. Jeffery Hillman, Chief Scientific Officer at Oragenics took the spotlight in this recent piece on Tampa’s Fox News station. Dr. Hillman shared that the EvoraPlus probiotics mints can support tooth and gum health, freshen breath and make teeth whiter and brighter.

Watch this clip to see how EvoraPlus has made a difference for one Tampa woman.

How Bacteria Influences Oral Health

 Our mouths are home to hundreds of bacteria. Most of them are completely harmless and others are helpful and aptly called beneficial bacteria, or probiotics.  The beneficial bacteria not only are part of the digestive process, breaking down food as it’s chewed and swallowed, there are also several bacteria that help maintain tooth and gum health.

There are also some bacteria in the mouth that are not only undesirable, they’re actually destructive when it comes to gum and tooth health.
Researchers have identified one particularly harmful bacteria, known to break down tooth enamel by gorging itself on the carbohydrates in the diet and releasing lactic acid.

What if Brushing and Flossing Don’t Do the Trick?

Instead of trying to eradicate the bacteria with alcohol-laden mouthwashes or even antibiotics, nature offers a much more gentle approach.

Background of Beneficial Bacteria

Many cultures have long used fermented foods to help keep the bacteria of the digestive tract in check. These foods, like yogurt, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut all contain active beneficial bacteria, also known as probiotics. Eating these foods can help boost the reserves of beneficial bacteria that are natural residents of the gut. Modern science has led researchers to isolate those bacteria and offer them in supplement form.
Science has revealed that those beneficial bacteria are not just a gut issue

Probiotics for Oral Health

By introducing the natural, resident beneficial bacteria  found in very healthy mouths back into the mouth, you can diminish the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth to numbers that simply can’t cause harm.

This probiotic approach allows the beneficial bacteria naturally found in very healthy mouths to crowd out the harmful bacteria, competing with them for both space and nutrients.

One simple addition to the daily dental routine can make a world of difference in the world of oral health care.