Study Links Hypertension, Periodontal Bacteria

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.

Science at the Service of the Person

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.

Pass on the Pain of Tooth Whitening

Naturally Whiter Teeth Without the
Hassle or the Side Effects

Pass on the Pain of Tooth Whitening

More than half of those who have attempted at-home whitening treatments abandon the process because they experience gum or tooth pain, or they find they are not satisfied with how well over-the-counter whitening products work.

This doesn’t mean, however, that people don’t want whiter teeth – they just want whiter teeth without the pain and hassle of using strips and gels.

Fortunately, there is a natural alternative for those who want whiter teeth without those hassles or the potential pain caused by high-dose hydrogen peroxide or bleach-based whitening systems.

Oral care probiotic mints are a safe, 100 percent natural and effective way to gently whiten teeth without the negative side effects associated with other over-the-counter whitening products.

A natural by-product of the powerful ProBiora3 probiotics featured in EvoraPlus is a low-dose of hydrogen peroxide. As these good bacteria are replenished daily, they create a gradual whitening with the full benefits of long contact times, delivering 24 hour per day coverage of balancing and brightening.

The oral care probiotics in EvoraPlus attach to the surface of the teeth, crowding out harmful bacteria by competing for the same nutrients and surface spaces. In laboratory studies, the low-dose hydrogen peroxide produced by these bacteria created a continuous natural whitening benefit that did not plateau over the duration of the study. With daily use, the colonization of the beneficial bacteria provides a constant and expanding population for gradual and continual whitening effects.

Those who use the natural tooth whitener EvoraPlus can expect their smiles to be about four shades whiter in just one month!

Why Harsh, Chemical Teeth Whiteners Cause More Harm Than Good

Whiten Your Teeth Naturally With Probiora3

Why Harsh, Chemical Whiteners Cause More Harm Than Good

Over-the-counter whitening products have given a big boost to the dental care products industry in the past 10 years. Consumers view white teeth as the healthy standard tanned skin used to enjoy.

As with any other over-the-counter product, consumers are prone to thinking that if teeth whitening products are available without a prescription, then they are completely safe to be used however they see fit.

OTC Tooth Whitening Products Not Without Side Effects

While tooth whitening products may be effective at temporarily whitening teeth, they are not without side effects, the most common being tooth sensitivity.  Many who use OTC whiteners also suffer gum irritation after using the products.

Those teeth whitening side effects certainly aren’t impacting the popularity of OTC products, as sales of these products continue to soar. But consumers who have used the products and had less-than-satisfactory results continue to look for a healthier alternative with no side effects.

A Safe, 100% Natural Way to Whiten Teeth

Dr. Jeffery Hillman, who began his basic research into the concept of using probiotics to improve oral health in the late 1970’s at the Harvard-affiliated Forsyth Institute in Boston has now created a blend of probiotics proven to support tooth and gum health, freshen breath and gently white teeth. This blend, called ProBiora3 is a great addition to toothpastes, children’s products, mints, gums, dissolvable strips, dairy confections and even pet products!

The blend of probiotics in ProBiora3 continuously releases, as a natural by-product, a low-dose of hydrogen peroxide for gentle whitening effects that remain active all day. The hydrogen peroxide also adds to the breath-freshening value of ProBiora3.

The patent-pending ProBiora3 blend of probiotics takes oral products to a whole new level!

Teeth Are A Blank Slate

How You Can Enjoy Staining Foods and a White, Healthy Smile

Teeth Are A Blank Slate

Stained teeth are often mistaken as unhealthy teeth, but dental professionals know that the true measure of oral health lies not in the color of the teeth, but in the color of the gums and the health of the tooth enamel.

Now consumers can enjoy their teeth staining foods – like red wine, coffee, tea and soy sauce – and enjoy the many benefits of truly healthier, whiter teeth with a little boost from probiotic mints.

Researcher Dr. Jeffrey Hillman has discovered that three specific bacteria found in very healthy mouths –  Streptococcus oralis (S. oralis KJ3™), Streptococcus uberis (S. uberis KJ2™) and Streptococcus rattus (S. rattus JH145™) – that can naturally whiten teeth with their continuous low-dose byproduct of hydrogen peroxide. Dr. Hillman has combined these potent probiotics in a patent-pending blend called ProBiora3.

Naturally Improving Oral Health

These beneficial bacteria colonize on the tooth surfaces and deep below the gum line to create true oral health.

According to the American Dental Association, 90% of school children worldwide and most adults have experienced tooth decay and three out of four people will have periodontal disease in their lives. By simply adding oral care probiotics to the daily dental health regimen of most Americans, hundreds of thousands of lost work hours do to painful dental conditions and their treatment could be prevented.

Battling Bad Breath

Market research has also shown that one of the leading drivers of breath mint and gum sales is chronic bad breath. The hydrogen peroxide released by the ProBiora3 probiotics naturally promote 24-hour fresher breath by eliminating the bacteria responsible for foul-smelling Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSCs).

Dr. Hillman’s research is the perfect example of innovation at its finest. One blend of probiotics that can address many major dental health concerns, including stained teeth, bad breath and poor oral health? That’s ProBiora3.

The Side Effects of EvoraPlus

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.

How Does the ProBiora3 Blend of Probiotics work?

ProBiora3™ is a new, patent-pending probiotic blend from Oragenics, Inc. that consists of three well researched and naturally occurring strains of bacteria that are normal residents of a healthy mouth. This highly effective approach to maintaining the balance of oral micro flora naturally promotes healthy teeth and gums, fresher breath and whiter teeth.

Naturally Supports Gum and Tooth Health

Streptococcus oralis (S. oralis KJ3™), Streptococcus uberis (S. uberis KJ2™) and Streptococcus rattus (S. rattus JH145™)

These beneficial bacteria colonize on the tooth surfaces and deep below the gum line to create true oral health. According to the American Dental Association, 90% of school children worldwide and most adults have experienced tooth decay and three out of four people will have periodontal disease in their lives.

Naturally Freshens Breath

Streptococcus oralis (S. oralis KJ3™) and Streptococcus uberis (S. uberis KJ2™)

The combination of S. oralis and S. uberis work to block the periodontal pathogens that create bad breath. By binding to the teeth and deep beneath the gum line, these beneficial bacteria leave no room or nutrients for the destructive bacteria to inhabit a healthy oral cavity. This reduction in pathogens equals a direct reduction in the volatile sulfur compounds responsible for bad breath.

Naturally Whitens Teeth

Streptococcus oralis (S. oralis KJ3™)

Natural and on-going low doses of hydrogen peroxide created by these beneficial bacteria whiten and brighten teeth without creating tooth sensitivity or gum irritation.

This technology is available as a raw material that can be easily integrated into a wide variety of formulation options. The ratios of each of the three strains in ProBiora3™ can be custom blended to produce the specific results desired for your product.

Probiotics for Naturally, Safely and Effectively Whitening Teeth

Probiora3™ contains three beneficial bacteria that, when working together, can improve the health of your teeth and gums and freshen your breath all while gently whitening your teeth.

Naturally Whiten Teeth with ProBiora3

How Can a Simple Probiotic Blend do all that?

A natural by-product of S. oralis KJ3™ is a low-dose of hydrogen peroxide. As this good bacteria is replenished daily, it creates a gradual teeth whitening with the full benefits of long contact times, delivering 24 hour per day coverage of balancing and brightening.

Yellowing, surface discoloration or staining are all results of lifestyle choices: tobacco use, coffee, tea, beets, etc. Anything that stains will affect the color of the teeth. Tooth enamel is porous, filled with microscopic cracks and pores that hold onto staining products. Commercial tooth whiteners employ extremely high levels of harsh, chemical hydrogen peroxide which can actually damage the tooth and create a roughness on the tooth’s surface. This increases the film that builds up on the tooth surfaces and in the micro cracks and is available to hold on to stains.

S. oralis KJ3™ binds to the surface of the teeth, crowding out harmful bacteria by competing for the same nutrients and surface spaces. In laboratory studies, the low-dose hydrogen peroxide produced by the S. oralis KJ3™ created a continuous whitening benefit that did not plateau over the duration of the study. With daily use, the colonization of S. oralis KJ3™ provides a constant and expanding population for gradual and continual whitening effects.

The hydrogen peroxide metabolites of S. oralis KJ3™ also contribute to the breath-freshening features of the ProBiora3 blend by inhibiting the growth of the periodontal pathogens. The decrease in these pathogens results in a substantial reduction in the volatile sulfur compounds associated with bad breath.

Unlike other whitening products, ProBiora3™ is completely safe for veneers, caps and dentures.

Probiotics Make the Leap from Gut Health to Oral Health

Scientists have long known that probiotics can improve gut health.  A researcher in Florida has taken that knowledge to a whole new level, with his discovery that the beneficial bacteria called probiotics can just as easily improve oral health.

Dr. Jeffery D. Hillman’s research has validated what many dentists already know – that the harmful bacteria Streptocaucus mutans is the bacteria that is primarily responsible for tooth decay and gum disease.

A big discovery for improved oral health

The big news of Dr. Jeffrey D. Hillman’s research is that he has identified a blend of three beneficial bacteria which can effectively crowd out S. mutans by competing with the harmful bacteria for both space and nutrients.

Streptococcus mutans

Dr. Hillman’s blend of probiotics is called ProBiora3. This patent-pending combination can be adjusted to meet the oral health needs of adults, young children and pets.

Simple, yet highly effective

Dr. Hillman has discovered that the Probiora3 blend of probiotics is the ideal complement to good oral health care, promoting healthier teeth and gums while freshening breath and gently whitening teeth.

A natural way to whiten teeth?

ProBiora3 can, indeed, gently and safely whiten teeth – up to 4 shades in 30 days – because a natural byproduct of the probiotics is a low, continuous dose of natural hydrogen peroxide.

ProBiora3 has been incorporated into adult oral health care and pet oral health care products available online at retailers nationwide. It’s also available as a raw material for other manufacturers to incorporate in their own oral care products.

ProBiora3 represents a simple step to a healthier smile, fresher breath and whiter teeth. The response from the health care community has so far been very positive.