Forsyth Institute Receives $20.7 to Fight Periodontal Disease

Forsyth Institute Receives $20.7 to Fight Periodontal Disease

The Forsyth Institute , the world’s leading independent, oral health research organization, has received $20.7 million to fight periodontal disease. Three related projects will study periodontal disease progression from microbiological, genetic, host immune response and clinical perspectives. This research, funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), will take place over a four-year period. The ultimate goal is to gain an understanding of why people develop gum disease, how the disease progresses, how to predict active disease before it occurs, and ultimately, how therapies can be developed to improve periodontal and overall health.

According to the Forsyth Institute, forty percent of adults in the United States have some form of periodontal disease. It is one of the most common infectious diseases and, in its more severe forms, causes loss of the bone that supports the teeth. In addition, there are strong associations between periodontal disease and systemic diseases including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, pre-term birth, and certain cancers.

Previous work at Forsyth has demonstrated that the progression of the disease is not continuous, but is episodic. Thus, to understand its pathogenesis, patients must be studied to identify sites in the mouth that are undergoing active disease progression, which is the focus of these studies.  The Forsyth projects, respectively led by Dr. Ricardo Teles, Director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Research; Dr. Bruce Paster, Head, Department of Molecular Genetics; and Dr. Jorge Frias-Lopez, Assistant Member of Staff, Department of Molecular Genetics, will examine clinical parameters, expression of host derived molecules, bacterial ecology, and bacterial gene expression during active disease. It will also seek to identify biomarkers in blood, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (a fluid that oozes from the gum margin) samples from 500 individuals, both with and without existing gum disease. The data gathered by Forsyth’s scientists as well as aliquots of the samples will be made available to the scientific community and will represent the largest available information base and depository of samples for periodontal disease.

“The knowledge developed through these three linked projects will provide unique and extraordinarily valuable insights into the periodontal disease process, as well as serve as a one of a kind resource to the scientific community,” said Philip Stashenko, President and CEO of The Forsyth Institute. “This work represents the multidisciplinary epitome of periodontal disease research. We may be able to finally lay a firm foundation to understand why periodontal disease progresses. It is extremely rare for three projects to receive awards linked to one clinical trial, and this support from NIDCR is a testament to the promise of this research.”

The three projects were funded due to the strength of each projects and the overall potential impact of the collaborative research. The Forsyth team will also work with four other oral health research centers around the country. The Michigan Center for Oral Health Research is the first clinical research partner. Four additional research facilities will join the project shortly.

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.

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.

Tooth Whitening Can Uncover Undetected Dental Health Issues

Dental Detectives

Tooth Whitening Can Uncover
Undetected Dental Health Issues

Discolored teeth are common among many groups of patients. Those who like to drink red wine, coffee and tea drinkers and especially those who use tobacco are prone to tooth discoloration.

The increased use of at-home tooth whitening systems has caused an upswing in patients whose tooth discoloration cannot be rectified by simple use of over-the-counter whitening products.

One cause of discoloration that can’t simply be whitened away is age. As we age and the enamel on the teeth thins, the yellowish dentin inside the teeth becomes visible and casts a yellowish hue on teeth. When it comes to thinner enamel, no amount of whitening products will net a whiter smile.

Another common, yet rarely discussed, cause of discoloration in certain spots but not others is undetected tooth decay. When patients begin to use whitening products to improve the appearance of their smiles, the products can uncover staining caused by small cavities.

These usually look like brownish or blackish spots near the gum line. Patients often come in complaining that no matter what they do, the spots persist. Decay obviously cannot be treated with whitening products.

Still other patients seem to struggle with the concept that their teeth may get whiter when using whitening products, but unless they change the habits that cause the staining in the first place, their teeth simply will not stay white long, and frequent whitening can cause extreme tooth sensitivity.

As one of the biggest trends in dental care in the past several decades, tooth whitening has definite benefits and definite drawbacks. If it brings undetected concerns to the office sooner than expected, however, the pros of tooth whitening definitely outweigh the cons.

Can Excessive Tooth Whitening Cause Problems?

Can Teeth Get Any Whiter?

Teeth whitening is all the rage. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, teeth whitening is the number one requested cosmetic service today, and its popularity is on the rise. Many consumers admit that tooth whitening can be addictive, leaving them feeling as though their teeth can never be white enough.

Can Excessive Tooth Whitening Cause Problems?

Yes, excessive tooth whitening can cause problems. In fact, half of those who whiten have reported mild to moderate pain, and one in 25 report severe, disabling pain after using tooth whitening products.  Especially when they are used more often than recommended, tooth whiteners can pit and etch the surfaces of teeth, leaving the enamel rough and more likely to stain.

This leaves people tempted to whiten more often than recommended, or to leave whitening products on the teeth longer than recommended.

What Makes People Think Their Teeth Aren’t Whiten Enough

There are several things that can make people think their teeth should be whiter. For instance, those with pale complexions have teeth that look a little yellower than those with darker complexions, simply because their skin is whiter than their teeth.

Another reason people tend to think their teeth aren’t white enough is the media portrayal of actors and actresses with flawless, white teeth. Like those who pine to be as thin as runway models, Americans are constantly comparing themselves with those whose only jobs are to look good.

Helping patients understand that their expectations should be tempered by their circumstances will help them understand that over-whitening their teeth is neither healthy nor attractive.

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!

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.

Naturally Whiter Teeth

How to safely whiten teeth with natural probiotics

The surfaces of our teeth are naturally porous, and many of the foods we eat naturally stain porous surfaces. If you were to eat staining foods, like beets, berries and greens, or to have a habit that contributes to tooth staining, such as drinking coffee or smoking cigarettes it is inevitable that your teeth will become stained.

But staining foods are not the only things that are to blame for your less-than-white smile. Acidic foods, such as white wine can also be to blame for stained teeth by creating rough patches that are more likely to hold stains on the teeth.

Watch Out for OTC Whitening Products

Many over-the-counter whitening products contain high levels of the chemical, hydrogen peroxide, which can be harsh and actually pit and etch the surface of your teeth, making them much more likely to stain when you indulge in staining foods or beverages, such as tea or red wine. These products weaken the surface of tooth enamel, setting you up for a future of unhealthy smiles. They  can irritate the gum tissues as well as cause tooth sensitivity.

There is an Answer for Naturally Whiter, Healthier Teeth

After more than 25 years of research that began at the Harvard-affiliated Forsyth Institute in Boston, Dr. Jeffery Hillman has isolated a blend of probiotics (beneficial bacteria) that work to make teeth naturally whiter and breath naturally fresher. This patent-pending blend of probiotics, called ProBiora3, is the first blend of oral care probiotics to market that is comprised of beneficial bacteria found in very healthy mouths. When these probiotics are used twice daily, they coat the teeth and set up camp beneath the gum line, crowding out harmful bacteria responsible for bad breath and even morning breath.

The ProBiora3 blend of probiotics naturally emits a continuous, safe, low dose of hydrogen peroxide to gently and safely whiten teeth 24 hours a day without the hassle of messy whitening strips or the dangers of harming the tooth enamel or gum tissues.