Colon Cancer Linked to Mouth Infection?

Study suggests pathway from oral bacteria to colon cells

WebMD News from HealthDay
By Robert Preidt
HealthDay Reporter

What Your Teeth Say About Your Heart

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 14 (HealthDay News) -- An infection from a common type of mouth bacteria can contribute to colorectal cancer, a new study suggests.

The bacteria, called Fusobacterium nucleatum, can attach to colon cells and trigger a sequence of changes that can lead to colon cancer, according to the team at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine.

The researchers also found a way to prevent the bacteria from attaching to colon cells.

"This discovery creates the potential for new diagnostic tools and therapies to treat and prevent the cancer," lead investigator Yiping Han said in a university news release.

The findings show the importance of good oral health, said Han, a professor of periodontics. She noted that levels of F. nucleatum are much higher in people with gum disease.

Although the study found a possible association between oral infection and colon cancer, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

The study was published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe, which also contained another study from a different research group showing how F. nucleatum can speed the accumulation of cancer cells.

 

Keep your mouth clean and the worry is non-existent ! Call our office and make an appointment for a complete examination and consultation. 

Memory Robbing Gum Disease?

Read this article recently and looks like gum disease is making more than it's share of issues.  Memory robbing gum disease! Another reason to get a full periodontal examination. Call our office now for an examination!

 

BACTERIA IN BRAINS SUGGESTS ALZHEIMER’S – GUM DISEASE LINK

Bacteria linked to gum disease traveled to the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that dental hygiene plays a role in the development of the memory-robbing illness, British researchers said.

Signs of the bacterium, known as Porphyromonas gingivalis, were found in four out of 10 samples of brain tissue from Alzheimer’s patients, while no signs of the bug were found in 10 brains from people of similar age who never developed dementia, according to the results of the study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The findings support a theory that bacteria in the mouth enter the bloodstream through chewing or tooth removal and end up in other parts of the body including the brain, StJohn Crean, the lead researcher, said in a telephone interview. Over time, the chemicals produced by the bacteria could build up and contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s, according to the theory.

“The results are very encouraging,” said Crean, the dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Central Lancashire inEngland. “We’ve shown an association, not causation. It does nothing more than to prove that these bacteria do get to the brain.”

While brushing and flossing can also cause bacteria to enter the blood, it’s important to frequently and effectively clean the teeth to decrease the number of bacteria and cut the chance that they will travel outside the mouth, he said.

Bacterial Assault “The issue is to reduce the bacterial load that occupies our gum tissues, to reduce the bacterial assault if and when it happens,” Crean said.

The study was paid for by the university, Crean said. He and his colleagues are seeking funding for additional research to explore the potential connection between the bacteria and the development of Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia mostly affect older people, and the number afflicted by the conditions is growing worldwide as populations age. The World Health Organization predicted dementia cases would triple to 115 million in 2050 from 36 million worldwide in 2010. The exact cause of the illness is unknown.

About 30 percent of people have had or will have gum disease, Crean said. Previous studies have shown links between gum disease and other illnesses including heart disease and some forms of cancer.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kristen Hallam in London at khallam@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Phil Serafino at pserafino@bloomberg.net

®2013 BLOOMBERG L.P. AL

 

 

 

Medical Health Changing Your Dental Outcome!

Things you need to know about your health!













Pharmaceuticals, and general medical conditions can make or break your oral health.


Ask your dental hygienist and dentist how to prevent poor dental health during the treatment of your medical conditions.  

Call our office today and let us help you through the treatment of your medical condition.

       Smith RW; Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery staff. Guide to Family      Dental Care. New York, NY: W.W.

       Norton and Company; 1997.

                                         Robert D. Follweiler, D.D.S.

Periodontology and Laser Technology

901 East Ocean Boulevard   Stuart, Florida 34994

772-283-1400

Please visit us on the web  www.follweilerperio.com        

New Info on Cancer!

  Bad Gums  > Risk for Cancer

Dental plaque could result in premature death in cancer patients, according to a new study.

The researchers determined that a large amount of plaque

had some connection to a higher cancer mortality. When

dental plaque is present it indicates bad oral hygiene, which

is something that raises the risk of infection and ultimately

may result in death.

A Swedish research team from the Karolinska Institute and a

group from the University of Helsinki put the study together.

 The study appeared in the BMJ Open.

The study revealed that dental plaque could increase the risk

of death by cancer by as much as 79 percent when analyzing

 all risk factors. Bacteria in the mouth is a big contributor to

 carcinogenesis.

Despite the findings from the study, the researchers

emphasized that tooth decay does not directly cause cancer.

Based on this study and numerous studies in the past, poor

oral health leads to poor overall health. It’s been proven that

bad oral health may lead to Alzheimer’s disease, heart

disease, stroke, and diabetes, among other health problems.

 

STOP THE POP!

You may be saving calories by drinking diet soda, but when it comes to enamel erosion of your teeth, it's no better than regular soda.

In the last 25 years, Kim McFarland, D.D.S., associate professor in the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry in Lincoln, has seen an increase in the number of dental patients with erosion of the tooth enamel - the protective layer of the tooth. Once erosion occurs, it can't be reversed and affects people their whole life.

"I'd see erosion once in a while 25 years ago but I see much more prevalence nowadays," Dr. McFarland said. "A lot of young people drink massive quantities of soda. It's no surprise we're seeing more sensitivity."

Triggers like hot and cold drinks - and even cold air - reach the tooth's nerve and cause pain. Depending on the frequency and amount of soda consumed, the erosion process can be extreme.

She said according to the National Soft Drink Association, it's estimated the average American drinks 44 gallons of soda pop a year. Phosphoric and citric acid, which are common ingredients in many popular sodas and diet sodas, alters the pH balance in the mouth and can cause tooth erosion over time.

"It can be more harmful than cavities because the damage causes tooth sensitivity," Dr. McFarland said. "If a tooth is decayed a dentist can fix it by placing a filling, but if a tooth is sensitive there is really nothing a dentist can do.

"Tooth sensitivity can become a lifetime problem, limiting things we like to drink and even food choices. You could crown all your teeth but that is costly and a rather extreme solution," Dr. McFarland said.

"It hurts to consume cold and hot foods and beverages. Some of my patients tell me when they go outside in the winter they don't open their mouth or the cold air causes pain."

In addition, a significant number of scientific studies show a relationship between the consumption of soda and enamel erosion and cavities.

Dr. McFarland said it's best not to drink soda at all, but she offers tips for those who continue to drink it.

·         Limit consumption of soda to meal time

·         Don't drink soda throughout the day

·         Brush your teeth afterwards -- toothpaste re-mineralizes or strengthens areas where acid weakened the teeth

·         If tooth brushing is not possible, at least rinse out your mouth with water

·         Chew sugar free gum or better yet, gum containing Xylitol.

·

·         References

·         Citations

Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Source:

University of Nebraska Medical Center

 

Cheese And Dairy Products May Prevent Cavities

Consuming dairy products is vital to maintaining good overall health, and it's especially important to bone health. But there has been little research about how dairy products affect oral health in particular. However, according to a new study published in the May/June 2013 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), consuming cheese and other dairy products may help protect teeth against cavities

Crooked Ways We Think!

Kelton Research recently conducted a study where 1,047 nationally representative Americans were shown images of men and women with straight and crooked teeth. Those participating in the study were unaware that they were comparing people with straight teeth to crooked teeth. In the study, respondents were shown images of people with varying tooth issues and asked to give their honest opinion about them. According to the study results, it appears that Americans perceive people with straight teeth to have more desirable qualities than those with crooked teeth, including happiness, success, and friends.

I’m not saying it’s right…but it certainly is interesting

Read more at http://betterinbulk.net/2012/05/first-impressions.html#SBZiMB9K24DBgbil.99

Note: This post was sponsored by Invisalign
Read more at http://betterinbulk.net/2012/05/first-impressions.html#SBZiMB9K24DBgbil.99

Worried About Oral Cancer?

Worried About Oral Cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, over 35,000 Americans have oral cancer. The risks are higher if you are a male, over the age of 35, or have a history of other cancers, but there are some lifestyle habits that increase anyone's risk, and some steps you can take:

 

 

1. Don't use tobacco. Up to 90% of patients with oral cancers use tobacco, and the risk increases with the amount smoked or chewed. Quitting smoking and chewing tobacco will lower your risk, even after years of use.
2. Moderate your drinking. About 75% to 80% of all patients with oral cancer drink alcohol frequently.
3. Limit your exposure to sunlight. More than 30% of patients with cancers of the lip have outdoor jobs associated with prolonged and repeated exposure to sunlight.
4. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. A diet low in the natural antioxidants fresh produce provides is associated with an increased risk of developing cancer of the oral cavity.
5. Know the signs. If you have a sore in your mouth that doesn't heal easily or is always bleeding, or a persistent pain in the mouth or ear, see your dentist or physician immediately. Early detection and treatment increases chances of recovery.
6. A cup of joe? In 2012, the American Cancer Society found a link between drinking coffee and reduced risk of death from oral/pharyngeal (mouth and throat) cancer. It showed drinking more than 4 cups of caffeinated coffee a day cut the likelihood of dying from oral/pharyngeal cancer in half. However, I don't recommend drinking coffee if you don't enjoy it, or dislike the effect it has on your nervous system or digestion.

                 

Thank you !

Dr. Weil  for your

informative oral cancer

 information!

Gum Disease- It's More Than Embarrassing!

According to a report commissioned by the Center for Disease Control, “Prevalance of Periodontitis in Adults in the United States: 2009 and 2010,” an estimated 64.7 million American adults, 47.2 percent, have a mild, moderate, or severe case of periodontal disease.

 

 

Gum disease is often silent, meaning symptoms may not appear until an advanced stage of the disease. However, warning signs of gum disease include the following:

Red, swollen or tender gums or other pain in your mouth.

Bleeding while brushing or flossing, or eating hard food.

Gums that are receding or pulling away from the teeth, causing the teeth to appear longer than before.

 Loose or seperating teeth.

 Pus between your gums and teeth.

 Persistent bad breath.

 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Robert D. Follweiler, D.D.S.

Periodontology and Laser Technology

901 East Ocean Boulevard   Stuart, Florida 34994

772-283-1400

Please visit us on the web  www.follweilerperio.com        

 

 

 

What's Making You Sick?

Robert D. Follweiler, D.D.S.

Periodontology and Laser Technology 

901 East Ocean Boulevard   Stuart, Florida 34994

 772-283-1400

 Please visit us on the web  www.follweilerperio.com       

 

Research has shown that periodontal disease is associated

 with several other diseases.

The main ones are

•  diabetes
•  heart disease
•  premature and low birth weight in babies.

 For a long time, it was thought that bacteria was the factor

 that linked periodontal disease to other disease in the body;

 

 

 

 

More recent research demonstrates that inflammation

may be responsible for the association.

 

Therefore, treating inflammation not

only helps to manage periodontal

disease but in some cases also

helps with the management of other

chronic inflammatory conditions.

 

Your mouth is a straight shot to the rest of your body and what’s happening in there could be a red flag for — or the instigator — of some potentially serious health concerns.

 

“There is an association between inflammation of the gum tissue and inflammatory processes in other parts of the body,” says Gregg Lituchy, a cosmetic dentist at Lowenberg & Lituchy in NYC. And if you think about it, that makes sense — your mouth is literally a direct link to your insides. And it’s a place where icky bad breath and post-eating gook thrives, which can then go well, everywhere.

Call our office for an appointment today!
 

Bad Breath? Do you have Periodontal Disease?

 

                                    Bad Breath: Causes, Concerns and Possible Cures

 

There are several causes of bad breath, an embarrassing condition that troubles everyone from time to time. However constant and unrelenting bad breath or halitosis may be more of a concern. Bad breath may be caused by eating certain foods, poor dental hygiene, smoking, dry mouth, medications, sinus conditions and periodontal disease. It may also be caused by certain other systemic illnesses such as kidney and liver disease, pulmonary or bronchial problems and intestinal disorders.

For the majority of people, 80-90% of those who have bad breath, the single most frequent cause are bacteria that live in the mouth. The waste products produced by some oral bacteria are sulfur compounds and it is these sulfur compounds that often cause breath problems.

Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection located in the tissues surrounding the teeth. Advanced forms of periodontal disease typically result in serious damage to the bone that holds the teeth in place. As this bone damage occurs, deep spaces form between the teeth and gums (termed periodontal pockets). These pockets provide an ideal location in which bacteria thrive and multiply and this is the cause of a person’s smelly breath.  Periodontal disease frequently produces a very strong distinctive foul odor that often discloses gum disease before a patient has actually been examined. Researchers have also found that the amount of volatile sulfur coating on the tongue of a person with periodontal disease is 4X greater than in people who do not have gum disease. Once deep gum pockets have formed a periodontist or other dental professional is needed to remove the bacterial infection that cannot be effectively treated with tooth brushing and flossing at home.

There are new and exciting methods of treating periodontal disease that do not involve surgery. A revolutionary alternative to traditional gum surgery is the Millennium PerioLase which is the NO CUT/ NO SEW /NO FEAR approach to treating gum disease. Scientist are also now suggesting that ORAL PROBIOTICS may be the greatest weapon against bad breath since the invention of the tooth brush.  These “Good Guy” bacteria control the growth of the bad bacteria living in the mouth and may reduce the risk of everything from gingivitis to full blown periodontal disease.

Continual bad breath may be an indication of a larger more involved dental or systemic problem. It makes sense to go to the dentist and find a solution before a minor problem becomes a major concern. Please call the office for more information.

REGULAR PERIODONTAL CARE CAN REDUCE ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

    

 

 

 

According to a study in the International Journal of Cardiology (March 1, 2013) there is a relationship between periodontal health and cardiac dysrhythmia. One of the most sustained cardiac dysrhythmias is atrial fibrillation.

 

Atrial fibrillation affected approximately 2.7 million Americans in 2012 according the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Atrial fibrillation produces disorganized cardiac electrical impulses and places patients at significantly increased risks for clots, stroke and heart failure.

 

Studies have found that poor oral health pre-disposes patients to developing atrial fibrillation because of the increase in inflammation. Inflammation anywhere in the body lowers the immune system and puts stress on the body systems.

 

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory process that eventually destroys the gum tissue and the underlying bone support that holds teeth in place. The bacterial infection that causes gum disease can migrate to other parts of the body and compromise an immune system that may already be challenge from age, other disease processes or damaging life style habits. Poor oral hygiene is the major cause of gum disease, which has been found to be a potential risk factor for coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke and peripheral vascular disease.

 

The author of the study proposes that adequate oral hygiene combined with Regular and Frequent dental scalings are the best defense against gum disease and the increased inflammatory burden placed on the body. In a five-year study people who had dental scalings twice a year had a reduced rate of new onset atrial fibrillation compared with the group that did not have regular dental care.

 

For folks having to deal with heart problems or those wanting to prevent them routine dental care by professionals, along with diligent home care, may keep other serious health problems from interrupting or shortening you life. Call our office for a full periodontal evaluation.

 

772-283-1400 or go on our web site for more information.

 Please visit us on the web www.FollweilerPerio.com        

 

 

ALCOHOL AND ORAL HEALTH

  Robert D. Follweiler, D.D.S.

  Periodontology and Laser Technology

  901 East Ocean Boulevard   Stuart, Florida 34994

  772-283-1400

 Please visit us on the web  FollweilerPerio.com        

 

 

ALCOHOL AND ORAL HEALTH

 

 

Believe it or not alcohol abuse is often first detected in the dental office. Many adults are “closet drinkers” and even close friends and family members are unaware that their loved one or friend is abusing alcohol. These individuals have perfected ways of hiding their problem and seem to function, hold down jobs and care for their family adequately enough to hide their secret. Alcohol abuse in older adults often goes unnoticed by health care professionals because the natural aging process hides the symptoms.

 

 The United States Center for Disease Control defines” heavy” drinking as more than two drinks per day for men and more than one drink per day for women. “Moderate” drinking is defined as less than that per day. Alcohol abuse affects every system in the body. Excessive alcohol intake may be responsible for pancreatic and liver disease, weakened immune system resulting in frequent infections, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, nutritional deficiencies and increased risk of cancer.

 

Dental care professionals are often the first line of defense in the early detection of oral cancer, which affects approximately 34,000 people in the United States every year, resulting in approximately 6,900 deaths. Men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with oral cancer than women, and the average age of diagnosis is 62 years. More than 50% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the later stages resulting in poor survival rates. Only 50% of individuals with oral cancer survive longer than 5 years.

 

Some of the symptoms dentists see in patients with alcohol abuse problems are reduced salivary flow, (dry mouth leading to rampant decay) nutritional deficiencies, frequent infections and abscesses, painful, burning or swollen tongue. Additionally symptoms such as cracks and sores at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis) and oral candidiasis (thick white coating on tongue and cheeks) as well as red and inflamed gum tissues are often a very obvious signs of alcohol problems.  Psychological effects include cognitive problems, depression and dementia. Alcoholism is the third leading life-style related cause of death in the US and causes 79,000 deaths each year. 

Don’t be surprised or offended if your dental professional asks questions about your drinking habits.

 

They may be saving your teeth as well as your life.