Dentists

Some scientists think so.

The liquorice plant is a legume that is native to Asia and southern Europe. In Italy they like to chew on liquorice root as a mouth freshener.

Maybe they were on to something …

Scientists are reporting identification of two substances in liquorice — used extensively in Chinese traditional medicine — that kill the major bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, the leading causes of tooth loss in children and adults. In a study in ACS’ Journal of Natural Products, they say that these substances could have a role in treating and preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

Stefan Gafner and colleagues explain that the dried root of the liquorice plant is a common treatment in Chinese traditional medicine, especially as a way to enhance the activity of other herbal ingredients or as a flavoring.

Despite the popularity of liquorice candy in the U.S., liquorice root has been replaced in domestic candy with anise oil, which has a similar flavor. Traditional medical practitioners use dried liquorice root to treat various ailments, such as respiratory and digestive problems, but few modern scientific studies address whether liquorice really works. (Consumers should check with their health care provider before taking licorice root because it can have undesirable effects and interactions with prescription drugs.)

To test whether the sweet root could combat the bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities, the researchers took a closer look at various substances in licorice.

They found that two of the liquorice compounds, licoricidin and licorisoflavan A, were the most effective antibacterial substances. These substances killed two of the major bacteria responsible for dental cavities and two of the bacteria that promote gum disease. One of the compounds — licoricidin — also killed a third gum disease bacterium. The researchers say that these substances could treat or even prevent oral infections.

Does anyone see liquorice root flavored mouth rinses in our future?

Source: American Chemical Society

As reported by CDG, the study indicates that gum disease is a major risk factor for strokes and it most likely has as great of an impact on strokes as high blood pressure.

According to Dr. Tiejian Wu from the State University of New York at Buffalo, it’s the presence of bacteria which leads to the high stroke risk. The bacteria gets into the bloodstream causing clotting and damage to the lining of blood vessels, which increases the risk of stroke.

For more on this story see: Gum Disease More Likely to Cause Strokes than Diabetes and Gum Disease Raises Stroke Risk

By shooting blasts of air and water at the teeth and gums Philips claims the Sonicare AirFloss will remove up to 99% more dental plaque than brushing alone. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the Airfloss can send water and air at speeds up to 45 mph — cleaning the entire mouth in less than a minute.

As reported by GizMag, electronic flossing doesn’t come cheap. The Sonicar Airfloss’ suggested retail price is $89.99.

Here’s the promotional video on the device -

Do you think dental patients are more likely to floss if the cleaning device costs more?

Would you recommend one to your patients?

For more on the Airfloss, visit the Sonicare website.

Leena Palomo, an assistant professor of periodontics, and Maria Clarinda Beunocamino-Francisco from the Center for Specialized Women’s Health at the clinic completed a comparison study of women on and off bone-strengthening bisphosphonate therapies for osteoporosis.

In the women they studied, they found a marked increase in dental plaque levels, which could endanger the jawbones of postmenopausal women. (Dental plaque is a biofilm that develops naturally on our teeth. If the plaque is left on teeth too long, it triggers gum disease.)

“Menopausal women at risk for osteoporosis also are at risk for periodontal disease, which affects bone that anchors teeth,” says Palomo. “To keep jawbones strong and healthy,” she added, “means getting rid of the dental plaque by seeing the dentist as many as four times a year for deep periodontal cleanings.”

Do you find that your menopausal patients have more problems with dental plaque than their younger counterparts? What do you recommend to your female patients over 50?

For more on this subject, visit Science Daily.

A pilot study of 450 American adults found significantly higher levels of periodontal disease than expected.

Previous estimates of periodontitis in the US relied on partial-mouth examinations. When full-mouth periodontal exams were conducted instead, researchers discovered significantly more perio disease, leading them to suspect that previous estimates may have underestimated the population's level of gum disease by up to 50%.

Read more: Gum Disease Found to be Significant Public Health Concern

Genetic testing will be done on some 4,000 patients, and the data will be correlated with levels of tooth loss and periodontal disease.

Genetics has been shown to play a role in gingivitis. It is thought that certain gene variants can cause proteins to be overexpressed, leading soft tissue to detach from bone, and correlating with periodontal problems like bleeding gums, periodontitis, and eventual loss of teeth.

Read more: Genetic test to help predict gum disease

“Lasers enable early, effective and efficient Interceptive Treatment for periodontal disease!" raved one dentist. "They are priceless when used properly!"

"I am on my fifth laser and been using them for the last 17 years," said a periodontist.

A dental implant dentist disagreed, saying, "The cost/benefit ratio seems unreasonable with lasers; my choice is the electro-surge."

Read more: Dentists Use Dental Lasers To Treat Gum Disease

Periodontitis has been linked to other health problems, including heart disease and diabetes, so researchers suspected a possible connection to prostate disease as well.

This study compared levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) – an indicator of prostate disease – with the clinical attachment level (CAL) of the teeth and gums and teeth – indicating possible gum disease.

The research about prostate health and gingivitis was conducted by periodontists at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and has been published in the Journal of Periodontology.

This finding supports the belief that oral health and whole-body health are deeply connected. Gum health problems – not just full-blown periodontal disease, but the bleeding gums, swollen gums or receding gums that can indicate gum disease – can indicate the presence of other inflammatory issues.

Read more: Study links gum disease with prostate problems

A study recently published in Preventive Medicine examined over 25,000 Japanese people aged 40-64. Those who drank at least one cup of tea daily had significantly lower rates of tooth loss.

Scientists suspect that antibacterial molecules called catechins may be responsible for the dental benefits of green tea, possibly reducing rates of gum disease.

Usually when dentists talk about coffee or tea, they're discussing yellow teeth and tooth whitening. But maybe this will move the conversation towards how people can avoid periodontal disease and dentures…

Read more: Green Tea May Strengthen Your Teeth

"There is some abuse of this code, making it harder for our office to get reimbursement from third party providers," said a periodontist.

Not surprisingly, a periodontal cleaning costs somewhat more from a periodontist than a general dentist.

Here are some comments from dentists and periodontists:

• “Doing this in conjunction with a Laser gets better results.” (California dentist)

• “It's easy money done in conjunction with quadrant dentistry.” (District of Columbia dentist)
• “There is room for adjusting that default fee – number of teeth, difficulty of patient compliance, etc.” (Oklahoma dentist)
• “Full moth debridement is only rarely used the way the code is written and is (ab)used by dentists as a code for a ‘difficult prophy.’ It is a code that should be changed or deleted.” (Indiana periodontist)
• “We need a code or severity grading of the 'prophy'… There has to be some indication of conditions somewhat between relative health and full-blown disease.” (Maryland dentist)
• "This may not be definitive care for a periodontal inflammatory periodontal response (acute or chronic) and is only of value in an overall treatment plan of reevaluation.” (Ohio periodontist)
• "With completion of 4 quads of scaling and root planing we give a Sonicare toothbrush.” (Texas dentist)

Read more: Cost of Periodontal Cleaning for Gum Disease