Supplements for Periodontal Disease

A great article from Dental IQ: June 10th 2014

4 supplements that dental professionals need to discuss with periodontal patients

 

 

By Bobbie DelSasso, RDH, BS
“Immune Response” might easily be defined as the immune system attacking microorganisms that cause disease in our bodies. As we age, the body is less able to assimilate the nutrients required for optimal health, so we need diets high in fruit, fiber, vegetables, and the right supplements. This is where antioxidants play a role. Antioxidants prevent cell oxidation and lower the occurrence of disease, aging, and cancer. It is a fact that periodontal disease is more prevalent in 60 year olds than 20 year olds — even though seniors are more dental savvy and brush better — and it’s likely due to the body’s inability to fight off bacteria and chemicals as easily as when you are young.
Loma Linda University researchers³ ran a study a few years ago showing that a nutritional supplement alone, without any other dental treatment, significantly combatted the effects of periodontal disease, with less bleeding and smaller pocketing present. The nutritional supplements used in the study were grape seed extract, CoQ10, folic acid, and echinacea.
Here are some of the documented effects^1,2 that these supplements had on periodontal disease:

• Grape seed extract: Is a powerful antioxidant with 20 to 50 times the potency of vitamins C and E. Naturopaths have been using it for years to help treat arthritis, skin problems, and other inflammatory conditions. For periodontal disease in particular, it prevents the bacteria from colonizing. This is an important fact because it’s the colonization of bacteria that has made us look at plaque now as a biofilm, which also helps give it credence and its link to many systemic diseases. Biofilms are aggravated colonies of bacteria in their pure form. Biofilms are highly resistant to antibiotic treatment and are responsible for otitis media in kids, bacterial endocarditis, Legionnaires’ disease, and cystic fibrosis. They are also responsible for infections that hospital patients can get from catheters, implants, etc.
• CoQ10: Improves healing. It’s vital to the production of cellular energy and immune system function, and has been used in medicine for congestive heart failure, Parkinson’s and cancer. A woman naturally will produce 50% more during pregnancy to aid in development of the placenta. One of the significant things about statins and CoQ10 is that statins (like Lipitor) can lower CoQ10 levels, so it is important to take supplements to keep CoQ10 levels even.
• Echinacea: Inhibits enzymes that break down tissue.
• Folic acid: Ensures development of normal gum tissue. It binds to endotoxins (byproducts of bacteria) and renders them neutral. It can prevent periodontal disease, and it can help in healing if taken during periodontal treatment. It can even prevent re-occurrence if taken after periodontal treatment.

All of these supplements must still be taken with a diet high in fruits and vegetables to ensure proper immune function. But wouldn’t it be nice to be able to talk to your patients about this and help them understand the links and how important supplements are as we age?
Many companies now support the need for change toward treatment of total health of the patient. One such company is Pharmaden,⁴ which deals with nutraceuticals (vitamins and supplements to improve dental as well as physical health). Other companies such as Oragenics and Xlear exist as well and can help dentists and physicians educate and treat their patients about improving their overall health.
The American Academy for Oral Systemic Health is at the forefront of bridging the gap between medicine and dentistry to help educate and improve the lives of patients. AAOSH is about helping medicine and dentistry better understand the groundswell of science happening around them, as well as how to integrate it into their practices for better patient care. Through their annual scientific sessions, AAOSH brings together companies like Pharmaden, Xlear, Oragenics, and others that help dental and medical professionals learn new technologies and clinical research to treat patient’s total health. It is only through more knowledge and advanced skills that we can empower each other and ultimately our patients. We could just go with the status quo and not change a thing, but why would we, when medical costs are soaring, and diabetes, periodontal disease and other inflammatory disease are rampant, yet easily curable? It only takes a click to begin, so do it www.aaosh.org.
Bobbie DelSasso, RDH, BS, graduated from Marquette University College of Dentistry, Dental Hygiene Department in 1979. She was a coordinator for a Seattle Study Club for 15 years, event planning, and is a practicing hygienist for the director of that study club for 25 years. Bobbie is the executive director with AAOSH (American Academy for Oral Systemic Health), and she can be reached at delsasso@me.com.
References:

1. Neiva RF, Steigenga J, Al-Shammari K, Wang H-L. Effects of specific nutrients on periodontal disease onset, progression, and treatment. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 2003; 30:579-588.
2. Brock GR, Butterworth CJ, Matthews JB, Chapple ILC. Local and systemic total antioxidant capacity in periodontitis and health. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 2004; 31:515-521.
3. Harpenau L, Cheema A, Zingale J, Chambers D, Lundergan W. Effects of nutritional supplementation on periodontal parameters and c-reactive protein. Abstract submitted for publication. University of the Pacific.
4. www.PerioEducation.com

Stick Out That Tongue!

Your tongue can tell you a lot about your overall health.

You may not give your tongue much thought, but chances are your doctor does. “Telling a patient to stick out their tongue is a valid way to start examining someone,” says Dr. Jordan S. Josephson, attending physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and author of Sinus Relief Now (Perigee, 2006). “In fact, in Chinese medicine they believe that the tongue actually reflects all the diseases of the body.” If you have a mystery tongue problem, Josephson recommends going to see a board certified otolaryngologist (more commonly known as an ear, nose, and throat specialist).

For the Nitty Gritty details, check this out!
http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/what-your-tongue-is-telling-you-about-your-health-1

CERTAIN ORAL PAIN RELIEVER SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR INFANTS

I thought this was worth posting!   (dailyRx News) 

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that a certain oral pain reliever should not be used to treat infants and children with teething pain.

According to the FDA, doctors should not prescribe oral viscous lidocaine 2 percent solution to these young patients because it can cause serious harm and even death.

This topical pain reliever is not approved for treating teething pain.

"Topical pain relievers and medications that are rubbed on the gums are not necessary or even useful because they wash out of the baby's mouth within minutes. When too much viscous lidocaine is given to infants and young children or they accidentally swallow too much, it can result in seizures, severe brain injury, and problems with the heart," the FDA reported in a press statement.

The FDA is requiring that a Boxed Warning outlining these potential harms be placed on the drug label of oral viscous lidocaine 2 percent solution. A Boxed Warning is the FDA's strongest warning.

This warning stems from a recent FDA review of 22 case reports of serious reactions to oral viscous lidocaine 2 percent solution in infants and children aged 5 months to 3.5 years.

The FDA says that parents and caregivers should follow the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines for treating teething pain. To relieve symptoms, these guidelines recommend using a teething ring chilled, but not frozen, in the refrigerator and gently rubbing or massaging the child's gums with a finger.

WHO KNEW?

Just a plug for our Facebook page! Here are a few of the random tooth posts that are posted from time to time...

ANTIQUE TOOTHBRUSH

When did brushing one's teeth everyday become a regular habit in the United States? Not until after World War II. While mass-produced toothbrushes were available before that time, everyday tooth brushing was not the norm until soldiers in World War II were instructed on daily brushing habits.

It's possible to find toothpaste in virtually every flavor, from spearmint and peppermint to strawberry and orange. In the days of ancient Rome, eggshells, oyster shells and honey were combined to rub against the teeth.

Did you know that people tend to chew their food on the same side of their mouth as the hand they write with? So, left handers tend to chew their food on the left side and right handers tend to chew their food on the right side. Perhaps ambidextrous handers chew their food on both sides?

Did you know that the most valuable tooth in the world belonged to Sir Issac Newton? It was purchased for $4,560 and used as a ring.

According to historians, the earliest dentist known by name was Hesi-Re, who lived in Egypt more than 5,000 years ago.

The Holidays Are Over....Now What?

Well it was a busy holiday season.

We enjoyed the festivities as much as everyone!

 

A few things Doc Walk has coming up:

American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Conference in Seattle
More Training on the latest Sleep Apnea advancements
New equipment and office update
Continuing Education including:


And on a personal note...
One daughter graduates from College in April
One daughter gets married In June
and he will be
exploring the wilderness
every chance he gets!



Sour Candy Lovers Beware..

Just a little FYI...

There is an increase in dental erosion from dietary acids found in many sour acid candies described on packages as “sour,”“tart,” “tangy,” “mouth-puckering,” and “extreme”. The concentrated citric acid is the most erosive component.

The increased consumption of these popular  sour candies is linked to increased irreversible erosion. It has been found that combining them with sodas, sports drinks, and other low ph beverages is even more destructive.

As it applies to all "treats" it is recommended to eat in moderation, and keep the following in mind:

• Do not suck, chew, sour candies for long periods of time.

• Rinse mouth immediately with water after eating sour candies.

• Milk or hard cheese after eating sour candies will help to neutralize the acid.

• Wait 30 minutes to brush teeth to avoid scratching the acid softened teeth.

• Use a fluoride or an enamel enhancing toothpaste

Never Too Young To Start !

 See Levi.

 See Levi Brush.

(wrong end Levi..)

Brush Levi brush.

A note on babies and brushing...

"Bacteria in the mouth usually can't harm the gums before the teeth emerge but it can be hard to tell when the teeth are starting to push through, so you'll want to start early. Getting your baby used to having his mouth cleaned as part of his daily routine should make it easier to transition into toothbrushing later on, too."

Babycenter.com

Doc Walk has a special interest in this little guy.

It is his grandson.

and who knows? Maybe a dentist someday..!