TIFFANY: Disease

Showing posts with label Disease. Show all posts

Saturday, 28 January 2012

Links Between gum Disease and Diabetes a Critical Issue for Heavily Hispanic San Antonio, Cosmetic Dentist Warns

San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) November 16, 2011

There is a potentially deadly link between oral health and diabetes, veteran San Antonio cosmetic dentist Dr. Edward J. Camacho warns, as the country observes November?s National Diabetes Month. It?s an especially crucial issue for the Alamo City, whose nearly two-thirds majority Hispanic population is almost twice as likely to develop diabetes as the overall U.S. population

An estimated 26 million Americans ? about 8.3% of the population ? have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. And nearly 80 million Americans ? more than a quarter of the nation?s residents, are estimated to have pre-diabetes ? a condition that could tip over into clinical diabetes in a number of ways.

Those who already have diabetes have special dental risks; gum disease and diabetes have a dangerous symbiotic relation. Gum disease is a risk factor that could push a person with pre-diabetes into full-blown diabetes. Gum disease also dramatically increases other life-threatening conditions, including heart disease.

Dr. Camacho said gum disease and diabetes are related in a number of ways:

????Diabetes means higher levels of glucose ? or sugar - in the blood, but it also means higher levels of glucose in saliva. Uncontrolled blood glucose means that extra sugars in the saliva provide much better conditions for the bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease.

????Diabetics, who generally have more serious problems with infections than others, are more vulnerable to gum disease, and it can become more severe quickly. In fact gum disease is one of the warning signs of early diabetes.

????Gum disease and diabetes each can make the other condition worse. Oral health problems can make diabetes worse, while diabetes can in turn cause or worsen gum disease.

????Some researchers think gum disease may play a role in the development of diabetes, by pushing those with pre-diabetes conditions over the edge into clinical diabetes.

????Elevated blood glucose affects the body?s circulation and impairs the work of white blood cells. This causes healing problems in general, including the repair of oral surgery and rolling back gum disease.

?It?s hard to overemphasize the importance of oral health on the body as a whole,? said Dr. Camacho. ?Diabetes is a killer for Americans as a whole, and it?s even worse for Hispanics and African-Americans. This month is a good time to get a diabetes screening, as well as to start a dedicated regiment of oral health.?

Dr. Camacho recommends some steps for patients with diabetes:

While new-patient questionnaires ask for information about diabetes, it is often the case that an existing patient is diagnosed. This is especially the case among middle-aged or seniors, who are diagnosed later in life. Given the links between diabetes and gum disease, patients should keep the dentist informed about the diagnosis, as well as new medications.

Because the symptoms can be minor in the early stages, gum disease may be well established before it?s diagnosed. If your dentist alerts you to gum disease, you should consider screening for diabetes, especially if you are middle-aged or older, or if you have other symptoms of diabetes.

Diabetic patients should follow the same dental hygiene habits recommended for everyone, but with the extra motivation of understanding the diabetes/gum disease link. Dentists recommend brushing daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day. Gentle brushing is recommended, because of the higher risk of healing problems for diabetics.

?Gum disease and diabetes play off one another in a deadly cycle, with the gum disease stoking the diabetes, and the diabetes feeding the bacterial infection in the mouth.? Dr. Camacho said. ?But the cycle can work the other direction, too. Aggressive control of blood glucose can greatly reduce the nourishment needed by bacteria in the teeth and gums; and treatment of gum disease, including serious attention to daily oral hygiene, can reduce the harmful effects of worsening diabetes.?

Company Information:

Cosmetic Dentistry of San Antonio is a full-service cosmetic dental practice, specializing in dental crowns and dental bridges, Invisalign clear braces, top-quality dental veneers, teeth whitening and traditional orthodontics, as well as a full line of restorative procedures and preventative care.

16535 Huebner (at Bitters) Suite 102

Valencia Village Shopping Center

San Antonio, Texas 78248

(210) 493-9944

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New Heart Attack Research Confirms Eludril and Elgydium Gum Disease Advice

Bournemouth, Dorset (PRWEB) November 22, 2011

New research into the links between gum disease and heart attacks backs up dental care advice given by the team at Eludril and Elgydium.

People who have their teeth cleaned professionally by dentists or hygienists at least every 12 months are 25 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack, according to research presented to the American Heart Association scientific sessions conference.

They are also 13 per cent less likely to suffer a stroke, according to the findings which are based on seven years of data gathered from more than 100,000 adults.

The research confirms oral health advice given regularly over recent years by the makers of Eludril mouthwash and Elgydium toothpaste.

Scientists have known for some time that there is a link between gum disease and cardiac problems. The oral health team at Eludril and Elgydium has been highlighting the issue for at least a year.

Failure to brush teeth correctly can lead to a build-up of plaque which results in gum disease (gingivitis). Bacteria from the gums then enter the blood, damaging artery walls ? leading to heart attacks and strokes.

It confirms the importance of going to the dentist regularly, says the Eludril and Elgydium team.

?Most people will visit their dentist to get their teeth checked, cleaned and polished every six months,? said a spokesperson for Eludril and Elgydium.

?This is important to ensure that plaque ? the main cause of gum disease ? does not build up.

?It can take only a few hours for plaque to build up and just over a day for it to solidify into rock-hard tartar ? hence the importance of brushing your teeth at least twice a day.

?But regular brushing at home ? as good as it is ? is only half the battle. No matter how well you brush, you can never remove all the tartar. That is why regular visits to the dentist are so important.?

Failure to take good dental hygiene seriously will inevitably lead to a wide range of gum disease symptoms.

Most people tend to suffer at least one mild case of gum disease in their lifetime. Symptoms generally start with sore gums or swollen gums.

Signs of gum disease also include bleeding gums. Some people believe that it is not unusual for gums to show the odd fleck of blood occasionally but this is wrong. Gums should not bleed.

Bleeding gums are usually an indication that gum disease has been present for some time and has been left untreated.

It is important to catch gum disease early. If ignored, it can lead to receding gums which ultimately will weaken teeth and can ? in a worst case scenario ? result in teeth either falling out or having to be removed.

Fortunately, this is very rare. Gum disease is preventable. It can also be easily treated.

The leading gingivitis treatment is chlorhexidine. It is recommended by dental professionals and has a proven track record that dates back at least 30 years.

Chlorhexidine is the active ingredient in both Eludril mouthwash and Elgydium toothpaste, both of which are medicinal products that are designed to treat gum disease and prevent it from returning.

Eludril is a menthol-flavoured mouthwash that is recommended as a short-term treatment for gum disease. One rinse can remain active for up to 12 hours.

Dental professionals recommend a 15ml dosage (for adults and children aged over 6) diluted with lukewarm water using the measuring cup provided.

Elgydium toothpaste can be used every day to help keep gum disease away. It also contains chlorhexidine ? unlike the average toothpaste typically found at supermarkets.

The Elgydium toothpaste range includes:

????Elgydium Anti-Plaque ? first launched in Britain in 1998
????Elgydium Sensitive ? which contains Fluorinol, a fluoride that clings to tooth enamel five times better than ordinary fluoride
????Elgydium Whitening with sodium bicarbonate that has been micropulverised for non-abrasive cleaning and polishing.

For more information about how Elgydium and Eludril can help to stop gum disease, please contact Nikki Pounds, Ceuta Healthcare on +44 (0)1202 780558.

Notes For Editors

Eludril and Elgydium are represented in the UK by:

Ceuta Healthcare Ltd

Hill House

41 Richmond Hill

Bournemouth

Dorset

BH2 6HS

Tel: +44 (0)1202 780558

Eludril Mouthwash is an antibacterial and analgesic solution which can be used to manage a number of oral health problems.

Its main use is to treat and prevent dental plaque formation and gum disease (gingivitis, also known as periodontitis) by preventing the build-up of bacteria.

Eludril Mouthwash can also be used to maintain oral hygiene in situations where tooth brushing is difficult, for instance, following oral surgery or in physically or mentally handicapped patients.

Eludril can also be used as a disinfectant for the cleansing of removable dentures and in the management of common mouth ulcers and oral candidiasis infections (fungus infections).

Elgydium Anti-Plaque toothpaste is specially formulated for sensitive gums and helps to prevent dental plaque and tartar build-up, the major causes of tooth decay and gum disease.

Elgydium Whitening, Sensitive and Decay Protection are also available as part of the Elgydium range of toothpastes.

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Find More Teeth Whitening Press Releases

Swedish Study Adds Further Weight to Eludril and Elgydium Gum Disease Warnings

Bournemouth, Dorset (PRWEB) December 14, 2011

New research from Sweden into gum disease adds further weight to concerns over its links with more serious medical conditions, warn the experts at Eludril and Elgydium.

Bleeding gums ? which some people foolishly dismiss as a common occurrence ? have been identified as an important health warning sign in the new Swedish study.

People with the highest incidence of bleeding gums are more likely to suffer from a stroke than those with the lowest incidence, said the Centre for Research and Development of the County Council of G?vleborg, Sweden.

Its study of around 8,000 people has produced a series of potential health risk indicators:

????People with fewer than 21 teeth had a 69 per cent higher risk of heart attack compared with those with the most teeth.
????Higher numbers of deep periodontal pockets (gum infection around the base of the tooth) had a 53 per cent higher risk of heart attack compared with those with the fewest pockets.
????People with the least teeth had an increased risk of congestive heart failure compared with those with the most.

The Swedish study echoes similar research presented to the American Heart Association which showed that people who have their teeth cleaned by dentists or hygienists at least every 12 months are 25 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack.

Both sets of research back up oral health care advice given by the manufacturers of the medicinal products Eludril mouthwash and Elgydium toothpaste.

A spokesman for Elgydium and Eludril said: ?The new Swedish study is yet more evidence of the correlation between gum disease and more serious medical conditions.

?Increasing numbers of studies are pointing to the link, highlighting the importance of adopting a good oral health care regime and sticking to it.?

During the last two years there have been at least 146 clinical trials relating to gum disease in the United States alone with 72 more in Europe, 26 in the Middle East, 22 in South America plus several dozen more in the rest of the world.

The correlation between gum disease and cardiac conditions has been suggested for a number of years and latest research continues to back this up.

Lack of attention to basic oral health care, such as brushing and flossing, results in plaque which then leads to bacteria and gum disease.

Even seemingly minor gum disease symptoms could be an early indication of more serious medical problems later in life.

Typical early signs of gum disease include swollen gums, a prelude to more pressing symptoms.

Sore gums should be sufficient reason to go to the dentist and tackle the problem quickly before it worsens but some people suffer in silence instead.

Ignoring these early stages can result in receding gums which not only jeopardises the teeth ? it leaves the body vulnerable to more serious medical problems caused by bacteria and infections.

Using a medicinal toothpaste such as Elgydium every day helps to ward off plaque and the signs of gum disease.

Elgydium contains the active ingredient chlorhexidine, widely regarded by dentists and hygienists around the world as the leading gingivitis treatment.

Tried and tested chlorhexidine ? which has been used since the 1980s ? is also one of the active ingredients in Eludril, a leading medicinal mouthwash developed to help combat gum disease.

Eludril is a menthol-flavoured mouthwash that is recommended as a short-term treatment for gum disease. One rinse can keep working for up to 12 hours.