New research published in the Journal of Periodontal Research suggests that the antibacterial properties contained in blackberries could help prevent or at least help with the treatment of gum disease. When compared to other berries, it was revealed that blackberries contain the most antioxidants that have been linked to blocking the spread of cancer cells – which could mean that they also assist with the prevention of oral cancer.

Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation said that this backed the theory that a good, balanced diet benefits all aspects of health. He commented that a healthy diet full of vitamins, minerals, and fresh product can offer a high level of anti-oxidants to help in the fight against numerous ailments, including gum disease and oral cancer – he even added that a New Year’s resolution involving diet improvement would be a good way to start 2013.

Dr Carter went on to say that; ‘Although the study is promising, it is important that any use of blackberries in preventing and treating gum disease should be as well as maintaining a good oral hygiene routine. Prevention is a really important word when it comes to oral health and it is fairly easy to keep on top of. It does not take up too much time or a lot of money, yet it is surprising how many people actually forego basic oral hygiene principles, including brushing for two minutes twice a day.’

According to new research carried out by Newcastle University, getting treatment for thinning bones could have a huge effect on dental health, even stopping teeth from falling out. Two large-scale studies have revealed that there is a link between osteoporosis and gum disease, with older women at risk of losing bone density and possibly their teeth. Osteoporosis reduces bone strength and density, leaving the teeth unsupported in the sockets. Gum disease has been linked to several chronic health problems, such as heart disease.

Professor Robin Seymour, who works in restorative dentistry at the University, said that the research ‘confirmed that women with a history of periodontitis or osteoporosis experience accelerated bone and tooth loss.’ Further studies revealed that almost half of the osteoporosis sufferers who were tested found that their gum tissue became increasingly unhealthy over a two-year period, indicating a link between the two conditions.

It is thought that nearly one in three women over the age of fifty who have experienced menopause will suffer with osteoporosis. Professor Seymour explained that the reduced level of oestrogen in post-menopausal women could aggravate the condition and lead to plaque development and bone loss in the jaw. ‘As a result, patients suffering from osteoporosis have fewer teeth,’ he said, adding that hormone replacement and regular dental appointments could help with the problem; ‘Patients who suffer with osteoporosis should undergo six-monthly dental inspections,’ he advises.

New research has shown that people who kiss their dogs or allow them to lick their mouths are at risk of catching gum disease and may subsequently suffer tooth loss as the bacteria passes from the pet to the owner and infects the gums. Without proper treatment, gum disease can cause the supporting tissue to fail and the teeth to loosen in the sockets, before eventually falling out completely.

A large percentage of dogs suffer from periodontitis (gum disease) and the harmful microbe that causes this condition was found to be present in 16% of owners tested – even though it should not naturally be part of a human beings system, suggesting that close-contact relationships between owner and pet were to blame. According to the new research, even low-level contact can still result in transmission that could put the owner’s oral health at risk.

Dr Paul Maza of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University explained that cleaning the dogs teeth could help lower the chances of transmission; ‘Many of the different types of bacteria in dogs and cats are the same type of bacteria as in humans. If owners practice oral hygiene on their pets, such as brushing their teeth, a pet’s mouth can actually be even cleaner than a human mouth.’ 

According to new research, remembering to brush your teeth regularly could help keep your memory sharp as you get older; a study that has followed 5,500 volunteers over the past eighteen years has found that those who brushed their teeth less than once a day were 65% more likely to develop dementia than those who brushed three times a day. This is not the first time poor oral health has been linked to medical conditions; recently, it was discovered that gum disease could cause narrowing of the arteries, leading to a higher chance of heart attack or stroke. It was also revealed that people with Alzheimer’s were found to have more gum disease-related bacteria in their brain than others.

Lead author of the study, Annlia Paganini-Hill, said in reference to the results ‘Not only does the state of your mind predict what kind of oral health habits you practise, it may be that your oral health habits influence whether or not you get dementia’.

After eighteen years studying the elderly volunteers, the scientists found that 1,145 of them showed signs of dementia, with one in 3.7 women developing dementia by 2010, after brushing their teeth less than once a day since 1992. For those who brushed at least once a day, around one in 4.5 women developed the disease. Researchers were keen to stress that this doesn’t prove the two are linked and more study is needed into the idea, but scientists at the University of California said that ‘If confirmed… regular oral hygiene and use of dentures may reduce the risk of dementia.’

Essex dentist Tony Clough has been chosen to manage the team of dentists who will care for the teeth of thousands of Olympic athletes at the 2012 Games. Tony, from Chelmsford, is well experienced in the area, having provided dental care for the competitors, their back-ups and the officials at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Tony points out that they were likely to see a lot of emergency dentistry treatments carried out among the 40,000 strong Olympic team, with the focus on quick procedures that can keep the events rolling along smoothly. He says; ‘If it’s something that is minor we can patch it – maybe a tooth that’s broken. Within about five or ten minutes they’re back on the field of play. If they’ve got a loose tooth we can splint it and get them back on.’
Athletes, although in good shape physically, can sometimes neglect their teeth whilst training and competing, leading to problems such as abscesses and gum disease. Tony comments that a lot of athletes come from underprivileged backgrounds, and so haven’t received a good quality of dental care thus far. He adds ‘It’s because they’re constantly drinking sports drinks, fizzy drinks and sweet drinks, because they need to. For example, with a rower, they need to put in 4,000 to 6,000 calories per day and the way they do that is through drinks.’
Mr Clough and his team will be based at the Olympic Park in Stratford, with two satellite clinics working in Weymouth and Eton.

Pregnant women looking to find an appropriate children's dentist to prepare for the birth of their baby should ensure they maintain a healthy diet throughout their gestation.

Foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals are proven to improve the oral health of unborn children, as well as ensure they have strong teeth when they start to develop.

It is vital to make sure a child's teeth are in good condition before they begin to emerge due to the fact that even adult teeth are growing beneath their gums at birth.

This advice is echoed by the British Dental Health Foundation, which warns women that poor dental health during pregnancy could cause them to deliver prematurely.

In addition, babies whose mothers have experienced gum disease during the nine-month period could be born at a lower birth weight than their healthy counterparts.

Baby Centre urges parents to clean their child's teeth as soon as they start to emerge in a bid to reduce the risk of oral health issues and to familiarise them with the task.

Emergency dentistry patients looking to prevent the need for more treatment should adopt an effective dental health routine to prevent wider health issues.

A number of studies conducted in the past have found that oral health issues, such as gum disease and decay, could lead to the development of more serious illnesses.

Inflammation of the gums has been linked to a number of conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and stroke, therefore it is vital to ensure the tissue remains healthy.

This view is echoed by Dr Peter Balle, who claimed that looking into a patient's mouth is a good way to detect potentially dangerous illnesses.

Speaking to the Las Vegas Review Journal, he revealed that dentists can tell a lot about the overall wellbeing of individuals by carrying out simple oral examinations.

The British Dental Health Foundation recommends that people tell their dentists about changes to their general health, as it may help to prevent the onset of gum disease.

According to scientists in Australia, gum disease can prolong a woman's likelihood of conceiving by an average of two months. Further research has also revealed links between gum disease and premature birth and miscarriage.

A study of nearly 4,000 pregnant women carried out at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London found those with poor oral hygiene had a greater chance of having a late miscarriage.

Moreover, gum disease has been associated with bone diseases such as arthritis.

Dr Paola De Pablo, a rheumatologist at the University of Birmingham, told the Daily Mail that gum disease and the link to rheumatoid arthritis is a subject that has received more media attention in recent years.

"We believe what happens is that the bacteria from the gums secrete proteins and these proteins prompt a response from the immune system which kick-starts the arthritis," he added.

According to toothpaste company Colgate, brushing the teeth twice a day with fluoride is a key part of maintaining optimal oral hygiene.  

Emergency dentistry patients should not take their oral health for granted during their efforts to prevent wider health issues, an expert has claimed.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF), has urged individuals to take increased care of their teeth in a bid to prevent the onset of illnesses.

His advice came after researchers from the University of Western Australia revealed that women with poor oral hygiene could experience difficulty getting pregnant.

The scientists discovered that females with gum disease took an average of two months longer to conceive than those without dental health problems.

Previous studies have shown individuals with high standards of oral health are at limited risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and strokes, Dr Carter remarked.

He added: "This is yet another indication that we should not take our oral health for granted. Conception is the latest in a long line of problems associated with gum disease."

Health-conscious women who take action to maintain their oral health could be improving their chances of getting pregnant, experts have suggested.

Scientists from the University of Western Australia have discovered a link between inflammation of the gums and a poor fertility rate.

Speaking at a meeting in Sweden, researchers revealed that females with gum disease took more than seven months to conceive, compared to with the usual five months.

The study has led experts to urge women to attend regular dental check-ups, as well as stopping drinking and smoking, in a bid to help them get pregnant.

Lead researcher Professor Roger Hart said: "This is the first report to suggest that gum disease might be one of several factors that could be modified to improve the chances of a pregnancy."

Flossing, which has also been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and arthritis, can strengthen teeth and gums by removing harmful bacteria from hard to reach hard-to-reach areas of the mouth.