Unum, an international provider of workplace benefits and services, has been helping workers and their families for more than 170 years. Through its Unum and Colonial Life brands, the company offers disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental, vision and stop-loss insurance; leave and absence management support, and behavioral health services.

For more information, visit https://www.unum.com/.

Fatty acids from bacteria present in gum disease may cause Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS)-related lesions and tumors in the mouth.

The information comes from a study by Case Western Reserve University. The researchers analyzed how byproducts in the form of fatty acids cause the growth of the lesions.

This finding could result in early saliva testing for bacteria. The person could then possibly be treated for signs of cancer or cancer before it would become malignant.

The information appears in the Journal of Virology.

The study primarily looks at the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, both of which are connected to gum disease. People with periodontal disease show high levels of these bacteria in their saliva.

KS affects many people with HIV because their immune systems can’t battle many infections. KS initially appears as lesions on the mouth that could turn into malignant tumors. Early detection is a key to surviving the disease.

The goal of this study was to pinpoint why most people don’t develop this type of cancer and what it is that spares them from it.

To compile the data 21 patients were studied. The first 11 had an average age of 50 and dealt with severe chronic gum disease. The other group of 10 maintained good oral health and had an average age of 26.

Numerous aspects of the saliva of each participant were studied. The research team was interested in the two bacteria, specifically, in addition to five short-chain fatty acids.

After first testing the byproducts, researchers concluded the fatty acids impacted the replication KS. They then introduced clean versions of the fatty acids into cells with the KS virus to see what the reaction was. Essentially, the body was prevented from trying to stop the growth of KS.

The study magnifies the importance of oral health for people with HIV.

Poor oral health may cause rheumatoid arthritis, based on a new study.

Researchers from the University of Louisville determined that poor oral health can raise the risk of rheumatoid arthritis based on the presence of an enzyme that is around when a person has gum disease. This enzyme, called peptidylarginine deiminanse, has also been associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition in which one’s joints become swollen and painful.

The problem with this enzyme is that it results in the body transforming some proteins into a form of protein called citrulline. The body often confuses citrulline and thinks it will cause problems and attacks it as a result. This produces inflammation in people who deal with autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

Previous studies have pointed to links between oral health and rheumatoid arthritis, with many determining that the problem is more widespread among people with gum disease.

The researchers analyzed other forms of oral bacteria and concluded that none had any impact on rheumatoid arthritis.

More research on the relationship between oral health and rheumatoid arthritis could prove to be valuable. There is also a large amount of evidence that connects oral health and systemic problems. Many studies have shown the correlation between gum disease and a higher risk of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, heart disease and numerous other health problems.

Tooth decay may be even worse than originally thought.

A new study suggests that tooth decay may push back growth in children. The study appeared in the online version of Pediatrics journal and was conducted at University College London and King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

The research team wanted to explore the relationship between oral health and growth after previous studies failed to show definitive evidence one way or the other. In this study, the researchers looked at the dental decay and the correlation between height and weight in Saudi Arabian children ages 6 through 8.

The oral health of the children was graded on the DMFT scale, which is a scale that determines the seriousness of decayed, missing and filled teeth.

The research team later analyzed the statistics and concluded that there was, in fact, a relationship between low height/weight and a greater number of cavities. Children with severe decay had a higher chance of being underweight and shorter when compared to their peers.

Even when some secondary factors, like demographics and social values, were factored in, the correlation between decay and stunted growth still existed. Based on this study, it’s fair to say there is an inverse relationship between growth and tooth decay in children. More research is necessary to confirm this study’s findings.

It may be beneficial for children to be given fluoride even earlier than they receive it now, according to the American Dental Association.

Previous information suggested children receive fluoride by the time they were 6. This new information, however, suggests that children be administered fluoride even earlier. The new ADA recommendation states that children should be given fluoride as soon as their first teeth develop.

When children use fluoride toothpaste at an early age, it can lower the rate of decay. Research suggests that around one quarter of children develop a cavity before reaching kindergarten but more children using fluoride at an earlier age can lower that number.

The change in position on when a child should start using fluoride comes after a study from the Journal of the American Dental Association.

The study also indicated that pea-sized quantities of toothpaste can lead to a higher risk of fluorosis when toothpaste is ingested. Children younger than 3 should use smaller amounts of toothpaste. The ADA recommends parents watch their children clean their teeth to make certain the children spit out the toothpaste as opposed to swallowing it.

More studies on fluoride will be conducted to determine when is the exact time children should initially use it. There are many different opinions regarding how people feel about fluoride and this information won’t change those beliefs.

How did KaVo Kerr Group get started, and what was the goal at the time?

KaVo Kerr Group really originated back in 2004, when our parent company, Danaher, acquired KaVo and Gendex, followed shortly by DEXIS, Pelton & Crane, and Sybron, which brought Kerr and Ormco and then followed many others as time evolved. We were fortunate to have been able to assemble such an outstanding portfolio of brands during the past ten years. The formal name KaVo Kerr Group was articulated just recently and will define our global dental business and portfolio of brands.

It’s been said that the average dental practice has an average of 5 KaVo Kerr Group brands already in use. Why was it important to bring these brands together under one umbrella?

Two reasons. First, all of the brands in our portfolio share common values of trust, experience, choices, quality, and smart innovation. Unfortunately, most of our customers didn’t realize that the brands they use and trust every day are actually produced by the same global dental company. Second, our vision is to simplify dentistry and enhance clinical outcomes by enhancing workflows and delivering smart innovation. By bringing all our brands together, we can leverage our portfolio of resources, particularly R&D, to make this vision a reality.

How will KaVo Kerr Group impact the average dental practice’s workflow?

We believe that our products and solutions work better together and ultimately will optimize workflows, enhance clinical efficiency, and lead to better clinical outcomes. Since our portfolio includes everything from (1) diagnostics such as digital imaging and intraoral scanning to (2) software to (3) handpieces and operatory equipment to (4) consumables such as restorative, ortho, endo and infection control materials, we can easily serve the entire spectrum of workflows.

It looks like KaVo Kerr Group portfolio of products complement each other. How important is that for the dental practitioner?

Henk van Duijnhoven is a senior vice president at KaVo Kerr Group. From 2008 to 2011, he was group executive and president of KaVo.

Our products compliment each other; they work together, and that in turn benefits users. It enhances the clinical outcome, improves workflow, and therefore improves and simplifies their work and personal lives. This is a win-win.

You are launching more than 20 new products at the Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting. Why?

We are thrilled to be bringing so much news to Chicago. We are committed to smart innovation and the pursuit of continuous improvement; thus, the yielded output is a steady flow of new products. While Chicago is a big show for us, we have a full pipeline of innovations across our brands that will continue to flow each year.

What’s the one message you want a dental practitioner to know about KaVo Kerr Group?

KaVo Kerr Group is the company that delivers the outstanding brands you use and trust every day, and we are committed to enhance clinical outcomes and improve workflows that simplify and improve the life of both clinicians and patients.

What are the core values of KaVo Kerr Group and how does that affect its products?

Trust, experience, choices, quality, and smart innovation are our values. Similar to what I said beforehand, these values influence how we evaluate and go about developing great products that enhance dentistry.

Do you believe your equipment and consumables can help a dental practitioner find a work/life balance?

Absolutely! Clinicians are passionate about their patients, and we can help with yielding better clinical outcomes. We also know that improved workflows means more efficient practices that allow our customers to either see more patients or see the same patients in less time. A great example is our Kerr SonicFill, which improves the quality of posterior bulk-fill restorations and reduces the time a clinician spends on completing the restoration by combining KaVo’s unique sonic technology with Kerr composite know-how.

The companies that make up KaVo Kerr Group have more than 500 years of industry experience. What does the future hold?

Hopefully, we have another 500 years of excellence. Our future is bright with more innovation, and we hope to continue to expand our portfolio of brands to better serve our customers.

]]> https://www.dentistrytoday.com/report-states-parents-should-learn-first-aid/ Thu, 30 Jan 2014 14:24:30 +0000 https://www.dentistrytoday.com/?p=37842

It’s important for parents to know basic dental first aid, according to a new study.

The American Academy of Pediatrics compiled a study about why parents should know dental first aid before their child visits a dentist in the case of an emergency. This way, the parents can react correctly in emergency situations and provide enough aid for the child before seeing the dentist. The time period between the emergency and treatment can be significant in some cases.

The academy recently released a set of guidelines on how to deal with such situations. If the child is treated correctly and there is a minimal amount of time between the injury and the dental visit, the child generally ends up ok.

The report also includes rules for doctors to treat dental injuries to minimize the damage.

Despite the importance of the dental first aid, there is no course of action better than actually visiting the dentist. But it’s certainly beneficial when parents are aware of dental first aid.

High-fluoride toothpaste may be beneficial in numerous ways.

A Swedish study from Malmo University suggests that this toothpaste thwarts white spots from developing on the teeth when braces are worn. The fluoride toothpaste possesses four times the regular amount of fluoride found in toothpaste.

Numerous studies have shown that 85 percent of people who have braces develop some kind of white lesions stemming from a type of decay.

This toothpaste proved effective in stopping one third of the white lesions in 11- to 16-year-olds. No toothpaste prior to this one proved to be as reliable in preventing the white spots.

Five dental practices and more than 400 people were given the opportunity to participate in the study. Among the participants, half were given the high-fluoride toothpaste while others received the toothpaste with the regular level of fluoride. All patients had photographs taken before and after treatment. The average treatment time was 20 months.

The information showed that about 45 percent of people who used the regular toothpaste showed signs of white spots compared to 34.6 percent of people who used the high-fluoride toothpaste.

People with dental insurance aren’t necessarily using it, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry concluded that people aren’t knowledgeable enough to understand the importance of dental health. If dental health is neglected, it may lead to poor overall health.

Richard J. Manski, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, was one of the lead authors on the study, which appeared in the American Journal of Public Health. He said people needed to see some positive promotion of dental care to truly realize its importance.

The research team analyzed data from people with and without insurance to see who was using the dental care. Age was a factor that often prevented people from getting dental treatment.

The study showed that it’s possible for changes in health and one’s attitude to positively impact the way he or she views dental care.

Improving the economy and reducing unemployment were two factors that increased the use of dental care. An influx of dental providers had the same impact.

Triclosan may be the most important ingredient in fluoride toothpaste.

A new study shows that triclosan, which is a bacterial agent, combines with a copolymer to decrease plaque, gingivitis and bleeding gums. It also slightly lowers tooth decay when compared to fluoride toothpaste that doesn’t possess those substances.

The information appears in a study by The Cochrane Library.

Tooth decay and gingivitis are the top causes of tooth loss. Plaque produces both conditions after the film of the bacteria build up on teeth. When left alone, periodontitis may be the result.

The research team from the Cochrane Oral Health Group analyzed 30 studies on toothpaste containing triclosan and copolymer to deduce the information.

The analysis of the data showed a 22 percent reduction of plaque, 22 percent reduction in gingivitis, a 48 percent reduction in bleeding gums and 5 percent lowering of cavities. For periodontitis, however, there was not a major reduction of cases.

Many of these studies were either directly related or had some connection to a company that makes toothpaste. Only three studies would be considered independent. But if these studies are true, this information could prove to be beneficial.