Latest news with #Porphyromonasgingivalis
New York Post
a day ago
- Health
- New York Post
Mouthwashes get a bad rap — scientists found one that lets good bacteria flourish
Gum and get it. While mouthwash is widely regarded as an excellent weapon against gum disease, it has the unfortunate tendency of wiping out all of the good bacteria with the bad. But a recent study — published in Frontiers in Oral Health — says it doesn't have to be this way. Advertisement Researchers have found a mouthwash — a natural one, at that — that seems to kill off nasty germs while nurturing friendly microbes. IC Production – Researchers have found a mouthwash — a natural one, at that — that seems to kill off nasty germs while nurturing friendly microbes. 'It's a paradigm shift,' Georgios Kotsakis, assistant dean for clinical research at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, said in a press release. Advertisement 'We're moving from eradicating all bacteria to focusing on selectivity. We want to keep the good bacteria alive while targeting the bad.' Researchers pitted a natural rinse called StellaLife VEGA Oral Care against two common mouthwashes — prescription-strength chlorhexidine and Listerine Cool Mint. The herbal option slashed levels of harmful bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis, but spared helpful microbes such as Streptococcus oralis and Veillonella parvula. 'These good bacteria have important functions,' Kotsakis said. 'They synergize with your tissues. They actually kill some of the bad bacteria themselves.' Advertisement Researchers pitted a natural rinse called StellaLife VEGA Oral Care against two common mouthwashes — prescription-strength chlorhexidine and Listerine Cool Mint. StellaLife In contrast, both Listerine and chlorhexidine nuked all of the bacteria, with chlorhexidine decimating some beneficial bacteria by a staggering million-fold. Kotsakis said next steps would involve moving to clinical trials. Advertisement The findings are refreshing in light of the fact that mouthwash has become a somewhat contentious topic, with even experts disagreeing on how beneficial — or necessary — it is. Kotsakis himself has a pretty balanced perspective on the issue. 'If you're brushing and flossing like a dentist — regularly and perfectly — you may not need a mouthwash, but in reality, even the best of us can miss some surfaces during cleaning at home.' While the Mayo Clinic recommends using mouthwash after brushing and flossing, UK dental surgeon Shaadi Manouchehri suggests doing it the other way around. 'I used to use mouthwash after I brushed my teeth, and this is the worst thing you can do,' she said in a TikTok video that launched quite a debate. 'If you use mouthwash straight after, that's rinsing away the protective fluoride layer [the toothpaste provides], and it's going to make your teeth more susceptible to getting cavities.'
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Do you floss your teeth properly? Doctor explains how it can lower heart disease risk
Flossing your teeth can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Dr Kunal Sood, an anesthesiology and interventional pain medicine physician, shared an Instagram post on June 19 in which he shared that research suggests that regular flossing can lower the risk of stroke and heart disease by reducing inflammation and preventing bacterial buildup in the mouth. Also read | Should you floss before or after brushing? Dentist shares what your ideal oral care routine should be In his caption, Dr Sood wrote, 'Can flossing reduce risk of heart disease? Share to help someone cut both gum and heart risk.' Saying how 'gums set off body-wide alarms', he said: 'Plaque trapped between teeth sparks gingivitis, letting Porphyromonas gingivalis and other microbes slip into the bloodstream. Those invaders crank up C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL-6 —the same inflammatory messengers that thicken arterial plaque and boost clotting risk.' Dr Sood added that 'flossing disrupts the oral-heart highway'. 'Adding floss to twice-daily brushing removes up to 80 percent of interdental plaque — far more than brushing alone. In a seven-year study of 40,000+ adults, flossing at least once a week was linked to: 22 percent lower ischemic-stroke risk, 44 percent lower cardio-embolic-stroke risk, and 12 percent lower atrial-fibrillation risk.' A post shared by Kunal Sood, MD (@doctorsoood) Explaining why frequency — and timing — matter, Dr Sood said, 'Every floss session breaks up biofilm before it inflames gum vessels. Even weekly flossing trims systemic inflammation, but daily use keeps the bacterial 'drip' shut off almost completely.' He also shared: 1. Floss daily (string, picks, or water-flosser); if that's tough, aim for several times per week — consistency beats perfection. 2. Brush twice daily and book professional cleanings every six months; scaling alone can drop CRP within weeks. 3. Spot warning signs — bleeding gums, chronic bad breath, looseness — then schedule a periodontal check-up. 4. Reinforce the win with cardio basics: quit smoking, manage blood sugar, move daily. The same habits that protect gums fortify arteries. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
16-06-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Your dentist can spot diabetes, heart disease and cancer in early stages
Imagine your dentist not just checking for cavities and gum issues but also acting like a health detective. Your dentist may be able to spot early signs of serious health problems just by examining your mouth. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, nutritional deficiencies, and even autoimmune disorders can often show subtle symptoms in the gums, teeth, tongue, and breath, sometimes long before other symptoms appear. 'Your mouth truly reflects what's going on in the rest of the body,' said Lt Gen Dr Vimal Arora, Chief Clinical Officer of Clove Dental. 'Your dentist, in addition to spotting dental diseases, can often identify signs of viral infections (like HIV/Aids), nutritional deficiencies (such as B12 or iron deficiency), autoimmune conditions (like Sjogren's syndrome), and systemic illnesses such as diabetes. Even a person's breath can indicate diabetes or digestive disorders. Lesions on the tongue, gum bleeding, and dry mouth are more than oral issues—they can serve as early warnings for underlying health conditions.' Can poor oral health signal something more serious? Bleeding gums or mouth ulcers could be signs that your body is struggling on a deeper level. According to Dr Arora, gum inflammation and chronic periodontitis are linked to higher risks of heart disease. Frequent mouth infections or wounds that don't heal may suggest diabetes or immune system issues. 'When your gums bleed or swell, it might be more than just a sign you forgot to floss. These symptoms are closely linked to diabetes and heart disease, because both conditions mess with your body's ability to fight inflammation and infections,' he explained. Saliva and your mouth as diagnostic tools Saliva is emerging as a superstar in diagnostics. It's painless and easy to collect, and it's packed with biomarkers that can help detect diseases early. Because your mouth is close to key nerves and blood vessels, dentists can also identify neurological problems and recommend further testing or targeted treatments. Scientists have even discovered the same bacteria that cause gum inflammation—like Porphyromonas gingivalis—inside the blood vessels of individuals with heart disease. 'Poor glycaemic control in diabetes also worsens gum health. It's like a vicious cycle between your mouth and your body,' said Dr Arora. 'So next time you spot blood in the sink, take it as a hint to check in with your overall health.' Can tooth sensitivity or erosion reflect internal issues? 'Tooth erosion or heightened sensitivity often tells a story about a person's diet or internal health,' said Dr Arora. Frequent acid exposure from citrusy or carbonated drinks can wear enamel, but erosion on the inner surfaces of teeth may signal acid reflux (GERD) or eating disorders like bulimia. These conditions expose the mouth to stomach acid, wearing away tooth enamel. Dentists can catch such signs early—often before symptoms like heartburn or digestive discomfort even appear. Dental X-rays may detect signs of osteoporosis 'A dentist may detect reduced jawbone density or changes in bone structure, which can be early signs of osteoporosis,' Dr Arora added. Loose teeth, receding gums, or ill-fitting dentures may also point to weakening bones. Since osteoporosis often progresses silently, dentists may be the first to spot it during a routine oral exam. What changes on your tongue could signal a health issue? Dr Arora says your tongue is like a health barometer. White patches might mean oral thrush—often seen when the immune system is low. Red or white lesions could require closer examination to rule out oral cancer. A smooth, glossy tongue may point to iron or B12 deficiency. A black hairy tongue usually results from poor oral hygiene or prolonged antibiotic use. Ulcers that don't heal within two weeks are also a red flag and should be checked without delay. Don't ignore changes in your mouth—act early Bleeding gums, persistent sores, sudden tongue changes, or strange breath odours can all be signs of deeper health issues. So next time you visit your dentist, remember—it's not just about teeth. It could be a window into your body's overall well-being. For more health updates, follow #HealthWithBS
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Cause of Alzheimer's Might Be Coming From Within Your Mouth
In recent years, an increasing number of scientific investigations have backed an alarming hypothesis: Alzheimer's disease may not be merely a condition of an aging brain, but the product of infection. While the exact mechanisms of this infection are something researchers are still trying to isolate, numerous studies suggest the deadly spread of Alzheimer's goes way beyond what we used to think. One such study, published in 2019, suggested what could be one of the most definitive leads yet for a bacterial culprit behind Alzheimer's, and it comes from a somewhat unexpected quarter: gum disease. Watch the video below for a summary of their study: In a paper led by senior author Jan Potempa, a microbiologist from the University of Louisville, researchers reported the discovery of Porphyromonas gingivalis – the pathogen behind chronic periodontitis (aka gum disease) – in the brains of deceased Alzheimer's patients. It wasn't the first time the two factors have been linked, but the researchers went further. In separate experiments with mice, oral infection with the pathogen led to brain colonization by the bacteria, together with increased production of amyloid beta (Aβ), the sticky proteins commonly associated with Alzheimer's. The research team, coordinated by pharma startup Cortexyme, which was co-founded by first author Stephen Dominy, wasn't claiming to have discovered definitive evidence of Alzheimer's causation. But it was clear they thought we had a strong line of investigation here. P. gingivalis' gingipains (red) among neurons in the brain of a patient with Alzheimer's. (Cortexyme) "Infectious agents have been implicated in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease before, but the evidence of causation hasn't been convincing," Dominy said at the time. "Now, for the first time, we have solid evidence connecting the intracellular, Gram-negative pathogen, P. gingivalis, and Alzheimer's pathogenesis." In addition, the team identified toxic enzymes called gingipains secreted by the bacteria in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, which correlated with two separate markers of the disease: the tau protein, and a protein tag called ubiquitin. But even more compellingly, the team identified these toxic gingipains in the brains of deceased people who were never diagnosed with Alzheimer's. That's important, because while P. gingivalis and the disease have been linked before, it's never been known – to put it simply – whether gum disease causes Alzheimers, or whether dementia leads to poor oral care. The fact that low levels of gingipains were evident even in people who were never diagnosed with Alzheimer's could be a smoking gun – suggesting they might have developed the condition if they had lived longer. "Our identification of gingipain antigens in the brains of individuals with AD and also with AD pathology but no diagnosis of dementia argues that brain infection with P. gingivalis is not a result of poor dental care following the onset of dementia or a consequence of late-stage disease, but is an early event that can explain the pathology found in middle-aged individuals before cognitive decline," the authors explained in their paper. Further, a compound formulated by the company called COR388, showed in experiments with mice that it could reduce bacterial load of an established P. gingivalis brain infection, while also reducing amyloid-beta production and neuroinflammation. We'll have to wait and see what future research will uncover about this link, but the research community is cautiously optimistic. "Drugs targeting the bacteria's toxic proteins have so far only shown benefit in mice, yet with no new dementia treatments in over 15 years it's important that we test as many approaches as possible to tackle diseases like Alzheimer's," chief scientific officer David Reynolds from Alzheimer's Research commented in a statement. The findings were reported in Science Advances. An earlier version of this story was published in January 2019. Common Diabetes Drug Linked to 'Exceptional Longevity' in Women Increased Toxicity Risk Identified For Children With ADHD, Autism Coffee Could Be The Secret to Healthy Aging For Women, Scientists Discover
Telegraph
23-02-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Five surprising health benefits of flossing every morning
If you brush your teeth morning and night, you probably think your oral health is in pretty good nick. But skipping the extra step of flossing – something only three in 10 people in the UK do daily – could not only leave you at risk of cavities, gum disease and loose teeth, but also chronic health problems such as heart disease, dementia and Type 2 diabetes. That's because a slimy biofilm is constantly trying to grow on our teeth, explains Morag Powell, a hygienist, dental therapist and lecturer at the University of Plymouth. Brushing your teeth twice a day will remove this substance from the outside and inside of the teeth but not from that hard-to-reach surface between the teeth. If left to grow and mature in these gaps, the biofilm may eventually trigger gum disease – when the gums become swollen, red, sore and bleed. But the inflammation doesn't stop there – it spreads throughout the rest of the body as well, Powell says. Some people can't comprehend the links between gum and overall health, says Dr Zoe Brookes, an associate professor of dental education and research at the University of Plymouth. 'But imagine having an infected wound the size of your palm,' she says. 'That's how big the infection is if you've got gum disease. That's going to be affecting your whole body as well.' 'I've spent a lifetime trying to increase awareness of the value and importance of cleaning between the teeth and that's what [all dentists] need to do, so patients are more inclined to do it,' says Powell. Simply flossing for a few minutes a day will not only keep you in your dentists' good books but also help you to dodge an array of health problems. Here's how. 1. Flossing every day will lower your risk of stroke Flossing just once a week cuts the risk of having a stroke by 44 per cent, according to one recent paper from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Scientists looked at the health records of more than 6,000 people and found that those who flossed weekly were also 12 per cent less likely to develop atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat). The experts believe their findings may be down to flossing reducing the chance of oral infections and lowering inflammation in the body, which in turn reduces the risk of suffering a stroke and heart problems. 'We know that people who have gum disease are more likely to have cardiovascular disease,' says Brookes. As well as inflammation in the mouth causing problems for the heart, it could also be that the bacteria that infects unhealthy gums travels to the blood vessels, she notes. For example, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a bacteria that drives gum disease, has been detected in atherosclerotic plaques (a build-up of fats in the artery walls), which suggests a causal link between gum and poor heart health, Brookes explains. 2. It will help protect your brain health A recent study from the University of Exeter linked the presence of P. gingivalis in the mouth – the bacteria known to fuel gum disease – with a decline in brain function. The team, who analysed saliva samples from 115 people aged over 50, found that P. gingivalis was more common in people with memory problems. Another family of bacteria linked to poor oral health, called Prevotella was also linked to poor brain health. Keeping teeth clean – through brushing and flossing – is key for protecting brain health, the scientists concluded. A separate paper, from a team at Tohoku University in Japan, found people with gum disease and tooth loss had shrinking in the hippocampus (part of the brain critical for memory and learning). The researchers said their findings should encourage people to take better care of their teeth. 3. It reduces your risk of rheumatoid arthritis Doctors know that rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system going into overdrive and mistakenly attacking the cells that line the joints. Research suggests that flare-ups in the condition – causing swollen, stiff and painful joints – may be caused by gum disease. A study from The Rockefeller University suggests that bacteria present in the mouth of patients with gum disease can leak through the gums, into the bloodstream and activate the immune system, causing arthritis symptoms to worsen. 'It does make sense,' says Brookes. 'In rheumatoid arthritis, there's an antibody – citrullinated proteins – that initiates an immune response. There could be an indirect link between gum disease and the activation of this antibody, which then goes on to affect the joints,' she explains. 4. Flossing regularly could lower your pancreatic cancer risk Maintaining good oral health has been linked to a lower risk of pancreatic cancer. That's according to a study from NYU Langone Medical Center. Researchers compared saliva samples from 720 people, half of whom later develop pancreatic cancer. Results showed that those with high levels of P. gingivalis had a 59 per cent higher risk of developing the cancer. Explaining their findings, the scientist suggested that the inflammation caused by P. gingivalis may have caused inflammation in the pancreas which led to cancer, or that the bacteria may have been a signal of cancer-causing inflammation. 'The links between cancer and gum disease is a more controversial area,' Brookes notes. There have been some individual studies showing a connection but association has not been the subject of a systemic review, she says. 5. Slashes Type 2 diabetes risk 'Poor oral health has been linked with Type 2 diabetes,' Brookes notes. That's because having gum disease is known to increase blood sugar levels, which in turn increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Additionally, gum disease triggers inflammation throughout the body, which is another risk factor for the condition. People who have type 2 diabetes are also at greater risk of gum disease, as they have a more aggressive inflammatory response to the bacteria in their mouth, she says. 'There's a bit of a chicken and egg – gum disease might cause diabetes but diabetes actually might make gum disease worse as well.' How to floss and use interdental brushes Flossing
