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Flu Spread on Airplanes

Are you ever concerned about someone exhibiting signs of illness (persistent coughing or sneezing) while you are traveling on an airline?  I can tell you that it crosses my mind ever time I fly.  Please read the recent June 15 HealthDay News article linked below.

There appears to be a 2 seat “Hot Zone” according to research published in July by Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Travelers were at a 3.6 percent increased risk for flu if they sat within two rows of a passenger with symptoms, and this risk jumped to 7.7 percent for those who sat within two seats of the sick passenger, the study showed. The two-seat danger zone refers to a sick passenger seated in the two seats in front of you, two seats behind you or two seats to either side of you.

Still, “it’s not a given, but our 2x2x2 seats box is definitely the highest risk zone,” said study author Dr. Paul M. Kelly, an associate professor at Australian National University in Canberra.”

Please review this article if you are planning to travel.

Click Here for the link

To your good health

Gum Disease Linked to Anaemia

A new study published in the Journal of Periodontology April 2011 suggests that chronic periodontal disease can result in the reduction of red blood cells and hemoglobin leading to the blood disorder anaemia.

Following a six month course to improve their oral health, all patients had improved levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and all other clinical measures to assess the health of the blood.

Don’t underestimate the importance of good oral health to the body’s general health. There continues to be overwhelming evidence that poor oral health can effect the rest of the body.

Clink Here for the link 

To your good health

Burning Mouth Syndrome

In a recent article of General Dentistry May 2011 - Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) effects nearly 5% of Americans causing a burning sensation, most commonly on the top of the tongue, lower lip and roof of the mouth.

The cause is currently unknown but is believed to be a neuropathic condition that effects women more than men by a ration of 7:1 especially in their menopausal or post menopausal years.

With no physical signs, it is very difficult for health care practitioners to recognize, diagnose and manage BMS. 

No cure currently exists but there are medications, lifestyle and remedies that can help manage this condition.

The Mayo Clinic recommends the following lifestyle and remedies:

• Drink more fluids, to help ease the feeling of dry mouth.
• Don’t use tobacco products.
• Avoid products with cinnamon or mint.
• Avoid spicy-hot foods.
• Avoid acidic foods and liquids, such as tomatoes, orange juice, soft drinks and coffee.
• Try different brands of toothpaste.
• Take steps to reduce excessive stress.

Click Here for the link

To your good health

OralDNA Labs

Please take a few moments to view these informative videos from Dr. Tom Nabors discussing the various tests from Oral DNA.  These simple salivary diagnostic test are available and can be performed by your dentist.

They can provide you and your dentist with information that will be extremely helpful in treating periodontal disease.  For example, you will find what your genetic predisposition to periodontal disease and the specific oral pathogens that are contributing to this inflammatory disease process.

I have used these tests and have found them extremely valuable in initiating a treatment protocol to control periodontal infections.

Click Here for the link

To your good health

HPV Might Be Linked to Lung Cancer

HealthDay News April 4, 2011 - Human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted disease that accounts for most cases of cervical cancer, may also play a role in lung cancer, researchers report.

Preliminary results warrant further investigation but a casual relationship has been established.

There is a simple salivary diagnostic test available from OralDNA Labs that can be performed by your dentist that indicates if you are positive for HVP.  If you are in a high risk category, ask your dentist to have the test done at your next appointment.

Click Here for the link

To your good health

U.S. Calls for “Phase Down” of Dental Mercury

PRNewswire April 20,2011 - “The U.S. position marks the beginning of the end of dental amalgam globally”, said Charlie Brown, national counsel for Consumers of Dental Choice.

The U.S. position calls for a “phase down, with the goal of eventual phase out by all Parties, of mercury amalgam.”

The State Department position also called for:

“educating patients and parents (about amalgam) in order to protect children and fetuses.”

“training of dental professionals on the environmental impacts of mercury in dental amalgams.”

Click Here for the link

To your good health

United Nations Urged to Ban Mercury in Vaccines

In the April 16, 2011 article published by PRNewswire the Coalition for Mercury Free-Drugs has urged the United Nations to ban worldwide the use of vaccines containing a neurotoxic compound, Thimerosal.

Rev. Lisa K Sykes, President of the Coalition for Mercury-Free Drugs stated “ “While Thimerosal has been removed from most vaccines in the United States, pharmaceutical companies and the World Health Organization continue to dump mercury-laced vaccines on developing countries.  No ethic can justify providing prosperous nations with mercury-free vaccines while endangering children in poor nations by exposing them to this neurotoxin.”

Click Here for the link

To your good health

Fluoride Causes Hypothyroidism and Low Body Voltage

I have been blessed with many wonderful patients who send me articles on topical concerns regarding health and dentistry.  The following is an excellent example.

The thyroid gland controls the rate at which the body produces energy, and is instrumental in the development of the bones, brain, and nervous system. Hypothyroidism (an under-performing thyroid) is expressed by a depressed body temperature and voltage, and is linked to many diseases.

Dr. Jerry Tennant describes how fluoride “bullies out” the iodine (an essential component) in the thyroid hormone, which regulates the body’s voltage. If your body does not have proper voltage, it will not “heal” like it should because “healing” is simply cells reproducing to create new cells, which then replace the older damaged cells, and -50 mV’s of voltage is required for cells to do this. This means that sufferers of lowered body voltage induced by fluoride consumption are more vulnerable to all types of diseases and injuries.

Take a few minutes to view this video on Parents Place.

Click Here for the link

To your good health

Overuse of Antibiotics in Dentistry

An interesting article by Dr. Mercola titled What NOT to Do Before Your Next Dental Appointment provides a good overview on the overuse of antibiotics in dentistry.  In 2007 the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Dental Association (ADA) reversed their earlier recommendation that patients with every type of congenital heart defects received antibiotics 1 hour prior to dental procedures.

Today antibiotics are only recommended for patients who have an artificial heart valve or repaired with artificial material, a history of endocarditis, certain congenital heart defects and a heart transplant with abnormal heart valve problem.  The AHA and the ADA no longer recommends the use of antibiotics for routine dental procedures.

Dr. Mercola does a good job of explaining the consequences of antibiotic overuse, common drug resistant bacteria, as well as dietary choices that can contribute to rising antibiotic resistance.

One of the keys to lowering the bacterial count in your mouth is performing good oral hygiene - brushing, flossing, oral irrigation and regular visits to your dentist.

Click Here for the link

To your good health

Fluoride Levels in Tap Water Too High

The US Federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced last month that fluoride levels in tap water are too high, with children being the most risk to toxic levels, thus spurring on the search for healthier alternatives for protecting children’s teeth.

• Fluoride, originally credited with reducing tooth decay, has been the source of civic debate for many years both in the US and abroad. In the US, in addition to fluoride in the water, children are often given fluoride toothpaste and even fluoride supplements.
• New evidence shows that 2 out of 5 children suffer from a condition called ‘fluorosis’, where fluoride intake has reached toxic levels. Symptoms include white spots on teeth and pitting in the tooth enamel which is aesthetically unappealing.
• While fluorosis is currently the main concern behind the HHS announcement, a 2006 scientific report concluded that individuals who consume a lifetime of too much fluoride may suffer crippling bone abnormalities and brittleness. Even more alarming, if a child under the age of six swallows a larger-than-normal amount of fluoride toothpaste, it can be fatal, which is why there is a warning on all toothpastes containing fluoride. 
• View the Fluoride Action Network’s response to the HHS  - “The time has come to end fluoridation completely.”
• Click Here for the link
• To your good health