Gum Problems, Erection Problems May be Related

Gum Problems, Erection Problems May be Related

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 05 December 2012 10:44

Men in their 30s with inflamed gums may also have erection problems, according to a new study.

The study appeared in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. The correlation involving inflamed gums and erection problems was shown to exist when the inflammation was caused by severe periodontal disease.

To compile the data, a group of Turkish researchers analyzed information about 80 men ages 30 to 40 with erectile dysfunction and compared the results to 82 men without any erection problems.

The information showed that about 53 percent of the men with erectile dysfunction had inflamed gums while only 23 percent of the men with without erectile dysfunction had inflamed gums.

When other factors were taken into account, such as age, body mass index, education, etc. the men with severe periodontal disease were 3.29 times more likely to have erection problems when compared to men with healthy gums.

The average age of the men in the study was just under 36 and there weren’t many differences in the other factors that could have had an impact on the study participants. Their sexual function was determined by utilizing the International Index of Erectile Function and gum health was based on the plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing depth and clinical attachment level.

Erectile dysfunction and chronic periodontitis have similar risk factors, which could explain the results of the survey. This study explored men ages 30 to 40 to analyze the impact of chronic periodontitis on erectile dysfunction without being affected by aging

Fluoridation Issue Pops Up Again in Florida

Fluoridation Issue Pops Up Again in Florida

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 06 December 2012 12:15

An area of Florida will begin to fluoridate its water again.

Pinellas County in Florida finally came to this conclusion after a heated public debate, grassroots education and advocacy from dentists, and voters’ rejection of two previous county commissioners. That’s all it took for the Pinellas County Commission to vote, 6-1, in favor of reinstating fluoridation to the county’s roughly 700,000 residents. The decision was made after three hours of public testimony for and against fluoridation.

The water fluoridation will take effect in March.

The issue began in October 2011 after the commission voted, 4-3, against fluoridating water. The original goal was to cut costs for the county but it developed into a debate about fluoridation.

Each side made its opinion heard, with dentists and dental societies in the area starting a grassroots program to inform people about fluoridation.

The tide turned in favor of fluoridating water when Republicans Nancy Bostock and Neil Brickfield lost their seats in the county commission to Democrats Charlie Justice and Janet Long. It was only a matter of time before the previous vote against fluoridation was overturned.

The issue will likely turn out as something beneficial for Pinellas County. The people are now more educated about the impact of fluoridation than they previously were. The debate about the positive or negative impact of fluoridation will continue for some people but the residents of Pinellas County don’t have to worry about it for now.

Periodontitis may be Preventable

Periodontitis may be Preventable




Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 07 December 2012 16:50



There could be a new method to stop periodontitis.

By blocking a molecular receptor that is usually targeted by bacteria, scientists from the University of Pennsylvania have shown the ability to prevent periodontitis in a mouse model. They also demonstrated the ability to stop the progression of the disease once it has already begun developing.

The study appeared in the Journal of Immunology.

Previous research showed that Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is the bacterium that causes periodontitis, basically hijacks a receptor on white blood cells. The receptor, C5aR, is part of the complement system, which is also part of the immune system that aids in fighting infection.

There were several other studies that enabled these researchers to come to their conclusion. These studies confirmed the idea that the C5aR receptor could be successful in curbing all types of periodontitis, not just the form that includes P. gingivalis.

More tests will be conducted on mice and other animals to make sure the results would have the same impact on humans.