February 8th, 2009 admin
A recent study conducted by Case Western Reserve and Yale Universities has revealed that previously unknown bacteria could be responsible for pre-term births. These bacteria were found in the mouth and it is estimated that it could be the cause of 80% of premature births in the US.
Preventing pre-term births could be as easy as encouraging good oral hygiene or prescribing antibiotics during pregnancy. This study was published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.
“The earlier the woman goes into pre-term labor, the higher the chance that she will be infected,” said Yiping Han, a doctor at Case Western University involved with the study and an author for the published findings.
In the United States 12% of all births are classified as pre-term which is defined as a pregnancy lasting less than 37 weeks; the normal gestation period of humans is 40 weeks. This pre-term birth rate is about 30% higher than the statistics from 1981 and the reasons are still unknown. Premature babies are susceptible to mental retardation, vision and hearing problems and in some cases death.
Because the process of labor is still quite unknown to scientists and biologists it is difficult to determine the exact cause of pre-term births. Everything from genetics to infections are related causes to pre-term births but none of them are completely definitive at this time.
When Dr. Han and her collaborative research team infected laboratory mice with a previously unknown bacterium Bergeyella, they caused pre-term births.
Research done in human pregnancies, have displayed a correlation between infections and premature pregnancies. Doctors and researchers took samples of amniotic fluid from 46 different women with a high risk of pre term labor. Out of these women 21 of them delivered pre-term babies, 32 weeks or earlier, and close to 85% were found to have bacteria that had not been known beforehand.
These bacteria are typically found in the mouth but should a cut or cavity be present the bacteria can spread into the blood stream and cause an immune system response. After entering the blood stream they can move within the blood stream and collect in the uterus which has the capabilities of inflaming the uterus and causing premature labor.
Identification of the infection is performed through the use of a polymerase chain reaction test which is far more meticulous and sensitive than standard testing. By using this new technique doctors and scientists are able to find the Bergeyella bacterium as well as the genetic markers for 10 or 11 different bacteria that have not previously been identified.
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January 17th, 2009 admin
The FDA in the United State s is about to make one of the biggest changes to dentistry in history. They plan on limiting the use of a 19th century dentistry technology known as amalgam fillings. Although these fillings are called ‘silver fillings,’ they are in fact only 25% silver. Half of the material used in the fillings is mercury.
According to the World Health Organization there is no safe level of mercury and as mercury is the only metal that is a liquid at room temperature, its vapors are harmful and can cause neurological damage. Mercury causes permanent damage to fetuses, kidney damage in adults and developmental disorders in children. This is not the case with lead which affects are acute when a child ingests it. Amalgam fillings according to the US Center for Disease Control, are a main source for exposure to mercury in our society.
In the early days of dentistry when alternatives to amalgam were extremely expensive, such as gold, the dangers of mercury were not fully understood. Today composite materials can be used instead of mercury. Composites are white resin-like substances that pose no threat to your health. The composites do take slightly longer to place, but it is a small price to pay. Those with more resources have composites as the standard material as they can afford modern dentistry practices, but those less fortunate, mercury is still being used. In 2003 before U.S. House Subcommittee on Wellness and Human Rights, Emmitt Carlton, a Washington lawyer, indicated that American dentistry provided ‘choice for the rich, mercury for the poor.’
On October 1st 2007, the Corzine administration in New Jersey, ordered all dentists to implement mercury collectors and separators to their waste water to prevent it from becoming a part of the water supply. The Mercury Policy Project has shown that dental practices produce the largest amount of mercury contamination in our water supplies. This makes the taxpayers the primary source of funding for its clean up which is grossly unfair.
The same decree from the state Department of Environmental Protection also stated that dentists must use an alternative to amalgam when applicable. A good portion of dentists, about one third to one half, already have stopped using amalgam.
The real question should be why are so many dentists still using amalgam with all of its pollution and health risks? Not why have so many dentists stopped its use.
Senator Ronald Rice, has taken an active interest in this matter by sponsoring a bill that is to research the use of mercury fillings and how it affects health and occupations. The Attorney General of New Jersey, Anne Milgram, led the states to persuade the Bush administration to enforce more laws against mercury pollution in an effort to stop its use.
One in eight women capable of becoming pregnant, says the US EPA, already has such a high level of mercury in their systems that they are at risk of delivering a baby with brain damage. Pregnant women are advised to not eat tuna for fear of receiving too much mercury which leads to birth defects. Knowing this, if a dentist told a pregnant woman she was about to have mercury fillings she would undoubtedly leave the office in a flash.
Mercury pollution is so prevalent in New Jersey that it actually ships it to other locations in the US such as Nevada and with the Mercury Export Ban of 2008 it cannot be shipped outside of the country. Incidentally, President Elect Obama, then Sen. Obama, was a chief proponent of the bill. This may foreshadow the new administration’s policies toward the use of mercury and its polluting effects.
A good portion of dental workers are females of child bearing age which raises more questions of its use. These are the individuals most commonly setting the fillings and are exposed to even higher levels of mercury because of it. These are the people who should be the most adamant about the use of the amalgam fillings, but are exposed to mercury vapors every time an amalgam capsule is opened for use.
In the private sector in New Jersey, OSHA is in charge of occupational health while the public sector is controlled by New Jersey Public Employees Occupational Safety & Health program (“PEOSH”). To their credit, PEOSH is ahead of the rest of the country in setting standards for the use of alternatives to mercury. It has, however, not even issued a warning in the state prison system where mercury fillings are still being used.
While the administration of New Jersey has implemented several environmental policies toward the use of mercury, it has not enforced these for the employees working with and around amalgam fillings. This contrast creates a dangerous environment to their workers and their children for generations to come.
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November 30th, 2008 admin
Historic Legislation – Informed Consent for Dental Patients Undergoing Amalgam Restorations
Mercury is one of the most dangerous substances and toxins known to man. The Norwegian government, having realized these dangers, has banned the use of mercury in all products produced, exported or imported. Erik Solheim, the Norwegian Minister of Environmental and International Development, suspended the use of mercury in dental filling materials, namely amalgam, instruments as well as other products. As of January 1 2008 Sweden announced a similar ban as well as Denmark taking effect in April of 2008. Although the United States has not taken a leadership position on this issue, which is unfortunate, several states have taken it upon themselves to enact Informed Consent Legislation. States that have taken a step forward include Maine, California, Connecticut, North Carolina and Vermont.
Will Ohio or Gahanna enact legistlation that requires informed consent when they place this toxic material into your teeth?
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November 30th, 2008 admin
Examining the Risk of Lead in Dental Restorations.
Recently, the concern of lead content in toys manufactured in China has caused an increase in the awareness of lead and its dangers. These are toys that are children play with and use daily, putting them in the mouths as all kids do. While our concern of the lead content in our children’s toys has risen, what about concern for the lead used in dental restorations?
Early in 2008, Columbus Ohio’s Channel 10 News reported on a dental patient becoming ill after a new bridge had been placed in her mouth.
http://www.wbns10tv.com/live/content/teninvestigates/stories/2008/03/31/lead_lewis.html?sid=102
http://www.wbns10tv.com/live/content/teninvestigates/stories/2008/11/19/story_lead_dental.htm
http://www.10tv.com/live/content/teninvestigates/stories/2008/05/06/lead_washington.html?sid=102
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/health/stories/2008/02/28/DentalLead.ART_ART_02-28-08_A1_GJ9FVGD.html?sid=101
Claims were substantiated by the Columbus Dispatch in February of 2008. News channel 10 followed the elderly woman after she had fallen ill after receiving some dental work. Her medical doctor could make no relation for her sickness to anything but the new bridge that had been placed in her mouth. After finding that the bridge was made in China, the doctor instructed her dentist top remove the bridge to have it tested. The results returned and the bridge was found to have toxic levels of lead. The problem is that patients seeking lower costs in dental care may be receiving potentially toxic products placed in them without knowing it.
PPO and HMO dentists have to save money to be part of the preferred provider network and this leads them to outsource materials from China; there really is no other reason to do so. Some patients wantsto save money by finding the least expensive crown or bridge “in network,” which is understandable. Beware, if you do not know your dentist you may be getting inferior or toxic materials place within your body. Meet with your dentist before hand and tour his or her practice. This will give you a good idea of how the practice is run. It will also show you how current the technology used actually is. We use the latest technology and the highest quality materials at my office, StoneRidge Dental. As a matter of fact, I usually make a weekly visit to the dental laboratory here in the Columbus area to monitor my patients’ cases.
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November 30th, 2008 admin
Evaluating the Link between Mouth and Body and General Health.
Our mouths indicate so much about our health, from basic hygiene to links between diseases and gum health. As the eyes are known as the gateways to our souls, so too could our mouths be the windows to our bodies. Recent studies have shown that there are strong links between the health of your gums and mouth in general to Diabetes, Stroke and even Heart Disease. Low birth weight has also been connected to poor mouth health. Many people don’t consider an illness as the cause of their persistent gum or tooth issues, OR VISA VERSA!.
At my office, (StoneRidge Dental), http://www.marklevydds.com I not only consider your teeth and gum health but your health in general. Our staff is highly trained and skilled in examining gum health and work with me to determine if health risks related to a patient’s gums and teeth exist. If such a concern is raised through an exam the patient’s primary physician is notified immediately. Many people are not closely monitored and their health could be improved by a simple change in medication or diet. There are some patients who simply forget to take their medication, and a pre-exam screening can be a friendly reminder. We consider our patient’s overall health is our job, not just their teeth.
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November 30th, 2008 admin
Ban of Amalgam in Norway – from the desk of Dr. Mark Levy, Gahanna Ohio.
As the debate over whether or not amalgam is safe to use rages on in the United States, Norway has decided to ban the use of mercury in production, importing and exporting. Despite the reports from the EU stating that it poses no risk to humans.
This ban encompasses amalgam fillings, thermometers and any other product that contains mercury. Norway’s minister of the environment, Erik Solheim, stated that the ban was made to protect the environment. “Mercury is one of the most dangerous environmental toxins,” he says. “Satisfactory alternatives to mercury in products are available, and it is therefore fitting to introduce a ban.” Sweden has also banned the use of mercury in a similar manner.
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October 12th, 2008 admin
Did you know that a single mercury thermometer has enough of liquid mercury to contaminate a 10 acre lake?
Imagine then what could have happened at Gahanna Middle School had this incident turned out differently. In 2004 a mercury thermometer was found after science students participated in an outdoor experiment at the school. A teacher discovered the broken mercury thermometer late in the day, around 2:30pm just before school was to cease for the day. School officials wasted no time in calling the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to commence detection of mercury in the school and on the students’ clothing.
The main concern, said Michael Dalton of the Ohio EPA, was that mercury vapors and residues can cause neurological damage.
Using a mercury detection meter no mercury or residue was found on any of the children exposed to the mercury or their clothing, to the relief of parents patiently awaiting their release. Over 500 students were kept inside until 5:30pm to effectively check for any remaining mercury. Parents did not mind waiting outside, in fact most were appreciative for the care taken by the EPA and school officials. Terri Liechty said “This is inconvenient, but it’s worth it to know our children are safe.” A grandmother waiting for her grandson Lucas stated “I don’t mind waiting at all, I’m just glad everything is OK.”
This is the same mercury that is mixed with a powder before being placed into teeth. You may know my favorite comment on this:
THERE ARE ONLY TWO PLACES THAT THE EPA AND THE DENTAL ESTABLISHMENT TELLS DENTISTS TO STORE THIS MATERIAL. ONE IS IN HAZARDOUS WASTE CONTAINERS. THE OTHER IS IN YOUR TEETH!
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October 11th, 2008 admin
The FDA did in fact settle a lawsuit with opponents of dental amalgam in June of 2008. The group was seeking a complete and outright ban of dental amalgam. The ADA and FDA have differing views on what transpired; the ADA considers it to be a changing of policy and warnings rather than a call to stop using the material. Opponents claim it to be dangerous and unfit for use in treatments.
The outcome of the settlement has prompted new warnings on the dental amalgam, not an industry ban. The FDA has issued warnings against using the product on “developing children and fetuses” a more specialized distinction in the use of amalgam. Many newspaper headlines and articles have not or do not warn pregnant moms and children directly. An indirect statement such as “Pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure….” The FDA was accepting comments on this issue until the end of July 2008.
Regardless of the comments submitted to the FDA, the new regulations will not likely remove dental amalgam from the market. Pepper Long, an FDA spokes person, said “We might perhaps be more likely to have more warnings.” It will fall in the hands of the dentist and their patients to decide what the best solution is, the same as it ever was. Charles C. Brown, chief counsel for the Consumers for Dental Choice, encourages lawsuits against dentist using the material. “If a dentist wants to keep his yacht or second home, he better stop giving this to people.”
Brown believes these new “warnings” and “statements” on the FDA website are the start of a complete ban on amalgam use in the United States. The final decision by the FDA he hopes will include all women of child bearing age, all children, not just those under 6 years of age, and even older children. The FDA started this reclassification of dental amalgam back in 2002, and it sees these warnings and statements as the end result of this process.
The ADA makes no reference to the FDA statements on this issue and has declined to talk or speak with reporters and websites covering this topic. If the new rule or warnings are implemented by the FDA, they will, more than likely, be accompanied by proper use instructions, how to handle instructions and standards for the packaging. Most of the research conducted on this issue supports the continued use of the product, not the ban of its use. Other studies conducted in Portugal and New England showed that children with amalgam restorations showed no signs of harming the children. No signs of neurological concerns or problems have ever been recorded.
A portion of the opponents even agree that there is no direct evidence of harm using amalgam, but James S. Woods, Ph.D., M.P.H, a chemist who participated in the study in Portugal, want the use of dental amalgam stopped. Being a heavy metals researcher he says different people can be affected by mercury based materials, especially those with developing brains and bodies. This is not a concern founded in concrete data, and is speculative at best.
Although the powers at large are still deciding what to do, they have set a date to make their decision. In the next 12 months the FDA will issue its statement on this issue, so we at least will have a decision by next year.
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