Antibiotic Use – and Overuse

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious public health problems in the United States and threatens to return us to the time when simple infections were often fatal. CDC works to improve antibiotic prescribing and use in human health care, and educate patients about the importance of appropriate use. …

Vaping Can Have Similar Effect On Teeth As Cigarette Smoking

Health discusses the effects vaping may have on the teeth, featuring information from American Dental Association spokesperson Dr. Matthew Messina. Vaping adds “heat in the mouth,” Dr. Messina says, which “changes the bacterial presence in the mouth. It dries the mouth out.” Dr. Messina adds, “[The] rate of tooth decay …

Prenatal Vitamin D Intake May Reduce Risk Of Enamel Defects In Children

The New York Times reports, “Women who take large doses of vitamin D during pregnancy may be giving their children a lower risk of dental problems,” a “double-blinded clinical trial” suggests. Researchers randomly assigned 623 women into two groups and beginning on the “24th week of pregnancy, one group took …

Antibiotic-Resistant Microbes May Be Leading Cause Of Death By 2050, WHO Says

Newsweek reports that the World Health Organization estimates the “worldwide death rates from drug-resistant microbes will climb from the current 700,000 per year to 10 million by 2050,” surpassing “cancer, heart disease and diabetes to become the main cause of death” for humans. Health care providers are “scrambling to tighten …

Poor Oral Health In Childhood May Increase Heart Disease Risk In Adulthood

Reuters reports in continuing coverage that research suggests kids “who develop cavities and gum disease may be more likely to develop risk factors for heart attacks and strokes decades later than kids who have good oral health.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open. Medscape reports the study authors …

Periodontitis May Increase Risk Of Developing Dementia

Forbes contributor Robert Glatter, MD, states that “researchers in South Korea studied the relationship between chronic periodontitis and dementia over a 10 year period,” finding those with “chronic periodontitis had a 6% higher risk for dementia compared to those without periodontitis,” even “after controlling for behaviors such as smoking, consuming alcohol, …

Gum Disease May Play Role In Alzheimer’s Development, Researchers Suggest

The Telegraph (UK) reports that “gum disease may play a pivotal role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, scientists believe.” According to the article, “Researchers said they now had ‘solid evidence’ that the bacteria which causes periodontitis produces an enzyme which destroys neurons leading to memory loss.” The article says that …