Dental implants have been used for several decades. They are manufactured anchors that look like cylinders or screws. Implants are artificial replacements for natural tooth roots which are made of titanium and other materials that are well suited to the human body. They attach to the jawbone to become a stable base for replacement teeth. Implants can be used to replace single teeth or to support partial or full dentures.
Molly C. Braswell
Suddenly it seems probiotics has become a household word we hear touted as an active ingredient in all kinds of foods and supplements. But how many of us really understand what they are and how they work. The name itself, probiotics sounds a little like a made-up antagonist to prescription antibiotics, and in a way, that isn’t far from the truth.
Probiotics, the common name for the microscopic bacteria that are slowly rising to the proverbial surface as one of medicine’s trendiest avenues to a healthier lifestyle, actually means “for life.” And they can indeed have a beneficial effect on our lives.
Even if you’re not consciously including probiotics in your diet in the form of a specific food or supplement, you’re likely doing it without even knowing it, when you eat raw fruits and vegetables for example. Probiotic bacteria are similar to those naturally found in the human digestive tract and play an important role in how the body works. They help us digest food, fight bad bacteria and can even help train the immune system to work better.
Probiotics change the acidic environment of the intestine creating less than desirable conditions for harmful bacteria and preventing them from multiplying.
“An unhealthy diet can ruin the community of balanced bacteria in our digestive tract,” adds Dr. Joseph White, Internal Medicine Specialist of the Optimum Health Wellness Center in Jackson. “When you eat healthy foods that are high in fiber, the ‘small carbohydrates’ contained in the fiber actually feed the friendly bacteria and help them establish themselves in your body.”
Our bodies need a wide variety of bacteria to function best and remain healthy. People who have been sick or whose diets don’t include a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables should consider incorporating probiotics into their diets.
These microorganisms are available without a doctor’s prescription and are relatively easy to find at a pharmacy, health-food store or even the local grocery store. Eating raw fruits and vegetables is an ideal way to boost your intake of probiotics, but some other foods that are extremely rich in probiotics are yogurt, sauerkraut, miso (a traditional Japanese fermented soybean paste used to make miso soup or added as a seasoning), and kimchi (a traditional Korean dish made from fermented vegetables).
“If you pick up a cabbage, you’ll notice a white sheen on the leaves,” says Patrick Jerome, produce manager at Rainbow Whole Foods Co-Op Grocery in the Fondren Business District. “That white sheen is actually probiotic bacteria that are found naturally in cabbage and many other fresh foods.”
“It’s important to note that probiotics cannot survive an environment hotter than 100 degrees,” says Jerome. “If you add foods such as kimchi or miso to a dish for their probiotics, cook the main dish first and then add the probiotic ingredient
after the rest of the dish has cooled.”
Probiotics are also found in the yeast of many beers and wines. “Your average light beer is not going to have it”, says Jerome. “They intentionally filter out the yeast. But a lot of your home brews and craft beers have it. If you take a beer and hold it up, and there’s an unfiltered haze at the bottom—that’s the yeast. You won’t find probiotics in liquors because they are distilled at higher temperatures, and the active bacteria can’t survive the process.”
Many consumers prefer to get their probiotics in the form of a daily supplement, although the best way to add them to your diet is in food.
To maximize the benefit of the supplement’s, choose one that contains as many strains of probiotic bacteria as possible or one created specifically for a particular group of people, such as seniors, infants or women.
Scientists have clinically documented more than 400 strains of probiotics, and they believe thousands more exist. As beneficial as probiotics can be for your body, they may have some unpleasant side effects, although they are relatively uncommon and may be related to pre-existing conditions, such as autoimmune disorders.
When taken after antibiotic treatments by someone who did not previously have a normal level of good bacteria in the digestive system, the individual might experience intestinal discomfort or severe flatulence. As with all dietary supplements, it is best to discuss the use of probiotics with your primary care provider before adding them to your diet.
We still don’t know all the ways probiotic bacteria help the body function, but we do know that when taken properly, they can help boost the body’s ability to protect itself against harmful invaders. Probiotics are also being studied for their potential to fight cancer, heart disease and kidney stones.
Q. What could be causing my jaw to be sore when I awake in the morning?
A. Bruxism, commonly known as tooth grinding, is the clenching together of the bottom and upper jaw accompanied by the grinding of the lower set of teeth with the upper set.
Bruxism is a subconscious behavior. Although it can occur during the waking hours, bruxism most frequently occurs while we sleep.
Often it is a partner who tells one about the nighttime sounds that they produce. During sleep, the biting force (the force at which the jaws clench together) can be up to six times greater than the pressure during waking hours. Consequently, significant damage occurs with this nighttime habit.
Bruxism can lead to pain in the facial muscles, cause headaches, and even earaches. Facial muscles often feel sore, tender or tight especially in the morning. Bruxism can lead to the following:
- Cosmetic Damage
- Sensitive teeth
- Fractured Teeth and Fillings
- TMJ Damage
If you suspect that you suffer from bruxism, see your dentist. There are several ways to treat this problem.
Q: I drink bottled water, am I missing out on the benefits of fluoride?
A: Research has shown that fluoride reduces cavities in both children and adults. It also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay.
If bottled water is your main source of drinking water, you could be missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride. The majority of bottled waters on the market do not contain optimal levels (0.7-1.2 ppm) of fluoride.
However, the IBWA (International Bottle Water Association) says that there are more than 20 brands of bottled water with added fluoride available to consumers today. When fluoride is added to bottle water, the FDA requires that the term “fluoridated,” “fluoride added,” or “ with added fluoride” be used on the label.
If you feel as though you are missing out on the benefits of fluoride, speak with your dentist. There are many fluoride supplements available, which can be recommended.
So, the next time you drink bottled water, look to see if your favorite brand contains fluoride.
American Heart Association
Due to a great response to our article last week, listed below are the new guidelines set by the AHA for antibiotic prophylaxis before a dental procedure.
Preventive antibiotics prior to a dental procedure are advised for patients with:
1. artificial heart valves
2. a history of infective endocarditis
3. certain specific, serious congenital (present from birth) heart conditions including
- unrepaired or incompletely repaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including those with palliative shunts and conduits
- a completely repaired congenital heart defect with prosthetic material or device, whether placed by surgery or by catheter invention, during the first six months after the procedure
- any repaired congenital heart defect with residual defect at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or a prosthetic device
4. a cardiac transplant that develops a problem in a heart valve
If you have any questions or concerns, ALWAYS discuss them with your dentist before your dental procedure.
Due to a great response to our article last week, listed below are the new guidelines set by the AHA for antibiotic prophylaxis before a dental procedure.
Preventive antibiotics prior to a dental procedure are advised for patients with:
- artificial heart valves
- a history of infective endocarditis
- certain specific, serious congenital (present from birth) heart conditions including
–unrepaired or incompletely repaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including those with palliative shunts and conduits
–a completely repaired congenital heart defect with prosthetic material or device, whether placed by surgery or by catheter invention, during the first six months after the procedure
–any repaired congenital heart defect with residual defect at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or a prosthetic device
4. a cardiac transplant that develops a problem in a heart valve.
Kalil Abide, DDS – Harmony Dental Care – (601) 713-1923
Yes, your diet plays a big role in your oral health. Tons of sugar rich soft drinks, sweetened fruit drinks, and non-nutritious snack foods that we consume these days bring us closer to a dental emergency. Eating patterns and food choices are important factors that may affect how quickly tooth decay may develop.
The naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth thrive on the starches and sugars found in many foods. When teeth aren’t cleaned after eating, harmful, sticky plaque will form. The bacteria in the plaque use the sugar and starch to produce acids that can destroy the enamel of the tooth. The more often you eat and the longer foods are in your mouth, the more damage can occur. Let’s have a look at some of the important points that must be remembered by heart:
- Take healthy diet. Go for healthful, nutritious food, which contains vitamin C, and calcium. Citrus fruits, strawberries and kiwifruit are good sources of vitamin C.
- Make sure water is readily available, and drink water more often. Water is not only important for a healthy body, but can help to rinse sugars and starches from your teeth.
- Limit eating and drinking between meals. Each time you eat food that contains sugars or starches, the teeth care attacked by acids for 20 minutes or more. Foods such as cheese, raw vegetables, or fresh fruit are good choices.
- Brush and floss effectively each day.