Tuesday, October 27, 2009

ALOE VERA FIGHTS TOOTH DECAY

The aloe vera plant has a long history of healing power. A team of dental researches from India have found that aloe vera tooth gel can be as effective as toothpaste for fighting tooth decay.





The antimicrobial effects of aloe vera have been attributed to the plant's natural anthraqinones, chemical compounds that are used in healing and arresting pain because of their analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory effects. Aloe vera tooth gel does not contain the abrasive elements typically found in commercial toothpaste so it tends to be less harsh on teeth, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive teeth or gums.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009


MERCURY AND AUTISM


Children with and without autism have similar levels of mercury in their blood stream, according to a study published this week in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.


The study is not an examination of whether mercury plays a role in causing the disorder. A variety of sources of mercury in the patient's environments were looked at, including fishing consumption, personal-care products, vaccinations, and dental fillings.


It's time to abandon the idea that a single 'smoking gun' will emerge to explain why so many children are developing autism. The evidence suggests that, without taking account of both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors, the story will remain incomplete.

Thursday, October 8, 2009



Tooth Loss and Dementia


To keep dementia at bay, take care of your teeth. Researchers have found a possible link between tooth loss or having very few teeth- one to nine, to be exact- and the development of dementia later in life.


Dental records and brain function tests were analyzed over a period of 12 years of 144 nuns.


Among the nuns free of dementia at the first cognitive exam, those with no teeth or fewer than nine had a greater than two-fold increased risk of becoming demented later in life compared with those who had 10 or more teeth.


People who suffer from dementia are more likely than their cognitively intact counterparts to have poor oral health, largely due to neglected oral hygiene.


Common underlying conditions may simultaneously contribute to both tooth loss and brain damage, such as early life nutritional deficiencies, infections or chronic diseases.


Does poor oral health contribute to the development of dementia? The research team caution that it is not clear from the study whether the association is causal or casual. But if you want to play safe until a more definitive conclusion, keep your teeth clean!