Latest news with #SchoolofDentistry
The Star
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Bet you didn't know there's a link between the mouth and digestive problems
For many of us, oral health is only a concern when tooth or gum pain occurs. Otherwise, regular dental checks are easily dismissed. However, this neglect can lead to a cascade of issues that include worsening cavities and gum disease as well as heightened risk for digestive problems. This might come as a surprise as the mouth and the gut appear to be completely separate. Professor Seow Liang Lin, dean of IMU University's School of Dentistry explained, 'Bacteria from gum disease can cross the blood barrier and survive gastric juices, allowing it to populate the gut and affect the balance of good gut bacteria that help with digestion. 'It is medically well-established that patients with gum disease are more likely to have inflammatory conditions of the gut such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn's disease.' She added: 'The oral cavity and the gut harbour some of the most dense and diverse microbial communities; they share a common factor, which is the presence of good and bad bacteria that usually exist in balance. 'However, this balance can be disrupted by many factors, such as the presence of oral bacteria in the gut which releases toxins that trigger inflammation, while suppressing the good bacteria that helps to fight inflammation.' Similarly, digestive health issues can also have an impact on oral health. For example, the backflow of acidic stomach juices in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) can erode teeth enamel, leading to thinning of tooth structure, irreversible tooth damage and sensitivity. Moreover, tooth loss has been found to be associated with a lower relative abundance of Faecalibacterium, which secretes short-chain fatty acids believed to have systemic anti-inflammatory effect. 'The relationship between oral health and gut health is more direct than most people realise, and oral health is more important than you think, because it can have an impact on your overall health and well-being. 'The oral cavity acts as a gateway for microbial colonisation, shaping the composition of subsequent microbial communities along the respiratory and digestive systems. 'Dental problems such as decay and gum diseases that have gone unnoticed may eventually lead to tooth loss and result in difficulty in chewing. 'This, in turn, may affect a person's food choices, such as avoiding meats or vegetables in favour of processed foods that are easier to bite into, and lead to malnutrition or constipation,' said Prof Seow. Another factor affecting oral health is smoking, which disrupts gum health in the oral cavity, triggers inflammatory responses in the mouth and reduces blood supply to the gums, leading to gum inflammation. Oral health redefined With ongoing research, more connections between oral health and other diseases may be established, but the existing data on gut health is already compelling and a good reminder to make oral health an important aspect of health. This means getting regular check-ups to detect problems early, when they can still be remedied e.g. tooth decay can cause sensitivity or pain, and thus prompt a visit to the dentist. However, gum disease can often progress without any pain and symptoms like bleeding are often ignored. Over time, the underlying bone structure will be compromised and the tooth become loose. By then, there is nothing that can be done to reverse it, pointed out Prof Seow. 'The usual advice is to see your dentist at least once a year but it is more relevant to look at your risk factors. 'If you have been practicing good oral hygiene and have no known issues, annual check-ups might be sufficient. 'However, the presence of tooth decay or gum disease, or the use of braces or other prosthesis that easily retain plaque, may require more regular attention, perhaps twice a year or even quarterly, depending on your dentist's recommendation,' she said. Prof Seow advocates making your dentist your trusted ally. 'Having a regular dentist who is familiar with your history can encourage more open discussion and education on oral care solutions that are relevant and effective for you,' she concludes.
Sinar Daily
15-06-2025
- Health
- Sinar Daily
The overlooked connection between your mouth and your gut
Poor oral hygiene could be silently disrupting your digestion, triggering inflammation, and compromising your overall health. 06 Jun 2025 02:27pm Having a regular dentist who is familiar with your history can encourage more open discussion and education on oral care solutions that are relevant and effective for you, said Prof Seow Liang Lin. Photo: IMU University FOR many Malaysians, oral health is only a concern when tooth or gum pain occurs, and regular dental checks are easily this neglect can lead to a cascade of issues that include a worsening of cavities and gum disease as well as heightened risk for digestive might come as a surprise – after all, the mouth and the gut appear to be completely Prof Seow Liang Lin, Dean of the School of Dentistry at IMU University said: 'Bacteria from gum disease can cross the blood barrier and survive gastric juices, allowing it to populate the gut and affect the balance of good gut bacteria that help with digestion."It is medically well-established that patients with gum disease are more likely to have inflammatory conditions of the gut such as inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn's disease.' Prof Seow Liang Lin, Dean of the School of Dentistry at IMU University. Photo: IMU University Oral and Gut Health Intertwined Seow also said that the oral cavity and the gut harbour some of the most dense and diverse microbial communities; they share a common factor, which is the presence of good and bad bacteria that usually exist in balance. "However, this balance can be disrupted by many factors, such as the presence of oral bacteria in the gut which releases toxins that trigger inflammation, while suppressing the good bacteria that helps to fight inflammation,' said Seow. Similarly, digestive health issues can also have an impact on oral health. For example, the backflow of acidic stomach juices in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) can erode teeth enamel, leading to thinning of tooth structure, irreversible tooth damage and tooth loss has been found to be associated with a lower relative abundance of Faecalibacterium, which secretes short-chain fatty acids believed to have systemic anti-inflammatory effect.'The relationship between oral health and gut health is more direct than most people realise, and oral health is more important than you think, because it can have an impact on your overall health and wellbeing."The oral cavity acts as a gateway for microbial colonization, shaping the composition of subsequent microbial communities along the respiratory and digestive systems.'Dental problems such as decay and gum diseases that have gone unnoticed may eventually lead to tooth loss and result in difficulty in chewing. This, in turn, may affect a person's food choices, such as avoiding meats or vegetables in favour of processed foods that are easier to bite into, and lead to malnutrition or constipation," she common factor affecting oral health is smoking, which disrupts gum health in the oral cavity, triggers inflammatory responses in the mouth and reduces blood supply to the gums, leading to gum inflammation. The existing data on gut health is already compelling and a good reminder to make oral health equally important as other aspects of health. Photo: Canva Oral Health Redefined With ongoing research, more connections between oral health and other diseases may be established, but the existing data on gut health is already compelling and a good reminder to make oral health equally important as other aspects of means getting regular check-ups to detect problems early, when they can still be instance, tooth decay can cause sensitivity or pain, and thus prompt a visit to the gum disease can often progress without any pain and symptoms like bleeding are often ignored; over time, the underlying bone structure will be compromised and the tooth become loose; by then, there is nothing that can be done to reverse it.'The usual advice is to see your dentist at least once a year but it is more relevant to look at your risk factors. If you have been practicing good oral hygiene and have no known issues, annual check-ups might be sufficient."However, the presence of tooth decay or gum disease, or the use of braces or other prosthesis that easily retain plaque, may require more regular attention, perhaps twice a year or even quarterly, depending on your dentist's recommendation,' said a final word of advice, Seow advocates making your dentist your trusted ally.'Having a regular dentist who is familiar with your history can encourage more open discussion and education on oral care solutions that are relevant and effective for you," she said.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Opinion: Providing oral care through Medicaid helps stabilize the lives of Utah's most vulnerable populations
Parents on Medicaid are able to get oral health care treatment for their children but often have to make the difficult decision to delay their own dental care in order to buy groceries or afford rent. One Utah father had multiple broken teeth and a chronic, infected abscess from an inflamed gum. He shared, 'I've been living with this pain a long, long time. I just don't have any other options.' The federal government requires state Medicaid programs to cover mandatory services like inpatient hospital, physician or laboratory services. However, dental services are only required for high-risk groups like pregnant women and children. Oral health care is considered an 'optional service' for other adult populations. The University of Utah School of Dentistry has been diligently addressing gaps in dental care access across the state for more than a decade. From rural dental clinics to a mobile clinic van, the School of Dentistry has practiced what it teaches, caring for the otherwise underserved. Dental treatment reduces pain and infection, but it also gives people the confidence to smile. In some cases, it can even mean a second chance. One Utah man experienced homelessness as a youth and drug addiction into his adult years. A lack of nutrition and drug use caused his teeth to fall out, impacting his ability to find employment and stability. Last year, the School of Dentistry was able to provide him with dentures. With his new smile, he was able to obtain a secure job. 'A smile is just something that goes along with being human,' he said. 'Getting it back allowed me to be myself a lot more, to be the person I knew I was inside.' For the past eight years, through a partnership between Utah Medicaid and the School of Dentistry, dental care has been slowly restored for Medicaid members. The relationship between a state school and state program is groundbreaking and attracting national attention as a new model for providing quality care to Medicaid members. Currently, Medicaid members undergoing treatment for substance use disorder, individuals who are blind and disabled, and elderly members who are age 65 and older have access to dental services. On April 1, 2025, thanks to the support of the Utah Legislature and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, dental benefits expanded to include all adults enrolled in Utah Medicaid. To provide care to the growing number of eligible patients throughout the state, all dentists in Utah have been invited to become associated with the School of Dentistry. Currently, more than 300 dentists are treating Medicaid members in offices around Utah. This has greatly expanded the availability of care, particularly in Utah's rural areas. It is a win-win collaboration for oral health access. More than 120,000 Utahns will now be able to have routine dental cleanings, treatment for dental pain and common dental services covered by Medicaid. The benefits for Medicaid members include improved oral health care, and they will reduce overall health care costs in the long run. Reduced need for emergency care, fewer days missed at work and better overall quality of living will be the result. The American Dental Association estimates that 79% of all dental-related emergency department visits could be immediately diverted to a dental office. By investing in preventive dental care, individuals and the overall health care system can save money by reducing the need for complex treatments, hospitalizations and management of chronic conditions. When oral health concerns are addressed and treated, general health improves, resulting in long-term cost savings. Patients with a substance use disorder gain confidence, find employment and contribute to society as productive citizens. Homelessness also decreases. Overall health care costs go down, and quality of life greatly improves. A restored smile is a restored life. For more information, please visit the Utah Medicaid website.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sen. Capito joins WVU Health Sciences leaders to mark start of dental school renovation project
Mar. 18—dbeard @ MORGANTOWN — Sen. Shelley Moore Capito joined with leaders and staff of WVU Health Sciences and the School of Dentistry Tuesday morning to celebrate the start of the school's expansion and renovation project. "All of this, I think, will be very exciting for young students beginning a journey of a career to not just help their families and educate themselves, but to help the community and have a life of service too, " Capito said. "So I'm very, very pleased for what I see and hopefully we will continue to do this." Capito secured a $12.6 million Congressionally Directed Spending earmark for the project. Construction of Phase 1 began early this month. Dental school Dean Stephen Pachuta noted that the school hasn't been updated since 1955. The project will not only modernize the space, but return services back to the Health Sciences campus. Phase 1 will modernize and integrate the pediatric dentistry and orthodontics clinics, faculty group practice and the Dr. W. Robert Biddington Center for Dental Innovation, which are now at Suncrest Towne Centre. Phase one also includes upgrades to sanitary, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, mechanical and electrical systems. This work is expected to be completed before the start of the Fall 2026 semester. Pachuta opened the ceremony, telling Capito, "Your unwavering support and commitment to the people of West Virginia, our university, and our School of Dentistry is making today possible. Your leadership is making a significant and positive impact to the lives of our West Virginians." The design phase was underway for three years, he said, leading up to the start of construction. "This was no easy task working with a facility like this, that was constructed in 1955." Pachuta said 83 % of the dentists practicing in the state are WVU dental school grads. "Dentistry and dental education is in a rapid state of growth and change. Staying current with this change ensures relevance. ... As the state's flagship land grant university and the only dental school in West Virginia, the WVU School of Dentistry is committed to providing excellence in education and high-quality patient care." Clay Marsh, chancellor and executive dean of WVU Health Sciences, quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson: "What stands before you and what stands behind you pales to what stands inside of you." He said, "And as a team, I'm so proud of the progress we've made. ... We need to have more dentists in the state. We are about 12 percentage points behind the national average. And we need to distribute more dentists in rural parts of our state, which is the next real job, I think, that we have to do. But we've made progress, and that's really very positive." During a brief press gathering before she took a tour of the facility, Capito offered one final thought. "Students want to come to a place that has the best technology, and that has the highest quality education. But you've got to have a good facility for it, and that's what this is about today."
