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Does Oral Health During Pregnancy Affect the Risk of Birth Complications? - Savanna Dental
29Nov
Recent research has found that strong oral health during pregnancy is associated with a reduced chance of poor pregnancy outcomes. For instance, these outcomes include premature and underweight birth. Therefore, it is very important for pregnant women to have strong oral hygiene during pregnancy. As a result, this will increase the chances of a healthy birth.

A recent study has shown that strong oral health during pregnancy appears to reduce the risk of a premature birth, or a baby being born underweight.

Premature births can lead to adverse long-term problems for babies. They account for around 1 in 10 births around the world [1]. As a result, anything that can be done to reduce the chances of this happening is desirable.

The research shows that regular dental checks, treatment of gum inflammation and dental cleaning are all areas that can reduce the chances of a negative outcome at birth.

Background

This research took into account multiple areas of oral health. It is well established that oral health has a big impact on physical health. This includes having an impact on pregnancy.

This study places emphasis on gum disease. Gum disease is a very common condition. For instance, research shows that approximately 90% of the world’s population has some form of gum disease [2].

Gum disease involves a person’s gums becoming swollen or infected. This is normally caused by a build-up of plaque. Plaque is usually caused by a high-sugar diet. The inflammation associated with gum disease is a big problem.

Periodontitis, which is an advanced form of gum disease, has already been shown to be associated with poor pregnancy outcomes [3].

Poor pregnancy outcomes involve premature birth and a low birth weight. 15.5% of all deliveries are born with a low birth weight (less than 2.5kg), and almost 11% of babies are born prematurely (before 37 weeks) [4].

The Research

Researchers from the University of Sydney carried out a study that was recently published in the Journal of Oral Health and Preventive Dentistry [5].

The study took the form of a meta-analysis that took into account multiple studies. The study involved 1,031 patients that had given birth. A connection between oral health treatment and birth type was sought [5].

The researchers found that there was a connection between good oral health and positive birth outcomes for more than 600 women, a sizable amount [5].

The researchers found that treating gingivitis (gum inflammation that leads to bleeding gums) during pregnancy is associated with a reduced risk of premature or underweight births [5].

Explaining the results

Joerg Eberhard, a Professor at the University of Sydney’s School of Dentistry, explained the science behind the results [4].

Eberhard noted that if gum disease is treated during pregnancy, “the risk of a baby being born preterm is reduced by approximately 50%” [4]. Furthermore, Eberhard stated that “the birthweight increases around 100 grams in babies” [4]. The link is clear.

Eberhard said that the hormonal changes during pregnancy meant pregnant women were “more susceptible” to gingivitis [4]. He said that up to 75% of pregnant women are affected [4].

Gum disease releases bacteria into the blood stream, which can reach the placenta. As a result, the baby is directly impacted.

On a positive note, Eberhard said that “treatment for gingivitis is very easy to perform and is inexpensive and accessible” [4]. Therefore, this condition can be treated, if pregnant women are worried about these findings.

What does good oral health involve?

Throughout the study, “good oral health” is frequently mentioned. But some wonder what exactly “good oral health” involves.

To begin with, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day, typically after meals. Flossing regularly and using mouthwash are other areas that you can use as part of your regular dental hygiene process.

It is very important as well to visit the dentist for a regular check-up. We generally recommend that our patients visit us at least once every six months. Any problems that are identified can then be treated. For instance, this involves treating gum disease.

Avoiding sugary drinks and snacks, alcohol and smoking can all help too. This should reduce the level of plaque build-up. Therefore, this can decrease the chances of gum disease developing.

Ultimately, the aim for any pregnancy is a healthy delivery, which will hopefully result in a long and prosperous life. As a result, looking after our oral health can definitely help with this, underlining its importance.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a warm welcome, a comfortable experience and advice whenever needed.

We recommend that our patients attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. We also have some cosmetic treatments too!

Importantly, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is helpful.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

Does Obesity Worsen Gum Disease? - Savanna Dental
23Nov
A recent study has found a clear link between obesity and gum disease. While the link between these two areas has been evidenced before, underlying causes have not been previously established. But this new study appears to show that chronic inflammation caused by obesity is the key reason behind eventual gum disease.

Obesity is a common issue, with growing numbers of people considered to be “obese”. Obesity can be defined as a person that has an above-average accumulation of fat. Moreover, they will be overweight.

The problem of obesity has been referred to as an “epidemic”, due to the range of issues that obesity can cause [1]. One such issue is oral health.

Researchers from the University at Buffalo were seeking to improve their understanding of the relationship between obesity and gum disease.

There is some pre-existing research that shows a link between obesity and gum disease [2]. However, the underlying causes behind this haven’t been determined in the past. Therefore, the researchers were hoping to delve deeper into this area.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a very common condition. For example, statistics show that approximately 90% of the world’s population has some form of gum disease [3].

Gum disease can be prevented. The condition typically involves a person’s gums becoming swollen or infected, which is usually caused by a build-up of plaque. Furthermore, plaque gradually wears down tooth enamel, leading to oral problems.

A common cause of plaque is a high-sugar diet. Moreover, a high-sugar diet is associated with obesity. Therefore, obesity can increase the risk of gum disease.

Bone loss is a very common symptom of gum disease. One such complication of gum disease is tooth loss. Tooth loss can occur when the bone deteriorates to the extent where it is unable to support a tooth. Losing teeth can negatively impact a person’s mental health [4].

The Research

The recent research was carried out by researchers at the University at Buffalo. Subsequently, the research was published in the Journal of Dental Research. [5].

The researchers used two groups of mice for their study. They hoped to see the differences caused by giving the two groups alternate diets.

One group had a low-fat diet which drew 10% of energy from fat. However, the second group of mice had a high-fat diet that drew 45% of energy from fat. Consequently, the groups were fed these diets for 4 months [5].

The researchers were able to conclude from the study that the high-fat diet did have a strong impact on the oral health of the mice [5]. Moreover, chronic inflammation was a key cause of this.

The researchers found that excessive inflammation from obesity causes a rise in the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) [5]. MDSCs are a group of immune cells that aim to fight illnesses. However, when this happens, the MDSCs develop into many different cell types, including a cell class named osteoclasts, which breaks down bone tissue [5].

The high-fat diet group experienced more obesity, more inflammation and an increase of MDSCs when compared to the low-fat diet group [5]. Therefore, the high-fat diet group developed more osteoclasts, resulting in increased bone loss and gum disease [5].

What this research means

These findings reaffirm the link between obesity and gum disease. But the conclusions drawn are very useful as they show deeper reasoning behind the findings. For instance, the impact that MDSCs cause.

The research shows that obesity can cause chronic inflammation. The chronic inflammation then leads to an increase in MDSCs. Subsequently, gum disease worsens through increased bone loss.

Keith Kirkwood, a Professor of Oral Biology at the University at Buffalo, commented on the findings [6]. He said that while the relationship between the level of obesity and gum disease is clear, “the mechanisms that underpin the links between those conditions were not completely understood” [6].

The underlying causes behind this connection are now better known. As a result, this evidence confirms the need to eat a healthy diet wherever possible to avoid obesity and the resulting problems. For instance, we should try and eat fruit, vegetables, a balanced diet, and avoid sugary foods and drink wherever possible.

Having a healthy lifestyle alongside a balanced diet is important. This can reduce the chances of obesity. Therefore, our oral health should remain protected.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a warm welcome, a comfortable experience and advice whenever needed.

We recommend that our patients attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. We also have some cosmetic treatments too!

Importantly, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is helpful.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

  • [1] Karels, A. J., & Cooper, B. R. (2007). Obesity and Its Role in Oral Health. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 5 (1): p1-5.
  • [2] De Castilhos, E. D., Horta, B. L., Gigante, D. P., Demarco, F. F., Peres, K. G., & Peres, M. A. (2012). Association between obesity and periodontal disease in young adults: a population-based birth cohort. Journal of Clinical Periodontology. 39 (8): p717-724.
  • [3] Pihlstrom, B. L., Michalowicz, B. S., & Johnson, N. W. (2005). Periodontal diseases. Lancet. 366 (9499), p1809-1820.
  • [4] Kaur, P., Singh, S., Mathur, A., Makkar, D. K., Aggarwal, V. P., Batra, M., Sharma, A., & Goyal, N. (2017). Impact of Dental Disorders and its Influence on Self Esteem Levels among Adolescents. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research: 11(4), pZC05–ZC08.
  • [5] Kwack, K. H., Zhang, L., Sohn, V., Maglaras, R., Thiyagarajan, R., & Kirkwood, K. L. (2021). Novel Preosteoclast Populations in Obesity-Associated Periodontal Disease. Journal of Dental Research. (Pre-publication). Available: https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345211040729.
  • [6] University at Buffalo. (2021). Study: Obesity Raises the Risk of Gum Disease by Inflating Growth of Bone-Destroying Cells. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/news/study-obesity-raises-the-risk-of-gum-disease-by-inflating-growth-of-bone-destroying-cells-1003963199/. Last accessed: 19th November 2021.
Can Lines on Children’s Teeth Help Predict Mental Disorders in Adulthood? - Savanna Dental
15Nov
Mental health conditions continue to cause difficulty and misery to millions of people around the world. It has proven difficult to predict whether or not certain individuals are likely to develop a mental disorder. However, new research suggests that factors relating to oral health may actually be a useful tool in predicting children at risk of mental disorders.

Recent research has found that the thickness of growth marks in deciduous (baby) teeth could potentially help to identify children at risk of mental health conditions.

Mental health disorders are difficult to live with. Treating disorders can be challenging. But the general consensus is that the earlier treatment begins, the better the chances are of successful treatment [1]. As a result, early identification is crucial.

The research argues for the creation of a tool to recognize children that have been exposed to adversity or trauma. These areas are a risk factor for psychological problems. The tool involves analyzing teeth.

Mental Health

Mental health disorders are very common. For instance, in the US, around 1 in 4 adults suffer from a mental disorder in any given year [2]. This shows the sheer level of numbers that mental health services need to treat.

Mental health conditions include Depression, Anxiety and eating disorders. More severe conditions include Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia.

These conditions can be debilitating. One of the main issues behind mental health disorders is that the causes are unknown. Therefore, any study that involves potential causes of mental health disorders can be very valuable.

The onset of mental health conditions appear to be linked to several factors. These include genetics, environmental factors and childhood trauma. However, further research is required to determine this.

Background: Growth Lines

This research involves “growth lines” on teeth. Also known as the striae of Reitzus, these are lines or bands that are present for some people in tooth enamel [3]. They can appear on both adult and baby teeth.

The research compiled is the result of years of work. The research was led by Erin C. Dunn. She works as a Social and Psychiatric Epidemiologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital unit.

Dunn has a special interest in childhood trauma, which is known to be a major risk factor for mental health conditions [4]. She is particularly interested in the timing of adverse events and the subsequent impact they have. For instance, if trauma during a particular time of childhood has a very harmful effect [5].

Explaining the science of growth lines, Dunn has spoken about how “teeth create a permanent record of different kinds of life experiences” [5]. Dunn continued, “this includes exposure to sources of physical stress” [5].

This physical stress affects dental enamel and results in “growth lines” within the teeth. These lines will form based on childhood experiences. The thicker the growth lines are, the more stressful life the child appears to have had [5].

Dunn has developed a hypothesis that proposes the width of one specific variety of growth line, called the neonatal line, could indicate whether or not a child’s mother experienced psychological stress during pregnancy or the early life of the child.

The Research

The research was published in the JAMA Network Open by researchers at the Harvard University-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital [6].

To test her hypothesis, Dunn led a team that analyzed 70 canine baby teeth from 70 different children from the United Kingdom [6]. Moreover, these teeth had naturally fallen out between the ages of 5 and 7.

The mothers of the 70 children had been issued with a questionnaire during their pregnancy and soon after the birth of their child [6]. They were questioned on four factors that are known to affect child development. These were stressful pre-birth events, a history of psychological problems in the mother, neighborhood quality (for instance, poverty level, crime and safety) and the level of social support [6].

The results of these questionnaires were compiled. A microscope was then used to measure the width of the neonatal line [6]. The size of these lines were then correlated against the answers to the questionnaires to reach conclusions.

The results showed that Dunn’s hypothesis was correct. Mothers that had severe psychiatric problems, and those that experienced even mild psychological symptoms in the later stages of pregnancy were likelier to have children with thicker neonatal lines [6].

Conversely, mothers that received strong social support in the immediate aftermath of pregnancy resulted in thinner neonatal lines [6]. Similarly, children from “safe” neighborhoods had thinner neonatal lines [6].

What this research means

This research suggests that there is a clear link between childhood adversity and thick neonatal lines. Therefore, oral health can be a key indicator of potential psychological problems in the future.

Dunn said that the cause of neonatal lines isn’t entirely known. But she believed it was due to how high levels of the stress hormone cortisol is created when a mother is experiencing psychological symptoms [5]. As a result, this may interfere with the cells that create enamel.

Dunn also proposed that systemic inflammation is another candidate for causing growth lines [5]. It does appear that one consistency is psychological problems, and the impact they have on the lines.

In regards to next steps, Dunn is looking to further her research. Therefore, Dunn is hoping to replicate these findings in a bigger study [5]. Consequently, she has the long-term aim of introducing her hypothesis into a clinical setting [5].

Such an approach would have oral benefits for many, with growth lines becoming less common. Moreover, it could also have mental health benefits. In conclusion, this research serves as a reminder of the importance of looking after children, including their oral health.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provides a warm, welcome, and comfortable experience to their patients.

We recommend that our patients attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.

Importantly, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is helpful.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

  • [1] Jurewicz, I. (2015). Mental health in young adults and adolescents – supporting general physicians to provide holistic care. Clinical Medicine. 15 (2): p151-154.
  • [2] Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2021). Mental Health Disorder Statistics. Available: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/mental-health-disorder-statistics. Last accessed: 11th November 2021.
  • [3] Brand, R. W., & Isselheard, S.E. (2018). Anatomy of Orofacial Structures. 8th ed. New York: Elsevier Health Sciences.
  • [4] Cuellar, A. (2021). Preventing and Treating Child Mental Health Problems. Policies to Promote Child Health. 25 (1): p111-134.
  • [5] Gower, T. (2021). Baby teeth may be window to child’s risk of mental health disorders. Available: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/11/baby-teeth-may-help-identify-kids-at-risk-for-mental-disorders/. Last accessed: 11th November 2021.
  • [6] Mountain, R. V., Zhu, Y., Pickett, O. R., Lussier, A. A., Goldstein, J. M., Roffman, J. L., Bidlack, F. B., & Dunn, E. C. (2021). Association of Maternal Stress and Social Support During Pregnancy With Growth Marks in Children’s Primary Tooth Enamel. JAMA Network Open. 4 (11): e2129129.
Could Artificial Intelligence Help Us to Predict the Effectiveness of Dental Implants? - Savanna Dental
8Nov
Artificial intelligence is making a big impact on the world, and the world of dentistry is benefiting too. New research has found that it could be possible to accurately predict among people with dental implants who can recover from peri-implantitis, which is a common issue for those with dental implants.

Dental implants are a popular dentistry treatment that involves using a natural-feeling and looking tooth to replace a lost or damaged tooth.

For those who have lost or missing teeth, implants can be a fantastic solution. But despite being intended to last long-term, many implants do not.

One of the main causes of this is peri-implantitis. This is an inflammatory process that results in eventual loss of dental implants. However, it is not always clear who can recover from peri-implantitis.

But now, recent research has yielded an algorithm named FARDEEP. FARDEEP seems to be able to help predict treatment outcomes for peri-implantitis. FARDEEP is an example of artificial intelligence, and could help to make dental implants far more successful.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are typically used to replace a lost or missing tooth. They are usually needed because of advanced gum disease or extreme tooth decay.

Implants are meant to last for a long time. However, studies have found mixed results. For example, there is a 90-95% success rate over 10 years for dental implants [1].

Implants are practical, offer aesthetic and functional tooth replacements. But, peri-implantitis is a common cause of dental implants not working properly.

A recent study found that a process called “biofouling” could help to prolong the life of implants [2](click here to know more). Now, it appears that artificial intelligence will also help dental implants to be more effective.

What is peri-implantitis?

Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory process that causes the tissue and bone around dental implants to become infected. Peri-implantitis can be very damaging to overall oral health. For instance, progressive bone loss, bleeding, pus and eventual loss of the implant are potential consequences [3].

Consequently, it becomes difficult to then put a new implant in place due to the poor bone quality around the area.

The causes of peri-implantitis aren’t always clear. Patients who smoke or have a history of periodontal disease are at higher risk of developing the condition [4].

Treating peri-implantitis is difficult and unpredictable. Reconstructive therapy is currently the treatment used. However, it is not always successful. Moreover, it is both expensive and time-consuming.

Because of the impact of peri-implantitis, and its poor treatment outcomes, researchers have been searching for ways of better predicting the effectiveness of treatment for each individual patient.

What is FARDEEP?

A team of researchers led by the University of Michigan School of Dentistry have been able to develop a machine-learning algorithm. They believe this can help to predict who will be able to recover from peri-implantitis, and who can’t [5].

FARDEEP is an example of the use of artificial intelligence in dentistry. FARDEEP stands for Fast and Robust Deconvolution of Expression Profiles.

In order to develop the algorithm, the researchers analyzed tissue samples from a group of patients that were receiving reconstructive therapy for peri-implantitis [5]. Furthermore, they then looked at how much harmful bacteria and infection-fighting immune cells were available in each sample [5].

Using this information, the researchers were then able to develop the algorithm. Overall, the researchers found that patients that had a high amount of immune cells were at lower risk of periodontal disease [5]. As a result, this means that they are likelier to have success with treatment.

In the long-term, the researchers are hoping that they will be able to use this algorithm across dentistry to help those with peri-implantitis. As a result, it should mean that dental implants can become longer-lasting, and more effective.

What this means for dental implants

The algorithm has a potential to have a big impact on dentistry. Jeff Wang, a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan, spoke about his hopes. He declared that the algorithm could help to “determine the best course of treatment” for peri-implantitis [3].

He said that this would typically involve either going through reconstructive therapy, or replacing an old implant with a new one [3]. Wang said that in the future, it could be possible to predict the risk posed by peri-implantitis before a dental implant is placed [3].

Wang cautioned that human clinical trials will be needed before FARDEEP could be used by clinicians [3]. This will be a long process, but it could have a very positive impact if implemented in the future.

FARDEEP is the latest example of the use of artificial intelligence in dentistry. Data is being used in exciting ways. As seen in this study, scientists are predicting that an artificial intelligence-based care system will result in more informed and accurate/effective decision-making and a higher quality of care [6].

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a warm welcome, a comfortable experience and advice whenever needed.

We recommend that our patients attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.

Importantly, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is helpful.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

  • [1] Raikar, S., Talukdar, P., Kumari, S., Kumar Panda, S., Oommen, V. M., & Prasad, A. (2017). Factors Affecting the Survival Rate of Dental Implants: A Retrospective Study. Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry. 7 (6), p351-355.
  • [2] Lehnfeld, J., Dukashin, Y., Mark, J., White, G. D., Wu, S., Katzur, V., Muller, R., & Ruhl, S. (2021). Saliva and Serum Protein Adsorption on Chemically Modified Silica Surfaces. Journal of Dental Research. 100 (10): p1047-1054.
  • [3] Bailey, L. (2021). AI helps predict treatment outcomes for patients with diseased dental implants. Available: https://news.umich.edu/ai-helps-predict-treatment-outcomes-for-patients-with-diseased-dental-implants/. Last accessed: 5th November 2021.
  • [4] Roos-Jansaker, A. M. (2007). Long time follow up of implant therapy and treatment of peri-implantitis. Swedish Dental Journal. 188 (1): p7-66.
  • [5] Wang, C. W., Hao, Y., Di Gianfilippo, R., Sugai, J., Li, J., Gong, W., Kornman, K. S., Wang, H. L., Kamada, N., Xie, Y., Giannobile, W. V., & Lei, Y. L. (2021). Machine learning-assisted immune profiling stratifies peri-implantitis patients with unique microbial colonization and clinical outcomes. Theranostics. 11 (14): p6703-6716. Available: https://www.thno.org/v11p6703.htm.
  • [6] Chen, Y-W., Stanley, K., Att, W., & Dent, M. (2020). Quintessence International. 51 (3): p248-257.
What Role Do the Salivary Glands Play in COVID-19 Reinfection? - Savanna Dental
1Nov
Researchers from the University of Utah are planning a study that will look at how the salivary glands impact Covid-19 reinfection. Reinfection of Covid-19 has proven to be a controversial subject. However, reinfection does seem to involve the salivary glands. As a result, researchers are focusing on their role in the contraction of Covid-19.

Covid-19 continues to cause havoc around the world, though research into this virus is gradually helping the overall recovery of humans around the world.

Now, researchers from the University of Utah are leading an investigation that will analyse whether or not salivary glands infected with Covid-19 could actually lessen a person’s long-term immunity to the virus post-vaccination, or even after recovery.

This research is part of the ongoing effort to analyse the factors involved in potential reinfection of Covid-19. This concept has already proven controversial, and has resulted in a lot of confusion and debate.

The salivary glands play an important role in Covid-19 research. Due to their interaction with proteins and the immune system, they are an area that many researchers are focusing on.

Covid-19: The Current State

Covid-19 remains a big threat to humanity. At the time of writing, around the world, there have been almost 250million cumulative cases reported [1]. In addition, there have been almost 5million deaths worldwide [1].

The attempt to vaccinate billions of people has made progress. Furthermore, the latest statistics show that 6billion vaccine doses have been administered [1].

The scientific community have been researching every aspect of Covid-19. This includes the Covid-19 vaccine efforts, tracing the origin of the virus, aggravating factors in recovery and in this case, reinfection.

Is it possible to catch Covid-19 twice?

Reinfection of Covid-19 has proven to be a contentious issue. The general consensus is that reinfection is possible, though it is rare. Many academics are “uncertain” [2]. Meanwhile, some have dismissed reinfection as a “myth” [3].

Some have attributed supposed reinfection to faulty PCR tests [4]. However, a widescale study in the United Kingdom found that reinfection was possible. But, less than 1% of participants in the study became reinfected with Covid-19 [5]. This suggested that reinfection was unlikely, but possible.

Where are the Salivary Glands and what do they do?

The Salivary Glands refer to the composition of three main glands and hundreds of smaller glands. They are located in the mouth. The salivary glands make saliva, which helps to keep the mouth moist, whilst aiding key functions of the mouth, such as chewing, tasting and swallowing food.

The salivary glands assist in food digestion through creating the enzymes that break down food. They are also connected to the immune system, and its antibodies are sometimes able to prevent infections in the mouth and throat.

Therefore, the salivary glands are a crucial area in the human body. As a result of their position in the body, they play a serious role in the contraction of Covid-19.

The upcoming research

The upcoming research will be focusing on the salivary glands and their role in the potential diminishing of a person’s long-term immunity to reinfection of Covid-19 [6]. This is even in the case of if a person has been vaccinated.

The research will look at whether the body’s ability to make antibodies is affected by when the salivary glands that have SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) [6]. Therefore, if this is affected, reinfection could be more likely. Viruses like SARS-CoV-2 are often found in the salivary glands. However, it isn’t entirely known how the virus gets there. It is believed that the most inner lining of the oral cavity, called mucosa, is usually the entry point for any virus [6].

Assistant Professor Melodie Weller, of University of Utah, has been commenting on the upcoming study. Weller explained that proteins that emanate from the food we eat, are released into the saliva [6].

Weller says “we swallow a lot of saliva every day” [6]. But a problem is that viruses also contain proteins. Therefore, our immune system cannot always detect the difference in proteins. As a result, viruses can bypass the salivary glands and attack our immune system.

Consequently, this can affect how long immunity will last, even after inoculation. As a result, Weller states that it is crucial to “understand the role of SARS-CoV-2 in the salivary glands” [6].

Moreover, an increase in the understanding of this area can result in improved knowledge of how “reinfection and breakthrough infections after immunization are occurring during this pandemic”, Weller says [6].

Based on the above, the researchers believe that the SARS-CoV-2 released from the salivary glands could impede the production of antibodies. Because of this, the risk of relapse or reinfection appears to increase. Therefore, this may limit the long-term effectiveness of vaccines.

The next steps

This research will continue the scientific community’s efforts to understand more about Covid-19. The University of Utah’s research will aim to build on pre-existing research that has found SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in the salivary glands [7].

The researchers will be testing their theory on mice. They will be administering protein to the salivary glands of the mice. The Covid-19 vaccine will then be applied, and researchers will wait to see how they respond.

Their findings will be important in analyzing the effectiveness of the vaccines in the long-term, and the role of the salivary glands. Finally, either way, it will add to the ongoing body of research into Covid-19.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.We provide our patients with a warm welcome, a comfortable experience and advice whenever needed.

We recommend that our patients attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

  • [1] World Health Organization. (2021). WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. Available: https://covid19.who.int/. Last accessed: 30th October 2021.
  • [2] Hanrath, A. T., Payne, B. A. I., & Duncan, C. J. A. (2020). Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with protection against symptomatic reinfection. The Journal of Infection. 82 (4): p29-30.
  • [3] Roy, S. (2020). COVID-19 Reinfection: Myth or Truth?. SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine. 2 (1): p710-713.
  • [4] Krishna, E., Pathak, V. K., Prasad, R., Jose, H., & Mumar, M. M. (2020). COVID-19 reinfection: Linked Possibilities and future outlook. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 9 (11): p5445-5449.
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Green Shield Grant Aims to Boost Dental Health Across Windsor and Essex County - Savanna Dental
24Oct
Green Shield Canada have provided a $95,000 grant to the Windsor and Essex Council. This grant will enable the Council to start a new oral health and wellness program, mainly aimed at refugees and newcomers to the area. Therefore, they hope to improve the dental health of their residents.

Green Shield Canada have announced that they are providing a $95,000 grant to the Windsor and Essex Council, with the aim of boosting dental health across the county [1].

The award has proven very popular. There is a belief that refugees and other newcomers to Canada have many barriers to overcome at first. Therefore, Green Shield Canada hope that the grant can assist this group of people.

The Council hope to implement a three-year oral health and wellness program. Consequently, they are hoping that this program will aid the oral health and general well-being of hundreds of people.

Background

Green Shield Canada is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a range of services for people across Canada. Oral health is not their only area of expertise; for instance, Green Shield Canada also provides assistance for homelessness, sex trafficking and disaster relief among other areas.

They particularly help the vulnerable. Refugees, who come from war-torn nations, are among the most vulnerable. Green Shield Canada recognize the barriers that they, along with other newcomers, have to overcome in healthcare.

Canada has a large population of refugees. For instance, in 2020 alone, almost 110,000 refugees were granted asylum in Canada [2]. In addition, in the last ten years, over 1million refugees have been welcomed into Canada [2].

The population of Windsor and Essex County is approximately 400,000 people, which represents a sizeable amount. Consequently, many refugees have settled into Windsor and Essex County.

The need for an oral health program

Nidal Shauki is a Nurse Practitioner at Windsor and Essex Council. She said that she hopes that the grant will allow refugees and other newcomers to get “an introduction to a dental clinic” [1].

Shauki remarked that many clients wouldn’t have ever received dental care in the past. For example, research has shown that refugees typically have significantly worse oral health than those in western nations [3]. Overall, their knowledge of the importance of oral health is very limited [4].

As a result, an oral health program can help significantly. Timpy Aulah, a Health and Wellness Coordinator at the Council, mentioned that providing an initial dental experience to newcomers can help them to forge a regular oral routine [1].

Shauki said that the Council will be implementing a three-year oral health and wellness program. The Council aim to educate refugees and other newcomers on the importance of oral health [1]. Shauki said that the Council has yearly goals of reaching over 300 people [1].

The grant from Green Shield Canada is therefore expected to help many people. Consequently, with many having not received oral care in the past, this grant will enable them to receive desperately-needed dental care. This should improve their overall well-being. In addition, it should benefit their quality of life.

Hope for the future

The grant from Green Shield Canada has been warmly received. Mila Lucio, executive vice president of human resources and social impact at Green Shield Canada, said that the grant was part of the organizations’ goal of “making a difference in the community” and contribute to its residents having “healthier lives” [1].

Lisa Kolody, executive director of the Windsor Essex Community Foundation, also commented. She said that the proram will help to tackle oral health in the area, which she described as “under-funded and under-resourced” [1].

The grant to Windsor and Essex Council was part of a $450,000 donation to various organisations throughout the County. In addition, other recipients included organizations aiming to implement mental health programs [1].

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We offer many services, including regular dental check-ups, cavity fillings, and root canals and some cosmetic services. Any dental problem should be addressed early, and can be identified at check-ups. This helps to prevent the problem getting worse. So, when further treatment is needed after a check-up, we provide our patients with a clear treatment plan. The best way of avoiding extra treatment is to have strong oral hygiene. This includes brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and getting a dental check-up at least twice a year. Avoiding sugary foods and drink and not smoking also helps. Our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental also follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This means our prices are competitive, transparent and affordable. We would love you to visit us here at Savanna Dental soon! You can see more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.