Itaca Centro Medico & Dentistico

21/12/2025

New research from the University of South Carolina highlights a surprising connection between flossing and brain health. The study found that people who flossed at least once a week showed a significantly lower risk of ischemic stroke.

Researchers explained that poor oral hygiene can fuel inflammation and bacterial spread beyond the mouth. These inflammatory processes may affect blood vessels and heart rhythm, increasing the likelihood of cardioembolic stroke and atrial fibrillation. Notably, the protective effect of flossing remained even after accounting for regular brushing and routine dental visits.

The findings suggest flossing may be a simple yet powerful behavior to emphasize in prevention strategies. By reducing oral inflammation, flossing helps protect more than just gums. Your mouth truly serves as a gateway to overall health.

Source/Credit: University of South Carolina study on oral hygiene, stroke risk, and atrial fibrillation

21/12/2025

Mouth breathing, especially when it becomes a long-term habit, can negatively affect oral health. Breathing through the mouth reduces saliva flow, leading to dryness within the oral cavity.

Saliva plays a vital protective role. It neutralizes acids produced by bacteria, washes away food particles and plaque, and supplies minerals like calcium and phosphate that help keep enamel strong. When the mouth stays dry, these natural defenses are weakened.

As a result, bacteria multiply more easily, acids remain active longer, and enamel demineralization accelerates. This increases the likelihood of tooth decay, gum inflammation, and persistent bad breath. Addressing the causes of mouth breathing and supporting saliva flow are essential steps toward maintaining a healthier mouth.

Source/Credit: Preventive dentistry and oral physiology research

21/12/2025

Bleeding during brushing may seem minor, but healthy gums should not bleed. This is usually a sign of gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, caused by plaque and bacteria building up along the gumline and triggering inflammation.

When gingivitis is ignored, the infection can spread deeper below the gums and affect the bone that supports the teeth. At this stage, it becomes periodontitis, which can lead to gum recession, bone damage, and loose teeth. The process often happens gradually and without discomfort.

Because it can progress silently, early action is essential. Daily brushing, flossing, and regular professional cleanings can stop gum disease before it advances, protecting both your gums and long-term oral health.

Source: General dental health education and periodontal research literature.

21/12/2025

Tooth decay doesn’t happen all at once. It begins when acid-producing bacteria feed on sugary or starchy foods and attack teeth that lack enough fluoride protection. As enamel weakens, decay can move inward to dentin and pulp, where discomfort can escalate quickly.

Decay may also spread through close contact, such as sharing utensils or kissing someone with active cavities. Dentists recognize three main types: smooth surface decay that develops slowly, pit and fissure decay hidden in molar grooves, and root decay, which is more aggressive and often linked to dry mouth or poor hygiene.

Daily brushing, flossing, fluoride use, mouthwash, and routine dental visits are essential defenses. While mouth bacteria are unavoidable, consistent care can stop decay early and protect long-term oral health.

Source/Credit: American Dental Association; Mayo Clinic

21/12/2025

🚨 A Dental Infection Can Become a Medical Emergency

A dental abscess is not just a local tooth infection. It is a pocket of bacteria that can break through surrounding tissues and enter the bloodstream if left untreated.

Once oral bacteria spread beyond the mouth, they can trigger a systemic inflammatory response known as sepsis. This condition disrupts normal organ function and can rapidly become life-threatening without urgent medical care.

Warning signs may include facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing, fatigue, or a rapidly worsening toothache. These symptoms should never be ignored.

Early dental treatment—such as drainage, root canal therapy, or extraction—can stop the infection at its source. Oral health is closely linked to overall health, and timely care can prevent serious, avoidable complications.

21/12/2025

Most people brush their teeth every day—but the tongue often gets ignored.

Overnight, the tongue accumulates bacteria, dead cells, and food debris that brushing alone may not remove. This buildup is a common cause of morning breath and reduced taste sensation.

Tongue scraping is a simple, evidence-supported oral hygiene practice that helps clear this surface coating. When done gently and regularly, it supports fresher breath, improved taste, and better overall oral cleanliness.

Rooted in traditional medicine and supported by modern dental science, tongue cleaning is not a full-body detox—but it is an effective way to reduce harmful oral buildup.

For best results, use tongue scraping alongside brushing and flossing as part of a complete daily oral care routine.

12/12/2025

30/11/2025

Your mouth is a secret battlefield… and bacteria are winning by talking behind your back.

Scientists just discovered how oral bacteria use invisible chemical texts (called AHLs) to coordinate attacks, turning harmless plaque into gum-destroying armies. The twist? We can now hack their conversation.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that by deploying special enzymes (lactonases), we can erase those messages mid-flight. Result: the “good” early-colonizer bacteria (Streptococcus, Actinomyces) stay in charge, while the infamous “red complex” villains (Porphyromonas gingivalis and friends) never get the signal to take over.

Even wilder: oxygen changes everything. Above the gumline, blocking signals favors health. Below the gumline, the same signals actually protect the bad guys. This explains why gum disease hides in those deep pockets.

Instead of carpet-bombing your mouth with antibiotics and killing the good guys too, future treatments could simply jam bacterial group chat, keeping your microbiome forever stuck in its healthy teenage phase.

The same trick might one day work against gut diseases, skin infections, or even microbiome-linked cancers.

We’re not killing bacteria anymore… we’re ghosting them.

08/11/2025

A new 21-year study from the University of South Carolina has found that people with both gum disease and tooth decay face an 86% higher risk of stroke compared to those with healthy mouths — even after accounting for smoking, diabetes, and other cardiovascular factors.

Researchers followed nearly 6,000 adults over two decades and discovered that chronic oral inflammation and bacterial infection may trigger changes in blood vessels and increase the likelihood of clots — a key cause of ischemic strokes. Poor oral health doesn’t just harm teeth; it may silently strain the brain and heart.

The study also revealed that individuals who visited the dentist regularly were 81% less likely to have both gum disease and cavities, and 29% less likely to have gum disease alone. Routine scaling, professional cleanings, and early treatment of cavities could play a major role in reducing stroke risk.

🔬 Source:
🔍 doi:10.1212/WN9.0000000000000036.

04/11/2025

Recent studies have uncovered a strong link between gum disease and a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Ongoing gum inflammation and bacterial infection may contribute to the accumulation of harmful brain proteins associated with memory loss and dementia.

Research indicates that bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and reach the brain, triggering inflammation that may speed up cognitive decline. This connection highlights oral health as a crucial yet often ignored factor in preserving brain function over time.

Dental experts now stress that maintaining healthy gums through proper oral hygiene, timely dental care, and early gum disease treatment could help protect not just your smile but also your brain. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups play a key role in supporting both oral and neurological health.

This emerging evidence reveals how deeply the mouth and brain are connected — suggesting that caring for gums may be as vital as keeping the mind active. Oral hygiene is no longer just about appearance; it’s a meaningful step toward protecting your memory and overall cognitive well-being.

03/11/2025

If gums bleed while brushing, it’s like your skin bleeding when touched — a clear sign of inflammation, not “brushing too hard.”

Bleeding gums are an early symptom of gingivitis, caused by bacterial plaque that irritates gum tissues and weakens the fine capillaries beneath. Healthy gums never bleed — even slightly.

When left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, where infection damages the supporting bone. This can lead to gum recession, loose teeth, and even tooth loss — often without pain until it’s severe.

The solution isn’t to brush harder. It’s to get a professional cleaning (scaling), improve brushing technique, and floss daily. Once the infection subsides, the bleeding stops — and that’s the real sign of gum health.

🔹 This post is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional dental advice.

31/07/2025