DrBicuspid.com Hygiene Insider

Dear Hygiene Insider,

A number of studies have investigated whether treating periodontal disease in pregnant women reduces the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, but the conclusions have been mixed.

Now a new study in the Journal of Periodontology has found that pregnant women who are at high risk for preterm birth and have periodontal disease may be able to lower their risk by undergoing scaling and root planing (SRP) treatment.

Read more in this latest Hygiene Insider Exclusive.

In other Hygiene Community news, two companies recently launched eco-friendly toothbrushes in an attempt to reduce the amount of plastic sent to the landfills via disposable plastic toothbrushes. The Eco-Dentistry Association calls it an exciting trend. Click here to find out more.

On the clinical front, with cold and flu season now upon us, what's the best way to protect yourself and your staff from spatter produced while preparing teeth? Researchers found the Isolite system and a dental dam used with high-volume evacuation to be effective, with a few subtle differences. Read more.

And another study in the Journal of Periodontology looked at the relationship between oral health and coronary artery disease in Pakistan and found that poor oral health indicators were significantly associated with the disease. Click here to learn more.

Also, the clinical and biochemical efficacy of diode lasers as an adjunct to SRP found that the diode laser provided significant improvements in clinical parameters, according to research published in Lasers in Medical Science.

Meanwhile, new findings from an oral health study conducted this year by United Concordia Dental and Highmark show pharmacy costs can average $1,477 lower per year for diabetes patients with periodontitis who receive at least seven treatments annually for the disease.

Finally, in yet more evidence supporting the link between periodontal health and systemic health, two new studies found that periodontal disease may be linked to erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea.