Research to Prevent Periodontal Disorders

The School of Dental Medicine's Department of Microbiology is collecting research to treat and prevent periodontal diseases. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, 47.2% of Americans over the age of 30 have periodontal disease. This article highlights the school's research findings and how it may benefit dental health in the future.

University of Pennsylvania researchers have been searching for ways to prevent and reverse periodontitis. In a report published in the Journal of Immunology, they describe a promising new target: a component of the immune system called complement. Treating monkeys with a complement inhibitor successfully prevented the inflammation and bone loss that is associated with periodontitis, making this a promising drug for treating humans with the disease. 

— University of Penn

The Basics of Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth is a key hygiene practice that most adults don't do properly. The length of time and specific areas that require more attention are important points to remember when brushing your teeth daily. Here's a  resource that can be passed down from generation to generation. Freshen up your brushing skills with this step by step oral hygiene guide.

Proper brushing takes at least two minutes — that's right, 120 seconds! Most adults do not come close to brushing that long. To get a feel for the time involved, try using a stopwatch. To properly brush your teeth, use short, gentle strokes, paying extra attention to the gumline, hard-to-reach back teeth and areas around fillings, crowns or other restoration. Concentrate on thoroughly cleaning each section as follows: 

-Clean the outer surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth. 

-Clean the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then your lower teeth. 

-Clean the chewing surfaces -For fresher breath, be sure to brush your tongue, too.

— Oral and Dental Health Basics