Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
The researchers found for these patients who were low-risk across the board, there was no
difference in the amount of tooth loss between people who saw the dentist once a year and people
who went to the recommended two preventive cleaning visits.
However, people who smoked, had diabetes or the genetic variations (as determined by a saliva
swab taken for genetic testing) did face increased risk for tooth loss. People who have several or all
of those risk factors may benefit from more than two annual dental visits.
Giannobile emphasized he doesn't want people with healthy mouths to just take genetic test and
then skip the dentist forever if they have favorable results.
"That's not the message that we're trying to send," he said. Some people may just need more or
fewer cleanings than others. The researcher pointed out about 50 percent of the population does not
see a dentist regularly, and people who are not as on top of their dental care are more likely to lose
teeth.
"So much of dental care focuses on treatment, but this adds another element to the prevention side,"
said Giannobile.
The study was published June 10 in the Journal of Dental Research.
It was funded by the National Institutes of Health and tests were provided by Interleukin Genetics, a
company that employed two of the study authors.
Dr. Ray C. Williams, dean of the School of Dental Medicine at Stony Brook University in N.Y. told the
New York Times that the research, "sounds the signal that it is time to make dentistry more
individual and more personalized."
However, he faulted the study for not directly addressing the subjects' oral hygiene, which is a major
factor in tooth loss.
"It's an interesting study, but it's not a conclusion that a once a year dental visit is appropriate,"Dr.
John C. Comisi, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry, said to CBSNews.com in an
email, adding the genetic testing was not readily available yet at dental offices.
"Regular dental exams not only help to decrease a patient's risk of oral diseases, such as cavities and
gum disease, but they may also help to diagnose other, sometimes life-threatening, medical
conditions" like diabetes, cancer and eating disorders, he said.
The American Dental Association said in a statement in light of the study, it "wants to remind
consumers that the frequency of their regular dental visits should be tailored by their dentists to
accommodate for their current oral health status and health history."
Warning signs of gum disease include gums that bleed easily, have pulled away from the teeth and
appear red, swollen and tender, according to the American Dental Association. Persistent bad breath
or teeth loss and movement are also possible. If you're experiencing these symptoms, the ADA
recommends you see a dentist.
2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/genetic-test-may-tell-how-often-you-need-to-go-to-dentist/