A comment on Bacteria and tooth decay

[Guest guest]

I heard this on NPR today and it made me think...

 

Since scientists are apparently aware that bacteria is the cause of

tooth decay... and since they know that fluoride does not kill the

bacteria, maybe they will decide that over-dosing us with that

particular poison isn't necessary and will soon stop forcing it on

people who don't know any better.

 

Then I woke up from my daydream. lol....

 

Peace,

 

Mouse

 

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Moment of Science

 

Of the two birthing methods--vaginal and C-section--the latter is

normally harder on the mother, who has her abdomen cut open, and

seemingly easier on the baby, who doesn't have to squeeze through the

narrow birth canal.

 

But for mothers with dental cavities, a C-section birth might not be so

easy on the baby's future teeth. According to a study done by

researchers at New York University, C-section babies are more likely to

get cavity-causing bacteria earlier and more frequently than

vaginally-born babies.

 

The researchers think this has to do with exposure to bacteria at birth.

Vaginally-born babies encounter many different types of bacteria when

they're born, giving them a chance to develop resistance to a variety of

infections early on. C-section babies, on the other hand, encounter far

fewer varieties of bacteria. So there's a greater chance that they'll

have less resistance to bacterial infection, including the type that can

cause tooth decay.

 

The researchers allow that the people they studied--mostly low income

women with spotty access to dental care--clearly limits the study. But

the potential link they found between c-section births and cavities is

part of a growing body of evidence linking oral health to pregnancy and

birth issues. Other studies have found that women with gum disease are

more likely to deliver premature, low-birth-weight babies. More studies

need to be done to determine how, exactly, oral hygiene affects infant

development.

 

Meanwhile, though, there's enough evidence to suggest that it's

important for expecting mothers to have their teeth checked.

 

Moment of Science

http://amos.indiana.edu/library/scripts/c-sections.html

 

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