Part One: Saliva and sIgA

This month we focus on the value of using salivary assay as a diagnostic tool in the treatment of periodontal disease.Saliva is a vital body fluid, without it, continued healthy functioning of the oral cavity would not be possible. This three part article will discuss the influences of the female hormones (oestrogen and progesterone), the stress hormones (adrenaline, cortisol and DHEA) and secretory IgA (sIgA) in the aetiology of the periodontal diseases. Salivary assay is suggested as a non-invasive method of determining hormone and sIgA status.

Key Words: saliva, periodontal disease, salivary assay, sIgA.

Nutrition in the News

Call for More Nutrition Education in Dentistry

Dr Brian Mouatt , Chairman of World Dental Development , FDI World Dental Federation and former Chief Dental Officer has called for more undergraduate and CPD education in nutritional science and oral medicine. (posted July 06)

Stress, Depression and Periodontal Disease.

Two new studies published this month have again highlighted the possible connection between systemic and oral health.The results were consistent with an emerging literature showing that life stress, anxiety, depression, pathological grief, and poor coping behaviour may dysregulate regulatory mechanisms within the brain involved in immune regulation, and thereby alter immune responses and influence the susceptibility/resistance to inflammatory disorders. (posted July 06)

Fruit and Vegetable Intake Influences Bone Mineral Density in Adolescents.

A new study published in the June issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found increasing evidence that higher fruit and vegetable intakes may have positive effects on bone mineral status in both younger and older age groups. Although many studies have been conducted in the past, most of the studies to date were conducted in adults, and few reports included adolescents.

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