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Crest and Oral-B Partner With Scientific American to Highlight Emerging Links Between Oral Health and Whole Body Wellness

Posted on: Thursday, 1 February 2007, 12:00 CST

CINCINNATI, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Crest and Oral-B have partnered with Scientific American magazine to present the most comprehensive information and expert opinions regarding the relationship between oral health and whole body wellness, including potential implications for future health care models.

News regarding the link between oral health and systemic health is emerging at a tremendous pace. Not only has the potential impact of this evolving research been noted in statements by the U.S. Surgeon General and by global health organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it has also spurred heightened interest in maintaining optimal oral health among the general population.

"With more than 100 years of combined expertise in the field of oral care, Crest and Oral-B have always been dedicated to providing consumers and dental professionals with best-in-class products to help them achieve optimal oral health," said Dr. Paul Warren, Vice President of Global Professional and Scientific Relations, Procter & Gamble. "The emerging research presented in Scientific American has not changed that mission, but has simply reinforced oral health as a key component of overall well-being. While we may not know the exact nature of the relationship between oral health and systemic health, we do know that oral health is more important to consumers now than ever. In this new environment, P&G is the only oral healthcare company that can provide consumers with a full range of Crest and Oral-B products offering solutions to these oral healthcare needs."

As experts continue to evaluate the nature and extent of the relationship between oral and systemic health, the line between science and hype can get blurry. The information conveyed in this special publication of Scientific American seeks to provide the latest, most accurate understanding of current knowledge in this area of research.

Among the Issues covered in Scientific American Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease, a chronic bacterial infection affecting the gums, is the most common chronic infectious disease in the world.(i) Gingivitis, the earliest form of the disease, can lead to periodontitis, the most advanced form of the disease, if left untreated. Population surveys and studies done in the United States indicate that more than 50 percent of adults have gingivitis and 30 percent have periodontitis.(i) Periodontitis can result in significant tissue damage and loss of bone and teeth. New research indicates that inflammation resulting from the immune system's fight against bacteria is a key contributor in the progression of periodontal disease.

Periodontal Disease and Systemic Disease

Current evidence indicates that oral health and overall health may be linked by two primary factors: bacteria and the inflammation produced when the body defends against bacteria. The connection has been studied in several health conditions reviewed in detail in Scientific American:

* Diabetes -- The evidence showing a link between periodontal disease and systemic disease is strongest for diabetes, a condition affecting over 20 million Americans.(ii) Several studies have shown that people with diabetes who also have periodontal disease experienced significant reductions in blood-sugar levels when their gum disease was treated.(iii) Diabetics aim to keep blood sugar as close to normal as possible to help reduce the risk of long-term complications of diabetes.(iv) Obesity has been shown to be another factor that increases the risk for both diabetes and periodontal disease. * Cardiovascular Disease -- There are many common factors between cardiovascular disease, a condition affecting 70 million Americans,(v) and periodontal disease. One of these is inflammation. While research establishes there are links between the two conditions, further studies are needed to determine if one condition causes the other. * Pregnancy -- In the U.S., nearly one of every ten babies is born too early.(vi) A growing body of data suggests that periodontal disease could be a factor in preterm births. * Elderly -- As people grow older, their risk increases for developing oral disease. Oral bacteria have been implicated in various respiratory conditions among the elderly, particularly those in institutional settings. Periodontal disease is also being evaluated for its role in other conditions affecting the elderly, including rheumatoid arthritis.

By minimizing the risk of periodontal disease, the risk of exacerbating more serious systemic conditions may also be decreased. Crest and Oral-B are committed to furthering research in this area, plus helping consumers understand the implications of gingivitis and periodontal disease and how to prevent these conditions. This includes the development of next-generation oral care products.

For example, the recent launches of Crest Pro-Health toothpaste, with its patented Polyflourite system, and Oral-B Triumph are two such examples of next-generation oral care. Setting a new standard for all-in-one protection, Crest Pro-Health toothpaste is clinically proven to help control gingivitis by reducing gum inflammation and bleeding. In a six-month clinical, Crest Pro- Health toothpaste reduced gingivitis by up to 21 percent and reduced bleeding by up to 57 percent versus a regular anti-cavity toothpaste. Oral-B Triumph, a premium, advanced rechargeable toothbrush, is clinically proven to significantly remove plaque and improve overall gum health by helping to prevent and reverse gingivitis.

"Maintaining proper oral health is an important component of one's overall wellness and products that effectively eliminate plaque and bacteria in the mouth can prevent and even reverse gingivitis," added Dr. Warren.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTS * Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste is the first and only toothpaste that protects all these areas dentists routinely check: gingivitis, plaque, cavities, tartar, sensitivity and whitening, and it freshens breath. * Crest Pro-Health Rinse kills 99 percent of germs in laboratory tests that cause plaque, gingivitis and bad breath, all in an alcohol-free formula that offers 12-hour gingivitis protection. * Oral-B Triumph is a premium, advanced rechargeable toothbrush partnering outstanding clinical results with advanced technology. Oral-B Triumph is clinically proven to significantly remove plaque and improve overall gum health by healing and reversing the effects of gingivitis. Oral-B Triumph provides cleaner, whiter teeth in 21 days. * Crest Glide Floss variants feature patented technology and are fashioned from GORE-TEX fibers that resist shredding and slide comfortably between the teeth and below the gum line to remove food particles and plaque. ABOUT THE RESEARCH

The special Scientific American compendium is available online at http://www.dentalcare.com/soap/products/index_promotion_sa.htm

Additional information is available at http://www.crest.com/prohealth/mouthBody.jsp

About Procter & Gamble

Three billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers(R), Tide(R), Ariel(R), Always(R), Whisper(R), Pantene(R), Mach3(R), Bounty(R), Dawn(R), Pringles(R), Folgers(R), Charmin(R), Downy(R), Lenor(R), Iams(R), Crest(R), Oral-B(R), Actonel(R), Duracell(R), Olay(R), Head & Shoulders(R), Wella, Gillette(R), and Braun. The P&G community consists of over 135,000 employees working in over 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

i "How Serious is Periodontal Disease?" 2006 Available at http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/caz/enth/peri/serious.jsp. Last accessed 9/22/06.

ii "All About Diabetes" American Diabetes Association. Available online at http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp. Last accessed 10/10/06.

iii 'Diabetes" American Academy of Periodontology. Available online at http://www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.diabetes.htm. Last accessed 10/10/06.

iv "Conditions and Treatments of Diabetes." American Diabetes Association. Available at http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes/treatment-conditions.jsp. Last accessed 10/3/06.

v Preventing Heart Disease and Stroke. Center for Disease Control. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/factsheets/Prevention/cvh.htm. Last accessed 10/3/06.

vi "Preterm Labor." American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Available at http://www.utmb.edu/whc/healthcare/obstetrics/PretermLabor.html. Last accessed 10/3/06.

P&G Media Contact:

Laura Brinker -- Oral Care External Relations - 513-622-4737

Procter & Gamble

CONTACT: Laura Brinker, Oral Care External Relations, of Procter &Gamble, +1-513-622-4737

Web site: http://www.pg.com/http://www.dentalcare.com/soap/products/index_promotion_sa.htmhttp://www.crest.com/prohealth/mouthBody.jsphttp://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsphttp://www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.diabetes.htm

Source: PRNewswire

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