50 per cent of our population are susceptible to periodontal disease An interview with Prof. Nicola West, head of restorative dentistry and the Clinical Trials Unit at the Bristol Dental School, UK . news During a unique breakfast briefing on Friday morning, Unilever’s Zendium showcased a remarkable set of data demonstrating how daily use of Zendium toothpaste improves gingi- val health by balancing the oral mi- crobiome. The results are perfectly aligned with the evolving view of the pathology of periodontal disease that puts microbial balance, rather than microbial elimination, at its heart. today international sat down with speaker Prof. Nicola West, head of re- storative dentistry and the Clinical Trials Unit at the Bristol Dental School in the UK. An expert in clini- cal research on the efficacy of oral hy- giene products, she was the ideal con- versation partner for an update on the topic. What is the oral microbiome, and what is its significance for oral health? The oral microbiome is the struc- ture of the bacteria on the teeth and oral mucosa, with its proteins and nat- ural enzymes. Ideally, the bacteria in our oral microbiome are naturally in a state of balance, that way maintaining AD I T D © plants. If the biofilm is not disrupted on a regular basis by self-directed oral hygiene, it becomes dysbiotic, and we get the emergence of patho- genic strains, leading to gin- givitis and, in susceptible in- dividuals, periodontitis. What are some of the dan- gers to a healthy micro- biome? A poor sleeping pattern or unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking. Pregnancy is a risk factor too, owing to the hormonal changes hap- pening in the body, and the fact that there are hormone receptors the mouth. Lastly, a healthy diet is very important. We should be eat- ing and drinking more natu- ral products instead of the processed forms we eat a lot of the time, like honey in the Mediterranean diet, to give just one example. It is important to get the physical effect of our nutrition in the mouth instead of just swallowing in Dr Mark Edwards, Unilever’s Global New Opportunities Brand Director Oral Care and Prof. Nicola West at the Zendium Breakfast Briefing. oral health and protecting us from de- veloping disease. The vast majority of periodontal diseases are initiated by an accumulation of biofilm on the hard surfaces of the mouth: the teeth or im- it and getting the systemic reaction af- terwards. Honey is actually a marvel- lous natural ingredient containing a lot of natural protective agents, so much so that I actually have started keeping my own bees! You also mentioned stress as a possi- ble risk factor. Could you explain why that is? We know that there are stress pathways linked to the mouth. When it comes to periodontal disease, people either are or are not naturally suscepti- ble to it. If one is susceptible, stress is one of the contributing genetic and epi- genetic risk factors. All in all, 50 per cent of our population are susceptible to periodontal disease—which is huge number. When we look after patients, we can definitely see a difference in stability in the periodontal condition between people who are stressed and those who are not. In people who do not cope well with stress, one can actu- ally see changes in saliva production, sleeping pattern, pocket formation and so on. Lastly, how has EuroPerio been for you so far? I think it is a fantastic event. It is buzzing, isn’t it? It is busier than the last one we had in London, and I just think this is the place to be. For me, it is an opportunity to network and ex- change ideas with all the experts on periodontics from all around the world. It is very friendly and well organised, and the programme is just amazing. New book aims to make periodontology palatable An interview with Dr Michèle Reners, EuroPerio9 Congress Chair. Running two private dental prac- tices in the Belgian city of Liège, lec- turing in Belgium and France, col- laborating with the University of Liège as an internship supervisor for young periodontists, and serving as Editor-in-Chief of the French dental journal Information Dentaire, Dr Michèle Reners has many roles. As EuroPerio9 Congress Chair, Reners Who is the book aimed at? Above all, the book is practical. As such, it is mainly aimed at dental stu- dents and older general dentists. The aim is to help students understand the subject better, but it is also a book to keep practising dental professionals up to date on some topics. That is why the first chapters of Periodontology Made Easy cover the aetio-pathology of perio- P F E © Dr Reners book signing took place at EuroPerio9 on Friday, 22 June. has been key in putting together an engaging event that has attracted a record number of visitors. today in- ternational caught up with her at the signing of her new book, Periodontol- ogy Made Easy. Your book is titled Periodontology Made Easy. How did the idea for the book come about? The publishing house I normally collaborate with has a “Made Easy” series of books, every one of them being on a different subject, for ex- ample Prosthetics Made Easy or Oc- clusion Made Easy. When they pro- posed that I write a book on perio- dontology, I immediately accepted. Periodontology not being an un- learnable subject is a thought that I want to convey to the general practi- tioner. That is why the book aims to make an intimidating subject like periodontology palatable, enabling dentists to see it in a simpler way. dontal disease, the disease’s link with systemic disease, and stress as a risk factor in people with periodontitis. These are, after all, some more recent findings in periodontics. It’s only been a day now, but I am pleasantly sur- prised at the number of people show- ing up at the Philips booth to get a copy. We are almost through EuroPerio9. What will the last day of the congress still bring for you? It seems that there will be quite a few meetings first of all. Other than that, I am moderating a session, and last but not least there is our top-secret closing ceremony. After this show, I will be looking forward to the next one in Copenhagen, of which Prof. Phoebus Madianos will be the Chair. Over the three last years, I have had a great and enthusiastic team that definitely is the secret behind this EuroPerio. Now, I will be glad to have a rest from all the preparations.