Cow’s milk could help regrow tooth enamel
Posted: March 22, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: calcium, milk, milk t eeth, tooth deacy Leave a comment »A dentist has discovered a way to make decayed tooth enamel re-grow using a substance isolated from cow’s milk.
The treatment works while people sleep by delivering to the affected tooth a powerful solution of calcium, fluoride and phosphate, the building blocks of tooth enamel.
The tooth absorbs the solution from a small tray fitted into the mouth overnight.
Dr Nathan Cochrane, of the Cooperative Research Centre for Oral Health Science, explained: ‘The localised application of the mineral treatment re-grows the crystals of the tooth, repairing damaged tooth enamel.’
He outlined the system at the Pathfinders: the Innovators Conference at the National Convention Centre inCanberra,Australia.
He added: ‘Working as a dentist I see how teeth with fillings in them often weaken. I wanted to find out whether a chemical process could be used to replace the minerals lost from teeth through decay.’
Working with tooth remineralisation expert, Professor Eric Reynolds, and colleagues at the CRC, Dr Cochrane discovered that a substance isolated from cow’s milk could be used to stabilise the calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions, allowing them to diffuse into tooth enamel and embed themselves in the crystal lattice.
To prevent saliva from diluting the mineral solution, he developed a small tray that fits over the tooth and focuses the solution on it. The device has been patented
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With acknowledgements to Dental News
Survey Reveals UK Adults Have Poor Oral Hygiene Habits
Posted: March 22, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »
A survey has revealed that half of UK adults have below par oral hygiene habits.
The Adult Dental Health Survey revealed that a quarter of people only brush their teeth once a day, while most spend only 45 seconds brushing their teeth, which is far shorter than the recommended period of 2 minutes.
According to the survey, 42 percent of adults use only a…
Smile, children, the dentists are putting away their drills
Posted: March 21, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: children's dentistry, fillings, tooth decay Leave a comment »This is a paradigm shift in thoughts about dental care for children.It will be interesting to see if the ‘real world ‘ confirms the research .At the time of posting ,I am certain if this not the only treatment option .Ira Miller
Dentists believe bad memories of having fillings puts some children off attending (and this pattern may continue in adult life)
CHILDREN may be spared the ordeal of fillings for decayed first teeth after a study found the dentist’s drill may be doing more harm than good.Research has found that a new pain-free technique of sealing off the decayed tooth with a crown until it falls out naturally is more effective and causes less damage to the teeth than giving children fillings.( The profession has been using preformed crowns for decades- perhaps not for ‘routine ‘ treatment .)
Some dentists are so concerned about the damage caused by conventional fillings that they will no longer treat tooth decay and instead ask children to reduce their consumption of sugary foods and brush regularly until the tooth falls out naturally.Many dentists also believe that bad memories of having fillings puts some children off going to the dentist.( Prevention better than cure! )
The trial of 132 children, who were monitored for five years, found that 2% of those whose decayed tooth had been sealed with a crown suffered subsequent problems. For those who had had conventional fillings, 17% had experienced such difficulties.The findings of the study, conducted by Dundee University and the James Cook University hospital, Middlesbrough, have led to a £3m government-funded trial to decide conclusively whether the practice of putting fillings in milk teeth should stop.
Jimmy Steele, a government adviser and lead on oral and dental health at the National Institute for Health Research, said: “This is challenging what has been the conventional wisdom for 150 years.”The trial, funded by the institute, will study 1,460 children at 50 UK dental practices.
Unlike a filling, the alternative Hall technique seals the decay into the tooth with a stainless steel crown. Dentists believe that sealing it off from food and oxygen stops the bacteria from thriving and causing further damage.Nicola Innes, a lecturer in paediatric dentistry at Dundee University and leader of both trials, said: “Sealing in decay is getting a lot of interest but we know that, although . . . there is a strong body of evidence supporting it, many dentists still view decay as a gangrenous type of disease that needs to be cut out surgically.”( By using a drill or air abrasion or laser )
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Five Reasons Why It’s Worthwhile to Smile
Posted: March 21, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: best dentist, Coping with stress, dental health, oral health, pregnancy and oral health, teeth brushing, teeth whitening, tooth brush, tooth brushing Leave a comment »Five Reasons Why It’s Worthwhile to Smile
Nineteenth century novelist George Eliot once said, “Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles.”
Yet smiling is more than just a way to convince your mother that you really did enjoy that meatloaf surprise. Even the smallest upward lip curve—whether or not it’s sincerely delivered—has far-reaching emotional and physical benefits.
Here are five advantages of turning that frown upside down:
1. Studies have shown that smiling lowers blood pressure. If you need some instant Zen, then all you have to do is smile. Chanting is optional (especially if you’re standing in line at the grocery store).
2. Smiling is almost a cure for the cold. Scientists have figured out that smiling produces more antibodies and white blood cells, which boosts your immune system. So take your vitamins and grin your way to wellness.
3. Analysis conducted at theUniversity ofIllinois suggested that people who are happier (and therefore smile a lot more), add almost a decade to their lifespan. That’s an extra ten years for not using your frowny face!
4. Endorphins (feel-good hormones) and serotonin (natural stress-reducers) are released when you smile. It’s the caffeine-free pick-me-up, and it works without having to double your espresso!
5. AtDePauwUniversity inIndiana, researchers determined that people who grin consistently have healthier marriages. It’s hard to fight over who ate the last Rolo when you’re grinning at each other, right?
Smiling costs nothing, requires no special equipment, and is accessible twenty-four-seven. And no one minds if you do it in public. As Les Giblin said, “If you’re not using your smile, you’re like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook.”
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With acknowlements to Best Dentist News
An ancient remedy for an age old problem
Posted: March 16, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »An ancient remedy for an age old problem
An anthropologist who benefited from the effects of an ancient Incan toothache remedy whilst in Peru is hoping to bring it to the mass market as an alternative to synthetic painkillers.
Dr Françoise Barbira Freedman has visited and lived among the Keshwa Lamas in Amazonian Peru for the past 30 years. She relates that it was on one of these trips that she was introduced to a variety of the Amazonian plant species Acmella Oleracea.
“The story began in 1975 when I first went to live among the indigenous people of Peru,” she explains. “We were trekking through the rainforest and I was having terrible trouble with my wisdom teeth. One of the men with me noticed and prepared a little wad of plants to bite onto. The pain went away. When it came back a few hours later, he had foreseen the need and kept plant material in his hunters’ bag for me.”
Years later, the anthropologist was asked by neuroscientist Dr Mark Treherne to bring some medicinal plant samples back from Peru to be tested for a neurological research project. The Incan toothache remedy was on this list and proved successful in the clinical trials that have taken place over the past five years. The results suggested that a gel made from the plant blocked nerve endings (sodium channel pathways) and therefore alleviated pain.The dentists involved in the trial reported “a high level of satisfaction” among the patients and also recorded that the patients needed fewer follow-up appointments.
If the trials are successful, Freedman is hoping to bring the product to the mass market through her company, Ampika and says it could be available in 2014/15. A percentage of the profits will be returned to the Keshwa Lamas. She says: “We think the remedy is better than current treatments because Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs are systemic and have long-term effects; the plant product is not systemic and does not have any known side-effects.”
When asked, Professor Damien Walmsley, Scientific Adviser to the British Dental Association, said “This is an interesting development that requires further clinical trials before its potential can be properly assessed.
The team at the Harrow Dental Centre hope that may be that in time scientists may uncover another ancient herbal remedy may offer an alternative to local anaesthetics and eliminate the weird numb feeling that few look forward to.
If you have any thoughts or questions regarding this post kindly post your comments below or email us via our website www.harrow-dentist.com or call 020 84272543
With acknowlements to The Times 14 March 2012 and Wired March 2012
Foods and Drinks That Can Help Your Smile
Posted: March 9, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: General Dentistry, nutruition and diet, oral health 2 Comments »Foods and Drinks That Can Help Your Smile
You already know how important brushing and flossing are for the health of your smile. But did you also know that certain foods can benefit your oral health too? Any number of specific foods can be beneficial, but today we’re targeting just a few general foods or drinks that can help you.
Green Tea
Green tea has been used medicinally for ages and is consumed by millions of people around the world every day. It has a higher number of antioxidants than black tea, which helps explain its many benefits for patients. Among the oral health benefits to look forward to, green tea actually kills cancer-causing free radicals and can reduce periodontal inflammation.
But that’s not all. Green tea is also known to aid in the reduction of dental plaque and can interfere with the production of hydrogen sulfide, which causes bad breath.
Dairy Products
Whether you’re talking about a slice a cheese, a cup of yogurt, or a glass of cheese, dairy products can influence your smile for the better. For one thing, their low acidity protects teeth from decay and promotes a healthier pH. Dairy products are also high in calcium and phosphate, which help fortify teeth and bones alike.
Fruits and Vegetable
You’re probably all too familiar with the phrase “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Well, there’s some truth to it. The chewing action involved in eating raw fruit massages your gums and helps keep plaque from forming on teeth. What’s more, many fruits contain vitamin C, which is not only good for your overall health, its’ also good for supporting gum health. Likewise, the act of eating raw vegetables, which contain a host of important nutrients (including vitamin A), helps keep teeth clean and strong, in addition to supporting overall health.
Water
If someone asked you to think about foods or drinks that are good for your smile, you might not have considered that water might be one of the best. But in addition to hydrating the body, water can help you wash away food trapped between your teeth and give the body extra protection from the development of bacteria and plaque, as it aids the natural neutralizing effects of saliva.
Want to know more about how certain foods can help your smile?
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With acknowlements to Best Dentist Advice
Plaque-a silent assassin
Posted: February 24, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: bleading gums, caries, plaque, smile, tooth brush, tooth decay Leave a comment »Fight Back Against the Plaque Attack!
You know that fuzzy feeling on your teeth at the end of the day? Well, it’s not fuzz ,it’s actually plaque . What is plaque? It’s a sticky biofilm attached to your teeth containing hundreds of bacterial species. Before you run for the mouthwash, you should know those bacteria occur naturally. And it’s not just you, everyone has them!
What Causes Plaque?
Those little germs on your teeth use ingredients in saliva to flourish, namely sugar. As the bacteria metabolize tiny sweet particles, they produce acids that erode tooth enamel, cause cavities, and lead to gum disease and tooth loss. A diet full of candy, soft drinks, and carbohydrate-rich foods ups the ante.
Lose the Plaque, Not Your Teeth!
Though the formation of plaque happens to us all, there are things you can do to prevent it from building up on your teeth and hardening into tartar.
- Brush thoroughly at least twice a day,for at least two minutes , but preferably after every meal.
- Floss once a day to remove leftover food particles and plaque between teeth.
- Chew sugarless gum in between brushing. When you chew, saliva is produced, which counteracts acid in the mouth.
- Limit your intake of sugary, starchy foods. Sticky snacks, like raisins, are especially problematic.
- Stop smoking! Do we really need to explain why? Besides the obvious reasons, smokers have more hardened plaque than non-smokers do.
- Visit your dentist every six months for an examination and professional oral hygiene visit.
- Ask about dental sealants, a thin plastic coating that protects the chewing surfaces of your teeth from cavities and decay.
If you have any thoughts or questions regarding this post kindly post your comments below or email us via our website www.harrow-dentist.com or call 020 84272543
With acknowlements to Best Dentist Advice
Orthodontic braces – a balanced diet for a smile
Posted: February 21, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »http://www.nowsmile.org/uploads/NOW%20Recipe%20updatedMarch11.pdf
Copy the link for great ideas for meals for people wearing orthodontic braces.Now let’s cook by the British Orthodontic Society
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Tooth Sensitivity
Posted: February 14, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: dental pain, tooth sensitivity Leave a comment »The Scoop on Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is one of the chief complaints dentists receive. It results when gums recede and expose the tooth roots. Tubules in the tooth roots lead directly to the tooth’s nerve, allowing stimuli such as hot or cold to reach the nerve and cause the associated pain. Several factors contribute to gum recession, including:
Brushing Technique – Brushing aggressively or with a hard-bristled brush can wear down the tooth enamel and expose the sensitive layers of dentin. Improper brushing can also damage the gum tissue and expose tooth roots.
Cracked Teeth – Even small cracks in tooth enamel can fill with bacteria, irritate the pulp, and cause tooth sensitivity.
Teeth Grinding – Over time, teeth grinding can lead to enamel erosion and hairline fractures.
Gum Disease – The leading cause of gum recession and tooth loss, gum disease eats away gum tissue and leaves tooth roots vulnerable to outside stimuli.
Age – Tooth sensitivity is typically highest between ages 25 and 30.
Tips for Tougher Teeth
Changing your hygiene products and habits can have an enormous impact. Brush with a desensitizing toothpaste and always use a soft-bristled brush. Fluoride rinses can re-mineralize softened areas of tooth enamel and curb sensitivity. Daily flossing and regular dental cleanings will help prevent gum disease, and your dentist or Oral Hygienist can recommend other measures, such as a nightguard for teeth grinding. You don’t have to suffer tooth sensitivity. See your dentist for a thorough diagnosis and long-term solution.
If you have any thoughts or questions regarding this post kindly post your comments below or email us via our website www.harrow-dentist.com or call 020 84272543
With acknowlements to Best Dentist News
Say Cheese!
Posted: February 10, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »Say Cheese!
Drink your milk! How many of us immediately revert to childhood memories of sitting around the dinner table with mom and dad upon hearing these words? What if, instead, our moms had insisted, “Eat your cheese!”? I imagine we’d all have fonder dinnertime memories, for one.
Well, it turns out Mom would have been doing us all a great favor if she’d been a little more generous with the cheese. Evidence indicates that eating cheese is beneficial for your teeth because it is low in carbohydrates and high in calcium and phosphate. Research over the past decade suggests that cheese is not only an excellent source of calcium, which (as we all know) strengthens bones and teeth, but can also help balance the acidity levels (pH) in your mouth preventing decay.
Be Strong
While dairy products are chock full of bone-strengthening calcium, cheese goes the extra mile by coating your teeth with calcium. A single cube of cheese can increase plaque-calcium concentration by more than 100 percent! This coating aids in hardening and remineralizing teeth, which protects against cavities.
Keep the Balance
Cheese not only acts as a delicious source of calcium, but it goes another step in fighting dental caries by balancing the pH levels in your mouth. When starchy or sugary foods and drinks are consumed acids are produced, causing pH levels to drop. A low pH level encourages demineralization, softening teeth and making them vulnerable to decay. Once again, cheese steps in to save the day! Studies show that eating cheese helps maintain a safer pH level for your teeth.
It’s Gouda for You!
What’s your favorite kind of cheese? Is it cheddar, Swiss, blue, brie, Gouda, or Edam? It’s been shown that just about any variety provides benefits to your oral health, so bring on the cheese and smile pretty!
Don’t forget to brush and floss regularly. Teeth cannot live on cheese alone.
If you have any thoughts or questions regarding this post kindly post your comments below or email us via our website www.harrow-dentist.com or call 020 84272543
With acknowlements to Best Dentist News 2011
