Archive for the 'News' Category

Chew Bark for Oral Hygiene

Sure, perfectly aligned and white teeth are great. But if you have halitosis, then people would be sure to stay away from you because of your bad breath. But don’t worry, dental professionals have determined and proven that an old Chinese medicine, called the magnolia bark extract, can make your breath smell better. Not only that, the magnolia bark extract eliminates bad odor by killing the source bacteria altogether.

Halitosis starts when bacteria breaks down proteins in the mouth. This causes smelly sulfur compounds to be emitted, which is quite malodorous. Even though brushing and after-dinner mints can mask the bad smell, it remains there, until the mint’s effects are gone. The effect of halitosis is reportedly difficult to counteract, until now.

There are now reported plans of producing tree-bark chewing gum in the US this year for anti-halitosis purposes.

Source

It’s Never Too Early to See the Dentist

Losing a tooth during childhood is usually considered normal. Some parents think that a child losing a tooth (or more) is a part of the childhood experience, and that they’ll get over it soon. However, research is saying that the child’s oral health may be in trouble if not treated early.

The Academy of General Dentistry, also known as AGD, has stated taht if teeth fall out too early, this could have a bad effect on alignment when permanent teeth come out, and this will prevail through adulthood. In this case, re-implantation of a tooth that has fallen is suggested.

Dr Mark Donald, a spokesperson for the AGD, said: “The chance for success is directly related to the amount of trauma and the length of time the tooth is outside of the oral cavity. The tooth should be placed in a moist solution like milk.”

This would, of course, mean putting back teeth that have fallen off due to accidents. For natural causes (like milk teeth falling out at the right age), then the best thing to do is let them be.

Source

Say Goodbye to Numbness

92.jpg

So you just had a dental procedure done and are now preparing to go home. You say good bye to the dentist, but all you say is, “phubh vhy.” Next thing you know you’re tongue’s right out in the open and you’ve been drooling since you got back from the dentist. These are just one of the after effects of taking anesthesia. However, things are going to change for the better.

Novalar Pharmaceuticals just got a go signal from the Food and Drugs Administration to market OraVerse, a drug meant to undo the effects of anesthesia. According to them they’ll start selling the drug for $12.50 a shot.

The drug is not recommended to children below 6. Their target market most likely will be children (older than 6 of course) because they tend to accidentally bite their tongue when it’s numb. Another market to tap are those who just got some cosmetic dental work done and who would wish to look great when they leave the dentist’s office.

Source

Finland’s Children in (Dental) Trouble

kidincandystore.jpg

Finland kids are having dental problems. Dentists say that the main culprit are round-the-clock snacking and poor dental hygiene.

The international study reports that boys have more dental problems because just one-third brushes their teeth twice a day. According to Oral surgeon Veikko Tuovinen of the Central Hospital of Central Finland there’s been a higher rate of children getting general anesthesia for dental treatments compared to previous years.

Possible reasons? Candy and sweets consumption has skyrocketed and less money has been allocated for dental care due to recessions. This causes less dental checkups and dental hygiene education gaps.

Source

Mussel-Inspired Dental Adhesive

mussel.jpg

People with dental implants have a hard time when dealing with bacteria growing around the area where they’re implant is located.

Now, thanks to scientists who were inspired by mussels who attach themselves to rocks despite the violent urgings of the sea, bonding titanium dental implants to jaw bones that keeps out bacteria may now be possible. Researchers in Germany are developing an ultraviolet hardenable adhesive to bond implants to the human body.

For medical applications, there is an additional need for a growth protein, which can also be made synthetically, in order to stimulate cell growth. A third polymer component is added as a carrier.

According to them, their inspiration came from mussels who stuck to rocks despite the tugging of the sea. Expect the product to be out in five or ten years.

Source

Bad Behavior has blocked 25 access attempts in the last 7 days.