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What Difference Does an Electric Toothbrush Make to a Child’s Dental Health?
20Nov
The use of electric toothbrushes in adults is highly recommended by dentists. They are known to be superior at lessening plaque accumulation and gum disease compared to a manual toothbrush. However, what about in children? There isn’t much research into whether or not an electric toothbrush is more effective for children. New research has now looked into this topic, with interesting results.

The rise of the electric toothbrush in recent years has led to many adults switching from a manual toothbrush to an electric version. But what about children?

Some have been reluctant to push children towards an electric toothbrush, but recent research suggests that actually, an electric toothbrush can have a very positive impact on the dental health of children [1].

Background

There is an ongoing debate regarding which toothbrush is better – a manual or an electric. Both are popular with adults.

The common consensus among dentists is that an electric toothbrush is superior. Past research shows that an electric toothbrush can lessen the levels of plaque accumulation and gum disease [2].

But some have argued that children should initially use a manual toothbrush, given that it is easier to control. Then, when they reach their teenage years, it has been suggested that then they should switch. However, recent research has disputed this idea.

The dental health of children is very important. Statistics show that over 50% of 5-year-old children have at least one cavity [3]. Therefore, having the equipment to look after their dental health is essential.

The research

The research was carried out by a team from the Hebrew University-Hadassah’s Faculty of Dental Medicine. Their findings have been published in the International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry [1].

The study sought to compare how electric and manual toothbrushes effect plaque and gingivitis levels in young children aged 3-10 [1]. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease.

Researchers followed two groups of 50 children over a four-week period. Half of the children – aged 7-10 – used an Oral-B Kids Oscillating-Rotating electric toothbrush. The second half – aged 3-6 – used a Paro Junior manual toothbrush [1].

The good news is that both groups saw an improvement in their oral health. However, the results showed that electric toothbrushes had a far greater impact on the dental health of children [1].

For those aged 3-6, who used the manual toothbrush, there was a 55.7% reduction in whole mouth plaque [1]. Yet for those aged 7-10 with the electric toothbrush, there was a 94.5% decrease in whole mouth plaque [1].

As mentioned, the researchers also looked at gingivitis. The reduction in those using a manual toothbrush was minimal. However, for those with the electric toothbrush, they saw a reduction of 18.8% in gingivitis [1].

These results demonstrated that the use of an electric toothbrush represents a vast improvement in dental health, especially when compared to a manual toothbrush [1].

Summary

Without doubt, the best news of this study is that both electric and manual toothbrushing benefits children. However, there was a clear disparity between the effectiveness of an electric or manual toothbrush [1].

Therefore, this study suggests that parents should push their children towards using an electric toothbrush from a young age. The parent can play a big role in the dental health of their children.

Professor Avi Zini, who was part of the research team, was pleased with the results [3]. He commented that “young children love to use electric toothbrushes” [3].

Moreover, Zini said that the results showed that “as long as children use their electric toothbrushes according to [the] manufacturer’s instructions, the results should be very beneficial for their oral health” [3].

Overall, this research is promising. It suggests that children should use electric toothbrushes where possible. For those that don’t, there are still some benefits. Yet the benefits can be even more pronounced with an electric toothbrush!

Thinking points…

1) This article features some very useful findings. If you are a parent, it is important that you take this advice on board. You may consider purchasing an electric toothbrush for your child or children, if you haven’t already! Also, if you have any friends or family that have children, you could share this article with them so that they have the knowledge too. It could really help their children’s oral health!

2) Parents have an important role to play in helping their children with their oral health. Supervising their brushing throughout their younger years will aid them with looking after their mouth. Parents can also take their children along to their dental appointments to highlight their importance. Therefore, if you are a parent that is due an appointment, why not book now and take your children with you?

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Davidovich, E., Ccahuana-Vasquez, R. A., Grender, J., Timm, H., Gonen, H., & Zini, A. (2023). A 4-week randomized controlled trial evaluating plaque and gingivitis effects of an electric toothbrush in a paediatric population. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry. (Early view). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.13130.

[2] Boyd, R. L., Murray, P., & Robertson, P. B. (1989). Effect of rotary electric toothbrush versus manual toothbrush on periodontal status during orthodontic treatment. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. 96 (4): p342-347. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0889-5406(89)90354-5.

[3] Hebrew University of Jerusalem. (2023). Study finds using electric toothbrushes significantly improves children’s dental health. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-11-electric-toothbrushes-significantly-children-dental.html. Last accessed: 17th November 2023.

Can a Special Mouth Rinse Help Treat Gum Disease for Those With Diabetes?
14Nov
Both Gum Disease and Diabetes are very common conditions that affect many people. Treating gum disease can be difficult. For those with diabetes, gum disease commonly occurs. But now, new research has suggested that a special mouth rinse could have a very positive effect on the gums of those with diabetes. This is a very positive finding, which could improve oral health for many people.

Diabetes and Gum Disease are two common conditions. There is also a connection between the two, which results in many people suffering from both conditions.

Those with Type 2 Diabetes often require treatment for their gums. However, treating gum disease can be very difficult, with very few interventions existing.

But new research has found that a special antimicrobial mouth rinse could provide many benefits to those with Type 2 diabetes that are being treated for gum disease [1]. This is a promising finding!

Background

Gum disease is a very common condition. It typically develops gradually over a period of many years. It is characterized by inflammation and redness of the gums.

Meanwhile, Diabetes is a condition that involves a person’s blood sugar level becoming too high [2]. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and was the focus of this research.

There is a strong connection between Type 2 diabetes and gum disease [3]. These conditions often run alongside one another. Research shows that diabetes increases the risk of any periodontal condition [3].

The Research

The research was carried out by a team at the University at Buffalo in New York. Their findings were then published in the JDR Clinical and Translational Research journal [1].

The research team pointed out that root planing and scaling – which are the most common gum disease treatments – can only take place in a clinic, with a qualified dental professional conducting the treatment. Therefore, the researchers reasoned that it would help those with gum disease to have something that could aid their condition that could be used at home.

The researchers sought to find an effective antiplaque regiment in the form of a mouth rinse that could be used at home, which could assist in treating moderate to severe gum disease – known as periodontitis [1].

Mouth rinses have been used for many years. But the researchers pointed out that there hadn’t been a focus on how those with diabetes responded to a special mouth rinse [1].

There were 114 participants in the study. They were divided into two groups. One group received scaling and root planing, followed by the mouth rinse – for which they were instructed to use twice a day. The second group purely received scaling and root planing, without a mouth rinse being provided [1].

The key ingredient of the mouth rinse was Chlorhexidine Gluconate – which is found in several oral health products.

After six months, the researchers were able to look at the oral health of the participants. They looked specifically at gum inflammation levels, and general oral health [1].

Overall, the results showed that those with diabetes that used the mouth rinse saw a significantly higher reduction in gum inflammation when compared to those that didn’t receive the rinse.

This proved that for those with diabetes, the mouth rinse can be very effective. This can help those with diabetes to see an improvement in their oral health.

Would the rinse work for those without diabetes?

As an added element to the research, the team looked to see if the mouth rinse could prove effective to the wider population. Therefore, they also had some participants use the mouth rinse which did not have a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes [1].

Interestingly, the results showed that those without diabetes did not see any benefit to inflammation levels [1].

The researchers stated that they suspected this was because people with diabetes tend to have a weakened healing response [1].

Author comments

The researchers were very pleased with the outcome. They were left pleasantly surprised at how those with diabetes responded so strongly to the treatment [1].

Patricia Diaz of the University at Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine, was the head author of the study. She commented on the findings [1].

Noting the lack of treatment options for gum disease, she remarked that “before, it had been a one-size-fits-all approach, which isn’t great for treating gum disease” [1]. However, this mouth rinse has the potential to change this, especially for those with diabetes.

Diaz has cautioned though that more research is needed. She has mentioned “we need more definitive answers” [1]. While there are many positives from this research, the team have acknowledged further studies need to take place.

But overall, the findings are very positive. This mouth rinse appears to have the capability to lessen the symptoms of gum disease for those with diabetes, and generally improve their oral health.

Thinking points…

[1] Mouth rinses have the potential to be an effective method of aiding your oral health. If you are worried about gum disease, it could be worth trying to add a mouth rinse into your oral hygiene routine. Also, you could ask your dentist if they offer scaling or root planing treatments. This could aid your overall dental health.

[2] One of the biggest problems with gum disease is how so many of us have it without realizing. It is very important for gum disease to be diagnosed early on. Therefore, to make sure your oral health is strong, remember to attend regular dental check-ups. A dentist can spot gum disease, and provide advice and treatment if needed. We recommend booking a check-up now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

Moreover, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing.

We hope to see you soon at our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Diaz, P. (2023). UB study: Special mouth rinse and brushes can help treat gum disease among diabetes patients. Available: https://www.buffalo.edu/grad/news.host.html/content/shared/university/news/news-center-releases/2023/10/Diaz-gumdisease-study-diabetes.detail.html. Last accessed: 9th November 2023.

[2] NHS. (2023). Diabetes. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/. Last accessed: 9th November 2023.

[3] Kumar, M., Mishra, L., Mohanty, R., & Nayak, R. (2014). Diabetes and gum disease: The diabolic duo. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews. 8 (4): p255-258. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2014.09.022.

Why Are Dentists Concerned About the Canadian Dental Care Plan?
6Nov
The Canadian Dental Care Plan is due to be rolled out over the next few months. While there is excitement over the impact it could have on the oral health of Canadians, dentists have a number of concerns. These concerns have led to presidents of various dental associations writing to Canadian Members of Parliament to voice their opinions. It is crucial that these opinions are listened to and acted upon!

The long-awaited Canadian Dental Care Plan is expected to launch over the next few months. Despite the excitement, there are some concerns.

More than 25,000 dentists across Canada have many questions about how the Canadian government will safeguard access to dental care. A number of potential problems have been identified.

Now, presidents of various dental associations across Canada have written to Canadian Members of Parliament (MPs) to ask a series of questions [1]. These questions will help dentists to adequately prepare for the plan’s rollout.

Current state of the dental plan

The Canadian dental care plan has been in the works for some time. As progress on the plan stalled, the government announced the creation of a temporary dental benefit, which was launched at the end of 2022 [2].

The dental benefit has been offering assistance to the children of low and middle income families [2]. While the benefit was only open to a limited number of people, it has still helped many people access dental care.

While the initial benefit has been offered, planning into the wider national dental plan has been ongoing. The plan is in its final planning stages, with the rollout expected to begin in 2024 [1].

The next phase of the plan aims to increase access to dental care for uninsured Canadian adolescents, people with disabilities, and seniors with an annual family income of less than $90,000 [1].

But there are several concerns about the next steps. For example, there has been concern from some dental associations that there has been a lack of consultations with dentists – who will be the ones actually delivering the plan.

The letter to MPs

For dentists, the expansion of the national dental care plan is an important event. They need to be sufficiently prepared for the intricacies of the plan.

Therefore, given that there are many unanswered questions – this week the presidents of several provincial and territorial dental associations have written to MPs in order to ask how the government will [1]:

• Safeguard employer-provided dental plans – which approximately two-thirds of Canadians currently have access to

• Ensure that the national program can be coordinated with existing provincial programs

• Protect patient choice and maintain the patient-provider relationship

• Ensure efficient administration that promotes timely access to dental care

• Respect the costs of delivering dental care to maximize provider participation

• Increase the number of dental assistants and dental hygienists to meet the demands of the plan [1].

By getting the above answers, dentists should be in a position where they are able to provide an excellent service for their patients.

Dentists will wait to see what the response to their questions are from MPs. Their answers will be hugely helpful.

Concerns over insurance

Moreover, dentists also have many concerns over the potential problems caused by mismanagement of the plan. It has been pointed out that if the plan doesn’t work, then the two-thirds of Canadians that have employer-provided dental plans could lose their coverage and be forced into an inferior plan [1].

If this did happen, then costs would increase hugely. Therefore, in this event, the $13billion that the government has committed over the next five years to fund the plan will not be an adequate amount [1].

As a result, it has been proposed that the Canadian dental benefit should be expanded as a temporary measure while potential issues of the plan are ironed out [1].

Something else that supports this idea is how the Canadian dental benefit has proven popular – with a recent survey finding that almost 90% of surveyed Canadians are satisfied with the benefit [3].

Comments from dental associations

Various figures from multiple dental associations across Canada have come forward to comment on the situation. There are many shared concerns from the various organizations.

Dr. Bruce Yaholnitsky of the Alberta Dental Association has pointed out that to succeed, the recommendations put forward by the various associations should be listened to. As Yaholnitsky points out, their recommendations are “based on decades of experience and caring for the oral health” of millions of patients [1].

Meanwhile, Dr. Rob Wolanski of the British Columbia Dental Association has said that if the plan isn’t designed properly, that it could “leave the most vulnerable people in society behind” [1].

Other comments discussed how it is important for the plan to be fair to all parties – which involves transparency on which services are included in the plan, and which aren’t [1].

While there are concerns with this plan, it should also be noted that it does have the potential to be a historic moment in Canadian healthcare. If the plan works as intended, then the oral health of millions of Canadians should improve.

But it is crucial for the federal government and policy makers to take into account the concerns put forward by the professionals, and act upon them accordingly. This way, a plan that benefits all parties can be created.

Thinking points…

1) Some people appear to be intent on waiting for the arrival of the Canadian dental care plan before next going to the dentist. However, we don’t know when the plan will be rolled out, so this is a risky move! Moreover, the longer you wait between dental appointments, the likelier you are to develop problems. We strongly recommend that you go to a dental clinic soon for a check-up, as this will help to ensure your oral health is strong. We recommend making an appointment soon!

2) Many people find the cost of dental care to be too expensive. Therefore, this results in many people being unable to receive oral healthcare. However, here at our Calgary dental clinic [clinic name], our prices are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This means that our fees are transparent, reliable, and trustworthy! If you wanted to find out more about us, we recommend you take a look at our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Numan, O. (2023). Canadian dentists to MPs: We need answers about the Canadian Dental Care Plan. Available: https://financialpost.com/globe-newswire/canadian-dentists-to-mps-we-need-answers-about-the-canadian-dental-care-plan. Last accessed: 2nd November 2023.

[2] Ontario Dental Association. (2022). Canadian Dental Care Plan. Available: https://www.oda.ca/visiting-the-dentist/government-dental-programs/canadian-dental-care-plan/. Last accessed: 2nd November 2023.

[3] Health Canada. (2023). Canada Dental Benefit Baseline Survey. Available: https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2023/sc-hc/H14-442-2023-eng.pdf. Last accessed: 2nd November 2023.

How Did Dentistry During COVID-19 Compare to Pre-Pandemic?
30Oct
Recent research has compared how the dental industry looked during Covid-19 and before the pandemic. This has implications for the modern day, as many people are yet to return to a dental clinic since the pandemic. The findings were rather concerning, with there being many decreases in various areas, including preventive healthcare like check-ups and restorative procedures.

In concerning news, new research has found that there has been a significant decrease in the provision of preventive oral healthcare services when compared to the levels seen prior to Covid-19 [1].

These results have raised concerns that there could be a long-term impact on oral health. This may only be evident in years to come.

The authors of the research have proposed a few potential explanations for this. Regardless of the reasons behind this, it is a concerning situation.

Dentistry in the Covid-19 pandemic

Dentistry was one of the most affected industries during Covid-19. Routine and non-emergency dentistry was suspended in 2020, resulting in only those requiring urgent dental care receiving treatment [2].

As a result of this, tens of millions of people around the world missed their planned dental check-ups. Some people are still waiting for these appointments to be re-scheduled, with some dental clinics continuing to work through a backlog of appointments.

The Research

The research was undertaken by Delta Dental, an institute that is dedicated to advancing oral health for all Americans. Their findings were published in the Journal of the American Dental Association [1].

The research team were looking to assess the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic had on oral healthcare that was provided between July 2020 and December 2021 [1]. This included the peak months of the pandemic.

The team used national claims data. In order to gain a picture of oral healthcare during the above time period, they used past data as a comparison tool. Therefore, the team used data from 2017 to 2019 – as this represented pre-pandemic dentistry [1].

Then, the data was sorted into various treatment categories. This allowed the researchers to identify which treatments had seen a rise or fall during the pandemic.

When the research team compared the two data sets, there were concerning findings. This included the realization that all age groups – especially those aged under 65 – had seen worse statistics post-pandemic [1].

For children aged from 0 to 5, the use of sealants and topical fluorides other than varnish were significantly lower in 2021 [1].

For children aged 6 to 18, there were huge decreases. Regular check-up diagnostics, operations, surgery and periodontic procedures were all down in 2021 compared to 2019 [1].

For adults, as well as having similar trends to those seen in the 6 to 18 age group, they also had significantly less gingival surgery [1]. Therefore, this suggests that there was a lack of surgeries for gum disease in this time.

However, the researchers did find that in adults, incidences of root planing and scaling – two methods used in treating gum disease – had increased [1]. This suggests that in the absence of any surgery, patients compromised by utilizing root planing or scaling for their gums.

The only increases seen were in the use of silver diamine fluoride and prefabricated crowns [1]. This suggests that many who needed emergency care opted to use a crown, as it typically provides more stability to the tooth that has been worked on. This may have been a way of providing longer-term success to what was most likely a short-term fix from a dental clinic.

Long-term impact

The overall picture suggested that there has been a trend towards less patients having preventive care. The lack of check-ups and other preventive care is very concerning.

It is very likely to have long-term implications. We may see in the next few years a large number of people needing restorative work done, as many have not returned to a clinic since the pandemic.

Other barriers exist too, including cost and access to dental clinics. Then there has also been decreases in employer-sponsored dental benefits too [3].

Joseph Dill is the Chief Dental Officer at Delta Dental [3]. He discussed the findings. Dill noted that “while we’re through the pandemic, we’re just beginning to understand the long-term impacts it could have on the nation’s oral and overall health” [3].

Moreover, Dill has pointed out some concerns. For example, he said that “the reduction in preventive procedures seen across age groups could lead to an increase in caries or deterioration of periodontal status, particularly for people who require regular preventive and maintenance care” [3].

Furthermore, Dill also pointed out the implications of this on physical health. He said that “this can exacerbate other health problems, like risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes” [3].

There are certainly a number of concerns caused by these findings. Hopefully though, we will soon see a resurgence in the number of appointments being booked.

Thinking points…

1) The researchers in this study have pointed out the physical health consequences that poor oral health can have. Let this be a reminder to you of the importance of your oral health! Remember to keep good care of your teeth and attend regular dental check-ups. We recommend making an appointment now!

2) Some people haven’t made a dental appointment since dental clinics reopened after Covid-19. If you are one of these people, we strongly recommend that you book a check-up as soon as possible! This will provide a dentist with the chance to look at your oral health and provide treatment options if needed. Therefore, remember to book soon!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Dill, J., Fontana, M., Bader, J., Chaffin, J., Strock, S., & Eckert, G. (2023). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oral health care use in the United States through December 2021. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 154 (10): P937-947.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2023.07.012.

[2] Rivas, K. (2020). Amid coronavirus, avoid nonessential dental care, WHO says. Available: https://www.foxnews.com/health/who-coronavirus-avoid-nonessential-dental-care. Last accessed: 26th October 2023.

[3] Delta Dental Institute. (2023). New research from Delta Dental finds a significant decrease in the provision of preventive oral health services resulting from the pandemic, raising concerns about long-term impacts. Available: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-from-delta-dental-finds-a-significant-decrease-in-the-provision-of-preventive-oral-health-services-resulting-from-the-pandemic-raising-concerns-about-long-term-impacts-301961466.html. Last accessed: 26th October 2023.

Could a Drug Used for Diabetes Help Treat Gum Disease?
23Oct
Recent research has suggested that Metformin – a drug that is used in the treatment of Type II Diabetes – could help in the treatment of gum disease. Moreover, it also has the potential to control inflammation and sugar levels, which can boost physical health. These are positive findings which could greatly improve the treatment options for gum disease.

Recent research suggests that a common drug that is used in the treatment of Diabetes could help to control inflammation and sugar levels for oral conditions like gum disease and systemic diseases [1].
The drug in question is called Metformin. It is a medicine that is typically used in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. However, as seen in this case, it may have multiple uses.
This is a promising finding. As inflammation causes many issues, being able to treat it with a common drug is an exciting prospect. But further research will be needed to confirm the findings.

Background

Gum disease is a very common condition. It involves inflammation and redness of the gums. Almost half of all American adults have a form of gum disease [2].
Gum disease is also strongly associated with physical health conditions like diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular problems.
An example of this connection is the impact of high sugar consumption. This causes problems in the mouth, whilst also contributing to obesity, which can result in diabetes.
Currently, there is very limited treatment options for gum disease. A deep clean of the teeth, root planing and scaling are the only potential treatments. However, these are only able to limit the damage or slow its onset.

The Research

The research was carried out by a team of researchers at King’s College London in the United Kingdom. Subsequently, their findings were published in the Journal of Translational Medicine [1].
Their research focus was on controlling inflammation and sugar levels in both the mouth and body. Inflammation and high sugar levels are symptoms of many oral and systemic conditions.
The research team initially used mice for their study. One mouse was induced with gum disease. The mouse was then given metformin on a regular basis [1].
Interestingly, the researchers witnessed a significant prevention of bone loss and age-related bone loss in mice [1]. This suggested that the metformin had provided many benefits.
Next, the research team tested metformin on patients with gum disease [1]. Moreover, these patients did not have diabetes – with the researchers looking to specifically see how those purely with gum disease reacted.
The result of the trial was positive. There were improved outcomes in gum disease treatment – with its progress being slowed. Meanwhile, the results also showed that sugar levels and inflammation in the mouth and body had lowered [1].
These results were excellent. They showed that metformin has the potential to be an excellent treatment for gum disease. Furthermore, it can also positively impact physical health conditions too.

What this means

Further research will be needed to confirm these findings. However, the initial signs are that metformin can have a really positive impact on our overall health.
Metformin has the potential to be capable of stopping, or at least slowing periodontal disease. The associated physical health benefits of metformin represents another positive.
The research team were delighted with the findings. Dr. Vitor Neves was the lead author. He mentioned that patients normally don’t have “any tools to fight against gum disease”, but now, there is “a potential tool that can help not only with gum disease, but overall health” [3].
The researchers also pointed out that metformin is a cheap drug. For example, it costs just £0.04 per tablet in the United Kingdom [3]. The research team suggested that if the NHS supplied the drug, that it could be even cheaper [3].
This led the researchers to say that the drug could be “used as a preventive medicine for oral and systemic diseases that could be adopted on a global scale” [3].
Metformin can have many positive effects. As well as helping people with their oral health, it can also benefit their overall health and the process of aging.

Thinking points…

[1] As mentioned, there are limited existing treatments for gum disease. It isn’t possible to cure gum disease, but you can certainly limit its development. Treatment options include root planing and scaling. If you have gum disease, you may want to consider discussing options with your dentist. But firstly, remember to brush your teeth and floss regularly, as this will also help!
[2] It is important for gum disease to be identified as early as possible. By doing so, it will mean that a dentist can recommend ways of stalling its progress. The easiest way for any problems to be detected is to attend regular dental check-ups. A dentist will be able to take a thorough look at your oral health and provide recommendations where needed. We recommend booking an appointment now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.
Here at Savann Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
Moreover, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing.
We hope to see you soon at our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Neves, V. C. M., Okajima, L. S., Elbahtety, E., Joseph, S., Daly, J., Menon, A., Fan, D., Volkyte, A., Mainas, G., Fung, K., Dhami, P., Pelegrine, A. A., Sharpe, P., Nibali, L., & Ide, M. (2023). Repurposing Metformin for periodontal disease management as a form of oral-systemic preventive medicine. Journal of Translational Medicine. 21 (655). DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12967-023-04456-1.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Periodontal Disease. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.html. Last accessed: 20th October 2023.
[3] King’s College London. (2023). Common diabetes drug could treat gum disease and help with healthy aging, study claims. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-10-common-diabetes-drug-gum-disease.html. Last accessed: 20th October 2023.

What Mechanisms Are Involved in Inflammation of the Dental Pulp?
16Oct
Tooth decay can result in inflammation in the dental pulp – which is the innermost part of the tooth. Trying to avoid this is crucial, as it usually requires a Root Canal treatment. Now, a research team has looked at how the mechanisms involved in dental inflammation and root damage can be impacted by various situations. This is an important subject area to review.

Recent research has yielded discoveries regarding the mechanisms involved in dental pulp inflammation and root damage [1].

These discoveries will enable a search to take place for medications that can stop bone loss, when a tooth becomes impacted by endodontic infection.

What is the dental pulp?

The dental pulp refers to the innermost part of the tooth. Therefore, it sits below both enamel and dentin, and contains blood vessels, tissues and nerves.

When teeth become decayed, it can result in a tooth’s pulp becoming inflamed. This often advances to the stage where there is an infection at the root of a tooth, which is known as an abscess.

When this happens, a root canal treatment is normally needed to save the tooth. This is a more complex dental procedure that rarely provides permanent results [2].

The Research

The results involving the mechanisms involved in dental pulp inflammation and root damage have come from two research papers [1].

Both studies were published in the Journal of Endodontics [1]. They both used the key element of the aforementioned mechanisms as a basis for their studies.

The key element is tumor necrosis factor-a receptor-1 (TNFR1), which, when binding to the cytokine TNF-a, causes inflammation to develop [1].

The researchers used various situations to experiment this element. This is where the two studies took different approaches – although both involved analyzing the pathway between TNFR1 and TNF-a.

In the first study, the researchers looked to see how the pathway reacted to dental pulp capping – which is a procedure where bioactive materials are placed over an exposed pulp, thereby encouraging healing [3].

They found that when TNFR1 is altered, it results in inflammation and subsequent bone loss [3]. It can result in severe problems, including rapid demineralization.

The team used a mouse that was deficient in TNFR1 to discover this. They took tissues at both 7 and 70 days, which resulted in an analysis taking place, helping them to reach their conclusion.

In the second study, the researchers investigated how the pathway reacted following root canal contamination [4]. This effectively involves a situation where a person has root canal but the pulp becomes contaminated.

They found that the pathway reacted well. Furthermore, they demonstrated that when the pathway blocks the presence of microorganisms, the number of issues can be reduced [4].

The researchers found that the pathway could assist in protecting against inflammation and bone loss – which is crucial in oral health [4].

After analyzing these situations, the research team concluded that the difference between these situations was the presence of microorganisms [1].

The next steps

The research team are hoping that now that there is a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in inflammation of the dental pulp, that it could be possible to search for a medicine that can assist with stopping bone loss [1].

Paula Silva, who took part in both studies, said that the group “realized from these research findings that a treatment protocol could be developed” – which he suggested was “a very interesting target” they aim to reach in the future [1].

While such creations are likely to be quite some time away, this research has helped scientists to understand what is involved in dental pulp inflammation. Therefore, this can help with future research and the potential development of a medicine to target these issues.

Thinking points…

1) The research looked at the topic of dental pulp inflammation. Tooth decay is the main cause of this. If you don’t catch tooth decay early, it can eventually result in the pulp becoming inflamed. Therefore, rather than a simple cavity filling being needed, it can require a root canal treatment. Make sure you look after your teeth and visit a dental clinic at the first sign of decay!

2) Following on from the above point, it is very important that you attend dental check-ups on a regular basis. Here at Savanna Dental, we recommend that you go to a dental clinic at least once every six months. This will enable any issues to be identified and then treated. We recommend booking an appointment now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Constantino, L. (2023). Discovery of mechanism involved in dental inflammation paves way to therapies against bone loss. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-10-discovery-mechanism-involved-dental-inflammation.html. Last accessed: 9th October 2023.

[2] Watson, S. (2021). Tooth Pulp Function and Inflammation. Available: https://www.verywellhealth.com/tooth-pulp-dental-terms-1059180. Last accessed: 9th October 2023.

[3] de Almeida-Junior, L. A., Araujo, L. D. C., Lamarque, G. C. C., Arnez, M. F. M., Kapila, Y. L., da Silva, L. A. B., & de Paula-Silva, F. W. G. (2023). Reparative Dentin Formation Following Dental Pulp Capping is Mediated by TNFR1 In Vivo. Journal of Endodontics. 49 (10): p1329-1336. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2023.06.015.

[4] de Almedia-Junior, L. A., de Carvalho, M. S., Almeida, L. K. Y., Silva, R. A. B., Silva, L. A. B., & de Paula-Silva, F. W. G. (2023). TNF-α–TNFR1 Signaling Mediates Inflammation and Bone Resorption in Apical Periodontitis. Journal of Endodontics. 49 (10): p1319-1328. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2023.07.013.