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Study Finds That Self-care Exercises Are Highly Effective for Facial Pain - Savanna Dental
8Aug
Most cases of facial pain result in patients using oral appliances such as splints and bite guards as a means of controlling pain. For a long time, oral appliances have been seen as the most effective method to treat facial pain. However, new research suggests that actually, self-care techniques are most effective at treating facial pain.

Facial pain, whether it be dental-related, jaw-related or trauma-related, is a difficult thing to live with. Anyone who has gone through a period of facial pain will know that recovery can be slow.

Facial pain, especially for dental and jaw pain, is usually caused by a Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which are a group of related conditions that cause discomfort.

Over the years, various treatments have been put forward as being effective for facial pain, though there has never been a clear consensus on how facial pain is best treated.

A study however has found that self-care exercises have the potential to be much more effective than more conventional interventions, such as splints and bite guards.

What is a TMJ?

As mentioned above, a TMJ disorder is a group of conditions that are related to the temporomandibular joint – which is the joint of the jaw – and the surrounding muscles.

To be precise, the TMJ’s are the joints that are located in front of each ear, which connects the lower jaw bone to the skill.

When thinking about joints, most people think of the knees, fingers, elbows and wrists. But arguably one of the most important joints – the jaw – is often forgotten, despite its importance, given that it helps us to eat, talk and breathe [1].

It is very difficult to say how many people have a TMJ disorder, but research suggests that approximately 12% of people in USA experience a TMJ disorder at any one time [2].

A TMJ disorder is more common in women than men, and unlike most chronic pain conditions, TMJ disorders often affect younger people as much as the elderly [2].

The typical symptoms of a TMJ disorder include jaw clicks, pain, limited mobility, difficulty in opening the mouth, poor sleep, headaches and earache [3].

TMJ disorders have also been associated with increased depression, anxiety and stress [4], and are therefore conditions which have a marked effect on quality of life.

In terms of treatment, long-held views suggest that splints and bite guards should be the first line of treatment. Other common treatments include painkiller medications, ranging from mild analgesics to powerful opioids, anti-inflammatory drugs and self-care methods such as jaw exercises and warm compresses.

The Research

The study took place in 2019, and was organised and carried out by researchers at the NYU College of Dentistry, before being spublished in the Journal of Clinical Oral Investigations [5].

The study involved researchers looking at how women with a TMJ disorder treated their pain, and how effective each treatment was [5].

The study involved 125 women. Most participants used more than one treatment, with an average of 2.4 treatments per participant. The researchers found that the most common treatments were [5]:

• Oral appliances e.g., splints, bite guards etc (used by 59% of participants)

• Physical therapy (54%)

• Home-based jaw exercises (34%)

• Acupuncture (20%)

• Visiting a chiropractor (18%)

• Injection at site of trigger point (14%)

• Exercise (7%)

• Meditation and deep breathing (6%)

The researchers then asked each participant how well each treatment had worked for them, in terms of easing their pain and overall wellbeing.

In a surprise result, self-care activities like jaw exercises, meditation and warm compresses were found to provide the biggest improvement in symptoms of pain, with 84% of participants stating that these activities helped ease their pain [5].

On the other hand, 64% of those who had used the oral appliances – the most common treatment – said they had been helpful, amounting to a significantly less amount than the self-care activities [5].

11% of those who used oral appliances suggested that they actually made their pain worse. Other treatment methods like acupuncture, chiropractor and injections did not score highly in easing pain.

The results of the study suggest that instead of using oral appliances, or reaching straight for the medicine cupboard, those who are suffering from facial pain should engage in self-care techniques and exercises.

The study’s implication for dentistry

Facial and jaw pain is common in dentistry. Gum disease can cause inflammation, while infections or general toothache can cause pain in the jaw muscles, and face in general.

Therefore, these results suggest that we shouldn’t automatically use oral appliances to treat such problems. Instead, self-care techniques such as jaw exercises, meditation and warm compresses can be used, as they appear to be much more effective, and less risky.

TMJ disorders are usually diagnosed and treated by a dentist. Most dentists will recommend oral appliances for treating TMJ disorders, but these results suggest this is not the right approach.

Of course, the best way to avoid needing to treat facial pain is to practice excellent oral hygiene, and visiting the dentist for a check-up at least twice a year. By getting checked regularly, any oral problems can be addressed quickly. This helps to prevent more intense pain later on, if any dental problems are left untreated.

Excellent oral hygiene involves brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and as above, getting a dental check-up at least twice a year. Avoiding sugary foods and drink, and not smoking also helps.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

At Savanna Dental, we offer our patients many services, allowing us to treat a range of dental conditions. We ensure our patients receive a comfortable and caring experience when visiting us.

Our dental clinic is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We offer services like regular check-ups, cavity fillings, root canals, dentures, and some cosmetic services such as tooth whitening.

If further treatment is required after a routine dental check-up, our patients are provided with a clear treatment plan.

Our Calgary based dental practice Savanna Dental also follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which means our prices are competitive, transparent and affordable.

If you need dental advice, our team at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental will be able to help. This can include advice on treating bad breath, gum disease, the effect our diet has on our oral health, and any other dentistry-related guidance.

Summary

With facial pain being very common, the findings of this study are very important. We now know the value of self-care exercises. It seems that using self-care techniques such as jaw exercises, meditation and warm compresses can be highly effective in treating pain.

We would love you to visit our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental! You can also read more about us on our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca and see more about what we offer our patients. We hope to see you soon!

  • [1] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Temporomandibular Disorders: Priorities for Research and Care. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25652.
  • [2] The TMJ Association. (2021). TMJ Basics. Available: https://tmj.org/living-with-tmj/basics/. Last accessed 6th August 2021.
  • [3] Llodra-Calvom, J. C., Carlos, J., Bravo-Perez, M., & Cortés-Martinicorena, F. J. (2002). Encuesta de Salud Oral En Espana. RCOE. 7(1), p19-63.
  • [4] Kmeid, E., Nacouzi, M., Hallit, S., & Rohayem, Z. (2020). Prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorder in the Lebanese population, and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress. Head & Face Medicine, 16(1), p19-37.
  • [5] Santiago, V., Raphael, K. G. (2019). Perceived helpfulness of treatments for myofascial TMD as a function of comorbid widespread pain. Clinical Oral Investigations. 23(1), p2929-2939.
Ever Wondered If You Have Bad Breath? A New Sensor Can Tell You - Savanna Dental
2Aug
Bad breath is a common, yet difficult thing to live with, and many of us worry about having bad breath throughout the day. Practicing excellent oral hygiene is the best way to combat bad breath. However, new research shows that a thumb-sized sensor could help detect bad breath for you!

Bad breath is a common source of concern, anxiety and embarrassment. It is one of those topics that is difficult to ask others for an honest opinion about, and even more difficult to tell someone about their bad breath.

But recent research that has focused on studying ways of detecting bad breath has found that a specially-constructed, thumb-sized device could allow us to automatically detect if we have bad breath.

Finding an accurate method to detect bad breath has been a topic of interest for a long time for researchers, especially given how common the issue of bad breath is for people around the world. Therefore, this is an exciting development.

What is bad breath?

Many people have bad breath now and then, while others have long-term problems with bad breath – which is a medical condition called Halitosis.

Bad breath affects many people, with statistics suggesting approximately 60million people in the United States alone suffer from chronic halitosis [1].

Bad breath is linked to the levels of a gas named hydrogen sulfide that is present in our mouths. This is the gas that causes bad breath.

From a dental perspective, persistent bad breath is often a sign of halitosis or gum disease, and therefore early identification can be very helpful in preventing worsening oral health.

Aside from physical health, bad breath can also be a problem socially. A study in the United Kingdom found that bad breath was the “biggest turn off” for people looking for a new partner [2]. Bad breath can also negatively impact mental health, with low self-esteem and anxiety commonly associated with those who have bad breath [3].

The causes of bad breath

Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of bad breath. Toothpaste not only effectively cleans the mouth, but it also leaves a minty taste behind, keeping our breath fresh and pleasant.

But when people avoid brushing their teeth, neglecting to floss, and ignoring their tongue, it results in the build-up of bacteria in and between the teeth and gums, which leads to rotten-smelling gases to emit.

Aside from poor oral hygiene, other common causes of bad breath or halitosis include foods, diseases and tobacco.

Many things cause short-term bad breath, such as strong-flavoured foods like garlic and onions. But others, like smoking, can cause both short and long-term breath quality problems. Smoking also stains teeth and irritates gums [4].

Certain medications and medical conditions are also linked to bad breath. Dry mouth, some gastrointestinal conditions and even diabetes can all worsen breath [5].

The Research

There has been significant research in the past into ways of detecting bad breath. But while some devices already exist, their accuracy and legitimacy has been questioned. These devices also require exhaled air to be tested on expensive scientific equipment, therefore making it impractical for general public use.

But thanks to a new study, this could change. The recent research was published in the ACS Nano journal, and was carried out by researchers at the South Korea-based Advanced Institute of Science and Technology [6].

The researchers have been able to create a new sensor that is able to detect the levels of hydrogen sulfide in breath – which, as mentioned earlier, is the gas that leads to bad breath.

The researchers created a solution, which consisted of different levels of sodium chloride, metal salt, platinum metal nanoparticles and tungsten. The solution was then manufactured into tiny fibres using a technique called electrospinning [6].

Researchers used different solutions and quantities of chemicals in order to find the most effective final solution, which was measured by the solution with the highest reactivity to hydrogen sulfide.

The sensor would combine with the above solution to detect levels of gas, temperature, pressure and humidity, in order to ascertain breath quality.

When tested, the sensor was able to identify bad breath 86% of the time when measuring exhaled air. The researchers suggested that a process of filtering would lead to even more accurate results [6].

As a result of these findings, the researchers have suggested that a small, thumb-sized device could soon be built, which could be sold to the general public – providing them with rapid results on the quality of their breath [6].

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Here at Savanna Dental, we are happy to offer our patients a vast range of services. We are based in a convenient location within Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

We strive for patient satisfaction, and ensure that we provide our visitors with a comfortable, caring and reassuring experience.

We discussed earlier about how bad breath can be a sign of health problems, and this is consistent with any oral health issues – it is important to attend regular check-ups to check overall oral health.

The earlier that any problems are detected, the better the chance of recovery. We therefore recommend that our patients see us at Savanna Dental at least twice a year for a regular check-up.

If further treatment is required following a dental check-up, we provide our patients with a clear treatment plan, whilst giving them a voice in their treatment.

Just some of the many services we offer include cavity fillings, root canals, dentures, and even cosmetic dentistry services like teeth whitening.

The best thing we can all do to avoid extra treatment is to practice excellent oral hygiene. This includes brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and potentially using a tongue scraper – with this helping to protect against bad breath.

Avoiding smoking, sugary foods and drink and alcohol wherever possible can also protect our oral health.

Our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental also follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which provides affordable and totally transparent fees.

Summary

Recent studies certainly suggest that dental health is going to be aided by technological advancements. As well as this bad breath device, other recent developments include the possibility of predicting tooth loss, and even a candy that could lead to enamel restoration (click here to know more).

The study above into bad breath is another example of exciting developments being made in dentistry. However, for now, the focus must remain on practicing excellent oral hygiene.

That is the best way of staving off the threat of bad breath, and also helps to fight against dental problems.

We hope that you visit our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental soon! You can visit our website by clicking here https://savannadentalclinic.ca, where you can find out more about us, and the various services that we offer our patients.

  • [1] American Dental Association. (2003). Council on Scientific Affairs: Association report: Oral Malodor, Journal of American Dental Association. 134(1), p209-214.
  • [2] Oral Health Foundation. (2019). Bad breath is biggest barrier to landing your Valentine’s Day date, reveals survey. Available: https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/bad-breath-is-biggest-barrier-to-landing-your-valentines-day-date-reveals-survey. Last accessed: 30th July 2021. Last accessed: 11th June 2021.
  • [3] Kisely, S. (2016). No Mental Health without Oral Health. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 61(5), p277-282.
  • [4] NHS Choices. (2019). Bad breath. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bad-breath/. Last accessed: 30th July 2021.
  • [5] Tomova, R., & Panov, V. (2016). Bad breath in gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Scripta Scientifica Medica. 48(4), p48-52.
  • [6] Shin, H., Kim, D-H., Jung, W., Jang, J-S., Hwa Kim, Y., Lee, Y., Chang, K., Lee, J., Park, J., Namkoong, K., & K, I-D. (2021). Surface Activity-Tuned Metal Oxide Chemiresistor: Toward Direct and Quantitative Halitosis Diagnosis. ACS Nano. Available: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.1c01350.
Is It Possible to Predict Tooth Loss? - Savanna Dental
26Jul
Tooth loss is a serious dental problem that affects many people around the world. However, new research suggests that by using machine-learning tools, that it will be possible for us to predict future tooth loss, which can help to delay, or even prevent, eventual tooth loss.

Most people view tooth loss as an inevitable part of life – something that as we grow older, becomes unavoidable.

But this isn’t necessarily the case, and recent research has showed that in the future, technological advancements mean that it is possible that we could predict tooth loss, and therefore act quickly to delay or even prevent tooth loss. This interesting research could improve the oral health of people all around the world.

Tooth loss

Tooth loss is a very difficult process to go through. Tooth loss is very common, with various studies estimating that over 175 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, with tooth loss worsening as we grow older [1].

Tooth loss is usually caused by gum disease (also known as periodontal disease), which is an incredibly common condition – with research suggesting that approximately 90% of the world’s population has some form of gum disease [2].

Gum disease can be linked to several areas, most commonly poor oral hygiene, such as not brushing teeth properly. A high-sugar diet, untreated cavities, smoking and conditions like diabetes or arthritis are other risk factors.

Tooth loss has both physical and psychological consequences. Losing teeth can affect a person’s overall wellbeing, diet and quality of life [3]. It also has the psychological impact of affecting confidence and self-esteem [4].

Given all of these issues, the recent findings of the research is an exciting development, which could have a highly-positive effect on society.

The Study

The research was carried out by the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, before being published in PLOS One [5]. The study was based around how machine learning tools fared when it came to the identification of those at risk of tooth loss.

The study compared 5 different algorithms, which included different combinations of variables, with each of the algorithms then used to screen for risk of tooth loss, including complete and incremental tooth loss [5].

As mentioned, different variables were used in the different algorithms. These variables included medical characteristics, education, race and general health conditions like diabetes.

The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey – specifically using the data of 12,000 adults from 2011 to 2014. The data was used to design and then test the five machine-learning algorithms – and subsequently compare their findings to the results of a dental examination.

The results showed that the algorithms produced more accurate results than a routine dental examination. As mentioned above, these algorithms differed based on certain characteristics and variables.

The patient’s history of attending a dentist and age were, as expected, important factors. But the algorithms were able to teach us more. A patient’s education level, employment status and income were all very relevant for predicting tooth loss.

Those from low-income and marginalized populations were already known to have high levels of tooth loss, with previous research confirming this [6]. Lack of access to dental care continues to be a significant problem for these demographics.

What does this mean for dentistry?

The results suggest that in the long-term, machine learning could help to predict tooth loss, which would protect millions from the difficulties and consequences of losing teeth.

The idea is that by predicting tooth loss early, eventual tooth loss can help to delay, or even prevent, cases of tooth loss.

Lead researcher Hawazin Elani, an Assistant Professor at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, praised the findings, stating that the analysis proved that machine-learning models could be effective at predicting risk. Elani went on to state that machine-learning “could help to screen people all over the world”.

But these results also underline the importance of early intervention. Unfortunately, many people who need dental treatment avoid going to the dentist until they are in excruciating pain, by which time it is often too late to save their tooth, leading to removal.

This shows how vital it is to attend regular dental check-ups, as any problems can be identified and acted on quickly. Machine-learning certainly has a place in dentistry, but a regular check-up, twice a year, can help immeasurably.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

At Savanna Dental, we offer our patients a range of services. We are located in a convenient location in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and ensure that we provide our patients with a caring and comfortable experience.

The research above has shown how crucial it is to detect dental problems early. The best thing to do therefore is to attend regular dental check-ups. We recommend that our patients come to see us twice a year for a check-up.

When further treatment is required following a regular check-up, we provide many different services to fit the patient’s circumstances. These include cavity fillings, root canals, and dentures among other treatments.

Many people are put off of visiting the dentist due to the costs involved. However, our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which provides our patients with transparent and affordable costs.

As always, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and avoiding sugary foods and drinks, alcohol and smoking wherever possible. Good oral hygiene is very important, and has numerous benefits, including slowing down cognitive decline(click to know more).

We also provide some cosmetic dentistry treatments at our Calgary dental clinic, including teeth whitening.

Summary

Machine-learning definitely has the impact to positively affect the dental industry. The ability to predict tooth loss offers many benefits. Early intervention continues to be crucial in preventing tooth loss and other oral problems.

We hope that you consider visiting our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental, you can find out about us and the various services we offer by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca, we hope to see you soon!

  • [1] American College of Prosthodontists. (2015). Missing Teeth. Available: https://www.prosthodontics.org/assets/1/7/ACP_Talking_points_for_Missing_Teeth_1-12-15.pdf. Last accessed: 24 July 2021
  • [2] Pihlstrom, B. L., Michalowicz, B. S., & Johnson, N. W. (2005). Periodontal diseases. Lancet. 366 (9499), p1809-1820.
  • [3] Saintrain, M. V .d .L. & de Souza, E. H. A. (2012), Impact of tooth loss on the quality of life. Gerodontology, 29(2), pe632-e636.
  • [4] Kaur, P., Singh, S., Mathur, A., Makkar, D. K., Aggarwal, V. P., Batra, M., Sharma, A., & Goyal, N. (2017). Impact of Dental Disorders and its Influence on Self Esteem Levels among Adolescents. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research: 11(4), pZC05–ZC08.
  • [5] Elani, H. W., Batista, A. F. M.M Thomson, W. M., Kawachi, I., & Filho, A. D. P. C. (2021). Predictors of tooth loss: A machine learning approach. PLOS One. 16(6): e0252873. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252873.
  • [6] Elani, H. W., Harper, S., & Thomson, W. M., Espinoza, I. L., Mejia, G. C., Ju, X., Jamieson, L. M., Kawachi, I., & Kaufman, J. S.. (2017). Social inequalities in tooth loss: A multinational comparison. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 45(3), p266– 274.
Can Flossing Your Teeth Help Fight Against Cognitive Decline? - Savanna Dental
20Jul
Strong oral hygiene can help us in many ways. One such part of effective oral hygiene is flossing each day. Recent research has suggested that tooth loss is linked to cognitive decline, which therefore shows the importance of adopting excellent oral hygiene, which appears to help battle against cognitive conditions like Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.

Flossing is an important part of oral hygiene. The simple action of passing a thin cord between our teeth can have huge benefits, with food and dental plaque being removed.

The intention is to clean those hard-to-reach areas in our mouth that a toothbrush can’t quite get to. Flossing regularly can help to prevent gum disease and the build up of plaque, which therefore improves our oral health [1].

Interestingly, poor oral hygiene has been linked to cognitive decline. This potential link has been researched heavily in the past, which has yielded inconsistent results [2].

However, a recent study suggests there is a certain link between poor oral hygiene and cognitive decline [3]. This study reinforces the importance of flossing as part of our day-to-day oral health routine, and suggests it can help to prevent cognitive decline.

The Study

The study in question was a meta-analysis conducted by researchers at The New York University’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing. The research analysed 14 pre-existing studies that investigated a link between tooth loss and cognitive decline.

After combining the 14 studies, there were 34,074 participants, with 4,689 cases of people with diminished cognitive function – such as having Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease [3].

The results showed that adults with more tooth loss had a 1.48 times higher risk of cognitive impairment. Moreover, tooth loss was also linked to a 1.28 times higher risk of developing Dementia [3].

Furthermore, the more teeth that are missing – the higher the risk of cognitive impairment. These are very worrying statistics, and shows the importance of strong oral hygiene to protect against tooth loss and gum disease.

Another interesting finding that the study concluded was that for those that lose teeth, they were likelier to have cognitive decline if they didn’t have dentures. This was an unexpected finding, but shows how dentures can be very effective for our oral health.

What the results mean

Senior author Bei Wu – who is a Professor in Global Health at the college – said “Given the staggering number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia each year, and the opportunity to improve oral health across the life span, it’s important to gain a deeper understanding of the connection between poor oral health and cognitive decline” [3].

The authors of the study stated that limited access to dental care was a big problem and was contributing to this situation. An example of where this is also happening in Canada is the Sioux Lookout, where similar problems exist (click here to read more).

The authors attempted to look for consistencies to draw conclusions on what caused these results. They suggested that the problem of missing teeth can affect chewing, which has the potential to make a person’s diet unhealthier.

Moreover, tooth loss can also happen as a result of gum disease, which involves inflammation, and already has a pre-existing link to cognitive impairment [4]. Untreated gum disease also increases the risk of developing other health conditions [5].

The importance of oral hygiene

The findings of this study show us all how important strong oral hygiene is. While many people brush their teeth twice a day, not many floss as well. But this study shows that flossing should be an important part of our oral health routine.

Flossing should be an every-day part of our oral health routine. Importantly, this routine should extend to our wider diet – including trying to avoid sugary foods wherever possible, along with drinks with a high-sugar content and alcohol.

It is most crucial to attend regular dental check-ups, as these check-ups help us to detect problems early. The earlier that oral problems are detected, the easier they are to treat. Dental problems won’t go away, therefore they should be acted on as soon as possible.

What we offer our patients at Savanna Dental

At Savanna Dental, we are proud to offer our patients a vast array of services, whilst providing them with a convenient, caring and comfortable experience. Our dental clinic is based in an easy-to-reach part of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

As we have mentioned, getting regular dental check-ups is important. When treatment is required following a check-up, then we will provide our patients with a treatment plan that is suited to their circumstances.

Among the services we provide at our Calgary dental clinic are regular cavity fillings, root canals, and dentures. The study mentioned earlier shows how useful dentures can be. Dental implants can be a useful alternative to dentures, if you want to avoid them. We also provide some cosmetic dentistry treatments, including teeth whitening.

We mentioned flossing earlier, and it is likely that some people will be new to the practice of flossing. We can give you advice on how is best to floss, or advice on any other dental issues you have.

Accessing dental care in Canada is renowned for being difficult, and this poor access, along with the high costs involved, puts many people off visiting the dentist. However, our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which means that we offer affordable and transparent care to our patients.

Summary

Cognitive decline largely appears inevitable, with cases of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease continuing to rise [6]. For many years, efforts have been made to try and find a way of addressing these rising numbers. It seems that good oral hygiene can make a difference, which underlines the importance of us all taking our oral health seriously.

Our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental offers our patients a wide range of services, as mentioned above. We hope that you consider coming to our clinic for your regular check-ups. You can visit our website by clicking here https://savannadentalclinic.ca, which will give you the chance to read more about us and what we offer.

  • [1] Bauroth K, Charles C.H., Mankodi, S. M., Simmons, B. S., Zhao, Q, Kumar, L. D. (2003). The efficacy of an essential oil antiseptic mouthrinse vs. dental floss in controlling interproximal gingivitis. Journal of the American Dental Association. 134 (3), p359–365.
  • [2] Stewart, R., Weyant, R. J., Garcia, M. E., Harris, T., Launer, L. J., & Satterfield, S. (2013). Adverse Oral Health and Cognitive Decline: The Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 61(2), p177-184.
  • [3] Qi, X., Zhu, Z., Plassman, B. L., & Wu, B. (2021). Dose-Response Meta-Analysis on Tooth Loss With the Risk of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia. The Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2021.05.009.
  • [4] Glascoe, A., Brown, R., Mercer, J., & Lawrence, L. (2015). The Impact of Periodontal Disease upon Osteoporosis, Cognitive Impairment, Respiratory Diseases, Kidney Disease and Cancer. International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Health. 1(5), p1-8.
  • [5] Beydoun, M. A., Beydoun, H. A., Hossain, S., El-Hajj, Z. W., Weiss, J., & Zonderman, A. B. (2020). Clinical and Bacterial Markers of Periodontitis and Their Association with Incident All-Cause and Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia in a Large National Survey. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 75(1), p157-172.
  • [6] Alzheimer’s Society. (2020). The UK’s biggest killer: why are deaths from dementia on the rise?. Available: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/research-dementia-UK-biggest-killer-on-the-rise. Last accessed: 16 July 2021.
New Dental Device To Beat Obesity - Savanna Dental - Calgary Dental Clinic
5Jul
Researchers have recently developed a small dental device that has the potential to tackle the ongoing obesity epidemic. The device is placed in the mouth, and aims to boost weight loss by restricting the wearer to a liquid-only diet. Early evidence suggests this exciting development could be highly-effective.

Obesity continues to be a growing problem around the world, with various medications, mechanisms and surgeries previously being used in an attempt to tackle the problem – but nothing really has ever proven to be wholly effective, nor inexpensive.

However, a new device that targets weight loss through being placed in the mouth could be a revolutionary way of treating obesity. This device has been created based on significant research, and a study into its effectiveness produced positive results.

The device is called the “DentalSlim Diet Control”, and works by restricting the wearer of the device to a liquid-only diet, with the idea that this can lead to rapid weight loss.

What is DentalSlim Diet Control?

Researchers from the University of Otago in New Zealand and the United Kingdom worked together to develop the DentalSlim Diet Control weight-loss device [1].

The device is described as an intra-oral device that is fitted by a dental professional between the upper and lower back teeth.

The device doesn’t allow the person to open their mouth more than about 2millimetres. The device therefore restricts the individual wearing the device to a liquid-based diet.

Crucially though, the device has no adverse effect on breathing, and the speech of the person wearing the device is not affected by it. The device uses small magnets with bespoke locking bolts to keep it in place.

The lead researcher from the study – Professor Paul Bunton – said that the device is “non-invasive, reversible, economical and an attractive alternative to surgical procedures”. Bunton went on to state that there were “no adverse consequences” with the device [2].

While the device might be seen as being somewhat dangerous, DentalSlim Diet Control can be released in the case of an emergency.

How effective is DentalSlim Diet Control?

While longer-term studies are needed to be assured of its effectiveness, the first study into DentalSlim Diet Control produced positive results.

A trial was done in Dunedin, New Zealand. The study involved seven healthy, albeit obese, participants. All seven adults were fitted with the device, and were then given a liquid diet for 2 weeks.

The results were positive – with the average weight loss being 6.36kg in the 2-week period. An assessment at the end of the study found that the majority of the participants were motivated to continue using the device to try and achieve further weight loss.

The Problem of Obesity

Obesity doesn’t only affect physical health, it is also associated with poor dental health, and worsening mental health.

Research shows that 1.9billion adults worldwide are overweight, with 650million people obese. Moreover, weight-related illnesses result in approximately 2.8million deaths per year [3].

Worryingly, estimates suggest that 57% of the world’s adult population will be either overweight or obese by 2030 [4].

Obesity contributes towards conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gallstone disease, arthritis and more.

Many people turn to gastric bypass surgery in an attempt to lose weight, though long-term effectiveness of this surgery is still undetermined [5].

Others choose to use specific diet plans like intermittent fasting(click here to know more), low-carbohydrate or plant-based(click here to know more). Some even resort to taking dangerous pills that are marketed as miracle weight loss pills on rogue websites.

But the specific diets mentioned above require consistency and commitment in order to see results, and therefore often do not work [6].

Often, obesity causes psychological problems too such as self-esteem problems and potential embarrassment. It can also be associated with the binge-eating element of the eating disorder Bulimia, or the activity of over-eating that is seen in some cases of Depression.

Effects of obesity on dental health

Obesity is most-commonly caused by a poor diet. A poor or unbalanced diet would typically feature food and drink that are high in sugar, fat and calories.

A poor diet can cause gum disease, while sugary foods can wear down the enamel of a tooth. Over time, a cavity will form, which then requires a filling. If left untreated, the mouth can eventually become infected.

Lower levels of obesity would certainly benefit dental professionals, with the rising obesity levels causing a large increase in the work that needs to be carried out. Supply has been unable to keep up with demand in recent months.

What effect could DentalSlim Diet Control have?

The early signs are very positive. By ensuring that a person can only have a liquid diet, the number of calories being consumed can be limited.

While some have questioned whether or not a liquid diet can be nutritious enough, studies show that when used correctly, that a liquid diet can indeed be healthy [7].

Furthermore, surgeries like gastric bypass surgery are very costly, and highly unpleasant to go through.

Therefore, DentalSlim Diet Control can be a very effective device in tackling obesity. The study’s lead researcher Professor Paul Brunton describes “compliance” as the “biggest barrier to successful weight loss”. The nature of DentalSlim Diet Control would ensure that this wouldn’t be an issue.

It is recommended that the device would be used primarily by those that need to lose weight before a surgery, or for those with a long-term condition like diabetes. If needed, users can repeatedly go through phases of wearing and then not wearing the device.

But it could also be used by anyone aiming to lose weight. Weight loss has been shown to result in better self-esteem, longer life expectancy, and better general health and wellbeing [8].

From a dental perspective, such a device would also surely have positive effects. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a “dental disaster”(click here to know more)– which has resulted in enormous levels of untreated oral problems and gum disease in recent months. Because of this, there is a huge demand for dental services. Preventing a sugary diet can lessen the chance of many needing dental procedures.

What we offer our patients at Savanna Dental

Here at Savanna Dental, we offer our patients a range of services. We provide a relaxing and comfortable environment for our patients in a convenient location within Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

It is important for us all to adopt strong oral hygiene. This includes brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, having a nutritious diet, and attending regular dental check-ups – usually at least twice a year.

Early detection of any oral problems is important. Therefore, attending regular check-ups is of significant importance. Any problems that are found can be treated effectively. The sooner that problems are spotted, the easier they can be treated.

Whenever further treatment is needed for our patients, we provide a tailored treatment plan that fits their circumstances, whilst giving them a voice in their treatment.

Among the services offered at Savanna Dental include regular check-ups, cavity fillings, root canals and dentures among other services. We also offer some cosmetic dentistry treatments too, such as teeth whitening.

Our Calgary-based dental practice also adheres to the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which means we offer affordable and transparent care to our patients.

Summary

Obesity continues to be a big problem, and has a clear link to poor oral health. Whether or not the DentalSlim Diet Control will prove to be effective in the long-term remains to be seen. However, it could have a revolutionary effect.

Regardless of its effectiveness, we all need to continue to practice excellent oral hygiene. We would love you to visit our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental! Click here to visit our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca, where you can see the range of services and treatments that we offer our patients.

  • [1] Brunton, P. A., Ratnayake, J., Bodansky, H. J., Mei, L., Veerasamy, A., & Hall, R. (2021). An intraoral device for weight loss: initial clinical findings. British Dental Journal. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-3081-1.
  • [2] University of Otago. (2021). Researchers develop world-first weight loss device. Available: https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/news/otago830110.html. Last accessed: July 3rd 2021.
  • [3] Hirwar, R., & Mondal, P. R. (2019). Prevalence of obesity in India: A systematic review. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 13 (1), p318-321.
  • [4] Kelly, T., Yang, W., Chen, C. S., Reynolds, K., & He, J. (2008). Global burden of obesity in 2005 and projections to 2030. International Journal of Obesity. 32 (1), p1431-1437.
  • [5] Sansone, R. A., McDonald, S., Wiederman, M. W., & Ferreira, K. (2007). Gastric Bypass Surgery: A Survey of Primary Care Physicians. The Journal of Treatment & Prevention. 15 (2), p145-152.
  • [6] Haemmingsson, E., Johansson, K., Eriksson, J., Sundstrom, J., Neovius, M., & Marcus, C. (2012). Weight loss and dropout during a commercial weight-loss programme including a very-low-calorie diet, a low-calorie diet, or restricted normal food: observational cohort study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 96 (3), p953-961.
  • [7] Brown, M. R., Klish, W. J., Hollander, J., Campbell, M. A., & Forbes, G. B. (1983). A high protein, low calorie liquid diet in the treatment of very obese adolescents: long-term effect on lean body mass, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 38 (1), p20–31.
  • [8] Haslam, D. W., & James, W. P. T. (2005). Obesity. The Lancet. 366 (9492), p1197-1209.
Canadian Federal Government Urged to Take Action Over Sioux Lookout’s “Dental Crisis” - Savanna Dental
29Jun
The Sioux Lookout region is in the midst of a “dental crisis”, according to a local health authority. The federal government has subsequently been urged to intervene and provide much-needed support to the area. The region is home to a large indigenous population – a group that has long-faced difficulties in accessing healthcare.

The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) have called on the federal government to step in and provide help for a situation that they have described as a “dental crisis” [1].

The SLFNHA have frequently levelled allegations of a lack of care from the government towards the Sioux Lookout region in recent years.

Sioux Lookout has a large indigenous population, and this situation is arguably indicative of a wider problem for indigenous people in terms of trying to access dental care.

Sioux Lookout

Sioux Lookout is a region in Northwestern Ontario, with a population of around 5,000. Many people know the area as a summer holiday destination, or as a location with many rivers and beaches.

But the region is also home to a large proportion of indigenous people [2]. The indigenous people have a long history in the region, dating back hundreds of years.

Sioux Lookout has a large demand for healthcare services, though these needs are rarely met, with healthcare resources in the area stretched – especially dental services [3].

The Crisis

As mentioned, the SLFNHA have called the current oral health situation in Sioux Lookout a “dental crisis”.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on dental services across Canada, with the Sioux Lookout area amongst the worst hit areas.

In line with government guidance and advice, dental services were restricted to emergency and urgent needs only throughout much of 2020 due to Covid-19.

The problems have got so bad in Sioux Lookout, that one resident actually died after their dental infection was not treated properly, leading to an eventual death through sepsis [4].

Dr. Terri Farrell is the medical director of the SLFNHA, and she stated that the death was “preventable”, and was caused by the “appalling lack of dental services for the communities served by SLFNHA” [4].

Farrell went on to say that hundreds of children “are in pain” and “becoming malnourished due to an inability to eat” – something caused by a growing waitlist for dental operations for children in the area [4].

The struggles facing indigenous people

As mentioned, Sioux Lookout has a large proportion of indigenous people. Dr. Farrell is correct in stating that there are problems facing children in the area, which is contributing to the dental crisis.

These problems have been long-standing too, but exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. A 2004 study found approximately 70% of indigenous children living on reserves in Canada have experienced tooth decay by the time they turn 3 years old, a number that increases to 87% by the time they have turned 5 [5].

These results were backed up by the findings of a 2010 study, which concluded that 86% of First Nations children between the ages of 3 and 5 have experienced a form of tooth decay [6].

The problems don’t just apply to children. Indigenous people all across Canada face barriers to getting much-needed healthcare. Studies show that these barriers include racism, discrimination and cost [7].

With 1.7million people in Canada identifying as indigenous, this is clearly a problem that affects a huge amount of people. The dental crisis means that a huge number of people are in desperate need of dental operations.

Response

The federal government has stated that they are working with the SLFNHA and other health partners to try and support and improve dental services in the area.

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is an organisation that is responsible for the management of policies relating to the indigenous population of Canada.

The ISC have been heavily criticised by the SLFNHA, who have stated that the ISC have backtracked on a plan to create a new dental clinic in Sioux Lookout [4].

The ISC have defended themselves however, pointing to a recent increase in service levels, including providing care to over 7,000 patients in the region from November 2020 to June 2021 [8].

The problems caused by poor oral health

As mentioned above, there is a large oral health problem facing this region. Oral health problems are not just limited to this part of Canada though, with professionals stating that the dental industry is facing a “dental disaster”(click here to read more).

Covid-19 has led to regular dentist appointments to be suspended, with urgent and emergency cases prioritized. This has meant many people will have undetected dental problems.

Poor oral health can cause a range of problems, including cavities, gum disease, and potentially even mouth cancer.

It is therefore very important for us to all brush our teeth at least twice a day, floss regularly, have a nutritious diet, and attend regular dental check-ups – typically a minimum of two per-year.

What we offer our patients at Savanna Dental

Here at Savanna Dental, we provide a range of services suited to the needs of our patients. We provide a relaxing and comfortable environment for our patients in a convenient location within Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Among the services offered at Savanna Dental include regular check-ups, cavity fillings, root canals and dentures among other services. We also offer some cosmetic dentistry treatments too, such as teeth whitening.

Through regular check-ups, problems can be detected and treated accordingly. When further treatment is needed, we provide a tailored treatment plan to our patients, and ensure that they have a voice in their treatment options.

Our Calgary-based dental practice also adheres to the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which allows us to provide affordable care to our patients. With cost being a barrier to accessing dental services for many people, having full knowledge of fees ahead of an appointment can be very useful.

Summary

Sioux Lookout is facing a very difficult dental health situation, with these problems being replicated across Canada. As we gradually return to normal life, the aim is to provide the much-needed oral care to the Canadian population.

We would love you to visit our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental! We care deeply about our patients, and our staff are always on-hand to help. Click here to visit our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca, where you can see the range of services and treatments we provide our patients with.