Category: Dental Care

Gum Disease is a condition that affects millions of people around the world. Monitoring the progression of the condition – from mild to severe forms – can be challenging for dentists, making treatment difficult. However, a research team has recently used an algorithm to track changes in gum disease. The aim is that this will result in a long-term improvement in treating gum disease.

Gum Disease is a condition that continues to pose many problems for patients and healthcare providers alike, with the issue growing in recent years.

One of the main issues with gum disease is the pace in which it can change. Following the progression of gum disease can be challenging. But, in an effort to combat this problem, a research team has developed a computer algorithm which could result in better gum disease progression tracking [1].

Therefore, this could help patients receive more targeted and relevant care. Similarly, it would also provide dentists with more insight into the oral health of their patients.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is an oral health condition which involves the gums becoming red, swollen and sore [2]. Furthermore, the gums often become inflamed and pain often follows. Mild gum disease is called Gingivitis, with severe gum disease known as Periodontitis.

If left untreated, gum disease can eventually develop to the extent where bone loss requires tooth removal. Gum disease is caused by a build-up plaque. Moreover, plaque develops when sugary food and drink e.g., candy or soft drinks are consumed over a length of time.

Gum disease is very common. For example, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older and 70.1% of adults 65 years and older have some form of gum disease [3].

Because gum disease can develop over a long period of time, it is difficult for dentists to track its progression. This causes problems where advice given can become outdated quickly.

The Research Methodology

Recently, a research team sought to find out ways of tracking progression of gum disease. The team consisted of researchers from the Regenstrief Institute and the Indiana University School of Dentistry. Their findings were published in the Diagnostics journal [1].

The research was focused on periodontitis – the most serious form of gum disease. Periodontitis can cause many unpleasant symptoms. For example, this includes the gums pulling away from the teeth, bone loss and the teeth loosening.

The research team used data from a study that took place at Indiana University between 2009 and 2014, which involved 28,908 patients [1]. These patients visited the dentist multiple times and all received a comprehensive oral evaluation during the above period of time.

To form the computer algorithms, the researchers used Python libraries including Pandas, TensorFlow and PyTorch [1]. Moreover, a natural language tool kit was used to test the algorithms. A confusion matrix was used as part of a manual review process.

Any changes were observed using electronic dental records [1]. Then, these records were extracted and combined with clinical notes made by dentists of the patients.

Results

Next, the algorithms were used to track typical progression changes. Having such a huge dataset allowed the researchers to make many conclusions. Then, the patients were split into three cohorts – those that had no change in their gum disease, those whose gum disease had worsened, and those who had seen an improvement [1].

The results showed that 72% of patients did not have a change in their disease status between their first and last visits [1]. This represents a large number, and suggests gum disease is managed successfully by many patients.

The researchers suggested that most patients in this category will have received preventive treatments regularly [1]. Therefore, the researchers reasoned that this would have prevented disease progression, as seen in the data.

However, 13% of patients did see their gum disease progress in a negative way [1]. The researchers suggested that factors that may have played a role in this was poor oral hygiene, smoking or inflammatory systemic diseases [1].

Promisingly, some patients were able to see an improvement. 11% of patients’ gum disease improved [1]. The researchers suggested this group had often received an early diagnosis – aiding treatment. This may have involved enhanced oral hygiene after being diagnosed with the condition [1].

Author comments

The research team were delighted with the results, finding that the algorithm had a 99% accuracy rate. Therefore, they were able to conclude that their findings were accurate.

The team were especially pleased with the finding that early detection of gum disease can result in an improvement in oral health. Thankam Thyvalikakath, author and staff member at the Regenstrief Institute, said that the findings showed that “if caught at an early stage”, gum disease “is reversible” [4].

Looking at how the findings could impact dentistry, Thyvalikakath said that the algorithm would enable dentists to track the disease through “periodontal charting data contained in a patient’s electronic dental record”, aiding “diagnosis and hope” [4]. Also, she said that approximately 90% of dental practices in the United States use electronic dental records – meaning widespread adoption would be possible [4].

The researchers suggested that in the future, if access to the required data was possible, the algorithm would be able to take into account the impact that physical health conditions have [4]. This would provide dentists with enhanced information on at-risk patients. Because of this, those at risk could receive more targeted treatment.

These are positive findings. Any advancements in the treatment of gum disease are welcomed – given how many people suffer from the condition. The hope is that research like this will be able to assist dentists in providing excellent treatment outcomes for patients.

Thinking points…

1) One of the key findings of this research is the importance of early detection of oral issues. Therefore, this underlines the importance of attending regular dental appointments – ideally once every six months. Check-ups allow a dentist the chance to have a thorough look at your oral health and look for any problems. If there are problems, then treatment can be organized. We recommend that you book an appointment soon!

2) Gum disease can be a difficult condition to live with. We need to make sure we look after our oral health – including the gums. Small changes can help – this may include consuming less sugar or avoiding tobacco. Moreover, for more advanced gum disease, treatment options include root planing and scaling. You can discuss your gums at your next dental appointment.

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] Patel, J. S., Kumar, K., Zai, A., Shin, D., Willis, L., & Thyvalikakath, T. P. (2023). Developing Automated Computer Algorithms to Track Periodontal Disease Change from Longitudinal Electronic Dental Records. Diagnostics. 13 (6): 1028. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13061028.

[2] NHS. (2022). Gum disease. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gum-disease/. Last accessed: 3rd August 2023.

[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Periodontal Disease. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.html. Last accessed: 3rd August 2023.

[4] Regenstrief Institute. (2023). Tracking periodontal disease to improve diagnosis and treatment. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-08-tracking-periodontal-disease-diagnosis-treatment.html. Last accessed: 3rd August 2023.

New research has looked into Hydroxyapatite-based toothpaste, which could serve as an alternative to fluoride-based toothpaste. Fluoride toothpaste has been used for many decades, but due to various concerns, it is not universally popular. Therefore, having a new type of toothpaste is very appealing. Now, a research team has carried out a study to compare the two types of toothpaste.

If a dentist told you to use anything other than a fluoride-based toothpaste to brush your teeth – the chances are you would look at them in confusion. After all, fluoride is crucial for our teeth.

However, new research suggests that an alternative to fluoride toothpaste – which is based on a mineral called Hydroxyapatite – could in the future be recommended.

Recently, research into a hydroxyapatite-based toothpaste has been carried out, with promising results [1]. Therefore, it is possible that in the future hydroxyapatite toothpaste may become a common sight.

Background

For many decades, fluoride toothpaste has been praised and recommended by dentists. Fluoride is a natural mineral that has been credited with improving oral health in recent decades. Fluoride is capable of aiding the prevention of tooth decay and reducing enamel dissolution [2].

Such is its usefulness for our oral health, in many countries small quantities of fluoride is added to the public water supply – a process called water fluoridation. Moreover, fluoride is also the main ingredient in most mouthwash products.

However, fluoride does pose certain risks, especially for children. If too much fluoride is consumed, such as if toothpaste is swallowed regularly, then a condition called Fluorosis may develop. Fluorosis can result in white lines appearing on the teeth, or in more severe cases, visible stains appearing on the teeth [3]. Because of this, alternatives or improvements to fluoride are regularly looked into.

The Research

A team of scientists and Polish clinicians have recently completed research into hydroxyapatite toothpaste. They have published their findings in the Frontiers in Public Health journal [1].

Hydroxyapatite is a calcium phosphate mineral that is found in the skeleton. It is safe for human consumption and can contribute to remineralization of teeth – a crucial activity that protects against cavities [4].

The scientists sought to find out how hydroxyapatite would impact oral health. They created a study that involved 189 adults aged 18-45 [1]. Half of the participants used fluoridated toothpaste, while the other half used hydroxyapatite toothpaste. Moreover, the participants were unaware of which toothpaste they were using. The study lasted 18 months, with the researchers looking to see how the oral health of each group was impacted [1].

When entering the study, all participants had a minimum of 10 teeth without cavities, were willing to use an electric toothbrush, and did not have pre-existing oral health problems that required treatment. They were asked to brush their teeth twice per day at the same time each day – in order for both groups to be as similar as possible [1].

The researchers monitored the participants every six months through an examination and provided regular supplies of toothpaste. At each examination, the participants were screened for any cavities [1].

At the end of the 18 months, all participants received a comprehensive check-up to see how their teeth had responded. The researchers found that almost 90% of patients in both groups had no new cavities, which was positive to see [1].

Overall, the researchers found there was no statistical difference in the effectiveness of the two groups – meaning that the hydroxyapatite toothpaste was seen to be just as effective as fluoride toothpaste [1].

What this means

The results suggest that hydroxyapatite toothpaste could certainly be used in the future. For those that have concerns regarding fluoride, a hydroxyapatite toothpaste could offer an effective alternative.

The researchers were very pleased with these findings. Professor Elzbieta Paszynska was one of the authors and confirmed that “hydroxyapatite is a safe and effective alternative to fluoride in caries prevention for daily use” [5].

One particular element that the researchers were delighted with was that this research confirmed that hydroxyapatite had a positive effect on adults [5]. The authors pointed out that past research has suggested hydroxyapatite is effective for children – but this research has now confirmed its effectiveness for adults too [5].

These findings are very positive. In the future, it is likely that we will see more hydroxyapatite-based oral products – which will hopefully contribute to strong dental health for people all around the world.

Thinking points…

[1] The research above mentions about how the participants had their oral health checked every six months. Having an appointment every six months is highly recommended, as this is enough time for problems to develop. If problems do develop, if they are caught early, it can help to minimize potential damage. Therefore, if you are due an appointment, make sure that you remember to book a check-up soon!

[2] While this article discusses the benefits of hydroxyapatite toothpaste, it is important to remember that fluoride toothpaste is still crucial! This is especially the case with children, as fluoride can help strengthen their teeth, which can help with their long-term oral health. If you do have children, try to spend some time with them to educate them on the importance of brushing their teeth. Also, remember that it is very important for children to attend regular dental appointments!

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.

It is very important to have excellent oral hygiene. This involves brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly and eating healthily. Therefore, this should help your 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.

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] Paszynska, E., Pawinska, M., Enax, J., Meyer, F., zur Wiesche, E. S., May, T. W., Amaechi, B. T., Limeback, H., Hernik, A., Otulakowska-Skrzynska, J., Krahel, A., Kaminska, I., Lapinska-Antonczuk, J., Stokowska, E., & Gawriolek, M. (2023). Caries-preventing effect of a hydroxyapatite-toothpaste in adults: a 18-month double-blinded randomized clinical trial. Frontiers in Public Health. 11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1199728.

[2] Newbrun, E. (2007). Systemic Benefits of Fluoride and Fluoridation. Journal of Public Health Dentistry. 64 (1): p35-39. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-7325.2004.tb02775.x.

(3) NHS. (2022). Fluoride. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fluoride/. Last accessed: 23rd July 2023.

[4] Meyer, F., Enax, J., Amaechi, B. T., Limeback, H., Fabritius, H-O., Ganss, B., Pawinska, M., & Paszynska, E. (2022). Hydroxyapatite as Remineralization Agent for Children’s Dental Care. Frontiers in Dental Medicine. 3 (859560). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fdmed.2022.859560.

[5] Frontiers in Public Health. (2023). Toothpaste containing synthetic tooth minerals can prevent cavities as effectively as fluoride: Clinical trial. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-07-toothpaste-synthetic-tooth-minerals-cavities.html. Last accessed: 23rd July 2023.

The Institute for Research on Public Policy have provided a series of recommendations to the Canadian Federal Government in regards to the National Dental Care Plan. They have some concerns with the current trajectory of the plan and have argued a universal care plan approach would be more beneficial.

The Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) have voiced concerns over the current state of dental care in Canada, which involves reservations about the dental benefit [1].

These concerns have resulted in the IRPP calling for a universal dental care plan for Canadians, among other recommendations [1]. The IRPP have argued that adopting this approach would result in a bigger benefit to the oral health of Canadians.

What is the IRPP?

The IRPP is an organization that aims to combine research and public policy to improve the lives of Canadians [2]. They aim to provide insight and influence debate on some of the policy issues facing Canadians.

Their concerns over the state of dental care in Canada are based on research and insights, and takes into account all Canadians, including those with barriers to dental care.

IRPP’s comments on the dental plan

On their website, the IRPP have produced some findings in regards to their research into the state of dental care in Canada [2]. This research involved taking into account 75 studies, policies, court cases and other material, providing the organization with a wealth of information to draw their findings [1].

The IRPP have referred to Canada as a “laggard” when it comes to providing public funding for dental care [1]. By saying this, they are suggesting Canada is behind the times when it comes to dental care funding.

However, the IRPP have noted that the federal government’s proposed Canadian Dental Care Plan has the potential to change this [1]. Currently, the plan is in its early stages – taking the form of a benefit rather than a full plan.

The federal government pledged a $13billion contribution to implement the dental plan over a five-year period [1]. The plan will help families whose income is below $90,000 per year. Currently, children aged under 12 are benefiting from the plan. However, by 2025, all Canadians will have access to the dental plan [1].

The IRPP also note that the federal government has committed to spending a minimum of $250million over a three year period from 2025 in order to establish the Oral Health Access Fund [1]. Therefore, this will allow the government to invest in programs that would support the oral health of vulnerable populations.

The IRPP’s recommendations

The IRPP have pointed out that this is a “major step forward” in the federal government’s attempts to reform dental care in the country [1]. Therefore, they have acknowledged the existing efforts.

However, the IRPP have argued that there are many problems with the “payer of last resort model” that the government has opted to use [1]. Moreover, they argue that this will result in “inefficiencies” and a lack of “equitable access” to dental care.

The IRPP have suggested that there are alternative ways of achieving the reforms – including methods that don’t alienate certain members of society. Therefore, the IRPP have pointed to four factors that should help guide Canada’s dental care reform [1]:

• Universality

• Fairness

• Accessibility

• Accountability

The IRPP have argued that once these four factors are taken into account, that there are various options to take [1]. The IRPP have pointed out that the government opted to choose a cash payment at first. However, the IRPP have called for a move towards providing universal dental care coverage for essential dental services [1].

They have argued that a national agency – which would be funded by the federal government – should be launched which would provide universal dental coverage [1]. Furthermore, the IRPP have suggested that such a move would be in keeping with Canada’s constitutional division of powers and would be an effective way of broadening access to dental care for all across Canada.

The IRPP have suggested the national agency would be able to collect data to ensure accessibility is being achieved, along with quality of care [1].

What next?

It is clear that oral healthcare in Canada causes substantial debate across the nation. The IRPP have offered their opinions, backed by the large amount of research undertaken.

The federal government continue to work out ways of implementing the dental care plan and will surely note these recommendations when deciding the next stage of the rollout. But we do know that discussion over the dental plan is far from over.

Thinking points…

1) One of the leading causes of a dental plan being needed is that many people find the cost of oral healthcare too high. However, here at our Calgary-based dental clinic [clinic name], our fees are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. Therefore, this makes our prices fully transparent, reliable, and competitive. If you wanted to find out more about us, why not visit our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca? We would love to see you at our Calgary dental clinic soon!

2) Whether you have dental coverage or not, remember it is very important to have at least two check-ups per year. Dental check-ups give a dentist a chance to have a thorough look at your oral health. Therefore, they can provide advice, information and treatment options if needed. We strongly recommend that you book your next appointment 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.

It is crucial to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is important.

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.

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] Flood, C. M., Allin, S., Lazin, S. J., Marchildon, G., Oliver, P., & Quinonez, C. (2023). Toward a Universal Dental Care Plan: Policy Options for Canada. Available: https://irpp.org/research-studies/toward-a-universal-dental-care-plan-policy-options-for-canada/. Last accessed: 30th June 2023.

[2] Institute for Research on Public Policy. (2023). About the IRPP. Available: https://irpp.org/about-the-irpp/. Last accessed: 30th June 2023.