Home Dental Care (Page 11)

Category: Dental Care

How Can a New Dental Aid Network Help Vulnerable Citizens?
30Apr
Three students from Queen’s University, Canada, have launched a brand new Dental aid network that is designed to help vulnerable and marginalized members of society with their oral health. They aim to provide citizens with essential dental products. The three students have been praised for their efforts, which will hopefully have a very positive impact on society.

In an admirable effort, three students from Queen’s University have launched the Queen’s Dental Aid Network – with the aim of supplying essential dental products to vulnerable and marginalized members of society.

The three students are aiming to assist those in Kingston and surrounding areas to begin with. However, they have high hopes for the future and may look to expand to more areas.

Queen’s Dental Aid Network

The three students behind the project are Connor Hamlyn, Kianna Niaki and Peter Hwang [1]. All three are studying Health Sciences at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada.

The network will aim to help improve the oral health of vulnerable citizens in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington.

To achieve this they plan on supplying products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss to vulnerable citizens [1]. These are all essential items, but ones that not everyone can afford or can access.

Hamlyn says that some vulnerable people “walk around with a toothbrush that’s been hanging off their bag, thrown on the ground, getting in the dirt”, making them largely ineffective.

The trio will be partnering with local dental clinics and retailers [1]. Furthermore, many clinics and retailers have committed to donate any expired products or excess stock to the organization. Then, they will be delivered to shelters and charitable organizations [1].

Hamlyn has spoken about the resources they have available. He says “we do have a lot of food, and the food is coming in” [1]. However, Hamlyn notes that while vulnerable people receive hot meals, oral health is neglected.

The group are specifically focusing on oral health, as in the words of Niaki, they realized that many conditions can be impacted by having poor oral hygiene [1]. Therefore, their actions can help prevent further conditions.

Niaki said that when they learned “how important oral hygiene is” that they were “really determined to make a difference” [1].

Oral health in Kingston

Niaki pointed out that for marginalized and vulnerable people, oral health isn’t something they treat as a priority. She says that “food and shelter is top priority” for such people [1]. But they “wish to address the importance of oral hygiene” as it is “crucial to one’s health and adequate functioning” [1].

Kingston is a good place to target. There is a large homelessness problem in the area, with homeless shelters struggling to cope with demand [2]. Moreover, the harsh winter is causing even more people to seek shelter [2].

In fact, one recent high-profile case involved a person that had coped with a gum infection for almost a decade [3]. The man was unable to afford treatment over this time period. Therefore, the new initiative outlined above will look to tackle such issues.

Looking forward

The three people behind the initiative have earned praise for their efforts. If it proves to be successful, they may look to expand further in the future.

The trio are aiming to raise awareness of their efforts to dental offices, drugstores and the community to try and achieve further support or donations.

As Hwang says, their purpose is to “mix marginalized communities in our community while raising awareness for oral hygiene and oral health by giving out these semi-frequent care packages for those in need” [1].

This purpose should have a very positive impact on vulnerable and marginalized populations. The aim is for them to have improved oral hygiene which should hopefully have a positive impact on their overall health and quality of life.

Thinking points…

1) This article talks about oral hygiene. Most people clean their teeth, but oral hygiene is so much more than this! It includes flossing, eating healthily and very importantly – getting regular dental check-ups. Check-ups allow a dentist to have a thorough look at your oral health and provide advice. We recommend booking an appointment now!

2) Homelessness is a big problem in many places. While many people kindly provide food and hot drinks to the homeless, it is important to also remember that practical things like toothbrushes and toothpaste can also help. The next time you think about donating, consider donating something oral hygiene related – it could help a lot.

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] MacAlpine, I. (2023). Queen’s student initiative hopes to provide oral care supplies to those in need. Available: https://www.thewhig.com/news/queens-student-initiative-hopes-to-provide-oral-care-supplies-to-those-in-need. Last accessed: 27th April 2023.

[2] Davis, D. (2023). Kingston homeless population vulnerable as temperature plummets. Available: https://globalnews.ca/news/9453132/kingston-homeless-population-vulnerable-cold/. Last accessed: 27th April 2023.

[3] Muhammad-Yusuf, F. (2023). Cost of dental care proving to be a roadblock for unhoused individuals in Kingston, Ont.. Available: https://globalnews.ca/news/9613726/dental-care-cost-roadblock-kingston-ont-unhoused/. Last accessed: 27th April 2023.

What Is Alberta University’s Specialized Dental Program? What Are Its Benefits?
5Mar
A unique program at the University of Alberta’s School of Dentistry is providing specialized training for dentists, while providing free dental care to patients. This combination is proving very popular, and provides many benefits to all parties. For patients, they get free dental care, while dentists get crucial training, and the chance to specialize in certain areas.

The University of Alberta are helping many people all in one go with a specialized program – with dentists being trained whilst providing free dental care to patients.

The program is ran by the University of Alberta’s School of Dentistry. Their conscious IV sedation program runs five times a year, and provides the general public with free check-ups and simple fillings [1].

The program

As mentioned, this is a specialized program ran by the School of Dentistry at the University of Alberta. It is an entirely unique program.

The program gives licensed practicing dentists the chance to attain certification or specialization requirements [1]. For example, those looking to specialize in maxillofacial surgery have a chance to hone their skills in this area.

Each dentist sees a minimum of 21 patients over the five days [1]. Year-on-year, there will be different cohorts, with a new range of dentists partaking each year.

Dentists pay approximately $22,000 in tuition fees to be part of the program [1]. While this is a high cost, it provides invaluable experience which can provide long-term benefits to them.

The benefits

This program is helpful for many people. Dentists are able to specialize in certain areas, which will mean a greater number of dental professionals will be in the Canadian workforce.

Meanwhile, it is well-known that dental fees can be a significant barrier to many in accessing oral care in Canada [2]. Therefore, for the public, this program can benefit them by giving them the chance to receive basic cleanings, standard check-ups and simple fillings – all free of charge [1]!

Laura Robbins is a member of the public that goes to the clinic three times a year. After struggling to pay for dental care, she used this program, and has been delighted with it [1].

Robbins told CTV News Edmonton that “it saves a lot of money”, and that “you get the best of the best” [1]. Continuing, she says that “you are put to sleep, you wake up an hour later, and your mouth doesn’t hurt”, before adding that “you just walk out, and you are done” [1].

As Robbins’ explanation shows, it is a very straightforward system. The patient doesn’t even have to be awake for it – making it very easy for the patient, while giving the dentist plenty of time to finetune their skills.

Comments from the University

Dr. James Yacyshyn is the Continuing Dental Education Director at the School of Dentistry. Yacyshyn commented on the program, saying that “it ends up being a pretty big charitable care initiative” [1].

Yacyshyn says that “patients are saving a lot” – referring to the cost saving element of the plan [1]. Moreover, he also commented that “especially given the cost of care and access to care being the challenge it is these days, it’s nice being a part of this” [1].

While Yacyshyn has admitted that the dentists are making “a huge financial commitment”, he has noted that “it’s a really great program” [1]. Furthermore, he says that the dentists are told that their goal “is to always advance how you are taking care of your patients in practice in your respective community” [1].

Overall, this program can clearly benefit many people, and will hopefully continue to do so. With the success of this program apparent, many other Universities may adopt similar programs in the future.

Thinking points…

1) As mentioned in the article above, cost can be a big barrier to accessing dental fees. However, here at our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental, our prices are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. Therefore, our fees are fully transparent, reliable and trustworthy. You can see more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca. We would love you to visit us in our Calgary dental clinic soon!

2) Looking after your oral health is very important! The best way of keeping your oral health strong is to have excellent oral hygiene, which includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly and eating healthily. You should also ensure that you have at least two check-ups each year. This will allow a dentist to examine your dental health, and provide tailored advice. We recommend that you book 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.

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 [clinic], 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] Robb, J. (2023). ‘Patients are saving a lot’: U of A dental training program offers free procedures. Available: https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/patients-are-saving-a-lot-u-of-a-dental-training-program-offers-free-procedures-1.6289979. Last accessed: 3rd March 2023.

[2] Thompson, B., Cooney, P., Lawrence, H., Ravaghi, V., & Quinonez, C. (2014). Cost as a barrier to accessing dental care: findings from a Canadian population-based study. Journal of Public Health Dentistry. 74 (3): p210-218. DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.1111/jphd.12048.

TikTok’s Worrying DIY Dentistry: What Are These Dangerous Trends?
31Oct
Social media app TikTok has a large amount of content that promotes the practice of “do-it-yourself dentistry”, causing concern among dental professionals. Impressionable youngsters and teenagers are unwittingly putting their oral health in danger by following some of the trends on the app. These trends typically promise excellent results for their oral appearance at little-to-no cost.

TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps currently. While the app is full of comedic content, famous speakers and interesting media, there is also a darker side to it.

One of the most harmful sides of TikTok is the rise of “do-it-yourself dentistry”, also known as DIY dentistry [1]. You could be forgiven for thinking that DIY dentistry refers to us all brushing our teeth and flossing them – as we should.

But actually, it refers to DIY methods that are supposed hacks and techniques that people can use to improve the look of their smile, teeth, gums and more.

These techniques fool impressionable children and teenagers, and risks serious damage and long-term problems for oral health. Therefore, it is important for parents and children alike to know the danger.

Background

TikTok is a social media app where users upload short videos, The app is expected to have almost 2billion accounts by the end of 2022 – showing the scale of how many people use the app [2].

A large percentage of TikTok’s users are children, teenagers and young adults. This represents a group that is still maturing, and are therefore very impressionable.

Moreover, it is common to have self-esteem issues at this age. This fuels the desire to look “perfect”, with teeth seen as an area that many people wish to improve. Furthermore, social media is full of so-called “influencers” who often display unrealistic looks.

Then there is also the issue of dental care being expensive, and not accessible by everyone. Therefore, this turns some people towards DIY dentistry. Many people believe these treatments are painless and effective, but this isn’t the case.

The most popular videos are supposed “success stories”, with disappointing results rarely seen. This leads to many thinking that these are fool proof techniques that guarantee success.

Example Case: Tooth Gems

The hashtag #DIYdentist has 2.6million views – showing its widespread popularity [1]. This hashtag brings up thousands of videos, the vast majority of which have content that is harmful to its viewers.

One example is tooth gems. Older readers may remember the “tooth gem” trend that was common during the 2000s. While they had seemingly been forgotten, TikTok has breathed new life into the trend.

Tooth gems put colourful gems on teeth, which some people find desirable. Therefore, this has led to many influencers selling their own DIY tooth gem kits [1].

These kits sell on Amazon cheaply, leading to many people purchasing them. But the product reviews show the danger, with phrases like “bleeding gums”, “tooth sensitivity” and “pain” are common [1]. These gems also attract bacteria, further increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Many people struggle to make these gems stick, which has led to many suggesting using nail glue to solve the problem [2]. However, nail glue is toxic and can damage tooth enamel [1]. Many of these products are made in China – a nation with much less stringent safety rules and regulations on such products.

Other dangerous trends

Many other dangerous trends exist. For example, tooth replacement kits. This is something that should never be attempted by anyone other than a fully qualified dentist. These kits often include “drills”, which are not fit for purpose. It is crucial to not alter the shape of your teeth.

Another trend that has gained popularity is a so-called “healthy coke”. This drink is made up of balsamic vinegar and sparkling water. This drink has been called a healthy version of Coca-Cola, as there is supposedly no sugar. But while it isn’t as unhealthy as regular soda, the acidic content is enormous.

Therefore, this drink causes tooth decay and is actually more acidic than regular cola. In fact, a recent study found that “healthy coke” was almost as bad as regular sodas when it comes to eroding teeth [3].

Lemon juice is something else that many people on TikTok are erroneously suggesting is healthy for oral health [2]. Many videos see users adding lemon juice to their water to create a low-cost sparkling drink. However, lemon juice is very acidic, which results in increased erosion of the enamel and a higher likelihood of cavities.

Dentist’s Reaction

These videos are very worrying and cause alarm to any dentist. The potential damage to oral health is very concerning, and often result in younger people worsening their oral health.

Dr. Ruchi Sahota is a spokesperson for the American Dental Association [1]. She has spoken out about the rise of DIY dentistry, which is a growing concern for dental professionals.

She has pointed to how years of studying and experience informs a dentist’s treatment choices. Sahota says “when we practice dentistry, we do it with the background information of years of training, X-rays, and the experience that helps us decide when and how to do the treatment” [1].

Dentist Dr. Amber Bonnaig has stated that the cost of dental care and lack of access is making DIY dentistry an appealing alternative. She says that “a major contributing factor is lack of access to dental care” [1].

Sahota finishes by saying something very important – “you can have a beautiful smile, even if it’s not perfect” [1]. This is very important to remember.

Thinking points…

1) As we mentioned, TikTok is mainly used by children and teenagers. If you have children, it is important to inform them of the dangers of DIY dentistry. They can cause significant and costly damage to their teeth, whilst also having long-term consequences for their oral health. Therefore, have a conversation with them, and make sure they stick to conventional methods of aiding their oral health, like brushing regularly and visiting the dentist for a check-up. We recommend having a talk with them soon!

2) If you are interested in cosmetic dentistry, there are safe ways of achieving this. It is important to see an actual dentist, as they can provide safe treatment with proper aftercare. For example, here at [clinic name], we offer cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening and Invisalign™. At your next appointment, why not have a discussion with your dentist about your treatment options! We would love you to book an appointment with us soon!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a range of treatment options and advice aimed at improving 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, teeth 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] Giles, C. (2022). Don’t drill your own teeth! And quashing other rotten dental advice on TikTok. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-10-dont-drill-teeth-quashing-rotten.html. Last accessed: 28th October 2022.

[2] Iqbal, M. (2022). TikTok Revenue and Usage Statistics (2022). Available: https://www.businessofapps.com/data/tik-tok-statistics/. Last accessed: 29th October 2022.

[3] Eckhart, S. D., Brewster, J. A., & Curtis, D. C. (2022). The erosive potential of sugar-free waters on cervical dentin. JADA Foundational Science. 1 (100009). DOI: https://doi.org/10.10

Canadian Government Invests in the Future of Dental Care: What Is Involved?
26Oct
The Canadian Government have announced through its Canadian Institutes of Health Research organization that they are committing $2million to support improved research into oral health science. The hope is that this investment will improve dental health for Canadians. The announcement has been met with positive reactions.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has announced a large investment of $2million into supporting Canada’s national research network to advance research in oral health science and ultimately improve dental care for Canadians [1].

The importance of oral health cannot be understated. It is closely linked with physical health. For example, research has showed that people with oral health conditions like gum disease are at a higher risk of developing conditions like Arthritis, Diabetes and Cardiovascular conditions [2].

Therefore, this investment will be very positive for Canadians, who will hopefully benefit from the enhanced research in years to come.

Announcement

The announcement was made by Rachel Bendayan, Member of Parliament for Outremont. Bendayan’s announcement was also linked to the Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos [1].

They announced that an investment of $2million over five years will take place [1]. The money will be used to support Canada’s research into improving oral health science.

The funds will be assigned to The Network for Canadian Oral Health Research (NCOHR), which is a group of various institutions, hospitals and healthcare providers [1].

They are all teaming to find new discoveries, launch new projects and strengthen existing techniques and methods of improving and maintaining oral health.

The network will be using some of the funds to support the training of the next generation of oral health workers and researchers. They have committed to focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion [1].

Partnership with Statistics Canada

Moreover, some of the investment will be used in forging a partnership with Statistics Canada. The CIHR will partner with Statistics Canada to develop an oral health data platform that will assist with research and policy development [1].

This platform will be used to display data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey. Therefore, this will allow researchers to to analyze the connection between oral and physical health further [1].

The platform will be able to help researchers and future trainees learn more about the oral health of Canadians, which can benefit overall oral health across the nation.

Reactions

Reactions to this announcement have been positive. There is a feeling that this investment will be very worthwhile, due to the long-term boost this will have on healthcare.

Jean-Yves Duclos – Minister of Health – was among those to spearhead this investment. He commented by saying that the research that the investment will make possible will help to “improve dental care by better understanding oral health conditions and developing more effective treatments” [1].

Dr. Ana Miriam Velly of the NCOHR, mentioned that “there is no healthy body without oral health” [1]. Continuing, she said that the investment will help the NCOHR to “promote and support oral health research excellence, which is critical to ensure a high level of oral health and care for all Canadians” [1].

The Good that this can do

This investment is likely to be very positive for Canadians. There is a lot of good that this can do, and it comes at an important time.

Statistics show that in 2018, almost 1 in 4 Canadians didn’t see a dental professional [3]. When a person avoids the dentist, any problems they have worsen, causing further issues.

Other barriers to dental care include a lack of awareness of oral health importance, cost and access issues. However, these issues can be tackled by enhanced investment.

This investment will run in conjunction with the national dental care plan that is due to begin imminently. This dental care plan will see the government investing over $5billion over a five-year period.

With appreciation of the importance of oral health at an all-time high, now is the perfect time for further investment into research. Consequently, the aim is for Canadians to see a marked improvement in their oral health over the forthcoming years and generations.

Thinking points…

1) The fact that the Canadian government is dedicating a large amount of funds to oral health shows how important it is. This is a good opportunity for you to take a look at your oral health, is there more you could do to improve it? Why not set yourself a target of cutting down on sugar, or flossing on a more regular basis? These are small changes that could make a very positive difference!

2) As has been mentioned, oral health is very important. In order to get an accurate overview of your oral health, make sure you regularly attend dental check-ups. You should ideally see your dentist twice a year. If any problems are present, they will be able to identify them, and suggest treatment if necessary. We strongly recommend that you book an appointment soon!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a range of treatment options and advice aimed at improving 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] Canadian Institutes of Health Research. (2022). Government of Canada invests in research to improve dental care for Canadians. Available: https://www.canada.ca/en/institutes-health-research/news/2022/10/government-of-canada-invests-in-research-to-improve-dental-care-for-canadians.html. Last accessed: 21st October 2022.

[2] BBC. (2022). The silent danger of deep gum disease. Available: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220707-why-bad-teeth-are-harmful-to-your-health. Last accessed: 21st October 2022.

[3] Canadian Dental Association. (2022). Canadian Dental Association Conducts Annual Days on the Hill Event. Available: https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/about/media_room/news_releases/2022/2022_DOTH.asp. Last accessed: 21st October 2

What Causes Bad Breath and What Can We Do About It?
28Aug
Bad breath is something that affects many of us – and we often don’t realize it either. There are many causes of bad breath – most of which are avoidable. Fortunately, there are a range of ways of improving our breath, which include dental treatment, improved oral hygiene and keeping hydrated.

Bad breath is a difficult thing to live with – and for some people, it is a huge problem that affects them socially and mentally.

One of the main issues of bad breath is that most of us can’t smell our own breath. Therefore, if it is bad, we are reliant on others telling us. But this isn’t an easy topic to broach, and often the problem is not brought up.

Bad breath, especially in the morning, is very common. For example, it is believed that around 60million Americans have chronic bad breath [1].

If you have bad breath, it is important to look at potential causes. Fortunately, there are many ways of improving bad breath, with dental interventions typically the most effective.

What causes bad breath?

The main cause of bad breath is the effects of bacteria in the mouth. Bacterial by-products from anything that enters the mouth create a concoction that cause a foul odour to emit from mouth. In many cases, it can make it smell like rotten eggs [2].

The main emitter of this foul odour is the tongue. This is where the majority of bacteria latch to. After all, the back of tongue is pounced upon by bacteria, as it is able to feed on dead cells, saliva proteins and fluids from untreated gum disease.

Eventually, the bacteria builds up to the extent where our breath becomes impacted. With the tongue placed in a way that it automatically emits out of our mouth, bad breath is inevitable if the tongue is in poor condition.

It is therefore very important to have excellent oral hygiene. This can help improve our breath. Another contributing factor to bad breath is food particles being left behind. Flossing can greatly improve this issue.

Then there are also other places for unhealthy bacteria to thrive in. These include spaces between broken fillings, holes in teeth (cavities) and pockets in the gums that form due to gum disease.

Many people find that their breath is particularly bad when they first wake up. Saliva flow stops or at least slows when we sleep. Therefore, with little saliva, our mouth dries. Dry mouth is a common side effect of many medications too [2]. Moreover, some people breathe through mouth rather than nose while asleep, worsening the problem.

Other causes of bad breath that are worth looking out for include strong-flavoured foods like curry, onion and garlic. Smoking tobacco is another common cause.

Things you can do

There are many easy and practical fixes. Chewing sugar free gum throughout the day and keeping the mouth hydrated with water can be very helpful.

Avoiding tobacco and strong-smelling foods also helps. If you do have these foods, using a mouth rinse afterwards can be helpful.

But the easiest way to avoid bad breath is to have strong oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.

But, there is only so much that we can all do. Sometimes, there are deeper causes, which is when a dentist can help.

What can a dentist do?

Attending a dental check-up can be very helpful. This gives a dentist the chance to look at the state of your oral health, and recommend treatment if necessary.

They are also able to locate anything that is contributing to the bad breath – for instance broken fillings, cavities and pockets in the gums. They can provide treatment when needed, which may help to improve our breath.

Your dentist may give you suggestions that can help with bad breath – including cleaning or scraping your tongue. This can be particularly helpful for bad breath.

By attending regular dental check-ups, it will ensure that your teeth remain in strong condition. This is the best way of preventing bad breath.

Thinking points…

1) Taking care of our oral health is so important! Not only can it help to prevent bad breath, but it can also have many other benefits. Therefore, make sure you have excellent oral hygiene – including brushing your teeth regularly, flossing, and as we mentioned earlier, consider using a tongue scraper. Ensure too that you attend dental check-ups regularly, as this will give your dentist a chance to look for any issues. Consider booking an appointment now!

2) While it isn’t an easy topic to bring up, if you know someone who has bad breath, consider having a quiet word with them. You could share this article with them, or recommend some of the practical fixes that are mentioned above. Most importantly, try to persuade them to book a dental appointment, as these can help a lot for overall oral health, including bad breath. While they may not appreciate your comments in the short-term, they will be thankful in the long run.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that offers many services, including regular check-ups, cavity fillings and root canals.

We are also pleased to offer some cosmetic services. Here at our Calgary dental clinic, we offer treatments like tooth whitening, Invisalign™ and dental implants.

It is important for oral problems to be addressed early. Any issues can be identified at check-ups. If further treatment is needed after a check-up, our patients receive a clear treatment plan that is suited to their needs. Early detection helps to prevent the problem getting worse.

The best way of avoiding extra treatment is to have strong oral hygiene. This includes brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and getting a dental check-up at least twice a year. Avoiding sugary foods and drink and not smoking also helps.

Our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This means our prices are competitive, transparent and affordable.

We would love you to visit us here at Savanna Dental soon! You can see more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Colgate Professional. (2009). Bad Breath: Do You Have It? You May Not Know You Do. Available: https://www.colgateprofessional.com/patient-education/halitosis/bad-breath-do-you-have-it. Last accessed: 27th August 2022.

[2] Weerakoon, A. (2022). Why does my breath smell bad, and what can I do about it?. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-08-bad.html. Last accessed: 27th August 2022.

Could a New Oral Treatment Clean Our Teeth and Whiten Them at the Same Time?
8Aug
New research has found that a future without traditional toothbrushes may not be too far away. A research team managed to create a new hydrogel that was able to combine the qualities of avoiding cavities and whitening teeth – both at the same time. This combination would prove hugely popular with consumers.

We all look to keep our teeth as healthy and as white as possible. This helps us to avoid needing dental treatment, and also helps us with our aesthetic appearance.

To achieve this, most of us brush our teeth twice a day with toothpaste, and floss. But while this is useful for keeping cavities and tooth decay away, toothpaste only has limited powers when it comes to keeping teeth white.

This is because toothpaste typically only removes surface stains. Therefore, for those that want to whiten their teeth, specific whitening treatment is sought. But many tooth whitening treatments have the potential to be harmful to our oral health.

This creates a situation where it is difficult to keep our teeth cavity-free and white at the same time. But now, a team of researchers have created a new hydrogel treatment that has the potential to disrupt cavity-forming biofilms whilst whitening teeth without damaging them.

Existing Teeth Whitening Market

The best way for us to have strong oral health is to regularly brush our teeth, floss, and attend dental check-ups. The appearance of our teeth has been linked to our mental health, with those unhappy with their smile typically having a lower self-esteem [1].

It is therefore no surprise that many people seek cosmetic dental treatment in the form of teeth whitening. In fact, a recent study projected that the worldwide teeth whitening market will be worth over $8billion by 2030 [2].

But teeth whitening products also present problems. For example, existing treatments – which use either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide – have side effects like hypersensitivity, pulp damage and gum irritation – especially in longer applications [3].

Furthermore, many whitening products use a blue light. However, many studies show that blue light actually has the potential to break down enamel, which is obviously bad for our oral health [4]. Therefore, while teeth whitening products can be effective, they also have unwanted effects.

The Research

The research team published their findings in the ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces journal [5]. The researchers were hoping to create a hydrogel that could combine the qualities of a toothpaste and whitening products – albeit without the unwanted side effects.

To begin with, the researchers decided that they would use green light instead of a blue light [5]. This is because green light is safer than blue light, yet it is still capable of activating the materials used in brushing and whitening.

Firstly, the aim was to create the hydrogel. The researchers combined the ingredients bismuth oxychloride nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles and sodium alginate [5]. These materials were selected for their various properties, such as their cleaning ability and enamel-strengthening qualities.

The ingredients were made into a thick mixture [5]. The mixture was then sprayed with calcium chloride – which resulted in the creation of a strong hydrogel [5]. The hydrogel would then be used for the next part of the study.

To complete the actual experiment, the study used real teeth that had been extracted from humans [5]. These teeth had been intentionally stained with coffee, tea and blueberry juice [5]. These are all common causes of stained teeth.

The teeth were then coated by the mixture created above. Then, green light was used to activate the mixture [5]. The researchers then waited to see what would happen with the combination.

They found that as the teeth got whiter over time, there was no damage to the enamel [5]. The team also found that the treatment was capable of killing 94% of the bacteria in biofilms [5].

For added validity, the researchers used the treatment on mice. The mice involved were exposed to cavity-forming bacteria. The researchers found that moderate and deep cavities were prevented from forming by using the gel [5].

Overall, the researchers were very pleased with how the study worked out. They concluded that they had created an effective, safe and brush-free treatment that was capable of preventing cavities, whilst whitening teeth [5]!

What this means

This is a rather remarkable piece of research! The results of the study are very impressive. Not only can this hydrogel clean teeth and prevent cavities, but it is also capable of whitening teeth. Therefore, it combined the best elements of toothpaste and whitening products.

Regarding the next steps, any such treatment takes time to get to market. A necessary step would be for human trials to take place, though it is unclear when this will be. It is important to test its safety on live humans.

However, the findings at this stage are certainly positive. It appears that it could turn into a very effective product, that would certainly prove popular for everyone.

It is crazy to think – but one day we may not need to brush our teeth the traditional way. This is hard to comprehend at this point, but based on this research, it is a very realistic prospect.

Thinking points…

1) Too many people seek low-quality tooth whitening services. Here at Savanna Dental, we have safe and effective tooth whitening solutions! We offer both in-office and take-home whitening kits, which can help to improve your smile and give you more confidence. These are highly popular kits which have helped many people. If you are interested in hearing more about our teeth whitening services, visit our website today https://savannadentalclinic.ca/teeth-whitening-calgary/!

2) While the research outlined above is exciting, for now, things will be staying the same. Therefore, it is important to continue to have excellent oral hygiene. This can also lessen the chances of you needing to have cosmetic work like whitening! Make sure you attend regular dental check-ups, as this is the best way of seeing how your oral health is. Make sure you arrange an appointment soon!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a range of treatment options and advice aimed at improving 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 , 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 are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

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

References

[1] Larenas, J., Aguirre, P., Miranda, C., Tonetto, M., Jorquera, G., Riveros, P., & Godoy, E. (2020). The change of teeth color, whiteness variations and its psychosocial and selfperception effects when using low vs. high concentration bleaching gels: a one-year follow-up. BMC Oral Health. 20 (255). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-020-01244-x.

[2] Astute Analytica. (2022). Global Teeth Whitening Products Market Size Expected to Reach USD 8,316.50 Million by 2030|CAGR: 6.03%: Astute Analytica. Available: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-teeth-whitening-products-market-size-expected-to-reach-usd-8-316-50-million-by-2030cagr-6-03-astute-analytica-301514756.html. Last accessed: 6th August 2022.

[3] NHS. (2022). Teeth whitening. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/teeth-whitening/. Last accessed: 6th August 2022.

[4] Yoshini, F., & Yoshida, A. (2018). Effects of blue-light irradiation during dental treatment. Japanese Dental Science Review. 54 (4): p160-168. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdsr.2018.06.002.

[5] Li, Q., Liu, J., Xu, Y., Liu, H., Zhang, J., Wang, Y., Sun, Y., Zhao, M., Liao, L., & Wang, X. (2022). Fast Cross-Linked Hydrogel as a Green Light-Activated Photocatalyst for Localized Biofilm Disruption and Brush-Free Tooth Whitening/ ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 14 (25): p28427-28438. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.2c00887.