Category: General Dentistry

A recent study has sought to find out once and for all which oral hygiene tools are the best for our oral health. Mixed information exists currently on which tools are effective. The study was able to categorize each tool as being either positive, negative, or neutral to our oral health.

Looking after our oral health is incredibly important. Strong oral hygiene is the best way of avoiding painful and expensive visits to the dentist.

But many people ask which oral tools and equipment are effective, and which are not. Now, researchers from the University at Buffalo have carried out a study aiming to find this out.

Their findings are very useful. This is because it gives the public knowledge on the best ways to have strong oral hygiene. Therefore, this research helps to maximize our chances of keeping a healthy mouth.

The different tools available

There is no shortage of available tools for oral health. Therefore, it can be difficult to know which tools are the most effective. After all, it would be unrealistic to use them all.

The researchers noted that it was important to complete a study in this area. Oral health is a problematic area for so many people. Poor oral hygiene can cause cavities.

Gum disease is also major problem. Gum disease is very common, with research showing that approximately 90% of the world’s population has some form of gum disease [1].

If cavities and gum disease are left untreated, infections, bleeding gums, tooth loss and bone problems are potential consequences.

Most people use a toothbrush, though both manual and electrical ones exist. Some people floss to remove particles of food caught between teeth.

Then there are mouthwashes, probiotics, and various ingredients that are added to oral health products. All of these areas were analyzed in this study.

The Research

The research was published in October’s issue of The Journal of the International Academy of Periodontology [2]. Researchers from the University at Buffalo carried out the study.

Moreover, the researchers put various oral hygiene tools and ingredients to the test. They used pre-existing research, different scenarios and other research methods to see the impact each intervention had on the mouth.

The results produced three different areas. Firstly, effective tools. Secondly, tools that had a somewhat positive impact, but not enough to justify their daily use. Finally, negative tools.

Effective Tools

• Toothbrush: Unsurprisingly, the gold standard of oral health is the toothbrush. The toothbrush plays a main role in oral hygiene. Both electric and manual toothbrushes were effective, with very little between the two.

• Inter-dental brushes: Inter-dental brushes that are used to floss between teeth were also praised for being highly-effective. Moreover, they are an effective way of removing anything stuck between the teeth.

• Water Pick: Water picks are an excellent way of clearing anything stuck in the teeth. They release water at a rapid rate, helping to clear any blockages. Because of this, they have proven to be popular with consumers.

• Chlorhexidine in mouthwash: Chlorhexidine can be a key ingredient of mouthwash. This study backed up previous research, which found that mouthwashes containing Chlorhexidine can result in a “moderate” reduction in gum disease [3]. However, Chlorhexidine can cause tooth discoloration with prolonged use [3].

• Cetylpyridinium: Cetylpyridinium is a compound that is used across various oral products. For instance, toothpaste, mouthwash and some lozenges. The researchers found it was very effective at reducing gum disease and preventing plaque. However, Cerylpyridinium does cause staining in a small number of users [4].

• Listerine Mouthwash: As one of the world’s most instantly-recognizable brands, it isn’t surprising that Listerine’s mouthwash products that contained essential oils were deemed effective. Furthermore, another study concluded there was “strong evidence” that Listerine was excellent for protecting against plaque and reducing gum disease [5].

Tools that have mixed evidence

While there were many positives outlined above, there were some tools and ingredients that didn’t provide enough evidence to justify their use on a daily basis.

• Scaling: Scaling is when a dentist uses a special tool to remove plaque and tartar (solid plaque) around the gum-line. They also usually do something called root planing, which aids the gums. Because of inconsistent results, the researchers did not consider this tool to be positive.

• Probiotics: The researchers found probiotics produced inconsistent results. Probiotics are live microorganisms that are consumed through a product. For instance, Yakult. Probiotics is a promising area, but it hasn’t been researched enough yet to draw conclusions. The conclusions of the authors echo the existing body of research [6].

• Tea-tree oil, green tea mouthwashes: Tea-tree oil and green tea are ingredients that are being added to many products. Because of their properties as being natural, they are popular. However, the researchers found they provided limited effectiveness.

• Hexetidine: Hexeditine is an antibacterial ingredient that is primarily used in mouthwash products. Oraldene is the most well-known brand including hexetidine. However, when the researchers tested it, the results weren’t too positive.

The Negative

The researchers only found that one key ingredient produced negative results. This was Triclosan.

Triclosan is very effective for reducing plaque and gum disease. However, Triclosan has been linked to reproductive defects and some forms of cancer.

Consequently, Triclosan has been removed from the majority of toothpastes. The findings of the authors backup existing research [7].

What does this study show us?

This study shows the importance of strong hygiene. It shows that we can keep things simple by using a few different products. Therefore, there is no need to make things too complex.

All of the areas deemed effective should be used regularly. For instance, mouthwash products with the aforementioned ingredients can be used as an adjunct to using a toothbrush and inter-dental brush.

As a result, Eva Volman, an author of the study, said she hoped the evidence from the study was “comprehensive, readable and uniquely helpful to all oral health professionals, as well as patients” [8].

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a warm welcome, a comfortable experience and advice whenever needed.

We recommend that our patients attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.

Above all, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is helpful.

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 dental clinic in Calgary Savanna Dental! You can read more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

• [1] Pihlstrom, B. L., Michalowicz, B. S., & Johnson, N. W. (2005). Periodontal diseases. Lancet. 366 (9499), p1809-1820.
• [2] Volman, E. I., Stellrecht, E., & Scannapieco, F. A. (2021). Proven Primary Prevention Strategies for Plaque-Induced Periodontal Disease – An Umbrella Review. Journal of the International Academy of Periodontology. 23 (4).
• [3] Worthington, H., Riley, P., James, P., Parnell, C., Harding, M., Lamont, T., Cheung, A., & Whelton, H. (2017). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2017 (3): p1-194.
• [4] Addy, M., Mahdavi, S. A., & Loyn, T. (1995). Dietary staining in vitro by mouthrinses as a comparative measure of antiseptic activity and predictor of staining in vivo. The Journal of Dentistry. 23 (2): p95-99.
• [5] Alshehehri, F. A. (2018). The use of mouthwash containing essential oils (LISTERINE®) to improve oral health: A systematic review. Saudi Dental Journal. 30 (1): p2-6.
• [6] Meurman, J. H., & Stamatova, I. V. (2018). Probiotics: Evidence of Oral Health Implications. Folia Medica. 60 (1): p21-29.

A recent study has provided an overview of the current state of oral health around the world. There were both positives and negatives arising from the survey. While many suffer with oral health problems, a surprising amount of people said they had no such issues. Worryingly though, many are not aware of the link between oral health and physical health. The study found several trends that will aid future research.

A recent study has provided an interesting insight into the overall state of oral health around the world. The study took place across 15 countries. It provided an overall status of wellbeing, habits, desires and the concerns of oral health.

The research found that there are many positives in the oral health of study participants, but some worrying areas too. The findings also showed the impact that Covid-19 has had on oral health.

The Study

The research was carried out by the oral healthcare company Sunstar. They used 15,000 respondents, with 1,000 people from each of the 15 countries interviewed.

The respondents were all aged 18-65. There were an equal number of males and females. All respondents were asked a range of questions relating to their oral health.

There were six European representatives – the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Netherlands. In the Americas, the countries partaking were Mexico, USA, Argentina and Brazil. Then there were five Asian countries, Japan, China, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

The research is called the 2021 Globally Healthy Thinking Report. The full report is available to see on Sunstar’s website, which you can access by clicking here [1]. You can also see a brief snapshot of the key results by clicking here [2].

Key Findings

We all know the importance of oral health. Having strong oral hygiene is important, which includes attending regular check-ups and brushing teeth at least twice a day.

Yet the results show that not everyone brushes their teeth twice every day. Those from Indonesia recorded the lowest percentage for brushing teeth twice a day, with 45% of respondents saying that they didn’t. Those that forgot to brush their teeth the least were Germans – with 80% of respondents saying that they always brushed twice a day. Reasons for not brushing teeth included forgetting, wanting to go straight to bed, being in a rush, or simply not being bothered [1].

In terms of oral problems, the most common issue was tooth sensitivity [1]. Tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath were among other common problems.

Thailand had the most oral health problems, with only 1 in 10 respondents having no issues to report [1]. This backs up earlier research, which has showed that Thailand has seen the quality of life of their citizens lower due to poor oral health [3]. The United Kingdom appeared to have the best oral health, with 40% of respondents stating they had no problems with their teeth [1].

Gum disease affects Italians the most, and the French the least. Oral health problems often cause bad breath, with those from Japan suffering the most with this; 34% of Japan’s respondents reported having bad breath. Those in Brazil had the least at 8% [1].

Such problems are sometimes caused, or at least aggravated by, poor habits. Smoking has a negative impact on oral health [4]. 27% of Spaniards and Germans admitted to smoking. Worryingly, only 39% of Singaporeans realised smoking was bad for their dental health. Conversely, 76% of respondents of Argentina said they knew smoking affected dental health [1].

Other common habits that people wished they could stop were drinking “staining drinks”, coffee, tea and eating sweets. Jaw-clenching and teeth grinding were other common problems [1].

Sadly, most people were unsatisfied with the appearance of their smile. Social media has been criticized for giving a false impression of what teeth should look like. It has also made more people conscious of their appearance [5].

As a result, many people said they wanted to have cosmetic makeovers. Netherlands was the happiest with their teeth, with 18% saying they didn’t want cosmetic treatment [1]. Just 5% of those from Thailand, Italy, Spain and Brazil said they didn’t want any cosmetic work [1]. The most popular cosmetic treatments requested were tooth whitening and straighter teeth [1]. Others included veneers and bonding.

Covid-19 has had a big impact on oral health. In fact, the World Health Organization talked about Covid-19 causing a “dental disaster”. Part of this was due to missed appointments and subsequent untreated issues. Exact numbers differed from country to country. 44% of Argentinians said they missed dental appointments during the pandemic. Yet only 12% of those in Japan did [1].

Problems like tooth sensitivity have become more problematic. 25% of American respondents experienced tooth sensitivity. Indonesia was the highest at 45% [1].

In more positive news, Covid-19 has led to improvements in brushing teeth. 27% of those profiled said they brushed their teeth more often than pre-pandemic [1].

What these results show

The authors of the study had mixed conclusions. They said that it was positive that many people were keeping their mouth healthy. But there were some worries, primarily because many didn’t understand the link between oral health and physical health.

Out of the many problems, there are also easy solutions. For instance, many were concerned with bad breath, but regular brushing, flossing and tongue brushing can help this.

Germany and the United Kingdom frequently finished highest in many categories. It is no coincidence that Germany and the United Kingdom had the highest rank in terms of visiting the dentist twice a year. The percentages were Germany at 45% and the United Kingdom at 42% [1].

While Canadian citizens did not take part in the research, the conclusions remain relevant. It shows the importance of visiting the dentist often and using excellent oral hygiene. It also shows we should try to cut out bad habits.

The authors stated that the level of dental decay and gum disease are “most certainly” associated with lifestyle choices. For instance, smoking, diet and alcohol consumption are areas we should aim to avoid.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We offer many services, including regular check-ups, cavity fillings, root canals and some cosmetic services.

Dental problems should be addressed early and can be identified at check-ups. This helps to prevent the problem getting more severe. So, if further treatment is needed after a routine check-up, we give our patients a clear treatment plan.

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.

If you ever need any dental advice, our team at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental will be happy to assist. This can include advice on treating bad breath, reviewing your diet, and any other dentistry-related guidance.

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

Summary

This report produced very interesting results. It shows that there is room for improvement in dental health around the world. However, there are many positives too. We should all take notice of the results. They serve as a reminder to adopt excellent oral hygiene, visit the dentist regularly and eat healthily.

We would love for you to visit our dental clinic soon! To read more about us and for other information, have a browse around our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca. We hope to see you soon!

• [1] SUNSTAR. (2021). Global Healthy Thinking Report: 2021 Oral Health Awareness Survey. Available: https://www.sunstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Sunstar-Global-Healthy-Thinking-Report-2021.pdf. Last accessed: 10th September 2021.
• [2] SUNSTAR. (2021). Global Healthy Thinking Report. Available: https://www.sunstar.com/healthy-thinking-report/oral-survey-2021/. Last accessed: 10th September 2021.
• [3] Sombateyotha, K., & Mahaweerawat, U. (2017). Oral Health Status and Oral Impact on Daily Performance in Elderly in Northeastern Region Thailand. European Journal of Sustainable Development. 6(2), p240-244.
• [4] Miller, W. J., & Locker, D. (2007). Smoking and Oral Health Status. Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. 73(2), p155-165.
• [5] Rekawek, P., Wu, B., & Hanna, T. (2021). Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedures, Social Media, and Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery: Use of Trends for the Modern Practice. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 79(4), p739-740.

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.