Category: General Dentistry

Fear of the dentist is a common issue that many face. One of the main fears revolves around the dental drill, which is used for cavity fillings. However, new research will be looking into the possibility of drill-free fillings in the future. This research is exciting, and could yield improvements in the number of patients willingly getting dental fillings.

Being afraid or anxious of the dentist is a very common issue that many people have. One of the main issues is the dental drill, which is used throughout multiple procedures.

Most people will have at least one cavity filling in their lifetime. For some, they will have multiple, and potentially even a root canal. Throughout all of these, the dental drill is widely-used.

However, upcoming research will be looking into the idea that cavity filling procedures in the future may not need to involve a drill. This could revolutionize dentistry, and lead to a vast decrease in dental fear.

Fear of the dentist

Dental fear is extremely common. A study in the United Kingdom found that 48% of people describe themselves as either moderately or extremely “dentally anxious” [1].

Studies show that those who fear the dentist typically visit less often, only go when pain forces them and generally have worse oral health in their lifetime than those who do not fear the dentist [2].

Aside from pain, many fear the dental drill. The dental drill is used by dentists throughout procedures like cavity fillings and root canals. It causes discomfort for many.

As a result of dental fear, searching for ways to ease the fears of patients is crucial. Now, an effort into coming up with a method of a drill-free filling technique is set to commence.

The upcoming research

Hetal Desai is a PhD student at the University of Toronto. She will be undertaking a research project that is looking at the possibility of repairing cavities without using a drill [3].

Desai has come up with a potential method of doing this. A key part of the research will involve a thin resin (the material used in fillings) that has antimicrobial properties [3].

Many types of resins are already available. For example, composite resins are used in dental fillings. When applied to the surface of a tooth, resin can act as a barrier to prevent further damage to the area [3].

However, resins don’t typically have antimicrobial properties. Therefore, Desai has identified this as a potential area of improvement going forward.

Desai has suggested that drug-loaded nanoparticles could be used to bestow antimicrobial properties into the resin. The nanoparticles would be designed to gradually release over time, helping to maintain the antimicrobial effect [3].

The aim is to stop further decaying of the tooth – as a regular filling would. Therefore, Desai is hoping to simulate the effects of a filling with a specially designed resin.

Hopes for the research

Desai is tackling a big issue. While in theory Desai’s ideas sound realistic, in practice, it may not. But Desai will get backing from mentors at the University of Toronto.

Desai commented on her research [3]. She said that the resin “will penetrate the tooth and form a barrier that will protect the tooth from being demineralized” by acids [3].

Additionally, she went on to say that “the drug from the nanoparticles incorporated within the resin will eliminate the bacteria and protect the tooth from the bacteria and bacterial enzymes” [3].

Desai is hoping that her research will help those who feel anxious about dental appointments. She said that she believes the research would result in “a more positive experience for patients”.

There is certainly hope that this research could produce positive results. Desai hasn’t yet discussed her methodology. However, if the research goes well, then it could be an enormous boost to oral health.

Thinking points…

• 1) Dental fear is an incredibly common issue that many face. But do not feel alarmed, as this is a normal emotion that dentists are trained to deal with. For example, here at Savanna Dental, we always ensure that our patients are well-informed and comfortable throughout their experience. For more information on how we can help, we recommend booking an appointment with us!
• 2) For the foreseeable future, the dental drill will be at the forefront of treatment. But this shouldn’t put anyone off. Remember that dental problems should be treated as soon as possible. By avoiding getting treatment for tooth problems, they will only get worse. It is important to see your dentist at least once every six months. If you haven’t seen your dentist recently, we recommend attending your local clinic soon!

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 implants.

It is important for dental problems to be addressed early. Any oral-based problems will be identified at check-ups. This helps to prevent the problem getting worse. If and when further treatment is needed after a check-up, our patients receive 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.

Our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental also 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] National Health Service. (2009). Adult Dental Health Survey 2009 – First Release. Available: https://files.digital.nhs.uk/publicationimport/pub01xxx/pub01061/adul-dent-heal-surv-firs-rele-2009-rep.pdf. Last accessed: 11th March 2022.
• [2] Armfield, J. M., Stewart, J. F., & Spencer, A. J. (2007). The vicious cycle of dental fear: exploring the interplay between oral health, service utilization and dental fear. BMC Oral Health. 7 (1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6831-7-1.
• [3] University of Toronto. (2022). Drill-free fillings? Researcher says antimicrobial resin could lead to ‘more positive’ patient experience. Available: https://www.utoronto.ca/news/drill-free-fillings-researcher-says-antimicrobial-resin-could-lead-more-positive-patient. Last accessed: 11th March 2022.

Researchers have looked extensively at the impact that vaping and e-cigarettes have on gum disease. While smoking has been researched a lot in recent decades, e-cigarettes are relatively new. But the findings of this study found that e-cigarettes are very damaging, and can hasten gum disease. Therefore, e-cigarettes are bad for oral health and shouldn’t be seen as a “healthy” alternative to smoking.

Recent research from a team at the New York University College of Dentistry has found that e-cigarettes cause many problems for oral health, including gum disease [1].

The researchers found that e-cigarette users have a unique microbiome – made up of bacteria – when compared to non-smokers [1]. However, e-cigarette users did have better results than cigarette smokers [1].

This research shows that any form of smoking can be a big issue with oral health. Both hasten the development of gum disease, which can cause significant problems in the long-term.

The rise of vaping

E-cigarette use is termed “vaping”. E-cigarettes work by vaporizing nicotine and other chemicals. They are considered to be healthier than traditional cigarettes, but there is a lack of research to support this.

Vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially with younger people. In fact, a 2020 study by the World Health Organization found that many countries now actually have more e-cigarette users than cigarette smokers [2].

The same study referred to e-cigarettes as a “public health concern” [2]. E-cigarettes expose the user to toxic substances that can cause cancer, cardiovascular disease and lung conditions [2].

Vaping and oral health

However, there has been limited research into how vaping effects oral health. It is already known that the bacteria caused by vaping makes a person’s mouth at risk of inflammation and infection [3].

It is known that smoking traditional cigarettes can cause gum disease. But the researchers were looking to see the effects that vaping has on oral health, including in terms of gum disease.

The research

The study was published in the journal Clinical Microbiology [1]. The researchers studied the oral health of 84 adults that were divided into three groups.

The three groups were cigarette smokers, e-cigarette users and people who have never smoked. At the start of the study, all 84 adults had a degree of gum disease [1].

The researchers then planned on assessing the gum health of the 84 participants at two dental exams, six months apart [1]. This would allow them to see the effect that use of e-cigarettes have on gum disease.

Gum disease was measured by the health of the gum ligament and the distance between the separation of tissue and a tooth’s surface [1]. This separation leads to the gum receding and “pockets” to be formed. These pockets are havens for bacteria and worsens gum disease [1].

After six months, the researchers studied the oral health of the participants. They found that gum disease had worsened for the majority of participants in the study [1]. However, e-cigarette users were affected badly, and much more than non-smokers [1]. Those smoking cigarettes were the worst affected [1].

The researchers analyzed the types of bacteria in plaque samples of each group. They concluded that e-cigarette users had several types of damaging bacteria. This created a unique microbiome for e-cigarette users [1].

Fusobacterium and Bacteroidales are types of bacteria that were found in large amounts in e-cigarette users [1], These types of bacteria are known to be associated with gum disease [1].

Furthermore, a separate study also looked at the 84 participants, albeit with a focus on how e-cigarettes effect periodontal disease. This study concluded that periodontal disease had worsened for e-cigarette users in the study [4].

What this means

These findings are very worrying. They show that e-cigarettes maybe a slightly healthier form of smoking, but that there are many health implications for their use. This research shows that this includes oral health consequences.

The researchers were able to conclude that the oral microbiome of e-cigarette users has many negative consequences. This includes gum disease and altered immune responses [1].

Fangxi Xu, one of the authors of the research, commented on the findings [5]. Xu said that vaping seemed to be “driving unique patterns in bacteria and influencing the growth of same bacteria in a manner akin to cigarette smoking, but with its own profile and risks to oral health” [5].

It is likely that over the next few years, further research will be done in this subject area. But for now, the evidence clearly suggests that vaping has dire consequences for oral health.

Thinking points…

• 1) Do you vape? Or maybe you know someone that does? This research shows the harm that vaping can do to your oral health. Also, it has a range of physical health consequences too. Try and quit vaping as soon as you can, remember there is plenty of support available!
• 2) This research talks about the impact of gum disease. It is important to attend regular check-ups so that the overall health of your oral health can be assessed by a dental professional. Consider booking an appointment now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

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

It is important for dental problems to be addressed early. Any oral-based problems will be identified at check-ups. This helps to prevent the problem getting worse. If and when further treatment is needed after a check-up, our patients receive 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.

Our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental also 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://savannadental.ca.

References

• [1] Thomas, S. C., Xu, F., Pushalkar, S., Lin, Z., Thakor. N., Vardhan, M., Flaminio, Z., Khodadadi-Jamayran, A., Vasconcelos, R., Akapo, A., Queiroz, E., Bederoff, M., Janal, M. N., Guo, Y., Aguallo, D., Gordon, T., Corby, P. M., Kamer, A. R., Li, X., & Saxena, D. (2022). Clinical Microbiology. (Ahead of print).DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.00075-22.
• [2] World Health Organization. (2020). New WHO report reveals that while smoking continues to decline among European adolescents, the use of electronic cigarettes by young people is on the rise. Available: https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/tobacco/news/news/2020/12/new-who-report-reveals-that-while-smoking-continues-to-decline-among-european-adolescents,-the-use-of-electronic-cigarettes-by-young-people-is-on-the-rise. Last accessed: 27th February 2022.
• [3] New York University. (2020). Vaping Changes Oral Microbiome, Increasing Risk for Infection. Available: https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2020/february/vaping-changes-oral-microbiome.html. Last accessed: 27th February 2022.
• [4] Xu, F., Aboseria, E., Janal, M. N., Pushalkar, S., Bederoff, M. V., Vasconcelos, R., Sapru, S., Paul, B., Queiroz, E., Makwana, S., Solarewicz, J., Guo, Y., Aguallo, D., Gomez, C., Shelly, D., Aphinyanaphongs, Y., Gordon, T., Corby, P. M., Kamer, A. R., Lin, X., & Saxena, D. (2021). Comparative Effects of E-Cigarette Aerosol on Periodontium of Periodontitis Patients. Frontiers in Oral Health. 2 (12). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2021.729144.
• [5] New York University College of Dentistry. (2022). Evidence Grows for Vaping’s Role in Gum Disease. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/news/evidence-grows-for-vapings-role-in-gum-disease-1003964692/. Last accessed: 27th February 2022.

Recent research has identified a particular type of bacteria that can cause severe oral health problems, regardless of a human’s immune system. Researchers found that a family of proteins that protect humans, called interferon lambdas, are reduced by a bacteria called Porphyromonas gingivalis. Therefore, this can leave a person vulnerable to infection. Porphyromonas gingivalis is also heavily connected to gum disease, making it a dangerous type of bacteria.

Researchers from the University of Louisville’s School of Dentistry in Kentucky, United States, have analysed a form of bacteria that can increase a person’s vulnerability to viruses and speed up the onset of gum disease.

The researchers identified that some of the proteins we rely on to protect us from viruses and infections can actually be suppressed by the bacteria, which is called porphyromonas gingivalis [1].

As a result, the researchers are aiming to raise awareness of this type of bacteria. This case also shows the importance of strong oral health. By having great oral hygiene, we can lessen the chances of bacteria affecting us.

The mouth and viruses

The mouth is commonly the entry point for viruses and infections. Specifically, viruses that attack the gastrointestinal tract and lungs, normally enter via the mouth.

Conditions that enter through the mouth include Herpes, HIV, and even some cancer-causing viruses. Moreover, Covid-19 is known to enter through the mouth [2]. The world has seen in the last two years the impact a virus can potentially have.

The Research

The researchers started by analysing Interferon lambdas – a family of proteins that are known to protect the body. These proteins are produced by epithelial cells in the mouth [3]. Epithelial cells are those that protect compactly packed cells. These cells are responsible for protecting humans from viral infections.

However, the researchers found that a type of oral bacteria called porphyromonas gingivalis reduces the production of these proteins [1]. Therefore, when this bacteria is present, the person becomes more vulnerable to infection [1].

The researchers analysed in depth what happens when porphyromonas gingivalis comes into contact with the human mouth. It was after seeing the effects it had, that they were able to make their conclusions [1].

Another worrying effect that porphyromonas gingivalis had on the human body was gum health. The researchers found that porphyromonas gingivalis causes gum disease. Furthermore, it can also hasten the development of periodontal disease, which is a more severe type of gum disease.

This dangerous bacteria can cause a build up of plaque. Over time, this plaque will eventually weaken enamel. Plaque will cause the gums to become infected, and cavities will also appear.

Gum disease can cause several problems. For example, tooth loss is a possible eventual complication of gum disease. Therefore, it is important for humans to try and avoid gum disease. As a result, this bacteria can be very damaging.

Because porphyromonas gingivalis has been linked to several other conditions, this finding was unsurprising for the researchers. The bacteria has also been connected to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Alzheimer’s Disease [4].

What this study shows

This study shows the importance of trying to reduce bacteria in the mouth wherever possible. In an age of many viruses, the more protection we have, the better.

The best way to limit the amount of bacteria in the mouth is to have excellent oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly and attending regular dental check-ups. Sugary and high-calorific foods and drink will often contain harmful bacteria. Therefore, having a healthy diet can also help.

Juhi Bagaitkar, Assistant Professor at the Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Disease at the University of Louisville, was among those to carry out the research. Bagaitkar commented on the findings [5].

She said that their team had found that the bacteria porphyromonas gingivalis “can completely suppress interferon production and severely enhance susceptibility to viral infection” [5]. Moreover, she continued “these resident oral plaque bacteria play a key role in regulating anti-viral responses” [5].

The authors suggested that in the future, methods of finding ways to increase protection against this specific bacteria could be enacted. Further research into sources of this bacteria is expected in the future.

Thinking points…

• 1) The bacteria above is known to cause gum disease. Many people worry about gum disease, and rightfully so. If you are worried about gum disease, the best thing to do is book a check-up with your dentist. They will be able to assess your mouth and provide advice and treatment if necessary.
• 2) You would be surprised at how easily bacteria can make it into the mouth. Anything we put in our mouths will contain bacteria. Whilst food and drink is obviously understandable, there are other habits we should stop. For example, not biting your nails, avoiding chewing on a pen lid or any other unnecessary activity. Think about the practical steps you can take to lessen bacteria in your mouth.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provides its 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 available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. We also have some cosmetic treatments too!

Importantly, 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 Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

• [1] Rodriguez-Hernandez, C. J., Sokoloski, K. J., Stocke, H. D., Jin, S., Metzler, M. A., Zaitsev, K., Shpak, B., Shen, D., Miller, D. P., Artyomov, M. N., Lamont, R. J., & Bagaitkar, J. (2021). Microbiome-mediated incapacitation of interferon lambda production in the oral mucosa. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 118(51): e2105170118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2105170118.
• [2] National Institutes of Health. (2021). Scientists find evidence that novel coronavirus infects the mouth’s cells. Available: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/scientists-find-evidence-novel-coronavirus-infects-mouths-cells. Last accessed: 8th January 2022.
• [3] Bandoim, L. (2019). Epithelial Cells: Definition, Function, Types & Examples. Available: https://sciencing.com/specialized-cells-definition-types-examples-13718073.html. Last accessed: 8th January 2022.
• [4] Heflin, J. (2019). UofL researcher part of international team to discover bacterial pathogen in Alzheimer’s patients. Available: https://www.uoflnews.com/post/uofltoday/uofl-researcher-part-of-international-team-to-discover-bacterial-pathogen-in-alzheimers-patients/. Last accessed: 8th January 2022.
• [5] Coffman, B. (2022). UofL researchers reveal how oral bacteria suppress protection against viral growth. Last accessed: 8th January 2022.