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Does Praising Children on Brushing Their Teeth Have a Positive Effect on Their Oral Health? - Taradale Dental
20Dec
A new study has found that there are significant benefits derived from parents congratulating and praising their children’s tooth-brushing. As a result, the researchers have argued that parents should take more of an active role with their children’s oral health. Overall, this can help with strengthening the oral health of their children.

A study released by American researchers has found that when parents praise their children for and whilst brushing their teeth, that their oral health subsequently benefits.

The research analyzed how the actions of parents affected their children. There were interesting findings. As a result, there are many lessons to be learned.

Background

It is important for children to brush their teeth from a young age. By getting used to a toothbrush from a young age, it can instill good habits that can be lifelong [1]. As a result, they are likelier to enjoy lifelong strong oral health.

Past research has shown that it is crucial for parents to show interest in their children’s oral health [2]. Moreover, they should set a good example for their children by having strong oral hygiene themselves.

What the Research involved

The study was completed by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University and the Santa Fe Institute [3]. This triumvirate of institutions sought to analyze the daily toothbrushing habits of three year old’s.

The study involved 81 three year old’s who were learning to brush their teeth. The researchers wanted to include families from multiple demographics in order to get a broad picture of the situation. As a result, the participants came from many different ethnicities, American states and different social classes, which was judged by household income [3].

The data used in the study was collected over a 16-day period. In these 16 days, parents submitted videos of their children’s nightly toothbrushing. Parents were instructed to let their child brush their teeth themselves [3].

When reviewing the footage, researchers looked at the persistence of the child, and any talk from parents. Moreover, the researchers looked especially for any praise that the parent was giving their child [3].

Finally, parents also completed daily surveys throughout the 16 days. This survey asked the parents to self-assess their stress levels, how their child was sleeping (including the duration), and how their child’s mood was [3].

The Results

The researchers were able to make a number of conclusions from the study. Firstly, they found that the persistence of children in brushing their teeth fluctuated from day-to-day [3].

Most interestingly, those that received praise from their parents were more likely to brush their teeth for longer, and show improved moods [3]. Therefore, it becomes clear that praising a child while they are brushing their teeth is very helpful.

For parents that gave less or infrequent praise to their children, it correlated with shorter toothbrushing times. Also, in what may be unrelated, these children typically had less or more interrupted sleep [3].

What this means

Perhaps the most important finding from this study is that parents have a very important role to play in their children’s oral health. Specifically, praising children whilst they brush their teeth is important.

The researchers found that praise such as “good job”, “good girl/boy” and “very good” were all very helpful [3]. Any sort of praise seems to be helpful.

The authors did point out that there were some limitations with their study. For instance, the authors stated it didn’t give a worldwide view. Instead, it had a western slant. Moreover, the authors acknowledged that further studies were needed to confirm their findings. For instance, a bigger sample size could be helpful.

Allyson Mackey is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. She commented on the findings [4]. Mackey said that “fluctuations in parent praise relate to fluctuations in child persistence” [4]. Mackey remarked that this clearly showed the importance of parental praise of children while toothbrushing.

Thinking points…

  • 1) Have you got a young child? If so, there is a lot to learn from this study. For instance, think to yourself, do you praise them while they brush their teeth? If not, this study shows it could be very beneficial!
  • 2) Remember that as a child grows up, including in their teenage years, parents should always show an interest in the oral health and brushing habits of their children. This isn’t something that should stop after a few years.
  • 3) There is a lot of research that shows it is important for adults to set a good example to their children when it comes to oral health. This includes going for regular check-ups yourself, looking after your own teeth, and attending the dentist with children when they have a check-up. With this in mind, have you scheduled your next dental check-up?

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

References

  • [1] Atarbashi-Moghadam, F., & Atarbashi-Moghadam, S. (2018). Tooth Brushing in Children. Journal of Dental Materials and Techniques. 7 (4): p181-184.
  • [2] Poutanen, R., Lahti, S., Tolvanen, M., & Hausen, H. (2006). Parental influence on children’s oral health-related behavior. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 64 (5): p286-292.
  • [3] Leonard, J. A., Lydon-Staley, D. M., Sharp, S. D. S., Hunter, Z., Liu, A., Park, A. T., Bassett, D. S., Duckworth, A. L., & Mackey, A. P. (2021). Daily fluctuations in young children’s persistence. (Pre-publication issue). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13717.
  • [4] Society for Research in Child Development. (2021). ‘Good job brushing your teeth!’ Study shows parent praise might encourage children’s persistence. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-12-good-job-teeth-parent-children.html. Last accessed: 19th December 2021.
Is There a Connection Between Types of Bacteria and the State of Gum Disease? - Savanna Dental
13Dec
Recent research has found that a “bacterial signature” exists, which enables scientists to be able to mark a shift from healthy teeth and gums to gum disease. In practice, this will be able to help dentists in knowing the stage of gum disease that a patient is at. Therefore, they will be able to provide improved advice and more accurate treatment.

Japanese researchers from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) have found a “bacterial signature” exists. This refers to the researchers finding that they can mark the point that a patient can shift from having healthy teeth and gums to gum disease.

Gum disease continues to affect so many people. As a result, any research that can help prevent, or at least slow the onset of, gum disease, is highly desirable.

In practice, if this research is confirmed as accurate, then dentists and their patients could benefit from increased insight into gum disease and better treatment plans.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is a very common condition. For example, statistics show that around 90% of the world’s population has a form of gum disease [1].

There are different stages of gum disease. Gingivitis is seen as a rather mild form of gum disease. Periodontal disease is a severe form of gum disease.

Gum disease involves inflammation of the gums. This is caused by a build-up of plaque and bacteria. Plaque develops over a period of time, eventually wearing down tooth enamel. Consequently, tooth decay will develop, hastening gum disease.

An eventual consequence of gum disease is tooth loss, due to the bones around the teeth being too weak. Studies have shown that many bacteria types contribute to bone loss in gum disease [2].

Bacteria is another area of concern for the health of the mouth. Some bacteria can be good for breaking down food. However, the majority of bacteria is bad, and will contribute to gum disease.

Research

Researchers from the TMDU carried out the research, which was published in the journal mSystems [3]. Their study involved 21 patients.

The researchers took plaque samples from three sites within the mouths of the 21 patients. All 21 participants had been diagnosed with periodontal disease [3].

The three sites included one area that was “healthy”, one area that showed signs of gingivitis, and another area that clearly had periodontitis [3].

Researchers then interpreted the results by using a special technique called “metatranscriptomic” analysis [3]. This determined the different types of bacteria at each site.

The results showed that there were indeed clear differences in the level of bacterial composition between the three different sites [3].

Certain types of bacteria that are known to be associated with gum disease were, as predicted, higher in the areas with periodontal disease [3]. For instance, these included eubacterium nodatum and filifactor alocis [3].

What this means

By reviewing these three different sites, researchers were able to identify the key differences between them. Moreover, they were also able to review how different bacteria types affected each area [3].

This enabled the researchers to come up with a “bacterial signature” that should help dentists to identify early signs of gum disease, and provide more accurate recommendations for those who already show signs of gum disease. Finally, it could also help to slow the onset of gum disease.

Lead researcher Takashi Nemoto commented on the findings [4]. He suggested that the changes they observed between each site showed the “shift from health to periodontitis is accompanied by changes in both the structure and the complexity of the bacterial network” [4].

Nemoto said that previous studies had “explored differences in bacterial communities in healthy mouths or those affected by gingivitis or periodontitis” [4]. However, the research from the TMDU was innovative as it analysed how such “communities changed during progression from health to periodontitis” [4].

Researchers continue to find ways to tackle gum disease. Because of how common it is, there is no shortage of effort being put in to trying to improve treatment outcomes.

Thinking points…

  • 1) A bad habit that many people have is nail-biting or chewing on a pen lid. Did you know that these habits involve bacteria coming into the mouth? Anything that goes into our mouths will include bacteria. What habits can you cut out?
  • 2) As this study shows, it is important for gum disease to be picked up on early. At a check-up, a dentist can help to identify if you have signs of gum disease and give advice. Consider making an appointment!
  • 3) If you are particularly concerned about gum disease, or know that you have gum disease, are you aware of scaling and root planing? These treatments involve a deep clean of the gums, and is known to be an effective way of improving gum health.

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

References

  • [1] Pihlstrom, B. L., Michalowicz, B. S., & Johnson, N. W. (2005). Periodontal diseases. Lancet. 366 (9499), p1809-1820.
  • [2] Tominari, T., Sanada, A., Ichimaru, R., Matsumoto, C., Hirata, M., Itoh, Y., Numabe, Y., Miyaura, C., & Inada, M. (2021). Gram-positive bacteria cell wall-derived lipoteichoic acid induces inflammatory alveolar bone loss through prostaglandin E production in osteoblasts. Scientific Reports. 11 (13353). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-92744-5.
  • [3] Nemoto, T., Shiba, T., Komatsu, K., Watanabe, T., Shimogishi, M., Shibasaki, M., Koyanagi, T., Nagai, T., Katagiri, S., Takeuchi, Y., & Iwata, T. (2021). Discrimination of Bacterial Community Structures among Healthy, Gingivitis, and Periodontitis Statuses through Integrated Metatranscriptomic and Network Analyses. mSystems. 6 (6). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/mSystems.00886-21.
  • [4] Tokyo Medical & Dental University. (2021). That’s so meta(transcriptomics): Distinctive bacterial taxonomic and functional profiles in mouth disease. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-12-metatranscriptomics-distinctive-bacterial-taxonomic-functional.html. Last accessed: 10th December 2021.
Does Oral Health During Pregnancy Affect the Risk of Birth Complications? - Savanna Dental
29Nov
Recent research has found that strong oral health during pregnancy is associated with a reduced chance of poor pregnancy outcomes. For instance, these outcomes include premature and underweight birth. Therefore, it is very important for pregnant women to have strong oral hygiene during pregnancy. As a result, this will increase the chances of a healthy birth.

A recent study has shown that strong oral health during pregnancy appears to reduce the risk of a premature birth, or a baby being born underweight.

Premature births can lead to adverse long-term problems for babies. They account for around 1 in 10 births around the world [1]. As a result, anything that can be done to reduce the chances of this happening is desirable.

The research shows that regular dental checks, treatment of gum inflammation and dental cleaning are all areas that can reduce the chances of a negative outcome at birth.

Background

This research took into account multiple areas of oral health. It is well established that oral health has a big impact on physical health. This includes having an impact on pregnancy.

This study places emphasis on gum disease. Gum disease is a very common condition. For instance, research shows that approximately 90% of the world’s population has some form of gum disease [2].

Gum disease involves a person’s gums becoming swollen or infected. This is normally caused by a build-up of plaque. Plaque is usually caused by a high-sugar diet. The inflammation associated with gum disease is a big problem.

Periodontitis, which is an advanced form of gum disease, has already been shown to be associated with poor pregnancy outcomes [3].

Poor pregnancy outcomes involve premature birth and a low birth weight. 15.5% of all deliveries are born with a low birth weight (less than 2.5kg), and almost 11% of babies are born prematurely (before 37 weeks) [4].

The Research

Researchers from the University of Sydney carried out a study that was recently published in the Journal of Oral Health and Preventive Dentistry [5].

The study took the form of a meta-analysis that took into account multiple studies. The study involved 1,031 patients that had given birth. A connection between oral health treatment and birth type was sought [5].

The researchers found that there was a connection between good oral health and positive birth outcomes for more than 600 women, a sizable amount [5].

The researchers found that treating gingivitis (gum inflammation that leads to bleeding gums) during pregnancy is associated with a reduced risk of premature or underweight births [5].

Explaining the results

Joerg Eberhard, a Professor at the University of Sydney’s School of Dentistry, explained the science behind the results [4].

Eberhard noted that if gum disease is treated during pregnancy, “the risk of a baby being born preterm is reduced by approximately 50%” [4]. Furthermore, Eberhard stated that “the birthweight increases around 100 grams in babies” [4]. The link is clear.

Eberhard said that the hormonal changes during pregnancy meant pregnant women were “more susceptible” to gingivitis [4]. He said that up to 75% of pregnant women are affected [4].

Gum disease releases bacteria into the blood stream, which can reach the placenta. As a result, the baby is directly impacted.

On a positive note, Eberhard said that “treatment for gingivitis is very easy to perform and is inexpensive and accessible” [4]. Therefore, this condition can be treated, if pregnant women are worried about these findings.

What does good oral health involve?

Throughout the study, “good oral health” is frequently mentioned. But some wonder what exactly “good oral health” involves.

To begin with, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day, typically after meals. Flossing regularly and using mouthwash are other areas that you can use as part of your regular dental hygiene process.

It is very important as well to visit the dentist for a regular check-up. We generally recommend that our patients visit us at least once every six months. Any problems that are identified can then be treated. For instance, this involves treating gum disease.

Avoiding sugary drinks and snacks, alcohol and smoking can all help too. This should reduce the level of plaque build-up. Therefore, this can decrease the chances of gum disease developing.

Ultimately, the aim for any pregnancy is a healthy delivery, which will hopefully result in a long and prosperous life. As a result, looking after our oral health can definitely help with this, underlining its importance.

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

References

Does Obesity Worsen Gum Disease? - Savanna Dental
23Nov
A recent study has found a clear link between obesity and gum disease. While the link between these two areas has been evidenced before, underlying causes have not been previously established. But this new study appears to show that chronic inflammation caused by obesity is the key reason behind eventual gum disease.

Obesity is a common issue, with growing numbers of people considered to be “obese”. Obesity can be defined as a person that has an above-average accumulation of fat. Moreover, they will be overweight.

The problem of obesity has been referred to as an “epidemic”, due to the range of issues that obesity can cause [1]. One such issue is oral health.

Researchers from the University at Buffalo were seeking to improve their understanding of the relationship between obesity and gum disease.

There is some pre-existing research that shows a link between obesity and gum disease [2]. However, the underlying causes behind this haven’t been determined in the past. Therefore, the researchers were hoping to delve deeper into this area.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a very common condition. For example, statistics show that approximately 90% of the world’s population has some form of gum disease [3].

Gum disease can be prevented. The condition typically involves a person’s gums becoming swollen or infected, which is usually caused by a build-up of plaque. Furthermore, plaque gradually wears down tooth enamel, leading to oral problems.

A common cause of plaque is a high-sugar diet. Moreover, a high-sugar diet is associated with obesity. Therefore, obesity can increase the risk of gum disease.

Bone loss is a very common symptom of gum disease. One such complication of gum disease is tooth loss. Tooth loss can occur when the bone deteriorates to the extent where it is unable to support a tooth. Losing teeth can negatively impact a person’s mental health [4].

The Research

The recent research was carried out by researchers at the University at Buffalo. Subsequently, the research was published in the Journal of Dental Research. [5].

The researchers used two groups of mice for their study. They hoped to see the differences caused by giving the two groups alternate diets.

One group had a low-fat diet which drew 10% of energy from fat. However, the second group of mice had a high-fat diet that drew 45% of energy from fat. Consequently, the groups were fed these diets for 4 months [5].

The researchers were able to conclude from the study that the high-fat diet did have a strong impact on the oral health of the mice [5]. Moreover, chronic inflammation was a key cause of this.

The researchers found that excessive inflammation from obesity causes a rise in the number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) [5]. MDSCs are a group of immune cells that aim to fight illnesses. However, when this happens, the MDSCs develop into many different cell types, including a cell class named osteoclasts, which breaks down bone tissue [5].

The high-fat diet group experienced more obesity, more inflammation and an increase of MDSCs when compared to the low-fat diet group [5]. Therefore, the high-fat diet group developed more osteoclasts, resulting in increased bone loss and gum disease [5].

What this research means

These findings reaffirm the link between obesity and gum disease. But the conclusions drawn are very useful as they show deeper reasoning behind the findings. For instance, the impact that MDSCs cause.

The research shows that obesity can cause chronic inflammation. The chronic inflammation then leads to an increase in MDSCs. Subsequently, gum disease worsens through increased bone loss.

Keith Kirkwood, a Professor of Oral Biology at the University at Buffalo, commented on the findings [6]. He said that while the relationship between the level of obesity and gum disease is clear, “the mechanisms that underpin the links between those conditions were not completely understood” [6].

The underlying causes behind this connection are now better known. As a result, this evidence confirms the need to eat a healthy diet wherever possible to avoid obesity and the resulting problems. For instance, we should try and eat fruit, vegetables, a balanced diet, and avoid sugary foods and drink wherever possible.

Having a healthy lifestyle alongside a balanced diet is important. This can reduce the chances of obesity. Therefore, our oral health should remain protected.

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

References

  • [1] Karels, A. J., & Cooper, B. R. (2007). Obesity and Its Role in Oral Health. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 5 (1): p1-5.
  • [2] De Castilhos, E. D., Horta, B. L., Gigante, D. P., Demarco, F. F., Peres, K. G., & Peres, M. A. (2012). Association between obesity and periodontal disease in young adults: a population-based birth cohort. Journal of Clinical Periodontology. 39 (8): p717-724.
  • [3] Pihlstrom, B. L., Michalowicz, B. S., & Johnson, N. W. (2005). Periodontal diseases. Lancet. 366 (9499), p1809-1820.
  • [4] Kaur, P., Singh, S., Mathur, A., Makkar, D. K., Aggarwal, V. P., Batra, M., Sharma, A., & Goyal, N. (2017). Impact of Dental Disorders and its Influence on Self Esteem Levels among Adolescents. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research: 11(4), pZC05–ZC08.
  • [5] Kwack, K. H., Zhang, L., Sohn, V., Maglaras, R., Thiyagarajan, R., & Kirkwood, K. L. (2021). Novel Preosteoclast Populations in Obesity-Associated Periodontal Disease. Journal of Dental Research. (Pre-publication). Available: https://doi.org/10.1177/00220345211040729.
  • [6] University at Buffalo. (2021). Study: Obesity Raises the Risk of Gum Disease by Inflating Growth of Bone-Destroying Cells. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/news/study-obesity-raises-the-risk-of-gum-disease-by-inflating-growth-of-bone-destroying-cells-1003963199/. Last accessed: 19th November 2021.
What Role Do the Salivary Glands Play in COVID-19 Reinfection? - Savanna Dental
1Nov
Researchers from the University of Utah are planning a study that will look at how the salivary glands impact Covid-19 reinfection. Reinfection of Covid-19 has proven to be a controversial subject. However, reinfection does seem to involve the salivary glands. As a result, researchers are focusing on their role in the contraction of Covid-19.

Covid-19 continues to cause havoc around the world, though research into this virus is gradually helping the overall recovery of humans around the world.

Now, researchers from the University of Utah are leading an investigation that will analyse whether or not salivary glands infected with Covid-19 could actually lessen a person’s long-term immunity to the virus post-vaccination, or even after recovery.

This research is part of the ongoing effort to analyse the factors involved in potential reinfection of Covid-19. This concept has already proven controversial, and has resulted in a lot of confusion and debate.

The salivary glands play an important role in Covid-19 research. Due to their interaction with proteins and the immune system, they are an area that many researchers are focusing on.

Covid-19: The Current State

Covid-19 remains a big threat to humanity. At the time of writing, around the world, there have been almost 250million cumulative cases reported [1]. In addition, there have been almost 5million deaths worldwide [1].

The attempt to vaccinate billions of people has made progress. Furthermore, the latest statistics show that 6billion vaccine doses have been administered [1].

The scientific community have been researching every aspect of Covid-19. This includes the Covid-19 vaccine efforts, tracing the origin of the virus, aggravating factors in recovery and in this case, reinfection.

Is it possible to catch Covid-19 twice?

Reinfection of Covid-19 has proven to be a contentious issue. The general consensus is that reinfection is possible, though it is rare. Many academics are “uncertain” [2]. Meanwhile, some have dismissed reinfection as a “myth” [3].

Some have attributed supposed reinfection to faulty PCR tests [4]. However, a widescale study in the United Kingdom found that reinfection was possible. But, less than 1% of participants in the study became reinfected with Covid-19 [5]. This suggested that reinfection was unlikely, but possible.

Where are the Salivary Glands and what do they do?

The Salivary Glands refer to the composition of three main glands and hundreds of smaller glands. They are located in the mouth. The salivary glands make saliva, which helps to keep the mouth moist, whilst aiding key functions of the mouth, such as chewing, tasting and swallowing food.

The salivary glands assist in food digestion through creating the enzymes that break down food. They are also connected to the immune system, and its antibodies are sometimes able to prevent infections in the mouth and throat.

Therefore, the salivary glands are a crucial area in the human body. As a result of their position in the body, they play a serious role in the contraction of Covid-19.

The upcoming research

The upcoming research will be focusing on the salivary glands and their role in the potential diminishing of a person’s long-term immunity to reinfection of Covid-19 [6]. This is even in the case of if a person has been vaccinated.

The research will look at whether the body’s ability to make antibodies is affected by when the salivary glands that have SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) [6]. Therefore, if this is affected, reinfection could be more likely. Viruses like SARS-CoV-2 are often found in the salivary glands. However, it isn’t entirely known how the virus gets there. It is believed that the most inner lining of the oral cavity, called mucosa, is usually the entry point for any virus [6].

Assistant Professor Melodie Weller, of University of Utah, has been commenting on the upcoming study. Weller explained that proteins that emanate from the food we eat, are released into the saliva [6].

Weller says “we swallow a lot of saliva every day” [6]. But a problem is that viruses also contain proteins. Therefore, our immune system cannot always detect the difference in proteins. As a result, viruses can bypass the salivary glands and attack our immune system.

Consequently, this can affect how long immunity will last, even after inoculation. As a result, Weller states that it is crucial to “understand the role of SARS-CoV-2 in the salivary glands” [6].

Moreover, an increase in the understanding of this area can result in improved knowledge of how “reinfection and breakthrough infections after immunization are occurring during this pandemic”, Weller says [6].

Based on the above, the researchers believe that the SARS-CoV-2 released from the salivary glands could impede the production of antibodies. Because of this, the risk of relapse or reinfection appears to increase. Therefore, this may limit the long-term effectiveness of vaccines.

The next steps

This research will continue the scientific community’s efforts to understand more about Covid-19. The University of Utah’s research will aim to build on pre-existing research that has found SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in the salivary glands [7].

The researchers will be testing their theory on mice. They will be administering protein to the salivary glands of the mice. The Covid-19 vaccine will then be applied, and researchers will wait to see how they respond.

Their findings will be important in analyzing the effectiveness of the vaccines in the long-term, and the role of the salivary glands. Finally, either way, it will add to the ongoing body of research into Covid-19.

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 available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.

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

  • [1] World Health Organization. (2021). WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. Available: https://covid19.who.int/. Last accessed: 30th October 2021.
  • [2] Hanrath, A. T., Payne, B. A. I., & Duncan, C. J. A. (2020). Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with protection against symptomatic reinfection. The Journal of Infection. 82 (4): p29-30.
  • [3] Roy, S. (2020). COVID-19 Reinfection: Myth or Truth?. SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine. 2 (1): p710-713.
  • [4] Krishna, E., Pathak, V. K., Prasad, R., Jose, H., & Mumar, M. M. (2020). COVID-19 reinfection: Linked Possibilities and future outlook. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 9 (11): p5445-5449.
  • [5] Hall, V., Foulkes, S., Charlett, A., Atti, A., Monk, E. J. M.., Simmons, R., Wellington, E., Cole, M. J., Saei, A., Oguti, B., Munro, K., Wallace, S., Kirwan, P. D., Shrotri, M., Vusirikala, A., Rokadiya, M., Kall, Zambon, M., Ramsay, M., Brooks, T., Brown, C. S., Chand, M. A., Hopkins, S. (2020). Do antibody positive healthcare workers have lower SARS-CoV-2 infection rates than antibody negative healthcare workers? Large multi-centre prospective cohort study (the SIREN study), England: June to November 2020. SIREN Study Group. Available: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.01.13.21249642. Last accessed: 30th October 2021.
  • [6] University of Utah Health Sciences. (2021). Can salivary glands infected with COVID-19 increase risk for relapse or reinfection?. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-10-salivary-glands-infected-covid-relapse.html. Last accessed: 30th October 2021.
  • [7] Matuck, B. F., Dolhnikoff, M., Duarte-Neto, A. N., Maia, G., Gomes, S. C., Sendyk, D. I. & Zarpellon, A. (2021). Salivary glands are a target for SARS-CoV-2: a source for saliva contamination. The Journal of Pathology. 254 (3): p239-243.
What Are the Most Effective Oral Hygiene Tools? Researchers Put the Tools to the Test! - Savanna Dental
12Oct
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.