Category: Oral Health

Following a thorough study, researchers have found that water fluoridation is the most environmentally friendly approach to preventive dental care. There are a range of measures that are recommended to combat tooth decay, with water fluoridation commonly used. In an age where all industries are aiming to improve their environmental footprint, these results affirm the usefulness of water fluoridation.

Across all industries, there is a big focus on sustainability and the environmental impact that industry output has. Healthcare is no exception. In dentistry, efforts are being made to improve the environmental footprint.

Therefore, researchers have been searching for ways to improve processes in dentistry, in order to aid the effort against the climate change crisis.

As part of this overall goal, a recent study looked at various preventive measures against tooth decay in dentistry, with the aim of finding which method was the most environmentally friendly. The research produced interesting results.

Background

Tooth decay affects a huge number of people. Tooth decay impacts the healthcare industry due to a very high demand for treatment. But fortunately, there are many preventive measures – including fluoride toothpaste and a fluoride varnish.

However, water fluoridation is another preventive measure that is used in some countries. In fact, water fluoridation is widely regarded as one of the most effective healthcare interventions of the 20th Century [1].

Water fluoridation involves a small concentration of fluoride being added to the public water supply. Fluoride is a crucial ingredient for teeth, and helps to strengthen them. Studies have consistently linked water fluoridation to strong reductions in cavities [2].

Approximately 35% of the world’s population has access to fluoridated water [3]. But it has proven to be a controversial subject. Many countries have outright banned its use, while many others are unable to provide easy access to fluoridated water.

The Research

The research was a collaboration between Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and the University College London, United Kingdom [4]. Subsequently, their work was published in the British Dental Journal [4].

The researchers looked to quantify the environmental impact that water fluoridation of the public water supply has for a 5-year-old child over a one-year period [4]. In the United Kingdom – where the study took place – water fluoridation is rather common.

They intended to compare this to the environmental impact of more traditional approaches like fluoride varnishes and regular toothbrushing programs [4]. This would allow them to see which preventive approach is the best environmentally.

In order to quantify the impact of the three approaches, the research team conducted a “Life Cycle Assessment” [4]. To do so, the researchers carefully measured the combined travel, weight and amounts of all products and processes involved in the three preventive programs mentioned above [4].

Then, the researchers inputted their data into a specialized computer program called OpenLCA [4]. Therefore, this provided the researchers with information, figures and statistics pertaining to environmental outputs of each of the preventive measures.

The results showed that water fluoridation had the lowest environmental impact of all three measures [4]. This was the key finding of the research, and shows that water fluoridation has a strong environmental impact when compared to other methods.

Moreover, the researchers also found that water fluoridation had the best return of investment, which is important for councils and governments to weigh up when deciding on legislation relating to water fluoridation [4]. Therefore, such results are useful.

The researchers concluded that after balancing out clinical effectiveness, environmental sustainability and cost implications – that water fluoridation should be the preventive measure of choice [4].

What this means

This research has showed the potential impact that water fluoridation can have. Not only is it highly effective, but it also has a strong environmental impact as well.

With the world in the midst of a so-called “climate crisis”, such findings could be very important. Water fluoridation seems to present a cost-effective and efficient way for governments to lower their environmental footprint, whilst lessening tooth decay.

But sadly, water fluoridation continues to be a controversial topic. This has resulted in many nations avoiding its use. Yet research results like the above could result in a change of opinion.

This research though does show the benefits of water fluoridation. At the very least, for those who do have access to fluoridated water, they have added protection against tooth decay.

Thinking points…

1) This study is a useful reminder of the benefits that fluoride can bring. Not everyone is in an area where the public water supply is fluoridated. If you don’t have access, remember that it is important to always use a fluoride toothpaste. It is also important to attend regular dental check-ups, as this will provide your dentist with a chance to examine your mouth, and suggest treatment if necessary. Why not book an appointment now?

2) If you do have access to fluoridated water, it is important to not get complacent. Just because you have fluoridated water, this doesn’t replace the need for strong oral hygiene, regular cleaning and flossing, and attending dental appointments. If you haven’t seen your dentist for a while, it is especially important to book a check-up, as any problems can be detected. Importantly, continue to practice excellent oral hygiene!

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] Murthy, V. H. (2015). Community Water Fluoridation: One of CDC’s “10 Great Public Health Achievements of the 20th Century”. Public Health Reports. 130 (4): p296-298. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F003335491513000402.

[2] Slade, G. D., Grider, W. B., Maas, W. R., & Sanders, A. E. (2018). Water Fluoridation and Dental Caries in U.S. Children and Adolescents. Journal of Dental Research. 97 (10): p1122-1128. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0022034518774331.

[3] Iheozor-Ejiofor, Z., Worthington, H. V., Walsh T., O’Malley, L., Clarkson, J. E., Macey, R., Alam, R., Tugwell, P., Welch, V., & Glenny, A-M. (2015). Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 18 (6): CD010856. DOI: https:/www.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD010856.pub2.

[4] Duane, B., Lyne, A., & Ashley, P. (2022). The environmental impact of community caries prevention – part 3: water fluoridation. British Dental Journal. 233: p303-307. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-4251-5.

A recent comprehensive report has shown that dental insurance provides consumers with peace of mind, relief, and cost savings. The report provided an overview of the oral health of Americans. Furthermore, dental insurance was particularly useful during Covid-19. The report also suggests that more people intend to get dental insurance for their children in the next year.

A comprehensive report into the current state of the oral health of Americans has showed that having dental insurance is a huge positive for consumers, and provides them with peace of mind and relief.

In fact, dental insurance also appears to provide emotional and financial benefits too. Therefore, it appears that there are plenty of benefits to having dental insurance.

The report was carried out by Delta Dental. Delta Dental is America’s largest dental insurance provider, with more than 85million Americans covered by them [1].

How does dental insurance work?

Dental insurance helps patients to pay for the professional care that is needed to treat their oral health. Many people find it to be a convenient and cost-effective way of ensuring that their oral health remains strong.

There are different types of insurance, with various plans and formats existing. Most plans provide patients with cover for regular examinations and treatments like cavity fillings.

The care may go further, depending on the type of plan a patient has. There are a range of different providers to choose from, including large and small companies.

When contemplating getting dental insurance, it is important to consider your budget, along with your oral health history. Moreover, if you have a family, you may be able to get your entire family insured.

Key Findings from the report

The report – called the 2022 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness report – was created by Delta Dental [2]. The research involved over 2,000 American adults and parents of children aged 12 and younger [1].

The participants were asked a range of questions. Many of these focused on dental insurance – which is an interesting topic, as far from everyone has insurance. For example, in the United States, approximately 25% of adults have no dental insurance [3].

However, the findings suggest that dental insurance has a very positive effect. 94% of respondents believe that dental insurance saves them money [1]. Furthermore, 91% of respondents believed that the cost of the plan was worthwhile [1].

Further to the above, cost is obviously an important consideration for many. In fact, in Canada, almost 25% of Canadian citizens avoided seeing a dental professional due to concerns over the cost in 2018 [4]. It appears that fears of insurance plan costs being high remains.

The report also suggested that having dental insurance over the Covid-19 pandemic was very useful. The rapid spread of Covid-19 resulted in routine dentistry being stopped. But when dentistry started again, those with dental insurance were in a positive position.

81% of adults and 88% of parents agreed that having dental insurance during Covid-19 provided them with peace of mind [1]. This is very good, given the struggles that everyone went through during the pandemic.

Interestingly, the research also found out that, partly due to the pandemic, that 69% of parents with a child not currently covered by dental insurance is hoping to get coverage for them in 2022 [1]. The findings definitely suggest that Covid-19 led many people to re-assess their oral health.

Summary

Overall, those with dental insurance typically had less stress, better peace of mind and benefitted financially from having coverage. The range of benefits associated with dental insurance may result in more people signing up.

James W. Hutchison is the President & CEO of Delta Dental [1]. He commented on the findings of the report [1]. Hutchison mentioned that his company are looking to extend their “person-centered care” [1].

His company also partners with “oral health professionals and the public” to continue the “development of enhanced dental plans focused on person-centered care” [1].

Hutchison concluded by saying that insurance plans are “based on a person’s health needs and provide the extra care to enrich overall health and quality of life” [1].

The findings certainly suggest that insurance helps many Americans, whether this be through the actual care, or the peace of mind it gives them.

To read the full report, please follow the link: https://www.deltadental.com/us/en/state-of-americas-oral-health-report.html [2].

Thinking points…

1) Cost is clearly an issue for many people when it comes to the dentist. However, here at Savanna Dental, our costs are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. Therefore, we offer transparent, competitive and reasonable costs for our patients. We recommend attending our dental clinic, where we can assist you with your oral health and provide a treatment plan if necessary. You can read more about us on our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

2) For those that are uninterested in dental insurance, it puts an important focus on strong oral health. Therefore, so that you can try to avoid dental problems, ensure you look after your mouth by having excellent oral hygiene, as this can help keep your oral health strong. Remember to attend check-ups, as this can help to identify any problems. We recommend booking an appointment now!

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] Delta Dental Plans Association. (2022). 89% of U.S. adults agree having dental insurance provides peace of mind according to Delta Dental study. Available: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/89-of-us-adults-agree-having-dental-insurance-provides-peace-of-mind-according-to-delta-dental-study-301602993.html. Last accessed: 19th August 2022.

[2] Delta Dental. (2022). The 2022 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report. Available: https://www.deltadental.com/content/dam/ddpa/us/en/press-releases/DDPA_State%20of%20Oral%20Health%20Report_2022-Release.pdf. Last accessed: 19th August 2022.

[3] Colonial Insurance. (2018). The Surprising Truth About Dental Insurance. Available: https://www.coloniallife.com/employer-resource-center/2018/april/the-surprising-truth-about-dental-insurance. Last accessed: 19th August 2022.

[4] Statistics Canada. (2019). Health characteristics, annual estimates. Available: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310009601. Last accessed: 19th August 2022.

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.