Tag: dental care

Tooth decay can result in inflammation in the dental pulp – which is the innermost part of the tooth. Trying to avoid this is crucial, as it usually requires a Root Canal treatment. Now, a research team has looked at how the mechanisms involved in dental inflammation and root damage can be impacted by various situations. This is an important subject area to review.

Recent research has yielded discoveries regarding the mechanisms involved in dental pulp inflammation and root damage [1].

These discoveries will enable a search to take place for medications that can stop bone loss, when a tooth becomes impacted by endodontic infection.

What is the dental pulp?

The dental pulp refers to the innermost part of the tooth. Therefore, it sits below both enamel and dentin, and contains blood vessels, tissues and nerves.

When teeth become decayed, it can result in a tooth’s pulp becoming inflamed. This often advances to the stage where there is an infection at the root of a tooth, which is known as an abscess.

When this happens, a root canal treatment is normally needed to save the tooth. This is a more complex dental procedure that rarely provides permanent results [2].

The Research

The results involving the mechanisms involved in dental pulp inflammation and root damage have come from two research papers [1].

Both studies were published in the Journal of Endodontics [1]. They both used the key element of the aforementioned mechanisms as a basis for their studies.

The key element is tumor necrosis factor-a receptor-1 (TNFR1), which, when binding to the cytokine TNF-a, causes inflammation to develop [1].

The researchers used various situations to experiment this element. This is where the two studies took different approaches – although both involved analyzing the pathway between TNFR1 and TNF-a.

In the first study, the researchers looked to see how the pathway reacted to dental pulp capping – which is a procedure where bioactive materials are placed over an exposed pulp, thereby encouraging healing [3].

They found that when TNFR1 is altered, it results in inflammation and subsequent bone loss [3]. It can result in severe problems, including rapid demineralization.

The team used a mouse that was deficient in TNFR1 to discover this. They took tissues at both 7 and 70 days, which resulted in an analysis taking place, helping them to reach their conclusion.

In the second study, the researchers investigated how the pathway reacted following root canal contamination [4]. This effectively involves a situation where a person has root canal but the pulp becomes contaminated.

They found that the pathway reacted well. Furthermore, they demonstrated that when the pathway blocks the presence of microorganisms, the number of issues can be reduced [4].

The researchers found that the pathway could assist in protecting against inflammation and bone loss – which is crucial in oral health [4].

After analyzing these situations, the research team concluded that the difference between these situations was the presence of microorganisms [1].

The next steps

The research team are hoping that now that there is a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in inflammation of the dental pulp, that it could be possible to search for a medicine that can assist with stopping bone loss [1].

Paula Silva, who took part in both studies, said that the group “realized from these research findings that a treatment protocol could be developed” – which he suggested was “a very interesting target” they aim to reach in the future [1].

While such creations are likely to be quite some time away, this research has helped scientists to understand what is involved in dental pulp inflammation. Therefore, this can help with future research and the potential development of a medicine to target these issues.

Thinking points…

1) The research looked at the topic of dental pulp inflammation. Tooth decay is the main cause of this. If you don’t catch tooth decay early, it can eventually result in the pulp becoming inflamed. Therefore, rather than a simple cavity filling being needed, it can require a root canal treatment. Make sure you look after your teeth and visit a dental clinic at the first sign of decay!

2) Following on from the above point, it is very important that you attend dental check-ups on a regular basis. Here at Savanna Dental, we recommend that you go to a dental clinic at least once every six months. This will enable any issues to be identified and then treated. 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 wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.

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. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

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] Constantino, L. (2023). Discovery of mechanism involved in dental inflammation paves way to therapies against bone loss. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-10-discovery-mechanism-involved-dental-inflammation.html. Last accessed: 9th October 2023.

[2] Watson, S. (2021). Tooth Pulp Function and Inflammation. Available: https://www.verywellhealth.com/tooth-pulp-dental-terms-1059180. Last accessed: 9th October 2023.

[3] de Almeida-Junior, L. A., Araujo, L. D. C., Lamarque, G. C. C., Arnez, M. F. M., Kapila, Y. L., da Silva, L. A. B., & de Paula-Silva, F. W. G. (2023). Reparative Dentin Formation Following Dental Pulp Capping is Mediated by TNFR1 In Vivo. Journal of Endodontics. 49 (10): p1329-1336. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2023.06.015.

[4] de Almedia-Junior, L. A., de Carvalho, M. S., Almeida, L. K. Y., Silva, R. A. B., Silva, L. A. B., & de Paula-Silva, F. W. G. (2023). TNF-α–TNFR1 Signaling Mediates Inflammation and Bone Resorption in Apical Periodontitis. Journal of Endodontics. 49 (10): p1319-1328. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2023.07.013.

Recent research has looked into how flossing technique impacts the effectiveness of flossing. Flossing is a key part of oral health and is an excellent tool to protect your teeth and gums. However, flossing is something that many people ignore. For those that do floss, the research has shown that using the correct technique can boost their oral health.

The importance of flossing cannot be understated. It is crucial for removing debris that a toothbrush can’t reach, and helps protect against cavities and bad breath.

However, while most people brush their teeth regularly, flossing is something that many people forget to do. Furthermore, for those that do floss, many do not know how to do so effectively.

Recent research has looked into what impact proper flossing technique has [1]. The results show that flossing is very important and has a positive impact. This impact is more pronounced when proper flossing technique is used.

Background

Flossing can help remove debris from food and anything else in the mouth. Furthermore, it stops dental plaque from forming, aiding cavity prevention. It also helps gum health.

The United Kingdom’s NHS recommends that people floss from the age of 12 [2]. But while dentists always praise flossing, there has been some debate on its effectiveness.

2016 Associated Press article

One of the key factors in this research was a somewhat controversial article from the Associated Press in 2016 [1]. The article, which used findings from numerous studies, stated that there was “little proof that flossing works” in the long-term [3].

At the time, it caused some debate on if flossing was actually effective. Dentists pointed out that gum disease can take many years to develop – making long-term studies unrealistic [1].

The Research

The research was carried out by a team from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Their findings have been published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene [1].

As mentioned, the research team wanted to provide evidence that dental flossing is an effective activity, which could dispute the findings of the Associated Press [1].

One of the first things they realised was that many people weren’t flossing accurately. Therefore, this limited the effectiveness of flossing.

They recruited 36 study participants. These participants all had a diagnosis of Gingivitis – the earliest stage of gum disease [1]. Gingivitis is a very common condition. With bleeding gums being a common symptom of gingivitis, the researchers decided this would be the key area that they would look out for.

Then, the participants were split into two groups. One group were trained to floss using a technique called “adapted horizontal vertical flossing”. Meanwhile, the other group were left to continue their usual flossing style [1].

The participants were asked to floss every night for an eight week period. After eight weeks, the researchers looked to see how common bleeding gums were among both groups.

Incredibly, those that had used the adapted horizontal vertical flossing technique had seen a 70% reduction in bleeding gums [1].

Also, those that flossed using their own technique saw a 30% reduction in bleeding gums [1]. This shows that even when the optimal technique isn’t used, any form of flossing can still have a positive impact.

Overall, the researchers concluded that people that learned and consistently used proper flossing technique showed fewer signs of gum disease and other oral health problems. However, the study also found any form of flossing can be effective.

What is proper flossing technique?

The study recommended that the below technique should be used [1]:

• Wrap each end of a 15–18-inch length of floss around the ring or middle finger of both hands.

• This should leave around 5-6-inches of floss to use. Hold this floss with the index finger or thumb of each hand. Use around three quarters of floss between the fingers of each hand.

• Start at one end of either the top or bottom set of teeth and apply the floss to the curved surface of the tooth – essentially bending a “c” shape around the tooth.

• Carefully move the floss in a forward-backward motion and upwards and downwards – this should remove any debris

• Continue this process for each tooth [1]

By following the above technique, it should result in effective flossing. This can boost your oral health and protect your gums.

The authors were pleased with the outcome of the research. Paul Levi of Tufts University, said that this was the first study “to prove that a person using floss with a specific technique will have less gum infection than a person who just does what they normally do” [4].

Making flossing a regular part of your oral hygiene routine is crucial! Furthermore, as this study shows, using an effective method is equally important!

Thinking points…

[1] Flossing can protect against cavities and gum disease. Another important part of preventing oral health is to attend regular dental check-ups. A check-up provides a dentist with an opportunity to take a look at your oral health in detail, and identify any problems. It is important to frequently attend check-ups. We recommend booking an appointment now!

[2] Many people do not floss. This might be due to not feeling it is worthwhile, being lazy, or just forgetting. But as this research has shown, it can have very strong results for our oral health. Therefore, try and find a way of incorporating flossing into your bedtime routine – and ensure you do it either just before or straight after brushing your teeth. We recommend figuring out a routine now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

Moreover, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing.

We hope to see you soon at our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Basali, D. H., Hong, I., Finkelman, M., Dragan, I. F., Gyurko, R., Uzel, N. G., & Levi, P. A. (2023). The Effect of Dental Flossing Instructions and Technique on Interproximal Bleeding: A randomized control trial. Journal of Dental Hygiene. 97 (4): p36-45.

[2] NHS. (2019). Why should I use dental floss?. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/dental-health/why-should-i-use-dental-floss/. Last accessed: 23rd September 2023.

[3] Associated Press. (2016). Untitled. Available: https://apnews.com/article/f7e66079d9ba4b4985d7af350619a9e3. Last accessed: 23rd September 2023.

[4] Ragovin, H. (2023). You could be flossing all wrong, if you’re even flossing at all. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-09-flossing-wrong-youre.html. Last accessed: 23rd September 2023.

The Tooth Fairy is an important part of oral health for children. A recent poll has looked into how the oral health of children is impacted by the tooth fairy. The findings are very positive, with the tooth fairy helping to promote strong oral health habits. It also acts as a way of reminding children of the importance of their dental health – making it very useful!

Every year, August 22nd marks “National Tooth Fairy Day” – a day which is used to remind parents and children of the importance of oral health and raise awareness of the oral health of children.

In line with this date, Delta Dental have released findings from their 2023 Original Tooth Fairy Poll® – which has been in operation for 25 years [1].

About the Tooth Fairy

The tooth fairy actually dates back many centuries, having originated in Europe. In more recent decades, it has become a regular fixture in American households.

A visit from the tooth fairy is normally a very exciting prospect for children – and often results in a financial reward. Therefore, it can be a great way of incentivizing strong oral health.

Typically, a child will place their lost tooth under their pillow prior to sleeping. After waking up, money is normally placed there – with the idea that the tooth fairy has come to visit during the night.

The 2023 Tooth Fairy Poll

The Tooth Fairy Poll® takes place each year. This poll is commissioned by Delta Dental, who interviewed 1,000 parents of children aged 6 to 12. These parents were asked about the tooth fairy and its impact on their children and their oral health [1].

The tooth fairy is an important part of life for most Americans. The poll found that 81% of American homes involve the tooth fairy in their day-to-day lives [1].

Overall, the results are overwhelmingly positive in support of the tooth fairy! The various statistics put forward by the poll show how useful it can be.

Perhaps the most important finding is that 1 in 3 parents say the tooth fairy instils good oral health habits in their children [1]. Therefore, mentioning the tooth fairy on a regular basis can be useful for parents, as it appears to have a positive impact on children.

The research also found that the tooth fairy can be used as a way of motivating children to look after their teeth more [1]. Parents can suggest to their children that the tooth fairy is watching them closely, which can make them likelier to pay extra attention to their oral health.

There are other benefits too for parents. Among these is the finding that 27% of children go to bed early when anticipating a visit from the tooth fairy [1]!

One of the most noticeable changes in recent years is the value of a tooth! The average value in 2023 is $6.23 [1]. Incredibly, this has risen from $1.30 since the poll first started – representing a 379% increase [1]!

In terms of regions within the United States, southern states valued teeth the highest – providing an average of $6.59 per tooth [1]. Meanwhile, midwestern states valued teeth the lowest – although this was still $5.63 on average [1].

A “beloved visitor”

Gabriella Ferroni, the Senior Director of Strategic Communications at Delta Dental, discussed the poll’s findings. Ferroni said that “the tooth fairy is a beloved visitor into homes across the country” [1].

Continuing, Ferroni said that the tooth fairy helps to foster “proper oral hygiene habits at an early age, which in turn supports overall health” [1].

Ferroni recommends that parents can “encourage positive dental care” by reminding their children that the tooth fairy “prefers the cleanest, healthiest teeth” [1].

These various steps can all help to promote the importance of oral health to children. This can make them have excellent habits throughout their life which can boost both their oral and physical health.

Thinking points…

1) As shown in the findings above, the tooth fairy can have a positive impact on children. Therefore, if you are a parent, you can utilize the benefits of the tooth fairy! This will reward your children for looking after their teeth and brushing regularly. Regularly reminding children of the tooth fairy and its potential benefits can definitely help! Remember to talk about oral health with your children!

2) Looking after oral health is important for both children and adults. For adults, a great way of setting an example can be to take your children to your own dental check-ups. Furthermore, you can attend your children’s check-ups too! Make sure you attend dental check-ups once every six months, as this will help to keep your oral health strong. 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 wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.

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. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

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. (2023). Delta Dental poll finds Tooth Fairy welcomed into most U.S. homes. Available: https://www.deltadental.com/us/en/tooth-fairy/press-release.html. Last accessed: 1st September 2023.