Some Parents Banking Baby Teeth In Hopes Dental Stem Cells May Be Used For Future Treatments

Fox News reports that some parents are banking children’s baby teeth, hoping that some day the dental stem cells may be used to treat type 1 diabetes, neurological disorders, spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, and more. “I believe those are the kinds of applications that will be the first uses of these cells,” said Dr. Peter Verlander, chief scientific officer for Store-A-Tooth. Noting that scientists have used stem cells from umbilical cord blood and bone marrow to treat diseases, metabolic and immune disorders, and blood cancers for years, the article states “there is the potential for dental stem cells to be used in the same way,” although “researchers are only beginning to delve into the possibilities.” Dr. Jade Miller, president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, says “dental stem cells are not science fiction.” Dr. Miller adds, “I think at some point in time, we’re going to see dental stem cells used by dentists…on a daily practice.”

Professional Teeth Whitening Superior To Over-The-Counter Options

In a column in the Master Herald, Faramarz Hedayati considers the “increased demand for teeth whitening.” Hedayati adds, “Professional teeth whitening treatment is far more effective and safer compared to do-it-yourself teeth whitening products that can already be purchased over-the-counter.” Such treatments can contain ingredients harmful to teeth, have limited effectiveness and consistency, and weaken tooth enamel. Additionally, over-the-counter teeth bleaching products are not regulated by the Federal Drug Administration.

Patients Advised To Consult With A Dentist Prior To Any Tooth Whitening Regimen

Consumer Reports discussed home tooth whitening treatments, which may help remove surface stains, according to a dental adviser to Consumer Reports. “You will see a noticeable difference, but final results can vary depending on individual teeth and the depth of staining or discoloration,” says Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a professor of dentistry at the University of California Los Angeles and spokesperson for the American Dental Association. Home tooth whitening kits can’t address all discoloration, however, says Dr. Hewlett, and checking with a dentist first before beginning a tooth whitening treatment is advised. The article noted that “good dental hygiene is key,” and Dr. Hewlett says, “Keep your teeth clean with regular brushing and flossing.”

Rising Use Of Charcoal In Personal Care Products, Home Remedies Lead To Warnings From Health Officials

The Baltimore Sun reports on the growing popularity of personal care products containing charcoal, which is being “promoted by some for regular use, with applications that include whitening teeth and zapping acne away,” as well alleviating digestive issues. However, medical professionals and health experts “warn against taking [charcoal] regularly, and the Food and Drug Administration has approved it as a drug only for limited use as an over-the-counter poison treatment.” FDA spokesperson Andrea Fischer said, “Consumers should be mindful of products that claim to prevent, treat, or cure diseases or other health conditions, but are not proven safe and effective for those uses. ... Relying on unproven products or treatments can be dangerous, and may cause harmful delays in getting the proper diagnosis and appropriate treatments.”

ADA: Dental Amalgam Is “Durable, Safe And Effective

TIME carries an article originally published on Health.com that stated University of Georgia research suggests “dental fillings made of amalgam—a mixture of mercury, silver, and other metals—can contribute to elevated mercury levels in the body.” The study found “people with more than eight fillings had blood mercury levels more than twice as high as people with no fillings,” although the article noted the average mercury levels for these individuals were still “below the safety thresholds established by the EPA and the World Health Organization.”

        The ADA examined the study’s findings, noting that although the study found a “statistically significant difference in circulating levels of mercury, all the levels observed were within the lower 95% confidence limit set forth as safe by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.” In addition, the findings “also pointed to the impact of fish consumption in blood total and methyl mercury levels.”

        The ADA released a statement reaffirming its position that “dental amalgam is a durable, safe and effective cavity-filling option” and providing information for patients about restorative materials at MouthHealthy.org.

Caring For Oral Health Considered Among “Natural Ways” To Look Younger

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution includes taking care of oral health in a list of “10 natural ways to defy your age.” The article states “the health of your mouth can also affect the health of your body,” adding that “nothing can make you look older than yellow, stained or missing teeth.” Given this, the article recommends brushing teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist regularly.

Patients Advised To Consult With A Dentist Prior To Any Tooth Whitening Regimen

The New York Observer discusses how to achieve and maintain white teeth. The article emphasizes preventive dental care and drinking plenty of water to maintain white teeth, noting that coffee, red wine, and tobacco products may stain teeth. The article states that “Not everyone is a good candidate for teeth whitening,” and also mentions that professional whitening is not effective on crowns and fillings. If a dentist does determine a person is a candidate for teeth whitening, the article encourages the patient to discuss what shade may be achieved from treatment.

        The University Herald reported that DIY teeth whitening methods “might have negative impacts.” Lemon juice in some DIY treatments, for example, may erode enamel “due to its acidic property.” The article adds that dental experts advise consulting with a dentist when considering teeth whitening.

        MouthHealthy.org provides additional information for patients on teeth whitening. ADA.org provides a Statement on the Safety and Effectiveness of Tooth Whitening Products. In addition, several whitening toothpastes and a whitening product have the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Chewing Sugar-Free Gum May Contribute To Oral Health

In article titled, “This $1 Habit Could Save You Hundreds In Dental Bills,” Men’s Health stated chewing sugar-free gum is “a simple (and incredibly cheap!) trick” to help promote oral health and reduce dental costs. “Anything we can do to reduce the amount of acid and bacteria in your mouth will help prevent tooth decay,” said Dr. Matthew Messina, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association. “And that means less dental work over time.” According to the article, chewing gum increases saliva production, which helps remove food and neutralizes acids that wear away at enamel. Dr. Messina recommends chewing sugar-free gum after eating for at least 20 minutes, adding that gum does not replace brushing and flossing. “There’s no better way to take care of your teeth than the usual brushing, flossing, and occasional check in with your dentist,” said Dr. Messina.

While Not Recommended, Nail Biting And Thumb Sucking Reduce Risk Of Developing Allergies, Study Finds

CBS News (7/11) reports on its website and during a broadcast that “children who bite their nails and suck their thumbs are about one-third less likely to develop certain allergies,” according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. “Cat, grass, house dust mite, and dog [allergies] – those were reduced, some significantly, some borderline,” said study author Malcolm Sears, a researcher for the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at McMaster University School of Medicine, in Ontario, Canada. “When they suck their thumbs or bite their nails they’re exposing themselves to additional microbes or dirt which is stimulating the immune system.” CBS News adds that the findings do not imply parents should encourage their kids to bite their nails or suck their thumb, noting “the American Dental Association advises that while thumb- or finger-sucking is a natural reflex in young children, intense sucking can cause problems with a child’s tooth alignment.”

Coverage Continues: Nearly A Third Of Americans Never Floss Their Teeth, CDC Study Finds

Newser reports in continuing coverage that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers surveyed “more than 9,000 Americans aged 30 and over” about how often they floss, finding “32.4% said they didn’t floss their teeth at all, in contrast to the 30.3% who said they flossed daily.” Discussing the oral health benefits of regular flossing, the article notes that the American Dental Association recommends flossing daily.

Muhammad Ali “Battled Child Tooth Decay” In 1976 Album

Rolling Stone reported that by 1976 Muhammad Ali was “a household name, a superstar, an icon,” and adding to his list of accomplishments, he also “battled child tooth decay” in a children’s album. Released in 1976, The Adventures of Ali and His Gang vs. Mr. Tooth Decay featured “the voice talents of Ali,” Frank Sinatra, Howard Cosell, and Ossie Davis, combining “music, narration and PSA preachiness.” According to the article, not only did the album receive an endorsement from the American Dental Association, “it was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Recording for Children category.” The ADA endorsement from the album cover reads: “The information on dental health contained in this children’s record is considered by the American Dental Association to be in accord with current scientific knowledge—1976.” The article added, “The album’s heart is in the right and noble place, something that could always be said of the late champ himself.”

        An article in the ADA News from December 10, 1979, Ali KOs Tooth Decay, featured a story regarding the promotional event presented in connection with this recording, which took place in Washington, DC and included Muhammad Ali boxing with another heavyweight boxing champion Chuck Wepner masquerading as Mr. Tooth Decay.

Fun Fact Friday

The excavated skeleton of a 25- to 35-year-old woman who was believed to have lived between 13,000 to 15,000 years ago may be one of the oldest recorded cases of impacted wisdom teeth. Take a look at this historic case study.

Researchers Identify Tiny Bubbles Around Head Of Ultrasonic Scalers

EurekAlert (3/2) hosts a University of Birmingham release announcing researchers have studied “ultrasonic scalers, used by dental professionals to remove built up plaque,” finding a “formation of tiny bubbles around the head is key to the cleaning process.” The researchers used high speed cameras to observe “the bubble formation, or cavitation, of water around the head of the scaler,” and believe the findings could help lead to new instrument designs that maximize cavitation. The findings are published in PLOS ONE, and are “the first to prove that cavitation takes place around the free end of ultrasonic scalers.”

Feline Stem Cell Trial Holds Hope For Treating People With Oral Disease

Reuters (3/17, Gruber) reports that researchers at the University of California, Davis are using stem cell therapy to treat cats with feline chronic gingivostomatitis or FCGS, a debilitating, inflammatory mouth disease. The researchers hoped to reduce inflammation and promote tissue regeneration with stem cell therapy, and so far the feline patients are responding favorably to the treatment. According to the article, UC Davis is planning to conduct human trials using stem cell therapy for treatment of inflammatory mouth disease in the future.

Poll Shows Dental Hygiene Highly Correlated With Americans’ Well-Being

The Washington Post (2/23, Chokshi) reports the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which “ranks 190 metropolitan areas by the well-being of their residents based on a survey of more than a quarter-million Americans,” was released Tuesday and found the most satisfied Americans “share at least one unintuitive characteristic: good dental hygiene.” The Post says “places where people have good dental health also tend to be places where they report being generally fulfilled.” The article goes on to list cities and states that rank highly in terms of well-being. At the top of the list for cities are Naples, FL, Salinas, CA, and Sarasota, FL. Florida, California, Colorado, and Texas were “home to many of the communities with the highest well-being scores.” Dan Witters, research director for the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, said dental care habits are a “surrogate” for well-being, adding, “People who take good care of their teeth generally think they have higher well-being lives.”

JADA Looks At Effectiveness Of Fluoride Varnish Treatment For Carious Lesions

The ADA News (1/29, Manchir) reported that “fluoride varnish may be an effective treatment for the reversal of incipient carious lesions in primary and permanent dentition, according to research in the February 2016 Journal of the American Dental Association.” After conducting a “systematic review and meta-analysis,” the researchers “found a significant trend of effectiveness of fluoride varnish on the reversal of the lesions,” although “further clinical trials concerning efficacy of topical fluorides for treating those lesions are still required, mainly regarding fluoride gel, researchers noted.” Lead author Tathiane Larissa Lenzi, PhD, said, “There is no clear evidence supporting the additional benefit of fluoride gel on reversal of active enamel caries lesions subjected to weekly supervised tooth brushing. However, there is an association between the number of inactive enamel lesions and the number of gel applications.” The full article is available online.

Dental Visit Was “Turning Point” For Runner With Eating Disorder

In an article in The Guardian (UK) (1/8), marathon runner Tom Fairbrother described how he developed and recovered from an eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, stating the “turning point” was when he went to the dentist to seek care for a toothache. Fairbrother said the dentist “asked if I was making myself sick, because my front teeth had been eroded by 75% due to the stomach acid from vomiting.” Fairbrother said, “It was the first time I had ever been asked directly, and I had no choice but to confess to him,” adding, “He informed me that if this behaviour continued, within six months I would lose my front teeth entirely.” The ADA provides additional information on eating disorders and oral health at MouthHealthy.org.

Tooth-Colored Cosmetic Dentistry

When you need a tooth repaired, you have the option to restore your smile with treatment that is made to match the color and luminosity of real dental enamel. Tooth-colored dental treatments make it easier to enjoy long-lasting care that doesn’t detract from the appearance of a naturally beautiful smile.

Tooth-colored dental treatments include:

White dental fillings – Cosmetic dentists can use white composite resin to fill in cavities, instead of silver metal amalgam. The result is a tooth that looks free of damage and doesn’t contain metal and mercury.

Porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia crowns – Standard dental crowns are often a layer of porcelain over a base of metal. While these crowns are sturdy, they don’t age well and look less like natural teeth over time. Crowns made from all porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia mimic the qualities of real teeth and blend into your smile seamlessly.

Porcelain veneers – A veneer is a tooth-shaped shell of porcelain that is used to hide cosmetic flaws, like cracks, gaps between teeth, and severe discoloration. Like porcelain crowns, veneers are custom made for each patient and made to look as natural as possible.

Tooth-colored cosmetic restorations are excellent for repairing teeth that are in your smile line. Thanks to the wide-spread use of stronger materials (like zirconia), cosmetic restorations are durable and can support improved oral function. If you have decayed or flawed teeth, you can choose cosmetic treatment options that will look just as natural as your own teeth.

If you have questions about tooth-colored cosmetic dentistry, contact Dr. Kinsel for more information about available treatments and the work performed by his in-house master ceramist.