Dental Health and Brainpower

According to a recent study published in the European Journal of Oral Sciences, people with fewer natural teeth performed worse on mental exercises than those with healthier smiles.  Higher brainpower is just one of the many benefits linked to healthy smiles.  In order to maintain healthy chompers, brush teeth with care and don’t forget to floss and rinse often.  For additional oral care tips read the full article here.

Small Changes In Toothpaste Beneficial To Your Dental Health

Tiny glass balls developed by researchers at Queen Mary University, London could be the key to repairing tooth decay and alleviating tooth pain sensitivity.  The tiny balls are made from calcium and phosphate, which are crucial components of teeth enamel, the protective coating on the exterior of the teeth.  These special biodegradable glass balls possess the unique ability to retain the calcium and phosphate when in a toothpaste, but then release these tooth strengthening components when in contact with moisture in the mouth. For the full article click here.

Synthetic Drugs Cause As Much Damage to Teeth as Meth

Because synthetic drugs are relatively new and criminal organizations are constantly changing the drugs’ molecular structures, the extent of the damage these drugs have on users’ teeth is still undetermined. Dr. John Wainio, a dentist at Summit Dental in Duluth, suggests that “…synthetic drugs will mimic other types of drugs, such as methamphetamines, which will make a person’s mouth very dry and have a very noticeable effect on their teeth.”  Jonathan Bothun’s documentary “Ground Zero: Duluth’s Battle Against Synthetic Drugs” examines the short-term and long-term effects synthetic drugs have on its users and details the steps the police force is taking to shut-down drug sales.  For the full article click here.

Stem Cell Regeneration and Your Teeth

Though scientists remain in the early stages of pulp regeneration, experiments performed on animals have shown promising results that may ultimately eliminate the need for painful root canal procedures.  By using tooth stem cells to regenerate critical living tissue called pulp, scientists hope to develop treatments that will regrow teeth that were infected by bacteria or infections.  These developments arrive during a crucial time in which dental disease is affecting over half of the U.S. population.  For the full article click here.

Dairy Products Positive Impact On Your Oral Health

According to a recent study published in General Dentistry, cavity-fighting properties in cheese may improve oral health.  By evaluating the dental plaque PH levels in the mouths of 68 subjects between the ages of 12 and 15 who consumed dairy products such as cheddar cheese, milk and sugar-free yogurt, researchers were able to identify a link between consumption of cheese and increased PH levels.  “The higher the pH level is above 5.5,” explains Vipul Yadav, MDS, lead author of the study, “the lower the chance of developing cavities.”  You can view the full article here.

Poor Diet, Poor Oral Health?

One of the quickest ways to identify a person with a diet poor in nutrition is to take a look at his or her teeth.  Oftentimes, the first signs of poor nutrition show up in the mouth.  Because the mouth is the initial point of contact for food, the benefits, or lack thereof, of the foods we consume immediately impact our dental health.  Eating a balanced and nutrient-rich diet full of dairy, fruits, vegetables and water can improve oral health by preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

For the full article click here.