Health

How braces no longer have to be blatantly obvious

by

They were once one of those things that everyone dreaded – in some ways, they even had a stigma attached. However, braces no longer have to be a source of hatred, advances in dentistry means that the situation has changed dramatically over the last ten years and in a lot of cases, they just blend into a person’s mouth. Of course, the traditional braces do still exist and there are some advantages for opting for them. If you do fall into the position of requiring them, let’s take a look at some of your options. Suffice to say, there are exceptionally more than they were over a decade or so ago! The traditional option Let’s start traditionally; the type of braces that most of us grew up recognizing. Comprised of stainless steel brackets, there were all sorts of phrases used … Read more

Teeth whitening: Debunking the top myths

by

Teeth whitening is one of the most mainstream dental procedures around. It has become so mainstream that a lot of options are do it yourself based. While you can find dentists in Ballymena or your wherever you may live, there are other ways in which you can apply an in-home treatment and reap the benefits. Admittedly, the latter isn’t quite as potent and the whiteness might not be as satisfying, but the option does exist. As this is a procedure which has become so popular over recent years, it’s hardly surprising to see that there are umpteen myths and misconceptions that are around. Bearing this in mind, some of the most common myths surrounding teeth whitening are highlighted below. Myth #1 – You can use fruit to whiten your teeth Strawberries and lemons seem to be the most commonly referred … Read more

Diabetes and dentistry: Two issues which go hand-in-hand

by

If you happen to hear a conversation about diabetes – you could be forgiven for not realizing it can have a direct impact on your mouth. Numerous studies have shown that there is a direct link between diabetes and your teeth. This correlation was mentioned in an article by a Dorset dentist which led to further exploration. Here, it was outlined how there are two problems which can occur as a result of diabetes. The topic has been investigated in more detail to put together the following guide. This takes a look at both of the problems which were highlighted in the initial article, before embarking on some top tips to make sure you don’t become part of the unlucky group who is affected. Problem #1 – Periodontal disease Few people will have heard of the condition known as periodontal disease, but … Read more

Is it okay for dentists to not tell a patient everything wrong?

by

An interesting article titled “Is it unethical to not present a patient’s treatment plan in its entirety?” is written by Emily Ishkanian and appears in the June 2016 issue of JADA. The article discusses that a dentist gets a new patient in for only an examination, cleaning, and radiographs. However after the exam, the dentist determined that the patient has extensive treatment needs. The dentist is concerned that if they tell the patient everything wrong then the patient will be scared to return to the office. The patient went to the dentist for just a standard visit. It is likely they thought there was nothing wrong with their oral health. The dentist is concerned that the patient will suspect overtreatment which could lead them to decline the treatment plan or seek another opinion. The ADA code says that dentists need to be truthful and … Read more

Nanoparticles can be used to break up plaque and prevent cavities

by

Bacteria living in dental plaque contribute to tooth decay which is often resistant to traditional antimicrobial treatment. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania took advantage of pH sensitive and enzyme like properties of iron containing nanoparticles to catalyze the activity of hydrogen peroxide. The activated hydrogen peroxide produced free radicals that were able to degrade the biofilm matrix associated with tooth decay and kill bacteria thus preventing plaque and reducing tooth decay. The researchers said that even a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide was effective at disrupting the biofilm. It was found that adding nanoparticles increased the efficiency of bacterial killing more than 5,000-fold. The work built off a seminal finding published in 2007  showing that nanoparticles, long believed to be biologically and chemically inert, could in fact possess enzyme-like properties. This study showed that an iron oxide nanoparticle behaved similarly to a … Read more