Exposure to ultra-high-strength MRI may release toxic mercury from amalgam fillings in teeth, according to a new study appearing online in the journal Radiology. The effect was not seen, however, in the lower strength, more commonly used 1.5-Tesla (T) MRI. Amalgam fillings, also known as silver fillings, have been a staple of dentistry for many years. […]
Coconut oil could combat tooth decay
Digested coconut oil is able to attack the bacteria that cause tooth decay. It is a natural antibiotic that could be incorporated into commercial dental care products, say scientists presenting their work at the Society for General Microbiology’s Autumn Conference at the University of Warwick. The team from the Athlone Institute of Technology in Ireland […]
Raisins Fight Oral Bacteria
Compounds found in raisins fight bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities and gum disease, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “Our laboratory analyses showed that phytochemicals in this popular snack food suppressed the growth of oral bacteria associated with caries and gum disease,” said Christine Wu, professor and associate dean […]
Teeth whitening products can harm protein-rich tooth layer
Americans spend more than a billion dollars on teeth whitening products each year. Although these products can make smiles brighter, new research shows that they might also be causing tooth damage. In three new studies, researchers found that hydrogen peroxide, the active ingredient in over-the-counter whitening strips, can damage the protein-rich dentin tissue found beneath […]
Healing Power Of Aloe Vera Proves Beneficial For Teeth And Gums
The aloe vera plant has a long history of healing power. Its ability to heal burns and cuts and soothe pain has been documented as far back as the 10th century. Legend has it that Cleopatra used aloe vera to keep her skin soft. The modern use of aloe vera was first recognized the 1930s […]
Dental research shows that smoking weakens immune systems
As if lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease weren’t enough, there’s more bad news for cigarette smokers. Researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine found that smoking also weakens the ability for pulp in teeth to fight illness and disease. In other words, smokers have fewer defense mechanisms on the inside […]
Toothpaste And Hand Wash Are Causing Antibiotic Resistance
A common ingredient in toothpaste and hand wash could be contributing to antibiotic resistance, according to University of Queensland research. A study led by Dr Jianhua Guo from UQ’s Advanced Water Management Centre focused on triclosan, a compound used in more than 2000 personal care products. Dr Guo said while it was well-known the overuse […]
Hidden Tooth Infections May Predispose People To Heart Disease
According to a study carried out at the University of Helsinki, an infection of the root tip of a tooth increases the risk of coronary artery disease, even if the infection is symptomless. Hidden dental root tip infections are very common: as many as one in four Finns suffers from at least one. Such infections […]
Is Your Toothpaste Full Of Carcinogens?
You might not think twice about the chemicals in your cosmetics, in the way you would worry about absorbing chemicals from food, but that’s what happens every time you brush your teeth. And with the ever increasing knowledge about the harm that some of these chemicals are doing, it certainly is something to worry about. […]
Healing Power Of Aloe Vera Proves Beneficial For Teeth And Gums, Too
Aloe vera tooth gel is intended, like toothpaste, to eliminate disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. The aloe vera plant has a long history of healing power. Its ability to heal burns and cuts and soothe pain has been documented as far back as the 10th century. Legend has it that Cleopatra used aloe vera to […]