Dentists Urge People to Avoid Brushing Directly After Eating

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 08 June 2012 11:31



Brushing too soon after eating can have devastating effects.

This message sometimes can be misunderstood. Dentists urge people to clean their teeth and brush twice each day to prevent dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease. But research shows that brushing too soon after eating could do a great deal of harm when done repeatedly over time.

Dentists recommend waiting at least one hour to brush after eating.

Brushing less than 20 minutes after eating causes damage to the teeth, especially when the food or drink consumed was something sugary or acidic. The sugar and acid cause damage to the enamel, which exposes the dentin and leaves the teeth open to decay and sensitivity.

According to information from the Academy of General Dentistry, brushing too soon after eating may push acid from food or drinks deeper inside the teeth. It then reaches the enamel and dentin, and the dental problems ensue.

Teeth corrode faster if brushed within 30 minutes of drinking an acidic drink, according to research. Many trials indicated that when teeth are brushed anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes after consuming food or drinks that the results were similar to when brushing is done with more of a gap between eating/drinking and brushing.

Neanderthal Tartar Shows Insight Into Early Humans

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 19 July 2012 14:05



The first example of self-medication has been discovered after a study of Neanderthal dental tartar.

Dental tartar collected from a sight in the northern part of Spain indicated that the ancestors of humans gathered around fires to cook plants, with the goal being to create medicinal potions, in addition to food. This was about 50,000 years ago.

The research shows that Neanderthals consumed various types of food. Prior findings suggested the Neanderthals ate meat, but this research demonstrates that they ate plants as well.

A research team from the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies and a research team from the University of York compiled the data on tartar from five Neanderthals. The research included chemical tests and an investigation under and electron microscope.

The study showed that there was cracked tartar, which signifies that the Neanderthals cooked plants before eating them. The study also concluded that the plants were wood-smoked.

There wasn’t much protein in their diet, meaning these particular Neanderthals didn’t consume as much meat as others. There was one Neanderthal that showed signs of eating yarrow and chamomile, which were thought to be an anti-inflammatory.

Growing Teeth May Soon Be Possible

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 20 July 2012 14:16



A group of researchers have made a discovery that could eventually lead to the regrowth of teeth.

A research team in the group of Irma Thesleff at the Institute of Biotechnology in Helsinki, Finland recently discovered a marker for dental stem cells. The discovery was made after locating a transcription factor on the mouse front tooth.

The transcription factor Sox2 is specifically present in the stem cells of the mouse incisor. This tooth grows throughout one’s life thanks to the stem cells located at the base of the tooth.

The research team managed to create a way to record the movement, division and specification of these cells. Sox2 positive stem cells also enable enamel-forming ameloblasts and other lineages of the tooth to exist.

Human teeth are similar to mouse teeth in that the mechanisms to regulate growth is the same, even though human teeth don’t grow continuously. That’s why this could be a pivotal discovery for tooth regeneration.









This finding, however, doesn’t necessarily mean the ability to regenerate tooth is right around the corner. A detailed recipe is necessary and many factors have prevented tooth regeneration from happening at this point in time.

Dental Visits May Lead to Diabetes Detection

Written by Dentistry TodayMonday, 23 July 2012 15:44



A prediabetes diagnosis can be made during a basic dental visit.

The information comes from a recent Columbia University College of Dental Medicine study. The study appeared in the Journal of Dental Research.

The research could have a major impact for people that develop Type 2 diabetes. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes comes mainly from a bad diet. If it’s detected early, it will be prevented from progressing into a more serious problem.

The study analyzed the information from 530 adults that had at least one of the risk factors for diabetes. The patients then received a periodontal exam and a hemoglobin test. The patients returned for a plasma glucose test to determine whether or not they had diabetes.

The ability to determine whether or not the patient had diabetes was as simple as looking at two factors. The number of missing teeth and the percentage of deep periodontal pockets were all it took to determine if someone had prediabetes or diabetes. The algorithm was even more effective after adding the hemoglobin component.

The reason this information is so important is because periodontal disease is one of the first complications that stems from diabetes.

There are now more than 25 millions Americans that have diabetes. More than 90 percent of the cases are Type 2 diabetes.

Dentist Fesses up to Drug Addiction, Gives up License

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 05 September 2012 15:53



The dentist that reused syringes came clean about his drug addiction.

Dr. Stephen Stein gave up his license to practice dentistry as well. He also signed a Stipulation and Final Agency Order, after which he conceded that he’s been addicted to drugs for some time now.

By surrendering his license, Stein will have the chance to apply for a new license in two years. If he is lucky enough to receive a new license, it will be linked to the old license in public records.

According to the investigation, Stein’s drug addiction caused him to seek help in the summer of 1998. The Board of Dental Examiners did not become of aware of this until June 2011 when an anonymous complaint was filed against Stein.

Stein’s addiction included Vicoprofen and Vicodin. He wrote prescriptions for the drugs and asked the patients to bring the medication to their appointments. During this time, he would take the drugs for his personal usage.

Three people may have been infected by Stein. This was after the Colorado Department of Public Health mailed letters advising that 8,000 patients should be tested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

The dentistry board voted to suspend Stein earlier this year. During the process, the board did not state the length of time in which Stein had been using drugs. In 2005, Stein called in a prescription under a patient’s name and proceeded to the pharmacy to pick up the drugs and use them. There likely were times when Stein practiced dentistry while impaired.

The misusage of syringes was the main findings of the board. Stein has yet to be charged with any criminal offense.