SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Ivanhoe Newswire) — A new Texas study to determine whether or not an artificial mineral called mimetic hydroxyapatite can restore tooth enamel better than fluoride. Toothpaste
Researchers tried it on patients with chalky teeth.
A study was launched recently to determine if mimetic or synthetic hydroxyapatite would remineralize tooth enamel in patients suffering specifically from molar incisor hypomineralization, or MIH. It is also called chalky teeth; it affects 15 percent of the population.
Bennett Amaechi, BDS, MSc, PhD, Prof. Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio says, “If they bite something hard, it breaks down because the tooth is porous — less mineral and porous. And the color varies from creamy white to yellow to even brown.”
‘Chalky teeth’ stems from three causes … “It can be genetic factors. It can be systemic, environmental factors.” says Amaechi.
In the study, researchers cemented a bracket of chalky teeth next to natural teeth.
Amaechi explains, “Before we put it in their mouth, we measured the mineral density of the chalky teeth. “
Participants brushed their teeth twice daily for two weeks. Computer tomography provided exact measurements, but researchers were surprised to find the synthetic mineral works better than fluoride.
Amaechi says, “The mineral density of the chalky teeth increased by 26 percent. When we used fluoride toothpaste, the mineral density of the chalky teeth increased by 15 percent.”
Toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite is available over the counter because it was previously approved for use in preventing cavities.
Amaechi says, “That is why we did the test, and it worked.”
Although the FDA has not approved the hydroxyapatite synthetic ingredient for people with Chalky Teeth Syndrome, it’s already on the market for fighting tooth decay and strengthening teeth.
Contributors to this news report include: Donna Parker, Producer; Roque Correa, Editor and Bruce Maniscalco, Videographer.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37533523/
HEALING TOOTHPASTE: HYDROXYAPATITE TO THE RESCUE
REPORT #3140
BACKGROUND: Healthy teeth and gums are important to your overall health; however, several problems can affect the health of your mouth. A thin film of bacteria called dental plaque builds up on your teeth every day. This bacteria produces acids that can harm enamel and cause cavities. It is recommended to use fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth from decay. Gum disease begins when plaque builds up along and under the gum line. A mild form of gum disease may make gums red, tender, and more likely to bleed. This problem, called gingivitis, can often be fixed by brushing and flossing every day. There is a right way to brush and floss your teeth. Use a soft-bristle brush and brush carefully along the gumline using small circular motions. Lightly brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper. Finally, use dental floss to clean in between the teeth and then always rinse after you floss.
REMINERALIZING TOOTHPASTE: Tooth enamel cannot be replaced, but using a remineralizing toothpaste can increase the mineral content of existing tooth enamel. Remineralization is designed to help strengthen the entire tooth and also repairs weak spots while making teeth less sensitive to hot and cold. Remineralizing toothpaste is specially formulated to return minerals to tooth enamel to help prevent tooth damage. It contains active ingredients that strengthen teeth and prevent white spot lesions from forming and works by strengthening each tooth’s outer layer and boosting the absorption of minerals deep into tooth enamel, where existing damage can be repaired. The active ingredients in remineralizing toothpaste include calcium, potassium, and fluoride. These minerals are essential for keeping teeth strong and white.
NEW DENTAL LOZENGE FOR TOOTH SENSITIVITY: A team of materials engineers at University of Washington have set out to develop a natural protocol to rebuild lost tooth minerals, which they believe could also become a permanent fix to the hypersensitivity of teeth. Their solution builds new mineral microlayers that penetrate deep into the tooth to create effective, long-lasting natural protection. “We have all these repair options available in the market, but they’re all transient. They focus on treating the symptoms and not addressing the root cause,” said Sami Dogan, a professor of restorative dentistry at the University of Washington. In preclinical trials, participants received a dental lozenge the size of a cough drop, with a core of calcium and phosphate coated in a layer of peptide-infused flavoring. Researchers have also designed peptide-based formulations including mouthwash, dental gels, tooth whiteners, and toothpaste.
* For More Information, Contact:
Steven Lee
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