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Trials begin on lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel

dental.washington.edu

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Re: Trials begin on lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel

#131

Post by 0xbadcafebee »

monoideism wrote: post #59
nemo44x wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think about this fairly often. When getting a root canal (it doesn’t hurt!) it’s sort of odd to see in this day and age the tools they use.

> (it doesn’t hurt!) It doesn't hurt for you . Some people, including myself, have had root canals that have almost caused worse pain than when I was in the ICU.

You don't ask for drugs? Ask for drugs. I always get Xanax and it basically puts me out through the whole thing. I have, err... had a lot of root canals.

I'd think the bigger concern with a root canal is the not-insignificant likelihood they will break your jaw.

Or not get the whole root out, causing an infection and need to get the procedure done again. (Never have a dentist do your root canal, folks)

Re: Trials begin on lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel

#132

Post by eyelidlessness »

cmckn wrote: post #88
jcrben wrote: post #66

Weird teeth-cleaning trick that I discovered from suffering from interstitial cystitis / painful bladder syndrome (IC / BPS): toss a bit of baking soda in your water, such as 1 teaspoon per liter. It makes it alkaline. My teeth got whiter and felt better (less of a film feeling). Baking soda is used as a cooking ingredient and shouldn't be too risky, but don't go overboard... bit of discussion on the IC / BPS aspect…

A teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a glass of cold water is also the absolute best, instant cure for heartburn. TUMS could never.

I was going to mention this too, as well as some of the other warnings. I’ll also add that while it’s extraordinarily effective,

1. It can be counterproductive if you’re experiencing acid reflux, particularly if you’re laying down. The acid neutralization produces a lot of gas (you’ll burp a lot), which can flush acid up your esophagus before it can be neutralized. It’s awful and packaging that discusses its antacid usage explicitly recommend against use with reflux and heartburn caused by overeating for a reason.

2. Excessive usage can also be counterproductive. The more you regulate your internal acidity, the more your body will try to find balance, and you risk over-producing digestive acids even without triggers if you use this regularly.

I’m relating both from painful experience. By all means, keep some bicarb handy! Just don’t overdo it.

Re: Trials begin on lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel

#133

Post by eyelidlessness »

jcims wrote: post #77
gabereiser wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Haha, I was just going to say this. My 4 cup habit a day has destroyed any chance of having white teeth. They aren’t bad, but they aren’t white.

I used to drink that much coffee. I got an espresso machine and started making americanos instead now I’m good with one cup a day. I don’t know what it is, clearly the caffeine is either higher or more bioavailabile or something, but it just sates my appetite for coffee. (Actually i started making cappucinos first and stopped when i started putting on weight from them lol)

If you switched from drip, the caffeine is actually lower! My guess is you’re just more satisfied with the coffee you’re enjoying.

Re: Trials begin on lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel

#134

Post by emmelaich »

Wistar wrote: post #92
Hamuko wrote: post #31

> In addition, the researchers are investigating a gel or solution with the engineered peptide to treat hypersensitive teeth. This problem results from weakness in the enamel that makes the underlying dentin and nerves more vulnerable to heat or cold. Most common products currently on the market can put a layer of organic material on the tooth and numb nerve endings with potassium nitrate, but the relief is only temp…

Although I haven't personally tried it, I have friends outside of the US that rave about Sensodyne Repair & Protect original with the "Powered by NovaMin" badging. NovaMin is composed of special ceramic particles that coat the teeth with a compound that reacts with the saliva to form a durable physical barrier. The problem is that the stuff with NovaMin is not typically available in the US. I just searched Amazon and…

It's here in Australia - around AUD10 for a large tube.

PS. Novamin is Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate as the active ingredient.

Re: Trials begin on lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel

#135

Post by eyelidlessness »

SV_BubbleTime wrote: post #69
pier25 wrote: post #54

I've always wondered how come there wasn't more effort put into something like this. It's a huge business opportunity. Everyone hates going to the dentist.

Hair is a bigger market. Not in terms of people it affects, but what people will pay. But.... likewise, it amazes me we have a million and a half ways to grow hair on mice, but none on humans. Makes me think we need to relax human trials on volunteers (only half joking).

It’s really astonishing how I know, intuitively, this is true but how weird people’s priorities are.

Being honest:

1. I started balding at a relatively normal age (first signs late 20s). At first I welcomed it, then I got a little self conscious (and wished for greys instead, those are finally coming into my beard and I couldn’t be happier).

2. I’ve had dental health issues since childhood. My family couldn’t afford regular dental care and I’ve always worried about it.

3. My teeth have rapidly deteriorated in my late 30s. I can’t currently afford any dental care and I already know I’m looking at drastic solutions when I can.

Having both a thin head of hair and a mouth full of trash, I know what I’d prioritize given the chance to magically turn back time time or scientifically reverse the worst of my biology. And it’s not my hair.

Shaving/trimming/styling baldness is trivial. My mouth is an unavoidable turnoff, a constant terrible personal experience, and an ongoing health risk.

It’s bonkers to me that there’s more money in solving hair than solving teeth, even though I know it’s true.

Re: Trials begin on lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel

#136

Post by werdnapk »

elliekelly wrote: post #80
Hamuko wrote: post #31

> In addition, the researchers are investigating a gel or solution with the engineered peptide to treat hypersensitive teeth. This problem results from weakness in the enamel that makes the underlying dentin and nerves more vulnerable to heat or cold. Most common products currently on the market can put a layer of organic material on the tooth and numb nerve endings with potassium nitrate, but the relief is only temp…

Have you looked into botox shots at all? When I tell you my life changed completely from a 15 minute botox appointment with an oral surgeon I am not exaggerating in the least. I’d had no idea what it felt like to live without bruxism - not only were my teeth better but my neck stopped aching, my back muscles stopped spasming, and I stopped getting migraines entirely. I had gotten debilitating migraines once every mon…

I asked my wife (an oral surgeon) if she does this procedure for the same issue and she says yes. Happy to hear this is common practice for oral surgeons.

Re: Trials begin on lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel

#137

Post by qwerty456127 »

Through the decades, many have claimed they solved the tooth decay problem. Nobody ever shipped a product, let alone a working one. This is the next one in the series so long I feel extremely skeptical. Even if it actually works it will probably cost some crazy money (part of which will hopefully go to a fund to support millions of jobless dentists /s). Nevertheless I'm glad this popped up here anyway.

Re: Trials begin on lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel

#138

Post by zaphod4prez »

batter wrote: post #126

Believe me or not but if you have tooth sensitivity i would check sodium balance. Especially if you urinate frequently. This can ruin your teeth for long time. Yoga wheel for upper back can help.

Can you talk more about this? How do you check your sodium balance? I'm intrigued (and have tooth sensitivity). Thank you!

Re: Trials begin on lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel

#139

Post by echelon »

I'm anxious that this could cause cancer or long term disease states as it works its way through your digestion system.

This is a wildly novel approach being applied orally.

I'd love for this to work, but they're relying on the fact this doesn't interact with other bodily tissues.

Re: Trials begin on lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel

#140

Post by eyelidlessness »

OJFord wrote: post #122
rocky1138 wrote: post #76

If we chew on enough of these lozenges, will our teeth merge into one, curved megatooth?

And why haven't we evolved to have that yet anyway? It's surely better, nowhere for food to get stuck? (Assuming it can still be molar/canine/incisor like in different places on that plane.)

We haven’t even evolved to have a single set of teeth. We’re born with stand ins that grow out and push “baby” teeth out. They’re pretty much set up to be disposable, we just haven’t evolved a good replacement pipeline.
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