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Microbes that cause cavities can form superorganisms able to ‘crawl’

penntoday.upenn.edu

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Re: Microbes that cause cavities can form superorganisms able to ‘crawl’

#91

Post by alvarezbjm-hn »

novax81 wrote: post #56
Waterluvian wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ve flirted with conspiracy-like thoughts on the dental industry and how they might be “confidently wrong” about things the way the rest of the medical industry famously has been on numerous topics over the centuries. I wondered (with absolutely no basis in fact) things like, “maybe the calcified tartar forms a barrier?”

Man I hate this line of thought because I completely fall into it too, haha. For a really, really long period of life, I had just awful dental hygiene practices. Honestly don't even want to describe it because it makes me a little disgusted with myself (ironically, in a way). But, I also never had dental issues. Ate whatever, drank whatever, didn't care. Then a few years ago I get my shit together more and start a da…

I haven't had any cavity in over a decade. However, there is a Huge hole on top a molar about which I am worried. But the dentist always says it is not a problem.

Maybe a feature like that one can turn into a bad cavity when dental hygiene is abandoned for a short time?. I hope I don't find out!

Re: Microbes that cause cavities can form superorganisms able to ‘crawl’

#93

Post by elevaet »

CrHn3 wrote: post #47
ParksNet wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Its difficult to find Xylitol gum that uses traditional tree sap and not plastic resin (and also doesn't contain added sugar). Any suggestions?

Xylichew uses birch and beech resin and has a gum base free of plastic. To ensure I get an effective amount of xylitol, I use crystals in my tea and coffee. My child eats them with a spoon. Health Garden is one of the brands that uses birch xylitol.

How much is effective? My dentist recommended it ages ago and I kind of forgot about it.

Also, any health concerns with consuming xylitol?

Re: Microbes that cause cavities can form superorganisms able to ‘crawl’

#94

Post by kodah »

alvarezbjm-hn wrote: post #79
culi wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think a very interesting field of inquiry into oral microbiota is a broad evolutionary approach. There was a study published in Nature Genetics[0] showing big changes in oral microbiota corresponding with Neolithic and Industrial dietary change. Modern oral microbiota are markedly less diverse than historic populations and the, much more developed, study of the gut microbiome shows us that very microbial diversity…

>> There was a study published in Nature Genetics[0] showing big changes in oral microbiota corresponding with Neolithic and Industrial dietary change. A different diet leads to a different microbiome. I think mammals' teeth last long enough for a natural life. Of course we want a longer and better life. For instance, all my dogs by age 13 yo have lost half their teeth to rot. We are terrible owners who don't take ca…

> We are terrible owners who don't take care of their dental hygiene

Rope toys are great for cleaning their teeth continuously if you don't feel like brushing them. You will need to throw the toys away once a year though.

Re: Microbes that cause cavities can form superorganisms able to ‘crawl’

#95

Post by CrHn3 »

elevaet wrote: post #93
CrHn3 wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Xylichew uses birch and beech resin and has a gum base free of plastic. To ensure I get an effective amount of xylitol, I use crystals in my tea and coffee. My child eats them with a spoon. Health Garden is one of the brands that uses birch xylitol.

How much is effective? My dentist recommended it ages ago and I kind of forgot about it. Also, any health concerns with consuming xylitol?

For dental caries, 6-10 grams per day [1]. Most adults can tolerate 40g.

Diarrhea is a concern at 45g for children and 100g for adults. If you introduce it gradually into your diet, it should not be a problem.

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4232036/

Re: Microbes that cause cavities can form superorganisms able to ‘crawl’

#96

Post by 411111111111111 »

alvarezbjm-hn wrote: post #86

I am here to remind everyone that the single most important oral hygiene measure is to brush your teeth after each meal. That includes not eating anything between meals. Then comes using toothpaste. Then comes visiting your dentist regularly. Them comes everything else, that includes fluorine.. If you aren't brushing your teeth when needed, the rest is almost wasted.

> I am here to remind everyone that the single most important oral hygiene measure is to brush your teeth after each meal.

Brushing your teeth right after is actually harmful for your teeth.

Your outer layer of your teeth get softer after contact with most foods. It takes a while (40+ minutes) for your spit to harden them again. So the brushing will wear this outer layer down if you're always doing it right after the meal.

Re: Microbes that cause cavities can form superorganisms able to ‘crawl’

#97

Post by TaylorAlexander »

bmau5 wrote: post #29

The evolutionary adaptations oral bacteria have developed to coexist are fascinating. Another example is the known gum disease-causing species, P. gingivalis, can suppress our adaptive immunity [1]. This finding underscores the importance of taking preventative approaches to prevent attachment of biofilm producers (and why daily hygiene is so important), and finding more approaches to biofilm destabilization, like in…

I don’t know much about this but doesn’t arginine increase likelihood of cold sore outbreaks? This would be an unfortunate side effect of encouraging people to consume more arginine.

Re: Microbes that cause cavities can form superorganisms able to ‘crawl’

#98

Post by Firmwarrior »

cosmojg wrote: post #52
at_a_remove wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tracked down the guy who invented this, if this is the version you're thinking of, and wrote him. It wasn't a vaccine so much as it was a replacement of your oral flora and fauna with a non-cavity causing bacteria. This was maybe twelve years ago, but he said essentially that the FDA really really really didn't like the idea, and he had to sell off bits and pieces of the concept.

This sounds amazing! Got any more info? Where can I find this guy and his patents? I wonder if I can whip something up at home...

Be sure to post a "Show HN" when you start selling unregulated oral biome replacements out of international waters, so I can partake

Re: Microbes that cause cavities can form superorganisms able to ‘crawl’

#99

Post by albertopv »

Waterluvian wrote: post #36

Anecdotally, I’m having one hell of a time with my 3yo and 5yo’s teeth. No juice. No soda. No bad snacks. Lots of dentist recommended foods and snacks. Full brushing and flossing regimen. Fluoride. Dentist applied special fluoride treatments. Trust me when I say we’re doing everything right. And yet they’re 3 and 5 and have had so many cavities. I asked my dad about it and he said my brothers and I had, frankly, poor…

My 6yo have had zero cavities so far. Me too had none for years, since we greatly reduced raw sugar from our diet to almost zero. No snacks, lots of fruits, sugar free yogurts etc.

Re: Microbes that cause cavities can form superorganisms able to ‘crawl’

#100

Post by fbdab103 »

at_a_remove wrote: post #39
fbdab103 wrote: post #20

Years ago, I recall reading about a putative Cavity Vaccine which was a bateriophage which targeted the tiny fraction of species present in the mouth responsible for tooth decay. Supposedly, a one time inoculation would confer lifelong protection. It has been decades and I have not heard anything more about this. Big Dentist keeping the research down or was there some "in mice" kind of gotcha which limited the treatm…

I tracked down the guy who invented this, if this is the version you're thinking of, and wrote him. It wasn't a vaccine so much as it was a replacement of your oral flora and fauna with a non-cavity causing bacteria. This was maybe twelve years ago, but he said essentially that the FDA really really really didn't like the idea, and he had to sell off bits and pieces of the concept.

I think the real question - did the inventor ever dose himself with the concoction?
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