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We have been getting great feedback on our blog. Some things that people are asking about can specifically be answered over the phone by our health care team. We just wanted to take a moment to let you know that if you are a patient or are thinking about becoming a patient of Scottsdale Dental Arts we can answer your questions! Our front dental office is very knowledgeable about insurance and billing. Each person’s dental insurance is very different and so it is best to examine the plan on an individual basis. Dr. McCargar specializes in cosmetic dentistry as well as general dentistry. Dr. McCargar treats toothaches, TMJ, tooth abscesses, cavities, etc., and is skilled and experienced in smile makeovers and veneers. His hygiene team has over 15 years of experience in helping patients to prevent cavities. Dr. McCargar is a dentist located in Scottsdale Arizona near to the 101 & Shea. The office is currently accepting new patients. Please contact our office at 480-860-8282 or visit our website at http://www.scottsdaledentalarts.com (or click the title of this article for a direct link) We look forward to hearing from you!

Furthermore, if you have additional dentistry topics that you would like covered on the blog, then please feel free to leave any comments! We are getting great questions & will continue to update the blog to answer these questions! Thanks for your support!

BASF HOPES TO MARKET CAVITY-INHIBITING PRODUCT

Apr. 2, 2009 08:30 AM
Associated Press

NEW YORK – BASF, the world’s largest chemical maker, says it has found a way to prevent cavity-causing bacteria from attacking teeth, a development that could be seen in toothpaste, mouthwash and even candy as early as next year.

Using a microorganism related to those used in yogurt cultures, the Germany-based company said it has engineered a process that clusters harmful bacteria in the mouth before they can bind with sugar and form plaque.

The organism and plaque-causing bacteria are then swallowed as part of the mouth’s natural cleaning process.

It’s safe to swallow the bacteria, known by the scientific name Streptococcus mutans, because it’s regularly found in the mouth and humans already digest it constantly, the company said.

“There is a complex dynamic of bacteria that grow on the teeth,” said University of Connecticut Health Center’s Jason Tanzer, who studied BASF’s results and is presenting his findings at an industry conference Thursday. “They can stick to those surfaces and form a film or they can be swallowed.”

As part of his study, Tanzer fed two groups of rats a diet high in sugar, but put BASF’s product, known as pro-t-action, in only one group’s food.

Tooth decay in the group of rats using pro-t-action was far less pronounced than in the group not using the product, a development that Tanzer said was promising.

“I would be rather optimistic about this product,” he said.

The active organism in pro-t-action is effectively dead, meaning it doesn’t need to be kept cool – like yogurt – and can be used in a wide array of products like sugar-free candy, gum, toothpaste, and possibly beverages like smoothies. To be effective, the product needs to be in the mouth for about 10 to 15 seconds.

“This is not a replacement” for brushing, said Markus Pompejus, a BASF scientist who helped develop the product. “But it clearly helps to improve your daily oral hygiene.”

BASF developed pro-t-action with OrganoBalance, a Berlin-based microbiology company.

Q: I have bad breath. What can I do?
A: “There can be many contributing factors to bad breath such as cavities, diet, or systemic illnesses. However, the main culprit is usually the back of the tongue where odor-causing bacteria are present. Using a tongue scraper or brush will effectively remove the bacteria that causes mouth odors.”

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
A: “Being able to help people on a daily basis. I try to encourage every patient in a positive manner without giving the brushing “lecture.” No one wants to hear a lecture. I am your partner in reaching and maintaining good oral health and I will always work as a team with you to help you in this lifelong process.”

If you have any questions that you would like answered by Lynn feel free to leave a comment & we would be happy to answer!!

Bacteria lives in the plaque attached to your teeth. When sugars and carbohydrates are eaten, the first step of digestion begins in the mouth. These items get broken down and produce an acidic substance that can eat away at the enamel on your teeth. This can promote tooth decay and eventually cavities. Unlike sugar xylitol is not broken down by the bacteria in your mouth. Because of this, xylitol can help keep a neutral pH balance in your mouth, which helps protect from tooth decay.

In several studies, scientists have found that people who regularly chew gum containing xylitol after meals and snacks, have a lower occurrence of tooth decay than people who do not chew gum that contains xylitol. By chewing gum that contains xylitol five times daily it can reduce plaque and make it easier to remove plaque when brushing. Look for sugar-free candies and gum that contain xylitol instead for example Trident.

1. Kandelman D, Gagnon G; “A 24 month clinical study of the incidence and progession of dental caries in relation to consumption of chewing-gum containing xylitol in school preventive programs”. 1990, J Dent Res, 69;1771-1775.
2. Mikinen KK, Bennett CA, Hujuel PP, Isokangas KP, Pape HR, et al.; “Xylitol chewing gums and caries rates: a 40 month cohort study”. 1995 J Dent Res, 74:(12), 1904-1913.
3. Mikinen KK, et al; “Stabilization of rampant caries: polyol gums and arrest of dentine caries in two long-term cohort studies in young subjects”. 1995, Int Dent J 45(1):93-107.