Hope you're roots don't look like this.

CMMA Honduras Trip

Seeing patients in makeshift clinic.

Light, please.

Sterilization.

The local livestock.

Christian Medical Missions of Alabama

Honduras dental team 2012

Cavities Restored with Amalgam

Decay present inside tooth.  Note brown color at center of molars.  The decay is also evident on x-rays and confirmed with explorer instrumentation.

Decay exposed with drill by removing outer layer of tooth.

All decay has been removed.  The clean tooth is now ready for restorative filling to be placed.

Teeth restored with amalgam (silver filling) for it's strength and longevity.  Molars must withstand more force when chewing, so a strong restoration material is essential.

Toothpaste: Summary

In summary, when you're shopping for toothpaste, consider the following ingredients and their effectiveness.

1. Sodium fluoride - cavity protection.
2. Potassium nitrate - anti-sensitivity.
3. Triclosan - anti-microbial --> reduces plaque, gum disease and bad breath.
4. Hexametaphosphate - whitening.
5. Stannous fluoride - cavities, sensitivity and anti-microbial.

However, the FDA only approves certain formulations.  For example, Colgate is the only toothpaste containing triclosan, and Crest is the only brand using stannous fluoride at this time.  Consult a dentist to answer any questions you might have.

For more information on toothpaste, click here.

Toothpaste: Stannous Fluoride

 

While Sodium Fluoride helps prevent cavities, the ADA recognizes that Stannous fluoride is cavity fighting too, as well as an anti-sensitivity and anti-microbial.

The Crest Pro-Health line combines stannous fluoride with hexametaphosphate, so it is anti-cavity, anti-sensitivity, anti-microbial, AND stain removing.

However, stannous is not without it's drawbacks.  It can cause temporary staining of its own.  It also may cause sloughing of the mucosa/ skin of the inside of your mouth. 

Toothpaste: Hexametaphosphate

If this picture is appealing to you, you may benefit from toothpaste containing hexametaphosphate.

This ingredient is effective against extrinsic (outside) stains on a tooth caused by such things as coffee, tea, soda, and smoking.

If a toothpaste designed for regular use advertises "stain removal" it is utilizing this ingredient.  There is no risk of sensitivity.

On the other hand, products for "whitening", or "bleaching" that are only used for a few days contain a type of oxidizing chemical.  A side effect can be sensitivity.  Opalescence is an example.

Toothpaste: Triclosan

 

Triclosan is an anti-bacterial agent that has shown effectiveness against plaque, gum disease, and bad breath.

Plaque is a sticky biofilm made by bacteria.  Triclosan helps kill these little bugs.

Gum disease (Gingivitis and/or Periodontitis) is caused by another type of bacteria.  Triclosan can help kill this kind too.

Bad breath (malodor) is also caused by bacteria, and yep.  Triclosan can help.

Some controversy exist about the safety of Triclosan.  Colgate Total still uses a Triclosan formulation.  Crest sold in the United States does not, although a Canadian formula of theirs does.

Toothpaste: Potassium Nitrate

If you've ever had teeth sensitivity to hot, cold, sweets, or air,  you may already use a product designed to help with the pain.


Potassium nitrate is added to toothpastes such as Sensodyne to help with sensitivity.  It works by blocking of nerve activity and pain transmission.

Research proves potassium nitrate's effectiveness, and the American Dental Association allows manufacturers to advertise decreased sensitivity as an advantage.

"Dimensions"
 

Point of interest: Potassium nitrate (saltpeter) is one of the 3 ingredients in gunpowder.

Toothpaste: Sodium Fluoride

Fluoride is a charged particle that integrates with tooth enamel crystals to make the tooth less soluble to acid. 

Sodium Fluoride is a fluoride "salt" (similar to NaCl, aka: table salt), and is the most common formulation of fluoride in toothpaste.

The American Dental Association approves sodium fluoride-containing toothpastes and allows them to advertise as "cavity fighting", etc.

Other than keeping your teeth clean, exposing your teeth to fluoride is the most important cavity-reducing measure one can take. 

Product Review: Toothpaste

 

Ever walk down the toothpaste aisle and have no idea which one to pick?  Are they all the same?  If so, why not just  buy the cheapest? ...and that's usually what we do. 

In the next few posts, I'll try to make some sense of the toothpaste aisle and give some criteria for making an informed choice.

Toothpaste: American Dental Association
Toothpaste: Wikipedia

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Humor: After a Walrus Meal

Lighting's Effect on White

Lighting is one of the 3 factors in visual color assessment.

How white your teeth are may depend in part on the type of lighting in your bathroom. Fluorescent light is cool in tone while incandescent is warm.

The best light for evaluating tooth color is thought to be natural daylight, because it is a more full spectrum of all wavelengths of light. However, natural light is highly variable based on weather, time of day, location, etc.

Dental offices should use color-corrected lighting systems.

Product Review: Opalescence TresWhite Supreme Whitening 10

So, I bought my wife some bleaching trays for Christmas. She asked for 'em.

I got the Opalescence TresWhite Supreme Whitening system through our local ASDA chapter who was selling them for a fundraiser.

My wife has been pleased with the results so far. This 10% hydrogen peroxide system is relatively easy to use and hasn't given her sensitivity like with another system she has tried. TresWhite Supreme comes in 3 flavors - mint, peach, melon.

Note: There is also a new 15% hydrogen peroxide system.

Amazon has lots of reviews if you want other opinions.