Scientists have developed a filling material with tiny particles made by self-assembly of antimicrobial drugs which is designed to stop bacteria in its tracks.
Toronto: Researchers have developed a ‘smart’ material to minimise new cavities caused by bacteria digging under the dental fillings.
These recurrent caries affect 100 million patients every year and cost an additional USD 34 billion to treat, researchers said.
In the study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers from the University of Toronto in Canada have proposed a novel solution. They have developed a filling material with tiny particles made by self-assembly of antimicrobial drugs which is designed to stop bacteria in its tracks.
These particles may solve one of the biggest problems with antibacterial filling materials: storing enough drug within the material to be effective for someone’s entire life.
“Adding particles packed with antimicrobial drugs to a filling creates a line of defence against cavity-causing bacteria,” said Professor Ben Hatton.
“Traditionally there has only been enough drug to last a few weeks. We discovered a combination of drugs and silica glass that organise themselves on a molecule-by-molecule basis to maximise drug density, with enough supply to last years,” said Hatton.
The discovery of using antimicrobials which self-assemble means the team can pack 50 times as much of the bacteria-fighting drugs into the particles, researchers said.
“We know very well that bacteria specifically attack the margins between fillings and the remaining tooth to create cavities,” said Professor Yoav Finer.
“Giving these materials an antimicrobial supply that will last for years could greatly reduce this problem,” said Finer.
The research team plans on testing these new drug-storing particles in dental fillings, monitoring their performance when attacked by bacteria and saliva in the complex environment in the mouth.
With some fine-tuning, the new ‘smart’ material could create a stronger filling and fewer trips to the dentist, researchers said.
00seshunarayanahttps://imedworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/MedWorks-Logo-02-300x300.pngseshunarayana2020-07-31 17:48:332020-07-31 17:48:33New ‘smart’ material to help fight tooth decay
After having a failed attempt at conducting a countrywide oral survey, the Dental Council of India (DCI) under the aegis of the Union Health Ministry is all set to process a fresh research on India’s dental policy.
The survey, National Survey on Availability of Dental Health Manpower and Disease Prevalence in Urban and Rural India, which was conducted in 2008 was not published as errors and discrepancies were detected when the council had reviewed it.
The last survey by the council was done in 2002-2003 and was published in 2004. After 14 years, the council has once again finalised the roadmap to conduct the research on oral health of the people.
“Around 30-40 per cent of the people are diagnosed with oral cancer. While the government is taking rigorous steps to prevent other diseases like HIV and AIDS, there is always a need to work on such diseases which can be prevented,” said Dr Sabyasachi Saha, secretary of DCI. The new survey will be focusing more on the manpower and the difficulties faced in getting access to the oral healthcare. “As of now, there is no authentic data on the number of dental surgeon in the country. Even the facilities in the dental hospitals are not updated for the people to know. All these factors will be kept in mind this time,” added Dr Saha.
The council has prepared the methodology and the budget has been pegged at Rs 5 crore. A committee has been formed to examine the survey details and the meeting is to be held on June 2. The proposal will then move to the Union Ministry of Health for the final nod.
“The target is to complete the survey by 2020. We will be covering all the states and each state will be divided into four-five regions,” said Dr AK Chandna, member of DCI.
As many as 2,500 persons die every day due to tobacco-related diseases in India. According to the National Cancer Registry Programme of the India Council of Medical Research (ICMR), more than 1300 Indians die every day due to cancer. “In India, we do not pay attention on oral diseases. People make a visit to the doctor only when the situation turns alarming,” said Dr Ravi Mehrotra, director, National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR) and Knowledge hub on Smokeless Tobacco (KH-SLT).
00seshunarayanahttps://imedworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/MedWorks-Logo-02-300x300.pngseshunarayana2020-07-29 11:11:542020-07-29 11:11:54India to have 2nd oral health survey
If your hands bled when you washed them, you would be concerned. Yet, many people think it’s normal if their gums bleed when they brush or floss. In a 1999 study, researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that half of Americans over 30 had bleeding gums.
Swollen and bleeding gums are early signs that your gums are infected with bacteria. If nothing is done, the infection can spread. It can destroy the structures that support your teeth in your jawbone. Eventually, your teeth can become so loose that they have to be extracted.
“Peri” means around, and “odontal” refers to teeth. Periodontal diseases are infections of the structures around the teeth. These include the gums, the cementum that covers the root, the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone. In the earliest stage of periodontal disease, gingivitis, the infection affects only the gums. In more severe forms of the disease, all of the supporting tissues are involved.
For many years scientists have been trying to figure out what causes periodontal disease. It is now well accepted that bacteria in dental plaque are the major villains. Researchers also are learning more about how an infection in your gums can affect your overall health.
In recent years, gum disease has been linked to other health problems. This is a new and exciting area of research. Many questions remain. Studies have produced varying answers about how much of a connection exists between gum disease and other medical problems. More research is needed.
Researchers are studying possible connections between gum disease and Atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Gum disease may increase the risk of clogged arteries and heart disease. It also is believed to worsen existing heart disease.
Stroke — Gum disease may increase the risk of the type of stroke that is caused by blocked arteries. Premature births — A woman who has gum disease during pregnancy may be more likely to deliver her baby too early. The infant may be more likely to be of low birth weight. Diabetes — Diabetic patients with periodontal disease may have more trouble controlling their blood sugar than diabetic patients with healthy gums. Respiratory disease — Bacteria involved in gum disease may cause lung infections or worsen existing lung conditions. This is particularly important for elderly adults in institutions such as nursing homes. In this group, bacteria from the mouth may reach the lungs and may cause severe pneumonia. What Causes Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria in dental plaque. Plaque is the sticky substance that forms on your teeth soon after you have brushed. In an effort to get rid of the bacteria, the cells of your immune system release substances that inflame and damage the gums, periodontal ligament or alveolar bone. This leads to swollen, bleeding gums, a sign of gingivitis (the earliest stage of periodontal disease). Damage from periodontal disease also can cause teeth to become loose. This is a sign of severe periodontitis (the advanced stage of disease).
You can prevent periodontal disease by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly. Most people should see the dentist about once every six months. But if you already have gum disease you may need to visit more often.
Daily brushing and flossing, when done correctly, can help to remove most of the plaque from your teeth. Professional cleanings by your dentist or dental hygienist will keep plaque under control in places that are harder for a toothbrush or floss to reach.
If oral hygiene slips or you skip dental visits, plaque builds up on the teeth. Eventually, it spreads below the gum line. The bacteria are protected there because your toothbrush can’t reach them. If plaque is not removed, the bacteria will continue to multiply. Your gum inflammation may get worse.
The buildup of plaque below the gumline causes the gums to become inflamed. As the gums swell, they detach from the tooth. This process forms a space, or “pocket,” between the tooth and gum. Bacteria can grow rapidly in the pockets. This encourages further plaque buildup.
If left untreated, periodontal disease may destroy the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone, the structures that support your teeth.
Another reason to remove plaque promptly is that over time it becomes hardened or calcified and turns into calculus. This is commonly called tartar. Even more plaque attaches to calculus because it’s a rougher surface than tooth enamel. It’s also rougher than cementum, a layer that covers the tooth root. Calculus and plaque build up in layers.
Using a tartar-control toothpaste may help slow the build-up of calculus around your teeth. It can’t affect the tartar that already has formed below the gum line, however.
Risks and Prevention
The bacteria in plaque are the main cause of periodontal disease. But several other factors also can contribute. They include other diseases, medicines and oral habits. These factors can increase your risk of gum disease or make it worse once the infection has set in.
Genes — Some people are more likely than others to get periodontal disease because of their genes. But your genes do not make gum disease inevitable. Even people who are highly prone to periodontal disease can prevent or control the disease with good oral care.
Smoking and tobacco use — Smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease. The longer you smoke, and the more you smoke, the higher the risk. If you have periodontal disease, smoking makes it more severe. Smoking is a major reason that some cases of periodontal disease are resistant to treatment. Smokers tend to collect more tartar on their teeth. They often develop deeper periodontal pockets once they have gum disease. They also are likely to lose more bone as the disease gets worse. Unlike many other factors that affect the health of your gums, the decision to smoke or not is under your control. Quitting smoking can play a major role in bringing periodontal disease under control.
Misaligned or crowded teeth, braces or bridgework — Anything that makes it more difficult to brush or floss your teeth is likely to enhance plaque and tartar formation. The more plaque and tartar you have, the greater your chance of developing gum disease. Dentists and periodontists can show you the best ways to clean your teeth, even if they are hard to clean. For example, you can use special tools and ways of threading floss to clean around bridgework or slide under braces. If overcrowded or crooked teeth are a problem, your dentist might recommend orthodontics. This could straighten out your smile and give you a better chance of preventing disease.
Grinding, gritting or clenching of teeth — These habits won’t cause periodontal disease. However, they can lead to more severe disease if your gums are already inflamed. These habits exert excess force on the teeth. This pressure appears to speed up the breakdown of the periodontal ligament and bone. In many cases, people can learn to stop this habit simply by recognizing when it is happening and then relaxing. If these efforts don’t work, your dentist or periodontist can create a custom guard appliance to help reduce the pressure of clenching or grinding on the teeth. This device is sometimes called an occlusal guard, night guard, mouth guard or bite guard.
Stress — Stress can make periodontal disease worse and harder to treat. Stress weakens your body’s immune system. This makes it harder for your body to fight off infection, including periodontal disease.
Fluctuating hormones — Whenever hormone levels go up and down in the body, changes can occur in the mouth. Puberty and pregnancy can temporarily increase the risk and severity of gum disease. So can menopause.
Poor nutrition — Nutrition is important for overall good health, including a working immune system and healthy gums and mouth. Severe vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) can cause bleeding gums.
