Humanity has come a long way since using twigs, chew sticks, and swine-hair or horse-hair bristled toothbrushes to clean our teeth. Thankfully, our knowledge of how our teeth work—and impact the rest of our health—has grown exponentially. Research has opened up the mystery of the tooth like never before. Now in 2016, we truly have some of the latest trends to reverse periodontal disease (or tooth decay), and our mouths are healthier because of it.
- Tax on sugary drinks – Like the tax on cigarettes, the World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested that governments worldwide should begin taxing sugary drinks. These drinks have been strongly linked to the obesity epidemic, diabetes, and tooth decay. The idea is that a price increase due to a tax on sugary drinks would discourage consumers from being so eager to spend their hard-earned money on these beverages that cause their bodies and teeth harm.
- Digital dental X-rays vs. radiographs – While digital X-rays have been on the market for several years, it wasn’t until more recent years that they have become more popular and accessible. Radiographs (or traditional X-rays) have largely become a thing of the past. Digital dental X-rays are much faster than the traditional version and can be stored on the dentist’s computer, and expose patients to much less radiation than before.
- Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) – Imagine treating cavities with no drill and no injection! Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has only been approved for use in the US for about a year now but has been widely used for decades in Japan. While the treatment is not as aesthetically pleasing as traditional fillings, it does help to keep patients (especially children or the elderly) from the inevitable trauma of injections and drills.
- New antibacterial mouthwash – A UCLA scientist has developed a remarkable new mouthwash that kills the worst species of mouth bacteria after using it just once! Research has shown that even four days later, patients remain bacteria-free. The new antibacterial mouthwash is currently being considered for FDA approval.
- Fluoride varnish – The increased use of fluoride varnish among children is leading to a sharp decrease in tooth decay (dental caries) among younger brushers. While the fluoride varnish is not a one-stop-shop for fighting, it is an incredible tool in the dental care arsenal. The varnish is completely harmless, only helping your children’s teeth, and protects teeth for a long time.
- Sugarless gum – The taste of gum without sugar has come a long way. Making the switch to sugarless gum is one of the easiest ways to improve your dental health. Some studies even show that it impacts, and may even reverse periodontal disease.
- Manage tooth sensitivity – An increasing number of people are dealing with sensitive teeth, and their options for toothpaste and treatments to manage tooth sensitivity are growing and improving. And since the treatments for dental decay are constantly improving, the hope is that the causes of sensitivity will decrease.
- Increased dental care for babies & children – For years, people have been under the impression that dental care for baby teeth doesn’t really matter. After all, they just fall out, right? While they do fall out and are replaced, we’ve found that the earlier dental care begins, the better chance for healthier teeth in the long run. There is much more going on in your child’s mouth than just their baby teeth—teaching proper total oral health is key. Healthy teeth for kids isn’t just about your child’s teeth—it’s about their jaw bone and gums as well. To reverse periodontal disease, starting early with your baby is very important. Fighting tooth decay in children helps them maintain health teeth for life.