The Science of Dentistry

Theodent Toothpaste

A company called Theodent is marketing a chocolate-based toothpaste sold online and at Whole Foods.

Dental Facts

Dental history and trivia is quite intriguing. There are plenty of myths around that we blindly believe and follow.  Here are some interesting facts that most people do not know about dentistry.  Enjoy !!!

Dental Erosion

One of the first signs of an eating disorder and often a give-away of a sufferer is poor oral hygiene.  Not the typical minor dental issues that may result from skipping out on a few brushings, but on the contrary, the results of excessive brushing and stomach acids making contact with the teeth, as in the case of eating disorders.

Tooth Whitening

Here at West Tennessee Periodontics And Dental Implants in Jackson, TN we understand that in today’s society, there seems to have been a shift in shade.  No longer are people proudly flashing their pearly whites, but now we are told to reach for that iridescent, ultra-white smile.  Just walking down the isle at the grocery store you’ll find you can’t buy a pack of gum or a tube of toothpaste without being bombarded by promises of a whiter smile.  If you are the type seeking professional assistance in making your pearly whites white, here are a few things you should know before you go to keep your expectations in check.

Teeth Tattoos

Temporary tooth tattoos are the latest trend in body decoration. The trend moves on from the tooth gem craze and introduces tiny, temporary tattoos for teeth. As with so many of these things, this idea originated in Japan. Japanese girls wear the trend by coordinating the little images stuck on to their teeth with their nail art, to create a cute, matching effect. Some men are even getting in on the trend, though probably not with a matching manicure.

Yaeba Teeth

Japan. The forward-thinking land that first brought us lash extensions and 100-degree therapeutic baths is now responsible for a new beauty trend, but this one is sending shivers down the spines of traditional orthodontists.  The country’s latest brain trust? Intentionally crooked teeth.

Francisco Domingo Joaquim from Angola has the widest mouth in the world.  He is a dentist’s dream patient. This gives a whole other meaning to “open up and say aaah.”

Tongue Piercing

First, your child gets her tongue pierced. Then, as if you needed something else, she starts “playing” with the tiny barbell-shaped stud, pushing it against her upper front teeth. And before you know it, she forces a gap between those teeth — a fraction-of-an-inch gap that may cost thousands of dollars in orthodontic bills to straighten.

Dr. Richard Lyons

A Manhattan dental office smelled like a pot smoker’s paradise yesterday after UPS made an unexpected delivery — it was filled with 31 pounds of marijuana.  Dr. Richard Lyons couldn’t believe his nose when he opened the box that was delivered to his Chinatown office.

Tooth Jewels

People have worn gold, silver, and jewels in their ears, nostrils, eye brows, and belly buttons for years.  It should come as no surprise that the next place to flash some jewelry is in your smile.  Tooth jewelry has been very popular in Europe for years and is just starting to become popular in the United States. 

Austin Powers Teeth

Ricky Gervais is the first to admit that his teeth are neither white nor straight – and Americans mistakenly think he wears bad false teeth for comedic purposes. Why the dental divide?

Red Wine Good For Your Teeth

When you pop open your favorite type of red wine, consider toasting its benefits to your teeth. After all, compounds in red wine types can prevent cavities and plaque build-up, researchers say.

LED Teeth

Teeth come in gold, super white, gem-encrusted and you can even get them tattooed.  But if none of that has tempted you to enter the world of teeth fashion, step forward to enjoy the latest fad – teeth that glow  Thanks to LED!

White Wine

If you think you’re doing your teeth a favor by sipping white wine instead of red, you may need to rethink your tooth-whitening strategy. A new study shows that drinking white wine has an acid content that tends to increase the risk of dark dental stains if you also drink tea or similar beverages.

Extreme Tongue Art

Body piercing and oral art is popular today in the United States and other western societies. One common type of body piercing is tongue piercing, which involves placing a “barbell”-type stud through the tongue. But wearing a tongue stud puts people at risk for chipped teeth, recessed gums, and nerve damage, warns the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

"Meth Mouth"

Commonly known as crystal meth, meth, crank, speed, glass, or over 100 other different names, methamphetamine can literally ruin your mouth in a very short time.

Judge Wapner Root Beer

Exposing teeth to soft drinks, even for a short period of time, causes dental erosion—and prolonged exposure can lead to significant enamel loss. Root beer products, however, are non-carbonated and do not contain the acids that harm teeth, according to a study in the Journal of General Dentistry.  That might be something to consider during the next visit to the grocery store.

Wine

Drinking wine can maintain heart health, prevent cancer and even settle a mean case of diarrhea. Research now shows it’s also good for your teeth and throat.

Coffee

A new research study indicates that coffee might help prevent cavities. The finding is reported in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a peer-reviewed publication of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society.

Sushi

Wasabi, the pungent green horseradish served with Japanese sushi, has been found to afford yet another health benefit: it could prevent tooth decay.

Candy Teeth

Oral biologists formulated a mint that fights cavities with an ingredient called Cavistat. Cavistat contains two main components that protect teeth. First, the amino acid arginine metabolizes certain bacteria, which neutralizes the acid generated by sugars. This raises the pH to help prevent damage to teeth. Cavistat also introduces other chemical compounds that protect against the dissolving of the minerals of the teeth.

Meth Destroys

Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive drug that can seriously damage oral health, destroying a person’s smile and natural ability to chew, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).  More than 12-million Americans have tried methamphetamine (also known as meth, crank, crystal and speed), which can be swallowed, injected, snorted or smoked, according to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The majority of users range between 18 and 34 years of age.  Meth users can go from having healthy teeth to extremely sensitive teeth and eventual tooth loss in about a year, warns the ADA. This condition is often called “meth mouth.”

Some celebrities have been flashing more than clean, white teeth at their fans. Under the spotlight, the glint from their mouths comes from “dental grills” or “gold teeth grillz”—decorative covers often made of gold, silver or jewel-encrusted precious metals that snap over one or more of their teeth.

Tongue Piercing

A study published in the March Journal of Periodontology found that extended wear of tongue piercing jewelry (barbell-type) could increase your chance of gum recession and tooth chipping.