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Toothpaste that claims to rebuild your teeth
A new toothpaste promises to end the agony of sensitive teeth by rebuilding
tooth enamel.
The 13 million Britons who wince when they eat hot or cold food have long been
able to buy products to mask the pain.
The new treatment, however, claims to be the first on the market that
actually treats the causes of sensitive teeth.
Arm & Hammer's Enamel Care Sensitive is said to contain a liquid form of
calcium, the key component in tooth enamel.
The idea is that the calcium rebuilds the tooth by plugging microscopic gaps
in the enamel. The repair stops dental nerves becoming exposed, preventing pain.
The makers are hoping the product will attract some of the ê60 million a
year spent on treatments by those for whom simple pleasures such as drinking a
cup of tea or eating ice cream can be unbearable.
Dentist Graham Barnby, who tested the treatment at his clinics in the south
of England, said: "This is a unique product.
"Patients with sensitive teeth who have used the paste have experienced
dramatic improvements in just two weeks.
"The liquid calcium is the key. It uses the minerals naturally present in
teeth to help the body mend itself, coating the teeth in a natural substance
similar to enamel.
"Current toothpastes aimed at people with sensitive teeth simply mask the
pain - this one solves the problem."
The toothpaste, which has been five years in the making, will be available in
Britain at the end of this month priced at ¡ê3.49 for a 75ml tube, before going
on sale in the U.S.
Dental sensitivity is an increasing problem as the population ages and teeth
become more sensitive as a result of gum recession or erosion of the enamel by
acidic food and drink.
Dr Barnby added: "We are living much longer and more people are reaching 60,
70 and 80 with their teeth - but many of them are left suffering pain from
sensitivity.
"This calcium-based toothpaste could offer them some much needed relief."
A spokesman for Arm & Hammer said: "This is a totally natural way to
protect teeth.
"The toothpaste has eight times the amount of calcium in saliva, it coats the
teeth and encourages the enamel to recover."
Gordon Watkins, a member of the British Dental Association's science
committee, greeted the new product cautiously and said full scientific trials
were necessary to see if it was as effective as claimed.
Mr Watkins went on: "Sensitive teeth are a significant problem for many
people. This new toothpaste from Arm and Hammer claims to treat this problem
with new technology.
"The British Dental Association will be interested to see the results of
properly constructed clinical trials that demonstrate the claimed benefits for
this product together with the long-term outcomes."
One in five Britons believes their partner has bad breath, according to a
survey.
The result was the same for men and women, the National Smile Month survey
found.
Residents of Edinburgh had the freshest breath, while those in Cambridge were
most likely to suffer from halitosis.
The research, involving 1,000 men and women, was commissioned by the British
Dental Health Foundation in association with the health plan provider HSA.
Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the foundation, said: "Bad breath can be
a real turn-off for both sexes so it must be a worry that so many people are
noticing it in their partners.
"With a further 42 per cent revealing they have friends or colleagues with
bad breath it seems that this is still very much a common problem.
"Most bad breath is the result of poor oral hygiene. People need to brush
their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, cut down on how often they
have sugary foods and drinks and visit the dentist regularly.
"With the survey's findings that the majority of people wouldn't risk their
friendship by telling someone they had bad breath it seems that people need to
find out for themselves.
"Lick the inside of your wrist, leave it a few seconds then sniff. If the
smell is unpleasant chances are your breath is, too."
by ChinaDaily
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| Tech News: | Updated: February 2008 |
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