BRUSH, SLEEP, REPAIR, REPEAT!

A new toothpaste to combine calcium, phosphorous and fluoride to beat tooth decay and teeth sensitivity

Humanity has always faced hurdles in the form of diseases and ailments. Whether viruses, bacteria or plagues, we have confronted debilitating adversity to our health and collectively survived as a race. Mankind has the capacity and ingenuity to develop cures and remedies in response to the overwhelming threats experienced by our species. Much like the flu and chickenpox, tooth decay is one of the most prominent afflictions we diagnose in contemporary society. Decaying of the teeth has a long and illustrious history and even topped the list of leading causes of death in the medieval ages. Yet, despite our scientific and medicinal progression, tooth decay still haunts us to this day. You’d be amazed to know how many people in Australia suffer from tooth decay.

The data show that one in two, 12 year olds and one in every three adults, aged 25 to 44, suffer from tooth decay.

Science and medicine are able to create new ways to combat the challenges our world throws at us. In the realm of dentistry and oral hygiene, scientists at the Queen Mary University of London, have developed a new toothpaste ingredient that restores vital minerals from tooth enamel, treats sensitivity and better yet prevents tooth decay while you sleep. The breakthrough has been endorsed by pharmaceutical company BioMin, with the product called BioMin-F. This new toothpaste slowly releases phosphate, fluoride ions and calcium over 8 to 12 hours, forming what’s known scientifically as fluorapatite. This is the game changing ingredient that restores enamel minerals to teeth to protect them from acidic elements that cause tooth decay. Plain and simple, the combination of calcium and phosphate in the toothpaste help rebuild, strengthen, and protect the structural integrity of teeth, thus providing a preventative remedy to the world’s most prevalent disease.

Generally, most toothpaste only provides protection for a few hours. New Bio-Min-F and its ground breaking chemical compound provide protection from the acidic nature of everyday consumables for up to 12 hours. This development also offers substantial relief for not only tooth decay, but also for sufferers of sensitivity. A fact emphasised by the professor who led the development, Robert Hill, Chair of Dental Physical Sciences at Queen Mary University of London. He said, ‘This breakthrough innovation could significantly reduce dental decay and also tooth sensitivity problems which are often experienced by people eating or drinking something cold’.

‘The technology behind BioMin is not however exclusively designed for toothpastes,’ added Professor Hill. ‘It can also be incorporated in other professionally applied dental products such as cleaning and polishing pastes, varnishes and re-mineralising filling materials.’ The great benefit with this breakthrough is in the long lasting protection it offers. ‘It is also much more effective than conventional toothpaste where the active ingredients, such as soluble fluoride, are washed away and become ineffective less than two hours after brushing,’ Professor Hill concluded.

Co-Founder of BioMin, David Gillam, pointed out that tooth sensitivity is caused by open

Prevent tooth decay while you sleep.

Fluorapatite restores enamel minerals to teeth, which protects them from acidic elements that cause tooth decay.

This toothpaste offers substantial relief for not only tooth decay, but also for sufferers of sensitivity.

tubules in the teeth. This new toothpaste is effective as it fills the tubules with acid resistant fluorapatite, which blocks hot and cold elements being transported inside the tooth. BioMin-F is still being patented but the future of dental health is promising. The rollout of the new toothpaste is yet to begin with the product expected to hit the shelves of retailers and supermarkets by the end of the year. This is a real game changer in dental innovation and depending upon consumer preference, it will radically minimise tooth decay.

Dental disorders will be around for as long as we have bacteria. What this development does however is mitigate the risks involved in the daily exposure your teeth have to harmful consumables and additives. The new ingredient allows for longer protection time and greater coverage. There will always be reasons to visit the dentist, as they cater to a broad range of services regarding oral hygiene, yet a daily application of this new toothpaste will help minimise the possibility of developing tooth decay - the most prominent ailment of teeth.

We have a long way to go before we can eradicate the world’s most prevalent disease - a long way. Fortunately, we are blessed with great minds and institutions working to produce methods to counter the harmful and potent disease of tooth decay. We are in a much better position now, with progression also in treating sensitive teeth. The future looks like the perfect dental smile - bright.

Dr James Malouf currently runs his own practice in Brisbane called Malouf Dental. In 2008 he graduated as a dental surgeon from Griffith University and opened Malouf Dental in 2009. James has a particular interest in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry and orthodontics and prides himself on his compassionate approach to providing patients with results that go beyond their expectations.