Comments on: The Evolution of Cavities http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/21/the-evolution-of-cavities/ A science salon hosted by National Geographic Magazine Sat, 18 May 2013 07:02:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.2-alpha By: majkinetor http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/21/the-evolution-of-cavities/#comment-39585 majkinetor Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:44:21 +0000 http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/?p=148147#comment-39585 Yeah, low carb, K2, yogurt and fish oil work like magic.

Nothing more is required, not even tootbrush.

]]> By: Laura http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/21/the-evolution-of-cavities/#comment-39023 Laura Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:13:27 +0000 http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/?p=148147#comment-39023 Jack, I take more pride in my work than most. I am sorry you have been scorned by the dentsits that you have chosen. Do some research in your area, look on the AACD website, FIND A BETTER DENTIST. Because you are right, there are some bad professionals out there, not only in dentistry. Choose one that can get eye to eye with you and talk truthfully. Giving you facts that you can understand and make a decision on the care you want/need. I made a choice to always treat my patients like they were in my living room. Talk with them like they were my family. Find someone you can start building a trustworthy relationship with that is good at what he/she does. Ed, your not helping the problem. Hugh, in order to learn the risk factors early, the teacher needs to know them and be willing to share at an early stage. Im sure you can count the proper teachers on your hands. Besides my boss, I personally know of 2. Agreed, go out and buy a GOOD electric tooth brush. As much as it sucks, floss once a day. Disrupting the bacteria that hides between the tooth and the gum kills it. It grows back every 24 hours. That bacteria that you leave in there eats bone. And yes, go to your cleanings. Listen to your hyg dept and whether it is 3 months, 4 months, 6 months. Go. if your nervous, there is always an upside. N2O. :)

]]> By: Hugh http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/21/the-evolution-of-cavities/#comment-38114 Hugh Sun, 06 Jan 2013 14:40:47 +0000 http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/?p=148147#comment-38114 Great article–but a bit simplified. Strep mutans is a key contributor to tooth decay. Just as important is controlling the pH in the mouth so that the biofilm in the mouth will be less cariogenic and remineralization with Calcium, Phosphate, and Fluoride can occur That. Is critical!

Furthermore , decay is caused by cracks in teeth from stress and poor eating habits

The dental profession could use some help. They are not bad guys in general If we could have enough leverage to convince drink companies to tell the truth about the low pH levels in their products, people could control much what occurs
Lastly, if each patient ( and their parents!!) would truly learn the risk factors less early tooth decay. AND decrease break down of teeth would occur. Let’s stop playing the blame game and fix the problem

]]> By: Jacob W http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/21/the-evolution-of-cavities/#comment-37850 Jacob W Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:22:47 +0000 http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/?p=148147#comment-37850 Third year dental student here. S. mutans is only an instigator of caries, there are over 100 other species involved in the decay process and they work together as a biofilm. S. mutans is already easily killed by several anti microbiall agents we use, but the problem is that it, along many other biofilm members, is part of your normal flora. If we began the scorched earth campaign required against these bugs, it would leave us with much worse alternatives taking there place in our mouths.
Do yourself a favor and buy a good electric toothbrush, because not even dentists brush their teeth correctly 100% of the time. Go to your regular cleanings (they save you a ton of money, and trust me your teeth are gross after 6 months anyway).

]]> By: Chris Lindsay http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/21/the-evolution-of-cavities/#comment-37849 Chris Lindsay Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:07:01 +0000 http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/?p=148147#comment-37849 With the concern of overusing antibiotics that create antibiotic-resistant bacteria, it’s surprising that cavity-fighting compounds like flouride and whatever else comes in toothpaste haven’t created flouride-resistant bacteria.

]]> By: David http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/21/the-evolution-of-cavities/#comment-37790 David Fri, 28 Dec 2012 21:53:46 +0000 http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/?p=148147#comment-37790 I recall a while back there was an attempt to make a “vaccine” to S. mutans. It wold produce a mucosal antibody response and wipe out tooth decay. Anybody know what happened?

]]> By: Mc http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/21/the-evolution-of-cavities/#comment-37750 Mc Thu, 27 Dec 2012 01:53:56 +0000 http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/?p=148147#comment-37750 @Jeff

What do suggest everyone do? Avoid the dentist and develop infections and die like the Middle Ages. Dentistry is one of the health professions that actually stresses prevention. I for one am thankful that dentists can relieve our pain.

]]> By: Miki Ben-Dor http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/21/the-evolution-of-cavities/#comment-37729 Miki Ben-Dor Tue, 25 Dec 2012 05:20:45 +0000 http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/?p=148147#comment-37729 How about just reducing carbs in the diet? Works like magic (together with D and K2) to secure healthy teeth.

]]> By: Jim Jozwiak http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/21/the-evolution-of-cavities/#comment-37716 Jim Jozwiak Mon, 24 Dec 2012 03:40:34 +0000 http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/?p=148147#comment-37716 No mention of Vitamin K2?

]]> By: David Bofinger http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/21/the-evolution-of-cavities/#comment-37692 David Bofinger Sun, 23 Dec 2012 06:49:01 +0000 http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/?p=148147#comment-37692 Antibiotics is a possibility. How about a tailored bacteriophage, or an antidote for the toxins so other species have a better chance?

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