Future of Dentistry?

Off Topic
41

[quote]orion wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Vicomte wrote:
Dear Prof. X,

Is it true I can get like, totally wasted on alcohol-containing mouthwash? My 'rents are out of town this weekend, so I was thinking of making a move on this chick I know. Please respond soon.

Thanks,
V

PS. If not, do you know when I can get roofies?

Crazy Gary in 10th grade homeroom usually has the stash of roofies…and crack. I personally don’t think crack is conducive healthy teeth so you may want to steer clear of it.

There is an interesting question- Does crack and meth really destroy teeth actively or does constant grinding and poor hygiene do the trick?

[/quote]

I truly believe it is both. We seem to get quite a few recovering patients who are in rehab or were and the decay is almost uniform to the point that I can tell their drug habit before they tell me about it. We aren’t talking about just a few more cavities here and there. It is almost like a bomb went off in their mouths as they kept chewing.

I know much of that is no doubt due to lack of desire to even think about oral hygiene when on the drugs so poor oral care is the primary reason. However, there has to be some action from the drug itself…much like smokers and the link to gum disease and periodontitis.

If I run across any studies I’ll post them here.

42

Prof. X do you see regrowing teeth in future dentistry? My front teeth have been bonded, long story, but they just feel wrong.

43

[quote]ucallthatbass wrote:
Prof. X do you see regrowing teeth in future dentistry? My front teeth have been bonded, long story, but they just feel wrong.[/quote]

Not for a century at least. I do believe implants will be the next major improvement like MNguns wrote above. That is the closest substitute for real teeth. They are limited currently due to how much bone is present. That means you can’t just stick an implant anywhere you want to. There has to be enough height and width of bone in the area (as well as enough space between teeth) for the implant to be successful, meaning it is out of the question for many of the people who desire one. The moment there is a way to stick an implant just about anywhere, I have no doubts that will be the next best market.

44

What’s your opinion on commercial teeth whiteners?

45

Wow, free dental advice from an actual professional!

Dr. X, if you don’t mind…

1.) I’ve got one nasty-ass tooth that my dentist thinks may have a decaying root. He insists that it is a “non-essential” tooth, meaning that extraction will be a.) hardly noticeable and b.) not detrimental to neighbouring teeth. He wants to do a root canal, but I’d be happy just yanking it out (its nasty looking). What is your opinion on extraction?

2.) Those 200 dollar oscillating toothbrushes…more effective than regular ones or just hype?

3.) Are some people genetically succeptable to tooth decay? I brushed and continue to brush religiously, 3 times a day with a soft bristled toothbrush, and get TONS of cavities. My brother has the oral hygiene regimen of an elderly Eskimo woman, could virtually gargle with cola and has yet to get a single cavity.

Thanks

46

Doctor X,

Crest or Colgate?

47

anybody else use non fluoride toothpaste?

48

[quote]jehovasfitness wrote:
sen say wrote:
Ya know…sometimes a pm is worth a thousand posts…

I figured he could share with anyone, how dare I make a post[/quote]

And it turned out to be a really interesting and useful thread so it was a good call.

49

[quote]dudinator wrote:
What’s your opinion on commercial teeth whiteners?[/quote]

They work, just nowhere near as effective as in office bleaching. Also, most of the people using them could end up experiencing more pain simply because they are ignoring that huge cavity that needed to be fixed before they started bleaching anything at all.

The average person buying them is not a professional and probably doesn’t visit their dentist enough to even know their current oral state of health.

50

[quote]PimpBot5000 wrote:
Wow, free dental advice from an actual professional!

Dr. X, if you don’t mind…

1.) I’ve got one nasty-ass tooth that my dentist thinks may have a decaying root. He insists that it is a “non-essential” tooth, meaning that extraction will be a.) hardly noticeable and b.) not detrimental to neighbouring teeth. He wants to do a root canal, but I’d be happy just yanking it out (its nasty looking). What is your opinion on extraction?[/quote]

“Nasty looking” is the reason for the root canal and crown…thus it will not be “nasty looking” any longer. Pulling teeth has a domino effect. I already wrote above how teeth are constantly moving. If there is a tooth behind the one being pulled, chances are that tooth will begin to lean forward trying to come in contact with a tooth further ahead. That could present its own problems in the future.

In most cases, if you can save the tooth, do so. Very rarely is extraction the treatment of choice unless a tooth is unrestorable.

Sonicare makes a battery operated version that Wal-mart is selling for about 30 bucks. They are not just hype. They work.

[quote]
3.) Are some people genetically succeptable to tooth decay? [/quote]

Yes, due to weaker enamel and greater or more aggressive bacterial cultures.

[quote]

I brushed and continue to brush religiously, 3 times a day with a soft bristled toothbrush, and get TONS of cavities. My brother has the oral hygiene regimen of an elderly Eskimo woman, could virtually gargle with cola and has yet to get a single cavity.

Thanks[/quote]

Your oral hygiene has nothing to do with anyone else. Also, if you are brushing your teeth that regularly and still getting decay, chances are you are either not brushing as well as you think you are or your diet all day long is very poor. You are doing yourself no favors if the moment you put the brush down you are back to sucking on the same Coke all day long.

My advice is to have your dentist (or his hygienist) show you how to brush and floss correctly.

Some people can go all day without brushing and not get cavities. Some get them if they so much as miss a brushing. You have to respond the way your own body dictates…much like bodybuilding.

51

[quote]Professor X wrote:
3.) Are some people genetically succeptable to tooth decay?

Yes, due to weaker enamel and greater or more aggressive bacterial cultures.

[/quote]

My dentist tells me my buildup is due to the ‘content’ of my saliva. I have to get my teeth cleaned every 3 months because I get so much buildup. Does this make sense? If so, does diet affect saliva content? I think what they were saying was my saliva was too acidic and that’s what was doing it.

Thanks.

52

Prof X,

I drink green tea about twice a day and think that it may be staining my teeth. Is green tea a common offender of staining teeth?

If so, is rinsing with water after I drink tea enough to prevent the staining?

53

[quote]sen say wrote:
Professor X wrote:
3.) Are some people genetically succeptable to tooth decay?

Yes, due to weaker enamel and greater or more aggressive bacterial cultures.

My dentist tells me my buildup is due to the ‘content’ of my saliva. I have to get my teeth cleaned every 3 months because I get so much buildup. Does this make sense? If so, does diet affect saliva content? I think what they were saying was my saliva was too acidic and that’s what was doing it.

Thanks.
[/quote]

Chances are, your build up is present right in front of one of your salivary glands. Saliva secretes calcium and phosphates all day long, so yes, some people can get build up if they are not very diligent in keeping their teeth clean. Also, every 3 months sounds like a periodontal problem (BONE LOSS) along with above average build up requiring regular cleanings. You need that in order to keep from losing more bone around those teeth.

54

[quote]The Austrian Oak wrote:
Prof X,

I drink green tea about twice a day and think that it may be staining my teeth. Is green tea a common offender of staining teeth?

If so, is rinsing with water after I drink tea enough to prevent the staining?[/quote]

Any tea could stain your teeth potentially, but I would consider green tea one of the weaker offenders. Coffee and dark teas would be at the top of the list. You probably just need to brush more often.

55

[quote]Professor X wrote:
Chances are, your build up is present right in front of one of your salivary glands. [/quote]

Yup. Thanks Prof.

This is the best thread ever…thanks JFit.

56

[quote]sen say wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Chances are, your build up is present right in front of one of your salivary glands.

Yup. Thanks Prof.

This is the best thread ever…thanks JFit.[/quote]

I dunno, there’s a few on the SAMA forum that are close 2nds, if not #1 :wink:

57

Are braces and/or wisdom teeth removal being overrated? It seems as if they are trying to do both those things to every kid the can. Is it more about concern for our teeth or for profit? Do braces have a big effect on things other than your smile? If somebody would rather not deal with braces and pay the money wouldn’t it be fine to leave the teeth where they are?

As for the wisdom teeth, I have basically have the same questions. Is it necessary? I had mine taken out last year, but I never had any problems with them when I had them. Also, if they move on their own until they hit something, why couldn’t they take the ones out right in front of them? My wisdom teeth had been used nearly as much and were in much better condition.

58

[quote]jehovasfitness wrote:
sen say wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Chances are, your build up is present right in front of one of your salivary glands.

Yup. Thanks Prof.

This is the best thread ever…thanks JFit.

I dunno, there’s a few on the SAMA forum that are close 2nds, if not #1 ;)[/quote]

I’m trying to figure out if this is sarcasm or not. I feel it should be, but yet I don’t seem to be reading it that way. Best thread on a bodybuilding site being a dental thread? I guess I did see Poliquin say something about dental health being important for training. WE ARE ALL GOING TO BE ANIMALS WHEN DOCTOR X IS THROUGH WITH US!

If we are being serious though, I think I’d have to give the edge to the Bauer Chronicles. By a long shot. A long, long shot.

59

Thanks for the reply Prof. X

60

[quote]Eielson wrote:
jehovasfitness wrote:
sen say wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Chances are, your build up is present right in front of one of your salivary glands.

Yup. Thanks Prof.

This is the best thread ever…thanks JFit.

I dunno, there’s a few on the SAMA forum that are close 2nds, if not #1 :wink:

I’m trying to figure out if this is sarcasm or not. I feel it should be, but yet I don’t seem to be reading it that way. Best thread on a bodybuilding site being a dental thread? I guess I did see Poliquin say something about dental health being important for training. WE ARE ALL GOING TO BE ANIMALS WHEN DOCTOR X IS THROUGH WITH US!

If we are being serious though, I think I’d have to give the edge to the Bauer Chronicles. By a long shot. A long, long shot.[/quote]

look at who posted the comment, there lies your answer :wink: