Fight Tooth Decay with Electricity

Erica Campbell writes "According to IsraCast, The Israeli Company Fluorinex Active has developed a new technology that can protect the tooth from cavities for 5 years with one simple electrical treatment. The company is currently working on a small device which, together with a gel, will impose an efficient ion exchange process through an Electro-chemical reaction in which fluor ions displace the Hydroxide ions at the outer layer of the tooth. This is intended to produce a new mineral layer with significantly improved chemical and physical resistance to the aggressive bacteria and the resulting acidic environment in the mouth."

Gums.

[Threni (635302)]

Your teeth can be protected largely by not eating too much sugary food - your acidic saliva is quite capable of destroying a lot of bacteria. It's your gums that require care.

Re:Gums.

[eepok (545733)]

True... very true. But remember, we're creating such technologies so we can abuse such standards and still have a marvelous smile.

ex. Teeth whitening for smokers/coffee drinkers, tooth implants for those who don't sufficiently take care of their teeth, etc.

Ridiculous

[benzapp (464105)]

There are many primates that subsist almost exclusively on fruit that has substantial amounts of sugar. They live for 20 years and their teeth are fine.

The problem of tooth decay is complex, but this oft repeated lie doesn't get to the bottom of it.

Re:Ridiculous

[posterlogo (943853)]

Have you seen primates' teeth up close? They're actually pretty nasty. But you are partly right, they do have subtle differences in saliva biochemistry due to adaptation that allow them to handle sugary diets... the teeth remain usable despite the formation of cavities (ultimately the teeth are lost, as expected). Animals in captivity get rudimentary dental care, or at the least, fluorinated water. On the otherhand, your notion that many primates eat fruit exclusively is an oft repeated lie (mostly from cartoons). Fruits are a treat, and more uncommon than one might think. Sugars diets are the causative factor for increased microflora in the mouth -- the simpler the carbohydrate, the easier it is for the bacteria to fluorish (eg high fructose corn syrup). In fact, there are over 500 different species of bacteria that come onto your teeth in between twice-daily brushings. The bacteria themselves will not decay teeth as long as you keep an alkaline environment in your mouth. This is how other animals deal with them... we use brushing with fluoride ion (a base). If you'd like to test your theory, please feel free to stop using fluoride or baking soda in your dental care.

Re:Ridiculous

[rolfwind (528248)]

The fibers in fruits usually wash away the sugars. Most processed sweets don't have any fiber, thus the sugar is deposited and stays there.

This is also the case with honey - it's sticky and cause cavities if used as a sweetener. But it's not too dangerous eating an apple/orange without brushing your teeth for a while.

As long as people avoid honey, processed foods with sugar or flour - you should be able to get away without brushing and have no cavities.

However, that lifestyle and this treatment isn't going to be an end to brushing or flossing. Even if the teeth are completely protected, your gums can get gingivitus/periodontis without the stimulation of brushing/flossing.

Here is a pretty good website that explains/backs-up most of what I said. I found it to read up on wisdom teeth extraction a while back:

http://www.doctorspiller.com/ [doctorspiller.com]

Re:Ridiculous

[gardyloo (512791)]

Yes, but what about those of us who want to live for more then 20 years?

      Eat lots of other animals. For the best results, eat those who've only eaten lots of sweet fruits. Mmm!

a variant on cathodic protection

[twilight30 (84644)]

One of the first things I learned while working at a solar power firm was the concept or use of anti-corrosion techniques [wikipedia.org], which just sounded amazing to me at the time. Essentially you can protect metal from oxidising by putting a residual electrical charge over it -- which you can get directly from a working solar panel during the day. Night-time hours would be powered by a battery that you would charge with the excess electricity from the panel accumulated during the day.

I'm oversimplifying it massively here, but cathodic protection is a priority application for solar panels and equipment in remote areas, such as pipeline and radio-transmitter installations in the high Arctic.

This treatment sounds like a weird and cool transferral of the idea to teeth.

Re:Gums.

[onwardknave (533210)]

Your saliva is basic, not acidic. The bacteria produce lactic acid and lower the pH in plaques, ultimately resulting in tooth decay. The bacteria produce the acid because they metabolize sugary foods by glycolysis. Less sugar means less acid production by the bacteria in the mouth.

Re:Believe it or not

[wile_e_wonka (934864)]

You're wrong, chap, but you're also right. Eating less sugary foods saves the day. But your reasoning was wrong. Our tooth enamel becomes soluble at any pH more acidic than about 4.5. When our tooth enamel dissolves, we set ourselves up to get holes all the way through the enamel. As I understand it, our bodies have no way of replacing enamel once its gone. And enamel is what keeps our teeth from getting infected. Our poor gums are sensitive too, though, as you noted. But there's more.

So the thing to do is keep our moth more basic than 4.5 (normal is about 5, I think). But the sugars that you noted get digested by the bacteria in our mouth, and then the biproduct of the digestion is lactic acid. This increases the acidity in out mouth (or decreases the pH). If you brush well enough that you have no bacteria in there, then you can eat all the sugar you want to no detriment. But most people have some bacteria in there, so we need to brush it out. But there's even more.

Toothpaste is designed not only to be all bubbly and tasty, but to make our mouth more basic (raise the pH) as well. That's why there is sodium flouride in toothpaste. The flouride ion attaches to the free hydrogen ions that are making our saliva acidic. But keeping our mouths alkaline still can't save our enamel that's already gone. It sounds to me like this new technology maybe kind of can though...

Re:Believe it or not

[ScottCooperDotNet (929575)]

Do you think anyone is going to listen to a Wonka regarding tooth decay?

Re:Gums.

[ObiWanKenblowme (718510)]

Then again, if memory serves, the majority of "older people" in pre-16th century times were around 30 years old, so I'm not sure refined sugars from the new world can really be considered a causal factor here. Seems just as likely that most people simply died before their teeth finished rotting.

Would this affect coloring?

[PornMaster (749461)]

Would this process affect the coloration of the teeth?

It'd really suck to lock in any staining...

Re:Would this affect coloring?

[Brigadier (12956)]

well a floride coating is what natrually protects our teeth, thats why tap water, and toothpaste have this as an additive. Actually I just read that tooth decay is on the rise because many of us no longer drink tap water wwhich is forified with floride. From what I understand this is basically a electrochemical process which artficially bonds the floride to our teeth.

Re:Would this affect coloring?

[Angostura (703910)]

No. The natural coating of the teeth is enamel, which is largely composed of the minerals hydroxyapatite and carbonated hydroxyapatite. Fluoride ions in water or toothpaste can displace the hydrogen ions in the enamel forming fluorapatite which is more acid resistant.

When I was a kid, I was actually subjected to sitting in a dentists chair for 15 minutes while a mould with a concentrated fluoride gel where held against my teeth.

It looks like this company is using exactly the same type of gel and mould, but adding an electrical current to try and speed up the hydrogen replacement. I've no idea if this would work or not, but it gets my snake-oil detectors twitching just a bit.

In terms of discolouration, I believe the advice is that children under 5 should limit exposure to fluoride toothpaste (just use a bit) to avoid white spots on their teeth, apart from that, there aren't any problems.

Re:Would this affect coloring?

[Khyber (864651)]

Fluoride may protect your teeth, but it also robs your teeth of bone density by removing calcium.

Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned To Stop Worrying

[TubeSteak (669689)]

Ripper: Have you ever seen a commie drink a glass of water?

Mandrake: Well, no I... I can't say I have, Jack.

Ripper: Vodka. That's what they drink, isn't it? Never water?

Mandrake: Well I... I believe that's what they drink, Jack. Yes.

Ripper: On no account will a commie ever drink water, and not without good reason.

Mandrake: Oh, ah, yes. I don't quite.. see what you're getting at, Jack.

Ripper: Water. That's what I'm getting at. Water. Mandrake, water is the source of all life. Seven tenths of this earth's sur

Re:Actually, many studies have shown that

[bani (467531)]

the dose makes the poison. how much fluoride do you think there is in tap water anyway? now compare that to the chlorine in tap water which is far more toxic. lest one forget, chlorine was used in WWI as a weapon.

Re:Would this affect coloring?

[bani (467531)]

"what if fluoride causes acne?" "what if fluoride causes global warming?" "what if fluoride knocks the earth off its orbit?" "what if fluoride brings about the second coming?"

If there were some detrimental effect from fluoridated water, we would have seen some observable difference in effects on populations receiving fluoridated water vs those receiving non fluoridated water in the past 60 years don't you think? But the only difference we observe is a marked reduction in tooth decay in the population receiv

Re:Would this affect coloring?

[grcumb (781340)]

"Would this process affect the coloration of the teeth?"

No, but tooth size many change. [demon.co.uk] 8^)

Broccoli

[fishybell (516991)]

However, when pressed, the company acknowledged the new device would be ineffective against pieces of broccoli and spinach.

Re:Broccoli

[shiafu (220820)]

Marge: No desert until you eat your broccoli. [Homer takes some broccoli, chokes on it and dies] [cut to a shot of Dr. Hibbert examining Homer's body]

Hibbert: Mm. Another broccoli-related death.

Marge: I thought broccoli was ...

Hibbert: Oh, yes. one of the deadliest plants on earth. Why, it tries to warn you itself with its terrible taste.

Right audience

[woozlewuzzle (532172)]

Well, this is at least correctly targeted towards the /. crowd, most of whom only brush once every 5 years (whether they need it or not)

Re:Right audience

[PornMaster (749461)]

If only they could infuse the teeth with a fresh, minty taste and scent!

Great idea...

[Xymor (943922)]

Go to the dentist and get a free shock-therapy session. This should help those with Dentophobia.

Wouldn't dentists fight this?

[nizo (81281)]

Somehow I have this horrible feeling that Dentists here in the US would do everything in their power to make sure these things never get used; think of how much money they would lose if no one got cavities anymore.

Luckily I bet I can improvise one of my one; all I need is an old lamp cord, a football mouthpiece, and some high fluoride gel toothpaste.

Re:Wouldn't dentists fight this?

[by Anonymous Coward]

Actually I've noticed a disturbing trend. Now that more and more people have "good teeth" (because a larger and larger % of the popullation has been brushing their teeth all their life), dentists are "diversifying."

Whereas before they would only fix cavities, now they are telling me that I need a tissue graft from my pallet onto a receeding section of my gums, that I need cleanings every 6 months at least, and that more orthodontic work wouldn't hurt either. After getting second opinions, I've determined that most of what they are suggesting is unnecessary... Basically they are trying to maintain their revenue stream by going after more obscure and largely non-worrisome problems.

Yes this is based on my own anecdotal experience (and talking to others), so it's a highly skewed opinion. But it seems to me that dentists are "inventing" new problems to treat and deal with, since the core problem (cavities, etc.) has been solved satisfactorily.

Re:Wouldn't dentists fight this?

[NilObject (522433)]

You are painfully on target. (Pun intended, I guess.)

I spent my Senior year in High School going through a series of "necessary" gingival grafts. The pain was excruciating because the Viccodin didn't do much for me and I ended up not taking it because it screwed with my attention span, which was bad when I was drilling myself through AP Calculus and English among other things (girlfriend included!).

It turns out that everyone in my family has "receding" gums. That's just how they are - small. The doctor made a few thousand dollars, I got one cool picture of my shredded mouth roof. Exciting. Thank you, profit motive!

Re:Wouldn't dentists fight this?

[identity0 (77976)]

the Viccodin didn't do much for me and I ended up not taking it because it screwed with my attention span, which was bad when I was drilling myself through AP Calculus and English among other things (girlfriend included!).

You were "drilling your way" through your girlfriend? Ouch. Did you at least give *her* some Vicodin?

The Lobbying begins

[EmbeddedJanitor (597831)]

FDA lobbying begins: US Dental Assocaition vs Energizer Bunny!

Re:Wouldn't dentists fight this?

[segfault_0 (181690)]

If they were going to fight dental health, i think they would have made their move at the toothbrush.

Bring on the Mountain Dew!

[ToxikFetus (925966)]

We'll see how well that 5-year warranty holds up after I'm through with it!

Heh

[christoofar (451967)]

But... does it run Linux?

Bring on the Energy Drinks!

[TheOtherAgentM (700696)]

Sweet! (literally) Now I can just rinse with Red Bull before bed time and I'm set.

Don't have to brush then?

[thomasa (17495)]

I guess we wouldn't have to brush our teeth for 5 years then! Cool!

How does it get below the gum line?

[winkydink (650484)]

The nasties really happen below 3mm (anaeorobic bacteria). Even your denatal hygenist can't do much below 3mm (though you can have your gums reduced). How does the gel get down there if your dentist can't?

Re:How does it get below the gum line?

[ted (2349)]

... up the voltage.

This just makes me wonder

[jim_v2000 (818799)]

What could possibly go wrong? /rhetorical question

Other approaches

[Mostly a lurker (634878)]

What is the latest on ...

• Genetically modified bacteria to fight tooth decay [taipeitimes.com]?
• Vaccine for tooth decay [eufic.org]?

Enquiring minds want to know.

Re:Other approaches

[Verteiron (224042)]

I fully expect all such measures to be blocked in the USA by the ADA.

Pass

[Daemon69 (892528)]

When I was 10 I tried touching a 9-volt to my braces. Nuff said.

It's a commie plot!

[Mille Mots (865955)]

General Jack D. Ripper: Mandrake, do you realize that in addition to fluoridating water, why, there are studies underway to fluoridate salt, flour, fruit juices, soup, sugar, milk... ice cream. Ice cream, Mandrake, children's ice cream.

Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Lord, Jack.

General Jack D. Ripper: You know when fluoridation first began?

Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: I... no, no. I don't, Jack.

General Jack D. Ripper: Nineteen hundred and forty-six. Nineteen forty-six, Mandrake. How does that coincide with your post-war Commie conspiracy, huh? It's incredibly obvious, isn't it? A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual. Certainly without any choice. That's the way your hard-core Commie works.

Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Uh, Jack, Jack, listen, tell me, tell me, Jack. When did you first... become... well, develop this theory?

General Jack D. Ripper: Well, I, uh... I... I... first became aware of it, Mandrake, during the physical act of love.

Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Hmm.

General Jack D. Ripper: Yes, a uh, a profound sense of fatigue... a feeling of emptiness followed. Luckily I... I was able to interpret these feelings correctly. Loss of essence.

Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: Hmm.

General Jack D. Ripper: I can assure you it has not recurred, Mandrake. Women uh... women sense my power and they seek the life essence. I, uh... I do not avoid women, Mandrake.

Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake: No.

General Jack D. Ripper: But I... I do deny them my essence.

Credit to IMDB [imdb.com] for the actual quotes. My memory of them was somewhat less than accurate. ;)

--
Sig nature

This is how it's meant to work...

[tbird81 (946205)]

The enamel on our teeth consists of hydroxyapatite. This is a very strong substance, both in terms of low solubility and physical strength.

As any chemistry geek knows a fluorine ion (F-) can replace a hydroxyl ion (OH-). In teeth, fluoride causes formation of hydroxyfluoroapatite, where some of the OH's have been replaced with F's.

The compound with the fluoride is slightly stronger physically, it also has better pK values. The pKa and other values tell us about the solubility of a compound in acids or bases. Fluoroapatite is less soluble in acid. This means cavities will not form as easily when bacterial start producing acid in the teeth.

Normally, fluoride gets into our teeth through diffusion. Fluoride is in reasonably high concentrations in saliva anyway, but topical application of fluoride (for instance brushing your teeth) will increase the amount of strong fluoroapatite in your enamel.

This method uses a current to influence the exchange of OH for F in tooth enamel. It is nearly similar to the copper plating experiments you may have seen in high school.

Fluoride is only bad if ingested in large quanties. Fluorosis, a discoluration of the teeth, is caused by problems with the enamel producing cells in childhood. It can happen if children habitually eat toothpaste. It will not happen with topical application.

Skeletal bones can be adversely affected by fluoride, but this also requires high internal F- levels. It is unlikely to happen with topical application of toothpaste.

Re:This is how it's meant to work...

[Deffexor (230167)]

There are new toothpastes that are now arriving on the market that are designed to "remineralize" the enamel and restore small-to-tiny dental decay. Some people may remember "Enamelon" (which went out of business). Well, it seems that there are 3 products that are not likely to go out of business any time soon, but use essentially the same technology.

Teeth (like bones) breakdown and rebuild every day. Bones via the bloodstream. Teeth via saliva and enzymes and minerals found in the saliva. Fluoride definit

Too complicated

[AlterTick (665659)]

Bizarre devices that add hardened layers to teeth seems like the wrong way to go. I want to know when the FDA is going to approve the modified streptococcus mutans bacteria they developed at U of Florida. Strep M lives in your mouth naturally. When it eats sugar, it excretes lactic acid. The lactic acid is what rots your teeth. The Strep M they made at UofF has been "fixed" so that it doesn't produce lactic acid. The way you use it is simple. They innoculate your mouth with the new Strep M and instruct you to eat lots of sugar. The new Strep M quickly displaces the natural Strep M. So far, tests show that the natural, damaging Strep M doesn't come back. No electricity, no gel; the major source of tooth decay is simply eliminated. More here [about.com]

In other news: British invade Israel

[DanTheLewis (742271)]

"Fighting the global war against tooth decay is in the vital national interest of Great Britain," said Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the UK, as he announced the march of infantry on Nazareth, home of Fluorinex. "We're sure Jesus can spare a few chapels. We will stop at nothing to honor his sacrifice -- with our glistening white smiles, if necessary."

Reaction from the United States was guarded. In an apparent reference to the incident, President Bush repeatedly mumbled to himself, "Lisa needs braces? Dental plan?" while speaking to reporters today on the subject.

Asked if the United States would be taking up the British invasion at the UN Security Council, Bush said he always liked the Monkees better than the Beatles anyway.

Re:NIMM

[eepok (545733)]

Everythings sounds crazy until you find out it works. Lots of people thought it was crazy to implent porcelain teeth with titanium roots that bond to bone... but it happened. AND they're not suceptible to rot.

Re:NIMM

[Andy Gardner (850877)]

Lots of people thought it was crazy to implent porcelain teeth with titanium roots that bond to bone...

Hate to nit-pick, but as far as I'm aware (could be wrong) but titanium does not bond with bone. Titanium is used due to the excellent mechanical proporties it possesses. However it has to be coated via plasma spraying with hydroxyapatite, which does bond with both bone and titanium.

Happened to have a lecture the covered this subject the other day.

Well, you kinda deserve tinfoil hat jokes

[Sycraft-fu (314770)]

Ok so you found a site with an agenda: Eliminating flouride consumption, that claims it's bad. Right, of course they are going to claim that. Now I can find information from respected orignizations, like the CDC and NIH, that says it's not only fine but good for oral health.

http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/waterfluoridation/in dex.htm [cdc.gov]
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Disease sAndConditions/Fluoride/WaterFluoridation.htm [nih.gov]

Now I don't care to argue with you about who to believe, I'm just pointing you that you are presenting only a source with an agenda. Have a look at what the CDC has to say, as well as others.

Re:fluoride is toxic waste

[ajlitt (19055)]

If city governments didn't buy this stuff from chemical plants to put in drinking water, they'd have to dispose of it like any other toxic waste.
It's not the city governments or plants that are doing this to us. It's the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids [imdb.com]. Duh.

Re:Miracle bacteria

[msbsod (574856)]

The genetically engineered miracle bacteria ate all test persons.