Tooth Tattoo

A new "Tooth Tattoo" developed by Princeton nano-scientist Michael McAlphine and Tufts bio-engineersNature Communications.  The new technology is a ultra-thin oral sensor that measures bacteria levels in the mouth.  It is a small device temporarily attached to a tooth, and may one day help dentists with oral conditions and overall health.

Fiorenzo Omenetto, David Kaplan and Hu Tao was published in the journal

The senor has three layers; gold foil electrodes, a layer a graphene and a layer of peptides.  The peptide is the chemical structure that is able to indicate bacteria.  The sensor is soft and pliable enough to wrap around the irregular contours of tooth structures.  A silk backing dissolves within 15 to 20 minutes leaving the sensor.  It's a advantageous way to monitor the bacteria.

The senor has a built-in antenna for power, allowing the  team to ping it with radio waves to send back information if bacteria is present.  The idea is for dentists to develop customized treatment plans for patients with chronic gum disease.  Patients with a high number of cavities could be given a fluoride varnish  or rinses.
As for overall health, the tattoo may have a future to monitor biological markers for diseases such as AIDS or stomach ulcers before it becomes serious.

Marietta Cosmetic dentists are also Marietta Emergency dentists welcoming new patients to the dental office.  +Kirk Kimmerling DDS and +Suzanna Aguilera can help with dental fillings, root canals, tooth extractions, toothaches, broken teeth, periodontal disease, gum disease and any dental emergency you may have.  Please accept a new patient coupon to help cover insurance deductibles and co-pays.

You Love Soda but Your Teeth Hate It

More people than ever are facing enamel erosion of their teeth, and what they're drinking is the

Sensitive Teeth Can be Excruciating

culprit.  Enamel, the outer, protective layer of the tooth can erode away leaving exposed more sensitive portions of the tooth. Once the enamel's gone, it's gone for good and can not be reversed. It's a significant problem for many people and dentists alike.

The skyrocketing sensitivity epidemic is caused by many factors, however a big culprit is soda. The phosphoric and citric acids prevalent in sodas alter the pH balance of the mouth and causes enamel to erode.

The sensitivity can be extreme and plague people the rest of their life. Even hot and cold temperatures of food and drink can be continually bothersome and painful.

People are drinking more soda than ever, an estimated 44 gallons a person per year, according to the National Soft Drink Association.

The best way to ward off erosion is to abstain from soda. However, for those who insist, here's a few tips to consider.

1. Limit consumption only to meals.
2. If you must have a soda, drink it at once.  Do not sip it continually throughout the day.
3. Drink water after you have a soda to cleanse the mouth.
4. Brush after drinking a soda, if possible.
5. Chew Trident Gum after drinking.
6. Ask your dentist about fluoride treatments in the office and product to take home.

The Marietta cosmetic dentists are +Verde Pointe Dental Associates are happy to answer any questions you may have about tooth sensitivity and enamel erosion.  A sensitive tooth can become like a toothache, giving way to a trip to the dentist.  Drs. Kirk Kimmerling DDS and Suzanna Aguilera offer a New Patient $100 Coupon to help with co-pays and out of pocket expenses.  Let us help you with sensitive teeth.

Ancient Egyptians Were Tatted and Suffered Toothaches, But There Were Remedies

Ancient Egyptians Suffered Toothaches While Building the Pyramids

Ancient people were not that different from you and I, according to mummies exhibited in  the "Ancient Lives: New Discoveries," at the British Museum.  Eight mummies dating between 3,500 BC to 700 AD were examined by CAT scan, infrared technology and carbon dating.  The procedures proved mummies suffered oral disease and had tattoos. One woman was found to have the Archangel Michael tattooed on her inner thigh, while almost all suffered poor dental health; tooth decay, tooth abscesses, and terrible toothaches.

The earliest known dentist was the "Chief of the toothers," an Egyptian named Hesy-Re also spelled Hesy-Ra from the third dynasty. He was not only the chief dentist, but also a physician for Pharaoh Djoser in 27th century B.C.  He died with his tombstone being inscribed with "Doctor of the Tooth."  He tended to the dental health of people working on the pyramids. He was the first known man to recognize gum disease.

Let's take a look at some of the remedies;

1. Egyptians turned to superstition as a prevention.
2. The body of a dead mouse was applied to the aching tooth while still warm.
3. Drilled holes in teeth to drain infection to treat abscesses with out anesthesia.  Pre-cursor to dental fillings and root canals.

Suffering toothaches in ancient Egypt would have been common. +Verde Pointe Dental Associates, +Kirk Kimmerling DDS and +Suzanna Aguilera DMD would have been treated like Gods.