Thursday, March 2, 2023

Prevention Of Yellow Stains On Teeth After Braces!

If you have braces or are getting them put on soon, I'm sure you are looking forward to the day you can get them removed, right? I know I did when I had mine put on years ago!

I didn't have my braces until I was an adult, so I was very conscious of keeping my teeth clean at home and I had professional cleanings every four months to prevent white spots on my teeth. That was my main concern with braces because I remember back in high school seeing my friends coming back to school with their braces removed but they had white spots on their teeth from where the brackets were placed and had "yellowish" looking teeth.

I came across an article that discusses how researchers from Valencia (Spain), London (England), and Sul (Brazil) are trying to develop an adhesive material that will prevent white spots from appearing on the teeth of people who wear braces.

This is copied from the article: 

The study compares three experimental dental adhesives which contain a bioactive nano-mineral called halloysite and whose nanotubes have been loaded with triclosan, a strong antibacterial and fungicidal agent in different concentrations: 5, 10, and 20 percent. The research compares the three new, experimental biomaterials’ polymerisation properties, their antibacterial strength, and bioactive properties, which not only prevent demineralization of the teeth but also promote remineralization.

The three experimental materials tested in the laboratory have demonstrated an ability to stop bacterial proliferation in the 24 hours following their use, but only the one with the highest concentration of triclosan, at 20 percent, has maintained this property after 72 hours. As far as the remineralizing effect, all three tested materials have proven to be effective two weeks after their use in dental enamel samples submerged in experimental saliva.

These results are a promising step forward in the development of new adhesives that are capable of preventing the appearance of the bacteria that demineralize the enamel surrounding the brackets and, at the same time, remineralize the area and thus prevent the appearance of white stains on the teeth.

 Luckily I didn't have any white spots or staining after my braces but this may be helpful for young children who are wearing braces!

The article was found here!

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