Demetria Foka -Dental Practice

21/12/2025

New survey data show that many adults still fall short of basic oral care recommendations. While 51% of U.S. adults brush their teeth twice a day as advised by dentists, about 30% brush only once daily. Around 10% say they brush three or more times a day.

When it comes to oral care products, mouthwash and dental floss are the most commonly used. Nearly six in ten adults use mouthwash, and just over half floss regularly. In contrast, tools like water flossers, interdental brushes, and whitening strips are used by far fewer people.

The survey also found differences by gender and habits. Women are more likely to floss, while men use toothpicks more often. Most adults prefer manual toothbrushes, and when choosing toothpaste, cavity protection and whitening are the top priorities.

🧠 Source: YouGov Profiles article on U.S. adult oral care habits — “How often do Americans brush? A look at oral care habits” (2025)

21/12/2025

🚨 A Dental Infection Can Become a Medical Emergency

A dental abscess is not just a local tooth infection. It is a pocket of bacteria that can break through surrounding tissues and enter the bloodstream if left untreated.

Once oral bacteria spread beyond the mouth, they can trigger a systemic inflammatory response known as sepsis. This condition disrupts normal organ function and can rapidly become life-threatening without urgent medical care.

Warning signs may include facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing, fatigue, or a rapidly worsening toothache. These symptoms should never be ignored.

Early dental treatment—such as drainage, root canal therapy, or extraction—can stop the infection at its source. Oral health is closely linked to overall health, and timely care can prevent serious, avoidable complications.

21/12/2025

Researchers in the Czech Republic have successfully grown complete replacement teeth for adult patients within six months. Stem cells from dental pulp or gum tissue are cultured to form tooth buds, which are implanted in the jaw. Over time, these cells develop into fully functional teeth, including enamel, dentin, pulp, and roots, connecting naturally to nerves and blood vessels. Patients regain normal sensation and chewing ability without implants or dentures.

This breakthrough could transform dentistry, eliminating the need for costly implants that generate $3,000 to $6,000 per tooth and require replacement every 10–20 years. Natural stem cell teeth last a lifetime, providing a permanent, biologically integrated solution. Human trials in the Czech Republic, Japan, and South Korea confirm the therapy’s effectiveness.

Despite proven results, the dental industry has lobbied regulators to classify tooth regeneration as “experimental stem cell therapy.” In the United States, Americans spend $1.6 billion annually on implants, often undergoing invasive procedures and long recovery times. The technology highlights the tension between medical innovation and financial interests in healthcare.

Source: Czech Academy of Sciences Dental Research, Journal of Dental Research, January 2025

11/12/2025

Many parents instinctively blow on a baby’s hot food to cool it down. It feels harmless, but tiny saliva droplets can carry harmful oral bacteria. The main concern is Streptococcus mutans — the primary bacteria responsible for dental caries (tooth decay). When this bacteria is transferred into a child’s mouth before their natural oral microbiome is fully developed, it can start colonizing early.

Once S. mutans establishes itself, it feeds on sugars from milk, juice, or snacks and produces acids that damage enamel. This significantly increases the risk of Early Childhood Caries — one of the most common and preventable childhood diseases. Babies and toddlers are especially vulnerable because their enamel is thinner and still developing.

Simple prevention steps matter. Allow food to cool naturally, use separate utensils, and avoid sharing spoons, bottles, or pacifiers. These small habits support healthier oral bacteria balance and protect your child’s smile from preventable decay.

11/12/2025

A knocked-out permanent tooth can be saved — but you must act quickly. The best chance of success is when treatment starts within 30–60 minutes. Here’s what to do right away:

1. Find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (the white part you see in the mouth). Never touch the root.

2. Rinse gently with clean water if it’s dirty. Do not scrub or remove any tissue attached.

3. Put it back into the socket if possible and gently bite on a clean cloth to hold it in place.

4. If you cannot reinsert it, store it in milk, saline solution, or inside the person’s cheek to keep the root cells alive.

5. Go to a dentist or emergency room right away.

This applies only to permanent (adult) teeth. Baby teeth should never be put back into the socket, because doing so can damage the developing adult tooth underneath.

🔹Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.

05/12/2025

Οποιαδήποτε πληγή παραμένει στη στοματική κοιλότητα πέραν των 10 ημερών,χρήζει ιατρικής εξέτασης!
Ο καρκίνος του στόματος είναι μια σοβαρή ασθένεια που μπορεί όμως να θεραπευτεί αν διαγνωσθεί έγκαιρα.
Μην αμελείτε την τακτική ανά εξάμηνο επίσκεψη στον οδοντίατρο σας.

22/11/2025

Scientists have developed a new gel that can regrow tooth enamel by harnessing proteins found in saliva. According to ScienceDaily, researchers at the University of Nottingham created a bioinspired material that mimics the natural process of enamel formation. The gel works by guiding minerals from saliva to rebuild the enamel’s structure, offering a fluoride-free solution to one of the most common dental problems worldwide. Since enamel cannot naturally regenerate once it is lost, this breakthrough could transform how dentists treat cavities and sensitivity.

The gel forms a mineral-rich layer that restores strength and can even repair exposed dentine, which reduces tooth sensitivity. According to Labmate Online, the treatment can be applied quickly in a similar way to fluoride varnishes, but with longer-lasting effects. Early testing shows that the regrown enamel behaves like natural enamel, making it a safer and more effective alternative to traditional methods.

The innovation is inspired by how proteins in saliva guide enamel development in children. According to Knowridge, this discovery could revolutionize preventive and restorative dentistry by allowing teeth to repair themselves naturally. A startup called Mintech-Bio is already working to bring the gel into clinical practice, with hopes that it could one day replace fluoride treatments and make cavities far easier to manage.

Disclaimer: Image was generated using AI and is intended for illustration purposes only.

22/11/2025

13/11/2025

🦷 Cavities may soon be reversible — scientists just developed a gel that regrows enamel!

In a breakthrough that could transform dentistry, researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a protein-based gel that can regrow tooth enamel — something once thought impossible.

Tooth enamel, the body’s hardest tissue, doesn’t naturally regenerate, making cavities and enamel erosion permanent problems. But this new gel mimics the body’s early-life enamel formation process. When applied to a tooth’s surface, it extracts calcium and phosphate ions from saliva to grow mineral crystals that merge seamlessly with existing enamel, effectively rebuilding the tooth.

Lab tests on extracted human molars showed that a protective enamel-like layer began to form within just one week. The regenerated surface held up under simulations of daily wear, including brushing, chewing, and acidic food exposure. Though the gel hasn’t yet been tested in live human mouths, early results are promising enough to launch a startup, Mintech-Bio, and schedule clinical trials for early next year. If successful, the technology could provide a single-step, non-invasive solution for millions suffering from tooth erosion and decay — a true game-changer in oral health care.

Source: “Protein-based gel promotes biomimetic mineralization of enamel-like tissues.” Nature Communications, 2025