Relief for Sensitive Teeth?
Ahhhh, there’s nothing better than an ice-cold glass of lemonade on a sweltering summer day. That is, unless you have sensitive teeth. Current treatments for people with tooth sensitivity—a condition that produces a jolt of pain when teeth are exposed to hot or cold substances—are largely ineffective, but researchers have developed a new material that could help solve this painful problem and help prevent cavities too.
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the protective layer of the teeth—the enamel—is worn away, exposing the bony tissue underneath, called dentin. When dentin is exposed, microscopic tubes in the tissue allow hot and cold liquids and foods to come in contact with nerve endings in the teeth, resulting in pain. Exposed dentin is also susceptible to cavities.
According to researchers, plugging these microscopic tubes with a new mineral—encapsulated nanohydroxyapatite and a green tea polyphenol—that can stand up to acid erosion and wear and tear caused by brushing and teeth grinding can reduce tooth sensitivity and tooth decay. A report on the research was published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.