🦷Mondays with Mark: What about Micro?

Julie asks, “Thanks for introducing Hydroxyapatite to me. Would you please touch upon Micro hydroxyapatite, I do know it’s not as efficient as Nano, however does it work in any respect?”

The Nice Debate: Nano vs. Micro HAP

Julie’s curiosity about Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is spot on. HAP, a naturally occurring mineral in our enamel and bones, performs a vital function in toothpaste for remineralization and sensitivity aid.

Right here’s the important thing level: Micro-sized HAP, typically marketed as a “pure” various, is normally simply ground-up bone or different types of pure calcium. It sounds good, however there’s a catch. Micro-sized particles will be excessive in lead and different metals, posing potential well being dangers. We’ve carried out some digging and located that certainly one of our rivals, who promotes micro-sized HAP as superior, really has troubling ranges of lead of their merchandise. Additionally, the particle dimension of micro HAP is just too giant to be efficient for remineralization or decreasing tooth sensitivity.

The Nano Benefit

Enter nano. Nano HAP is the right dimension to imitate the pure construction of your enamel. While you study a pure tooth underneath excessive magnification, you’ll see nano-sized HAP crystals embedded throughout the tooth matrix. That is the place the precept of “like likes like” comes into play—biomimetics. This biomimetic method makes nano HAP far more practical at repairing and defending tooth enamel.

Nano HAP is synthetically made by way of a exact course of leading to particles which can be extra uniform and prime quality. It’s derived from a exact course of involving food-grade salt and phosphate, leading to a product that’s each efficient and secure.

Does Micro work in any respect?

Micro HAP does provide some advantages, as early research indicated. Its early knowledge was promising, however nano wasn’t in use then!

Mixing micro with nano isn’t advisable both, because the bigger micro particles can clump, intrude with the effectiveness of nano particles, and probably result in tartar buildup.

When reviewing info from producers or toothpaste corporations, it’s essential to grasp the context of their knowledge, which is usually based mostly on research. Nevertheless, the relevance of those research can differ considerably relying on their timing. More moderen analysis typically supersedes older research. For instance, whereas micro expertise as soon as represented a breakthrough in desensitizing and decay prevention, nano expertise has since emerged because the superior choice. Sadly, many corporations should promote outdated micro expertise with out acknowledging newer, more practical options like nano. All the time test the publication date of the research cited. If the analysis is a decade outdated or extra, it’s important to confirm its relevance towards the newest knowledge. Ideally, there must be instruments or AI that cross-references older research with newer ones to make sure you’re getting essentially the most up-to-date info.

Now that nano is right here, micro is outdated information. Does it work? Slightly, however in terms of remineralization, nano works higher as a result of it’s the precise dimension.

Why Dimension Issues

Nano, though it’s artificial, is remarkably efficient as a result of its particles carefully match the scale, form, and make-up of pure tooth buildings. Micro expertise, then again, doesn’t fairly measure up. Micro particles are usually too giant, clumped collectively, and never well-structured. This mismatch means they don’t combine as successfully with tooth enamel, resulting in much less optimum outcomes.

Nano can also be higher for oral microbiome well being; Oral microbiome micro organism have outer membranes and depend on calcium to thrive. Micro particles, being too giant, can’t successfully work together with these micro organism. It’s not nearly remineralization; supporting your oral microbiome is essential too. Nano-HAP, nevertheless, can penetrate these bacterial membranes, appearing virtually like a complement for the useful micro organism in your mouth. This makes it a helpful device for each defending and enhancing your oral well being.

I hope this sheds mild on why nano-sized HAP is the higher selection for oral care, in comparison with micro. As all the time, I’m right here to assist with any questions you may need.

Now, for an additional matter…

I’ve additionally been getting quite a lot of questions just lately about oral microbiome testing (additionally generally known as salivary testing) from each clinicians and sufferers — the way it works, why it’s helpful, and which check to make use of.

To reply these, we have to first perceive what the oral microbiome is and the way it impacts our well being:

What’s the oral microbiome?

It’s the neighborhood of over 800+ distinctive species of microbes — micro organism, fungi, and viruses — that stay in our mouths.

A few of these microbes are useful (commensal) to our well being; they assist stop illness, support in digestion, and carry out essential features like nitric oxide manufacturing. Others are dangerous (pathogenic) and play a job in inflicting points like cavities, periodontal illness, and unhealthy breath.

Sure oral micro organism have additionally been related to systemic situations together with diabetes, coronary heart illness, Alzheimer’s, antagonistic being pregnant outcomes, intestine problems, and most cancers.

What causes cavities and periodontal illness?

There’s a frequent false impression that they’re prompted solely by a number of dangerous bacterial species.

The reality is these illnesses are the results of an imbalance between the degrees of dozens of various useful and dangerous microbes in our mouth, also referred to as oral microbiome dysbiosis.

To scale back threat for oral illnesses and obtain lasting well being & wellness, it’s not nearly killing the unhealthy bugs, it’s about selling the nice ones to create a balanced neighborhood.

Why is oral microbiome or salivary testing vital?

Salivary testing to your oral well being is like routine bloodwork for the remainder of your physique. It helps you perceive what’s occurring on the microscopic stage, the way it can impression your well being, and what you are able to do to remain wholesome.

Most checks solely analyze a handful of microbes (roughly ~5 to 30 species), sometimes those thought of to be dangerous. However that provides a really restricted view into one’s well being. Even worse, it may probably be deceptive with out figuring out what the remainder of the neighborhood is.

That’s why I encourage everybody to make use of Bristle Well being’s complete oral microbiome check. In contrast to different checks, they profile your complete oral microbiome with a single saliva pattern — giving insights into not solely threat for oral illnesses, but additionally total well being together with intestine irritation & nitric oxide manufacturing together with suggestions on easy methods to enhance.

I selected to be an advisor for the corporate as a result of their distinctive method of wanting on the full neighborhood of microbes is vital in really understanding the well being of your mouth.

P.S. When you’re a clinician focused on Bristle testing to your apply, join right here to attach with their crew.

When you’re a affected person seeking to check your oral microbiome, you are able to do it your self at residence with Bristle. Use code DRB15 for a restricted time 15% off by way of the top of September twentieth. When you get your outcomes, I encourage you to share them together with your dentist to allow them to use it in figuring out your care plan.