How Close Are We to Cavity-Proof Teeth?

There’s nothing fun about getting a cavity! It can feel like there’s not much you can do to prevent them, but researchers are working on several ways to tackle their main cause so we can create a cavity-free world!

Hosted by: Michael Aranda

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[teathomas]

It sounds like we are close to a toothpaste 10 out of 10 dentists recommend.

[Sciencerely]

I think it's fascinating how much single strains of bacteria can influence all parts of our bodies. There is currently a quite cool trend in human biology to study the impact of the microbiome in the gut on our health. We are finding more and more evidence that certain compositions of bacteria in our gut might influence our mood. Some bacteria seem to be able to activate neural pathways and central nervous system signaling systems which contribute towards anxiety disorders and depression (would love to make a video about this!)! It's intriguing how much we can still learn about ourselves!

[timsullivan]

DENTIST: "Wow - what a HUGE cavity... a HUGE cavity!"
ME(annoyed): "Enough, Doc - I heard you the first time."
DENTIST: "Sorry, that was an echo"

[MoreAmerican]

Can scishow figure out how come dental is a separate type of insurance from health insurance?

[NotTheCIA]

I wish they'd allow volunteers for things like this.
"I understand the risks inherent with testing a new product, and am willing to assume them"

[Double-Negative]

Patient: "What are you putting in my mouth again?"
Doctor: "An even better version of strep"

[Tinseltopia]

8 years ago they created this mouthwash? 8 years! How long does it take to test a mouthwash?

[RXTRUX]

Been hearing how close we are for decades. Kind of like ai and flying cars.

[Victoriaheartsmusic]

I’ve never had a cavity and as a kid I was never brushing. Im thankful for my genetics.

[Blaze]

Hey, how about a video on calcium sodium phosphosilicate AKA "Novamin", which is in some toothpastes and is supposedly the only thing discovered so far that can actually repair your teeth? I'm still trying to figure out if those claims are true or whether it's just marketing.

[ryantwombly]

I was once in a health course where a dentist showed an old filmstrip from the 1960s. The dentist back then were sure they’d have a mouthwash to replace brushing entirely within a few years. Glad to know they didn’t give up.

[shunyat]

You can’t get tooth decay if you don’t have any teeth.

[Anand-qbwp]

For those chattering about how dentists make most of their money from cavities and their advice creates a conflict of interest, consider that you will mostly ignore most advice you actually think is good. Their income, like in many other professions, is based on the difference between knowing and doing.

[Babarudra]

I'm 49 years old and have never had a cavity. My grandmother died at 94 and had never had one. Other family members have had a few to where a few have full dentures.

[cmdr]

I my parents had my teeth sealed. My grandpa was a dentist so he told them about it. I basically have my teeth clear coated and have gone nearly 30 years with no cavities and my brother had 1.

[gnarlin]

Dentists rely on cavities to make money, since in many countries (mine included), dentistry is in almost no regard a part of the government covered health care and therefore costs a fortune for each visit, especially if cavities need to be treated. Therefore dentists have every incentive to stop something like a permanent treatment like in this video. Dentistry needs to be a part of the normal government run healthcare (which it thankfully is in some countries).

[kds]

Well a few years ago I had a root canal and the endodontist and I got to talking. I asked about re-generating teeth and she told me they did that in labs 20+ years ago.

[pillmuncher]

So now you tell me! After twenty years without caries, I suddenly had to have a root canal last week. Never have I ever felt a tooth ache like that.

[calichef]

When my son was eight or nine he got his first cavity, which was, thankfully, in a baby tooth. His dentist told me that if he gets anymore that we could put a sealant on his teeth that would prevent further cavities. I asked why couldn't we just do the sealant now and avoid further cavities. He said he'd make request to the insurance company, but that he hadn't gotten the go ahead for just one cavity before. Well, the insurance company gave him the go ahead and he put the sealant on my son's teeth. He has never had another cavity! He's 34 now and has NO FILLINGS!

[Apophis]

Dental care is remarkably expensive in the US especially procedures like wisdom teeth extraction or root canal it’s really demoralizing when insurance only covers so much and you gotta drop a month’s salary on one procedure when you’re still struggling tryna make it in this world... how come our enamel did evolved to be strong? Wild animals don’t floss and they seem to have healthy teeth