« Boycott hits Iranian election - Iranian Activists attacked in Los Angeles | Main | Earlier in the day I »

June 18, 2005

A Better Whitener And Stem Cells From Teeth?

Topics: Medicine

Ivanhoe Newswire reports that new ways to whiten your smile and new uses for baby teeth were announced this week at the American Dental Association's National Media Conference in New York.

Apparently, scientists have created a tooth whitener that can also help teeth heal themselves more quickly. Whitening can open tiny pores in teeth, causing sensitivity to air and hot and cold food and drinks. Saliva contains minerals used by teeth to close these pores, but the process is slow. The new so-called "white with might" formulation contains the minerals teeth need to heal, and research shows it will result in fewer side effects for people looking for a bright white smile.

Also. there's a less controversial source of stem cells for research. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health found stem cells from baby and wisdom teeth and jawbone and periodontal ligaments could be used for future health needs. The cells are harvested from the pulp layer inside the teeth and ligaments. According to researchers, the stem cells may one day be used to correct periodontal defects and cleft palate or restore nerve cells lost to diseases like Parkinson's. They could even be used to save injured teeth.

Posted by Hyscience at June 18, 2005 11:33 PM

Articles Related to Medicine:

• A Better Whitener And Stem Cells From Teeth? - Jun 18, 2005