DENTAL TRIBUNE The World’s Dental Newspaper · Asia Pacific Edition PUBLISHED IN HONG KONG www.dental-tribune.asia NOT GENETIC MAKE-UP Results of the first twin study found that environmental factors, such as lack of fluoride in water, seem to be the prime cause of cavities not ge- netic make-up. ” Page 03 FREE DENTAL CARE Child Poverty Action Group in New Zealand recommended to achieve free universal healthcare, including dentistry, prescriptions and spe- cialist hearing and vision care, for all youth. ” Page 06 VOL. 18, NO. 03 USE OF ANTIBIOTIC Recent study has found that the prophylactic use of antibiotic has no influence on the prevalence of post-surgical dental implant com- plications in overall healthy patients. ” Page 09 Simple exercise found to improve oral function in the elderly By DTI SEOUL, South Korea: Older adults frequently experience decreased salivation and xerostomia, which may lead to oral soft-tissue disease, dental caries, periodontal disease and oral candidiasis. Although mas- ticatory and swallowing functions are closely linked to overall health, nutritional status and quality of life, chemical agents used to treat dry mouth may cause side effects and often require a prescription. In a new study, researchers have im- proved oral function in the elderly by performing a simple oral stretch- ing and exercise technique. According to the researchers, conventional oral exercises per- formed in previous studies were impractical for continuous use in the elderly owing to the extended Researchers have developed a 2-minute-long simple oral exercise that improved mastication, salivation and swallowing function in the elderly people in their study. (Photograph: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock) Food additive used in toothpaste and chewing gum may have negative impact on health duration needed for positive treat- ment outcomes. The present study used a simple oral exercise (SOE-, which included lip stretching, tongue stretching, cheek stretching, mas- ticatory muscle exercise and swal- lowing movements to reduce per- formance time and to determine the short-term effects of the SOE. In the course of the study, 84 participants aged 65 years and older performed the SOE twice a day for one week after receiving instructions from a trained dental hygienist. The researchers evaluated the partici- pants’ masticatory performance by using the mixing ability index (MAI-. Additionally, they assessed the un- stimulated saliva and the moisture levels of the tongue and buccal mu- cosa and performed the repetitive saliva swallowing test. On the basis of each of these four measurements, participants were dichotomised into two groups with good and poor oral health conditions. The data showed that the mean MAI increased by 6 per cent imme- diately after the intervention and by 16 per cent in the poor-chewing group. Similarly, the amount of un- stimulated saliva increased by 0.1 ml/min immediately after the SOE and by 29 per cent in the poor-salivation group. The degree of tongue moisture increased by 3 per cent and was maintained, ac- cording to the researchers. In the poor-swallowing group, 25 per cent and 40 per cent of the participants were upgraded to the good-swal- lowing group immediately after the intervention, as well as after one week of intervention, respec- tively. Finally, the participants ex- perienced less discomfort as their oral function improved. The study, titled “Improvements in oral functions of elderly after simple oral exercise”, was published online on 16 May 2019 in Clinical Interventions in Aging. AD By DTI SYDNEY, Australia: Nanoparticles of the common food additive titanium dioxide (E171-, which is found in more than 900 food products, in- cluding chewing gum, as well as in some medicines and toothpastes, may have a negative impact on human health, according to a re- cent study. The results of the study have prompted experts to call for better regulations and more dis- cussion around the topic of food additives. Conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney, the study showed that E171 has an impact on gut microbiota and impairs some of its functions. This could cause inflammatory bowel diseases or colorectal cancer. Co-lead author Dr Wojciech Chrzanowski, an asso- ciate professor at the University of Sydney Nano Institute, said: “There is increasing evidence that contin- uous exposure to nanoparticles has an impact on gut microbiota com- position, and since gut microbiota is a gatekeeper of our health, any changes to its function have an in- fluence on overall health.” In 2017, French environmental association Agir pour l’Environne- ment studied the composition of 408 toothpastes and found E171 in 271 dental pastes, 25 bio-toothpastes and 29 toothpastes for children. Now, after ANSES, the French agency for food, environmental and occu- pational health and safety, released an analysis of 25 new studies on E171’s toxicity, concluding there was a lack of scientific data on its harm- fulness but recommending the use of known alternatives, the French government plans to ban the use of the additive altogether from 2020. According to the authors of the Australian study, increasing rates of dementia, autoimmune diseases, cancer metastasis, eczema, asthma and autism are among a growing list of diseases that have been linked to soaring exposure to E171 nanopar- ticles. Speaking about the results and what it means for the Austra- lian government, the researchers said that E171 consumption should be better regulated by food au- thorities. The study, titled “Impact of the food additive titanium dioxide (E171- on gut microbiota–host in- teraction”, was published on 14 May 2019 in Frontiers in Nutrition. Distinguished by innovation A new Australian study has found that nanoparticles of the food additive titanium dioxide, which is found in products such as toothpaste and chewing gum, may have a negative impact on human health. (Photograph: DUSAN ZIDAR/ Shutterstock) Healthy teeth produce a radiant smile. We strive to achieve this goal on a daily basis. It inspires us to search for innovative, economic and esthetic solutions for direct filling procedures and the fabrication of indirect, fixed or removable restorations, so that you have quality products at your disposal to help people regain a beautiful smile. www.ivoclarvivadent.com Ivoclar Vivadent AG Bendererstr. 2 | 9494 Schaan | Liechtenstein Tel. +423 235 35 35 | Fax +423 235 33 60