Scientists from Omsk State University perform interesting experiments - they grow dental calculus in vitro, which means "in glass", on natural human teeth, which were removed from their owner for some reasons, and on artificial teeth. The aim of the experiment is learning how saliva affects structure and chemical composition of dental calculus, and this knowledge can help linking properties of saliva and dental calculus with human health. Mentioned diagnostics technique is in some cases extremely accurate.
Not many people know that yellowish and greyish solid deposits, which usually accumulate near tooth necks and between teeth, consist of tiny crystals of hydroxylapatite 3Ñà3(ÐÎ4)3·CaF2. Chemical composition of this substance is similar to mineral component of human bones, however, what is good inside our bones and teeth, is absolutely unnecessary on tooth's surface.
Dental calculus usually appears in places, where soft dental deposits accumulate and then soak in saliva components, which are rich in mineral salts, containing calcium and phosphorus. Dentists recommend removing dental calculus in order to prevent caries or tooth decay, however, Russian chemists believe that these unhealthy and bad-looking mineral deposits can be used for diagnostics of some serious diseases, diabetes, for instance, as well as detecting predisposition to notorious caries and periodontosis.
Healthy tooth
Russian chemists found out that some substances, such as casein and amino acids, suppressed growth of dental calculus. Glucose, to the contrary, promotes formation of dental deposits and crystal growth, making deposits much more solid. However, this doesn't mean that if you want your teeth to be healthy, you should chew a piece of cheese all the time, instead, you better brush your teeth after you eat. Well, other results of the Russian scientists are much more interesting and promising.
Chemists invited dentists and general physicians to join a project on studying composition of saliva and dental calculus of patients, who suffered from diabetes, together. Medics agreed, and their joint effort led to the knowledge that such serious disease, like diabetes, changes saliva composition, which, in its turn, promotes formation of hydroxylapatite crystals on teeth surface and causes caries and periodontosis. Researchers concluded that information about saliva and dental calculus can help diagnosing some diseases, particularly diabetes.
Source: Science & Technology
Kizilova Anna