Topic: Scientists Create Stem Cells from Wisdom Teeth
Japanese scientists have devised a method of creating stem cells from wisdom teeth that
would otherwise have been discarded, enabling them to seek cures to diseases without the
controversy inherent in using embryos.
From dental pulp taken from wisdom teeth which had been removed from a 10-year-old girl
three years ago and stored in a freezer, Dr Hajime Ogushi and his team from Osaka National
Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology was able to extract stem cells with
the ability to develop into replacement human organs or nerves.
To date, research on stem cells taken from human foetuses has attracted criticism, notably
from the Vatican , for destroying human life.
Dr Ogushi said: 'These teeth were extracted three years ago and would have simply been
thrown in the rubbish. Skin or bone marrow for this sort of research is quite difficult to obtain
but this sort of operation is routine and very straightforward.'
The cells were extracted from the wisdom teeth and encouraged to develop for a period of 35
days. Tests then confirmed they were in fact stem cells.
Dr Oguchi added that it is also easy to store the cells and he plans to develop a tissue bank as long as the funding is forthcoming. He estimates that will take a decade to achieve, but will
give future scientists a range of genetic codes that can be matched to a patient to minimise
the risk of transplanted organs of tissue being rejected.
Dr Ogushi said that people who have their wisdom teeth removed as youngsters could have
them frozen and use them later in life for treatment.
Topic: Popular New Generation of Sweets Almost Like Eating Battery Acid
While a new generation of sweets is highly popular, most of it contains acid levels so high that
it approaches the ph level of battery acid, according to the California Dental Hygienists'
Association (CDHA), which issued a warning to parents about the dangers of 'sour' sweets.
Sour sweets come in dozens of varieties and forms including hard, soft, chewy, gummy, gels,
liquid sprays, crystals, foam sprays, powders, cotton candy and chewing gums. Most people
think this type of confectionery is safer because it has less sugar, but they don't know that the
acid content is toward the extreme end of the acidic spectrum
It is not at all surprising that this type of sweet confectionery is a contributing factor to acid
erosion. With repeated exposure and frequency, 'sour' sweets can also lead to a host of oral
health problems, including increased cavities, tooth sensitivity, staining, soft-tissue
sensitivities and loss of shine.
Because of this, CDHA is offering the following tips:
- avoid, limit or seriously reconsider choosing or eating sweets labeled 'sour' or 'tart'
- look for the following acids on the back label of ingredients and avoid them: citric, lactic,
malic, tartaric, fumaric, adipic, ascorbic
- don't be fooled by 'concentrated fruit juice extracts,' which is a code phrase for ingredients
that can be highly acidic
- if you choose to consume sour sweets, rinse your mouth with water immediately afterwards
to reduce the damaging effects from the acids
- don't brush your teeth directly after eating sour sweets as the toothbrush and toothpaste are
abrasive; this will scratch and will remove more of the already softened enamel. Most
consumers and even many
Most consumers and even many dental professionals are so focused on eliminating sugar
that they have not paid attention to the newer and more serious ingredients containing
multiple acids that make the 'sour' sweets so tart and appealing, but also make teeth more
susceptible to oral diseases.