BasicMints with CaviStat shown to reduce caries in children 62%

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Permalink Reply by Mark Hartley on April 9, 2008 at 3:51pm

The only thing recommended to me was Spry, on two different occasions by two different hygienists. This surprised me in the sense that I don't generally see xylitol being marketed to dental professionals. But both were very supportive of this gum very early.

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Permalink Reply by Duane DaPron on April 9, 2008 at 4:27pm

I don't recall ever having either cariostatic mints or gum being recommended for my use by the dentist I was seeing at the time.

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Permalink Reply by Ted Anibal on April 16, 2008 at 9:07pm

Yesterday I interviewed Dr. Israel Kleinberg, inventor of BasicMints® and a dental researcher and device inventor for the past 50 years. He has been studying the chemical components, mechanisms, and functions of saliva, and stated that saliva is a more complex substance than blood. He explained that blood functions and circulates in a closed system, but saliva operates in an open and highly variable environment.
Dr. Kleinberg's research revealed that saliva is a "significant protector of teeth, which counters the effects of the dental caries process" (established by Miller in 1890) by neutralizing acids with calcium and phosphorous ions in solution, which also remineralize damaged enamel. Further, he said saliva contains 20 identified amino acids, and explained that argenine acts on oral bacteria, both free and in plaque formations, and alkalinizes the oral environment.
Calcium and phosphorous ions in saliva act as a "salivary precipitant or 'sacrificial lamb'" because acids attack these substances first before attacking enamel, and may completely prevent enamel damage with an adequate supply of saliva. This makes sense, because persons with dry-mouth syndrome suffer a far greater rate of tooth decay. In addition to saliva's "rinsing" action, it is also an active agent that protects teeth from demineralization.
BasicMints have been developed using 100% food-grade ingredients to mimic the natural action of argenine and calcium in saliva to protect teeth from acid attacks (brand name CaviStat®, Ortek Pharmaceuticals). Tests revealed that the use of BasicMints reduced demineralization by 60% to 70% without changing diet in the test subjects. This compares favorably to topical fluoride applications, which provide 20% to 30% protection. Ortek's Web site contains useful information and graphics -- http://www.ortekinc.com. At age 78, Dr. Kleinberg continues his promising work on caries detection and reversing periodontal disease.

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Permalink Reply by Meg Kaiser on April 23, 2008 at 10:38am

Very interesting, and good for Dr. Kleinberg! I've never had any of these products recommended to me by my dental professionals, but the BasicMints sound like something that would do a whole lot of good. Hopefully the product will be marketed well so dentists and hygienists can learn more about it and recommend it to their patients.

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Permalink Reply by supertooth on December 17, 2009 at 4:51pm

Dr. Kleinberg is right about saliva that can dilute acid forming carbohydrate in trapped food where all cavites occur and can neutralise acid while remineralising demineralised tooth.

However over 80% of cavities occur inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces where saliva has no access even with chewing gum that cannot absorb or force the saliva inside pits and fissures but chewing fibre like celery absorbs and expels saliva as can be seen on www,supertoothndk.org

With Dr. Kleinberg's permission, I would like to test BasicMints to see how they access pits and fissures.

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Permalink Reply by Ted Anibal on December 18, 2009 at 7:58am

Hello Supertooth, the mints are meant to be chewed, and do their alkalinizing duties while actually sticking into the pits and fissures. Two videos on Ortek's Web site provide details on the mechanism. Click on the larger-sized video on the right first, which provides an animation of the process, then click on the smaller-sized video link on the left, which provides a clinical example. http://www.ortekinc.com/

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Permalink Reply by supertooth on June 28, 2009 at 3:00am

Both mints and gum could be effective on accessible surfaces but few cavities occur there because the brush, saliva and fluoridetoothpase have easy access, but not inside pits and fissures.

Basic Mints seems better than gum because gum cannot absorb and expell saliva to force any cariostatic saliva mix inside pits and fissures where cover 80% of cavities occur.

Mints may not be as effective as it could be as the cariastaic particles may be dispersed around the mouth and fail to be effectivly foced inside pits and fissures.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Jane RDH BS on December 18, 2009 at 8:17am

Bacteria are always going to have access where even saliva doesn't. Everything that helps is a blessing. Well done sealants hopefully do their part. Even though I really don't like the idea of the need to have something in your mouth constantly, we have always known that saliva acts as a buffer and carries the minerals that remineralizes teeth. The mouth and teeth are always in a state of re and demineralizing. Every time we put fermentable carbohydrates in, we are putting teeth in a bath of acid. If given the opportunity, saliva will normalize the PH. and it goes on and on. It is when the tooth is overwhelmed and demineralization wins and the enamel band is completely broken through, that true, irreversible caries occurs. That is the primary reson i don't like people to always have the need to have something sweet in their mouth. carbohydrates..even if they are so called diet..sets our bodies up to crave more. It really is doing a disservice to our patients to encourage a lot of these products. maybe after a meal where they can't brush to help return PH to normal basic conditions.

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Permalink Reply by Ted Anibal on December 18, 2009 at 8:55am

Your last point may be an excellent scenario for actually recommending Basic Mints. For example, elementary and secondary school children typically are not excused to brush their teeth after lunch, and it would be logistically impractical in most cases. Chewing on a Basic Mint or two would seem to be better than doing nothing until their bedtime brushing (which, truth be told, is often cursory and largely ineffective in removing biofilm). Do you agree?

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Permalink Reply by Mary Jane RDH BS on December 18, 2009 at 9:25am

Yes, I do. Even though they are young, children think it is really cool when I tell them that their saliva is really working very hard to protect their teeth. They don't think their spit is so yucky after that!

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Permalink Reply by Meg Kaiser on December 21, 2009 at 10:55am

Very interesting discussion, you all. I like the idea of children chewing mints in the afternoon. As the mother of a 10-year-old who gripes about brushing his teeth, and therefore will not do it unless nagged, I like the idea of him chewing Basic Mints for added protection.
I like that you tell children their saliva protects their teeth, Mary. Nice idea. Children are certainly still learning, and hopefully your ideas will stay with them.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Jane RDH BS on December 6, 2009 at 4:24pm

I don't really think that mints or gum should be promoted or recommended to children or adults unless they can't break the habit of always having something in their mouth. we as hygienists spend a lot of time trying to gently wean people away from that need. But on the other hand, it is better than regular mints regarding caries activity.

But we aren't golden retrievers..we do not constantly need something in our mouths at all times. Even if it is not "real' sugar, it sets us up to want and need more sweets. That along with inactivity is putting the health of our children at risk. They are just getting fatter.

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