Huntington Disease and Dental Care
The importance of dental care in Huntington Disease.
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure. (Huntington’s Disease Society of America).
People living with Huntington Disease have the same teeth as the regular population. The disease does not directly affect the teeth, however, the symptoms of the disease affect the quality of an HD patients dental care. Sub-optimal dental care leads to dental disease and the requirement for those living with HD to seek additional dental care. The recommendation from HD NSW is that even from the early onset they should be treated by dentists as though they have rampant decay.
People living with Huntington Disease can have their dental care affected by a lack of dexterity and a calorific diet.
Lack of dexterity
HD reduces the ability for patients to hold and control their toothbrush or open their mouths for effective brushing. Â Care facilities often do not provide or unable to provide effective twice per day brushing and dental care. Specialised products can assist patients and carers by providing more effective dental care with the same application as regular dental products.
Having high calorific / Sugar-laden diets
People living with HD need a diet for high energy consumption, to achieve this intake diets are often high in sugars. These sugars are converted to acids by bacteria living within plaque on tooth’s surface and lead to dental disease and decay. Â An inability to properly clean the teeth from a lack of dexterity or limited carer assistance can significantly increase the rate of decay and ultimately damage caused to the tooth. In many cases, those living with HD end up losing their teeth which can lead to further complications developing.
BioMinF can assist with dental issues faced by those living with HD*
BioMinF is a new toothpaste developed over the past 10 years by researchers at the Queen Mary University of London. It has a number of unique properties that are beneficial to those living with HD, as a preventative and a repair solution.
When brushing with BioMinF a thin coating if placed onto the tooth’s surface. That coating slowly dissolves across the day releasing essential minerals to fight decay, strengthen teeth and help rebuild lost enamel.  When faced with an acid attack from foods or bacteria (bacteria convert sugar to acid) BioMinF actively works to remove the threat to the tooths surface by neutralising the acid. BioMinF also proactively assists the tooth’s natural repair process to help rebuild the tooth (remineralisation) and make it more resistant to future acidic attacks and decay.
6X longer fluoride availability.
Fluoride is the key ingredient in toothpaste. With more than 50 years of supporting data, it has been shown to help stop tooth decay and help the natural repair process called remineralization. In regular adult toothpaste, the fluoride, however, falls below a beneficial therapeutic level within approx 100 mins1. BioMinF has a unique delivery mechanism that delivers the fluoride slowly to the tooth, keeping the fluoride above beneficial therapeutic levels for up to 12 hours2 or 6X longer than traditional adult fluoride toothpaste.
BioMinF actively fights sugar / acid attack.
When you wash your teeth with BioMinF a thin coating is placed onto the tooth’s surface. This coating dissolves across the day releasing essential fluoride, calcium and phosphate ions into the saliva to help harden, repair and protect the tooth’s surface. When sugars are ingested and acids created, BioMinF increases its rate of dissolution to release additional ions to help protect the tooth against attack.
More phosphate for greater remineralization
Remineralisation is the tooth’s natural repair process. Acids in the mouth lead to decay, which is demineralising / dissolving of the tooth. Naturally, the tooth repairs its self (remineralisation) by depositing calcium and phosphate onto the tooth’s surface. With the assistance of fluoride, fluorapatite may be formed (naturally found in sharks teeth) which is more acid resistant and further helps to protect the tooth’s structure. The scientists and researchers behind BioMinF at Queen Mary University have significantly increased the level of phosphate in BioMinF to deliver a toothpaste which has relatively high remineralisation rates.
Low foaming mild taste.
BioMinF has a low foaming formula which can make it easier for carers to assist with the tooth washing process. Also, the mild mint flavour can help reduce or avoid burning sensations when sufficient saliva is not present.
BioMinF is a breakthrough in tooth washing and remineralising technologies. Those living with Huntington’s Disease need special dental care, BioMinF may assist in delivering that special care. Make the change to BioMinF today to help protect your teeth.
*  BioMinF has not had clinical studies with those living with HD. However based on the ‘first principals’ of dentistry and that HD patients have normal teeth, BioMinF may be a good solution to guard and repair teeth of those living with HD. HD Patients should always consult with their healthcare professional for appropriate advice
For more information please talk with your dentist or your local Huntington disease association.
References
- Â Gillam Et al Dentine Hypersensitivity advances in Diagnosis Management and Treatment. 2015
- Data on file : Queen Mary University London
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Benefits of fluorapatite
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