Formocresol Blood Levels in Children

Formocresol is a solution used by dentists for over 100 years as a medicament in baby teeth requiring the removal of pulpal tissue (pulpotomies). The solution used by most dentists is composed of 19% formaldehyde, 35% cresol in a vehicle of 15% glycerin and water. Concern has always been expressed about the exposure of these chemicals to young children and the impact on their health.

In a great study by Jeff Kahl and his colleagues, he showed that:

1. Formaldehyde is undetectable above baseline physiologic concentrations in plasma
2. Cresol is undetectable in plasma in patients receiving treatment
3. Benzyl alcohol was detected in plasma but in levels far below the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) recommended daily allowance
4. It is unlikely that formocresol when used in doses typically employed for vital pulpotomoies pose any risk to children

Source: Kahl J et al, Formocresol Blood Levels in Children Receiving Dental Treatment Under General Anesthesia, Pediatr Dent, 2008;30:393-9.

Take care

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Vacation Time!

Yes, it's time for the annual vacation clinic shutdown. The practice will be closed and will reopen January 23rd at 2pm. Jodie and I will preferentially accommodate emergencies the first few days back.

See you all soon!

Hans and Jodie


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Six Toxins Present in Tobacco Smoke

Health Canada has identified the top 6 toxins present in tobacco smoke that are likely to cause harm in humans:

1. Tar - a sticky black residue containing hundreds of chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic or classified as hazardous waste.
2. Nicotine - occurs naturally in tobacco plants but it's highly addictive and is also used as an herbicide and insecticide.
3. Carbon Monoxide - a deadly gas the reduces the ability of red blood cells to deliver oxygen to tissues causing most of its damage to your heart, brain and lungs.
4. Formaldehyde - a probable human carcinogen and registered pesticide.
5. Hydrogen Cyanide - one of the most toxic agents in tobacco smoke. Many of the short and long-term effects of cigarette smoke have been associated with this chemical.
6. Benzene - This is a Group 1 carcinogen and has been declared toxic by the Canadian Environmental Act. Benzene is believed to be harmful at any level of exposure.

Source: Clinical Tobacco Intervention Bulletin, Nov 2008, Vol 7, No 2, pg 4.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Art: Salvador Dali's Ruby Lips Brooch at the AGO

I noticed the Toronto Star had this stunning image (The Ruby Lips Brooch (1949)) and an article on the Surrealism show at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) titled: Surrealism and Design.

Here's the teaser quote:

Salvador Dali was perhaps the most celebrated practitioner of Surrealism, and there will be a number of Dali showstoppers on display at the Art Gallery of Ontario throughout this summer.

They are among the 200 tantalizing objects in a deliciously enjoyable exhibit called "Surreal Things," subtitled "Surrealism and Design."

...Surrealism, which flourished in the 1920s and 1930s, was in a way the art of making the fantastic real. It also happened to be an incredibly important avant-garde movement whose influence is still being felt today.

Source: The Toronto Star Online: Viewed Jan 7/09 http://www.thestar.com/Entertainment/article/562741

Image Source: Toronto Star http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/99/7e/d67cb0bf44728fa922ae898077dd.jpeg
(C) SALVADOR DALÍ FUNDACÍO, GALA-SALVADOR DALÍ/SODRAC (2009)

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

CNN: Flossing Helps Extend Your Life

Saw this video on CNN's Paging Dr. Gupta. It goes to show how important limiting inflammation is to not just oral health but general health and longevity.



Disclaimer: I do not endorse any products in the advertising shown in the video clip

Original Source: CNN online http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2009/01/02/gupta.live.longer.flossing.cnn

Online Source: Flap's Dental Blog http://www.flapsblog.net/2009/01/how-to-live-longer-flossing-your-teeth.html


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Smoking Perceptions Part III

24% of smokers think that the manufacturers label their products with "light" and "mild" as an advertising gimmick

Source: Clinical Tobacco Intervention Bulletin, Nov 2008, Vol 7, No 2, pg 1.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100