A New “Min” On The Block

“The Tooth And Nothing But The Tooth”

By Chris “Dr Smile Maker” Branfield

A New “Min” On The Block

Hello again, I hope you are well. As I write we are in the middle of a mini heat wave. My word, hotter than Athens, Hawaii, and California.

Phew, we needed the air conditioning on at work. Apparently the London underground was really hot. In fact it would be illegal to transport livestock at those temperatures, which I found interesting.

New “Min” On The Block

Oh dear, has Branfield gone mad and lost the plot? What is a “min” for goodness sake?

Well I’ve got back to my geeky self, a proper dental anorak!

A while ago I banged on about a bio-glass called Novamin. This is the main active ingredient of Sensodyne repair and protect tooth paste and I reckoned that this was the best sensitive toothpaste out there. Another separate active ingredient is fluoride.

Well there has been another bioglass developed at Queen Mary University in London. This new bioglass has fluoride incorporated into it. The new bioglass is called BioMinF, hence, the new MIN on the block.

So, What’s So Good About This Then?

Tubules before and after BiominF

I think that the first good thing is that it is a British invention. If you are a sensitive soul this could be a winner.

The sensodyne Novamin coats the surface of the tooth but not inside the little open tubules in the dentine of teeth. The BioMin F particles are smaller so can get into the tubes/tubules. Closing the tubules stops sensitivity. Theoretically this can increase the effectiveness in reducing sensitivity.

The BioMinF contains Calcium, Phosphate and Fluoride. It binds to the tooth and then dissolves slowly over about 10 hours. The fluoride that is added as a separate ingredient in most tooth pastes is released and washed away within about 2 hours. The slow release of calcium. phosphate and fluoride over a prolonged time can give greater protection against decay and acid erosion. It makes the surface of the tooth stronger as it repairs it.

How Clever Is That?

It is already in a tooth paste and is about to take the US by storm from what I’ve read in an article by The American Ceramic Society (I kid you not). It will not stop there.

There are plans to make smart filling materials that can help prevent decay by repairing the tooth from it as well powders to blast onto teeth to remove stain, reduce sensitivity and repair the surface. So watch this space to see how this develops.

Caravan Adventure

I’m off to Devon this year for a change towing my caravan. It’s always an adventure with the caravan in tow. Hoping for good weather. When we get back Hull City have Leicester at home for a good challenge early on in the season. Come on you Hull!

Until next time. Take care and be good.


Chris