You’ve probably seen this countless times: a patient winces from a sudden, sharp pain and reflexively opens their mouth. Did you know that this painful tooth sensation is part of the mouth’s clever defense mechanism?
A new study challenges our traditional view of intradental mechano-nociceptors as solely transmitters of pain. They are also guardians that are called into action when the enamel is damaged or the dentin is exposed.
Once activated, they contract the digastric muscle into a quick jaw-opening reflex to stop opposing teeth from touching and prevent further damage.
Don’t you just love that with every new discovery, we find more evidence to support the principles of human-first oral care? After all, we are also not pain managers, but proactive guardians of the human behind the teeth.
Introducing The Guardians of the Mouthaxy
It's a bizarre paradox, isn't it? Oral health diseases are the most common non-communicable diseases, and they're also highly preventable. Yet the UN is once again leaving them out of its health priorities. We've got to ask: anyone know why?
Last call for Tuesday’s Chit-Chat Live with Dr. Doug Thompson. We'll be having an intimate conversation about wellness dentistry.
Don’t forget you can register for free with your Curiosity membership.