Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: paul.fr on 12/07/2007 12:17:21

Title: Toothpaste as a temoprary filling!
Post by: paul.fr on 12/07/2007 12:17:21

seeing as toothpase is the order of the day.

Say you need a filling and for whatever reason you can not get to a dentist, for some time. Now if toothpast protects against bacteria, could you just pop a bit of toothpaste in to the hole in the tooth as a way of protecting the tooth from little nasties?

Ok it may be difficult to put it in such a small hole, but i envisage you popping a piece on top of the tooth and either pushing it down with your tongue or just letting it settle there for a while.

Title: Toothpaste as a temoprary filling!
Post by: dentstudent on 12/07/2007 12:20:37

Wouldn't it dissolve pretty quickly? Your saliva could possibly still penetrate the hole and remove the toothpaste?

Title: Toothpaste as a temoprary filling!
Post by: paul.fr on 12/07/2007 12:22:48

Quote from: dentstudent on 12/07/2007 12:20:37

Wouldn't it dissolve pretty quickly? Your saliva could possibly still penetrate the hole and remove the toothpaste?

i reckon it would desolve pretty quickly. but would it not leave a coating behind, thus offering some protection to the cavity?

Title: Toothpaste as a temoprary filling!
Post by: Cut Chemist on 12/07/2007 14:14:26

Most toothpaste contains quite a bit of sugar.  That's why the directions suggest that you rinse it out with water after use.  I think leaving toothpaste in your mouth would increase the size of the cavity by promoting bacteria growth.