Ozone is an invisible gas. In nature it is formed by the action of lightening on the oxygen in the air, and the ozone produced forms a layer high in the atmosphere, which protects us from the harmful ultra violet radiation emitted from the sun.

What has that to do with teeth? Nothing, except ozone can also destroy bacteria and viruses. Tooth decay and gum disease are caused by the effects of certain bacteria, and so if we can kill these bacteria, then there would be no tooth decay, which would make the need for fillings a thing of the past.

A machine called a Healozone has been developed for dentists, that can produce ozone and so this battle against the bugs can begin. It has been shown that if a tooth is at the very early stage of the decay process, treatment with ozone, the application of a special material and the use of a mouth rinse high in fluoride will not only stop the tooth decay, but it will reverse it, and the tooth will heal.

It is our children who will benefit most from this advance, as hopefully, with a sensible diet, good tooth cleaning and ozone, the need for fillings will disappear.

However ozone is also very useful for adults. If applied to cavities that require a filling, it destroys the bacteria in the tooth, and so the chance of the tooth decaying under the filling is vastly reduced.

Some tooth sensitivity is caused by the effects of bacteria on the outside of the tooth. An application of ozone destroys the bacteria and thus the sensitivity is eliminated.

Another exciting application is in the treatment of cold sores. These pesky little things affect 1 in 5 of the population and they usually start in childhood. They are caused by the Herpes simplex virus, and once you have been infected, the virus stays with you for life. They live quietly in the nerve cells, but every now and again, they let you know they are still around, by causing the painful sores on the lips. The reason why they come and go is not known but certain factors seem to encourage them. These factors include exposure to sunshine, stress, certain foods and particular times in a ladies monthly cycle.

If you suffer from cold sores, you know when they are about to break out, as they are preceded by a ‘tingling’ or ‘itchy’ stage. If ozone is applied at this stage, then the cold sore either doesn’t develop at all or if it does, to a much lesser degree than normal. I have also found that for those people treated with ozone, the frequency of them getting the sores again is much reduced.

Ozone – one of natures little helpers.

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