(NaturalNews) A painless alternative to dental drills is already on the market in some parts of Europe, suggesting that drills may become altogether obsolete within the next few years.
Dentists currently use drills to grind away at sections of a tooth where decay-promoting bacteria have taken hold, then patch up these holes with a dental filling. Yet drills can cause mental distress to patients, and also have to remove significant portions of healthy tooth to get at the diseased portion.
Enter the new Icon dental syringe, produced by DMG Dental Products, in conjunction with the University of Kiel, Germany and the Charite Medical University in Berlin. To use the syringe, dentists first place a rubber collar around the diseased tooth to prevent nearby teeth from acid damage. The syringe then applies an acid gel to just the diseased portion of the tooth. Within minutes, the acid has eaten away all the infesting bacteria and is washed off. The tooth is dried with ethanol, and the small hole is patched with a dental resin. A high-energy blue light is then applied to make the resin dry quickly.
According to the manufacturers, the Icon syringe is especially good at treating small caries before they develop into more serious dental problems.
Icon is already on sale in several parts of Europe, and will soon be available in the United Kingdom.
Another technique, currently under development, has been forecast to make dental drills obsolete within three years. In this procedure, dentists use a small, blowtorch-like machine to spray decaying sections of teeth with a high-powered beam of purple plasma (a gas so hot that its electrons have been removed). The plasma is not hot enough to damage the mouth, but effectively disinfects dental caries for filling.
Like Icon, the plasma beam could be used on small cavities and would cause less damage to the structure of the tooth.
Sources for this story include: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12... ; www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35237534/ns/he....
Showing posts with label alternative. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alternative. Show all posts
Monday, June 21, 2010
Clementine Art, the natural alternative to toxic art supplies
(NaturalNews) Paints, glues, crayons, markers: many of these things purchased conventionally contain artificial chemical dyes, petrochemicals and other unknown ingredients, despite bearing a non-toxic label. Millions of children use such art supplies every day in preschool, art class and at home, and are unwittingly exposed to unknown levels of contaminants. Fortunately, there is a safe alternative.
Diana Mercer is a teacher of young children in art and founder of Clementine Art, a natural children's art supply company. For many years, she has helped children express their creative intuitions through art, but became concerned over what hidden ingredients might be lurking in the supposed non-toxic art supplies she was using. She began to create her own art supplies from the natural ingredients in her kitchen as an alternative, which eventually birthed into Clementine Art.
Today, the company produces truly natural, non-toxic modeling dough, glue, crayons, paints, crayons and markers. All of the products are certified non-toxic, environmentally-friendly and free of artificial colors and dyes. Unlike conventional brands, Clementine Art products bear full ingredient labels that disclose every ingredient.
Clementine's modeling dough, for example, is composed of simple ingredients like flour and water, similar to what is found in natural baked bread. The dough is colored using natural foods like turmeric, carmine, annatto and spinach, and is scented using natural scents like strawberry, lemon and lime.
Similarly, Clementine's natural paints are colored using earth-based, non-toxic mineral pigments, as are the company's markers and crayons. All of these contain absolutely no chemical dyes or other artificial additives.
"Clementine's creamy, natural crayons are made from kosher soy wax and mineral pigments. Conventional crayons are made from paraffin wax, a petroleum product," explains Mercer about the superiority of her crayons. "The use of soy in our product is better for your child's health and better for the environment since soy is a sustainable crop."
Clementine also makes soy-based crayon rocks which were designed by an early childhood educator to encourage motor and writing skills in small children. Their unique design facilitates young children in learning how to shade, draw lines and mix colors.
Clementine Art also makes a safe, non-toxic glue that is composed of natural bio-polymers rather than animal adhesives. It will not cause harm to a child if ingested, and like the other Clementine products, it contains no artificial colors or dyes.
Mercer truly believes in her products and is enthusiastic about being able to provide a safe alternative for children. "Clementine Art products help to develop your child's creative voice. Our unique, engaging and natural art supplies will inspire your children naturally and safely," she says.
To learn more about Clementine Art, please visit www.clementineart.com.
Diana Mercer is a teacher of young children in art and founder of Clementine Art, a natural children's art supply company. For many years, she has helped children express their creative intuitions through art, but became concerned over what hidden ingredients might be lurking in the supposed non-toxic art supplies she was using. She began to create her own art supplies from the natural ingredients in her kitchen as an alternative, which eventually birthed into Clementine Art.
Today, the company produces truly natural, non-toxic modeling dough, glue, crayons, paints, crayons and markers. All of the products are certified non-toxic, environmentally-friendly and free of artificial colors and dyes. Unlike conventional brands, Clementine Art products bear full ingredient labels that disclose every ingredient.
Clementine's modeling dough, for example, is composed of simple ingredients like flour and water, similar to what is found in natural baked bread. The dough is colored using natural foods like turmeric, carmine, annatto and spinach, and is scented using natural scents like strawberry, lemon and lime.
Similarly, Clementine's natural paints are colored using earth-based, non-toxic mineral pigments, as are the company's markers and crayons. All of these contain absolutely no chemical dyes or other artificial additives.
"Clementine's creamy, natural crayons are made from kosher soy wax and mineral pigments. Conventional crayons are made from paraffin wax, a petroleum product," explains Mercer about the superiority of her crayons. "The use of soy in our product is better for your child's health and better for the environment since soy is a sustainable crop."
Clementine also makes soy-based crayon rocks which were designed by an early childhood educator to encourage motor and writing skills in small children. Their unique design facilitates young children in learning how to shade, draw lines and mix colors.
Clementine Art also makes a safe, non-toxic glue that is composed of natural bio-polymers rather than animal adhesives. It will not cause harm to a child if ingested, and like the other Clementine products, it contains no artificial colors or dyes.
Mercer truly believes in her products and is enthusiastic about being able to provide a safe alternative for children. "Clementine Art products help to develop your child's creative voice. Our unique, engaging and natural art supplies will inspire your children naturally and safely," she says.
To learn more about Clementine Art, please visit www.clementineart.com.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Verterra Dinnerware, the completely sustainable alternative to disposable dishes
(NaturalNews) Picnics, camping trips, hikes and nights when you really do not feel like doing any dishes; these are some of the many reasons why we buy disposable dishes. At best, we might use paper plates, and at worst, a plastic or styrofoam variety. The options vary in negative environmental impact, but there is one company that has not only raised the bar in disposable dinnerware, but revolutionized it.
Michael Dwork, founder of Verterra, first came up with his dinnerware idea during a visit to India where he saw a native woman soaking leaves in water and pressing them in a makeshift waffle iron. When they came out, she served a meal on them, which inspired Dwork to utilize the same concept for disposable dish ware.
Verterra's line of dinnerware is composed entirely of fallen leaves from India that have been steamed, heated and pressurized. The dinnerware is durable, safe and completely natural, containing absolutely no plastics, glues, lacquers or any other kind of adhesive that would potentially leech into food. The ware is lightweight but sturdy, and has a classic, natural look that adds style to any dinner engagement.
Though the company is not legally allowed to recommend it, Verterra Dinnerware can actually be reused upwards of ten times depending on the foods for which it is used. But even if you use it only once, it is a great product that Dwork believes actually provides a net benefit for the environment.
When compared to all the other eco-friendly disposable options available, Verterra's line tops them all. According to company tests, all Verterra products will completely biodegrade in two months when placed in a landfill or compost bin. Which brings up another unique aspect of the products; they can be composted and will actually provide benefit to soil.
In India, there is a plethora of fallen palm leaves that typically get burned in large piles by the side of the road. Dwork actually saves these leaves and uses them to produce Verterra products, which when all is said and done, likely has a negative carbon impact on the environment.
Because he could not find a suitable leaf variety to use in the U.S., Dwork produces the plates in India where the type of palm leaves he uses are plentiful. Verterra owns and operates its own factory in India where its workers are treated and paid fairly. The conditions are safe and the company provides its workers with access to medical care.
While all this sounds great, some people may be wondering if Verterra products actually work. Truthfully, the ware is durable and long-lasting. It has held up just fine after several washes and does not seem to absorb the food that touches it. Certain sauces and liquids may stain it, however it can still be used multiple times if you want to get the most use out of it.
Because it can warp in the dishwasher, hand-washing is the best method to employ if you wish to reuse Verterra products. Amazingly, Verterra can be heated in the oven and will hold up well in the refrigerator. It is also microwave safe (however I would not recommend using microwaves in general).
Though somewhat pricy, Verterra is versatile and will work in many different applications. If you plan to reuse it, it may actually end up being cheaper than the paper or plastic ware available at the grocery store.
For more information about Verterra Dinnerware, please visit www.verterra.com.
Michael Dwork, founder of Verterra, first came up with his dinnerware idea during a visit to India where he saw a native woman soaking leaves in water and pressing them in a makeshift waffle iron. When they came out, she served a meal on them, which inspired Dwork to utilize the same concept for disposable dish ware.
Verterra's line of dinnerware is composed entirely of fallen leaves from India that have been steamed, heated and pressurized. The dinnerware is durable, safe and completely natural, containing absolutely no plastics, glues, lacquers or any other kind of adhesive that would potentially leech into food. The ware is lightweight but sturdy, and has a classic, natural look that adds style to any dinner engagement.
Though the company is not legally allowed to recommend it, Verterra Dinnerware can actually be reused upwards of ten times depending on the foods for which it is used. But even if you use it only once, it is a great product that Dwork believes actually provides a net benefit for the environment.
When compared to all the other eco-friendly disposable options available, Verterra's line tops them all. According to company tests, all Verterra products will completely biodegrade in two months when placed in a landfill or compost bin. Which brings up another unique aspect of the products; they can be composted and will actually provide benefit to soil.
In India, there is a plethora of fallen palm leaves that typically get burned in large piles by the side of the road. Dwork actually saves these leaves and uses them to produce Verterra products, which when all is said and done, likely has a negative carbon impact on the environment.
Because he could not find a suitable leaf variety to use in the U.S., Dwork produces the plates in India where the type of palm leaves he uses are plentiful. Verterra owns and operates its own factory in India where its workers are treated and paid fairly. The conditions are safe and the company provides its workers with access to medical care.
While all this sounds great, some people may be wondering if Verterra products actually work. Truthfully, the ware is durable and long-lasting. It has held up just fine after several washes and does not seem to absorb the food that touches it. Certain sauces and liquids may stain it, however it can still be used multiple times if you want to get the most use out of it.
Because it can warp in the dishwasher, hand-washing is the best method to employ if you wish to reuse Verterra products. Amazingly, Verterra can be heated in the oven and will hold up well in the refrigerator. It is also microwave safe (however I would not recommend using microwaves in general).
Though somewhat pricy, Verterra is versatile and will work in many different applications. If you plan to reuse it, it may actually end up being cheaper than the paper or plastic ware available at the grocery store.
For more information about Verterra Dinnerware, please visit www.verterra.com.
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