Routine Checkups

Your dentist will recommend how often to have routine checkups. Many people should see their dentists once or twice a year. Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other health problems.

* Your dental hygienist will begin to clean your teeth by scraping hard mineral buildup (tartar) off of your teeth with a small metal tool. Then the hygienist will floss your teeth, use a polishing compound, and apply fluoride. Cleanings usually aren’t painful.
* Occasionally your dentist will want to take X-rays. The X-rays take only a few minutes.
o Your dentist or technician will have you put on a heavy apron to shield your body from X-rays. Everyone else in the room will either wear a protective apron or step behind a protective shield.
o Your dentist or technician will have you bite down on a small piece of plastic. This will help align the teeth properly for the machine. Your dentist or technician will repeat this process several times to get pictures of all your teeth.
* If necessary, your dentist will put a sealant on the chewing surface of your back teeth to help prevent cavities. Sealants keep food and bacteria from getting stuck in the rough chewing surfaces or grooves of your teeth, and they protect your teeth from plaque.
* Your dentist or hygienist may apply a fluoride solution directly to your teeth to help prevent tooth decay. Your dentist may recommend a series of fluoride applications.
* If you are prone to infections, or if infections are particularly dangerous for you, you may need to take antibiotics before you have some types of dental work. You may need to take antibiotics if you:
o Have certain heart problems that make it dangerous for you to get a heart infection called endocarditis.
o Have an impaired immune system.
o Had recent major surgeries or have man-made body parts, such as an artificial hip or heart valve.
* Your dentist or hygienist may ask you about the foods you eat. What you eat and whether you get enough vitamins and minerals can affect your dental health.
* If you have active tooth decay or gum disease, your dentist will talk to you about changing your brushing or flossing habits. In severe cases, he or she may recommend antibiotics or other dental treatments. If your teeth and gums appear healthy, your dentist will recommend that you continue your usual brushing and flossing.

Infants and Children

A child’s dental care really starts with his or her mother’s healthy pregnancy, because baby teeth begin to form before birth. If you are pregnant, make sure to eat a balanced, nutritious diet and get an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals. It’s important for pregnant women to have a complete dental exam and have any cavities or gum disease treated. For more information, see the topic Pregnancy.

Teething

Your child’s first teeth (primary teeth Click here to see an illustration.) usually begin to break through the gums (erupt) at about 6 months of age, although the timing Click here to see an illustration. varies among children. All of the 20 primary teeth should come in between the ages of 6 months and 3 years. Your child will lose his or her primary teeth between the ages of 6 and 11. For more information, see the topic Teething.

Your child’s first permanent teeth Click here to see an illustration. (molars) usually erupt behind the primary teeth at about age 6. The last permanent teeth usually erupt between the ages of 12 and 21.

Starting dental care for children

By the time your child is 6 months of age, your doctor should assess the likelihood of your child having future dental problems. This may include a dental exam of the mother and her dental history, as the condition of her teeth can often predict her child’s teeth. If the doctor thinks your child will have dental problems, be sure your child sees a dentist by his or her first birthday or 6 months after the first primary teeth appear Click here to see an illustration., whichever comes first. After your first visit, schedule regular visits every 6 months or as your dentist recommends.

Experts recommend that your child’s dental care start at 12 months of age. Babies with dental problems caused by injury, disease, or a developmental problem should be seen by a children’s (pediatric) dentist right away. If these dental problems are not limited to the surfaces of the teeth, your baby should also be seen by a children’s doctor (pediatrician) or your family doctor. For more information, see the topics Mouth Problems, Noninjury and Mouth and Dental Injuries.

Caring for your child’s teeth

It’s best to start good oral health habits before permanent teeth come in.
* Parents and caregivers often share spoons, forks, and other utensils with babies. The saliva you may leave on the utensil contains bacteria that can cause tooth decay. Sometimes, kissing can also transfer bacteria. You can help prevent early childhood tooth decay in your child by making sure that your family practices good dental health habits. Keeping your own teeth and gums healthy reduces the risk of transferring tooth decay bacteria to your child.
* Do not put your infant or small child to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice, or other product that contains sugar. The sugar and acids in these liquids can cause tooth decay (bottle mouth Click here to see an illustration.). Do not prop the bottle up in your baby’s mouth. Remove the bottle as soon as your baby is done feeding or is asleep. Breast-feeding your infant to sleep is safe, however. Encourage your baby to begin drinking from a cup at about 9 months of age.
* Discuss your child’s fluoride needs with your dentist if your local water supply does not contain enough fluoride. To find out, call your local water company or health department. If you have your own well, have your water checked to determine whether your family needs fluoride from other sources. You may also need to provide fluoride to your children if you use bottled water for cooking or drinking.
* Give your child nutritious foods to maintain healthy gums, develop strong teeth, and avoid tooth decay. These include whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. Try to avoid foods that are high in sugar and processed carbohydrates, such as pastries, pasta, and white bread. For more information, see the food guide pyramid Click here to see an illustration..
* Do not give your child mouthwashes that contain alcohol. When they are around 6 years old, children with a lot of cavities may start using a mouthwash that contains fluoride. But watch that they do not swallow it.
* Keep your child away from cigarette smoke (secondhand smoke). Tobacco smoke may contribute to the development of tooth decay, gum disease, and other health issues.1 As your child grows, teach him or her about the dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke.
* Children play hard, sometimes hard enough to knock out or break a tooth. Learn how to prevent injuries to teeth and what to do in a dental emergency. For more information, see the topic Mouth and Dental Injuries.
* If your child sucks his or her fingers or thumb, help your child to stop. If the child can’t stop, see your dentist. For more information, see the topic Thumb-Sucking.

Brushing and flossing

* Start cleaning your child’s teeth with a soft cloth or gauze pad as soon as the teeth come in. As more teeth erupt, clean teeth with a soft toothbrush, using only water for the first few months.
* By the time your baby is 1 year old, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Brush your child’s teeth for the first few years, until your child can do it alone (usually at about age 3). Teach your child not to swallow the toothpaste.
* Your child can learn how to brush his or her own teeth at about 3 years of age. Children should be brushing their own teeth morning and night by age 4, although you should supervise and check for proper cleaning.
* Give your child a small, soft toothbrush, and apply fluoridated toothpaste in an amount about the size of a small green pea. Encourage your child to watch you and older siblings brush Click here to see an illustration. teeth. A good teaching method is to have your child brush in the morning and you brush at night until your child masters the skill.
* Start flossing your child’s teeth as soon as they touch each other. You may find plastic flossing tools Click here to see an illustration. helpful. Talk with your dentist about the right timing and technique to floss your child’s teeth and how to teach your child to floss.
* Use disclosing tablets from time to time to see whether any plaque is left on the teeth after brushing. Disclosing tablets are chewable and will color any plaque left on the teeth after the child brushes. You can buy these at most drugstores.

Infants and preschoolers

By the time your child is 6 months old, your doctor should assess the likelihood of your child having future dental problems. This may include a dental exam of the mother and her dental history, because the condition of her teeth can often predict possible problems with her child’s teeth. If the doctor thinks your child will have dental problems, be sure your child sees a dentist by his or her first birthday or 6 months after the first primary teeth appear Click here to see an illustration., whichever comes first. After your first visit, schedule regular visits every 6 months or as your dentist recommends.

Experts recommend that your child’s dental care start at 12 months of age. Babies with dental problems caused by injury, disease, or a developmental problem should be seen by a children’s (pediatric) dentist right away. If these dental problems are not limited to the surfaces of the teeth, your baby should also be seen by a children’s doctor (pediatrician) or your family doctor.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that doctors prescribe fluoride to preschool children older than 6 months of age whose primary water source lacks enough fluoride.1

For more information, see the topics Basic Dental Care, Mouth and Dental Injuries, and Mouth Problems, Noninjury.

Adults, teens, and school-age children

See your dentist once or twice a year. Your dentist will examine your teeth and gums for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other health problems.

* Your dental hygienist will begin to clean your teeth by scraping hard mineral buildup (tartar) off your teeth with a small metal tool. Then the hygienist will floss your teeth, use a polishing compound, and apply fluoride. Cleanings usually aren’t painful.
* Occasionally your dentist will want to take X-rays. The X-rays take only a few minutes.
o Your dentist or technician will have you put on a heavy apron to shield your body from X-rays. Everyone else in the room will either wear a protective apron or step behind a protective shield.
o Your dentist or technician will have you bite down on a small piece of plastic. This will help align your teeth properly for the machine. Your dentist or technician will repeat this process several times to get pictures of all your teeth.
* If necessary, your dentist will put a sealant on the chewing surface of your back teeth to help prevent cavities. Sealants keep food and bacteria from getting stuck in the rough chewing surfaces or grooves of your teeth, and they protect your teeth from plaque.
* Your dentist or hygienist may apply a fluoride solution directly to your teeth to help prevent tooth decay. Your dentist may recommend a series of fluoride applications.
* If you are prone to infections, you may need to take antibiotics before you have any dental work. This includes people who:
o Have heart valve problems, which put you at risk for endocarditis.
o Have an impaired immune system.
o Had recent major surgeries or have man-made body parts, such as an artificial hip or heart valve.
* Your dentist or hygienist may ask you about the foods you eat. What you eat and whether you get enough vitamins and minerals can affect your dental health.
* If you have active tooth decay or gum disease, your dentist will talk to you about changing your brushing or flossing habits. In severe cases, he or she may recommend antibiotics or other dental treatments. If your teeth and gums appear to be healthy, your dentist will probably recommend that you continue your usual brushing and flossing routine.

After reviewing all of the research, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has not recommended for or against routine screening of adults for oral cancer.2

A visit to the dentist can be a scary thing for children. The odors, the tools, the sounds, and the big person with the mask can all upset a child. When choosing a dentist for your child and preparing him or her for a visit, think about the following to make the visit as pleasant as possible.

Choosing a dentist

Pediatric dentists specialize in the care of infants’, children’s, and teenagers’ teeth. They have 2 to 3 years more training to meet the special needs of these age groups. They have special training in making children feel at ease and may have offices designed for children. Whether or not you use a pediatric dentist for your child, asking the following questions can help you pick the right dentist.

* What experience does the dentist have with children?
* Is the office set up for children? For example, does it have children’s drawings on the wall, magazines for children in the waiting room, and smaller furniture? You might want to visit the office to see how it looks.
* Does the dentist dress the part? Will he or she wear something that puts the child more at ease? For example, if the dentist wears a face mask with children’s illustrations rather than a white face mask, it may help the child relax.
* Does the dentist provide special programs for children? Membership in the “Cavity Club” or “Tooth Tots” can make a visit seem more fun.
* If the dentist has audio headphones, does he or she have children’s material?
* Does the dentist allow you to be present during treatment? This may be important with young children, but older children and teens may prefer to be on their own.

The dentist’s “chairside manner” is also important:

* How does the dentist put the child at ease? Techniques that some dentists use include “Tell-Show-Do,” in which the dentist shows and names a dental instrument, shows how it works and tells what it does, and then uses it with the child. Some dentists will pair children of a similar age. They will work with a shy or scared child and a child who is used to the dentist at the same time.
* How does the dentist start the exam? Many dentists will start with something easy, such as “let’s count your teeth” or making it a guessing game. Your dentist could also ask your child to draw a picture of his or her mouth, or a “rotten” tooth to begin the visit. This helps put your child at ease.
* Does the dentist praise the child? Saying something good or providing a reward when the child does something “right” helps make a visit to the dentist more positive.
* How does the dentist deal with problems? Children sometimes misbehave during a visit. The dentist may need to take action to prevent injury. In this situation, the first thing to do is to speak calmly and firmly to the child. If this does not stop the child, or if the child needs to be physically held back, you should know in advance and perhaps help. If you feel your child may act up, talk to your dentist in advance about how to deal with the situation.

Preparing your child for a visit

When your child is old enough to understand a visit to the dentist and have worries or fears, it may be helpful to prepare him or her to limit or overcome any anxiety. This first visit can set the tone for all future visits. Here are some things you can do:

* Talk to your child about the visit. Explain what will happen, but make it simple. Tell your child that the dentist will “count” and “take pictures” of his or her teeth.
* Don’t communicate any fear you have to your child. Don’t talk about how the dentist scares you or how bad your last visit was. Don’t use words like “shots,” “drills,” or “needles.”
* Talk to your dentist about any worries your child may have. Work together to help limit them. For example, if you know your child does not like “scary tools,” the dentist may be able to keep them out of sight.
* Look for books that explain what it is like to go to the dentist. They usually contain pictures to help explain what happens. They also let your child see what the inside of a dental office looks like.
* Ask your child to draw a picture of his or her mouth or teeth to take to the dentist. Your child can then talk about this to begin the visit.
* Don’t bribe your child into going to the dentist or use a dental visit as a punishment.

Is this topic for you?

This topic provides information on basic dental care. If you are looking for information on tooth decay or cavities, see the topic Tooth Decay. If you are looking for information on gum disease (periodontal disease), see the topic Gum Disease.

What is basic dental care?

Basic dental care involves brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, seeing your dentist and/or dental hygienist for regular checkups and cleanings, and eating a mouth-healthy diet, which means foods high in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and dairy products.

Why is basic dental care important?

Practicing basic dental care:

* Prevents tooth decay.
* Prevents gum (periodontal) disease Click here to see an illustration., which can damage gum tissue and the bones Click here to see an illustration. that support teeth Click here to see an illustration., and in the long term can lead to the loss of teeth.
* Shortens time with the dentist and dental hygienist, and makes the trip more pleasant.
* Saves money. By preventing tooth decay and gum disease, you can reduce the need for fillings and other costly procedures.
* Helps prevent bad breath. Brushing and flossing rid your mouth of the bacteria that cause bad breath.
* Helps keep teeth white by preventing staining from food, drinks, and tobacco.
* Improves overall health.
* Makes it possible for your teeth to last a lifetime.

Are there ways to avoid dental problems?

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy requires good nutrition and regular brushing and flossing.

* Brush your teeth twice a day—in the morning and before bed—and floss once a day. This removes plaque, which can lead to damaged teeth, gums, and surrounding bone.
* Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. Ask your dentist if you need a mouthwash that contains fluoride or one with ingredients that fight plaque. Look for toothpastes that have been approved by the American Dental Association.
* Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar. Sugar helps plaque grow.
* Avoid using tobacco products, which can cause gum disease and oral cancer. Exposure to tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke) also may cause gum disease as well as other health problems.1
* Practice tongue cleaning. You can use a tongue cleaner or a soft-bristle toothbrush, stroking in a back-to-front direction. Tongue cleaning is particularly important for people who smoke or whose tongues are coated or deeply grooved.
* Schedule regular trips to the dentist based on how often you need exams and cleaning.

When should my child start seeing a dentist?

By the time your child is 6 months of age, your doctor should assess the likelihood of your child having future dental problems. If he or she thinks your child will have dental problems, be sure your child sees a dentist before his or her first birthday or 6 months after the first primary teeth appear Click here to see an illustration., whichever comes first. After your first visit, schedule regular visits every 6 months or as your dentist recommends.

Experts recommend that your child’s dental care start at 12 months of age. If your baby has dental problems caused by injury, disease, or a developmental problem, see your pediatric dentist right away.

Most of the stains and problems in teeth may be caused by tobacco, coffee, tea or age. But sometimes such type of stains can be caused by some antibiotics as well such as tetracycline or too much fluoride.

At this condition you can consult your dentist about tooth-whitening options. It includes a number of whitening systems. But now a days Teeth whitening systems like Bleaching kits, Bonding, Porcelain veneers, Whitening Toothpastes used by dentists can be purchased. The ingredients in the tooth whitening systems can be used carefully at home. These home tooth whitening systems do not require extensive treatment sessions; you have to spend only fifteen to thirty minutes in a day. How many days the tooth whitening system can be used depend on the amount of whitening the customer prefers to have on his/her teeth?

To use the tooth whitening systems, customer must put on thin thermoforming trays over the top and bottom teeth for only 15 -30 minutes a day. This formula has much whitening power than other tooth whitening systems, white light refills and therefore requires less application, less time and less effort. It improves higher percentage of active tooth whitening ingredients and is ph optimized to maximize the tooth whitening process.

Some teeth whiting systems:
Bleaching kits—it is mostly accepted whitening tool for tooth bleaching.
Bonding—a complex resin that is molded onto the teeth to change their shade and to reform them.
Porcelain veneers— it is used to reshape and/or lengthen teeth as well as to whiten.
Whitening Toothpastes— whitening toothpastes effectively keep the teeth cleaner and looking whiter. The stronger toothpastes rely on scratch to remove external stains as opposed to actually changing the color of teeth.

It is very important to isolates your gums and lips with a protective material in order to avoid burning of your soft tissue. It is for this reason that home whitening kits usually have a low concentration of peroxide so that there is less change of any damage at home. The tooth whitening system does not contain any fluoride and its quality formula actually reduces tooth sensitivity. We unconditionally guarantee your total satisfaction with the results of our product or your money back – no matter how many you order.

Why not? Because they’ll yellow your teeth eventually. They contain abrasive ingredients like baking soda, which scrape off a little bit of tooth enamel by way of “whitening” your teeth. At first, you might think your teeth look a little whiter. But over the months and years, as enamel is gradually removed, the layer below the enamel will show more and more. That layer is the dentin, which is yellow.

There’s a health issue here too. The less enamel you have over each tooth, the less protection you have from tooth decay and toothache. That sturdy enamel needs to be retained, rather than slowly removed.

So look for a toothpaste that does not have the word “whitening” on the box or label.

How can tooth enamel be effectively whitened?
Teeth whiten only while they are in contact with a whitening agent. So even putting aside the issue of abrasive ingredients, toothpaste can never be effective in whitening teeth unless you spend about 45 minutes each day brushing.

Instead, you could wear a customized tray for those 45 minutes, which contains professional strength whitening gel. Then you would see very noticeable results within days or a week or two, depending on how discolored your teeth are to begin with.

1. Take-home whitening kits
Your cosmetic dentist can give you a take-home tooth whitening kit for just a modest cost. He would first have two trays made for you, from molds he would take of your upper and lower teeth. These trays will fit evenly and closely around your individual teeth. Therefore the whitening gel in your kit will be in even and close contact with your teeth, giving a smooth, bright result.

What’s in the kit?
Besides your two custom-made trays in a little container, there will be:
· Several syringes of whitening gel. You and your cosmetic dentist can first discuss how strong the gel should be. If your teeth are particularly sensitive, you can choose a moderate-strength gel, or an even weaker one. If you have more sturdy teeth, the strongest gel would be appropriate. The syringes have marks showing how much gel to use each time.
· A shade strip with places for you to mark the shade of your teeth when you begin and when you finish. Just hold it up next to your teeth to compare them to the shade choices on the strip.
· A syringe of de-sensitizing gel in case your teeth do get a bit sensitive. You can stop using the whitening gel, and use this de-sensitizing gel in the trays for a day or two.
· Instructions on how to use the kit.

Wear the trays for about 45 minutes each day and you’ll be astonished at the results.

2. Zoom! In-Office Teeth Whitening
If you’d like to get the job done quickly and not bother about wearing trays for a week or two, a Zoom! whitening treatment is the answer. In one visit of about 90 minutes, it can all be finished. The treatment itself takes an hour, and there’s a little time for preparation and a check-up afterwards.

After you’re comfortably settled, your dentist would first paint a protective gel on the gums and lips (or use a rubber guard). Then the whitening gel is applied to the teeth and a special light directed on it for 20 minutes. This is done twice more. If your teeth become too sensitive during this treatment, it will be stopped and a desensitizing agent applied.

At the end of that hour, you have a bright new smile. To follow up your cosmetic dentist will give you a take-home kit with more whitening gel and two trays. You can use this to brighten your teeth even further, or for later touch-ups.

The secret of successful teeth whitening is to use professional-strength gel, and trays that fit closely around each tooth. The quickest way is in-office, but the at-home method works as well, just taking longer. If you also have minor defects in your front teeth, like chips, slight crookedness, mis-matched sizes, or a gap between them, porcelain veneers are a very popular way to both correct those defects and give your teeth a new bright surface.

Having bad breath can be humiliating and embarrassing, especially when you know that people are joking and criticizing you about it. It’s also frustrating trying to cure bad breath. So, what I’m going to do is share with you some tips on getting rid of bad breath.

That way, you will have more confidence and fresh breath.

The tips on getting rid of bad breath are:

1. Eating yogurt is one way to cure bad breath. You should eat low carb or sugar-free yogurt twice a day for at least six weeks. Yogurt has bacteria in it that will help you kill the bacteria in your mouth that cause your breath to stink.

2. Another tip on getting rid of bad breath is to drink plenty of water. Drinking water will allow you to keep your mouth wet and moist. This allows you to keep your mouth from getting dry. When its dry, your breath will stink. So, drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.

3. Brushing your teeth after each meal is another tip on getting rid of bad breath fast. You should brush your teeth after every meal. Also, make sure you brush your tongue. It has bacteria on it that cause your breath to smell bad.

Flossing will also help you get rid of your bad breath. You have plaque, bacteria, and food that’s between your teeth. By flossing, you will be able to get them from between your teeth. So, be sure you floss daily to help keep your breath from stinking.

These are the 3 tips on getting rid of bad breath. If your breath stinks, you need to something about it now. Your breath could get worse if you don’t. Or, you could be at risk of getting an infection.

Keeping kids’ teeth healthy requires more than brushing and flossing twice a day. Optimal nutrition and a healthy lifestyle are equally important when it comes to ensuring that your child’s teeth grow strong and straight and remain free of decay.

The best time to start working towards a healthy set of teeth for your little one is before and during pregnancy. Your baby’s teeth begin to form in utero, although they don’t fully develop until they start pushing through the gums between seven and 12 months of age. A mother’s nutrition during the months of tooth formation can greatly influence the health of her baby’s teeth.

These primary (baby) teeth are in a sense “temporary” because they are replaced by the permanent teeth, but their role in determining the health of future permanent teeth should not be underestimated. Primary teeth encourage the normal development of jaw bones and muscles, and ensure that there is space for the permanent teeth to grow into. They also help guide those teeth into position. The healthier your child’s baby teeth are, the stronger their permanent teeth will be!

Most kids start losing their primary teeth between the ages of six and eight, but some baby teeth stay in the mouth until age 12. The permanent teeth help to push the primary teeth out and then take their place. Tooth formation is thus an ongoing process from before birth until well into the teenage years. A nutritious diet along with high-quality supplements during these years sets the stage for dental health both in childhood and throughout adulthood.

Dental-Friendly Diet

The most important nutrient for strong teeth is calcium. It’s found in green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, dried beans, almonds, sesame seeds, seaweeds and some root vegetables, especially carrots grown in organic, mineral-rich soil.

Dairy foods are also a good source of calcium, but they can be difficult to digest because of mandatory pasteurization, which destroys enzymes. Fermented whole dairy products such as yogurt, buttermilk and kefir are easier to digest and are especially recommended because their lactic acid content promotes calcium uptake in the small intestine. [The fat in cream or whole milk enables the body to assimilate calcium, which is why we always recommend "whole" food. Don’t be seduced into thinking low-fat or fat-free is better. It’s not. Especially for children.]

It’s also important to know that magnesium and vitamin D are required for calcium to be properly assimilated in the body. Magnesium is found in chlorophyll-rich green vegetables, whole grains, legumes, honey, molasses, dates and nuts, especially almonds, cashews and Brazil nuts. Kelp and other seaweeds are also good sources.

Vitamin D is produced in the body through the interaction of sunlight with certain chemicals in the skin’s fatty tissue. Food sources of vitamin D are eggs and dairy products. When sunlight exposure is limited, especially during the winter months, it’s often difficult to get adequate vitamin D from diet alone and a supplement is necessary. The best way to ensure that your little one gets calcium, magnesium and vitamin D in optimal doses and ratios is a supplement that combines all three nutrients.

Healthy Teeth for Life

Even after your child’s teeth are fully developed, good nutrition plays an important role in keeping them strong and healthy. A diet of natural whole foods helps to ensure a healthy mouth flora, which protects against the acids that cause tooth decay and foods rich in vitamin C help to protect gums against periodontal disease such as gingivitis.

Avoid refined sugars and candies of all kinds! Not only do they increase acids locally in the mouth, but they also undermine tooth health by interfering with the assimilation of minerals in the body. Unpasteurized honey may be the safest sweetener when it comes to tooth health: new research shows that honey prevents the growth of dental plaque bacteria believed to be responsible for dental caries.

Smile, You’ll Like it!

A bright, healthy smile is guaranteed to be noticed. To give power to your family’s grins, try these simple home-care tips.

* Avoid toothpastes with fluoride, a toxic additive. Children will swallow. There are herbal and homeopathic brands containing ingredients such as myrrh, natural oils, licorice, sea salt and neem.
* Brush with baking soda and water.
* Eat an apple. Apples require chewing, which forces your teeth into stimulating action. The malic acid content cleanses the teeth.
* Aloe vera gel applied directly can soothe irritated gums.
* Rub tea tree oil on gums to help prevent and treat gum disease. Or gargle with a mouthwash containing three to six drops of tea tree oil per ounce of mouthwash, but don’t swallow. Tea tree oil shouldn’t be taken internally.
* Clean your toothbrush regularly by soaking it hydrogen peroxide, diluted citrus extract, salt water or another non-toxic bacteria killer.

Many of us work hard to prevent heart attacks and strokes; we run, bike, swim, and watch what we eat. Of course, all those things are important, but what about our toothbrushes and floss? Their importance to overall health may surprise you.

Many studies suggest oral health, specifically gum disease, is related to serious conditions such as heart disease. This relationship has been known to exist for some time, though it was difficult to determine whether the link was caused by other factors including smoking, drinking, and lack of exercise.

Now, after researchers have successfully factored out such variables, the Academy of Periodontology reports that people with periodontal (gum) disease are almost twice as likely to have coronary artery disease, also known as heart disease. Experts urge that the evidence is not crystal clear, but theyare intrigued.

Heart Disease and Plaque

Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, develops when fats and other substances in the blood stick to the sides of our arteries, specifically the arteries that supply blood and oxygen directly to the heart.

These deposits, or “plaques,” can build up along the artery walls, narrowing or clogging the blood flow that is so important to any living tissue. If they block the flow completely, or if one of the plaques dislodges, a heart attack or stroke (if the blockage occurs in the arteries that feed the brain) can occur.

It is important to note that these plaques are not related to the plaque that a dentist or hygienist scrapes off your teeth. Dental plaque is a complex, sticky residue comprised mainly of bacteria, polysaccharides, or complex sugars, and food debris. It is the causative agent in cavities and gum disease.

The Gums-Heart Connection

One theory to explain the correlation between periodontal disease and coronary artery disease holds that bacteria indigenous to the mouth can enter via the gums and colonize or clump in and around the plaques or fatty deposits on the arteries, directly contributing to the narrowing, blockage, or clot.

Another more popular theory is rooted in the body’s own self-defence mechanism—inflammation or swelling. The inflammatory response is triggered by mediators, such as C-reactive protein. Bacteria originating from the oral cavity and travelling through the bloodstream are thought to trigger the release of mediators, causing blood cells to swell, thus contributing to narrowing of the arteries and increasing the risk of blockage.

Researchers have been clear about the role of inflammation in many diseases including periodontal disease, heart disease, and arthritis. Considering how similar the inflammatory process is throughout the body, it is not difficult to imagine one disease process having an influence on another. Many doctors routinely screen for C-reactive proteins in blood tests to diagnose patients at risk.

Though there seems little controversy over the connection between periodontal disease and heart disease, it is not clear if one is directly responsible for the other.

It is important to remember, though, that the connection could still be significant because early detection of cardiovascular disease is often impeded by the lack of symptoms. We can’t feel our arteries hardening, or an imbalance in our blood chemistry, but we just might notice our gums bleeding.

Clearly, anyone at risk or concerned about cardiovascular disease should still be focused on the obvious lifestyle parameters: eat healthy, exercise most days of the week, don’t smoke, lose weight if you’re overweight, etc.

Your oral health should be considered an important part of this list and should be given the same reverence. So brush, floss, and you’ll be one step closer to a long, healthy life!