2011-01-11 00:00:002011-01-12 00:00:00Why is Brushing With Toothpaste Important? Brushing with toothpaste is important for several reasons. First and foremost, a toothpaste and a correct brushing action work to remove plaque, a sticky, harmful film of bacteria that grows on your teeth that causes cavities, gum disease and eventual tooth loss if not controlled. Second, toothpaste contains fluoride, which makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage can even be seen. Third, special ingredients in toothpaste help to clean and polish the teeth and remove stains over time. Fourth, toothpastes help freshen breath and leave your mouth with a clean feeling. How much should I use? Contrary to what toothpaste commercials show, the amount of paste or gel needed on your brush for effective cleaning does not have to be a heaping amount. Simply squeeze a pea-sized dab of paste on the top half of your brush. If you brush correctly, holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush inside, outside and between your teeth, the paste should foam enough to cover all of your teeth. Children under age 6, however, should be given a very small, baby pea-sized dab of toothpaste on their brush. Is brushing with toothpaste enough to fight cavities and gum disease? No. Although brushing thoroughly after each meal helps, flossing your teeth every day to remove plaque and food particles between teeth and at the gumline is just as important. Studies show that plaque will regrow on teeth that are completely clean within three to four hours of brushing.]]>2011-01-12 00:00:002011-03-25 00:00:002011-04-07 00:00:002011-04-28 00:00:002011-04-28 00:00:002011-07-25 00:00:002011-08-21 00:00:002011-09-22 00:00:00Journal of Dental Research. Recent study results showed that the presence of deep periodontal pockets and missing teeth were able to help correctly identify diabetes and pre-diabetes in approximately 73 percent of cases. These oral identifiers, along with elevated blood sugar levels - HbA1c levels of >5.7% - increased correct identification of diabetic and pre-diabetic patients to 92%. Researchers believe these oral health identifiers may allow dentists to recognize undiagnosed diabetes and pre-diabetes, allowing them to refer their patients to appropriate care providers. -AGD Impact Sept 2011]]>2011-11-15 00:00:002011-11-30 00:00:00www.globaltvbc.com ]]>