A smile can last a lifetime – if you take care of it. For this reason, it is important that parents instill good oral health habits in their children as early as possible.
According to US Surgeon General Richard H. Cardona's report "National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health", children lose more than 51 million school hours each year and adults lose more than 164 million work hours each year due to dental disease or visits to the dentist. The total bill for dental services in the country in 2002 was estimated at more than $70.1 billion.
"Oral disease is making alarming inroads into communities across the country," explains Dr. Marsha Butler, vice president of global oral health and professional relations at Colgate-Palmolive. "For children ages 5 to 17 here in the U.S., tooth decay is more common than asthma, more common than hay fever, and a significant threat to the overall health and well-being of our children."
Recently, in celebration of National Children's Dental Health Month, Colgate and Dr. Cardona revealed the U.S. Surgeon General's "Seven Steps to a Brighter Smile," tips developed with a grant from Colgate-Palmolive to help keep teeth and gums strong and healthy:
1. Brush your teeth and gums with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after breakfast and before bed.
2. Visit the dentist regularly.
3. Floss your teeth daily.
4. Use a fluoride rinse for strong, healthy teeth and gums.
5. Limit the number of snacks per day - and don't forget to eat healthy and get enough calcium.
6. Wear a mouth guard when playing sports.
7. Ask your dentist about sealants.
Through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, Colgate has reached more than 50 million children with free dental screenings, treatment referrals and oral health education. The company is more than halfway to fulfilling its public commitment to reach 100 million children with these services by 2010. Bright Smiles, Bright Futures empowers children to take control of their oral health and helps create greater awareness of the importance of maintaining good dental hygiene.
Oil pulling is a conventional treatment that has its roots in India and is intended to strengthen oral hygiene and detoxify the body. To get rid of the bacteria that can form plaque and give your teeth a yellow appearance, this procedure involves rinsing the mouth with oil. Due to its pleasant taste and numerous health benefits, coconut oil is a popular choice. Lauric acid, which is known for its ability to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria, is also present in large quantities in coconut oil. Daily oil pulling reduces oral bacteria, plaque and gingivitis, according to several studies. One of the main types of bacteria in the mouth that cause plaque and gingivitis is streptococcus mutans.
One of the main types of bacteria in the mouth that cause plaque and gingivitis is streptococcus mutans. According to one study, daily rinsing with coconut oil was as effective as antibiotic mouthwash in reducing Streptococcus mutans after two weeks. Unfortunately, there are no studies in the scientific community to prove that oil pulling can whiten teeth. It's safe though, so it might be worth it. Many people claim that regular oil pulling makes their teeth whiter and brighter.
Oil pulling involves pushing and pulling one tablespoon (15 ml) of coconut oil between your teeth. You may need to wait a few seconds for the coconut oil to melt as it is solid at room temperature. Pull the oil continuously for 15-20 minutes. Because it naturally whitens teeth, baking soda is a common ingredient in commercial toothpastes. It is a gentle abrasive that can help clean teeth from surface stains. Baking soda also creates an alkaline environment in the mouth that prevents bacterial growth. Your teeth won't get whiter overnight with this treatment, but you should see a difference in how they look over time.
Although not scientifically proven, brushing your teeth with simple baking soda can whiten them, according to a number of studies, while toothpaste containing baking soda can actually improve dental health. According to one study, toothpastes containing baking soda significantly outperformed conventional toothpastes in reducing plaque, gum irritation and bleeding.
Another study found that toothpastes with baking soda may be better than other toothpastes in their ability to remove stains and whiten teeth. Use the resulting paste to brush your teeth after mixing 1 teaspoon (6 grams) of baking soda with 2 teaspoons (5 ml) of water. This can be done several times a week.
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