The Art of Brushing

The Art of Brushing         

Brushing our teeth, a mindless task we unconsciously do several times a day, is often overlooked when considering the overall wellness of the body. Many leading doctors and scientists have discovered that health begins in the mouth! It has its own microbiome just as the gut does.

Oral health is about so much more than just the health of the mouth, teeth, and gums. Because the mouth is a primary entryway into the body, poor oral health can have negative consequences for the entire body. Teeth that ache, gums that bleed, and breath that smells bad are all indicators of poor oral health. Bacteria from the mouth can easily get into the bloodstream and cause infection and inflammation to wherever they spread. 

Oral conditions like dental decay aren’t simply the presence of harmful bacteria, but microbial imbalance of the oral microbiome. With between 500-700 common species, the oral environment is a separate but not completely unique population to the gut. Between the two, 45% of species overlap between mouth and colonic microbes. It’s estimated that swallowed saliva carries around a trillion bacteria into the body every day. Dentists have known for a long time the relationship the mouth, teeth and gums have to systemic diseases such as heart disease, type-2 diabetes and arthritis. 

It is imperative for expectant mothers to practice good oral hygiene. Hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy can cause a woman to develop oral infections much more easily. Any infection in the mother’s body increases her risk of experiencing pregnancy complications. Oral health problems in the mother such as periodontitis and gingivitis have been known to lead to premature birth and low birth weight in infants. Gum disease puts both mother and baby at risk for experiencing serious health issues.

Oral health is an indicator of overall health. Taking care to prevent oral health problems like gingivitis and periodontal disease can go a long way toward decreasing the risk for more serious health problems throughout the body. It is important to practice good oral hygiene and to see a dentist regularly in order to avoid serious risk to the body’s overall health. 

The best way to prevent serious health issues caused by bad oral health is to practice good oral hygiene and schedule regular visits with your dentist.

• Brush the teeth and gums for two minutes at least twice a day.
• Floss the teeth daily.
• Limit sugary foods and drinks.
• Eat a well-balanced nutritious diet.

Healthy teeth are clean and free of pain caused by cavities and disease. Healthy gums are pink and do not bleed when brushed or flossed.

At your local drugstore and on the TV and in magazines, there are so many brands of toothpaste that it is sometimes difficult to know which one to choose for your particular needs. We offer two toothpastes which we believe to be good for your teeth and gums. Both not only clean well but help maintain healthy oral bacteria, strengthen enamel and offer protection against tooth sensitivity.

1. Revitin
Revitin is a toothpaste that was created fifteen years ago by two doctors. Dr. Curatola and Dr. Shuch who wanted to create a product that concentrated on making a balanced oral microbiome which in turn would help maintain a healthy body. What exactly does this mean? Typically, in conventional toothpastes, all bacteria in the mouth are killed, the good and the bad. These doctors wanted to make a toothpaste that would rid the bad bacteria but keep the good bacteria in your mouth. As your mouth is considered an extension of your digestive system, keeping the good bacteria would help create a balanced ecosystem in your mouth and body. Revitin, which is made up of vitamins, enzymes and minerals. It cleans your teeth and encourages the growth of beneficial flora. 

Some properties of Revitin include:
• safe to eat (important feature for children!)
• environmentally friendly
• natural ingredients
• will aid in achieving whiter teeth and stronger enamel 

• protects against inflammation
• long lasting, fresh breath
• Fluoride free

Ingredients:
Purified Water, Calcium Carbonate, Non-GMO Vegetable Glycerin, Dental Silica, Tangerine Oil, Lemon Oil, Xanthan Gum, Cranberry Seed Oil, Vitamins, C, D3, E and K2, MSM, coQ10, Quillaja Saponaria Extract, Chondrus Crispus (seaweed), Non- GMO Stevia Leaf Extract.

 2. Theodent
Theodent is a toothpaste that was discovered purely by accident. As university researchers were examining effects of caffeine on developing teeth, they discovered that cocoa had positive effects on teeth. This was the beginnings of Theodent toothpaste. All of Theodent’s toothpaste products are based on their patented Rennou ingredient. Rennou, an extract from the cocoa bean, contains the chemical compound theobromine which is a natural plant alkaloid. Theobromine is credited for the warm feeling we get when we eat chocolate. How is Rennou helpful? Your enamel is made up of hundreds of thousands of calcium and phosphorous unit crystals which form the mineral component of enamel, hydroxyapatite. Theodent with Rennou increases the size of the surface unit crystals of your enamel by four times. Larger unit crystals make your teeth less susceptible to bacterial acid de-mineralization and keep your teeth healthy and robust.

Some properties of Theodent include: 

• Fluoride and SLS free
• Vegan
• Mint Flavoured
• Cruelty free
• Not harmful if consumed 

• Fluoride free

Ingredients:
Active ingredient: Rennou ( theobromine, calcium acetate and sodiumhydrogen phosphate)
Inactive Ingredients: Purified water, Hydrated Solica, Sorbitol, Xylitol, Glycerin,
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide, Citric Acid, Spearmint oil, Sodium Benzoate, Stevia Extract, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sugar Free Vanilla Extract

Generic Drugstore Toothpaste
There is a huge variety of toothpaste when you go to your local supermarket or drugstore. Most generic toothpastes contain fluoride. Many dentists credit fluoride as the lead role in fighting cavities. Alternatively, fluoride is also believed to be harmful if there is over- exposure. In comparison to the above toothpastes, generic toothpaste is unsafe to swallow. If it is swallowed, it is advised to seek medical help or the Poison Control Centre right away. It is also not recommended for children under the age of 6 years old. Some properties of Generic Drugstore Toothpaste include:
Wide variety of flavours
Wide variety of kinds : whitening, enamel health, fresh breath

Wide variety of tastes

Ingredients:
Active Ingredients: Sodium Fluoride, Triclosan
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Hydrated Silica, Glycerin, Sorbitol, PVM/MA
Copolymer, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cellulose Gum, Flavor, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Carrageenan, Sodium Saccharin, Titanium Dioxide

Whatever toothpaste you choose, it is important to do your research and assess your options. There are many factors that are involved when considering healthy oral hygiene. Not only is toothpaste important, but how often you brush your teeth, how you brush your teeth, what toothbrush you use and many other factors also make an impact on your teeth brushing experience.

Happy brushing everyone!